Multi-touch input discrimination
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method to identify an object that is hovering above but not in contact with a multi-touch touch-surface, comprising:
- obtaining a proximity image having a plurality of pixels;
generating a far-field image from the proximity image, the far-field image having a plurality of pixels;
identifying background pixels in the proximity image;
generating a far-field measure value by combining pixel values in the far-field image that correspond to background pixels in the proximity image;
determining that an object is hovering above a multi-touch touch-surface when the far-field measure value is above a specified threshold;
triggering a proximity sensor when an object is proximate the proximity sensor; and
controlling an operation of a device when an object is determined to be hovering above the multi-touch touch-surface and the proximity sensor is triggered.
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Abstract
Techniques for identifying and discriminating between different input patterns to a multi-touch touch-screen device are described. By way of example, large objects hovering a short distance from the touch-surface (e.g., a cheek, thigh or chest) may be identified and distinguished from physical contacts to the surface. In addition, rough contacts due to, for example, ears and earlobes, may be similarly identified and distinguished from contacts due to fingers, thumbs, palms and finger clasps.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method to identify an object that is hovering above but not in contact with a multi-touch touch-surface, comprising:
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obtaining a proximity image having a plurality of pixels; generating a far-field image from the proximity image, the far-field image having a plurality of pixels; identifying background pixels in the proximity image; generating a far-field measure value by combining pixel values in the far-field image that correspond to background pixels in the proximity image; determining that an object is hovering above a multi-touch touch-surface when the far-field measure value is above a specified threshold; triggering a proximity sensor when an object is proximate the proximity sensor; and controlling an operation of a device when an object is determined to be hovering above the multi-touch touch-surface and the proximity sensor is triggered. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification