Control systems involving novel physical controls and touch screens

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and apparatus, which enable the reconfigurable control of vehicles, homes, computers and other applications. Physical controls and virtual displayed controls on single and multipoint touch screens are used, separately or in combination to enable higher visibility and understanding of control information and easier operation of controls, particularly useful in stressful situations. Some embodiments use optical sensors and rear projection of displayed embodiments, and are advantageous where curved screens are desired such as in a car.

1 . A method for controlling a system comprising:
 providing a vehicle display controlled by a computer;   locating a plurality of physical control members proximate said vehicle display, the location of at least one of said members being used to input data to a system;   sensing, substantially simultaneously, said plurality of physical control members;   using data from said sensing means, and said computer, determining the position of at least one of said physical control members; and   controlling said system as a result of said sensed position.