Identifying contacts on a touch surface
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for segmenting contacts in a proximity image, the method comprising:
- obtaining a proximity image, the proximity image including a plurality of proximity values, each proximity value representing a measurement of touch object proximity at a location within a sensing area of a touch sensing surface, each location being associated with a first coordinate in a first dimension of the sensing surface and a second coordinate in a second dimension of the sensing surface;
locating a local maximum proximity value in the proximity image; and
after locating the local maximum proximity value, determining a two-dimensional boundary of a contact, the boundary surrounding the local maximum proximity value, including a two-dimensional search that applies a first boundary test including comparing a first proximity value to a second proximity value adjacent to the first proximity value in the first dimension, comparing the first proximity value to a third proximity value adjacent to the first proximity value in the second dimension, and comparing the third proximity value to a fourth proximity value adjacent to the third proximity value in the first dimension.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for segmenting contacts in a proximity image, the method comprising:
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obtaining a proximity image, the proximity image including a plurality of proximity values, each proximity value representing a measurement of touch object proximity at a location within a sensing area of a touch sensing surface, each location being associated with a first coordinate in a first dimension of the sensing surface and a second coordinate in a second dimension of the sensing surface; locating a local maximum proximity value in the proximity image; and after locating the local maximum proximity value, determining a two-dimensional boundary of a contact, the boundary surrounding the local maximum proximity value, including a two-dimensional search that applies a first boundary test including comparing a first proximity value to a second proximity value adjacent to the first proximity value in the first dimension, comparing the first proximity value to a third proximity value adjacent to the first proximity value in the second dimension, and comparing the third proximity value to a fourth proximity value adjacent to the third proximity value in the first dimension. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus comprising:
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a touch sensing surface; and an input system that obtains a proximity image, the proximity image including a plurality of proximity values, each proximity value representing a measurement of touch object proximity at a location within a sensing area of the touch sensing surface, each location being associated with a first coordinate in a first dimension of the sensing surface and a second coordinate in a second dimension of the sensing surface; locates a local maximum proximity value in the proximity image; and after locating the local proximity value, determines a two-dimensional boundary of a contact, the boundary surrounding the local maximum proximity value, including a two-dimensional search that applies a first boundary test including comparing a first proximity value to a second proximity value adjacent to the first proximity value in the first dimension, comparing the first proximity value to a third proximity value adjacent to the first proximity value in the second dimension, and comparing the third proximity value to a fourth proximity value adjacent to the third proximity value in the first dimension. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable program instructions executable to perform a method of segmenting contacts in a proximity image, the method comprising:
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obtaining a proximity image, the proximity image including a plurality of proximity values, each proximity value representing a measurement of touch object proximity at a location within a sensing area of a touch sensing surface, each location being associated with a first coordinate in a first dimension of the sensing surface and a second coordinate in a second dimension of the sensing surface; locating a local maximum proximity value in the proximity image; and after locating the local maximum proximity value, determining a two-dimensional boundary of a contact, the boundary surrounding the local maximum proximity value, including a two-dimensional search that applies a first boundary test including comparing a first proximity value to a second proximity value adjacent to the first proximity value in the first dimension, comparing the first proximity value to a third proximity value adjacent to the first proximity value in the second dimension, and comparing the third proximity value to a fourth proximity value adjacent to the third proximity value in the first dimension. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification