Zero-front-footprint compact input system
First Claim
1. ) An input system for a compact electronic device comprising a primary sensor and associated interpretive and display-control circuitry, wherein:
- a) the sensor is actuable by a digit of a user and registers values of a planar variable, associated with the digit and modulable by the user, in an x dimension and a y dimension; and
also registers values of a normal variable, associated with the digit and modulable by the user, in a z dimension normal to a plane of contact between the sensor and the digit;
whereby the set of possible momentary input signals forms a three-dimensional vector region or input space, and the signal registered over an interval of time is a trajectory through this region;
b) the interpretive circuitry is configured to;
i) distinguish at least two meaningful ranges of the normal variable, detect transitions between said two ranges, and interpret such transitions in at least one direction as gesture termination signals;
ii) distinguish multiple target zones within the input space, and test for indication value on a substantially continuous basis, where indication value expresses whether any target zone is indicated and if so which, where a target is indicated if the contemporaneous input value lies within it;
iii) upon detection of a change in indication value, register the new value and transmit it to the display-control circuitry;
iv) maintain a mapping identifying assignments of possible generands to target zones;
v) upon detection of gesture termination, consult the registered indication value to determine whether any target zone is indicated, and if so consult the mapping to determine whether any generand is associated with the indicated target zone, and if so generate it;
c) the display-control circuitry is configured to;
i) generate an image which includes a menu comprising an array of menu features;
ii) maintain a list of associations between particular ones of said menu features and particular ones of said target zones;
iii) upon receipt of a signal expressing a change in indication value, modify the image in a manner which visually identifies any menu feature associated with an indicated target zone as indicated, and visually identifies all other menu features as not indicated;
whereby tentative selection display is established, and the user is provided with continuous feedback during transits.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An input system for compact devices such as cell phones and watches which includes alphanumeric and pointer capability, provides input rates similar to those of optimized-stylus-keyboard and thumboard systems, and is one-hand operable and compatible with full-face displays. Input is by means of an “eyes-free” pointing device (which may be a touchpad with tactile markings, an isometric sensor or an array of discrete keys) which may be mounted on the back of the unit. An optionally-displayed menu of input options embodies a gestural code: the action needed to select a symbol on the menu is the required gesture—even when the menu is not shown. Cursor control is through an absolute positional function; this permits experienced users to type by touch, relying on kinesthetic cues. The user may maintain contact with the sensor during transits between selections, in which case visual feedback (in the form of a cursor, highlighting of indicated menu features, and/or a stroke trace) is provided—which enables pre-emptive correction of errors, and quick learning. The user indicates selection with a modulation of contact pressure. Two gestural lexicons are described. One uses pointing gestures and a flat menu, and is simpler; the other uses stroke gestures and a cellular menu, and is more space-efficient.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. ) An input system for a compact electronic device comprising a primary sensor and associated interpretive and display-control circuitry, wherein:
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a) the sensor is actuable by a digit of a user and registers values of a planar variable, associated with the digit and modulable by the user, in an x dimension and a y dimension; and
also registers values of a normal variable, associated with the digit and modulable by the user, in a z dimension normal to a plane of contact between the sensor and the digit;
whereby the set of possible momentary input signals forms a three-dimensional vector region or input space, and the signal registered over an interval of time is a trajectory through this region;
b) the interpretive circuitry is configured to;
i) distinguish at least two meaningful ranges of the normal variable, detect transitions between said two ranges, and interpret such transitions in at least one direction as gesture termination signals;
ii) distinguish multiple target zones within the input space, and test for indication value on a substantially continuous basis, where indication value expresses whether any target zone is indicated and if so which, where a target is indicated if the contemporaneous input value lies within it;
iii) upon detection of a change in indication value, register the new value and transmit it to the display-control circuitry;
iv) maintain a mapping identifying assignments of possible generands to target zones;
v) upon detection of gesture termination, consult the registered indication value to determine whether any target zone is indicated, and if so consult the mapping to determine whether any generand is associated with the indicated target zone, and if so generate it;
c) the display-control circuitry is configured to;
i) generate an image which includes a menu comprising an array of menu features;
ii) maintain a list of associations between particular ones of said menu features and particular ones of said target zones;
iii) upon receipt of a signal expressing a change in indication value, modify the image in a manner which visually identifies any menu feature associated with an indicated target zone as indicated, and visually identifies all other menu features as not indicated;
whereby tentative selection display is established, and the user is provided with continuous feedback during transits. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. ) A stroke-gesture input system for a compact electronic device comprising a sensor capable of registering a three-dimensional input signal generated by a digit of a user and associated interpretive and display-control circuitry, wherein:
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a) the input signal at any moment comprises a value of a planar variable having x and y components and a normal force in a z dimension normal to the plane of contact between the sensor and the digit;
whereby the set of possible momentary input signals forms a three-dimensional vector region or input space and the signal registered over an interval of time is a trajectory through this region;
b) the interpretive circuitry is configured to;
i) identify trajectory segments as gestures in accordance with a parsing rule which distinguishes two meaningful ranges of the normal force, one of which is a gesture range and the other of which is a transit range, such that the input space is divided into a gesture zone and a transit zone, and defines entry into the gesture zone as gesture initiation and exit from the gesture zone as gesture termination;
whereby gestures are trajectory segments which begin at a point of entry into the gesture zone, remain continuously within the gesture zone, and end at a point of exit from the gesture zone;
ii) associate possible output signals or generands with gestures in accordance with a rule which identifies a set of criteria which return values when applied to a gesture and defines a mapping between possible sets of these values and generands;
c) the display-control circuitry is configured to;
i) generate an image which includes a menu comprising an array of menu features;
ii) upon receipt of a signal identifying a menu feature as indicated, modify the image in a manner which identifies the menu feature as indicated.
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Specification