Control systems involving novel physical controls and touch screens

Abstract

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.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 980,721, filed Oct. 31, 2007 (now U.S. Pat. No. ______), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 611,814 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,489,303), filed Jul. 2, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60 / 458,434, filed Mar. 31, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application 60 / 393,130, filed Jul. 3, 2002. The disclosures of the above patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS BY THE INVENTOR[0002]1. Programmable Tactile Touch Screen Displays and Man-Machine Interfaces for Improved Vehicle Instrumentation and Telematics, Ser. No. 09 / 789,538;[0003]2. Touch TV and other Man Machine Interfaces, Ser. No. 09 / 435,854 a continuation of application Ser. No. 07 / 946,908, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,982,352, which was a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08 / 290,516, filed Aug. 15, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,008,000;[0...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0070]A touch screen approach becomes attractive, if it could be envisioned it as both a tactile and a visual replacement for a large measure of the automobile user instrumentation and control functions of the instrument panel of today—a dramatic move, filled with other advantages in flexibility, ease of use and user benefits, as well as potentially lower cost. If such displays could be physically larger, and operated at least in part by feel like a conventional instrument panel, then they would be much more acceptable in the car, for use by the driver. And they could thus perform more of the required control functions of the vehicle as well as telematics, communication, and other activities. And they could potentially comply with FMVSS 101 and other existing regulations.

[0151]Finally, a goal of the instant invention is to provide simple, tactile, means for people who are not computer literate, or partially disabled, to safely achieve the of enhanced vehicle control interaction and “telematic” activities.

Problems solved by technology

However, as described above, no prior art touch screen type device has a “feel” or “tactile” quality to enable use by a driver of a vehicle without undue visual concentration.

One has to physically study the display to obtain this information, which may be difficult or impossible in certain driving conditions.

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