Programmable tactile touch screen displays and man-machine interfaces for improved vehicle instrumentation and telematics

• US 8,610,674 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2009
• Issued: 12/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Pryor, Timothy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kumar, Srilakshmi K
• Application Number:
  US12/500,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20090273575A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,621 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345173-177, 178 1801- 1811, 178/19.01, 178 1903- 1905, 178/20.01
• 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 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/736 the user being the driver
• 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: B60K 37/06 of controls, e.g. controls knobs
• 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 computer implemented method for performing an operation on a computer system, the method comprising:

identifying a home position on a touch screen corresponding to a location of a first touch input;

in response to the identification of the home position, displaying a virtual controller on the touch screen, wherein the virtual controller is a graphical representation of a physical controller that is capable of being manipulated by one or more objects touching the touch screen to effect user input, and at least a portion of the virtual controller is located at the home position;

detecting a gesture at the touch screen relative to the home position; and

performing an operation in response to the detected gesture.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first touch input includes a plurality of detected touches, the virtual controller includes a virtual knob, and the gesture includes at least a partial rotation of the plurality of touches about the home position.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising performing the operation as a function of an amount of the rotation of the plurality of touches.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the virtual controller includes a virtual slider bar, and the gesture includes a translation of the first touch input across the touch screen.

5. A touch interface for a computer, comprising:

a touch screen adapted to detect touches and display a virtual controller at a user-designated origin, wherein the virtual controller is a graphical representation of a physical controller that is capable of being manipulated by one or more objects touching the touch screen to effect user input; and

a control circuit capable of

causing the virtual controller to be displayed at a location of a first touch input detected at the touch screen corresponding to the user-designated origin, and

detecting a second touch input at the touch screen relative to the user-designated origin, the control circuit being further adapted to determine a desired value of a variable as a function of the detected second touch input.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second touch input is a gesture.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control circuit is further capable of displaying the virtual controller as a virtual knob, and detecting the gesture as at least a partial rotation of a plurality of touches about the user-designated origin.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control circuit is further capable of displaying the virtual controller as a virtual slider, and detecting the gesture as a translation of the first touch input across the touch screen.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the virtual controller includes a virtual slider.