Touch screen apparatus with tactile information

• US 5,412,189 A
• Filed: 12/21/1992
• Issued: 05/02/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Cragun, Brian J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHIN, ESTHER
• Application Number:
  US07/993,749
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/380, 235/381, 902/10, 902/25, 902/20, 434/113, 434/112, 434/115, 341/21, 341/22, 341/23, 341/33, 341/34, 345/173
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04809 Textured surface identifying touch areas, e.g. overlay structure for a virtual keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/201 Accessories of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/0235 the arrangements being full-front touchscreens
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/001 Teaching or communicating with blind persons G09B21/02 - G09B21/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/003 using tactile presentation of the information, e.g. Braille displays

Abstract

A touch screen apparatus with tactile feedback is disclosed. Tactile information, such as Braille or other symbolic representations, is integrally connected to an area on the touch screen surface. This tactile information can be molded into the touch screen surface as part of its initial manufacturing process, or can be added later by making the tactile information our of epoxy or or by placing a plastic film containing the tactile information over the touch screen surface. The touch screen display can be part of a desktop or laptop computer, can be part of a computer system in a public information kiosk or automated teller machine application, or can be included as an information panel in stereo equipment, transportation equipment, etc.

Claims

1. A touch sensitive screen display, comprising:

a touch sensitive screen surface having a height and a width;

tactile information integrally connected to at least one touch sensing region on said touch sensitive screen surface, said tactile information having a depth;

wherein said touch sensitive screen surface is relatively smooth except for said at least one touch sensing region; and

wherein said depth of said tactile information is sufficient to allow said tactile information to be perceived by human touch.

2. The touch sensitive screen display of claim 1, wherein said tactile information is comprised of one or more Braille characters.

3. The touch sensitive screen display of claim 1, wherein said tactile information is comprised of one or more symbols.

4. The touch sensitive screen display of claim 1, wherein said tactile information is composed of epoxy cement.

5. The touch sensitive screen display of claim 1, wherein said tactile information is contained on a sheet covering said touch sensitive screen surface.

6. The touch sensitive screen display of claim 1, wherein said tactile information is molded into said touch sensitive screen surface.

7. A computer system, comprising:

a processor;

memory, connected to said processor;

storage media, connected to said processor;

a touch sensitive screen display, further comprising;

a touch sensitive screen surface having a height and a width;

tactile information integrally connected to at least one touch sensing region on said touch sensitive screen surface, said tactile information having a depth;

wherein said touch sensitive screen surface is relatively smooth except for said at least one touch sensing region; and

wherein said depth of said tactile information is sufficient to allow said tactile information to be perceived by human touch.

8. The computer system of claim 7, further comprising a speaker connected to said processor.

9. An automated teller machine, comprising:

a processor;

memory, connected to said processor;

a card reader, connected to said processor;

a printer, connected to said processor;

a money tray, connected to said processor;

storage media, connected to said processor;

a touch sensitive screen display, further comprising;

a touch sensitive screen surface having a height and a width;

tactile information integrally connected to at least one touch sensitive region on said touch sensitive screen surface, said tactile information having a depth;

wherein said touch sensitive screen surface is relatively smooth except for said at least one touch sensitive region; and

wherein said depth of said tactile information is sufficient to allow said tactile information to be perceived by human touch.

10. The automated teller machine of claim 9, further comprising a speaker connected to said processor.

11. The automated teller machine of claim 9, further comprising a deposit receptacle connected to said processor.