WO2003096305A1

WO2003096305A1 - Method, system interface and apparatus for handicapped users

Info

Publication number: WO2003096305A1
Application number: PCT/CH2002/000263
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Schmelzer
Original assignee: Ascom Autelca Ag
Priority date: 2002-05-14
Filing date: 2002-05-14
Publication date: 2003-11-20
Also published as: AU2002254836A1

Abstract

The method allows handicapped users, in particular users with impaired vision, to control an apparatus (20), such as a fare collection apparatus of a transportation network, by means of a system interface comprising a display unit (1), preferably a flat panel display, enhanced with touch screen functionality, on which for each transaction to be executed one or more pages with selectable fields are sequentially displayed. The system interface can be operated at least in one mode, designed for handicapped users in such a way, that when a user touches the screen (1-1, 1-2, ...) of the display unit (1) with one hand and subsequently moves on the the screen (1-1; 1-2; ...), the system interface acoustically announces and/or optically displays the contents of the input fields visited on the screen (1-1, 1-2, ...) and accepts a field selection when the user lifts his hand or an object held therein from the currently visited input field.

Description

METHOD, SYSTEM INTERFACE AND APPARATUS FOR HANDICAPPED USERS

The present invention relates to a method, a system interface and an apparatus designed to serve handicapped users, in particular users with impaired vision, according to claim 1, claim 11 and claim 15 respectively.

The present invention relates in particular to a method and an apparatus for automated fare collection which is operated by means of graphical communication devices such as a flat panel display enhanced with touch screen functionality.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automated fare collection systems are an important element of public transportation networks allowing users to select and purchase services without support of employees of the transportation organisation.

For transportation system users with impaired vision, these automated fare collection systems are difficult to handle, so that the use of these systems is avoided or support from other passengers is required whenever a transaction shall be executed.

Normally, users with impaired vision also employ optical devices, that provide better access to the required information displayed on an apparatus. However in many cases these utilities prove to be insufficient.

In [1], U.S. Patent No. 6,243,682 a system is described that enables handicapped and disabled individuals to control and use photocopiers by means of a voice interface. Using a voice interface to control a fare collection system in public places, where normally a high level of background noise is present, would however not lead to satisfactory results.

BESTATIGUNGSKOPIE It would therefore be desirable to provide a method and a system interface that allow handicapped users, in particular users with impaired vision, to control an apparatus such as a fare collection apparatus of a transportation network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a method, a system interface and an apparatus according to claim 1, claim 11 and claim 15 respectively.

The inventive method allows handicapped users, in particular users with impaired vision, to control an apparatus, such as a fare collection apparatus of a transportation network, by means of a system interface comprising a display unit, preferably a flat panel display, enhanced with touch screen functionality, on which, for each transaction to be executed, one ore more pages with selectable fields are sequentially displayed.

According to the present invention the system interface can be operated in at least one mode, that is designed for handicapped users in such a way, that when a user touches the screen of the display with one hand and subsequently moves on the screen, the system interface acoustically announces and/or optically displays the contents of the fields visited on the screen and accepts a field selection when the user

a) lifts his hand or an object held therein from the currently visited field or

b) activates with the other hand a therefore dedicated input field on the screen or a key of a further input device.

The implementation of this method in a system interface, i.e. a man-machine interface, of an apparatus, for example a fare collection apparatus, significantly facilitates the handling of transactions, for example selecting and buying travel tickets. The user remains in physical contact with the apparatus until a transaction or a sub-transaction is completed. Movements on the screen of the display unit are preferably reduced to a minimum by advantageous placement of the input fields.

Contents of visited fields are acoustically announced and/or optically displayed in an enlarged field, so that the user obtains the information required to complete the transaction. Completion of the transaction is preferably achieved by lifting the hand, an object held therein or simply a finger, from the visited input field.

In a preferred embodiment the apparatus provides enhanced physical access for the user by means of separated input sections on the display. A first input section may be used for pre-selecting a category, such as CLASS, ROUTE, DESTINATION, by touching a corresponding input field in this section with one hand. The second input section is used for searching and selecting an item of said category represented by a corresponding field in the second input section with the other hand.

For categories with numerous items a scroll field is preferably provided allowing the user to scroll through the items of a category. The scroll field is preferably programmed in such a way that, depending on the position within the field, the items stand still or move forward or backward with constant or variable speed.

In a further preferred embodiment the selectable fields are displayed with increased size and/or contrast, so that reading of the displayed information is facilitated.

By acoustically guiding the user, the handling of the transactions can further be facilitated. The system interface preferably provides spoken instructions for the handling of the apparatus and/or signals, that indicate the change of pages, the change of field contents or the change of items displayed when scrolling.

Since the degree of vision impairment typically changes significantly between various handicapped users, it would be desirable to adapt the apparatus or system interface to the individual requirements of each users.

Users may therefore be equipped with a data carrier, such as a radio frequency transponder, a chip card or a magnet card, from which the system interface may download user specific configuration data. Based on this configuration data, for example the display of the selectable fields, in particular size, contrast and/or colour, and/or sound and language of the displayed or spoken information are adapted according to the requirements of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects and advantages of the present invention have been stated, others will appear when the following description is considered together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an apparatus for automated fare collection equipped with an inventive system interface;

Figure 2 shows the screen of the display unit of the apparatus of figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a schematic of the modules of the apparatus of figure 1;

Figure 4 shows the performance of a transaction on the screen of the display unit that comprises two input sections, Figure 5 shows the performance of a further transaction on the screen of the display unit comprising input fields for the selection of items of a pre-selected category,

Figure 6 shows the screen of the display unit comprising a scroll field for selecting an item of one category only,

Figure 7 shows the screen of the display unit and a key of a further input device used for accepting a selection performed on the screen,

Figure 8 shows the input of characters on the screen of the display unit performed with one hand,

Figure 9 shows the input of characters on the screen of the display unit performed with both hands,

Figure 10 shows the input of a code performed with one hand, and

Figure 11 shows the performance of a selection in the first input section of the screen and the display of corresponding information in the second screen section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows an apparatus 20 equipped with an inventive system interface that comprises a display unit 1 enhanced with touch screen functionality.

The display unit 1 is for example a touch sensitive LCD flat panel display as described in [2], U.S. Patent No. 5,777,596, which allows a user to provide input into a computer device by simply touching an LCD display screen with a passive device, such as a finger, stylus, or a ball point pen.

The apparatus 20 further comprises, as shown in figure 3, a control unit 10 connected to a memory module 9 and a sound module 2 with a loudspeaker, which, together with the display unit 1 build a system interface or man-machine-interface, that allows a user to perform transactions available on the apparatus 20.

Since the apparatus 20, in this preferred embodiment, is used for automated fare collection, it further comprises a printer unit 3 capable of printing travel tickets, a cash collection unit 4 and a magnet or chip card reader 5 which, in a preferred embodiment, may be used to read personal configuration data from the inserted data carrier. The chip card reader 5 may of course also be used to read credit cards which may contain accounting information as well as said personal configuration data.

Further provided are an optional input device 6 such as a keyboard, a radio frequency unit 7 designed to exchange data with radio frequency transponders carried by the users, and an interface module 8 which connects the apparatus 20 to a centralised management system.

As shown in figure 2 the system interface can be switched from a first mode, in which the apparatus can be handled by not handicapped users in a known manner, to a second mode designed for handicapped users. As shown in figure 2 and figures 4 to 13 the content of the screen 1-1, ..., 1-9, which normally comprises active input fields and passive display fields, may sequentially change during a transaction. In generals the information displayed on the screen 1-1, ..., 1-9 is preferably reduced to a minimum showing only the required elements to complete a step of the transaction. A page may therefore be dedicated to each category from which an item is to be selected. However changing pages to which the handicapped user has to get accustomed individually should also be reduced to a minimum, so that the use of two sections on screen, a section displaying categories which can be pre-selected with one hand and a section with corresponding items that can be selected with the other has brought even better results.

In figure 2 the screen 1-1 comprises a display field 1-1A and two input fields 1-1B, 1-lC, which allow the selection of the mode of operation.

After selecting the second mode or assistant mode for handicapped users the screen 1-2 shown in figure 4 may appear, in which the user can perform a transaction as follows.

On the screen 1-2, there are input or display fields for three categories, namely CLASS, ROUTE and DESTINATION, displayed. The categories CLASS and ROUTE are related to a small number of selectable items or choices. In the given example the user may select first or second class and the transportation system concerned, e.g. a bus system, comprises only four routes. However, on every route there are numerous stops provided. Selection of the individual items of said categories can be performed in different ways by using the inventive method.

For all transactions described below, the user touches the screen 1-1, 1-2, ... of the display unit 1 with one hand and subsequently moves within the screen 1-1, 1-2, ..., while the system interface acoustically announces and/or optically displays the contents of the input fields 1-22A; 1-22B visited on the screen 1-1, 1-2, .... An item is selected when the user

a) lifts his hand or an object held therein from the currently visited input field 1-22A; 1-22B; ... or b) activates with the other hand a therefore dedicated input field 1-71B on the screen 1-1; 1-2; ... or a key of a further input device 6.

In the screen 1-2 shown in figure 4 the categories CLASS, ROUTE and DESTINATION are represented by display fields 1-21B, 1-21C,

1-21D arranged in a sub-section 1-21 of the screen 1-2.

According to the present invention the user can touch the screen in the range of the input fields 1-22A, 1-22B, 1-22C, ... and start to search for the desired items (step 1) . Simultaneously, while moving across the screen 1-2, the system interface acoustically announces and/or optically displays the contents of the visited input fields 1-22A, 1-22B, 1-22C, ....

E.g., moving the finger to input field 1-22B on the row of the category CLASS would cause the system interface to announce "SECOND CLASS". Lifting the finger from input field 1-22B would cause the system interface to accept this input (step 2) .

Simultaneously the display field 1-21 of the concerned category

CLASS may be highlighted or blinking.

In case that the user remains on the input field 1-22B, e.g., because he did not understand the announcement, then the system interface would preferably repeat the announcement with the same or increased loudness.

Preferably, the user can cancel a selection, by touching the screen 1-2 again (step 3) , and then repeat the search procedure (step 4) .

In the preferred embodiment, shown in figure 5, the screen 1-3 is partitioned in two sections 1-31, 1-32 with input fields 1- 31B, 1-31C for the categories CLASS and ROUTE in section 1-31 and input fields 1-32B, 1-32C, 1-32D, 1-32E for the selection of items in section 1-32. Further provided is a display field in which the contents of the input fields are displayed. A transaction could be performed on screen 1-3 as follows. In a first step the user pre-selects the category, e.g. "ROUTE" by touching the screen 1-3 in the category section 1-31. After the system interface has announced the category "ROUTE", the user moves the finger, which is still touching the screen 1-3 or which is lifted in between, in a second step to the item section 1-32, where a desired item is searched and then selected in a third step as described above by lifting the hand when the choice has been made.

In case that the screen 1-2 comprises two sections 1-21, 1-22 with input fields, 1-21B, 1-21C, 1-21C; 1-22A, 1-22B, ... then the transaction could also be performed by using both hands as will be further explained below.

Preferably the categories are arranged top down in a row according to the sequence of transactions performed, so that the user as full control of the transactions practically without watching the screen. The user can always start by putting e.g. the left hand on the top left corner of the screen and then move sequentially from category to category by moving the left hand downwards while selecting the items for each category with the right hand.

For categories with numerous items a scroll field is preferably provided, allowing the user to scroll through the items of a category. The scroll field is preferably programmed in such a way that, depending on the position within the scroll field, the items stand still or move forward or backward with constant or variable speed.

With slow scroll speed the system interface may still announce the selectable items. However with high scroll speed the system interface preferably emits sounds, e.g. beeps, for every item that has passed. The user, who knows the number of bus stops on his route, may count the sounds and reduce the scroll speed when the required item gets near. The screen 1-4 shown in figure 6, which is designed for the selection of a destination, comprises a scroll field 1-4 used for selecting a destination. As soon as the required item is found, e.g. destination MARKET PLACE as indicated in the display field 1-4A, the user may lift the hand to confirm the selection.

As soon as the selection is made, the system interface may instantaneously go to the next page. As an alternative an input field NEXT may be provided which can be touched to proceed to the next page.

In figure 7 the apparatus 20 comprises an input device 6 with one key that can be pressed to accept a selection. The user may therefore search for an item with the right hand on the screen 1-5 and select items with his left hand by means of said key.

This feature is especially helpful if the input fields are always arranged on the same place on the screen so that the user may perform a transaction with only a few movements on the screen without looking for the required fields when the page has changed.

In case that the number of items is to large, then scrolling may not be applicable. In this case the system interface may accept the input of characters or a code of a destination.

On the screen 1-6 shown in figure 8 the user, in a first step, may pre-select the category DESTINATION displayed in the first screen section 1-61 and then enter characters of his destination in the second screen section 1-62, in which a keyboard is displayed preferably as soon as the pre-selection has been done.

The screen 1-7 shown in figure 9 is also partitioned in first and a second section with input fields, used for one category only. Characters of the destination are chosen with the right hand and selected with the left hand by touching or leaving input field "OK" 1-7IB.

The screen 1-8 shown in figure 10 allows the user to input a code, e.g. the zip code, of his destination as described above.

As shown in figure 11 it is of course also possible to place input fields only on the first screen section 1-91B while providing only display fields on the second screen section 1- 92. The screen 1-9 shown in figure 11 allows the selection of a one way or a return ticket with a soft key that acts as a toggle switch.

Based on the inventive method described above a man skilled in the art may create unnumbered screen displays which allow handicapped users to control various apparatuses .

The inventive means described so far allow a general adaptation of a system interface to the requirements of handicapped users.

However users would of course appreciate a further adaptation of the system interface to their individual requirements.

A handicapped user may therefore be equipped with a data carrier containing personal data, that allows an individual ^' adaptation of the system interface to his personal requirements. The data carrier may be a radio frequency transponder as described for example in [3] , EP 0 681 254 Al, a chip card or a magnet card, from which, by means of the radio frequency unit 7 or the card reader 5, configuration data a read and processed.

Based on the configuration data the display and position of the selectable fields, in particular size, contrast and/or colour as well as sound and language of the displayed or spoken information can be adapted according to the requirements of the user. What has been described above is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Other arrangements can be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of protection of the present invention.

The inventive method may be used in particular with any touch screen technology available, such as resistive wire technology, infrared technology ore surface wave technology, as implemented for example in products of Elo TouchSystems, Inc., 6500 Kaiser Drive, Fremont, CA 94555. Further, this company provides CRT- based applications with touch-on-tube technology.

For inventive applications, where the selection of fields and input of data is performed with both hands, actions are normally performed sequentially with the one and the other hand. However with the above mentioned technologies it is possible to realise applications that allow simultaneous inputs with both hands so that an input is performed with one hand while a selection is simultaneously performed with the other hand. A touch screen unit may further comprise two sections that are controlled independently.

REFERENCES :

[1] U.S. Patent No. 6,243,682

[2] U.S. Patent No. 5,777,596

[3] Publication EP 0 681 254 Al

Claims

1. Method allowing handicapped users, in particular users with impaired vision, to control an apparatus, such as a fare collection apparatus of a transportation network, by means of a system interface comprising a display unit (1) enhanced with touch screen functionality, on which for each transaction one ore more pages with selectable fields are sequentially displayed, characterised in that the configuration of the system interface can be operated at least in one mode, designed for handicapped users in such a way, that when a user touches the screen (1-1; 1-2; ...) of the display unit (1) with one hand and subsequently moves on the screen (1-1; 1-2; ...) , the system interface acoustically announces and/or optically displays the contents of the input fields (1-22A; 1-22B; ...) visited on the screen (1-1; 1-2; ...) and accepts a field selection when the user

a) lifts his hand or an object held therein from the currently visited input field (1-22A; 1-22B; ...) or

b) activates with the other hand a therefore dedicated input field (1-71B) on the screen (1-1; 1-2; ...) or a key of a further input device (6).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the contents of visited input fields (1-22A; 1-22B; ...) are displayed in a separate, enlarged display field (1-32A) .

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a selection is cancelled if

a) the user touches the screen (1-1; 1-2; ...) of the display unit (1) again, preferably in a therefore dedicated section, or if b) the user activates a therefore dedicated key of the further input device (6) .

4. Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, with the screen (1-1; 1-2; ...) partitioned into two separate input sections (1-21, 1-22; 1-31, 1-32, ...) , wherein

al) one input section (1-21; 1-31; ...) is used for preselecting a category, such as "CLASS", "ROUTE", "DESTINATION" by touching a corresponding input field (1-21B; 1-21C; 1-21D) and

a2) the other input section (1-22; 1-32, ...) is used for searching and selecting an item of said category represented in a corresponding field (1-22A; 1-22B; ...) ; or wherein

bl) one input section (1-21; 1-31; ...) is used for pre- selecting a category, such as "CLASS", "ROUTE",

"DESTINATION" with one hand by touching a field (1-21B; 1-21C; 1-21D)^' and

b2) the other input section (1-22; 1-32, ...) is used for searching an item of said category with the other hand by moving this hand across this section (1-22; 1-32,

...) , while selecting an item by removing the hand or the object held therein from the corresponding field touched in the one or other input section.

5. Method according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein a scroll field (1-4B; 1-5B) is displayed on the screen (1-4; 1-5) allowing the user to scroll through the items of a category.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the scroll field (1-4; 1-5) is programmed in such a way that, depending on the position within the field the items stand still or move forward or backward with constant or variable speed.

7. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the status of the system unit can be changed from a first mode, designed for not handicapped users, to a second mode, designed for handicapped users.

8. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the user is acoustically guided by the system interface in such a way

a) that spoken instructions for the handling of the system and/or

b) signals are provided, that indicate the change of pages (1-1; 1-2; ...) , the change of field contents or the change of items displayed when scrolling.

9. Method in particular according to one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein, personal configuration data from a users data carrier, such as a radio frequency transponder, chip card or a magnet card, are transferred to the apparatus (20) and used therein to configure the system interface accordingly.

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the display of the fields, in particular size, contrast and/or colour, and/or sound and language of the displayed or spoken information are adapted according to the configuration data.

11. System interface operating according to a method of one of the claims 1 to 10, allowing handicapped users, particularly users with impaired vision, to control an apparatus (20), such as a fare collection apparatus of a transportation network, comprising a display unit (1) enhanced with touch screen functionality on which for each transaction one ore more pages with selectable fields are sequentially displayed by means of a control unit (10), characterised in that the control unit (10) allows the operation of the system interface in at least one mode designed for handicapped users in such a way, that when a user touches the screen (1-1; 1-2; ...) of the display unit (1) with one hand and subsequently moves within the screen (1-1; 1-2; ...) , the system interface acoustically announces and/or optically displays the contents of the input fields (1-22A; 1-22B; ...) visited on the screen (1-1; 1-2; ...) and accepts a field selection when the user

12. System interface according to claim 11, wherein the display unit (1) is a flat panel display, preferably a liquid crystal display.

13. System interface according to claim 11 or 12, comprising a loudspeaker (2) used for acoustically issuing signals and information, a printer device (3) and a device (4; 5) for collecting a fare.

14. System interface according to claim 11, 12 or 13, comprising a device (5; 7) for reading the users configuration data from a data carrier such as a radio frequency transponder, a chip card or a magnet card, and the control unit (10) being designed to perform the configuration of system interface according to the downloaded configuration data.

15. Apparatus with a system interface according to one of the claims 11-14.