Touch screen control device

Abstract

The present invention generally proposes a touch screen control device 100. The touch screen control device (100) comprises a manually operable conductive controller (101). The touch screen control device 100 further comprises a first conductive screen connector 131 and a second conductive screen connector 132 for attaching the device 100 to the touch screen. The controller 101 is movable from a first position in which the controller is conductively coupled to the first screen connector 131 for providing a first electrical signal to the touch screen to a second position in which the controller is conductively coupled to both the first screen connector 131 and the second screen connector 132 for providing a second electrical signal to the touch screen.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to touch screen control, and in particular, but not exclusively, to a touch screen control device and a method for calibrating the touch screen control device. Background Art

[0002] Touch screens are becoming more and more common in modern life, both for personal and professional use. The benefit of a touch screen is that an input device (such as a keyboard) and a display device (such as a display screen) can be combined into one, thereby providing enhanced portability and simplicity. Many industries (such as the music industry) now routinely use touch screen devices to make various processes easier.

[0003] There are already cell phone and computer applications for virtual disc jockey (DJ) sets that allow DJs to manipulate music via touch screen devices. Typically, multiple functions, such as rhythm control, scratching, and tuning, can be performed via touch screen devices without the need to transport multiple pieces of equipment. However, due to the nature of the touch screen device, the operation of these functions can be challenging. For example, the size of the touch screen is typically much smaller than the size of a turntable, which makes it difficult to perform small and delicate movements. In addition, the friction between the user's fingers during operation makes it difficult to operate the touch screen smoothly. In addition, touch screen virtual DJ sets lack the fulcrum that traditional DJ sets provide via buttons and sliders.

[0004] In order to overcome the difficulties associated with operating a touch screen device, an external device may be combined with the touch screen device. However, such an external device may need to be connected to the touch screen device via a cable, which reduces portability and ease of experience and adds additional cost. The external device may also need to be connected to an additional audio output device via another cable, further reducing the portability of the product. In addition, these external devices require frequent maintenance to remove accumulated dust that may negatively affect audio quality.

[0005] There are some external devices that do not need to be connected to the touch screen device by a cable, but can instead be connected via wireless communication. However, these devices require frequent charging and pairing with the touch screen device, which increases the time delay of using the DJ set. In addition, it is necessary to fix the position of such additional devices when in use.

[0006] Therefore, there is still a need for an improved touch screen control device that can overcome the above disadvantages. An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the above problems or other problems associated with the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention provides a touch screen control device, which includes a manually operable conductive controller. The touch screen control device also includes a first conductive screen connector and a second conductive screen connector for attaching the device to a touch screen (e.g., a capacitive touch screen). The manually operable conductive controller can be moved from a first position to a second position, in which the controller is conductively coupled to the first conductive screen connector for providing a first electrical signal to the touch screen, and in which the controller is conductively coupled to: (i) only the second conductive screen connector for providing a second electrical signal to the touch screen; or (ii) both the first conductive screen connector and the second conductive screen connector for providing a second electrical signal to the touch screen.

[0008] Suitably, in the first position, the manually operable conductive controller may be conductively coupled only to the first conductive screen connector for providing the first electrical signal to the touch screen.

[0009] In this way, the manually operable conductive controller can be manipulated to perform small and delicate movements that can be detected by the touch screen. In addition, the manually operable conductive controller allows the user to operate the touch screen without having to use their fingers directly on the surface of the touch screen, thereby avoiding any friction between the user's fingers and the touch screen, which may otherwise make it difficult to operate the touch screen smoothly. In addition, the touch screen control device according to the present invention does not require any cables or wireless connections to connect to the touch screen.

[0010] In some embodiments, the second electrical signal may include electrical signals from only the second conductive screen connector. In some embodiments, the second electrical signal may include electrical signals from both the first conductive screen connector and the second conductive screen connector.

[0011] Suitably, the first conductive screen connector and the second conductive screen connector may be configured to removably attach the touch screen control device to the touch screen.

[0012] Suitably, when the manually operable conductive controller is in the first position, a first electrical signal from a user touching the manually operable conductive controller can be provided to the touch screen. Suitably, when the manually operable conductive controller is in the second position, a second electrical signal from a user touching the manually operable conductive controller can be provided to the touch screen.

[0013] In some embodiments, the touch screen control device may include a third conductive screen connector. The manually operable conductive controller can be moved from a first position to a third position, in which the controller is conductively coupled to: (i) only the third conductive screen connector for providing a third electrical signal to the touch screen; or (ii) both the first conductive screen connector and the third conductive screen connector for providing a third electrical signal to the touch screen.

[0014] In some embodiments, the third electrical signal may include electrical signals from only the third conductive screen connector. In some embodiments, the third electrical signal may include electrical signals from both the first conductive screen connector and the third conductive screen connector.

[0015] Suitably, the third conductive screen connector may be configured to removably attach the touch screen control device to the touch screen.

[0016] Suitably, when the manually operable conductive controller is in the third position, a third electrical signal from a user touching the manually operable conductive controller may be provided to the touch screen.

[0017] In some embodiments, the touch screen control may be arranged such that movement of the manually operable conductive controller from the first position to the second position is in the opposite direction to movement of the manually operable conductive controller from the first position to the third position.

[0018] In some embodiments, the touch screen control device may include a guide for guiding the manually operable conductive controller to move between the first position and the second position. For example, the guide may include a slot through which at least a portion of the manually operable conductive controller may be arranged. In some embodiments, the slot may be generally elongated. Suitably, the guide may define a generally linear slot.

[0019] In some embodiments, the touch screen control device may include a guide for guiding the manually operable conductive controller to move between the first position, the second position, and the third position. For example, the guide may include a slot through which at least a portion of the manually operable conductive controller may be arranged. In some embodiments, the slot may be generally elongated. Suitably, the guide may define a generally linear slot.

[0020] In some embodiments, a touch screen control device may include a housing including a guide.

[0021] In some embodiments, the manually operable conductive control may include one or more of a fader knob, a slider, a switch, and / or a joystick.

[0022] In some embodiments, one or more of the conductive screen connectors may include a suction cup.

[0023] In some embodiments, the touch screen control device may include a first conductive contact conductively coupled to a second conductive screen connector to calibrate the touch screen control device for the touch screen. Suitably, when the manually operable conductive controller is in the first position, this may allow the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal to be provided from the manually operable conductive controller and the first conductive contact to the touch screen through the first screen connector and the second screen connector, respectively, to calibrate the touch screen control device.

[0024] In some embodiments, the touch screen control device may include a first conductive contact conductively coupled to the second conductive screen connector and a second conductive contact conductively coupled to the third conductive screen connector to calibrate the touch screen control device for the touch screen. Suitably, when the manually operable conductive controller is in the first position, this may allow the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal to be provided from the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact to the touch screen through the second screen connector and the third screen connector, respectively, to calibrate the touch screen control device.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first conductive contact and / or the second conductive contact may include a conductive pin.

[0026] The present invention contemplates a method for calibrating a touch screen control device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the touch screen control device comprising a first conductive contact. The method comprises the following steps:

[0027] - positioning the touch screen control device on a predefined area or section of the touch screen;

[0028] - receiving input from a user touching a first conductive contact on the touch screen control and touching the manually operable conductive controller when the manually operable conductive controller is in the first position;

[0029] - detecting a first electrical signal from the second conductive screen connector corresponding to the first conductive contact and a second electrical signal from the first conductive screen connector corresponding to the manually operable conductive control;

[0030] - determining whether a first electrical signal and a second electrical signal are simultaneously received at a first point on the touch screen and at a second point on the touch screen and the first point is spaced apart from the second point by at least a threshold distance; and

[0031] - calibrating the touch screen control device based on the determination of the first point and the second point.

