User interface and method for operating a system

Abstract

The simple gesture control of the user interface can be used by visually impaired or blind people in order to enter telephone numbers or account numbers for example. The user interface and the method constitute a shift from the current paradigm of guiding a user on touchscreens, which has precisely the advantage of the hand-eye coordination allowed by the touchscreen, wherein a user touches the exact location on the touchscreen where a corresponding selection surface is visualized. Instead, a swiping gesture is supported which can be carried out in any region on the touch-sensitive surface and shifts the focus from one selection surface or virtual button to the next. The swiping gesture can be carried out not just in the horizontal and vertical direction but also in a diagonal direction. Diagonal swiping gestures allow a particularly quick selection of the corresponding virtual buttons. Because multiple swiping gestures can be carried out one after the other, the selection of the virtual button can be modified as often as desired. This has the advantage that a user can first explore the user interface before actually entering a character or activating a function. Each selected virtual button is read to the user by means of a screenreader functionality. The method can be implemented on conventional existing hardware, and the user interface is designed in accordance with reliable and user-centered policies.

Description

Background technique [0001] With the conversion of mechanical keyboards to touch-based operation by means of touchpads, touch screens or multi-touch screens, the problem arises that the keyboard, its layout and the individual keys and their pressure points can no longer be felt. This makes input for visually impaired or blind persons particularly difficult, since there are no longer learnable tactile orientation points on the flat touchpad or touchscreen. [0002] The term "touch screen" is also understood below to mean a multi-touch screen. Contents of the invention [0003] The invention provides a user interface and a method for operating a touch screen which allow intuitive operation of the touch screen even for visually impaired or blind persons. [0004] According to the invention, this object is solved by a user interface comprising a touchscreen which is designed for visual output and for detecting touch inputs. The user interface further comprises an audio unit an...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0001] With the transition from mechanical keyboards to touch-based operation by means of touchpads, touchscreens or multi-touch screens, the following problem arises: the keyboard, its layout and the individual keys and their pressure points can no longer be felt

This makes input for visually impaired or blind persons particularly difficult, since there are no longer learnable tactile orientation points on the flat touchpad or touchscreen

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