User input method and apparatus for handheld computers
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer device comprising:
- a projecting device for displaying a graphical representation of a keyboard, said graphical representation including key locations capable of being selected by an object, said graphical image displayed in an area proximate said device;
mechanism for arming a selected key location prior to registering a keystroke corresponding to that selected, key location wherein an object may rest on any virtual key location except the armed key location without registration;
a signal detection system for detecting the presence of an object located at a selected key location within said area, said signal detection system comprising a radar device adapted far detecting objects at locations within a limited range defined by said graphical representation; and
, mechanism for determining the selected key in response to detecting an object at a corresponding selected armed key location and registering said selected key as a keystroke in said computing device.
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Abstract
A system and method for providing input to a handheld computing device by provisioning the handheld computing device with a projecting device a projecting device for displaying a graphical representation of a keyboard, the graphical representation including key locations capable of being selected by an object, the graphical image displayed in an area proximate the device; a signal detection system for detecting the presence of an object located at a selected key location within the area; and, a mechanism for determining the selected key in response to detecting an object at a corresponding selected key location and registering the selected key as a keystroke in the computing device.
60 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A computer device comprising:
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a projecting device for displaying a graphical representation of a keyboard, said graphical representation including key locations capable of being selected by an object, said graphical image displayed in an area proximate said device;
mechanism for arming a selected key location prior to registering a keystroke corresponding to that selected, key location wherein an object may rest on any virtual key location except the armed key location without registration;
a signal detection system for detecting the presence of an object located at a selected key location within said area, said signal detection system comprising a radar device adapted far detecting objects at locations within a limited range defined by said graphical representation; and
,mechanism for determining the selected key in response to detecting an object at a corresponding selected armed key location and registering said selected key as a keystroke in said computing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer device comprising:
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a projecting device for displaying one of;
a screen image or portion of a screen image display, said screen image including displayed items capable of being selected by an object;
mechanism for arming a selected item location prior to registering an object as being detected at that selected item location, wherein an object may rest on any virtual item location except the armed item location without registration;
a signal detection system for detecting the presence of an object located at a selected item location, said signal detection system comprising a radar device adapted for detecting objects at locations within a limited range defined by said screen image or screen image portion; and
,mechanism for determining the selected item in response to detecting en object at a corresponding selected armed item location.
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12. A method for providing input to a computer device comprising the steps of:
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a) displaying a graphical representation of a keyboard image, said graphical representation including key locations capable of being selected by an object, said graphical image displayed in a limited area proximate said device;
b) implementing a radar device for iteratively transmitting series of electromagnetic signals for sweeping said limited area, a transmitter of said electromagnetic signals being provided at a limited distance away from said graphical representation;
c) arming a selected key location prior to registering a keystroke corresponding to that selected key location, wherein an object may rest on any virtual key location except the armed key location without registration;
d) receiving via a receiver device electromagnetic signal reflections from an object positioned within said limited area for detecting the presence of an object located at a selected key location; and
,e) determining the selected key in response to detecting an object at a corresponding selected armed key location. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification