Programmable tactile touch screen displays and man-machine interfaces for improved vehicle instrumentation and telematics
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method for performing an operation on a computer system in response to input received from a user, the method comprising:
- providing a touch screen adapted to display visually observable data and including a front surface having a tactile feature including at least one of a protrusion and an indentation, the tactile feature being integrally formed with the touch screen front surface wherein the visually observable data is viewable through the tactile feature, the tactile feature being reconfigurable to correspond to each of a plurality of vehicle control functions;
receiving a first touch input and a second touch input on the front surface of the touch screen, wherein the first touch input and the second touch input are simultaneously in contact with the touch screen;
determining a characteristic of the first touch input and the second touch input; and
in response to said determining step, performing an operation on the computer system to control one of the plurality of vehicle control functions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are new methods and apparatus particularly suited for applications in a vehicle, to provide a wide range of information, and the safe input of data to a computer controlling the vehicle subsystems or “Telematic” communication using for example GM'"'"'s “ONSTAR” or cellular based data sources. Preferred embodiments utilize new programmable forms of tactile touch screens and displays employing tactile physical selection or adjustment means which utilize direct optical data input. A revolutionary form of dashboard or instrument panel results which is stylistically attractive, lower in cost, customizable by the user, programmable in both the tactile and visual sense, and with the potential of enhancing interior safety and vehicle operation. Non-automotive applications of the invention are also disclosed, for example means for general computer input using touch screens and home automation systems.
-
Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A computer implemented method for performing an operation on a computer system in response to input received from a user, the method comprising:
-
providing a touch screen adapted to display visually observable data and including a front surface having a tactile feature including at least one of a protrusion and an indentation, the tactile feature being integrally formed with the touch screen front surface wherein the visually observable data is viewable through the tactile feature, the tactile feature being reconfigurable to correspond to each of a plurality of vehicle control functions; receiving a first touch input and a second touch input on the front surface of the touch screen, wherein the first touch input and the second touch input are simultaneously in contact with the touch screen; determining a characteristic of the first touch input and the second touch input; and in response to said determining step, performing an operation on the computer system to control one of the plurality of vehicle control functions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method for performing an operation on a computer system using a touch screen display, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a touch screen display which can be touched by a user and is adapted to display visually observable data; providing on the surface of the touch screen display one or more local disturbance or relief features which can be felt by the user, the local disturbance or relief features being integrally formed with the touch screen surface, wherein the visually observable data is viewable through the local disturbance or relief feature, and wherein the at least one local disturbance or relief feature is reconfigurable to correspond to a plurality of vehicle functions that are controllable by the user; receiving a touch input on the touch screen display proximate at least one of the local disturbance or relief feature while providing a tactile sensation provided by the one or more features; sensing the location of the touch input; and controlling one of the plurality of vehicle functions using the sensed touch location on the touch screen display. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
Specification