Patent ID: 6049328
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: G06F,G09B

Abstract:
A touch screen for those with reduced ability to interpret visual expressions comprising:an electronic display screen having a smooth display area without spatially distinguishing tactile landmarks;a touch panel commensurate with the display area and providing a coordinate output indicating only a presence or absence of touch points in the display area;an access button positioned at a predetermined fixed location to be actuated by the user to enable an access mode;audio circuitry for generating speech in response to electrical commands from an electronic processor;an electronic processor communicating with the electronic display screen, the touch panel, and the access button and executing a stored program to:(a) display on the electronic display screen a set of virtual buttons, the buttons having graphical boundaries and a graphical legend and locations different from the location of the access button;(b) when the access mode is not enabled and when a touch point is detected within a boundary of a virtual button, the electronic processor executing a program action associated with the virtual button; and(c) when the access mode is enabled and when a touch point is detected within the boundary of the virtual button, the electronic processor outputting via the audio circuitry a spoken representation of the information of the graphical legend of the virtual button easier for the user to interpret.