[0032] A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for calibrating a touch screen control device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the touch screen control device comprising a first conductive contact and a second conductive contact. The method comprises the following steps:

[0033] - positioning the touch screen control device on a predefined area or section of the touch screen;

[0034] - receiving input from a user touching a first conductive contact and a second conductive contact on the touch screen control when the manually operable conductive controller is in the first position;

[0035] - detecting a first electrical signal from the second conductive screen connector corresponding to the first conductive contact and a second electrical signal from the third conductive screen connector corresponding to the second conductive contact;

[0036] - determining whether a first electrical signal and a second electrical signal are simultaneously received at a first point on the touch screen and at a second point on the touch screen and the first point is spaced apart from the second point by at least a threshold distance; and

[0037] - calibrating the touch screen control device based on the determination of the first point and the second point.

[0038] In this way, the touch screen control device can be advantageously used with touch screens of different sizes (ie, with touch screen devices having screens of different sizes).

[0039] Suitably, the step of calibrating the touch screen control device based on the determination of the first point and the second point may comprise adjusting the size of a predefined area or section of the touch screen. This may advantageously allow the size of the predefined area or section on touch screens of different sizes (i.e. on touch screen devices having screens of different sizes) to be adjusted depending on the size of the touch screen control device.

[0040] In some embodiments, the method may include determining whether the first point and / or the second point are located within a predefined area or region of the touch screen.

[0041] In some embodiments, the method may include defining a first calibration area at the center of the first point and / or defining a second calibration area at the center of the second point.

[0042] In some embodiments, the method may include defining a third calibration area at a third point positioned midway between the first point and the second point.

[0043] In some embodiments, the threshold distance may be equal to or greater than 30 mm. For example, the threshold distance may be equal to or greater than 33 mm.

[0044] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations of these words (such as "comprising" and "comprises") mean "including but not limited to" and do not exclude other components, integers or steps. In addition, unless the context requires otherwise, the singular encompasses the plural: in particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity unless the context requires otherwise.

[0045] Preferred features of each aspect of the invention may be as described in conjunction with any other aspect. Within the scope of the present application, it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives listed in the preceding paragraphs, and claims and / or the following description and drawings, in particular their individual features, may be obtained independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment may be combined in any manner and / or combination, unless these features are incompatible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] One or more embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0047] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a touch screen control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a touch screen control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a touch screen control device attached to a smartphone according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 4 A manually operable conductive controller of a touch screen control device according to a first embodiment is shown in (a) a first position, (b) a second position, and (c) a third position;

[0051] Figure 5 The calibration of the touch screen control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is demonstrated;

[0052] Figure 6 The touch screen control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention calibrates touch screen devices of different sizes;

[0053] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a touch screen control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 8is a cross-sectional view of a touch screen control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] FIG9 illustrates a manually operable conductive controller of a touch screen control device according to a second embodiment in (a) a first position, (b) a second position, and (c) a third position; and

[0056] 10 illustrates a manually operable conductive controller of a touch screen control device according to a third embodiment in (a) a first position, (b) a second position, and (c) a third position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] refer to Figure 1 The touch screen control device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises an elongated guide portion 102 and an elongated base portion 104, which are connected together to form a housing 106 defining a closed volume. The guide portion 102 is generally trough-shaped, having an elongated base 102a, two side surfaces 102b, 102c, and two end portions 102d, 102e. The base 102a of the guide portion 102 has a narrow elongated slit 103 extending along about 2 / 3 of the elongated length of the base 102a.

[0058] A metal rod 120 and a pair of cylindrical guide rails 124 are arranged within the enclosed volume of the housing 106. The cylindrical guide rails 124 are held in place by two pairs of recesses 104a, 104b formed in the protrusions 104c, 104d at each end of the base portion 104. The metal rod 120 has a base portion 121 that includes a pair of cylindrical holes 122a, 122b through which the pair of cylindrical guide rails 124 pass. Thus, the metal rod 120 can be linearly moved along the cylindrical guide rails 124 from one end of the base portion 104 to the other end relative to the elongated length of the base portion 104.

[0059] The metal rod 120 also has a thin upright portion 123, which is arranged to pass from the inside of the housing 106 through the elongated slit 103 of the guide portion 102 to the outside and is connected to the manually operable conductive controller 101, which is located above the guide portion 102 and outside the housing 106. In this way, the metal rod 120 can be moved along the cylindrical guide rail 124 by moving the operable conductive controller 101 back and forth along the elongated slit 103 of the guide portion 102. The manually operable conductive controller 101 is made of a conductive material and is therefore electrically connected to the metal rod 120, which is made of metal and is also conductive.

[0060] The first conductive suction cup 131 is arranged outside the housing 106 and extends through a hole 104e in the base portion 104 at about halfway along its elongated length. In this example, the first conductive suction cup 131 is made of silicon. The first conductive suction cup 131 is electrically connected to the metal rod 120 through a flexible cable 140 arranged inside the housing 106. The flexible cable 140 has a sufficient length so that when the metal rod 120 moves back and forth from one end of the base portion 104 to the other end along the entire length of the cylindrical guide 124, the flexible cable 140 remains connected to the first conductive suction cup 131.

[0061] The second conductive suction cup 132 and the third conductive suction cup 133 are also arranged outside the housing 106 and extend through the holes 104f, 104g at each end of the adjacent protrusions 104c, 104d of the base portion 104. The second conductive suction cup 132 and the third conductive suction cup 133 are also made of silicon. In this way, when the metal rod 120 moves to either end of the cylindrical guide 124, the metal rod contacts the second conductive suction cup 132 or the third conductive suction cup 133 respectively and is thus electrically connected thereto. In addition, the first conductive pin 141 and the second conductive pin 142 extend from the outside of the housing 106 through the protrusions 104c, 104d to the inside, where they are electrically connected to the second conductive suction cup 132 and the third conductive suction cup 133, respectively.

[0062] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a fully assembled touch screen control device 100 is shown.

[0063] In use, the touch screen control device 100 is attached to a touch screen of a device (eg, a smart phone or a touch screen computer) via the first conductive suction cup 131 , the second conductive suction cup 132 , and the third conductive suction cup 133 . Figure 3 A touch screen control device 100 is shown attached to the touch screen of a smartphone 10 .

[0064] Reference now Figure 4 (a), in the first position, the manually operable conductive controller 101 is located at or toward the middle of the elongated slit 103, such as Figure 4 (a). In the first position, the manually operable conductive controller 101 is in electrical contact with only the first conductive suction cup 131 via the metal rod 120 and the flexible cable 140. Therefore, when the user touches the manually operable conductive controller 101 when it is in the first position, an electrical signal is sent from the user through the manually operable conductive controller 101 and through the metal rod 120 and the flexible cable 140 to the first conductive suction cup 131. Therefore, the touch screen of the touch screen device (in the case of Figure 4 The device receives a single electrical signal from the first conductive chuck 131 at position C as shown.

[0065] refer to Figure 4 (b), the user can move the manually operable conductive controller 101 from the first position to the second position by moving the manually operable conductive controller 101 in the direction toward the second conductive suction cup 132 all the way to the distal end of the slit 103, where the metal rod 120 is in contact with the second conductive suction cup 132. Therefore, when the user touches the manually operable conductive controller 101 when it is in the second position, an electrical signal is sent from the user through the manually operable conductive controller 101 and through the metal rod 120 to the second conductive suction cup 132, and to the first conductive suction cup 131 through the flexible cable 140. Therefore, the touch screen of the touch screen device (such as Figure 4 The device receives two electrical signals from the first conductive chuck 131 and the second conductive chuck 132 at positions A and C as shown.

[0066] refer to Figure 4 (c) The user can move the manually operable conductive controller 101 from the first position to the third position by moving the manually operable conductive controller 101 in the direction toward the third conductive suction cup 133 all the way to the distal end of the slit 103, where the metal rod 120 contacts the third conductive suction cup 133. Therefore, when the user touches the manually operable conductive controller 101 when it is in the third position, an electrical signal is sent from the user through the manually operable conductive controller 101 and through the metal rod 120 to the third conductive suction cup 133, and to the first conductive suction cup 131 through the flexible cable 140. Therefore, the touch screen of the touch screen device (such as Figure 4 The device receives two electrical signals from the first conductive chuck 131 and the third conductive chuck 133 at positions C and B as shown.

[0067] Reference now Figure 5 The touch screen control device can be used in conjunction with an application (i.e., app) or computer program on a device including a touch screen. The application of the computer program can display a predefined area on the touch screen for the touch screen control device to be attached. The application or computer program can be configured to detect an electrical signal from the touch screen control device in a predefined area on the touch screen.

[0068] As described above, the first conductive pin 141 and the second conductive pin 142 extend from the outside of the housing 106 through the protrusions 104c, 104d of the base 104 to the inside, where they are respectively electrically connected to the second conductive suction cup 132 and the third conductive suction cup 133. When the manually operable conductive controller 101 is in the first position, the first conductive pin 141 and the second conductive pin 142 enable the user to provide the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal from the first conductive pin 141 and the second conductive pin 142 to the touch screen through the second conductive suction cup 132 and the third conductive suction cup 133, respectively.

[0069] In this specific example, the distance between the second screen connector 132 and the third screen connector 133 is 33 mm. Therefore, the application or computer program can be configured so that when the first and second electrical signals are simultaneously received from the second screen connector 132 and the third screen connector 133 at the first and second points on the touch screen, if the first point is separated from the second point by a threshold distance of 33 mm (432 PX) or more, it is determined that the first point and the second point correspond to the second conductive suction cup 132 and the third conductive suction cup 133, respectively. The application or computer program can also calculate the midpoint between the first point and the second point on the touch screen to determine the position of the first conductive suction cup 131.

[0070] In this way, the application or computer program can detect the position of the touch screen control device 100 on the touch screen and recalibrate the size of the display accordingly. Therefore, the touch screen control device 100 can be used with touch screens of various sizes, such as Figure 6 shown.

[0071] Figure 7 and Figure 8 A touch screen control device 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The touch screen control device 200 has substantially the same structure as the touch screen control device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, with the only difference being that the flexible cable 140 is replaced by a metal brush 240 and a metal plate 241. The metal brush 240 is attached to the metal rod 220. The metal plate 241 is attached to the base portion 204 at the hole 204e so that the metal plate is in electrical contact with the first conductive suction cup 231. When the metal rod 220 moves back and forth from one end to the other end of the base portion 204 along the entire length of the cylindrical guide 224, the metal brush 240 slides over the metal plate 241 and remains in contact with the metal plate, thereby maintaining electrical contact with the first conductive suction cup 231.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 9( a), in the first position, the manually operable conductive controller 201 is located at or toward the middle of the elongated slit 203, as shown in FIG. 9( a). In the first position, the manually operable conductive controller 201 is in electrical contact with only the first conductive suction cup 231 via the metal rod 220, the metal brush 240, and the metal plate 241. Therefore, when the user touches the manually operable conductive controller 201 when it is in the first position, an electrical signal is transmitted from the user to the first conductive suction cup 231 through the manually operable conductive controller 201, the metal rod 220, the metal brush 240, and the metal plate 241. Therefore, the touch screen of the touch screen device receives a single electrical signal from the first conductive suction cup 231 (as indicated by a single arrow in FIG. 9( a)).

[0073] 9( b), the user can move the manually operable conductive controller 201 from the first position to the second position, where the metal rod 220 is in contact with the second conductive suction cup 232, by moving the manually operable conductive controller 201 in the direction toward the second conductive suction cup 232 all the way to the distal end of the slit 203. When the user moves the manually operable conductive controller 201 from the first position to the second position, the metal brush 240 slides along the metal plate 241. The metal plate 241 is configured so that it has a sufficient length so that when the manually operable conductive controller 201 is in the second position, the metal brush 240 remains in contact with the metal plate 241, as shown in FIG. 9( b).

[0074] Therefore, when the user touches the manually operable conductive controller 201 when the manually operable conductive controller is in the second position, an electrical signal is transmitted from the user through the manually operable conductive controller 201, through the metal rod 220 to the second conductive suction cup 232, and through the metal rod 220, the metal brush 240, and the metal plate 241 to the first conductive suction cup 231. Therefore, the touch screen of the touch screen device receives two electrical signals from the first conductive suction cup 231 and the second conductive suction cup 232 (as indicated by two arrows in FIG. 9( b)).

[0075] 9(c), the user can move the manually operable conductive controller 201 from the first position to the third position, where the metal rod 220 is in contact with the third conductive suction cup 233, by moving the manually operable conductive controller 201 in the direction toward the third conductive suction cup 233 all the way to the distal end of the slit 203. When the user moves the manually operable conductive controller 201 from the first position to the third position, the metal brush 240 slides along the metal plate 241. The metal plate 241 is configured so that it has a sufficient length so that when the manually operable conductive controller 201 is in the third position, the metal brush 240 remains in contact with the metal plate 241, as shown in FIG. 9(c).

[0076] Therefore, when the user touches the manually operable conductive controller 201 when the manually operable conductive controller is in the third position, an electrical signal is transmitted from the user through the manually operable conductive controller 201, through the metal rod 220 to the third conductive suction cup 233, and through the metal rod 220, the metal brush 240, and the metal plate 241 to the first conductive suction cup 231. Therefore, the touch screen of the touch screen device receives two electrical signals from the first conductive suction cup 231 and the third conductive suction cup 233 (as indicated by two arrows in FIG. 9( c)).

[0077] Figure 10(a) to Figure 10(c) A touch screen control device 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. The touch screen control device 300 has a substantially same structure as the touch screen control device 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. However, in the touch screen control device 300, the length of the metal plate 341 is configured so that when the manually operable conductive controller 301 is in the second position or the third position, the metal brush 340 moves beyond the length of the metal plate so that it is no longer in contact with the metal plate 341 (i.e., disconnected). Therefore, when the manually operable conductive controller 301 is in the second position or the third position, there is no electrical contact between the manually operable conductive controller 301 and the first conductive suction cup 331.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 10( a ), in the first position, the manually operable conductive controller 301 is located at or toward the middle of the elongated slit 303, as shown in FIG. 10( a ). In the first position, the manually operable conductive controller 301 is in electrical contact with only the first conductive suction cup 331 via the metal rod 320, the metal brush 340, and the metal plate 341. Therefore, when the user touches the manually operable conductive controller 301 when it is in the first position, an electrical signal is transmitted from the user to the first conductive suction cup 331 through the manually operable conductive controller 301, the metal rod 320, the metal brush 340, and the metal plate 341. Therefore, the touch screen of the touch screen device receives a single electrical signal from the first conductive suction cup 331 (as indicated by a single arrow in FIG. 10( a )).

[0079] 10( b ), the user can move the manually operable conductive controller 301 from the first position to the second position, where the metal rod 320 contacts the second conductive suction cup 332, by moving the manually operable conductive controller 301 in the direction toward the second conductive suction cup 332 all the way to the distal end of the slit 303. When the user moves the manually operable conductive controller 301 from the first position to the second position, the metal brush 340 slides over the end of the metal plate 341, so that when the manually operable conductive controller 301 is in the second position, the metal brush no longer contacts the metal plate 341, as shown in FIG. 10( b ).

[0080] Therefore, when the user touches the manually operable conductive controller 301 when the manually operable conductive controller is in the second position, an electrical signal is transmitted only from the user through the manually operable conductive controller 301, through the metal rod 320, to the second conductive suction cup 332. Therefore, the touch screen of the touch screen device receives a single electrical signal from the second conductive suction cup 332 (as indicated by a single arrow in FIG. 10( b)).

[0081] 10(c), the user can move the manually operable conductive controller 301 from the first position to the third position by moving the manually operable conductive controller 301 in the direction toward the third conductive suction cup 333 all the way to the distal end of the slit 303, where the metal rod 320 contacts the third conductive suction cup 333. When the user moves the manually operable conductive controller 301 from the first position to the third position, the metal brush 340 slides over the end of the metal plate 341, so that when the manually operable conductive controller 301 is in the third position, the metal brush no longer contacts the metal plate 341, as shown in FIG. 10(b).

[0082] Therefore, when the user touches the manually operable conductive controller 301 when it is in the third position, an electrical signal is transmitted only from the user to the third conductive suction cup 333 through the manually operable conductive controller 301 and through the metal rod 320. Therefore, the touch screen of the touch screen device receives a single electrical signal from the third conductive suction cup 333 (as indicated by a single arrow in FIG. 10( c )).

Claims

1. A touch screen control device, the touch screen control device comprising: A manually operable conductive controller; as well as A first conductive screen connector and a second conductive screen connector for attaching the device to a touch screen; wherein the controller is capable of moving from a first position, in which the controller is conductively coupled to the first screen connector for providing a first electrical signal to the touch screen, to a second position, in which the controller is conductively coupled to: (i) the second conductive screen connector; or (ii) both the first screen connector and the second screen connector for providing a second electrical signal to the touch screen.

2. The touch screen control device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a third conductive screen connector, wherein: The controller is movable from the first position to a third position in which it is conductively coupled to: (i) the third conductive screen connector; or (ii) both the first screen connector and the third screen connector for providing a third electrical signal to the touch screen.

3. The touch screen control device according to claim 2, wherein: The apparatus is arranged such that movement of the controller from the first position to the second position is in the opposite direction to movement of the controller from the first position to the third position.

4. A touch screen control device as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a guide for guiding movement of the controller between the first position and the second position. 5 . The touch screen control device according to claim 2 , comprising a guide member, wherein the guide member is used to guide the controller to move among the first position, the second position and the third position.

6. A touch screen control device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: The controller includes one or more of a tuner knob, a slider, a switch, and / or a joystick.

7. A touch screen control device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: One or more of these conductive screen connectors include suction cups.

8. A touch screen control device as described in any preceding claim, comprising a first conductive contact, which is conductively coupled to the second conductive screen connector to allow first and second electrical signals to be provided from the manually operable conductive controller and the first conductive contact to the touch screen through the first screen connector and the second screen connector when the controller is in the first position.

9. A touch screen control device as described in any preceding claim, the touch screen control device comprising a first conductive contact and a second conductive contact, the first conductive contact being conductively coupled to the second conductive screen connector, and the second conductive contact being conductively coupled to the third conductive screen connector, so as to allow a first electrical signal and a second electrical signal to be provided from the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact to the touch screen through the second conductive screen connector and the third conductive screen connector when the manually operable conductive controller is in the first position.

10. The touch screen control device according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein: The first conductive contact and / or the second conductive contact comprises a conductive pin.

11. A method for calibrating the touch screen control device according to claim 9 or claim 10, the method comprising the following steps: - positioning the touch screen control device on a predefined area of ​​the touch screen; - receiving input from a user touching a first conductive contact and a second conductive contact on the touch screen control device when the manually operable conductive controller is in the first position; - detecting a first electrical signal from the second conductive screen connector corresponding to the first conductive contact and a second electrical signal from the third conductive screen connector corresponding to the second conductive contact; - determining whether the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal are received simultaneously at a first point and a second point and the first point is spaced apart from the second point by at least a threshold distance; as well as - calibrating the touch screen control device based on the determination of the first point and the second point. 12 . The method of claim 11 , comprising determining whether the first point and the second point are located within a predefined area of ​​the touch screen.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, comprising defining a first calibration area at the centre of the first point and a second calibration area at the centre of the second point.

14. The method of any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising defining a third calibration area at a third point positioned midway between the first point and the second point.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein: The threshold distance is equal to or greater than 30 mm.

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