U.S. patent application number 16/580475 was filed with the patent office on 2021-03-25 for tactile confirmation for touch screen systems.
This patent application is currently assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC. Invention is credited to Michael J. Smith.
Application Number | 20210089190 16/580475 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005444590 |
Filed Date | 2021-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210089190 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Michael J. |
March 25, 2021 |
TACTILE CONFIRMATION FOR TOUCH SCREEN SYSTEMS
Abstract
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a touch screen
system is provided that includes a housing, a display screen, one
or more capacitive sensors, and one or more force sensors. The
display screen is mounted on the housing. The one or more
capacitive sensors are coupled to the display screen, and are
configured to generate capacitive sensing data pertaining to
possible inputs from a user of the touch screen system. The one or
more force sensors are configured to generate force sensing data
pertaining to the possible inputs for use in confirming the
possible inputs from the capacitive sensing data.
Inventors: |
Smith; Michael J.;
(Brighton, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC |
Detroit |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS
LLC
Detroit
MI
|
Family ID: |
1000005444590 |
Appl. No.: |
16/580475 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60K 35/00 20130101;
G06F 3/04142 20190501; G06F 3/04186 20190501; G06F 3/044 20130101;
B60K 2370/158 20190501; G06F 2203/04106 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041; G06F 3/044 20060101 G06F003/044; B60K 35/00 20060101
B60K035/00 |
Claims
1. A touch screen system comprising: a housing; a display screen
mounted on the housing; one or more capacitive sensors coupled to
the display screen and configured to generate capacitive sensing
data pertaining to possible inputs from a user of the touch screen
system; one or more force sensors configured to generate force
sensing data pertaining to the possible inputs for use in
confirming the possible inputs from the capacitive sensing data;
and a processor coupled to the one or more capacitive sensors and
the one or more force sensors and configured to: determine a
capacitive input location for the possible inputs based on the
capacitive sensing data; determine a force input location for the
possible inputs based on the force sensing data; determine whether
a detected force that is detected via the one more force sensors is
acting through a center of gravity of the display screen based on
the force input location; when the detected force is acting through
a center of gravity of the display screen, then provide
instructions to ignore the possible inputs; and when the detected
force is not acting through the center of gravity of the display
screen, then: determine a distance between the capacitive input
location and the force input location; when the distance is greater
than a predetermined threshold, then provide instructions to ignore
the possible inputs; and when the distance is not greater than the
predetermined threshold, then provide instructions to implement the
possible inputs.
2. The touch screen system of claim 1, wherein the one or more
force sensors comprise two force sensors disposed on opposite
corners of a bottom portion of the display screen.
3. The touch screen system of claim 1, wherein the one or more
force sensors comprise four force sensors disposed on four
respective corners of the display screen.
4.-7. (canceled)
8. A vehicle comprising: a vehicle body; a drive system configured
to move the vehicle body; and a touch screen system mounted on the
vehicle body, the touch screen system comprising: a housing mounted
on the vehicle body; a display screen mounted on the housing; one
or more capacitive sensors coupled to the display screen and
configured to generate capacitive sensing data pertaining to
possible inputs from a user of the touch screen system; one or more
force sensors configured to generate force sensing data pertaining
to the possible inputs for use in confirming the possible inputs
from the capacitive sensing data; and a processor coupled to the
one or more capacitive sensors and the one or more force sensors
and configured to: determine a capacitive input location for the
possible inputs based on the capacitive sensing data; determine a
force input location for the possible inputs based on the force
sensing data; determine whether a detected force that is detected
via the one more force sensors is acting through a center of
gravity of the display screen based on the force input location;
when the detected force is acting through a center of gravity of
the display screen, then provide instructions to ignore the
possible inputs; and when the detected force is not acting through
the center of gravity of the display screen, then: determine a
distance between the capacitive input location and the force input
location; when the distance is greater than a predetermined
threshold, then provide instructions to ignore the possible inputs;
and when the distance is not greater than the predetermined
threshold, then provide instructions to implement the possible
inputs.
9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the one or more force sensors
comprise two force sensors disposed on opposite corners of a bottom
portion of the display screen.
10. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the one or more force sensors
comprise four force sensors disposed on four respective corners of
the display screen.
11. The vehicle of claim 8, further comprising: a hinge mounting
the touch screen system to the vehicle body.
12.-15. (canceled)
16. A method comprising: receiving capacitive sensing data from one
or more capacitive sensors coupled to a display screen of a touch
screen system, the capacitive sensing data pertaining to possible
inputs from a user of the touch screen system; receiving force
sensing data from one or more force sensors coupled to the display
screen of the touch screen system, the force sensing data
pertaining to the possible inputs from the user of the touch screen
system; determining, via a processor, a capacitive input location
for the possible inputs based on the capacitive sensing data;
determining, via the processor, a force input location for the
possible inputs based on the force sensing data; determining, via
the processor, whether a detected force that is detected via the
one more force sensors is acting through a center of gravity of the
display screen based on the force input location; when the detected
force is acting through a center of gravity of the display screen,
then providing, via the processor, instructions to ignore the
possible inputs; and when the detected force is not acting through
the center of gravity of the display screen, then, via the
processor; determining a distance between the capacitive input
location and the force input location; when the distance is greater
than a predetermined threshold, then providing instructions to
ignore the possible inputs; and when the distance is not greater
than the predetermined threshold, then providing instructions to
implement the possible inputs.
17.-19. (canceled)
20. The method of claim 16, wherein: the user inputs pertain to
operation of one or more vehicle functions for a vehicle; and the
processor is further configured to provide instructions to
implement the possible inputs for the operation of the one or more
vehicle functions when the possible inputs are implemented, but not
when the possible inputs are ignored based on whether the possible
inputs are confirmed using the capacitive sensing data.
21. The touch screen system of claim 1, wherein the processor is
configured to determine whether the detected force that is detected
via the one more force sensors is acting through the center of
gravity of the display screen based on the force input location
using a triangulation technique and comparing the resulting value
with a known center of gravity for the display screen that has been
stored in a computer memory.
22. The touch screen system of claim 1, wherein the processor is
configured to determine the force input location using a plurality
of circular regions corresponding to different force censors, and
based on which of the plurality of circular regions coincides with
a capacitive input location point.
23. The touch screen system of claim 22, wherein the processor is
configured to provide instructions for implementing of the user
inputs based on whether one of the plurality of circular regions is
within the predetermined distance of the capacitive input location
point.
24. The touch screen system of claim 23, wherein the processor is
configured to provide instructions for implementing of the user
inputs if, and only if, both of the following conditions are
satisfied, namely, that: (i) the detected force is not acting
through the center of gravity of the display screen; and (ii) one
of the plurality of circular regions is within the predetermined
distance of the capacitive input location point.
25. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to
determine whether the detected force that is detected via the one
more force sensors is acting through the center of gravity of the
display screen based on the force input location using a
triangulation technique and comparing the resulting value with a
known center of gravity for the display screen that has been stored
in a computer memory.
26. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to
determine the force input location using a plurality of circular
regions corresponding to different force censors, and based on
which of the plurality of circular regions coincides with a
capacitive input location point.
27. The vehicle of claim 26, wherein the processor is configured to
provide instructions for implementing of the user inputs based on
whether one of the plurality of circular regions is within the
predetermined distance of the capacitive input location point.
28. The vehicle of claim 27, wherein the processor is configured to
provide instructions for implementing of the user inputs if, and
only if, both of the following conditions are satisfied, namely,
that: (i) the detected force is not acting through the center of
gravity of the display screen; and (ii) one of the plurality of
circular regions is within the predetermined distance of the
capacitive input location point.
29. The method of claim 16, step of determining whether the
detected force is acting through the center of gravity comprises
determining whether the detected force that is detected via the one
more force sensors is acting through the center of gravity of the
display screen based on the force input location using a
triangulation technique and comparing the resulting value with a
known center of gravity for the display screen that has been stored
in a computer memory.
30. The method of claim 16, wherein the force input location is
determined using a plurality of circular regions corresponding to
different force censors, and based on which of the plurality of
circular regions coincides with a capacitive input location
point.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein: the instructions are provided
via the processor for implementing of the user inputs based on
whether one of the plurality of circular regions is within the
predetermined distance of the capacitive input location point, such
that the instructions for implementing of the user inputs are
provided by the processor if, and only if, both of the following
conditions are satisfied, namely, that: (i) the detected force is
not acting through the center of gravity of the display screen; and
(ii) one of the plurality of circular regions is within the
predetermined distance of the capacitive input location point.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The technical field generally relates to the field of touch
screen systems and, more specifically, to confirmation of inputs
for touch screen systems, such as for vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many vehicles and other systems include one or more touch
screen systems, for example for a user of the vehicle to provide
inputs for controlling one or more vehicle functions. However,
current systems may not always be optimal as far as confirming
inputs for the touch screens.
[0003] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide touch screen
systems, such as for vehicles, with an improved confirmation for
inputs for the touch screen. Furthermore, other desirable features
and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent
from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the
appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings and this background of the invention.
SUMMARY
[0004] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a touch screen
system is provided that includes a housing, a display screen, one
or more capacitive sensors, and one or more force sensors. The
display screen is mounted on the housing. The one or more
capacitive sensors are coupled to the display screen, and are
configured to generate capacitive sensing data pertaining to
possible inputs from a user of the touch screen system. The one or
more force sensors are configured to generate force sensing data
pertaining to the possible inputs for use in confirming the
possible inputs from the capacitive sensing data.
[0005] Also in one embodiment, the one or more force sensors
include two force sensors disposed on opposite corners of a bottom
portion of the display screen.
[0006] Also in one embodiment, the one or more force sensors
include four force sensors disposed on four respective corners of
the display screen.
[0007] Also in one embodiment, the touch screen system further
includes a processor coupled to the one or more capacitive sensors
and the one or more force sensors and configured to confirm the
possible inputs from the capacitive sensing data using the force
sensing data.
[0008] Also in one embodiment, the processor is further configured
to provide instructions to implement the possible inputs based on
whether the possible inputs are confirmed using the capacitive
sensing data.
[0009] Also in one embodiment, the processor is further configured
to: determine a capacitive input location for the possible inputs
based on the capacitive sensing data; determine a force input
location for the possible inputs based on the force sensing data;
and provide instructions to implement the possible inputs based on
a proximity of the capacitive input location to the force input
location.
[0010] Also in one embodiment, the processor is further configured
to: determine whether the force input location corresponds to a
center of gravity of the display screen, using the force sensing
data; and provide instructions to implement the possible inputs
based on whether the force input location corresponds to the center
of gravity of the display screen.
[0011] In another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is provided that
includes a vehicle body, a drive system, and a touch screen system.
The drive system is configured to move the vehicle body. The touch
screen system is mounted on the vehicle body, and includes: a
housing mounted on the vehicle body; a display screen mounted on
the housing; one or more capacitive sensors coupled to the display
screen and configured to generate capacitive sensing data
pertaining to possible inputs from a user of the touch screen
system; and one or more force sensors configured to generate force
sensing data pertaining to the possible inputs for use in
confirming the possible inputs from the capacitive sensing
data.
[0012] Also in one embodiment, the one or more force sensors
include two force sensors disposed on opposite corners of a bottom
portion of the display screen.
[0013] Also in one embodiment, the one or more force sensors
include four force sensors disposed on four respective corners of
the display screen.
[0014] Also in one embodiment, the vehicle further includes a hinge
mounting the touch screen system to the vehicle body.
[0015] Also in one embodiment, the vehicle further includes a
processor coupled to the one or more capacitive sensors and the one
or more force sensors and configured to confirm the possible inputs
from the capacitive sensing data using the force sensing data.
[0016] Also in one embodiment: the user inputs pertain to operation
of one or more vehicle functions for the vehicle; and the processor
is further configured to provide instructions to implement the
possible inputs for the operation of the one or more vehicle
functions based on whether the possible inputs are confirmed using
the capacitive sensing data.
[0017] Also in one embodiment, the processor is further configured
to: determine a capacitive input location for the possible inputs
based on the capacitive sensing data; determine a force input
location for the possible inputs based on the force sensing data;
and provide instructions to implement the possible inputs for the
operation of the one or more vehicle functions based on a proximity
of the capacitive input location to the force input location.
[0018] Also in one embodiment, the processor is further configured
to: determine whether the force input location corresponds to a
center of gravity of the display screen, using the force sensing
data; and provide instructions to implement the possible inputs for
the operation of the one or more vehicle functions based on whether
the force input location corresponds to the center of gravity of
the display screen.
[0019] In another exemplary embodiment, a method is provided that
includes: receiving capacitive sensing data from one or more
capacitive sensors coupled to a display screen of a touch screen
system, the capacitive sensing data pertaining to possible inputs
from a user of the touch screen system; receiving force sensing
data from one or more force sensors coupled to the display screen
of the touch screen system, the force sensing data pertaining to
the possible inputs from the user of the touch screen system; and
confirming, via a processor, the possible inputs from the
capacitive sensing data using the force sensing data.
[0020] Also in one embodiment, the method further includes:
determining, via the processor, a capacitive input location for the
possible inputs based on the capacitive sensing data; determining,
via the processor, a force input location for the possible inputs
based on the force sensing data; and providing, via the processor,
instructions to implement the possible inputs based on a proximity
of the capacitive input location to the force input location.
[0021] Also in one embodiment, the method further includes:
determining, via the processor, a capacitive input location for the
possible inputs based on the capacitive sensing data; determining,
via the processor, a force input location for the possible inputs
based on the force sensing data; and providing, via the processor,
instructions to implement the possible inputs based on a proximity
of the capacitive input location to the force input location.
[0022] Also in one embodiment, the method further includes:
determining, via the processor, whether the force input location
corresponds to a center of gravity of the display screen, using the
force sensing data; and providing, via the processor, instructions
to implement the possible inputs based on whether the force input
location corresponds to the center of gravity of the display
screen.
[0023] Also in one embodiment: the user inputs pertain to operation
of one or more vehicle functions for a vehicle; and the processor
is further configured to provide instructions to implement the
possible inputs for the operation of the one or more vehicle
functions based on whether the possible inputs are confirmed using
the capacitive sensing data.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in
conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like
numerals denote like elements, and wherein:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a vehicle that
includes a touch screen system that includes capacitive sensors as
well as force sensors that provide confirmation of user inputs, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary touch screen
system of FIG. 1, depicted with two force sensors and a hinge, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary touch screen
system of FIG. 1, depicted with four force sensors, in accordance
with an exemplary embodiment; and
[0028] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a processor for confirming user
inputs for a touch screen system, and that can be implemented in
connection with the vehicle of FIG. 1 and the touch screen systems
of FIGS. 1-3, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the touch screen system of
FIG. 2, depicted with a respective region of detection for each of
the force sensors, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
and
[0030] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the touch screen system of
FIG. 3, depicted with a respective region of detection for each of
the force sensors, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in
nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the
application and uses thereof. Furthermore, there is no intention to
be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the
following detailed description.
[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 100, according to an exemplary
embodiment. As described in greater detail further below, the
vehicle 100 includes a touch screen system 102. In various
embodiments, the vehicle 100 may include more than one touch screen
systems 102. Also in various embodiments, the touch screen
system(s) 102 may be mounted on the vehicle 100 at any number of
different locations, for example on a front dash or panel, a front
infotainment unit, a rear infotainment unit, and/or any number of
different locations.
[0033] As depicted in FIG. 1, in various embodiments, each touch
screen system 102 includes a housing 122, a display screen 124,
capacitive sensors 126, and force sensors 128. In various
embodiments, the housing 122 is mounted on a body 110 of the
vehicle 100. Also in various embodiments, the display screen 124 is
mounted on the housing 122. In certain embodiments, the display
screen 124 comprises a light emitting diode (LED) display screen;
however, this may vary in other embodiments. In addition, in
various embodiments, the force sensors 128 comprise strain gauge
sensors; however, this may also vary in other embodiments.
[0034] While the force sensors 128 are depicted as being part of
the touch screen 102, it will be appreciated that this may vary in
certain embodiments. For example, in certain embodiments, the force
sensors 128 are read by the computer system 140.
[0035] Various embodiments and implementations of the touch screen
system 102 are depicted in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6 and described
further below in connection therewith, as well as in connection
with a process for confirming user inputs for the touch screen
system 102 as set forth in the flowchart of FIG. 4. As noted below,
the various touch screen systems 102 may be utilized in connection
with vehicles (such as the vehicle 100) and/or separate from a
vehicle, in various different embodiments.
[0036] In certain embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 1, the vehicle
100 comprises an automobile. In various embodiments, the vehicle
100 may be any one of a number of different types of automobiles,
such as, for example, a sedan, a wagon, a truck, or a sport utility
vehicle (SUV), and may be two-wheel drive (2WD) (i.e., rear-wheel
drive or front-wheel drive), four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel
drive (AWD), and/or various other types of vehicles in certain
embodiments. In certain embodiments, the vehicle 100 may also
comprise a motorcycle, an airplane, a marine vehicle, and/or one or
more other types of vehicles.
[0037] In the depicted embodiment, the vehicle 100 includes the
above-referenced body 110 that substantially encloses other
components of the vehicle 100. Also in the depicted embodiment, the
vehicle 100 includes a plurality of axles 112 and wheels 114. The
wheels 114 are each rotationally coupled to one or more of the
axles 112 near a respective corner of the body 110 to facilitate
movement of the vehicle 100. In one embodiment, the vehicle 100
includes four wheels 114, although this may vary in other
embodiments (for example for trucks and certain other
vehicles).
[0038] A drive system 116 drives the wheels 114. The drive system
116 preferably comprises a propulsion system. In certain exemplary
embodiments, the drive system 116 comprises an internal combustion
engine and/or an electric motor/generator, coupled with a
transmission thereof. In certain embodiments, the drive system 116
may vary, and/or two or more drive systems 116 may be used. By way
of example, the vehicle 100 may also incorporate any one of, or
combination of, a number of different types of propulsion systems,
such as, for example, a gasoline or diesel fueled combustion
engine, a "flex fuel vehicle" (FFV) engine (i.e., using a mixture
of gasoline and alcohol), a gaseous compound (e.g., hydrogen and/or
natural gas) fueled engine, a combustion/electric motor hybrid
engine, and an electric motor.
[0039] As depicted in FIG. 1, in various embodiments, the touch
screen system 102 is coupled to a computer system 140. In various
embodiments, the computer system 140 controls operation of the
touch screen system 102 and provides confirmation of user inputs
for the touch screen systems 102 based on determinations made from
data obtained from the capacitive sensors 126 and the force sensors
128. In various embodiments, the computer system 140 also controls
various different vehicle systems, such as the drive system 116
and/or one or more other systems 118, based on the user inputs for
the touch screen system 102 and the confirmation thereof. In
certain embodiments, the other systems 118 include one or more
safety systems and/or vehicle operational systems that control
vehicle functionality such as a lighting system, defrost system,
gear shifting system, vehicle start/stop system, vehicle start
button, air conditioning, infotainment, and/or any number of other
different vehicle systems, each of which may be controlled by the
computer system 140 based on the user inputs for the touch screen
system 102 and the confirmation thereof by the computer system 140.
In various embodiments, the computer system 140 performs these
functions in accordance with the process 400 described below in
connection with FIG. 4.
[0040] In the depicted embodiment, the computer system 140 includes
a processor 142, a memory 144, an interface 146, a storage device
148, and a bus 150. The processor 142 performs the computation and
control functions of the computer system 140 and may comprise any
type of processor or multiple processors, single integrated
circuits such as a microprocessor, or any suitable number of
integrated circuit devices and/or circuit boards working in
cooperation to accomplish the functions of a processing unit.
During operation, the processor 142 executes one or more programs
152 contained within the memory 144 and, as such, controls the
general operation of the computer system 140 and the computer
system of the computer system 140, generally in executing the
processes described herein, such as the process 400 described below
in connection with FIG. 4.
[0041] The memory 144 can be any type of suitable memory. For
example, the memory 144 may include various types of dynamic
random-access memory (DRAM) such as SDRAM, the various types of
static RAM (SRAM), and the various types of non-volatile memory
(PROM, EPROM, and flash). In certain examples, the memory 144 is
located on and/or co-located on the same computer chip as the
processor 142. In the depicted embodiment, the memory 144 stores
the above-referenced program 152 along with one or more stored
values 154.
[0042] The bus 150 serves to transmit programs, data, status and
other information or signals between the various components of the
computer system of the computer system 140. The interface 146
allows communication to the computer system of the computer system
140, for example from a system driver and/or another computer
system, and can be implemented using any suitable method and
apparatus. In one embodiment, the interface 146 obtains the various
data from the touch screen display 102 (e.g., from the capacitive
sensors 126 and the force sensors 128 thereof). The interface 146
can include one or more network interfaces to communicate with
other systems or components. The interface 146 may also include one
or more network interfaces to communicate with technicians, and/or
one or more storage interfaces to connect to storage apparatuses,
such as the storage device 148.
[0043] The storage device 148 can be any suitable type of storage
apparatus, including direct access storage devices such as hard
disk drives, flash systems, floppy disk drives and optical disk
drives. In one exemplary embodiment, the storage device 148
comprises a program product from which memory 144 can receive a
program 152 that executes one or more embodiments of one or more
processes of the present disclosure, such as the steps of the
process 400 (and any sub-processes thereof) described in connection
with FIG. 4. In another exemplary embodiment, the program product
may be directly stored in and/or otherwise accessed by the memory
144 and/or a disk (e.g., disk 156), such as that referenced
below.
[0044] The bus 150 can be any suitable physical or logical means of
connecting computer systems and components. This includes, but is
not limited to, direct hard-wired connections, fiber optics,
infrared and wireless bus technologies. During operation, the
program 152 is stored in the memory 144 and executed by the
processor 142.
[0045] It will be appreciated that while this exemplary embodiment
is described in the context of a fully functioning computer system,
those skilled in the art will recognize that the mechanisms of the
present disclosure are capable of being distributed as a program
product with one or more types of non-transitory computer-readable
signal bearing media used to store the program and the instructions
thereof and carry out the distribution thereof, such as a
non-transitory computer readable medium bearing the program and
containing computer instructions stored therein for causing a
computer processor (such as the processor 142) to perform and
execute the program. Such a program product may take a variety of
forms, and the present disclosure applies equally regardless of the
particular type of computer-readable signal bearing media used to
carry out the distribution. Examples of signal bearing media
include: recordable media such as floppy disks, hard drives, memory
cards and optical disks, and transmission media such as digital and
analog communication links. It will be appreciated that cloud-based
storage and/or other techniques may also be utilized in certain
embodiments. It will similarly be appreciated that the computer
system of the computer system 140 may also otherwise differ from
the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, for example in that the computer
system of the computer system 140 may be coupled to or may
otherwise utilize one or more remote computer systems and/or other
control systems.
[0046] In addition, it will be appreciated that while the screen
display system 102 is described herein in connection with a vehicle
in accordance with certain embodiments, that the display system 102
of FIG. 1 (and as depicted and/or described in connection with
FIGS. 2-6) may also be implemented in various other contexts,
separate and apart from a vehicle such as in connection with a
computer screen (e.g., a screen for a desktop, laptop, notebook,
and/or other computer), a smart phone screen, a television screen,
a video game screen, a kiosk, and/or one or more screens used in
connection with any number of other different types of electronic
devices and/or systems.
[0047] FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic diagrams of exemplary touch
screen systems 102 of FIG. 1, in different exemplary
embodiments.
[0048] First, FIG. 2 depicts the touch screen system 102 with two
force sensors 128, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. As
depicted in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the two force sensors 128
are disposed along a bottom portion of the display screen 124, on
opposing ends (i.e., corners) of the bottom portion of the display
screen 124. However, this may vary in other embodiments, for
example in that the force sensors 128 may be mounted in any number
of other locations. It will also be appreciated that the number of
force sensors 128 may vary, and for example that any number of
force sensors 128 may be included. In addition, in the embodiment
of FIG. 2. A hinge 202 is depicted for mounting the touch screen
system 102 to the vehicle 100.
[0049] Next, FIG. 3 depicts the touch screen system 102 with four
force sensors 128, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.
As depicted in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, two force sensors 128
are disposed along a bottom portion of the display screen 124, on
opposing sides of the bottom portion of the display screen 124,
similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2. In addition, also as depicted
in FIG. 3, in this embodiment the touch screen system 102 also
includes two additional force sensors 128 that are vertically
aligned with the bottom two force sensors 128, such that the four
force sensors 128 are disposed on respective corners of the display
screen 124. However, this may vary in other embodiments, for
example in that the force sensors 128 may be mounted in any number
of other locations. It will also be appreciated that the number of
force sensors 128 may vary, and for example that any number of
force sensors 128 may be included. The embodiment of FIG. 3 is
depicted without a hinge.
[0050] It will be appreciated that the number of force sensors 128
may vary in different embodiments, although the embodiments with
two force sensors 128 (as depicted in FIG. 2) and with four force
sensors (as depicted in FIG. 3) represent two preferred embodiments
for implanting the process 400 of FIG. 4 described below. In
addition, it will also be appreciated that in certain embodiments a
hinge 202 may also be used for certain implementations of the
embodiment of FIG. 3, and/or that in certain embodiments a hinge
202 may not be needed for certain implementations of the embodiment
of FIG. 2, and so on.
[0051] In the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, the force sensors 128
are configured to provide sensor data used for confirming inputs
that a user has provided via the capacitive sensors 126, via the
computer system 140 of FIG. 1 in implementing the process 400 of
FIG. 4 (described below).
