[go: up one dir, main page]

WO2000057266A1 - Dispositif d'entree d'ordinateur - Google Patents

Dispositif d'entree d'ordinateur Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000057266A1
WO2000057266A1 PCT/GB2000/000973 GB0000973W WO0057266A1 WO 2000057266 A1 WO2000057266 A1 WO 2000057266A1 GB 0000973 W GB0000973 W GB 0000973W WO 0057266 A1 WO0057266 A1 WO 0057266A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
membrane
input
computer
touchscreen
locations
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB2000/000973
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Gary Keith Dalton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
British Telecommunications PLC
Original Assignee
British Telecommunications PLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB9906749.8A external-priority patent/GB9906749D0/en
Application filed by British Telecommunications PLC filed Critical British Telecommunications PLC
Priority to AU31818/00A priority Critical patent/AU3181800A/en
Publication of WO2000057266A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000057266A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G06F3/0202—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
    • G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
    • G06F3/04886—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/00 - G06F3/048
    • G06F2203/048—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/048
    • G06F2203/04809—Textured surface identifying touch areas, e.g. overlay structure for a virtual keyboard

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a computer input device, using the term "computer” broadly to denote all sorts of systems that carry out processing functions in response to user input.
  • the invention is relevant, for example, to dedicated computer systems, such as a desktop computer, or a handheld PDA (personal digital assistant), and also to other systems including embedded computer processors, such as multimedia information kiosks, an intelligent mobile phone, or an intelligent remote control module for an audio-visual system.
  • dedicated computer systems such as a desktop computer, or a handheld PDA (personal digital assistant)
  • embedded computer processors such as multimedia information kiosks, an intelligent mobile phone, or an intelligent remote control module for an audio-visual system.
  • the most commonly used computer input devices have been a typewriter-like keyboard, possibly supplemented by a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball or touchpad.
  • a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball or touchpad.
  • a touch-sensitive screen or "touchscreen” has been used as a combined display and input device.
  • the touchscreen is more robust than a keyboard, and requires less skill on the part of the user.
  • the graphical interface for the kiosk then has to be carefully designed to function with the relatively coarse control available via the touchscreen.
  • portable computing devices such as sub-notebook personal computers, PDA's and intelligent mobile phones, a number of different approaches have been tried, including miniaturised keyboards, touchscreens, and handwriting recognition.
  • a computer input device comprising a touchscreen display; and a flexible membrane overlying the touchscreen display and including markings defining a plurality of touch input locations.
  • the present invention provides a modification to conventional touchscreen input systems that significantly enhances their ease of use. This achieved by using a flexible membrane over the touchscreen and providing markings in or on the membrane that define touch input locations. It is found that this greatly reduces the problems of user mistakes arising from an adjacent location being touched instead of the intended location.
  • GUI's graphics user interfaces
  • the invention maintains the ergonomic advantages of the combined display/input offered by the touchscreen, by contrast with systems in which the input device is separate from the display.
  • the markings include modifications in the profile of the flexible membrane.
  • the markings include appropriate shaping of the profile of the membrane, since then, as well as indicating to the user the touch locations, the markings can also serve to modify the effective sensitivity of the combined touchscreen/membrane system so as to reduce the risk of the wrong area receiving a touch input.
  • the markings may include surface markings printed on the membrane.
  • the membrane is arranged to be releasably fitted to the touchscreen.
  • the membrane may be changed, for example in order to tailor the user interface to different applications having different graphical interfaces running on the computer, or in order to replace a membrane that has become damaged or dirty through use.
  • the user might purchase a package comprising a program, for example on a CD-ROM together with a corresponding membrane for fitting to the touchscreen.
  • the membrane includes one or more keys formed integrally in the membrane
  • a system comprising: a) a machine readable medium carrying a computer program, the computer program including a graphical user interface arranged to generate a display of graphical elements at predetermined locations on a display screen; b) a touchscreen display; and c) a flexible membrane arranged in use to overlie the touchscreen display and including, in positions corresponding to the said predetermined locations markings defining a plurality of touch input locations
  • the invention also encompasses computers incorporating input devices or systems in accordance with the first or second aspects
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a multimedia kiosk including an input device embodying the invention
  • Figures 2a to 2d illustrate alternative profiles for touch locations in a flexible membrane
  • Figure 3 shows a layout for a keyboard in a flexible membrane
  • FIGS 4a and 4b show handheld computer terminals embodying the invention.
  • a multimedia kiosk 1 includes a touch-sensitive cathode ray display screen 2. Such a display screen is termed a "touchscreen”.
  • the screen 2 is connected to a microcomputer 3 mounted within the kiosk housing, out of sight from the user.
  • the microcomputer 3 in this example has a Pentium II microprocessor and runs a commercially available operating system such as Windows NT (trademark) or LINUX (trademark).
  • a transparent elastomer membrane 4 is releasably fixed to the screen 2 and overlies the screen 2.
  • the membrane 4 includes markings 5 defining touch input locations. The markings may be, for example, rectangular ridges in the membrane that outline buttons for the user to push.
  • the markings are at predetermined locations with respect to the screen 2, and a program running on the microcomputer 3 generates and displays graphical elements at those locations.
  • the markings guide the user both visually and by touch to ensure that the user touches the screen with a finger in the appropriate location.
  • the computer-generated display in the example of Figure 1 is shown as comprising a pair of triangular buttons.
  • the computer detects any touch input from the user in these locations and responds accordingly, for example by moving forwards or backwards through a sequence of web pages shown on the display.
  • the membrane in this example is a formed from a transparent polyurethane elastomer with a thickness of around 2mm. It includes a pair of apertures towards one edge.
  • these apertures locate on lugs fixed on the screen housing at its edge so as to hold the membrane in a fixed position with respect to the screen.
  • the membrane may also be held, for example, by a spring-loaded along one or more of the edges of the screen.
  • Other materials may be used for the membrane. For example, it may be formed from a largely transparent silicon rubber, or from a silicon rubber/polyurethane laminate.
  • the touchscreen is a resistive device.
  • Such devices are available commercially from a number of manufacturers including KDS Pixel Touch.
  • the touchscreen has a top, outer layer formed from a hard polyester material.
  • An inside layer is provided by a transparent conductive coating.
  • a bottom layer is formed from a glass substrate with a uniform conductive coating.
  • the conductive layers are held apart by separator dots. When the screen is touched, light pressure on the screen is sufficient to produce localised contact between the conductive layers, and the position of the contact can be determined from the resistance of the resulting circuit.
  • the touchscreen has a resolution of 100,000 touch points per square inch.
  • Figures 2a to 2b show a number of alternative forms for buttons in the membrane. The buttons are shown both in plan and in cross section.
  • Figure 2a shows rectangular bordered touch areas as already described.
  • Figure 2b shows a button formed as a key with a small localised touch region on its underside that makes contact with the touch sensitive screen, and a larger button on the side offered to the user.
  • Figure 2c shows a flexible rocker button with a snap-over action. Keys such as those shown in 2b and 2c are moveable and provide tactile feedback to the user.
  • Figure 2d shows "zebra stripe" progressive scale buttons. These might be used to implement an analogue-type control function, for example a volume control.
  • One possible use for the overlay is to provide an on-screen keyboard.
  • Figure 3 shows the format of an overlay used for this purpose. It includes alphanumeric keys, such as that referenced 31 , and function keys such as that referenced 32.
  • the overlay also includes borders for regions such as that referenced 33 that correspond to a field of touch locations rather than an individual location. This might be used, for example, as a touchpad to control a pointer.
  • the raised boundary facilitates accurate use of the touchpad and helps to prevent inadvertent operation of adjacent controls.
  • the labels for the keys are generated by the computer and displayed on the screen and are visible to the user through the transparent membrane.
  • the keys may be in a conventional layout, for example the QWERTY layout.
  • the layout may be changed under the control of the computer software, for example to the DVORAK layout, or to a layout for a different alphabet, for example with Greek characters.
  • Figures 4a and 4b show the overlays of the present invention in use on a handheld wireless terminal used, in this example, in conjunction with a wireless LAN.
  • the overlay is the keyboard illustrated in Figure 3 and might be used, for example, for a note-taking application.
  • another overlay has been substituted.
  • the overlay is for use in conjunction with a computer game and includes directional control buttons.
  • the program may have been purchased by the user on a CDROM 42 that is loaded into the terminal via a workstation of the wireless LAN.
  • An overlay designed for use with the game is supplied with the CDROM and is fitted by the user to the terminal.
  • the terminal As for the keyboard, the terminal generates a display of an appropriate graphical element at the location corresponding to the button.
  • piezoelectric elements may be integrated into the membrane and are used to provide tactile effects to the user.
  • the portions of the overlay containing the piezoelectric elements, and strip connectors linking the elements to the terminal, are made opaque, for example sby overprinting.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

