Object recognition by touch screen
AssigneeThe Cleveland Clinic Foundation
InventorsJay L. Alberts, David D. Schindler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices, systems and methods are described that can facilitate recognition of an engagement between an object and a touch screen in the absence of human contact. Upon the engagement, an electrically conductive path can be established that extends from a surface of the touch screen such that sufficient electrons flow from the touch screen through the electrically conductive path to enable the recognition of the object on the touch screen in the absence of human contact with the object during continued presence of the object on the touch screen.
Claims20
A system for performing a medical test, comprising:
- a computing device comprising a touch-sensitive touch screen defining an interface;
- a housing comprising a substrate dimensioned and configured to cover at least a substantial portion of the touch-sensitive touch screen when placed thereon, a plurality of apertures extending through the substrate, wherein the touch-sensitive touch screen is exposed through at least one of the plurality of apertures;
- and
- an object configured for insertion through the at least one of the plurality of apertures to engage a portion of the touch-sensitive touch screen,
- wherein the plurality of apertures are configured to receive the object therein and to maintain an engagement between a distal end of the object and the touch-sensitive touch screen;
- wherein an electrically conductive path extends from the distal end of the object contacting the touch-sensitive touch screen, through at least one contact of the at least one of the plurality of apertures and is configured to provide for sufficient electrons to flow from the touch-sensitive touch screen through the electrically conductive path to a port of the computing device to enable detection of the object contacting the touch-sensitive touch screen in the absence of human contact with the object.
A method for performing a medical test, comprising:
- engaging a touch-sensitive surface of a computing device with an object inserted through an aperture of a housing,
- wherein the housing is sized and dimensioned to cover at least a portion of the touch-sensitive surface and configured to stabilize the object when inserted through the aperture;
- forming an electrical connection between a contact within the aperture and a contact on an exterior surface of the object;
- and
- establishing an electrically conductive path from the touch-sensitive surface to the contact of the aperture and extending a distance beyond the contact of the aperture, such that the electrically conductive path allows for sufficient electrons to flow from the touch-sensitive surface through the electrically conductive path to enable detection of the engagement by the touch-sensitive surface of the computing device in absence of human contact with the object during such engagement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.