WO2018057534A1

WO2018057534A1 - Multi-user touch interface system

Info

Publication number: WO2018057534A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/052330
Authority: WO
Original assignee: Segame Technologies Llc
Priority date: 2016-09-23
Filing date: 2017-09-19
Publication date: 2018-03-29

Abstract

Users of a system are coupled with transmitters that propagate different signals through touch objects of each of the respective users. A system determines a user profile of a user performing a touch event based on a signal type of a signal propagated through a touch object of the user that is detected during the touch event and based on signal types stored in a memory that are associated with respective user characteristics.

Description

TITLE: MULTI-USER TOUCH INTERFACE SYSTEM

BACKGROUND [0001] Conventional user interfaces for system(s) typically provide one set of controls that globally control one or more parameters of the system(s) being controlled, for example volume for an audio system, or temperature or fan speed for an HVAC system. For system(s) that provide multi-zone or multi-user support, for example multi-zoned HVAC or audio systems, conventional user interfaces typically provide two or more sets of controls, with one set corresponding to each zone or user. For example, in an application with separate HVAC zones for two users, there may be two sets of HVAC controls, with one set for each zone/user.

[0002] Also, other multi-user systems, such as gaming systems or entertainment systems, typically provide two or more sets of controls with each set of controls corresponding to a different user. In such multi-user systems, the separate sets of controls may occupy limited space on an interface of the multi-user system or may require additional devices, such as separate control devices, for interacting with the multi-user system.

SUMMARY [0003] Embodiments of methods and systems are described that provide multi-user touch interfaces for multi-user system(s). A multi-user touch interface system and multi-user touch interface are described in which a detection mechanism may be used to detect a given user that is currently interacting with the touch interface. In some embodiments, a touch interface may be a display panel, physical knob, physical button, or other type of interface that a user touches to indicate a control input. A signal transmitter, such as a modulated electrical signal transmitter, an ultrasound signal transmitter, or other suitable signal transmitter, may be coupled with a user's body and propagate a signal through the user's body. In addition, other signal transmitters may be coupled to other users and propagate signals through the bodies of the other users. Each signal transmitter may be configured to generate a signal that is distinct from other signals generated by the other signal transmitters. For example, in some embodiments, signal transmitters may be included in seats of a vehicle and may couple with touch objects, such as users sitting in the seats of the vehicle. The signal transmitters may propagate different signals through each user sitting in the vehicle. [0004] Also, a multi-user touch interface system may include a touch sensitive surface that is configured to detect a touch event performed by a user and also detect a signal being propagated through a touch object, such as the body of the user. For example, a touch sensitive surface may be included in a dash of a vehicle as a display panel, knob, button, or other type of interface. The multi-user touch interface system may be configured to distinguish a user characteristic of a given user performing a touch event on the touch sensitive surface, such as distinguishing a seating location of the given user, based on the detected signal. Furthermore, the multi-user touch interface system may be configured to associate the distinguished user characteristic with the touch event. For example, the multi-user touch interface system may be configured to interpret a touch event as a touch event performed by a user having a certain user characteristic, such as a user sitting in a particular seat of a vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a multi-user touch interface system that includes a touch sensitive surface and signal transmitters configured to propagate signals that are detectable by the touch sensitive surface, according to some embodiments.

[0006] FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of an apparatus that includes a multi-user touch interface system that includes a signal transmitter in a seat belt, according to some embodiments.

[0007] FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of an apparatus that includes a multi-user touch interface system that includes signal transmitters included in a seat, according to some embodiments.

[0008] FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of a user interacting with a multi-user touch interface, according to some embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 3A illustrates example signal types that may be propagated through a touch object from a signal transmitter, according to some embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 3B illustrates time sequenced example signals that may be propagated through a touch object from a signal transmitter, according to some embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a multi-user touch interface system that includes a touch sensitive surface, signal transmitters, and signal receivers, according to some embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a multi-user touch interface configured to receive a credential from a user device carried by a user, according to some embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 6, illustrates a process of determining a user characteristic of a user performing a touch event based on a detected signal, according to some embodiments. [0014] FIG. 7 illustrates a process of utilizing a determined user characteristic as a proxy for a user credential, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Embodiments of methods and systems are described that provide multi-user touch interface systems for controlled system(s) or entertainment system(s). For controlled system(s), conventional user interfaces provide one set of controls and indicators that globally control and indicate one or more parameters of a controlled system(s), or alternatively two or more sets of controls and indicators, with each set of controls and indicators corresponding to a different zone or user. For example, in an application with separate HVAC zones for two users, there may be two sets of HVAC and/or audio controls and indicators, with one set for a first zone/user and a second set for a second zone/user. For an entertainment system(s), such as a gaming system, conventional systems may provide separate control devices for each user, thus requiring multiple pieces of hardware to be maintained in order to properly use the system.

[0016] Some user interfaces may attempt to distinguish between users based on geometry. For example in some systems, if an input is received via a particular geometric portion of an interface (such as a driver side portion of the interface) then the input is attributed to a particular user (e.g. the driver). However, such systems are limited in the sense that inputs for multiple users cannot be received in a same geometric portion of the interface. Also, such systems typically require duplicate sets of controls, for example a set of controls in each user's geometric portion of the interface. When users are in close proximity there may be limited space on an interface such that including duplicate sets of controls on the interface is less than desirable. Also, errors may occur if a user deviates from the user's geometric portion of the interface.

[0017] In some embodiments, a multi-user touch interface system may utilize signals being propagated through a touch object, such as a user's body performing a touch event, to determine a user characteristic of the user performing the touch event. The user characteristic may be assigned to the touch event to distinguish the touch event being performed by the user from other touch events performed by other users. By being able to determine a user characteristic of a user performing a touch event, a user interface implemented via a multi-user touch interface system may be simplified as compared to previous user interfaces and may use a single set of controls and indicators, such as controls and indicators on a display, or physical controls and indicators, such as knobs and/or buttons, to separately control controlled system(s) or entertainment system(s) for a plurality of users interacting with the single set of controls and indicators. [0018] For example, a user characteristic may be a location in a vehicle in which a user is sitting and a multi-user touch interface system may be used in connection with an HVAC system to control temperatures in a vehicle. The multi-user touch interface system may determine a particular seat in which a user performing a touch event is seated based on a detected signal being propagated through the user's body, wherein the detected signal is associated with the particular seat. Thus, a single set of HVAC controls and indicators may be used to separately control different HVAC zones for different users. For example, a multi-user touch-interface system may determine a passenger is performing a touch event to lower a temperature in a passenger zone of a vehicle via a touch event performed via a single HVAC control element displayed on a multi-user touch interface, such as a touch sensitive surface, based on a detected signal being propagated through the passenger's body. In response, an HVAC system may adjust the passenger's temperature control accordingly. A driver may also perform a touch event to increase a temperature in a driver zone of the vehicle via the same single HVAC control element displayed on the multi-user touch interface. The multi-user touch interface system may determine that the driver is performing the touch event based on a different detected signal being propagated through the driver's body. In response, the HVAC system may adjust the driver's temperature control while the passenger's temperature control remains at the lowered temperature. In a similar manner, volume controls in a vehicle may be adjusted for different zones of a vehicle using a single volume control element. In some embodiments, a multi-user touch interface system may be used in conjunction with other systems to determine a user characteristic of a user performing a touch event or a user profile for the user performing the touch event and to distinguish the touch event with the determined user characteristic from other touch events having other user characteristics, such as other user characteristics of other user profiles.

[0019] In some embodiments, a transmitter, such as an electrode, may be coupled to a body of a first user and another transmitter, such as another electrode, may be coupled to a body of another user. For example, electrodes may be included in seats or seatbelts of a vehicle. Each of the transmitters may be configured to propagate a distinct signal having a distinct signal type through the body of the user with which the transmitter is coupled. For example, in some embodiments, in which the transmitter is an electrode, the electrode may comprise a capacitive plate and may be capacitively coupled to a body of a user and may generate a modulated electrical signal that is propagated through the user's body. In other embodiments, a transmitter may be configured to generate an ultrasound signal that is propagated through a body of a user. In other embodiments, a transmitter may be configured to generate signals via other methods. For example a transmitter may generate signals that are propagated through a user's body via galvanic coupling or signals that are propagated though a user's body in other ways.

[0020] In some embodiments, a multi-user touch interface system may be configured to detect a touch event and to detect a signal being propagated through a body of a user performing the touch event, such as a signal being propagated through a touch object. For example, in some embodiments a multi-user touch interface system may include a projected capacitance touch display. The projected capacitance touch display may include a grid of conductive materials included as a layer in the touch display. A voltage may be applied to the grid of conductive materials and may create an electrostatic field. When a conductive object, such as a finger of a user, comes into contact with the projected capacitance touch display, the electrostatic field may be distorted at the point of contact of the conductive object. For example, the conductive object may act as part of a capacitor formed between the conductive object (e.g. the finger) and the conductive material of the grid. The electrostatic field generated by the voltage being applied to the grid of conductive materials of the projected capacitance touch display may be distorted at the point of contact along grid segments of the grid of conductive materials (e.g. at particular row(s) and column(s) of the grid). In some embodiments that utilize a mutual capacitance projected capacitance display, each intersection of a grid row and a grid column of a grid of conductive materials may form a separate capacitor. In such embodiments, voltage may be applied to the rows or columns and may be measured at other ones of the rows or columns. In some embodiments that utilize a self-capacitance projected capacitance touch display, a current of respective rows and columns of a conductive material grid may be measured. Because a conductive touch object, such as a finger, in contact with a projected capacitance touch display may act like a part of a capacitor with conductive materials of a grid forming another part of the capacitor, the conductive touch object (e.g. the finger) may cause a voltage or current being measured in relation to the rows and columns of the projected capacitance display to change. These voltage changes may be used by one or more processors associated with the projected capacitance touch display to determine a touch location of a touch event on the display.

[0021] Furthermore, signals being propagated though a touch object, such as a body of a user, may be measured by a touch sensitive surface, such as a multi-user touch interface. For example, a finger of a user may form part of a capacitor that alters an electrostatic field formed by a grid of conductive materials as described above. However, the finger of the user may have a capacitance that fluctuates with a modulated electrical signal being propagated through the touch object. Thus, instead of a projected capacitance touch display measuring a constant voltage and/or current change at a particular grid location due to a touch event, the projected capacitance touch display may also measure a fluctuating voltage or current at the particular grid location that fluctuates in accordance with a modulated electrical signal being propagated though a touch object, such as a body of the user performing the touch event.

[0022] For example and for ease of illustration, assume that a projected capacitance touch display measures a given amount of millivolts on each column and row of a grid of conductive materials of the projected capacitance touch display when no touch event is being performed on the touch display. Continuing the example, assume a touch event is performed on the touch display. At a point of contact of the touch event, for example where a touch object, such as a user's body (e.g. finger), touches the touch display, the rows and columns of a grid of conductive materials of the projected capacitance touch display impacted by the touch event may change in voltage from the given amount of millivolts to a changed voltage. In addition, a modulated signal being propagated through a touch object, such as a user's body, may cause the changed voltage of the rows and columns impacted by the touch event to oscillate in accordance with a distinct signal pattern. Thus a sensor, such as a voltage sensor or a current sensor, of the projected capacitance touch display may not only detect changes in voltage or current at a particular grid intersection(s), but may also detect a modulated signal in the changed voltage or current at the particular grid intersection(s).

[0023] Continuing the example, one or more processors of a multi-user touch interface system that includes the projected capacitance touch display may determine a touch location of the touch event based on the grid intersections impacted by the touch event and may also determine a signal type of the detected signal. The one or more processors may compare the determined signal type to a set of stored signal types to determine a user characteristic of the user performing the touch event, such as a user characteristic of a user profile. For example, a storage accessible by the one or more processors may include a set of signal types and a set of respective user characteristics or profiles associated with respective ones of the signal types. By matching the signal type of the detected signal with one of the stored signal types having a corresponding associated user characteristic, a user characteristic or profile for the touch event may be determined.

[0024] While the above example related to modulated electrical signals, in some embodiments other types of signals may be transmitted via transmitters coupled to a user's body and a multi-user touch interface system may be configured to detect the other types of signals being propagated through the user's body.

[0025] According to one embodiment, a system includes one or more processors, a first signal transmitter configured to propagate a first signal through a touch object and a second signal transmitter configured to propagate a second signal through a touch object, wherein the first signal and the second signal are different signals. The system also includes a touch sensitive surface configured to detect a touch by a touch object. Furthermore, the multi-user system includes one or more processors electrically coupled to the touch sensitive surface. The one or more processors are configured to detect a touch on the touch sensitive surface by a touch object, receive a signal from the touch object, and determine whether the received signal is indicative of the first signal or the second signal. Responsive to determining that the received signal is indicative of the first signal, the one or more processors cause a first output, and responsive to determining that the received signal is indicative of the second signal, the one or more processors cause a second output

[0026] According to another embodiment, a method includes receiving a signal from a touch object touching a touch sensitive surface and determining whether the signal is indicative of a first signal from a first signal transmitter configured to transmit a signal through the touch obj ect or the signal is indicative of a second signal from a second signal transmitter configured to transmit a signal through the touch object, the second signal different from the first signal. The method further includes causing a first output or a second output responsive to the determination.

[0027] According to another embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium stories program instructions, that when executed by one or more computing devices, cause the one or more computing devices to receive a signal from a touch object, the signal detected in response to the touch object touching a touch sensitive surface; determine whether the signal is indicative of a first signal from a first signal transmitter configured to transmit the first signal through the touch object or the signal is indicative of a second signal from a second signal transmitter configured to transmit the second signal through the touch object, the second signal different from the first signal; and cause a first output or a second output responsive to the determination.

[0028] According to another embodiment, a multi-user touch interface system includes one or more processors and a touch interface configured to detect a touch event performed by a user and detect a given signal being propagated through a body of the user performing the detected touch event. The multi-user touch interface system also includes a memory storing program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to determine a signal type of the given detected signal, determine a user characteristic of the user performing the touch event based on the determined signal type of the given detected signal and respective stored signal types of a plurality of stored signal types, wherein each stored signal type is associated with a respective user characteristic, and assign the user characteristic to the touch event as a touch event performed by a particular user having the determined user characteristic. [0029] According to another embodiment, a method includes detecting, via a touch interface, a touch event performed by a user on the touch interface and detecting, via the touch interface, a given signal being propagated through a body of the user performing the detected touch event. The method further includes determining a signal type of the detected signal and assigning a user characteristic to the detected touch event based on similarities between the determined signal type and a plurality of stored signal types each having respective associated user characteristics.

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a multi-user touch interface system that includes a touch interface and signal transmitters configured to propagate signals that can be detected by the touch interface through respective touch objects, such as user's bodies, according to some embodiments.

[0031] Multi-user system 100 includes touch interface 102, signal transmitters 104 and 106, and controller 108. Controller 108 may include, but is not limited to, one or more processors 112 and a memory 110. Controller 108 may also be referred to as memory 110 and may store various code and/or data used by multi-user system 100, including but not limited to a depository of signal types and associated user profiles, user credentials, user characteristics and/or preferences, media files, playlists, graphics, themes, and multi-user system 100 software executable by the processor(s) 112.

[0032] In some embodiments, controller 108 may be a shared controller that is used by a multi-user touch interface system, such as multi-user system 100, and that controls one or more additional systems, such as other vehicle systems.

[0033] In some embodiments, a controller of a multi-user touch interface system, such as controller 108 of multi-user system 100, may be configured to determine one or more control inputs for other controlled systems. For example, controller 108 may determine one or more control inputs for controlled systems 114. In some embodiments, other controlled systems may be other vehicle systems such as an HVAC control system, audio system, navigation system, entertainment system, and the like. In some embodiments, controls for such vehicle systems may be implemented via controller 108. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a controller, such as controller 108, may be configured to communicate with systems external to multi-user system 100 or external to a vehicle that includes multi-user system 100. For example, controller 108 may be connected via a network connection to an external network and may provide control inputs to the external network. In some embodiments, an external network may be the Internet and controller 108 may allow a user to interact with Internet based applications and websites.

[0034] In some embodiments, a multi-user touch interface system, such as multi-user system 100, may be implemented in a vehicle and transmitters of the multi-user touch interface system, such as transmitters 104 and 106, may be included in a seat or seat restraint of the vehicle. For example, transmitter 104 is included in seat A 116 and transmitter 106 is included in seat B 118.

