WO1997035274A2

WO1997035274A2 - A digital integrated touchpanel browsing system and method

Info

Publication number: WO1997035274A2
Application number: PCT/US1997/003178
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charles E. Garvin; Mark C. Eckert; Hugh Macdonald; Philip J. Sarrow; Thomas D. Sharples, Jr.
Original assignee: Telescan Systems, Inc.
Priority date: 1996-03-05
Filing date: 1997-03-05
Publication date: 1997-09-25
Also published as: AU1981897A; WO1997035274A3

Abstract

A digital integrated touchpanel browsing system (1). The system includes a microcontroller assembly (203), a touch-sensitive panel (100) that cooperates with a plurality of images depicted on a graphic overlay (180), a digital information retrieval assembly (300), and storage media (330) for presenting to the user information that has been stored as a preselected file of digital data. The components of the system are located within an attractive enclosure (1). The system is a single, integrated unit that is compact in size and located proximate to merchandise or other products or services that the user would like to learn more about.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION: ^_1"

A DIGITAL INTEGRATED TOUCHPANEL BROWSING SYSTEM AND

METHOD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

Interactive devices providing text, audio, and video information in retail or public- access locations, have become increasingly popular. Most such devices use touchscreens in which the display monitor itself has been rendered touch-sensitive through the use of a technology such as resistive membrane, capacitive membrane, infrared photocell array or surface acoustic wave. These touchscreens are combined with a computer capable of displaying information in response to a user touching an image on the screen, so that the monitor serves as both the input and output device.

While undeniably a flexible and elegant approach, touchscreens are not always the best choice among touch-sensitive browsing systems. There are many occasions where the only purpose for touch-sensitivity is to display information in response to a user's touch of a single control image, which does not change during the interaction. Such situations include "product browsing" applications where it is desired simply to present a matrix of product images, and have a promotional video appear whenever a single image is touched.

In such instances, it is often simpler and lower-cost to separate the input and output, so that the input device includes a touch-sensitive panel displaying the matrix of product images, and the output device includes a separate video monitor.

Collectively, such systems may be referred to as "touchpanel browsing systems," and are distinguished from touchscreen browsing applications. The present invention relates to touchpanel browsing systems.

2. Description of the Prior Art

All prior approaches to touchpanel browsing systems are based on the high-level integration of discrete programmable control devices (typically CPU-based computers) with end-user video players (typically LaserVision® videodisc players). This high-level integration approach has two inherent problems. First, computers and video players include software and hardware that is not necessary to fulfill the browsing function. This extraneous software and hardware makes them more expensive than necessary and thus, limits the number of .browsing systems that can be distributed about a store. Programmable control devices (e.g., computers) are general-purpose systems intended to serve as home computers, network servers, and for many other purposes. Their architectures are typically based on industry standards, which allows them to be used in a number of different applications. Their software includes a general purpose operating system, protocols for interconnecting to "standard" peripheral devices, and "standard" input output (I/O) interfaces. Their hardware includes a gambit of I/O ports (e.g., serial and parallel I/O ports, a game port, a pointing device port, external modem connections); typically far more random-access memory (RAM) than necessary for the browsing function; and sufficient read-only semiconductor memory (ROM) or other memory (e.g., gigabyte- level magnetic hard drives, and video RAM for graphics acceleration). The generality and complexity of the software often increases the requirements on the hardware; for example, a large hard-drive is often necessary simply to hold the general-purpose operating system and the software applications. While some costs of the "open system" hardware and software architecture are offset by the savings of flexible design, these savings are simply not sufficient to compete with a "closed" design that includes only the necessary hardware to adequately perform the browsing function.

As with the computer, the separate videodisc player used in current touchpanel browsing systems typically includes pause / fast-forward / rewind circuitry (in the case of Laser Vision and CD-Video), and often the additional functions of audio CD, karaoke titling, and pitch-shift circuitry (in the case of CD- Video). In the case of CD- ROM, the drive also contains de-interleaving and error correction hardware and software sufficient to allow the retrieval of small text files. The CD-ROM also has higher-cost "handshaking," and bit-accurate bidirectional control protocols such as small computer system interface (SCSI) or IDE. These "open system" features are not needed for the browsing function, and unnecessarily increase the system cost.

Second, touchpanel browser systems built from discrete devices (e.g., a discrete computer with a discrete keyboard, monitor, and I/O device; an audio CD player; a LaserVision player; a Video Cassette recorder) cannot achieve the compact size or portability that is needed for convenient use within retail establishments. Commercially available computers and video players not specifically built for this application, are uniformly (and, in the case of the 12" LaserVision format_^inherently) larger than acceptable in order to meet the tight space requirements of retail locations. These bulkier systems cannot easily be mounted to a wall or placed on top of a small pedestal, as is desirable for a browsing system. Pragmatic fixture design is the essence of browser systems. In addition, often retail establishments cannot accommodate larger browser systems in the most desirable locations because there are not enough electrical outlets to host the plurality of discrete devices.

Prior touchpanel browsing devices exhibit the flaw of high-level integration of discrete system-level components. Among commercially available devices are systems manufactured by Telescan Systems of Burlingame, California (a licensee of the present invention) which interfaces a home computer or controller device, a separate touchpanel assembly, and a separate LaserVision player. TEP Systems of Minneapolis, Minnesota, offers a similar system. Likewise, PICS Previews, Inc., of San Francisco, California, markets a system comprising a home computer connected to a touchpad, and to a separate commercial LaserVision player. As discussed above, the commercial viability of these systems is limited because of their large size and high cost.

U.S. Patent No. 5,228,015 issued to Arbiter, et al., discloses controlling a compact disc (CD) jukebox through touching images of covers on the CD package. This reference does not disclose any machine-control means other than the embodiment that plainly sets forth a separate CPU-based control unit (with bidirectional control interface and RAM data cartridge), a separate commercial CD jukebox such as the Sony CDK-3000, and an amplifier-speaker system. Such a system would s e the cost and size disadvantages of the "open systems" discussed above. In addition, this reference does not disclose the visual display means desired in a visual browsing system for use in many retail settings. Commercially available music sampling units, such as are manufactured by Telescan Systems and by North Word Press of Minocqua, Wisconsin, likewise employ separate controllers and players. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the aforementioned problems by "integrating" into the system only those functions and features necessary to enable the browsing functions.

The present invention allows the integration of low-level components into a cost- effective, space-efficient browsing system, elegantly combining the control and player functionality. In some embodiments, the invention also integrates the video display with touchpanel and player into a single enclosure.

The present invention avoids the disadvantages of unwieldy size and high cost by using only the necessary digital logic and memory; a common power supply; shared circuit boards; and minimal enabling software to operate the browsing system.

In addition, the invention allows the construction of a fully self-contained information utility, bringing interactive video with integral LCD video screens to commercial "niches" (such as replacement of standard lightbox signage) that were simply impossible before the advent of powerful microcontrollers and digital imaging.

For purpose of summarizing this invention, a digital integrated touchpanel browsing system is disclosed that substitutes a low-level device integration for the flexibility provided by "open system" architectures. More particularly, the browsing system of the present invention combines in a single enclosure a microcontroller assembly, a touch-sensitive panel that can accommodate a plurality of graphic image overlays, a digital information retrieval assembly, and storage media for presenting to the user information that has been stored as a preselected file of digital data.

A user of the browsing system observes it as a single, integrated unit that is compact in size and located proximate to merchandise or other product that the user would like to learn more about. The user interface is a graphics image overlay depicting a number of objects, or a diagram. Underlying the graphics image overlay is a touch-sensitive panel of switches arranged in a matrix. Each one of the switches may be identified by particular X-Y coordinates relative to the axis of the panel. One of the X-Y switches is toggled when the user touches one of the objects depicted on the graphics overlay. The toggling of the switch (i.e., a change in switch state) is recognized by the microcontroller assembly, which responds by generating a unique control and address signal for retrieving a predetermined data file (comprising digitally encoded information) from the storage media (e.g., a Compact Disc) that is resident in the digital information retrieval assembly (e.g., a Compact Disc player). The retrieved digital data may represent any combination of text, audio or video information and is passed to a decoder and output or display assembly, such as a video monitor or an audio speaker.

The high degree of integration afforded by the present invention is achieved by combining the minimum required hardware and software needed to implement the browsing system. By excluding extraneous hardware and software, the present invention is attractive for use in retail establishments where cost and size are the key metrics for assessing the utility of a given product. Consumers will find the integrated browser system attractive because the user-interface is simple and the system is small enough so as to be located next to the merchandise. Such convenience is not available with high-level discrete systems, because their larger size and higher cost limits the number of units that could practically be distributed through the retail store.

Another aspect of the present invention is the integration of information with the browsing system's hardware and software. The browsing system of the present invention employs varied means for preselecting and presenting the information that is retrieved in response to the user's query. In the first embodiment, the information is stored in discrete files on optical media (e.g., a Compact Disc) by the purchaser of the browsing system. Unlike a music CD or a publicly available CD, the information stored in the storage media and displayed on the graphic overlay is custom developed for the retail location. In essence, the information files form a custom mosaic, each piece of which was selected by the browser system purchaser. In another embodiment, the preselected information is stored remotely and transmitted to the browser system via a data network connection (e.g., wide or local area network). In another embodiment, the preselected information is broadcast from a central source (e.g., a satellite, or a terrestrial tower) through electromagnetic waves and received by the browsing system. The browsing system extracts the preselected information from the broadcast information and presents it to the user.

Another aspect of the present invention is to allow reconfiguration access to a local system administrator who knows the "password" for the system. This

"password" feature is enabled by the microcontroller assembly recognizing that the system administrator has toggled a specified series of X-Y switches within a given time constraint. Once recognized, the microcontroller associates each specified X-Y sequence with a different function. For example, once the microcontroller recognizes the password, the top right-most switch of the touch-panel may now represent a "volume increase" switch and no longer a switch associated with the image located atop that switch. The sound volume of the browsing system may be increased through successive toggling of that switch.

Another aspect of the present invention is to allow multilevel browsing. For example, several of the X-Y switches may be used to provide special "second level" functions. The first level of data is retrieved when the user selects the X-Y switch relating to the object on which the user would like to retrieve data. Once the preselected data is presented to the user, the user may now depress one of the "second level" buttons to retrieve particular information such as "cost," "location of item in store," etc. If there are N second-level switches this arrangement permits the retrieval of N*X*Y data files that correspond with the N*X*Y switch possibilities. The addition of more switches enables the retrieval of predetermined subsets of information.

Another aspect of the present invention is the graphic overlay. In a retail setting, the graphic overlay would commonly comprise a matrix of individual products sold in the store. However, in service-oriented industries, the graphic overlay wovlld commonly depict a scene. In this case, each X-Y switch that underlies different parts of the scene would be associated with a predetermined data file. When the user selects a certain portion of the scene, a predetermined data file is retrieved and a audio/text/video presentation is made to the user. For example, if the system is programmed to deliver promotional video information on the various facilities available at a vacation resort, the scene depicted might be a map of the resort. Touching a destination facility on the map (e.g. the health spa) would result in displaying the video describing that facility.

The browsing system may take any of a number of different forms. In one form the touchpad and storage media player are integrated in an enclosure while the display screen and/or audio speaker are separate. This setup is ideal for placing on a tabletop, and can be used in travel agencies, business lobbies, and the like. In another form the touchpad, storage media player, speaker and viewer are all integrated in one enclosure. This form is ideally mounted on any surface, wall or counter, and would be well suited for use in a retail environment such as a record store. The browsing system may also be mounted in a free standing kiosk. The browsing system would be incoφorated into the uppermost portion of a support fixture so that the user is able to easily interact with the sytem. However, the kiosk could be moved to any location where power is available, and would not require any additional support surface for mounting the browsing system. Portable and free standing, the kiosk mounted browsing system would be ideal for use in a convention, tradeshow, or public place.

BRTEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a generalized block diagram of the integrated touchpanel browsing system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the integrated touchpanel browsing system specific to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a physical layout of the integrated touchpanel browsing system specific to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. ^'4 is a block diagram of the controller assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the information retrieval assembly specific to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is block diagram of the decoder assembly and output device specific to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a^"block diagram of the information retrieval assembly specific to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the information retrieval assembly specific to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flow diagram describing the steps necessary for implementing the browsing method of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows the exterior of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows the exterior of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the digital integrated touchpanel browsing system 1 as described herein. The user's touch of a graphic overlay 180 (Gold face) covering a membrane touchpanel assembly 100 (a touch-sensitive panel), actuates an integrated controller assembly 200 via an output port 101 connected to a data input port 201. The integrated controller assembly 200 translates switch closures (i.e., a toggling of switch states) from touchpanel assembly 100 into Data/Strobe/ Acknowledge (DSA) command signals for the control of digital data. The DSA control signal is passed from the controller assembly's first output port 202 to the input port 301 of digital retrieval assembly 300. The DSA control signal is inteφreted by the digital data retrieval assembly 300 to direct the retrieval of specific sectors of predetermined digital data corresponding to the X-Y switch (or subset of switches) that was toggled by the user. The predetermined digital data, corresponding to various types of information (text, audio, video) on the product depicted by the touchpanel graphic overlay 180, is transmitted from the digital data retrieval assembly 300 via data output port 302 to a decoder assembly 500 via input port 501 in a clock-controlled Intelligent Interface Standard (I²S) format.

Simultaneously, controller 200 directs decoder assembly 500 to receive I²S data from the CD assembly by routing a control signal from second output port 203 to second input port 502 of decoder assembly 500. In response, decoder assembly 500 transforms the digital data representing information (e.g., audio, still-frame video, motion video) into the appropriate analog signals and presents those signals^' via output ports 503 and 504 to the NTSC-standard video monitor 650 and/or audio speakers 600. A common power supply 400 supplies the necessary power (at various DC voltages) to touchpanel 100, controller assembly 200, digital data retrieval assembly 300, decoder assembly 500, and video monitor 650. Power supply 400 has one alternating current input. Figure 2 describes the digital data retrieval assembly 300 of the first embodiment, that includes a Compact Disc (CD) player assembly 30 for playing one, or more, optical discs 330 (storage media). Preselected digital information corresponding to X- Y switches of touchpanel 100 is stored as digital data on discrete sectors of the optical disc 330.

Additional detail regarding the touchpanel 100 of the first embodiment is supplied in Figure 3. Attached to enclosure 1 is a hinged cover plate 120 made of sixteen- gauge steel, having an 8.5" x 10" area 125 embossed into its front outer surface.

Narrow slits 190 penetrate through the cover plate on either side of the embossed area. A membrane touchpanel 100, such as Model PAN 95-1022 manufactured by Paneltec, Inc., of Santa Clara, California, containing an X-Y matrix of printed membrane switches 130, is affixed to the embossed area, preferably with a surface-mount contact adhesive such as 3M Coφoration's 467MP.

The touchpanel 100 is overlaid by a removable graphic insert 180 (an overlay), which may be a photographic film such as Kodak Coφoration's Duratrans^®, or a printable opaque plastic film. Insert 180 is applied by unfastening the cover plate from the enclosure 1 and pulling it outward (as shown in Figure 3), then centering insert 180 over the touchpanel 100 and slipping each end of insert 180 into the corresponding slit 190 on the cover plate 120. When cover plate 120 is pressed down and fastened, crimping surfaces 128 on the body of enclosure 120 apply pressure to each edge 185 of insert 180, securing insert 180 in place. A printed-circuit flex connector 150, containing at least X + Y leads 155, connects the touchpanel 100 to the controller circuit board 160. Also located within enclosure 1 is the CD Player assembly 170 which is connected to the controller circuit board 160.

The browsing system may take any of a number of different forms. Two embodiments of the invention are shown in Figures 10 and 11. In Figure 10, the touchpad, storage media player, speaker and viewer are all integrated in one enclosure. This form is ideally mounted on any surface, wall or counter, and would be well suited for use in a retail environment such as a record store. In Figure 1 1, a pair of speakers, capable of producing stereo sound, are included, but no viewer is provided.

Figure 4 supplies additional detail with respect to controller assembly 200. Incoming leads 21 from the X-axis of the touchpanel 100 are connected directly to an integrated microcontroller 23, such as an Intel 80C31, which is an EPROM programmable device. Y-axis leads 22 are connected to digital logic octal interface 24, such as a National Semiconductor 74-541, which communicates to the microcontroller via a common control bus 28. Program code for microcontroller 23 is contained on a 64K Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM) 25, on the same control bus 28. Microcontroller 23 generates control signals in DSA format which are transmitted to the CD player 30. The Microcontroller 23 also transmits control signals to the decoder assembly 500, directing the digital-to-analog decoding of information needing to be changed to still-frame video, motion video or audio signals, and adjusting the amplitude of the audio content. A separate LED display 26, such as the Lite-On Model 8522HR, may be connected to the control bus 28, to display a number corresponding to index numbers or objects depicted on the touchpanel graphic 180, or to display other information.

Figure 5 supplies additional detail with respect to the CD player assembly 30.

Incoming DSA control signals from the controller assembly 200 are presented to an 80C51-series microcontroller 31. Microcontroller 31 actuates motor drive amplifier 33 of a CD drive mechanism 34 such as a Philips Model CDM12.1, and simultaneously actuates the sled control processor 32 (e.g., Philips TDA73) of the drive mechanism. Electrical signals corresponding to reflected light from CD 330 are received on optical pickup 38 (a data input assembly) of CD drive 30 and are transmitted to analog-digital converter 36 (e.g., a Phillips TDA1302 device), which converts the signals into clock-controlled non-return-to-zero (NRZ) pulses.Vhich are easily processed by digital logic circuitry. Closed-loop control of the drive speed and sled position is accomplished through constant analysis of the NRZ pulse data by a servo control chip 35 (such as a Philips TDA1301) transmitting corrective control information to the microcontroller 31 . NRZ pulses are inteφreted and block- formatted as I²S data by interface 37 (such as a Philips SAA7345). Figure 6 supplies additional detail with respect to the decoder assembly 500. Incoming I²S-forrnat data from the CD player assembly 30 is presented to an integrated MPEG (industry digital-video standard) decoder 510, e.g., model CL480 from C-Cube Microsystems of Menlo Park, California. Any still-frame video or motion video signal from the decoder is transmitted to an NTSC-format video encoder 520, such as a Philips SA7185, and the resulting signal sent either through a composite video or S-Video interface to an NTSC-format television monitor 550. In this preferred embodiment, monitor 550 is an integrated active-matrix liquid-crystal- display (LCD) television such as the Model ACN-5400 from America Action of Pomona, California. However, other display means are contemplated such as CRT monitors, field emission displays, flat panel displays and CCD displays, as well as other display formats such as component video PAL and HDTV.

Audio information is also generated by the decoder 510 as 16-bit pulse-code modulated data (PCM), and is presented to a 16-bit digital-to-analog converter 530, such as the Philips TDA1545, and converted to a high-fidelity analog audio signal (or "signals" if stereo or surround-sound audio is desired). This audio signal is sent to a voltage-controlled amplifier 540, such as Xicor 9514, driven by the controller assembly 200 to provide audio volume control, and then presented to a speaker or speakers 560 such as the model 25SP041 from Mouser Electronics of Mansfield, Texas.

Figure 7 describes the digital data retrieval assembly 300 for the second embodiment of the present invention. The digital information retrieval assembly 300 includes a data network I/O port 800. I/O port 800 (including a data input assembly and temporary storage media) connects digital data retrieval assembly 300 to server computer 900 via bi-directional serial link 801.

Server computer 900 passes data to I/O port 800 in response to a request from the controller 200 that is passed through port 800 and link 801 to server 900. Digital data received through port 800 is preferably passed immediately to the decoder 500 through a data output port for presentation to the display devices 550 and 560. Alternatively, this data could also be stored in a variety of different intermediate storage media including writable optical discs, semiconductor memory (e.g., RAM or flash EEPROM), magnetic discs (such as floppy discs or a hard drive). Inihis way data can be supplied from the intermediate media upon the user's touch; but such data can be refreshed and updated from time to time from the server computer.

Server computer 900 preferably connects to a number of browsing systems 1, in a conventional hub and spoke architecture. The preferred network protocol architecture is standard X.25, although other protocols architectures (e.g., TCP/IP intemet, X.21 circuit switched network, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), or Frame Relay) would be satisfactory. The physical layer of the network is preferably twin- wire coaxial cable, although other telecommunications conduits, including twisted-pair or optical fiber, would suffice.

Figure 8 describes the digital data retrieval assembly 300 for the third embodiment of the present invention. The retrieval assembly 300 comprises an electromagnetic (preferably at radio frequency (RF) frequencies, such as 1.2 GHz) receiver architecture 1000. Receiver 1000 receives data from a remote transmitter server 1100 which broadcasts predetermined digital data to each of the browsing systems 1 that are serviced by the transmitter server 1100. Preferably, the RF data link is simplex (one-directional link). The RF bandwidth of the data link is preferably sufficient to allow the complete library of predetermined data available to each browser system 1 to be re-broadcast every few seconds. Thus, the storage media for each browser system 1 is minimized and consists of nothing more than a baseband detection circuit 1006 of receiver 1000. RF energy transmitted to browsing system 1 is coupled to antenna 1001 (which is preferably a loop, but could also be whip, spiral, phased array, or similar antenna structure) and the coupled signal is amplified by low-noϊse amplifier 1002 in a conventional manner. The received signal is then filtered by bandpass and channel selection circuit 1007 and passed to downconversion circuitry (that includes a mixer 1004 that cooperates with a local oscillator 1003), which converts the channelized signal to baseband. Circuit 1007 has a variable center frequency, which is controlled by controller 200. One discrete local oscillator frequency is assigned to a particular broadcast frequency band. Each broadcast frequency band contains the predetermined digital data that corresponds with one of the images depicted on the graphic image overlay 180. When the user selects a given object, controller 200 "tunes" circuit 1007 to the appropriate center frequency so to isolate and channelize the information that is being broadcast about that object.

Once the received energy is converted to baseband, the baseband signal is passed through a demodulation and detection circuit 1006 which converts the transmitted information into an output digital data stream. The output digital data streams is preferably processed in real time by the decoding assembly 500 after being passed through I²S interface 37. However, the data could be retained in local intermediate storage media such as writiable optical discs, semiconductor memory (e.g., RAM or flash EEPROM), magnetic discs (such as floppy discs or a hard drive) for use on future occasions. In such cases, the broadcast data may be used to update or refresh data stored on the intermediate storage media, as in the previous embodiment. As is known in the art, the simplex data link could be converted into a duplex (two-way) communication link by substituting a transceiver architecture for receiver architecture 1000. While an analog implementation of receiver 1000 is preferred, an all digital or a hybrid digital/analog transceiver is contemplated by the present invention.

Server/transmitter 1100 communicates with a number of browsing systems 1, in a conventional hub and spoke architecture. In this preferred embodiment, the architecture employs a standard frequency division multiple access (FDMA) network protocol. Time division multiple access (TDMA and other protocols) may also be used for duplex links.

Figure 9 describes the method used by a system administrator to gain access to browsing system 1. By entering a password recognized by the controller, the system administrator may modify a set of control parameters. Password entry is desirable because on occasion it may be necessary to alter control parameters for any given system. For example, the audio volume may be too loud for a particular installation, so that the store manager requests that the volume of the browsing system be lowered. A dispatched system administrator would alter the control parameters by entering a particular code sequence on touchpanel 100. Controller 200 will grant programming access after controller 200 recognizes the sequential toggling of a specific set of X-Y switches. Distinct from a conventional computer which uses an alphanumeric keyboard and a monitor that prompts the user to enter a "password," the present invention provides no indication to the user that password entry is a possibility. In the present invention, access is only gained if a particular sequence of X-Y switches are toggled within a specific time period.

Controller 200 will initiate the process depicted in Figure 9 each time the user depresses a specific preselected switch that corresponds with the first digit in the password. For example, suppose the preselected switch is located in the upper left- hand comer of the X-Y matrix. Controller 200 will recognize this special entry and will wait a short period of time, preferably 750 ms, to determine if the system administrator will enter the second preselected switch that corresponds with the second digit of the password. If the short period of time elapses, controller 200 will issue a command to retrieve the predetermined information corresponding to the switch that was depressed. However, if the second password entry is selected by the system administrator within the specified period of time, the controller will wait an additional short period of time and determine if a third preselected switch is depressed. This cycle repeats until all N (preferably 5) password entries are received. Once the last password digit is properly received, controller 200 no longer associates each X-Y switch with a particular stored data file. Rather, each X-Y switch performs a new function. For example, once the password is recognized, controller 200 may associate the upper left-hand switch with a "volume increase" function. Similarly, other switches will serve other specialized functions, such as (1) control whether or not the system enters "default" rotation through all information programs on the disc, when not otherwise actuated by a user; or, (2) control which specific programs are entered in "default" rotation, when not otherwise actuated by a user; or, (3) delete any specific program that is not desired by the system administrator to be retrievable by that specific system; or, (4) enable/disable the system. Once the system administrator has finished, he or she will exit the "password" mode of operation and resume normal operations by depressing a preselected "exit" switch. Another unique aspect of the present invention is the relationship of the information on the graphic overlay 180 and the X-Y switch matrix. Graphic overlays 180 need not depict only a plurality of discrete objects, but may also depict "scenes." For example, a graphic overlay 180 could depict for example (1) a representation of a surface territory (such as an area map of a geographic region, area plan, or floor plan); or, (2) a representation of a physical storage rack containing physical objects (such as a diagram of a retail fixture or planogram of a retail merchandise rack); or, (3) a representation of an object (such as a diagram of a human body). An important aspect of the present invention is not merely a means for selecting information about an object, but rather, associating a predetermined data file with any aspect of a graphic image that is depicted on the graphic overlay. Graphic overlays depicting scenes comprise yet another way of simplifying the user interface because the visual information becomes integrated into the graphic overlay. The browsing system of the present invention may use graphics overlays depicting discrete objects or a scene because touching the switch located at any particular location on the X-Y matrix causes the disc player (of the first preferred embodiment) to retrieve information about the corresponding location of the surface territory, storage rack, or object depicted; or features thereof or other objects contained therein.

While the invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, various changes and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention will be apparent to those of working skill in this technological field. Thus, the invention is to be considered as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An integrated touchpanel browsing assembly for retrieving predetermined information relating to one or more objects represented by a graphical image, comprising:

(a) an enclosure for said integrated touchpanel browsing assembly, said enclosure having a front outer surface;

(b) a power supply, for providing power to said integrated touchpanel browsing assembly, said power supply having an AC input;

(c) a microcontroller assembly housed within said enclosure, said microcontroller assembly comprising a data input port, a software programmable device, and a data output port; (d) a digital data retrieval assembly housed within said enclosure, said digital data retrieval assembly comprising,

(1) a data input assembly,

(2) a control input connected to said data input port of said microcontroller assembly, and (3) a data output port;

(e) a touch-sensitive panel disposed over said front outer surface of said enclosure, comprising a matrix of switches and an output port connected to said data input port of said microcontroller assembly, said touch-sensitive panel data output port actuating said microcontroller assembly in response to switch closures for each of said matrix of switches;

(f) a graphic image overlay for covering said matrix of switches, said graphic image overlay depicting an image of one or more objects on which information is to be retrieved, each of said objects positioned on said overlay to correspond with a particular switch of said matrix of switches; and (g) storage media connected to said digital data output port of said digital data retrieval assembly, said storage media containing predetermined digital information about said one or more objects depicted on said overlay.

2. The integrated touchpanel browsing assembly of claim 1 wherein said digital information retrieval assembly includes an optical disc player, and said storage media is an optical disc.

3. The integrated touchpanel browsing assembly of claim 1 wherein said digital information retrieval assembly includes a digital data network interface for retrieving information from a central server computer.

4. The integrated touchpanel browsing assembly of claim 1, wherein said storage media is a magnetic disk.

5. The integrated touchpanel browsing assembly of claim 1, wherein said storage media is semiconductor memory.

6. The integrated touchpanel browsing assembly of claim 1, wherein said digital information retrieval assembly includes a broadcast receiver for retrieving information from a central serve computer.

7. The integrated touchpanel browsing assembly of claim 1, wherein said images of objects o said graphic image overlay are positioned in the form of a scene depicting the appearance, location, or arrangement of the objects represent by said images.

8. The integrated touchpanel browsing assembly of claim 1 further comprising an output device housed within said enclosure for outputting said predetermined information retrieved b said digital data retrieval assembly, said output device operatively connected to said digital data output port of said digital data retrieval assembly.

9. The integrated touchpanel browsing assembly of claim 8 wherein said output device is a video display.

10. The integrated touchpanel browsing assembly of claim 8 wherein said output device is an audio display.

1 1. The integrated touchpanel browsing assembly of claim 8 wherein said output device is a textual display.

12. A method for retrieving predetermined digitally encoded information stored in a digital data retrieval assembly in response to selective switch closures, comprising the steps of: (a) positioning graphical images on a membrane;

(b) disposing said membrane over a switch matrix;

(c) toggling one switch of said switch matrix;

(d) generating a control signal unique to said toggling step, said control signal uniquely corresponding to one of said graphical images and associated switches;

(e) preselecting information for retrieval that corresponds to each of said control signals;

(f) encoding digitally said predetermined information into digital data;

(g) storing said digital data in media housed within said digital data retrieval assembly; (h) retrieving said digital data in response to said generating step; (i) decoding the retrieved digital data into predetermined information; and

(j) outputting said predetermined information to a local output device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said information of said preselecting step is video information.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said information of said preselecting step is audio information.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said information of said preselecting step is text information.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

(a) depressing sequentially a fixed sequence of switches that correspond to a password;

(b) recognizing the entry of said fixed sequence of switches corresponding to said password;

(c) enabling the modification of a set of system control parameters after said password is recognized in said recognizing step; and

(d) toggling predetermined switches to alter system control parameters.

17. The integrated touchpanel browsing assembly according to claim 1, where each switch of said matrix of switches has a plurality of discrete states wherein each discrete state for each switch corresponds to a specific data file, so that the number of said data files available for retrieval corresponds to the number of switches multiplied by the number of discrete switch states.

18. The touchpanel browsing system according to claim 1, further comprising additional switches, each of said additional switches for selecting a subset of predetermined information about each of said objects corresponding to said matrix of switches, whereby the selection of one of said matrix of switches followed by the selection of one of said additional switches wil result in the retrieval of a predetermined subset of information about one of said objects.