Abstract: A touch-sensitive graphical user interface (GUI) may include a touch screen configured to display a graphical user interface including an arrangement of one or more virtual widgets, each virtual widget having a shape and including one or more user interface elements displayed via the graphical user interface. The arrangement of the one or more virtual widgets is configurable. A microcontroller may be configured to sense a touch at the touch screen, identify a virtual widget corresponding with the touch, and initiate an action including at least one of (a) controlling an actuator to provide haptic feedback at an area of the touch screen on which the identified virtual widget is displayed or (b) controlling an electronic device associated with the user interface system.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive touchscreen system may include a touchscreen cover layer, and a tactile structure formed in or coupled to the touchscreen cover layer and defining a non-planar surface texture (e.g., embodied as a ridge or other raised structure or a groove or other depression) that provides tactile feedback to a user's finger. In some embodiments, the tactile structure is formed from at least one material having a different dielectric constant than the touchscreen cover layer. A touchscreen display device arranged under the touchscreen cover may be configured to display a configurable graphical user interface (GUI) including a respective virtual user interface element at a location corresponding with the tactile structure. The system may include a processing unit configured to sense a touch at a location of a particular virtual user interface element, identify the particular virtual user interface element, and initiate an action associated with the virtual user interface element.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive graphical user interface (GUI) may include a touch screen configured to display a graphical user interface including an arrangement of one or more virtual widgets, each virtual widget having a shape and including one or more user interface elements displayed via the graphical user interface. The arrangement of the one or more virtual widgets is configurable. A microcontroller may be configured to sense a touch at the touch screen, identify a virtual widget corresponding with the touch, and initiate an action including at least one of (a) controlling an actuator to provide haptic feedback at an area of the touch screen on which the identified virtual widget is displayed or (b) controlling an electronic device associated with the user interface system.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive touchscreen system may include a touchscreen cover layer, and a tactile structure formed in or coupled to the touchscreen cover layer and defining a non-planar surface texture (e.g., embodied as a ridge or other raised structure or a groove or other depression) that provides tactile feedback to a user's finger. In some embodiments, the tactile structure is formed from at least one material having a different dielectric constant than the touchscreen cover layer. A touchscreen display device arranged under the touchscreen cover may be configured to display a configurable graphical user interface (GUI) including a respective virtual user interface element at a location corresponding with the tactile structure. The system may include a processing unit configured to sense a touch at a location of a particular virtual user interface element, identify the particular virtual user interface element, and initiate an action associated with the virtual user interface element.

Abstract: A grinding device for grinding the ends of fibres and particularly optical fibres comprises a stand 10 carrying a mounting arrangement 13 for mounting a fibre and rotating it about its longitudinal axis. The stand 10 also carries a grinding wheel 18 and a microscope 22. The positions of the microscope 22 and mounting arrangement are all accurately controllable by micrometers 12, 23, 25 and 27.