A transmitter may couple with a body of a user, generate a distinct signal, and propagate the signal through a body of the user. For example, transmitter 104 is coupled with user 122 and transmitter 106 is coupled with user 122. Transmitter 104 generates and propagates signal 124 through a body of user 120 and transmitter 106 generates and propagates signal 126 through user

122. Each transmitter of a multi-user touch interface system, such as multi-user system 100, may generate and propagate distinct signals having distinct signal types. For example, signal 124 is a sine wave, whereas signal 126 is a square wave. In some embodiments various other types of distinct signals may be generated and propagated by a transmitter, such as transmitter 104 or 106. For example, in some embodiments, a distinct signal may be distinguished based on a frequency, an amplitude, a signal pattern (e.g. sine wave, square wave, saw tooth wave, etc.), signal pulses, a signal time slot, or other suitable signaling techniques for generating and propagating distinct signals.

[0035] In some embodiments, transmitters of a multi-user touch interface system, such as transmitters 104 and 106 may be electrodes configured to generate and propagate modulated electrical signals. In some embodiments, a transmitter that is an electrode may comprise a thin metal foil, a metal mesh, or a conductive material that is configured to capacitively couple with a body of a user. Such an electrode may function as a capacitive plate that transmits the modulated electrical signal through a touch object, such as a user's body, using capacitive coupling. In some embodiments, a transmitter that is an electrode may be included as a layer in a seat of a vehicle or may be included in a seat belt of a vehicle. For example, an electrode that comprises a dielectric metal mesh may be built into a layer of a seat beneath an exterior layer of the seat.

[0036] A touch interface of a multi-user touch interface system, such as touch interface 102, may be configured to detect a touch event and also detect a signal being propagated through a touch object, such as a user performing the touch event. For example, in some embodiments, a signal being propagated through a user may be a modulated electrical signal, and a touch interface, such as touch interface 102, may be configured to detect a touch event (e.g. what part of the interface is being touched) and detect a signal being propagated through the touch object touching the touch interface. In some embodiments, a signal being propagated though a touch object may be an ultrasound signal and a touch interface, such as touch interface 102, may include one or more sensors configured to detect ultrasound signals. In some embodiments a touch interface, such as touch interface 102, may be configured to detect signal that are generated and propagated through a touch object, such as a user's body via other modes of generating and propagating a signal. [0037] In some embodiments, a controller, such as controller 108, may include one or more filters to filter a signal being received via a touch interface, such as touch interface 102. A controller, such as controller 108, may also include one or more signal conditioners configured to condition a signal received via a touch interface, such as touch interface 102. In some embodiments, a single sensor may filter and condition a signal received via touch interface, such as touch interface 102. In some embodiments, a touch interface, such as touch interface 102, may be a display panel, a physical knob, a physical button, a physical slider, or other type of interface that a user touches in order to execute a control input.

[0038] One or more processors of a controller may be configured to execute program instructions stored in a memory, such as memory 110, that cause the one or more processors to determine a signal type of a detected signal. For example, controller 108 may be configured to determine signal 124 is a sine wave and determine that signal 126 is a square wave. Furthermore, a memory of a multi-user touch interface system, such as memory 110, may store multiple signal types and user characteristics or user profiles associated with each signal type. For example, memory 110 may store information indicating that a sine wave signal is associated with seat A 116 and a square wave signal is associated with seat B 118. A controller, such as controller 108, may determine a user characteristic, for example a seat location of a user, based on a determined signal type of a received signal and based on the multiple signal types and associated user characteristics of user profiles stored in the memory. For example, controller 108 may determine that a touch event being performed that includes a signal type that is a square wave has a user characteristic of a user sitting in seat B 118 based on determining a received signal is a square wave type signal and based on information stored in a memory, such as memory 110, indicating that square waves are associated with seat B 118.

[0039] While only two users are illustrated in FIG. 1, in some embodiments transmitters of a multi-user touch interface system may be configured to generate and propagate any number of different signals having distinct signal types through any number of touch objects and a controller of a multi-user touch interface system may be configured to distinguish between the distinct signal types of the different signals to determine associated user characteristics or user profiles to assign to respective touch events each comprising a signal having one of the distinct signal types.

[0040] Furthermore, in some embodiments, determined user characteristics or user profiles may be used for other purposes such as interlocks or access controls. For example, in some embodiments, a touch event assigned a user characteristic corresponding to a driver's seat may not be performed by a controller, such as controller 108, while a vehicle is in motion or is above a certain speed. For example, if a driver attempts to interact with a navigation system, via a touch interface, such as touch interface 102, while a vehicle is in motion, a user characteristic indicating that it is the driver interacting with the touch interface may trigger an interlock that makes the navigation system not respond to touch events from the driver while the vehicle is in motion or is above a certain speed. However, a controller, such as controller 108, may allow a navigation touch event to be performed in regard to a touch event having a user characteristic associated with a passenger seat while the vehicle is in motion or above the certain speed.

[0041] As another example, user access controls may be based on user characteristics or user profiles associated with touch events, such as accessing media content. For example, a user access control may associate back seat locations with children and may not allow children to access certain media content. For example, a vehicle may include an audio visual system and children may not be permitted to access songs or videos with a rating of "R". In some embodiments, access controls based on user characteristics or user profiles may be configurable by a user. For example, a user interface may allow a user having a user profile with proper credentials to set user access controls for respective seating locations in a vehicle.

[0042] As another example, a combination interlock/access control may require that a user's seatbelt be buckled prior to allowing the user to interact with a multi-user touch interface, such as touch interface 102. For example, a vehicle may include a sensor that indicates when a seat belt is buckled or not buckled. A controller, such as controller 108, may prevent touch events assigned a user characteristic associated with a particular seat that does not indicate a buckled seatbelt while a vehicle is in motion or is above a certain speed.

[0043] In some embodiments, a multi-user touch interface system, such as multi-user system 100, may include multiple touch interfaces, such as touch interface 102. For example in a vehicle each row of seats may include a corresponding touch interface or set of touch interfaces, such as touch interface 102.

[0044] FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of an apparatus that includes a multi-user touch interface system that includes a signal transmitter in a seat belt, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, a transmitter that couples with a user's body and propagates a signal through the user's body may be included in a seat belt of an apparatus, such as a vehicle. For example, multi-user system 200 includes transmitter 202 that generates a signal in accordance with a distinct signal type associated with seat 208. In some embodiments, a signal generated by transmitter 202 may be a modulated electrical signal. In some embodiments a signal transmitter may include an electrode that couples with a body of a user 212. For example, signal transmitter 202 includes electrode 204 included in seatbelt 210. In some embodiments, an electrode of a transmitter may be included in a dielectric fabric mesh such as a seatbelt fabric mesh. A signal generated by a transmitter of a multi-user touch interface system, such as transmitter 202, may be detected by a touch interface included in an apparatus that is part of the multi-user touch interface system, such as touch interface 214.

[0045] In some embodiments, a multi-user touch interface system may include more than one touch interface and may include multiple rows of seats. For example, in some apparatuses that include a multi-user touch interface system, touch interfaces may be mounted in various portions of the apparatus. For example, an additional touch interface or set of touch interfaces in addition to touch interface 214 of apparatus 206 may be included for backseat users of multi-user system 200. Also, in some embodiments, a touch interface may be included in a headrest of a seat and may be directed towards a backseat user. In such embodiments, a multi-user touch interface system may be configured to distinguish between user's touching any of the touch interfaces of the multi-user touch interface system based on distinct signals being propagated through the user's bodies. In some embodiments, the user characteristics may indicate which seat in the apparatus the user is seated. Also, in some embodiments, a multi-user touch interface system may further determine a user characteristics of a user performing a touch event based on which of multiple touch interfaces of the multi-user system touch interface the user is performing the touch event on.

[0046] In some embodiments, a transmitter may couple with a user in other ways, such as via a seat. For example, FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of an apparatus that includes a multi-user touch interface system that includes signal transmitters included in a seat, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, a transmitter of a multi-user touch interface system may couple with a body of user via a seat. In some embodiments, a transmitter may be a modulated electrical signal transmitter and include electrodes that capacitively couple with a body of a user, for example by capacitive coupling between a capacitive plate included in a seat and a touch object, such as a user's body, seated in the seat. The electrodes may be included in one or more layers of a seat, such as a capacitive plate or a dielectric fabric. In some embodiments the electrodes may be included in a fabric mesh that makes up one or more layers of a seat. In some embodiments, a fabric mesh layer that includes electrodes may be a sub-layer of a seat below an outer layer such as an upholstery layer or a leather layer. For example, multi-user system 250 illustrated in FIG. 2B is similar to multi-user system 200 illustrated in FIG. 2A. However, in system 250 transmitter 252 includes electrode 254 in seat bottom 258 and electrode 256 in seat back 260. In some embodiments, electrode 254 and electrode 256 may be part of a dielectric fabric mesh that makes up one or more layers of seat bottom 258 and seat back 260. [0047] In some embodiments, transmitters of a multi-user touch interface system may be included in both seats and seat belts or in various other parts of an apparatus that are in contact with a user, such as a steering wheel.

[0048] FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of a user interacting with a multi-user touch interface, according to some embodiments. User 212 may be the same as user 212 illustrated in FIGs. 2A and 2B in apparatus 206. In some embodiments, multi-user system 280 may operate in a similar manner as multi-user system 200 or multi-user system 250 illustrated in FIGs. 2A and 2B. In some embodiments, a multi-user touch interface system, such as multi user system 280, may include transmitters with multiple electrodes. For example, transmitter 262 includes electrodes 204 in seatbelt 210, electrodes 256 in seat back 260, and electrodes 254 in seat bottom 258. A transmitter, such as transmitter 262, may generate a signal, such as signal 270, and cause the signal to propagate through a user's body, such as user 212's body. In some embodiments, signal 270 may be a modulated electrical signal, an ultrasound signal, or other suitable signal that propagates through a user's body, such as user 212's body.

[0049] A multi-user touch interface system may also include a touch interface, such as touch interface 214. Touch interface 214 in FIGs. 2A and 2B may operate in a similar manner as touch interface 214 described in FIG. 2C. Touch interface 214 includes a touch detection system 264 and a signal detection system 266. A touch detection system may be configured to detect touch events performed by a user, such as user 212, on a touch interface, such as a display of display system 268. Furthermore, a touch interface, such as touch interface 214, may also include a signal detection system, such as signal detection system 255. A signal detection system may be configured to detect a signal, such as signal 270, that is being propagated through a user's body. For example, when a user performs a touch event, touch detection system 264 may detect the touch event and signal detection system 266 may detect a signal being propagated from the user's body to the display of display system 268 while the user is touching the display. In some embodiments, a touch detection system and a signal detection system, such as touch detection system 264 and signal detection system 266, may share one or more common components. For example, in embodiments that utilize modulated electrical signals, voltage or current sensors of a touch detection system, such as touch detection system 264, may also detect signals. In some embodiments, a signal detection system, such as signal detection system may be configured to process and identify signal types of signals detected via sensors of a touch detection system, such as touch detection system 264. In some embodiments, a signal detection system, such as signal detection system 266, may include additional sensors or separate sensors that are in addition to and/or separate from sensors included in a touch detection system, such as touch detection system 264. For example, a signal detection system may include ultrasound sensors and a touch detection system may include current or voltage sensors as part of a projected capacitance touch display. A display system, such as display system 268, of a touch interface may include a physical display and may be configured to display graphical user interface affordances, such as images or text on the physical display. For example a physical display may display user interface elements for control elements, interactive content, or other types of images.

[0050] In some embodiments, a touch interface, such as touch interface 214, may be a physical knob, button, slider, etc. and a display system 268 may be omitted. In some embodiments in which a touch interface is a physical control element, such as a knob, button, slider, etc., a touch detection system of a touch interface, such as touch detection system 264, may be configured to detect a control input performed on the physical control element. For example, in embodiments in which a touch interface is a physical control element, such as a knob, a touch detection system, such as touch detection system 264, may determine a degree to which the knob is rotated.

[0051] In some embodiments, a touch detection system, a signal detection system, and a display system, may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. For example, in some embodiments, touch detection system 264, signal detection system 266, and display system 268, may be at least partially implemented via program instructions stored in a memory of a multi-user touch interface system and may be executed on one or more processors of a multi-user touch interface system. For example, in some embodiments touch detection system 264, signal detection system 266, and display system 268 may be implemented on processors 112 executing programs instructions stored in memory 110.

[0052] FIG. 3A illustrates example signal types that may be propagated through a touch object, such as a user's body, from a signal transmitter, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, each seat of a vehicle may include a transmitter and each transmitter of a vehicle may be configured to generate a signal having a signal type that is different from signal types of other signals generated by other transmitters of the vehicle. In some embodiments, signal types may be distinguished based on frequency. For example, signal 302 and signal 304 are sine waves having different frequencies. In some embodiments, signal types may be distinguished based on amplitude, for example each of signals 302, 304, 306, and 308 has a different amplitude. In some embodiments, signal types may be distinguished based on waveform. For example, signal 306 is a square wave whereas signals 302 and 304 are sine waves. In some embodiments, signal types may be distinguished based on period of a wave. For example, one wave may have a period that is orthogonal to another wave. In some embodiments, signal types may be distinguished based on wave pulses. For example, signals 302 and 304 are continuous waves, whereas signal 308 includes wave pulses.

[0053] In some embodiments, signal types may be distinguished based on when the signal is transmitted. For example, a repeating time window may be divided up into time slices and each seat of a vehicle may be assigned a particular time slice of the time window. For example, FIG. 3B illustrates time sequenced example signals that may be propagated through a user's body from a signal transmitter, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 3B each of seats 1, seat 2, and seat X is assigned a time slice of a recurring time window. A signal detection system, such as signal detection system 266, may be synchronized with transmitters generating and propagating time sequenced signals. The touch detection system and the signal detection system may be able to determine a user characteristic, such as a seat associated with a touch event, based on a detected signal associated with the touch event indicating a wave signal occurring during a particular time slice of a time window.

[0054] In some embodiments, a signal detection system, such as signal detection system 266, may be configured to detect an amount of background noise associated with a particular signal being detected. If the amount of background noise exceeds a threshold amount of background noise, the signal detection system, such as signal detection system 266, may interact with a controller, such as controller 108 to cause one or more transmitters to adjust a signal being generated and propagated by the one or more signal transmitters to reduce the amount of background noise associated with the signal. In some embodiments, adjusting the signal may include increasing an amplitude of the signal. In some embodiments, adjusting the signal may include changing a frequency or signal type of the signal. For example, a signal transmitter may be generating signal 302 and there may be a significant amount of background noise at frequencies corresponding to a frequency of signal 302. In response to determining the amount of background noise exceeds a threshold, a controller, such as controller 108, may cause a transmitter generating signal 302 to instead generate a higher frequency signal, such as signal 304. The controller may ensure that adjustments to one or more signals to reduce an amount of background noise do not cause the one or more signals to overlap with or be a multiple of another distinct signal being generated by another signal transmitter. For example, in some embodiments multiple signal transmitters may be adjusted to reduce an amount of background noise associated with a signal being generated by one of the transmitters.

[0055] FIG. 4 illustrates a multi-user touch interface system that includes a touch interface, signal transmitters, and signal receivers, according to some embodiments. In some situations, multiple users of a multi-user touch interface system may be in contact with each other. For example, users may be holding hands or other parts of respective user's bodies may be in contact or close proximity with each other. In such situations, multiple distinct signals may be propagated through a user performing a touch event. For example, user 420 and 422 are holding hands and touch interface 402 detects both signals 424 and 426. In order to determine a user characteristic to assign to a touch event including multiple distinct signal types, in some embodiments, a multi-user touch interface system may further determine an impedance of two or more users and use the determined impedances to distinguish between multiple signals included in a touch event. For example, system 400 is similar to multi-user system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, however system 400 further includes receivers 408 and 410 included in seats A 416 and B 418. Receivers of a multi-user touch interface system, such as receivers 408 and 410, may determine an impedance of a user based on differences between a signal being transmitted from a transmitter, such as transmitter 404 or 406, and a signal detected by a receiver, such as receiver 408 or 410. Based on these differences an impedance may be determined for each user, such as users 420 and 422. The determined impedances may be stored in a memory of a controller, such as memory 110 of controller 108, and may be used by the controller to distinguish a touch event comprising multiple signals being transmitted by transmitters of a multi-user touch interface system. For example, a controller may determine an impedance associated with each of two or more distinct signals, such as signals 424 and 426, being detected via a touch interface, such as touch interface 402, and may compare the determined impedances of the detected signals to the stored impedances determined for each user. The controller may determine which of the determined impedances associated with the two or more detected signals more closely matches one of the stored impedances associated with the users. Thus, by determining which of the two or more detected signal more closely matches a user impedance, a controller of a multi-user touch interface system may determine a user characteristic to assign to a touch event.

[0056] In some embodiments, a multi-user touch interface system may receive credentials from a user and assign the credentials to a user profile. For example, a multi-user touch interface system may receive a password from a particular user seated in a particular seat and may assign the password to subsequent touch events performed by a user having a user characteristic of being in the particular seat that is associated with a particular user profile. In some embodiments, a multi-user touch interface system may receive credentials from a user by the user entering the credentials into the multi-user touch interface or may communicate with a device in the user's possession to receive the credentials.

[0057] For example, FIG. 5 illustrates a multi-user touch interface system configured to receive a credential from a user device carried by a user, according to some embodiments. User 516 may enter credentials, such as a password, account number, account authorization, and the like into a touch interface, such as touch interface 502. A controller may then assign the credential to touch events having the user characteristic of being performed by a user seated in the seat in which user 516 is seated. In some embodiments, this user characteristic may be assigned to a user profile for the user. Thus, user 516 may initially enter a user credential when interacting with touch interface 502, for example to complete a purchase, and may not be required to enter the user credential for subsequent transactions while the user is seated in the same seat. Furthermore, another user seated in another seat may enter another set of credentials and the other set of credentials may be assigned to the user characteristic of the user being seated in the other seat. In some embodiments, this user characteristic may be assigned to a user profile for the other user. Thus, both users may interact with user interface 502 for example to complete purchases and the respective transactions performed by the two or more users may be charged to the respective accounts of the two or more users based on the respective user characteristics (such as seat location) of the two or more users being assigned respective user profiles comprising credentials (such as account information).

[0058] In some embodiments, instead of or in addition to entering user credentials via a touch interface, such as touch interface 502, a controller such as controller 508, may receive user credentials from a device in a user's possession, such as device 518. In some embodiments, a portion of a set of user credentials may be received from a device, such as device 518, and another portion of a set of user credentials may be received via a touch interface, such as touch interface 502. For example, account information may be retrieved from a device, such as device 518, and authorization to assign the account to a user profile with a user characteristic indicating a particular seat may be received via a touch interface, such as touch interface 502.

[0059] In some embodiments, a controller, such as controller 508, may include a memory, such as memory 510, for storing user credentials. A controller, such as controller 508, may further include one or more processors 512 and an interface 514. Interface 514 may enable controller 508 to communicate with a device, such as device 518. For example, interface 514 may enable Wi-Fi communication, Bluetooth communication, or other suitable communication between a controller of a multi-user touch interface system, such as controller 508 of multi-user system 500 and a device, such as device 518. In some embodiments, device 518 may be any type of portable electronic device, such as a phone, tablet, laptop, watch, and the like.

[0060] FIG. 6, illustrates a process of determining a user characteristic of a user performing a touch event based on a detected signal, according to some embodiments. [0061] At 602 a touch event performed on a touch interface is detected. For example, a touch event performed on a touch interface of a multi-user touch interface system may be detected via a touch detection system as described in FIG. 2C.

[0062] At 604, a signal being propagated through a touch object, such as a user's body of a user performing a touch event, is detected. For example, a signal may be detected via a signal detection system as described in FIG. 2C. In some embodiments, the signal may be a modulated electrical signal, an ultrasound signal, or other suitable signal that can be propagated through a user's body and detected by a signal detection system of a touch interface. In some embodiments, the signal may have a distinct signal type, such as a particular frequency, amplitude, waveform shape, wave pulse pattern, time slice of a time window, phase, etc.

[0063] At 606, a signal type of the detected signal is determined. For example, a signal detection system of a multi-user touch interface system may be configured to determine a particular signal type of the detected signal using signal processing software, signal filters, and the like.

[0064] At 608, a user characteristic is assigned to the detected touch event based on the determined signal type of the detected signal and a set of signal types that have associated user characteristics. For example, in a vehicle with multiple seats, a low-frequency sine wave may be associated with a first seat and a memory of a controller may store information associating a signal type having a low frequency sine wave with a user characteristic indicating the first seat. In the same vehicle, a square wave may be associated with a second seat and a memory of a controller may store information associating a signal type of a square wave with a user characteristic indicating the second seat. In some embodiments, a controller may be configured to adjust signal types generated by transmitters in each seat of a vehicle and store in a memory of the controller a most recent signal type associated with transmitters in respective seats of the vehicle. A controller of a multi-user touch interface system may compare a determined signal type to a set of stored signal types in order to determine a user characteristic to assign to a touch event comprising a signal having the determined signal type.

[0065] FIG. 7 illustrates a process of utilizing a determined user characteristic as a proxy for a user credential, according to some embodiments.

[0066] In some embodiments, a controller may further assign a credential to a user profile comprising particular user characteristic and use the user characteristic as a proxy for the credential in subsequent touch events. For example, at 702 a multi-user touch interface system receives a credential for a user having the user characteristic determined and assigned at 608. In some embodiments, a credential may be received from a user via a touch interface of a multi-user touch interface system as described in regard to FIG. 5, or may be received from a device in the user's possession as described in regard to FIG. 5.

[0067] At 704, the received credential is stored as a credential of a user profile for a user having the determined user characteristic. For example, the user characteristic may be that the user is seated in the passenger seat, and the credential may be an account number for the user. A controller may store in a memory of the controller that touch events performed by a user having the user characteristic of sitting in the passenger seat are touch events performed by a user having the stored account number.

[0068] At 706, for subsequent touch events, the user characteristic of the user profile is applied as a proxy for the user credential. For example, in subsequent events involving a charge to a user's account, the controller may use a determined user characteristic of a user indicating the user is sitting in the passenger's seat as a proxy for an indication of the account number of the user performing the touch event. Thus the controller may attribute a charge related to a touch event having the user characteristic of the passenger's seat to the account of the user sitting in the passenger's seat without asking the user sitting in the passenger seat for the credential (e.g. account number) in subsequent transactions. In some embodiments, multiple sets of credentials may be stored and associated with multiple user characteristics via one or more user profiles. For example, a first account number may be associated with a user profile comprising a user characteristic of a user sitting in the driver's seat and another account number may be associated with a user profile comprising a user characteristic of a user sitting in the passenger seat. Thus a multi-user touch interface system may attribute touch events involving charges to correct accounts of the driver or the passenger based on a determined user characteristic without requiring the driver or the passenger to enter the credentials for subsequent transactions subsequent to storing the driver's and passenger's credentials and associating the driver's and passenger's credentials with respective user characteristics of the drive and the passenger.

[0069] Although specific embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, even where only a single embodiment is described with respect to a particular feature. Examples of features provided in the disclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive unless stated otherwise. The scope of the present disclosure includes any feature or combination of features disclosed herein (either explicitly or implicitly), or any generalization thereof, whether or not it mitigates any or all of the problems addressed herein. Accordingly, new claims may be formulated during prosecution of this application (or an application claiming priority thereto) to any such combination of features. In particular, with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claims may be combined with those of the independent claims and features from respective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in the specific combinations enumerated in the appended claims.

[0070] Various ones of the methods described herein may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof, in different embodiments. In addition, the order of the blocks of the methods may be changed, and various elements may be added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc. Various modifications and changes may be made as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The various embodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. Boundaries between various components and operations are somewhat arbitrary, and particular operations are illustrated in the context of specific illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality are envisioned and may fall within the scope of claims that follow. Finally, structures and functionality presented as discrete components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of embodiments as defined in the claims that follow.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system comprising:

a touch sensitive surface configured to detect a touch by a touch object;

a first signal transmitter configured to transmit a first signal through a touch object;

a second signal transmitter configured to transmit a second signal through a touch object, the second signal different from the first signal;

one or more processors electrically coupled to the touch sensitive surface and configured to:

detect a touch on the touch sensitive surface by a touch object;

receive a signal from the touch object;

determine whether the received signal is indicative of the first signal or the second signal;

cause a first output responsive to a determination that the received signal is indicative of the first signal; and

cause a second output responsive to a determination that the received signal is indicative of the second signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first signal transmitter comprises a capacitive plate configured to transmit the first signal to the touch object using capacitive coupling between the capacitive plate and the touch object.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a signal detector configured to:

couple with the touch object;

determine an impedance of the touch object based on differences between the first signal as transmitted by the first signal transmitter and as detected at the signal detector; and

associate a user profile with the touch object based on the determined impedance.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the user profile is locked with a credential, and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

receive a credential associated with the user profile; associate the received credential with the determined impedance; and

unlock the user profile responsive to detecting a touch object, having the determined impedance, on the touch sensitive surface.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first signal transmitter is disposed in a seat.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first signal transmitter comprises an electrode disposed on a dielectric fabric of the seat.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the second signal transmitter is disposed in a seat belt.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the second signal transmitter comprises an electrode disposed on a dielectric material of the seat belt.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to adjust an amplitude of the first signal transmitted at the first signal transmitter responsive to a determination that the touch sensitive surface is not detecting the presence of at least a threshold signal level of the first signal from the touch object touching the touch sensitive surface.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first signal and the second signal are different ultrasound signals, and wherein the touch interface comprises an ultrasound detector.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises a display screen, and wherein causing a first output comprises displaying a graphical user interface affordance representing a first setting for a system feature and wherein causing a second output comprises displaying a graphical user interface affordance representing a second setting for the system feature.

12. A method comprising:

receiving a signal from a touch object touching a touch sensitive surface;

determining whether the signal is indicative of a first signal from a first signal transmitter configured to transmit a signal through the touch object or the signal is indicative of a second signal from a second signal transmitter configured to transmit a signal through the touch object, the second signal different from the first signal; and causing a first output or a second output responsive to the determination.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

coupling a capacitive plate of the first signal transmitter with the touch object;

determining an impedance of the touch object based on differences between the first signal as transmitted by the first signal transmitter and as received at the touch sensitive surface; and

associating a user profile with the touch object based on the determined impedance.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the user profile is locked with a credential, the method further comprising:

receiving a credential associated with the user profile;

associating the received credential with the determined impedance; and

unlocking the user profile responsive to detecting a touch object, having the determined impedance, on the touch sensitive surface.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

adjusting an amplitude of the first signal transmitted at the first signal transmitter responsive to a determination that the touch sensitive surface is not detecting the presence of at least a threshold signal level of the first signal from the touch object touching the touch sensitive surface.

16. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing program instructions, that when executed by one or more computing devices, cause the one or more computing devices to: receive a signal from a touch object, the signal detected in response to the touch object touching a touch sensitive surface;

determine whether the signal is indicative of a first signal from a first signal transmitter configured to transmit the first signal through the touch object or the signal is indicative of a second signal from a second signal transmitter configured to transmit the second signal through the touch object, the second signal different from the first signal; and

cause a first output or a second output responsive to the determination.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the program instruction when executed by the one or more computing devices further cause the one or more processors to:

determine an impedance of the touch object based on differences between the first signal as transmitted by the first signal transmitter and as detected at a signal detector; and

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the user profile is locked with a credential, and wherein the program instruction when executed by the one or more computing devices further cause the one or more computing devices to:

receive a credential associated with the user profile;

associate the received credential with the determined impedance; and

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the program instruction when executed by the one or more computing devices further cause the one or more computing devices to:

cause an amplitude of the first signal transmitted at the first signal transmitter to be adjusted responsive to a determination that the touch sensitive surface did not detect the presence of at least a threshold signal level of the first signal from the touch object when the touch object touched the touch sensitive surface.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein to cause a first output the program instructions when executed by the one or more computing devices cause the one or more computing devices to:

display a graphical user interface affordance representing a first setting for a system feature, and

wherein to cause a second output the program instructions when executed by the one or more computing devices cause the one or more computing devices to:

display a graphical user interface affordance representing a second setting for the system feature.