CONTROL SYSTEMS EMPLOYING NOVEL PHYSICAL CONTROLS AND TOUCH SCREENS
Disclosed are methods and apparatus, which enable the reconfigurable control of vehicles, homes, computers and other applications. Physical controls and virtual displayed controls on single and multipoint touch screens are used, separately or in combination to enable higher visibility and understanding of control information and easier operation of controls, particularly useful in stressful situations. Some embodiments use optical sensors and rear projection of displayed embodiments, and are advantageous where curved screens are desired such as in a car.
1 . A touch interface comprising:
a touch screen having a touch input area and a first relief detail on the touch input area, the touch screen being adapted to detect a touch input on the touch input area; and
a transducer adapted to vibrate the touch screen with a first force feedback signal in response to a touch input on the touch input area proximate the first relief detail.
2 . The touch interface of claim 1 wherein the first relief detail defines a location to receive tactile data via the first force feedback signal.
3 . The touch interface of claim 1 wherein the touch screen includes a touch sensor having at least one of a resistive touch sensor, a capacitive touch sensor, and an electro-optical touch sensor.
4 . The touch interface of claim 1 wherein the touch screen is operable to display visually observable data.
5 . The touch interface of claim 1 wherein the first relief detail includes one of an indentation and a protrusion.
6 . The touch interface of claim 1 wherein the first relief detail includes a circular depression.
7 . The touch interface of claim 1 wherein the first relief detail includes a horizontal ridge.
8 . The touch interface of claim 1 wherein the first relief detail includes an elongate groove.
9 . The touch interface of claim 1 wherein the transducer includes a piezoelectric transducer.
10 . The touch interface of claim 1 wherein:
the touch screen further includes a second relief detail on the touch input area; and
the transducer is adapted to vibrate the touch screen with a second force feedback signal in response to a touch input on the touch input area proximate the second relief detail.
11 . The touch interface of claim 10 wherein the second relief detail defines a location to receive tactile data via the second force feedback signal.
12 . The touch interface of claim 11 wherein:
a first variable is controllable based on a touch input proximate the first relief detail; and
a second variable is controllable based on a touch input proximate the second relief detail.
13 . The touch interface of claim 1 wherein the touch screen is located in an automobile passenger compartment.
14 . The touch interface of claim 13 wherein the touch screen is operable to receive vehicle input commands.
15 . A method comprising:
providing a touch screen including a touch input area having a first relief detail located thereon;
detecting a first touch input on the touch input area proximate the first relief detail; and
exciting the touch screen with a first force feedback signal in response to the detecting step.
16 . The method according to claim 15 wherein the first relief detail defines a location to receive tactile data via the first force feedback signal.
17 . The method according to claim 15 further including providing a touch sensor including at least one of a resistive touch sensor, a capacitive touch sensor, and an electro-optical touch sensor.
18 . The method according to claim 15 wherein the touch screen is operable to display visually observable data.
19 . The method according to claim 15 wherein the first relief detail includes one of an indentation and a protrusion.
20 . The method according to claim 15 wherein the first relief detail includes a circular depression.
21 . The method according to claim 15 wherein the first relief detail includes a horizontal ridge.
22 . The method according to claim 15 wherein the first relief detail includes an elongate groove.
23 . The method according to claim 15 further including:
providing a second relief detail on the touch input area;
detecting a second touch input on the touch input area proximate the second relief detail; and
exciting the touch screen with a second force feedback signal different from the first force feedback signal.
24 . The method according to claim 23 wherein the second relief detail defines a location to receive tactile data via the second force feedback signal.
25 . The method according to claim 15 further including locating the touch screen in an automobile passenger compartment.
26 . The method according to claim 15 wherein the touch screen is operable to receive vehicle input commands.
27 . A touch interface for a computer comprising:
a display screen including a front surface defining a first relief detail, the display screen being adapted to display visually observable data; and
a transducer adapted to vibrate the display screen with a first force feedback signal in response to a touch input on the display screen proximate the first relief detail.
28 . The touch interface of claim 27 wherein the first relief detail defines a location to receive tactile data via the first force feedback signal.
29 . The touch interface of claim 27 further including a touch sensor to identify the position of a touch input on the display screen.
30 . The touch interface of claim 27 wherein the touch sensor includes at least one of a resistive touch sensor, a capacitive touch sensor, and an electro-optical touch sensor.
31 . The touch interface of claim 27 wherein the first relief detail includes one of an indentation and a protrusion.
32 . The touch interface of claim 27 wherein the first relief detail includes a circular depression.
33 . The touch interface of claim 27 wherein the first relief detail includes a horizontal ridge.
34 . The touch interface of claim 27 wherein the first relief detail includes an elongate groove.
35 . The touch interface of claim 27 wherein the transducer includes a piezoelectric transducer.
36 . The touch interface of claim 27 wherein:
the display screen defines a second relief detail; and
the transducer is adapted to vibrate the display screen with a second force feedback signal in response to a touch input on the display screen proximate the second relief detail.
37 . The touch interface of claim 36 wherein the second relief detail defines a location to receive tactile data via the second force feedback signal.
38 . The touch interface of claim 36 wherein:
a first variable is controllable based on a touch input proximate the first relief detail; and
a second variable is controllable based on a touch input proximate the second relief detail.
39 . The touch interface of claim 27 wherein the display screen is located in an automobile passenger compartment.
40 . The touch interface of claim 27 wherein the display screen is operable to receive vehicle input commands.