Programmable tactile touch screen displays and man-machine interfaces for improved vehicle instrumentation and telematics

Method for controlling a computer system, comprising the steps of

• providing a touch screen which is capable of displaying visually observable data and is effectively responsive to touch at a plurality of positions at once,
• effectively touching said surface with at least two fingers, and
• using the action of said fingers, causing a desired control action of said computer system, two fingers of said at least two fingers simultaneously being used to pinch or bracket displayed data on the screen.

Method for controlling a computer system, comprising the steps of

• providing a touch screen which is capable of displaying visually observable data and is effectively responsive to touch at a plurality of positions at once,
• effectively touching said surface with at least two fingers, and
• using the action of said fingers, causing a desired control action of said computer system, wherein said desired action is to indicate a value desired of a variable by the degree of rotation of one finger around a stationary finger.

Method for controlling a computer system, comprising the steps of

• providing a touch screen which is capable of displaying visually observable data and is effectively responsive to touch at a plurality of positions at once,
• effectively touching said surface with at least two fingers, and
• using the action of said fingers, causing a desired control action of said computer system, wherein said desired action is to indicate a value desired of a variable by the degree of rotation of the two fingers in a twisting motion.

Method for controlling a computer system, comprising the steps of

• providing a touch screen which is capable of displaying visually observable data and is effectively responsive to touch at a plurality of positions at once,
• effectively touching said surface with at least two fingers simultaneously, and
• using the action of said fingers, causing a desired control action of said computer system, wherein said desired action is to indicate a value desired of a variable by the spacing of one finger with respect to another finger.

Method for controlling a computer system, comprising the steps of

• providing a touch screen which is capable of displaying visually observable data and is effectively responsive to touch at a plurality of positions at once,
• effectively touching said surface with at least two fingers, and
• using the action of said fingers, causing a desired control action of said computer system, two fingers of said at least two fingers simultaneously being used to pinch or bracket displayed data on the screen.

Method for controlling a computer system, comprising the steps of

• providing a touch screen which is capable of displaying visually observable data and is effectively responsive to touch at a plurality of positions at once,
• effectively touching said surface with at least two fingers, and
• using the action of said fingers, causing a desired control action of said computer system, wherein said action of said fingers is the rotation of one finger about a stationary finger.

Method for controlling a computer system, comprising the steps of

• providing a touch screen which is capable of displaying visually observable data and is effectively responsive to touch at a plurality of positions at once,
• effectively touching said surface with at least two fingers simultaneously, and
• using the action of said fingers, causing a desired control action of said computer system, wherein said desired action is to indicate a value desired of a variable by the movement of one finger with respect to another finger.