Input method and apparatus using tactile guidance and bi-directional segmented stroke
First Claim
1. A method for a user to provide input to an apparatus having a periphery, a plurality of sensors arranged about the periphery, and a series of tactile landmarks generally aligned with said sensors, comprising:
- placing a finger on one of said sensors in accordance with guidance received from a first of said tactile landmarks;
moving the finger in a first direction for a first distance to a second of said sensors as guided by a second of said tactile landmarks;
moving said finger in a second direction opposite said first direction, for a second distance to one of said plurality of sensors; and
using locations of said first sensor, said second sensor, and said third sensor, the first distance and the second distance to define unique input to said apparatus.
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Abstract
An input method that is based on bidirectional strokes that are segmented by tactile landmarks. By giving the user tactile feedback about the length of a stroke during input, dependence on visual display is greatly reduced. By concatenating separate strokes into multi-strokes, complex commands may be entered, which may encode commands, data content, or both simultaneously. Multi-strokes can be used to traverse a menu hierarchy quickly. Inter-landmark segments may be used for continuous and discrete parameter entry, resulting in a multifunctional interaction paradigm. This approach to input does not depend on material displayed visually to the user, and, due to tactile guidance, may be used as an eyes-free user interface. The method is especially suitable for wearable computer systems that use a head-worn display and wrist-worn watch-style devices.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for a user to provide input to an apparatus having a periphery, a plurality of sensors arranged about the periphery, and a series of tactile landmarks generally aligned with said sensors, comprising:
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placing a finger on one of said sensors in accordance with guidance received from a first of said tactile landmarks;
moving the finger in a first direction for a first distance to a second of said sensors as guided by a second of said tactile landmarks;
moving said finger in a second direction opposite said first direction, for a second distance to one of said plurality of sensors; and
using locations of said first sensor, said second sensor, and said third sensor, the first distance and the second distance to define unique input to said apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification