User interface methods and systems for providing force-sensitive input

Abstract

Methods and systems implement touch sensors or force sensitive materials disposed on the case of a computing device in order to enable user input gestures to be performed on portions of the device case. The force sensitive elements may generate an electrical signal in response to a gesture, such as a tap, squeeze, swipe or twist. The properties of the generated electrical signal may be compared to various reference templates to recognize particular input gestures. The force sensitive elements may operate in conjunction with more traditional input methods, such as touch-screen display and electromechanical buttons. By enabling user input gestures on the case of computing devices, the various aspects permit one hand operation of the devices including intuitive gestures that do not require the users focused attention to accomplish.; Thus the various aspects may enable users to utilize their computing devices in situations not suitable to conventional user input technologies.

Description

technical field [0001] This disclosure relates generally to mobile device user interface systems, and more particularly to user interface systems for accepting input on mobile devices. Background technique [0002] Mobile computing devices utilize a wide variety of input methods. Physical buttons have been supplemented by input devices such as scroll wheels, trackballs, and touch-sensitive devices such as touchpads and touchscreen displays. While such improvements to user interfaces have improved the usability of many mobile devices, most user interfaces require the user to focus on viewing the item being pressed on the display screen or responding to user input. This requirement can distract users when they are using their mobile device while performing an operation that requires their concentration, such as driving a vehicle. Also, many mobile device user interface configurations require two hands to operate; one hand holds the device so that the fingers of the other han...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, many user input techniques do not allow the use of mobile devices when the user has only one hand free (for example, when holding an umbrella).

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