CONTACT TRACKING AND IDENTIFICATION MODULE FOR TOUCH SENSING
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for providing input to a computing device having an associated touch sensitive surface, the method comprising:
- obtaining a sequence of proximity images of distinguishable contacts, wherein the contacts correspond to touch devices on or near the surface at about the same time, and wherein at least shape, size, and position is determined for each contact based on the proximity images;
performing an initial command based on a first group of contacts associated with an initial proximity image;
obtaining a next proximity image associated with a second group of contacts, the next proximity image occurring after the initial proximity image; and
based at least on the next proximity image, performing the initial command if the first contacts are the same as the second contacts and performing a new command if the first contacts are different from the second contacts.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for providing input to a computing device having an associated touch sensitive surface, the method comprising:
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obtaining a sequence of proximity images of distinguishable contacts, wherein the contacts correspond to touch devices on or near the surface at about the same time, and wherein at least shape, size, and position is determined for each contact based on the proximity images; performing an initial command based on a first group of contacts associated with an initial proximity image; obtaining a next proximity image associated with a second group of contacts, the next proximity image occurring after the initial proximity image; and based at least on the next proximity image, performing the initial command if the first contacts are the same as the second contacts and performing a new command if the first contacts are different from the second contacts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein, which when executed by an apparatus, the apparatus including a touch sensitive surface that provides input to a computing system, cause the apparatus to:
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obtain a sequence of proximity images of distinguishable contacts, wherein the contacts correspond to touch devices on or near the surface at about the same time, and wherein each contact is associated with at least a shape and a position; transmit an initial command signal to the computing system based on first contacts associated with at least an initial proximity image; obtain a next proximity image associated with second contacts, the next proximity image occurring after the at least initial proximity image; and based at least on the next proximity image, transmit the initial command to the computing system if the first contacts are the same as the second contacts and transmit a new command to the computing system if the first contacts are different from the second contacts. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for providing input to a computing device having an associated touch sensitive surface, the method comprising:
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identifying a first group of distinguishable contacts within an initial proximity image; determining a first mode based on the first group of contacts; performing an initial command based on the first mode; identifying a second group of distinguishable contacts within a next proximity image, the next proximity image occurring after the initial proximity image; evaluating the initial and the next proximity images to determine if a mode change has occurred; and if the mode change has not occurred, performing the initial command based on the second proximity image and, if the mode change has occurred, determining a second mode based on the second proximity image and performing a new command. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for providing input to a computing device having an associated touch sensitive surface, the apparatus comprising:
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a contact identifier for providing an first indication of a first group of contacts with respect to the touch sensitive surface and for providing a second indication of a second group of contacts with respect to the touch sensitive surface, the first indication occurring after the second indication; a mode recognizer for receiving the first indication and the second indication and for providing a third indication representing a mode change; and an event generator for generating an initial event signal according to an initial mode in response to the first indication, for generating the initial event signal according to the initial mode in response to the second indication, and for generating a next event signal according to a next mode in response to the second indication and the third indication. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein, which when executed by an apparatus, the apparatus including a touch sensitive surface that provides input to a computing system, cause the apparatus to:
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identify a first group of distinguishable contacts within an initial proximity image; determine a first mode based on the first group of contacts; perform an initial command based on the first mode; identify a second group of distinguishable contacts within a next proximity, the next proximity image occurring after the initial proximity image; evaluate the initial and the next proximity images to determine if a mode change has occurred; and wherein, if the mode change has not occurred, perform the initial command based on the second proximity image and if the mode change has occurred, determine a second mode and perform a new command based on the second proximity image. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification