Granted Tuesday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a patent dubbed "Programmable tactile touch screen displays and man-machine interfaces for improved vehicle instrumentation and telematics" (patent number 8,482,535) describes a tactile-feel touch screen that would let you adjust several of the key features and functions in your car.The patent discusses such options as controlling the temperature, the
wipers, and the radio all from one panel. And in a nod toward safety, certain controls would be enabled only when the car is stopped.
The touch screen's tactile-feel approach is also designed to help drivers push the right buttons without having to take their eyes off the road.
The patent itself touts the invention as "a revolutionary form of dashboard or instrument panel results which is stylistically attractive, lower in cost, customizable by the user, programmable in both the tactile and visual sense, and with the potential of enhancing interior safety and vehicle operation."
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