User Input Using Proximity Sensing
First Claim
1. A device comprising:
- a plurality of proximity sensing points arranged on a non-display portion of the device, the plurality of proximity sensing points defining an interaction area adjacent to the device;
a processor; and
a memory arranged to store executable instructions which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;
create a sequence of proximity sensor images from data received from each of the plurality of proximity sensing points that is operational; and
analyze the sequence of proximity sensor images to identify a user gesture in the interaction area.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device is described which enables users to interact with software running on the device through gestures made in an area adjacent to the device. In an embodiment, a portable computing device has proximity sensors arranged on an area of its surface which is not a display, such as on the sides of the device. These proximity sensors define an area of interaction adjacent to the device. User gestures in this area of interaction are detected by creating sensing images from data received from each of the sensors and then analyzing sequences of these images to detect gestures. The detected gestures may be mapped to particular inputs to a software program running on the device and therefore a user can control the operation of the program through gestures.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A device comprising:
-
a plurality of proximity sensing points arranged on a non-display portion of the device, the plurality of proximity sensing points defining an interaction area adjacent to the device; a processor; and a memory arranged to store executable instructions which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to; create a sequence of proximity sensor images from data received from each of the plurality of proximity sensing points that is operational; and analyze the sequence of proximity sensor images to identify a user gesture in the interaction area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. One or more tangible device-readable media with device-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:
-
collecting data from a plurality of proximity sensing points arranged on a surface of a device; generating a sequence of proximity sensing images from the data; and analyzing the sequence of proximity sensing images to detect a gesture. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A portable computing device comprising:
-
a plurality of proximity sensors arranged in a pattern along a side of the device; an interaction zone adjacent to the side of the device, wherein the interaction zone is defined by the pattern of sensors; and processing apparatus arranged to; collect data each sensor which is operational; generate a sequence of proximity sensing images from the data; and analyze the sequence of proximity sensing images to detect a gesture.
-
Specification