Patent ID: 7106220

Claim:
A computer-based system permitting a visually impaired user to interact with tactile graphic-based interactive software applications, the system comprising: a host computer having a data processor and a drive for running the interactive software applications; a pressure sensitive work pad having X and Y pressure sensitive members disposed in a grid array for providing unique location output signals corresponding to each different location on the grid array, the work pad being operatively connected to the host computer, and an overlay comprising a sheet for placement over an upper surface of the work pad, the overlay having a work space which bears tactile indicia which corresponds to a selected one of the interactive software applications, the overlay including a tactile graphical user interface (TGUI) formed thereon, the TGUI having a plurality of tactile control members, each tactile control member having associated X and Y coordinates on the grid array, the application of force to the respective tactile control member causing a corresponding location output signal to be generated and communicated to the host computer which processes the corresponding location output signal as a control signal which directs the performance of an operation, wherein the work space and TGUI occupy different regions of the overlay, wherein the overlay has a tactile identification region that is a section of the overlay, with one or more tactile identification members being fixedly formed on a surface of the overlay within the identification region at select, fixed X and Y coordinates, the relative position of the one or more tactile identification members within the identification region providing an identification pattern which uniquely identifies the overlay.