Device for providing improved access to the functions of human machine interfaces

• US 8,368,664 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2012
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (University of Wisconsin System)
• Original Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (University of Wisconsin System)
• Inventors: Jordan, J. Bern, Vanderheiden, Gregg C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengistu, Amare
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZUBAJLO, JENNIFER L
• Application Number:
  US13/347,039
• Publication Number:
  US 20120107566A1
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 434112-117, 361/600, 341 20- 21
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04809 Textured surface identifying touch areas, e.g. overlay structure for a virtual keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0393 Accessories for touch pads or touch screens, e.g. mechanical guides added to touch screens for drawing straight lines, hard keys overlaying touch screens or touch pads
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24479 including variation in thickness

Abstract

A bezel positionable adjacent the outer periphery of a computer touch screen is provided. The bezel includes an elongated rim having a first side adjacent the computer screen and a surface. An identification marker positioned on the surface of the rim and identifying a predetermined area of the touch screen. A tactile indicium structure is on the surface at a location between the identification marker and the predetermined area of the touch screen. The tactile indicium structure includes an upper surface having tactile indicium thereon.

Claims

1. A bezel positionable adjacent the outer periphery of a computer touch screen, the touch screen displaying a virtual button having a width, the bezel comprising:

an elongated rim having a first side adjacent the touch screen and a surface; and

an identification marker on the surface of the rim, the identification marker identifying a predetermined area of the touch screen corresponding to the virtual button;

a tactile guide on the surface of the rim at a location between the identification marker and the virtual button, the tactile guide having a width greater than the virtual button and including a recess extending axially therein from a location adjacent the identification marker to a location adjacent the virtual button;

wherein the recess has a width less than with of the tactile guide and defines a tactile guide path from the identification marker to the virtual button.

2. The bezel of claim 1 wherein the recess has a semi-circular cross-section.

3. The bezel of claim 1 wherein the recess has a generally V-shaped cross-section.

4. The bezel of claim 1 wherein the identification marker has a generally circular configuration.

5. A bezel positionable adjacent the outer periphery of a computer touch screen, the touch screen display displaying a plurality of virtual buttons across a portion thereof, comprising:

an elongated rim having a first side adjacent the touch screen and a surface;

a plurality of identification markers extending from and spaced along the rim, each identification marker alignable a corresponding one of the plurality of virtual buttons; and

a plurality of tactile guides axially spaced along the surface of the rim, each tactile guide aligned with and positioned between a corresponding one of the plurality of identification markers and a corresponding one of the plurality of virtual buttons.

6. The bezel of claim 5 wherein at least one tactile guide is defined by a recess in the surface of the rim.

7. The bezel of claim 6 wherein the recess has a semi-circular cross-section.

8. The bezel of claim 6 wherein the recess has a generally V-shaped cross-section.

9. The bezel of claim 5 wherein at least one of the plurality of identification markers includes a generally V-shaped chevron, the chevron defined by first and second ribs diverging from a point.

10. The bezel of claim 5 wherein at least one of the plurality of identification markers has a generally circular configuration.

11. The bezel of claim 10 wherein at least one of the plurality of identification markings includes a generally V-shaped chevron, the chevron defined by first and second ribs diverging from a point.

12. The bezel of claim 10 wherein at least one of the plurality of identification markings has a generally circular configuration.

13. A bezel positionable adjacent the outer periphery of a computer touch screen, the touch screen display displaying a plurality of virtual buttons across a portion thereof, comprising:

an elongated rim having a first side adjacent the touch screen and a surface;

a plurality of axially spaced identification markings on the rim, each identification marking aligned with and identifying a corresponding one of the plurality of virtual buttons; and

a plurality of axially spaced tactile guides spaced along the surface of the rim, each tactile guide aligned with and positioned between a corresponding one of the plurality of identification markings and a corresponding one of the plurality of virtual buttons.

14. The bezel of claim 13 wherein at least one tactile guide is defined by a recess in the surface of the rim.

15. The bezel of claim 14 wherein the recess has a semi-circular cross-section.

16. The bezel of claim 14 wherein the recess has a generally V-shaped cross-section.