Method for producing tactile markings on an input surface and system for carrying out of the method

• US 6,067,081 A
• Filed: 09/18/1997
• Issued: 05/23/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG (Vodafone Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG (Vodafone Group PLC)
• Inventors: Hahlganss, Gunter, Meier-Arendt, Guido, Roskoni, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Pan, Daniel H.
• Application Number:
  US08/932,509
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 362/293, 362/277, 362/319, 359/809, 341/23, 341/22, 845/173, 845/326, 845/333, 845/121, 845/473, 845/508, 710/62, 710/17, 710/20, 345/351, 345/156, 345/173, 345/174, 345/104, 345/179, 382/187, 382/192, 382/198, 382/229, 702/138, 369/126
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3664 Details of the user input interface, e.g. buttons, knobs or sliders, including those provided on a touch screen; remote controllers; input using gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/014 Force feedback applied to GUI
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

A method of producing tactile markings on an input surface, in which information is transmitted to the input member in the form of movements of the input surface and an arrangement for the carrying out of the method. In order to produce a large number of tactile markings on an input surface at little technical expense, the position of an input member on the input surface is detected and the position so detected is compared with a virtual coordinate-oriented reference pattern which associates a given movement with each position. Depending on the position of the input member, the entire input surface carries out the movement corresponding to that position.

Claims

1. A method of producing tactile markings on an input surface, wherein information in the form of movements of the input surface is transmitted to an input member, comprising the steps of:

detecting the position of the input member on the input surface;

comparing the position which has thus been detected with a virtual coordinate-oriented reference pattern which associates specific movement with each position;

as a function of the position of the input member, moving the entire input surface with said movement in correspondence with the position; and

wherein the entire input surface, in said movement step, is changeable in height depending on the position of the input member.

2. A method of producing tactile markings on an input surface, wherein information in the form of movements of the input surface is transmitted to an input member, comprising the steps of:

detecting the position of the input member on the input surface;

comparing the position which has thus been detected with a virtual coordinate-oriented reference pattern which associates specific movement with each position;

as a function of the position of the input member, moving the entire input surface with said movement in correspondence with the position; and

further comprising a step of placing the entire input surface in vibration with a frequency and/or amplitude corresponding to the position of the input member.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein, in said placing step, vibrations are produced in the input direction.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the vibrations are produced continuously.

5. A method according to claim 2, wherein, in said placing step, vibrations are produced in a pulsed manner.

6. A system for producing tactile markings on an input surface wherein information in the form of movements of the input surface is transmitted to an input member, the system comprising:

a position-detecting input surface and an evaluation unit connected to the input surface;

a position actuator for imparting movement to said input surface; and

wherein the evaluation unit stores a virtual reference pattern and conducts signals to said position actuator, and said actuator carries out the movement corresponding to the position detected; and

said actuator is operative to provide that a height of the whole input surface is variable in dependence on a position of the input member.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the position-indicating input surface detects the position of the input member by capacitive sensing.

8. A system according to claim 6, wherein the position-indicating input surface detects the position of the input member by acoustic sensing.

9. A system according to claim 6, wherein the position-indicating input surface detects the position of the input member by optional sensing.

10. A system according to claim 6, wherein the position-indicating input surface detects the position of the input member by pressure sensing.

11. A system according to claim 6, wherein the position-indicating input surface detects the position of the input member by ultrasonic sensing.

12. A system according to claim 6, wherein the input surface is flat.

13. A system according to claim 6, wherein the input surface is curved.

14. A system according to claim 6, wherein

the position actuator is a vibration generator.

15. A system according to claim 6, further comprising

at least one sensor provided on the position actuator for transmitting input information.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein

said sensor for transmitting input information is a pressure sensor.

17. A system according to claim 16, further comprising an information system, wherein said sensor for transmitting input information is connected with the information system.

18. A system for producing tactile markings on an input surface comprising:

a position-detecting input surface and an evaluation unit connected to the input surface;

a position actuator for imparting movement to said input surface;

wherein the evaluation unit stores a virtual reference pattern and conducts signals to said position actuator, and said actuator carries out the movement corresponding to the position detected, the system further comprising;

at least one sensor provided on the position actuator for transmitting input information;

an information system, wherein said sensor for transmitting input information is connected with the information system, and

said sensor for transmitting input information is a pressure sensor; and

the information system controls complex operating functions of the marking system; and

said system is connected to the evaluation unit for adapting the virtual reference pattern to an actual operating function.

19. A system for producing tactile markings on an input surface comprising:

a position-detecting input surface and an evaluation unit connected to the input surface;

a position actuator for imparting movement to said input surface;

wherein the evaluation unit stores a virtual reference pattern and conducts signals to said position actuator, and said actuator carries out the movement corresponding to the position detected, the system further comprising;

at least one sensor provided on the position actuator for transmitting input information;

an information system, wherein said sensor for transmitting input information is connected with the information system, and

said sensor for transmitting input information is a pressure sensor; and

said system further comprises a visual device and a speech output unit; and

wherein said information system is connected to the visual device for displaying an operating function of the marking system via the speech-output unit.

20. A system for producing tactile markings on an input surface comprising:

a position-detecting input surface and an evaluation unit connected to the input surface;

a position actuator for imparting movement to said input surface;

wherein the evaluation unit stores a virtual reference pattern and conducts signals to said position actuator, and said actuator carries out the movement corresponding to the position detected, the system further comprising;

at least one sensor provided on the position actuator for transmitting input information;

an information system, wherein said sensor for transmitting input information is connected with the information system, and

said sensor for transmitting input information is a pressure sensor; and

the information system has a speech output unit.

21. A system for producing tactile markings on an input surface wherein information in the form of movements of the input surface is transmitted to an input member, comprising:

a position-detecting input surface and an evaluation unit connected to the input surface;

a position actuator for imparting movement to said input surface; and

wherein the evaluation unit stores a virtual reference pattern and conducts signals to said position actuator, and said actuator carries out the movement corresponding to the position detected; and

said position actuator is operative to place the entire input surface in vibration with a frequency and/or amplitude corresponding to the position of the input member.