35881results about "Electronic switching" patented technology

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, compliant, and flexible multi-touch surface. The surface consists of compressible cushion dielectric, electrode, and circuitry layers. A simple proximity transduction circuit is placed under each electrode to maximize signal-to-noise ratio and to reduce wiring complexity. Such distributed transduction circuitry is economical for large surfaces when implemented with thin-film transistor techniques. Scanning and signal offset removal on an electrode array produces low-noise proximity images. Segmentation processing of each proximity image constructs a group of electrodes corresponding to each distinguishable contact and extracts shape, position and surface proximity features for each group. Groups in successive images which correspond to the same hand contact are linked by a persistent path tracker which also detects individual contact touchdown and liftoff. Combinatorial optimization modules associate each contact's path with a particular fingertip, thumb, or palm of either hand on the basis of biomechanical constraints and contact features. Classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device.

The invention concerns user entry of information into a system with an input device. A scheme is provided in which an entire word that a user wants to enter is predicted after the user enters a specific symbol, such as a space character. If the user presses an ambiguous key thereafter, rather than accept the prediction, the selection list is reordered. For example, a user enters the phrase “Lets run to school. Better yet, lets drive to “.””” After the user presses the space, after first entering the second occurrence of the word “to,” the system predicts that the user is going to enter the word “school” based on the context in which the user has entered that word in the past. Should the user enter an ambiguous key after the space, then a word list which contains the word “school” is reordered and other options are made available to the user. The invention can also make predictions on context, such as the person to whom the message is sent, the person writing the message, the day of the week, the time of the week, etc. Other embodiments of the invention contemplate anticipation of user actions, as well as words, such as a user action in connection with menu items, or a user action in connection with form filling.

A method (300) for entering a character into an electronic device (100) is provided. The method (300) includes displaying (301) input character keys (204) on a touch sensitive region (202) of a display screen (105) of the device (100), the keys identifying an associated character. Next, a display step (309) shows at least one entered character in a display region (201) of the screen, the entered character having been selected by actuation of one of the character keys (204). Next, a group of potential subsequent characters that follow the entered character is predicted (311, 317). A second set of input character keys (205) identifying the potential subsequent characters is displayed (327). The second set of keys (205) are grouped together (323) such that their relative screen locations with respect to each other are different to that of corresponding keys in the first set of keys (204). Finally in receiving (303) and displaying steps (309), the potential subsequent characters are entered adjacent the entered character, the entering having been in response to actuation of one of the second set of keys (205).

A method (300) for entering a character into an electronic device (100) is provided. The method (300) includes displaying (301) input character keys (204) on a touch sensitive region (202) of a display screen (105) of the device (100), the keys identifying an associated character. Next, a display step (309) shows at least one entered character in a display region (201) of the screen, the entered character having been selected by actuation of one of the character keys (204). Next, a group of potential subsequent characters that follow the entered character is predicted (311, 317). A second set of input character keys (205) identifying the potential subsequent characters is displayed (327). The second set of keys (205) are grouped together (323) such that their relative screen locations with respect to each other are different to that of corresponding keys in the first set of keys (204). Finally in receiving (303) and displaying steps (309), the potential subsequent characters are entered adjacent the entered character, the entering having been in response to actuation of one of the second set of keys (205).