Method for increased accessibility to a human machine interface

• US 8,760,421 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2011
• Issued: 06/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2011
• 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., Kelso, David P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kevin M
• Application Number:
  US13/222,595
• Publication Number:
  US 20130050097A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 715/702, 715/865
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

A method is defined for providing an individual increased accessibility to a touch screen displaying first and second elements. The individual initially engages the touch screen with a contact point at a first location. The contact point is dragged across the touch screen into engagement with the first element and the first element is highlighted in response thereto. Thereafter, the individual may drag the contact point across the touch screen from the first element into engagement with the second element whereby the second element is highlighted on the touch screen and the highlight is removed from the first element. Audible announcements may accompany the contacting of the first or second elements with the contact point.

Claims

1. A method for providing an individual increased accessibility to a touch screen which selectively displays one of the plurality of screens thereon, a first screen of the plurality of screens includes an element and the individual has a contact point, comprising the steps of:

displaying the first screen on the touch screen;

engaging the touch screen with the contact point;

dragging the contact point across the touch screen into initial engagement with the element;

generating an audible announcement corresponding to the element in response to the initial engagement of the contact point with the element; and

selectively tapping the element with the contact point after initial engagement of the element with the contact point so as to activate the element;

wherein the touch screen displays a second screen of the plurality of screens in response to activation of the element.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of highlighting the element on the touch screen in response to engagement of the element with the contact point.

3. The method of claim 2 comprising the additional step of maintaining the highlighting of the element on the touch screen in response to disengagement of the contact point from the touch screen.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional steps of:

providing an input device, the input device having a key; and

actuating the key to the activate the element.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the element is a first element and the touch screen displays a second element, comprising the additional steps:

dragging the contact point across the touch screen from the first element into engagement with the second element; and

generating a second audible announcement corresponding to the second element in response to engagement of the second element with the contact point.

6. The method of claim 5 comprising the additional steps:

highlighting the first element on the touch screen in response to engagement of the first element with the contact point;

removing the highlighting of the first element in response to disengagement of the contact point with the first element; and

highlighting of the second element on the touch screen in response to engagement of the second element with the contact point.

7. The method of claim 5 comprising the additional steps:

highlighting the first element on the touch screen in response to engagement of the first element with the contact point;

removing the highlighting of the first element in response to engagement of the contact point with the second element; and

highlighting of the second element on the touch screen in response to engagement of the second element with the contact point.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the element is a virtual button.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein removal of the contact point from engagement with the element fails to activate the element.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the element is a first element and the touch screen displays a second element, comprising the additional steps:

providing an input device, the input device having at least one key;

selectively highlighting one of the first and second elements in response to actuation of the at least one key; and

generating an audible announcement corresponding to the highlighted element.

11. The method of claim 10 comprising the additional steps:

dragging the contact point across the touch screen from the first element into engagement with a second element;

removing the highlighting the first element in response to engagement of the contact point with the second element; and

highlighting of the second element on the touch screen in response to engagement of the second element with the contact point.

12. The method of claim 11 comprising the additional step of generating a second audible announcement corresponding to the second element in response to engagement of the contact point with the second element.