Configurable Input Device

• US 20150022454A1
• Filed: 08/04/2014
• Published: 01/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Amm, David T.
• Application Number:
  US14/451,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20150022454A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0216 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of a keyboard for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1664
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0425 using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected tracking a projected light spot to determine a position on a display surface G06F3/0386
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

There are provided methods and systems related to having an input device configured according to a position of a user'"'"'s hand relative to the input device. In particular, in some embodiments, a method of operating a computing system is provided that includes determining an operational context of the computing system utilizing a processor of the system and configuring an input device for the system based on the operational context. The input device includes a plurality of discrete input members. The method also includes displaying a virtual image representative of the input device on a display of the system. A position of a user'"'"'s digits relative to the input device is sensed and the input device is reconfigured based on the sensed position of the user'"'"'s digits. An image of the user'"'"'s digits overlaying the virtual image representative of the input device is provided on a display of the computing system.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A method of operating a computing system comprising:

determining an operational context of the computing system utilizing a processor of the system;

configuring an input device for the system based on the determined operational context;

displaying on a display a virtual image representative of the input device;

sensing a position of a user'"'"'s digits relative to the input device;

reconfiguring the input device based on the sensed position of the user'"'"'s digits; and

displaying on the display an image of the user'"'"'s digits overlaying a reconfigured virtual image representative of the reconfigured input device;

wherein

the input device is independent from the display.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the displaying of the image of the user'"'"'s digits overlaying the reconfigured virtual image further comprises:

displaying a translucent image of the user'"'"'s digits over the reconfigured virtual image representative of the reconfigured input device.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the displaying of the image of the user'"'"'s digits overlaying the reconfigured virtual image further comprises:

displaying an outline image of the user'"'"'s digits over the reconfigured virtual image representative of the reconfigured input device.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the displaying of the image of the user'"'"'s digits overlaying the reconfigured virtual image further comprises:

displaying a fingertip image of the user'"'"'s digits over the reconfigured virtual image representative of the reconfigured input device.

25. A computer system comprising:

an input device comprising;

a surface utilized for providing input to the computer in response to a user input;

a first sensor configured to determine a position of a user'"'"'s hand relative to the surface; and

a second sensor configured to determine a touch of the user'"'"'s hand on the surface;

a processor communicatively coupled with the input device, the processor configured to;

receive the determined position of the user'"'"'s hand relative to the input device; and

reconfigure the input device based on the determined position of the user'"'"'s hand

a memory communicatively coupled with the processor; and

a display in communication with the processor, the display is configured to;

receive data from the processor;

provide a virtual image representative of the input device;

provide a virtual image of the user'"'"'s hand overlaying the virtual image of the input device;

provide a reconfigured virtual image representative of the reconfigured input device;

provide a virtual image of the user'"'"'s hand overlaying the reconfigured virtual image of the reconfigured input device;

wherein

the input device is distinct from the display.

26. The computer system of claim 25, further comprising a haptic feedback device distributed under the surface of the input device for providing user feedback when the user'"'"'s touch is determined.

27. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the provided virtual image of the user'"'"'s hand further comprises a translucent image of the user'"'"'s hand.

28. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the provided virtual image of the user'"'"'s hand further comprises an outline image of the user'"'"'s hand.

29. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the provided virtual image of the user'"'"'s hand further comprises a fingertip image of the user'"'"'s hand.

30. A computer system comprising:

a processor;

a memory communicatively coupled to the processor;

a plurality of sensors communicatively coupled to the processor, the plurality of sensors configured to;

sense a position of a user'"'"'s digits relative to a surface of an input device;

sense an input from a user; and

a display communicatively coupled to the processor, the display configured to;

receive data from the processor;

show a virtual image representative of a virtual input device;

show a virtual image of the user'"'"'s digits overlaying the virtual image of the input device;

show a reconfigured virtual image representative of a reconfigured input device based on the sensed position of the user'"'"'s digits; and

show a virtual image of the user'"'"'s digits overlaying the reconfigured virtual image of the reconfigured input device;

wherein

the virtual input device comprises a plurality of discrete virtual buttons configured to correspond in location with the sensed position of the user'"'"'s digits; and

the input device is distinct from the display.

31. The computer system of claim 30, wherein the plurality of sensors are positioned on at least one of:

the input device; and

the display.