Ce dispositif d'entrée d'ordinateur est formé d'un écran tactile et d'une membrane souple recouvrant l'écran. Cette membrane porte des marques repérant les emplacements des touches.
PCT/GB2000/000973 1999-03-23 2000-03-15 Dispositif d'entree d'ordinateur Ceased WO2000057266A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU31818/00A AU3181800A (en) 1999-03-23 2000-03-15 Computer input device

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9906749.8 1999-03-23
GBGB9906749.8A GB9906749D0 (en) 1999-03-23 1999-03-23 Computer input device
EP99305375.0 1999-07-06
EP99305375 1999-07-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000057266A1 true WO2000057266A1 (fr) 2000-09-28

Family

ID=26153529

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2000/000973 Ceased WO2000057266A1 (fr) 1999-03-23 2000-03-15 Dispositif d'entree d'ordinateur

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU3181800A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000057266A1 (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2382291A (en) * 2001-11-16 2003-05-21 Int Computers Ltd Overlay for touch sensitive screen
WO2003029950A3 (fr) * 2001-10-04 2004-03-04 Ilan Zadik Samson Unite d'entree pour equipement electronique
EP1396781A3 (fr) * 2002-09-05 2006-06-21 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Système d'affichage, dispositif de commande d'affichage, dispositif d'affichage, procédé d'affichage et dispositif d'interface utilisateur
FR2907564A1 (fr) * 2006-10-24 2008-04-25 Joseph Bernard Lamerand Clavier,notamment pour ordinateur
FR2917514A1 (fr) * 2007-06-12 2008-12-19 Johnson Controls Tech Co Film de recouvrement d'un ecran tactile et ecran tactile ainsi equipe
FR2945695A1 (fr) * 2009-05-13 2010-11-19 Raoul Parienti Appareil telephonique portable a ecran tactile particulierement adapte pour des utilisateurs malvoyants
KR101114642B1 (ko) * 2008-02-13 2012-03-05 리서치 인 모션 리미티드 3차원 터치 감지 디스플레이 장치
FR2999308A1 (fr) * 2012-12-11 2014-06-13 F D I Matelec Appareil a ecran tactile
CN105739712A (zh) * 2014-12-26 2016-07-06 仁宝电脑工业股份有限公司 覆盖膜及电子装置

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2632745A1 (fr) * 1988-06-13 1989-12-15 Alsthom Cgee Clavier actif au travers d'une logique programmee et equipement de commande dote d'un tel clavier
EP0618528A1 (fr) * 1993-04-01 1994-10-05 International Business Machines Corporation Mécanisme de réglage dynamique pour un bouton sur un écran tactile
EP0676781A1 (fr) * 1994-04-08 1995-10-11 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd. Clavier

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2632745A1 (fr) * 1988-06-13 1989-12-15 Alsthom Cgee Clavier actif au travers d'une logique programmee et equipement de commande dote d'un tel clavier
EP0618528A1 (fr) * 1993-04-01 1994-10-05 International Business Machines Corporation Mécanisme de réglage dynamique pour un bouton sur un écran tactile
EP0676781A1 (fr) * 1994-04-08 1995-10-11 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd. Clavier

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
"TOUCH SENSITIVE OVERLAY WITH TACTILE FEEDBACK", IBM TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN., vol. 29, no. 2, July 1986 (1986-07-01), IBM CORP. NEW YORK., US, pages 761 - 763, XP002125446, ISSN: 0018-8689 *

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003029950A3 (fr) * 2001-10-04 2004-03-04 Ilan Zadik Samson Unite d'entree pour equipement electronique
GB2382291A (en) * 2001-11-16 2003-05-21 Int Computers Ltd Overlay for touch sensitive screen
EP1396781A3 (fr) * 2002-09-05 2006-06-21 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Système d'affichage, dispositif de commande d'affichage, dispositif d'affichage, procédé d'affichage et dispositif d'interface utilisateur
FR2907564A1 (fr) * 2006-10-24 2008-04-25 Joseph Bernard Lamerand Clavier,notamment pour ordinateur
FR2917514A1 (fr) * 2007-06-12 2008-12-19 Johnson Controls Tech Co Film de recouvrement d'un ecran tactile et ecran tactile ainsi equipe
KR101114642B1 (ko) * 2008-02-13 2012-03-05 리서치 인 모션 리미티드 3차원 터치 감지 디스플레이 장치
EP2090971B1 (fr) * 2008-02-13 2012-06-27 Research In Motion Limited Dispositif d'affichage tridimensionnel tactile
FR2945695A1 (fr) * 2009-05-13 2010-11-19 Raoul Parienti Appareil telephonique portable a ecran tactile particulierement adapte pour des utilisateurs malvoyants
FR2999308A1 (fr) * 2012-12-11 2014-06-13 F D I Matelec Appareil a ecran tactile
CN105739712A (zh) * 2014-12-26 2016-07-06 仁宝电脑工业股份有限公司 覆盖膜及电子装置
US20160209931A1 (en) * 2014-12-26 2016-07-21 Compal Electronics, Inc. Covering film and electronic device
US10088912B2 (en) * 2014-12-26 2018-10-02 Compal Electronics, Inc. Covering film and electronic device
CN105739712B (zh) * 2014-12-26 2019-08-06 仁宝电脑工业股份有限公司 覆盖膜及电子装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3181800A (en) 2000-10-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1190299B1 (fr) Appareil electronique portatif ou de poche, et dispositif d'entree a commande manuelle
US8830163B2 (en) Integrated keyboard and touchpad
EP1138014B1 (fr) Capteur tactile transparent flexible pour dispositifs electroniques
US5635958A (en) Information inputting and processing apparatus
US9829992B2 (en) Multi-function keys providing additional functions and previews of functions
US7324020B2 (en) General purpose input board for a touch actuation
US9146621B2 (en) Reduced qwerty keyboard system that provides better accuracy and associated method
EP2273350A1 (fr) Appareil d'interface pour l'utilisateur
US20060181511A1 (en) Touchpad integrated into a key cap of a keyboard for improved user interaction
US20030080947A1 (en) Personal digital assistant command bar
US20130113714A1 (en) Electronic Device Having Single Hand Multi-Touch Surface Keyboard and Method of Inputting to Same
US20020180620A1 (en) Three-dimensional contact-sensitive feature for electronic devices
JP2006004453A (ja) タッチ操作型コンピュータ
US20040160423A1 (en) Input device for injection molding machine
GB2139762A (en) An input device and a method of inputting data to a computer system
KR20130062238A (ko) 터치 키패드 모듈 및 그 입력 처리 방법
US20030081016A1 (en) Personal digital assistant mouse
WO2000057266A1 (fr) Dispositif d'entree d'ordinateur
US20070188474A1 (en) Touch-sensitive motion device
JP2000020194A (ja) タッチパッド
EP1187156A2 (fr) Instrument avec écran tactile et clavier
US6398437B1 (en) Keyboard and computer
EP1748351B1 (fr) Système de clavier QWERTY réduit à précision améliorée et procédé correspondant
US20030081015A1 (en) Personal digital assistant command bar method
CN1916823A (zh) 一种具有轨迹辨识及按键辨识功能的电子装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 09914180

Country of ref document: US

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase