PROGRAMMABLE TACTILE TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAYS AND MAN-MACHINE INTERFACES FOR IMPROVED VEHICLE INSTRUMENTATION AND TELEMATICS

• US 20130009900A1
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Published: 01/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Timothy R. Pryor
• Original Assignee: Timothy R. Pryor
• Inventors: PRYOR, Timothy R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,758,042 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/654 the user being the driver
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

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.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a variable in a computer system, the method comprising:

detecting a touch input over a displayed GUI item on a touch sensitive surface of the display screen;

detecting movement of the first touch input over the touch sensitive surface;

maintaining the displayed GUI item in substantially the same position during the detection of the movement of the first touch input; and

determining a value of the variable based on the detected movement of the first touch input, wherein the variable is associated with the displayed GUI item.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining the value of the variable based on a direction of the detected movement.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining the value of the variable based on a distance of the detected movement.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising incrementing or decrementing the value of the variable based on a direction of the detected movement.

5. The method according to claim 2, further comprising incrementing the value of the variable based on upward movement of the first touch input.

6. The method according to claim 2, further comprising decrementing the value of the variable based on downward movement of the first touch input.

7. The method according to claim 2, further including incrementing the value of the variable based on rightward movement of the first touch input.

8. The method according to claim 2, further comprising decrementing the value of the variable based on leftward movement of the first touch input.

9. The method according to claim 3, further comprising changing the value of the variable in proportion to the distance of the detected movement.

10. An apparatus for controlling a variable in a computer system, the apparatus comprising:

a touch screen configured for sensing one or more touches and displaying a GUI item associated with the variable; and

touch detection circuitry communicatively coupled to the touch screen, the touch detection circuitry capable of

detecting a first touch input in proximity to the displayed GUI item,

detecting movement of the first touch input across the touch screen,

maintaining the displayed GUI item at substantially the same position during the detection of the movement of the first touch input, and

modifying a value of the variable based on the detected movement of the first touch input.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, the touch detection circuitry further capable of modifying the value of the variable based on a direction of the detected movement.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, the touch detection circuitry further capable of modifying the value of the variable based on a distance of the detected movement.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, the touch detection circuitry further capable of incrementing or decrementing the value of the variable based on a direction of the detected movement.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, the touch detection circuitry further capable of incrementing the value of the variable based on upward movement of the first touch input.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11, the touch detection circuitry further capable of decrementing the value of the variable based on downward movement of the first touch input.

16. The apparatus according to claim 11, the touch detection circuitry further capable of incrementing the value of the variable based on rightward movement of the first touch input.

17. The apparatus according to claim 11, the touch detection circuitry further capable of decrementing the value of the variable based on leftward movement of the first touch input.

18. The apparatus according to claim 12, the touch detection circuitry further capable of modifying the value of the variable in proportion to the distance of the detected movement.