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APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING KEYBOARD FUNCTIONALITY, VIA A LIMITED NUMBER OF INPUT REGIONS, TO A SEPARATE DIGITAL DEVICE

  • US 20120081294A1
  • Filed: 09/28/2011
  • Published: 04/05/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2010
  • Status: Abandoned Application
First Claim
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1. An apparatus that receives gesture-based touch inputs from a user to provide keyboard functionality, via a limited number of input regions, to a separate digital device, the apparatus comprising:

  • a touch-sensitive array that defines a first zone with a plurality of radially-arranged touch regions, wherein the touch-sensitive array detects user touches at the regions of the first zone;

    a processor in communication with the touch-sensitive array, wherein the processor distinguishes between various user input types for each region of the first zone, including;

    a first input type for a user tap on a region of the first zone;

    a second input type for a user touch on the region of the first zone followed by a swipe in the counterclockwise direction to an adjacent touch region and a touch release; and

    a third input type for a user touch on the region of the first zone followed by a swipe in the clockwise direction to an adjacent touch region and a touch release;

    wherein the processor generates an output that is a character associated with the input type;

    a communication module that transmits the output to the digital device; and

    a casing that substantially houses the touch-sensitive array, the processor, and the communication module.

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