Method and apparatus for producing one-dimensional signals with a two-dimensional pointing device
First Claim
1. A method for converting a set of two-dimensional inputs, each of which substantially corresponds to a distance and a trajectory, into a set of one-dimensional inputs for a computing system, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining a current chirality of the set of two-dimensional inputs, wherein the current chirality has a first sense if the set of two-dimensional inputs exhibits a primarily clockwise trajectory and a second sense if the set of two-dimensional inputs exhibits a primarily counter-clockwise trajectory;
accumulating a one-dimensional variable having a magnitude that is a function of the distances of the set of two-dimensional inputs and a sign that is based upon the current chirality; and
extracting at least a portion of the accumulated one-dimensional variable as at least one of the set of one-dimensional inputs for the computing system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One-dimensional signals suitable for scrolling or other user interface functions are provided in response to two-dimensional inputs produced by a touchpad or other input device. A current chirality of the two-dimensional inputs is determined to have a first sense if the two-dimensional inputs exhibit a primary clockwise trajectory and a second sense if the two-dimensional inputs exhibit a primarily counter-clockwise trajectory. A one-dimensional variable is accumulated using a magnitude that is a function of a distance reflected by the two-dimensional inputs and a sign that is based upon the current chirality. The one-dimensional inputs to the computing system may then be extracted from the accumulated one-dimensional variable as appropriate. The methods may be modal, thereby allowing the same pointing device to be used for both two-dimensional and one-dimensional input.
87 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A method for converting a set of two-dimensional inputs, each of which substantially corresponds to a distance and a trajectory, into a set of one-dimensional inputs for a computing system, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining a current chirality of the set of two-dimensional inputs, wherein the current chirality has a first sense if the set of two-dimensional inputs exhibits a primarily clockwise trajectory and a second sense if the set of two-dimensional inputs exhibits a primarily counter-clockwise trajectory;
accumulating a one-dimensional variable having a magnitude that is a function of the distances of the set of two-dimensional inputs and a sign that is based upon the current chirality; and
extracting at least a portion of the accumulated one-dimensional variable as at least one of the set of one-dimensional inputs for the computing system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A device for converting a set of two-dimensional inputs, each two-dimensional input substantially corresponding to a distance and a trajectory, into a set of one-dimensional inputs for a computing system, the device comprising:
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means for determining a current chirality of the set of two-dimensional inputs, wherein the current chirality has a first sense if the set of two-dimensional inputs exhibits a primarily clockwise trajectory and a second sense if the set of two-dimensional inputs exhibits a primarily counter-clockwise trajectory;
means for accumulating a one-dimensional variable having a magnitude that is a function of the distances of the set of two-dimensional inputs and a sign that is based upon the current chirality; and
means for extracting at least a portion of the accumulated one-dimensional variable as at least one of the set of one-dimensional inputs for the computing system.
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27. A method for indicating a scrolling function for a computing system with a touch sensor having a periphery, the method comprising the steps of:
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detecting an initial approach to said touch sensor in an area proximate to the periphery and a first movement along at least a portion of said touchpad in a direction substantially parallel to the periphery; and
directing an amount of scrolling on the computing system in response to subsequent movement for a distance across said touch sensor in a direction that departs from the periphery, wherein the amount of scrolling is determined as a function of the distance. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for converting two-dimensional input to an electronic device into one-dimensional input, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining an approximate two-dimensional heading for the two-dimensional input;
computing a current chirality for the two-dimensional input as a function of changes in the approximate two-dimensional heading, wherein the current chirality has one of a plurality of senses, the plurality of senses including at least a first sense and a second sense each having an associated angular direction and an associated opposite angular direction;
allowing said approximate two-dimensional heading to precess in the angular direction associated with said current chirality while preventing said approximate heading from precessing in the opposite angular direction associated with said current chirality in response to a contemporaneous direction of the two-dimensional input;
reversing the approximate two-dimensional heading and said current chirality when the contemporaneous direction of two-dimensional motion substantially opposes said approximate heading;
accumulating a one-dimensional output variable that increases according to the distance traveled by said two-dimensional input in the direction of said approximate heading and decreases according to the distance traveled by said two-dimensional input in the direction opposing said approximate heading;
assigning a first sign to said accumulating output variable if said current chirality is of a first sense and assigning a second sign to said accumulating output variable if said current chirality is of the opposite sense; and
periodically extracting a portion of said accumulating one-dimensional output variable and delivering said extracted portion to the computing system as the one-dimensional input.
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37. A method for providing a scrolling function on a computing system in response to movement of a user'"'"'s finger on a touch sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
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initially touching said touch sensor in an area near a periphery of the touch sensor;
subsequently moving the finger along the periphery of said touchpad;
providing a subsequent motion of the finger across said touch sensor in a direction that departs from the periphery, wherein the amount of scrolling produced on the computing system is determined as a function of a distance moved in the subsequent motion. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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39. A device for providing a set of one-dimensional inputs for a computing system in response to a two-dimensional input path, the device comprising:
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a touch sensor configured to provide a set of two-dimensional inputs, each of the two-dimensional inputs corresponding to a segment of the two-dimensional input path having a heading and a direction; and
a processor configured to receive the set of two dimensional inputs, to determine a current chirality of the set of two-dimensional inputs, to accumulate a one-dimensional variable having a magnitude that is a function of the distances of the two-dimensional inputs and a sign that is based upon the current chirality, and to extract at least a portion of the accumulated one-dimensional variable as at least one -of the set of one-dimensional inputs for the computing system. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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Specification