[0052] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process 400 for confirming user
inputs for a touch screen system, in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment. In various embodiments, the process 400 may be
implemented in connection with the vehicle of FIG. 1 and the touch
screen systems of FIGS. 1-3, along with the implementations of
FIGS. 5 and 6 (described further below), in accordance with
exemplary embodiments.
[0053] As depicted in FIG. 4, the process 400 begins at 402. In
certain embodiments, the process 400 begins when a user approaches
or contacts a touch screen system (such as the touch screen system
102 of FIGS. 1-3), and/or when a vehicle and/or other system with
the touch screen system 102 is turned on or operational (e.g., in
the case of a vehicle such as the vehicle 100 of FIG. 1, when the
vehicle 100 is turned on and/or when a user enters the vehicle 100,
in certain embodiments).
[0054] A possible user input is detected at 404. In various
embodiments, the possible user input is detected by the capacitive
sensors 126 of FIGS. 1-3 when the user contacts the display screen
124 of FIGS. 1-3, based on capacitive sensing data obtained from
the capacitive sensors 126. In certain embodiments, the processor
142 of FIG. 1 processes values pertaining to the capacitive sensors
126 and/or stores such values in the memory 144 of FIG. 1 as stored
values thereof.
[0055] In addition, a determination is made at 406 as to whether
additional pressure is detected. In various embodiments, the
processor 142 of FIG. 1 makes this determination based on whether
the force sensors 128 of FIG. 1 detect any additional pressure on
the display screen 124 in relation to the possible user input, as
reflected in force sensing data obtained by the force sensors 128
of FIGS. 1-3. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the force
sensing data from the force sensors 128 is used to confirm the
possible inputs as detected from the capacitive sensing data from
the capacitive sensors 126. In various embodiments, the force
sensing data provided by the force sensors 128 is stored in the
memory 144 of FIG. 1 as stored values thereof.
[0056] In various embodiments, if it is determined at 406 that the
force sensors 128 do not detect additional pressure (i.e., that the
possible user inputs from the capacitive sensing data are not
confirmed by the force sensing data), then the possible user input
of step 404 is ignored at step 408. Specifically, in various
embodiments, the capacitive sensing data of step 404 is determined
to not be confirmed as a true user input by the force sensors 128,
and therefore the possible user input from the capacitive sensing
data is ignored at step 408 for the purposes of the operation of
the drive system 116 and other vehicle systems 118 of FIG. 1. In
certain embodiments, the process then terminates at step 420, for
example, until a new input is detected in a new iteration of step
404.
[0057] Conversely, if it is instead determined at 406 that the
force sensors 128 do detect additional pressure (i.e., that the
possible user inputs from the capacitive sensing data are confirmed
by the force sensing data), then in certain embodiments a further
determination at step 410 as to whether the detected force is
acting through the center of gravity of the display screen 124.
Specifically, in certain embodiments, the processor 142 of FIG. 1
makes this determination based on a detected origin of the pressure
from the force sensing data obtained from the force sensors 128 by
the processor 142, for example using a triangulation technique and
comparing the resulting value with a known center of gravity for
the display screen 124 as a stored value 154 of the memory 144 of
FIG. 1.
[0058] In certain embodiments, if it is determined at 410 that the
detected force is acting through the center of gravity of the
display screen 124, then the possible user input of step 404 is
ignored at step 412. Specifically, in various embodiments, the
sensed input data is determined to be caused by outside vibrations
(e.g., for a road on which the vehicle 100 is travelling) instead
of a true user input for the touch screen system 102, and therefore
the possible user input is ignored at step 412 (similar to step
408, described above) for the purposes of the operation of the
drive system 116 and other vehicle systems 118 of FIG. 1. In
certain embodiments, the process then terminates at step 420, for
example, until a new input is detected in a new iteration of step
404.
[0059] Conversely, in certain embodiments, if it is instead
determined at 410 that the detected force is not acting through the
center of gravity of the display screen 124, then an additional
determination is made at step 414 as to whether the possible inputs
are detected at a similar screen location. Specifically, in various
embodiments, the processor 142 examines the force sensing data of
step 406, uses one or more triangulation techniques to determine
one or more force input locations on the display screen 124 on
which the force inputs are likely to have originated, and compares
these one or more force input locations of the user input with one
or more capacitive input locations of the user input from the
capacitive sensors 126. As noted below, in various embodiments, the
user's instructions from the user input are selectively followed
based on a proximity of the capacitive input location(s) to the
force input location(s). Also in various embodiments, the possible
inputs are determined to be detected at a similar screen location
if the determined location of the force inputs are within a
predetermined distance of the determined location of the capacitive
inputs.
[0060] Specifically, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, different
circular regions are depicted with respect to the location of the
force inputs, for use in the determination of step 414, in
accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. For example, in the
embodiment of FIG. 5 with two force sensors 128, there are depicted
two different circular regions 501, 502 for the location of the
force inputs, one for each of the respective force sensors. The
circular regions 501, 502 intersect with two potential force input
location points 503, 504. As shown in FIG. 5, due to the
configuration of this exemplary embodiment of the touch screen
system 102 (from FIG. 2), a first potential force input location
503 coincides with a capacitive input location point 526 (and would
thus be utilized, in one embodiment), while a second force input
location 504 would be off the display screen 124 (and would thus be
disregarded, in one embodiment). Similar, by way of additional
example, in the embodiment of FIG. 6 with four force sensors 128,
there are depicted four different circular regions 501, 502, 503,
and 504 for the location of the force inputs, one for each of the
respective force sensors.
[0061] With reference back to FIG. 4, if it is determined at 414
that the possible capacitive inputs and the detected force inputs
are located within a similar region of the display screen 124
(i.e., that the force input location(s) and the capacitive input
location(s) are within proximity to one another, within a
predetermined distance from one another), then the process proceeds
to step 416. During step 416, functionality is provided
corresponding to the input request from the user. For example, in a
vehicle implementation according to FIG. 1, in various embodiments,
the processor 142 of FIG. 1 provides instructions for the requested
vehicle functionality corresponding to the user request, for
vehicle operations such as for the drive system 116 and/or one or
more of the other systems 118 of the vehicle 100, such as, by way
of example, one or more safety systems and/or vehicle operational
systems that control vehicle functionality such as a lighting
system, defrost system, gear shifting system, vehicle start/stop
system, vehicle start button, air conditioning, infotainment,
and/or any number of other different vehicle systems. In certain
embodiments, the process then terminates at step 420, for example,
until a new input is detected in a new iteration of step 404.
[0062] Conversely, if it is determined at 414 that the possible
capacitive inputs and the detected force inputs are not located
within a similar region of the display screen 124 (i.e., not within
proximity to one another, and not within a predetermined distance
from one another), then the process proceeds instead to step 418.
During step 418, the then the possible user input of step 404 is
ignored at step 412. Specifically, in various embodiments, the
possible user input is ignored at step 418 (similar to steps 408
and 412, described above) for the purposes of the operation of the
drive system 116 and other vehicle systems 118 of FIG. 1. Also in
certain embodiments, during step 418, a transition is provided to
put touch screen system 102 (and, in certain embodiments, one or
more other vehicle systems) in a failsafe mode (e.g., in accordance
with instructions provided by the processor 142 of FIG. 1). In
certain embodiments, the process then terminates at step 420, for
example, until a new input is detected in a new iteration of step
404.
[0063] Accordingly, in various embodiments, a touch screen system
is provided, along with an associated computer system, that
provides for confirmation of user inputs for the touch screen
system, using both capacitive sensors and force sensors in
combination with one another. In various embodiments, this is
performed via the systems, vehicles, and methods disclosed herein.
In addition, it will be appreciated that in various embodiments the
disclosed systems, vehicles, and methods may provide for improved
interpretation and implementation of user inputs, while correctly
ignoring data that is not representative of true user inputs. In
addition, the disclosed systems, vehicles, and methods may also
similarly be useful in providing error detection for the touch
screen system and/or other associated systems.
[0064] It will be appreciated that the systems, vehicles,
applications, and implementations may vary from those depicted in
the Figures and described herein. For example, in various
embodiments, the touch screen systems 102 of FIGS. 1-3, 5, and 6,
the vehicle 100 of FIG. 1, and/or systems and/or components
thereof, may vary in different embodiments. In addition, also in
various embodiments, the process 400 of FIG. 4 and/or sub-processes
and/or components thereof may also vary in different embodiments,
among other possible variations.
[0065] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented
in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated
that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be
appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments
are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope,
applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way.
Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those
skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the
exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be
understood that various changes can be made in the function and
arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the
disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and the legal
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *