Symbol encoding apparatus and method

• US 7,038,659 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2003
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Janusz Wiktor Rajkowski
• Original Assignee: Janusz Wiktor Rajkowski
• Inventors: Rajkowski, Janusz Wiktor
• Primary Examiner(s): Shankar, Vijay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Nitin
• Application Number:
  US10/393,421
• Publication Number:
  US 20040021633A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 345/161, 345/163, 345/168, 345/169, 345/184, 345/173, 345/358, 345/171, 345/160, 345/165, 345/166
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04808 Several contacts: gestures triggering a specific function, e.g. scrolling, zooming, right-click, when the user establishes several contacts with the surface simultaneously; e.g. using several fingers or a combination of fingers and pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

An apparatus and method of encoding and communicating symbols is provided. A user encodes a symbol using a sliding motion of a fingertip in relation to a proximity and touch-detecting glance pad. The user imagines a polygon on the surface of the pad. The user makes an encoding touch generally coextensive with one of the sides of the polygon in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The glance pad detects the motion and infers the intent of the user, assigning a symbol to the encoding touch.

Claims