Finger-mapped character entry systems

• US 10,082,950 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2014
• Issued: 09/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph T. Lapp
• Original Assignee: Joseph T. Lapp
• Inventors: Lapp, Joseph T.
• Primary Examiner(s): SALOMON, PHENUEL S
• Application Number:
  US14/272,736
• Publication Number:
  US 20140298266A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,601 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• 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

A finger-mapped gesture system is a user interface method and apparatus for rapid data input on a touch-sensitive surface. The user gestures by holding the hand stationary relative to the surface and moving the fingers primarily by extension and flexion on the surface. Each finger gestures on a gesturing area instead of selecting among keys. Individual gestures are constructed from finger actions that each independently parameterize the gesture. In combination, the particular fingers gesturing and the parameters that the fingers gesture indicate the input that the user intends. On devices that do not directly identify fingers, fingers are identified via a finger map that, after calibration to a person'"'"'s hand, associates each finger with a gesturing area. Gestures are otherwise independent of where they are performed, freeing users from having to look at their fingers to target visual elements. The system is optimized for rapid character data entry.

Claims

1. A method of user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set having a series of available finger identities, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a path-dependent gesture parameter;

upon detecting that a gesturing finger has lifted, establishing a first selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, including said gesturing finger, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

determining a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set;

determining a first user request as a function of said first selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis; and

reporting said first user request to said host, with said first user request being a request to input a character.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture parameter selected from the group consisting of a gesture level parameter, a gesture direction parameter, and a backbrush level parameter.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter.

4. A method of user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set being multi-selectable within said input area on a set of linear associations, with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a gesture direction parameter and a gesture level parameter, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set having a plurality of selectable parameterizations each indicating a request to input a distinct letter selected from a group of letters consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z;

detecting a first selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

determining a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said set of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set, with the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set having a simple linear direction that is associated in said set of linear associations with a distinct finger identity of said first selected identity set;

determining a first user request as a function of each value of a first selectable parameterization of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, with said first selectable parameterization being one of the plurality of selectable parameterizations of said first gesture basis and including a value for each gesture parameter of said first gesture basis, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis, with said first selectable parameterization including a first discrete direction, with each parameterization of said plurality of selectable parameterizations of said first gesture basis including said first discrete direction and a gesture level distinct among said plurality of selectable parameterizations, with a second discrete direction being opposite said first discrete direction in said first gesture basis, with said first discrete direction and said second discrete direction defining a first side range of directions and a second side range of directions, and with said first gesture basis not having a selectable parameterization that (a) includes a discrete direction that includes a direction in said first side range of directions, (b) includes a first-range gesture level, (c) includes defaults for gesture parameters having defaults, and (d) indicates a letter selected from said group of letters; and

reporting said first user request to said host, said first user request being said request to input the letter that said first selectable parameterization indicates.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set has a selectable parameterization that has a path parameterization and indicates a request to input a particular letter selected from said group of letters, with no other gesture basis of said gesture basis set having a selectable parameterization that both has said path parameterization and indicates a request to input said particular letter.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said series of available finger identities has at least three finger identities.

7. A method according to claim 6,

wherein said method further comprises the step of establishing a series of geometric elements, with said input area comprising all regions of all geometric elements of said series of geometric elements, with each geometric element of said series of geometric elements being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a geometric element of said series of geometric elements is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a series of geometric elements and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture; and

wherein for each finger of said first selecting finger set, said step of determining a first selected identity set (a) determines the nearest geometric element of said series of geometric elements to the gestured path of said each finger and (b) includes in said first selected identity set the finger identity with which said nearest geometric element is associated.

8. A method according to claim 5 wherein said touch device is a touch-sensitive surface, and wherein said first selecting finger set includes no more than two fingers.

9. A method according to claim 8,

wherein said method comprises the step of establishing a hand calibration;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a hand calibration and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture;

wherein said input area comprises all regions of a series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said first selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated; and

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of a finger of said first selecting finger set is in a first region of said series of regions, with a position of said first region relative to each of multiple other regions of said series of regions being dependent on said hand calibration.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the number of finger identities in said series of available finger identities is four.

11. A method according to claim 10,

wherein said method further comprises the step of establishing a series of regions, with said input area comprising all regions of said series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a series of regions and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture; and

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said first selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated.

12. A method according to any one of claim 6, 9, 10 or 11, wherein said first gesture basis does not have a selectable parameterization that both (a) includes a discrete direction that includes a direction of said second side range of directions, (b) includes a first-range gesture level, (c) includes defaults for gesture parameters having defaults, and (d) indicates a letter selected from said group of letters.

13. A method according to any one of claim 6, 9, 10 or 11,

wherein said method comprises the step of detecting a first calibrating finger at a first calibrating location on a surface allocation;

wherein said method comprises the step of detecting a second calibrating finger at a second calibrating location on said surface allocation;

wherein said step of providing an input area provides said input area on said surface allocation; and

wherein the range of directions for said first discrete direction is dependent on the position of said first calibrating location relative to said second calibrating location.

14. A method according to any one of claim 6, 9, 10 or 11, wherein said first selecting finger set has at least two fingers.

15. A method according to any one of claim 4 or 5, wherein said first discrete direction and said second discrete direction each have a range of directions spanning an angle greater than the angle that said first side range of directions spans and each have a range of directions spanning an angle greater than the angle that said second side range of directions spans.

16. A method according to any one of claim 4 or 5, wherein said first side range of directions, said second side range of directions, and the range of directions of said second discrete direction each spans an angle less than the angle that the range of directions of said first discrete direction spans.

17. A method of user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an input area that implements a gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set being multi-selectable within said input area on a set of linear associations and having a series of available finger identities, with said series of available finger identities including a plurality of finger identities and having at most four finger identities, with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a path-dependent gesture parameter, and with each parameterization of a set of at least 18 selectable parameterizations of the gesture bases of said gesture basis set both (a) being selectable by a gesture having a set of simple linear associations that is a subset of said set of linear associations and (b) indicating a request to input a distinct letter selected from a group of letters consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z;

detecting a first selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

determining a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said set of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set, with the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set having a simple linear direction that is associated in said set of linear associations with a distinct finger identity of said first selected identity set;

determining a first user request as a function of each value of a first selectable parameterization of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, with said first selectable parameterization being one of said at least 18 selectable parameterizations and including a value for each gesture parameter of said first gesture basis, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, and with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis; and

reporting said first user request to said host, with said first user request being said request to input the letter that said first selectable parameterization indicates.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture parameter selected from the group consisting of a gesture level parameter, a gesture direction parameter, and a backbrush level parameter.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said series of available finger identities has at least three finger identities.

20. A method according to claim 19,

wherein said method further comprises the step of establishing a series of geometric elements, with said input area comprising all regions of all geometric elements of said series of geometric elements, with each geometric element of said series of geometric elements being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a geometric element of said series of geometric elements is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a series of geometric elements and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture; and

wherein for each finger of said first selecting finger set, said step of determining a first selected identity set (a) determines the nearest geometric element of said series of geometric elements to the gestured path of said each finger and (b) includes in said first selected identity set the finger identity with which said nearest geometric element is associated.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for 20% margins that do not extend past geometric element region boundaries.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for 28% margins that do not extend past geometric element region boundaries.

23. A method according to claim 18, wherein the number of finger identities in said series of available finger identities is four;

wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter; and

wherein said at least 18 selectable parameterizations has 26 selectable parameterizations.

24. A method according to claim 23,

wherein said method further comprises the step of establishing a series of geometric elements, with said input area comprising all regions of all geometric elements of said series of geometric elements, with each geometric element of said series of geometric elements being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a geometric element of said series of geometric elements is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a series of geometric elements and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture; and

wherein for each finger of said first selecting finger set, said step of determining a first selected identity set (a) determines the nearest geometric element of said series of geometric elements to the gestured path of said each finger and (b) includes in said first selected identity set the finger identity with which said nearest geometric element is associated.

25. A method according to any one of claim 20 or 24, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for second-level margins that do not extend past geometric element region boundaries.

26. A method according to claim 23, wherein said touch device is a touch-sensitive surface, and wherein said first selecting finger set includes no more than two fingers.

27. A method according to claim 26,

wherein said method further comprises the step of establishing a series of regions, with said input area comprising all regions of said series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a series of regions and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture; and

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said first selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated.

28. A method according to claim 26, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture direction parameter.

29. A method according to claim 28,

wherein said method further comprises the step of establishing a series of regions, with said input area comprising all regions of said series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a series of regions and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture; and

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said first selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated.

30. A method according to any one of claim 19, 23 or 29, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities within said input area.

31. A method according to claim 29, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for second-level margins that do not extend past region boundaries.

32. A method according to any one of claim 19, 23 or 29, wherein said method comprises the step of detecting a first calibrating finger at a first calibrating location on a surface allocation;

wherein said method comprises the step of detecting a second calibrating finger at a second calibrating location on said surface allocation;

wherein said step of providing an input area provides said input area on said surface allocation;

wherein said first gesture basis includes a gesture direction parameter; and

wherein said first selectable parameterization includes a discrete direction for a range of directions that is dependent on the position of said first calibrating location relative to said second calibrating location.

33. A method of user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set having a series of available finger identities, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a path-dependent gesture parameter;

detecting a first selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

determining a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set;

determining that a first finger having an initial touch location on said input area is not gesturing;

determining a first user request as a function of said first selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis, and with said first user request being dependent on the number of paths in the touch history of said first finger; and

reporting said first user request to said host.

34. A method according to claim 33,

wherein said series of available finger identities has at least three finger identities;

and

wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture parameter selected from the group consisting of a gesture level parameter, a gesture direction parameter, and a backbrush level parameter.

35. A method according to claim 34,

wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter;

and

wherein said first user request is a request to input a character.

36. A method according to claim 34,

wherein said touch device is a touch-sensitive surface;

wherein said first selecting finger set includes no more than two fingers;

wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter;

wherein the number of finger identities in said series of available finger identities is four; and

wherein said first user request is a request to input a character.

37. A method according to claim 36, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture direction parameter.

38. A method according to claim 37,

wherein said method further comprises the step of establishing a series of regions, with said input area comprising all regions of said series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a series of regions and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture; and

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said first selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated.

45. A method according to any one of claim 33, 39, 34, 40 or 44, wherein said first user request is a request to input a character.

39. A method of user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set having a series of available finger identities, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a path-dependent gesture parameter;

detecting a first selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

determining a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set;

determining that a first finger having an initial touch location on said input area does not begin gesturing prior to said step of detecting a first selecting finger set;

determining a first user request as a function of said first selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis, and with said first user request being dependent on a particular shift mode, said particular shift mode being dependent on the determination that said first finger does not begin gesturing prior to said step of detecting a first selecting finger set;

reporting said first user request to said host;

after each finger of said first selecting finger set has lifted, detecting a second selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, with said first finger not having lifted after said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, and with each finger of said second selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

determining a second selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said second selecting finger set;

determining a second user request as a function of said second selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a second gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said second selecting finger set, with said second selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said second gesture basis, and with said second user request being dependent on said particular shift mode regardless of whether said first finger performs gesturing movement after said step of detecting a first selecting finger set; and

reporting said second user request to said host.

40. A method according to claim 39,

wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture parameter selected from the group consisting of a gesture level parameter, a gesture direction parameter, and a backbrush level parameter;

and

wherein said series of available finger identities has at least three finger identities.

41. A method according to claim 40, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter, and wherein said first user request is a request to input a character.

42. A method according to claim 41,

wherein said method comprises the step of determining a first finger identity for said first finger, said first finger identity being in said series of available finger identities;

and

wherein said first user request is dependent on said first finger identity.

43. A method according to claim 42,

wherein said method further comprises the step of establishing a series of geometric elements, with said input area comprising all regions of all geometric elements of said series of geometric elements, with each geometric element of said series of geometric elements being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a geometric element of said series of geometric elements is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a series of geometric elements and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture;

wherein for each finger of said first selecting finger set, said step of determining a first selected identity set (a) determines the nearest geometric element of said series of geometric elements to the gestured path of said each finger and (b) includes in said first selected identity set the finger identity with which said nearest geometric element is associated;

wherein for each finger of said second selecting finger set, said step of determining a second selected identity set (a) determines the nearest geometric element of said series of geometric elements to the gestured path of said each finger and (b) includes in said second selected identity set the finger identity with which said nearest geometric element is associated; and

wherein the initial touch location of said first finger is in the region of the geometric element of said series of geometric elements that is associated with said first finger identity.

44. A method according to claim 40,

wherein said method comprises the step of determining a first finger identity for said first finger, said first finger identity being in said series of available finger identities;

and

wherein said first user request is dependent on said first finger identity.

46. A method according to claim 39,

wherein said touch device is a touch-sensitive surface,

wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter,

wherein said first selecting finger set has no more than two fingers;

wherein said second selecting finger set has no more than two fingers;

wherein the number of finger identities in said series of available finger identities is four; and

wherein said first user request is a request to input a character.

47. A method according to claim 46, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture direction parameter.

48. A method according to claim 47,

wherein said method further comprises the step of establishing a series of regions, with said input area comprising all regions of said series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a series of regions and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture;

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said first selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated; and

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said second selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said second selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated.

49. A method according to claim 48,

wherein said method comprises the step of determining a first finger identity for said first finger, with the initial touch location of said first finger being in the region of said series of regions that is associated with said first finger identity;

and

wherein said first user request is dependent on said first finger identity.

50. A method of user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set having a series of available finger identities, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a gesture level parameter, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set has a selectable parameterization that has a path parameterization and indicates a request to input a particular character, with no other gesture basis of said gesture basis set having a selectable parameterization that both has said path parameterization and indicates a request to input said particular character;

establishing a series of geometric elements, wherein said input area comprises all regions of all geometric elements of said series of geometric elements, with each geometric element of said series of geometric elements being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities having at least three finger identities and comprising all finger identities with which a geometric element of said series of geometric elements is associated;

subsequent to said step of establishing a series of geometric elements, concluding processing of a first gesture;

subsequent to said step of concluding processing of a first gesture, detecting a first selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path that has an initial touch location and a final touch location, said initial touch location and said final touch location being in a geometric element that is in said input area;

determining a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set, with the geometric element that contains the initial touch location and the final touch location of the gestured path of said each finger being an isogeometric element that specifies said distinct finger identity, wherein for each finger of said first selecting finger set, (a) the geometric element that contains the initial touch location and the final touch location of the gestured path of said each finger is the region of a distinct geometric element of said series of geometric elements, and (b) said first selected identity set includes the finger identity with which said distinct geometric element is associated;

determining a first user request as a function of said first selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with a first gesture level parameter being the gesture level parameter of said first gesture basis, with the value for said first gesture level parameter indicating a second-range gesture level, and with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis; and

reporting said first user request to said host, with said first user request being a request to input a character.

51. A method according to claim 50,

wherein said gesture basis set is multi-selectable within said input area on a set of linear associations;

and

wherein for each finger identity of said series of available finger identities, the region of the geometric element that is associated with said each finger identity has a length of at least 1.6 times a second-range gesture level threshold, said length being along a linear direction associated with said each finger identity in said set of linear associations.

52. A method according to claim 51, wherein for each finger identity of said series of available finger identities, said length of the region of the geometric element that is associated with said each finger identity is at least 2 times said second-range gesture level threshold.

53. A method according to claim 50,

wherein said gesture basis set is multi-selectable within said input area on a set of linear associations, with said set of linear associations being longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities within said input area;

wherein the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set has a simple linear direction that is associated in said set of linear associations with a distinct finger identity of said first selected identity set; and

wherein for each finger identity of said first selected identity set, the region of the geometric element that is associated with said each finger identity has a length of at least 1.6 times a second-range gesture level threshold, said length being along a linear direction associated with said each finger identity in said set of linear associations.

54. A method according to claim 53, wherein for each finger identity of said first selected identity set, said length of the region of the geometric element that is associated with said each finger identity is at least 2 times said second-range gesture level threshold.

55. A method according to claim 54, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for second-level margins that do not extend past geometric element region boundaries.

56. A method according to claim 54, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for 20% margins that do not extend past geometric element region boundaries.

57. A method according to claim 54, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for 28% margins that do not extend past geometric element region boundaries.

58. A method according to claim 50,

wherein said method comprises the step of establishing at least one direction;

wherein the region form of a first geometric element of said series of geometric elements differs from the region form of a second geometric element of said series of geometric elements, with at least one difference between a property of the region form of said first geometric element and a property of the region form of said second geometric element being dependent on said at least one direction; and

wherein said first selected identity set includes the finger identity with which said first geometric element is associated.

62. A method according to any one of claim 50, 59, 60 or 61, wherein said first selecting finger set comprises two fingers.

59. A method of user input on a touch-sensitive surface associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set having a series of available finger identities, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a gesture level parameter, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set has a selectable parameterization that has a path parameterization and indicates a request to input a particular character, with no other gesture basis of said gesture basis set having a selectable parameterization that both has said path parameterization and indicates a request to input said particular character;

establishing a series of regions, wherein said input area comprises all regions of said series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

subsequent to said step of establishing a series of regions, concluding processing of a first gesture;

subsequent to said step of concluding processing of a first gesture, detecting a first selecting finger set of no more than two gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path that has an initial touch location and a final touch location, said initial touch location and said final touch location being in a region of said series of regions;

determining a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set, with the region that contains the initial touch location and the final touch location of the gestured path of said each finger being associated with said distinct finger identity;

determining a first user request as a function of said first selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with a first gesture level parameter being the gesture level parameter of said first gesture basis, with the value for said first gesture level parameter indicating a second-range gesture level, and with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis; and

reporting said first user request to said host, with said first user request being a request to input a character.

60. A method according to claim 59, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture direction parameter.

61. A method according to claim 60, wherein the number of finger identities in said series of available finger identities is four.

63. A method according to any one of claim 59 or 61,

wherein said gesture basis set is multi-selectable within said input area on a set of linear associations;

and

wherein for each finger identity of said series of available finger identities, the region that is associated with said each finger identity has a length of at least 2 times a second-range gesture level threshold, said length being along a linear direction associated with said each finger identity in said set of linear associations.

64. A method according to any one of claim 59 or 61,

wherein said gesture basis set is multi-selectable within said input area on a set of linear associations, with said set of linear associations being longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities within said input area;

wherein the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set has a simple linear direction that is associated in said set of linear associations with a distinct finger identity of said first selected identity set; and

wherein for each finger identity of said first selected identity set, the region that is associated with said each finger identity has a length of at least 2 times a second-range gesture level threshold of said first gesture level parameter, said length being along a linear direction associated with said each finger identity in said set of linear associations.

65. A method according to claim 64, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for second-level margins that do not extend past region boundaries.

66. A method of user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set having a series of available finger identities, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a gesture parameter selected from the group consisting of a gesture level parameter, a gesture direction parameter, and a backbrush level parameter;

establishing a series of geometric elements, wherein said input area comprises all regions of all geometric elements of said series of geometric elements, with each geometric element of said series of geometric elements being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a geometric element of said series of geometric elements is associated;

subsequent to said step of establishing a series of geometric elements, concluding processing of a first gesture;

subsequent to said step of concluding processing of a first gesture, detecting a first selecting finger set of at least two gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

determining a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set;

determining that the gestured path of a first finger of said first selecting finger set is nearest to a first geometric element of said series of geometric elements;

determining that the gestured path of a second finger of said first selecting finger set is nearest to a second geometric element of said series of geometric elements, with said second finger being distinct from said first finger;

determining that said first geometric element is said second geometric element;

including in said first selected identity set the finger identity with which said first geometric element is associated; and

including in said first selected identity set the finger identity with which an adjacent geometric element is associated, said adjacent geometric element being adjacent to said first geometric element in said series of geometric elements;

determining a first user request as a function of said first selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis; and

reporting said first user request to said host, with said first user request being a request to input a character.

67. A method according to claim 66, wherein

if said first geometric element is an end-of-series geometric element of said series of geometric elements, said adjacent geometric element is the geometric element adjacent in said series of geometric elements to said first geometric element;

and

if said first geometric element is not an end-of-series geometric element of said series of geometric elements, said adjacent geometric element is the geometric element that is adjacent in said series of geometric elements to said first geometric element nearest to a midpoint between a location in the gestured path of said first finger and a location in the gestured path of said second finger.

68. A method according to any one of claim 66 or 67, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter.

69. A system for user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said system comprising:

an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set having a series of available finger identities, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a path-dependent gesture parameter; and

a gesture system that;

(i) upon detecting that a gesturing finger has lifted, establishes a first selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, including said gesturing finger, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

(ii) determines a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set;

(iii) determines a first user request as a function of said first selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis; and

(iv) reports said first user request to said host, with said first user request being a request to input a character.

70. A system according to claim 69, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture parameter selected from the group consisting of a gesture level parameter, a gesture direction parameter, and a backbrush level parameter.

71. A system according to claim 70, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter.

72. A system for user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said system comprising:

an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set being multi-selectable within said input area on a set of linear associations, with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a gesture direction parameter and a gesture level parameter, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set having a plurality of selectable parameterizations each indicating a request to input a distinct letter selected from a group of letters consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z; and

a gesture system that;

(i) detects a first selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

(ii) determines a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said set of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set, with the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set having a simple linear direction that is associated in said set of linear associations with a distinct finger identity of said first selected identity set;

(iii) determines a first user request as a function of each value of a first selectable parameterization of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, with said first selectable parameterization being one of the plurality of selectable parameterizations of said first gesture basis and including a value for each gesture parameter of said first gesture basis, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis, with said first selectable parameterization including a first discrete direction and a gesture level distinct among said plurality of selectable parameterizations, with each parameterization of said plurality of selectable parameterizations of said first gesture basis including said first discrete direction, with a second discrete direction being opposite said first discrete direction in said first gesture basis, with said first discrete direction and said second discrete direction defining a first side range of directions and a second side range of directions, and with said first gesture basis not having a selectable parameterization that (a) includes a discrete direction that includes a direction in said first side range of directions, (b) includes a first-range gesture level, (c) includes defaults for gesture parameters having defaults, and (d) indicates a letter selected from said group of letters; and

(iv) reports said first user request to said host, said first user request being said request to input the letter that said first selectable parameterization indicates.

73. A system according to claim 72, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set has a selectable parameterization that has a path parameterization and indicates a request to input a particular letter selected from said group of letters, with no other gesture basis of said gesture basis set having a selectable parameterization that both has said path parameterization and indicates a request to input said particular letter.

74. A system according to claim 73, wherein said series of available finger identities has at least three finger identities.

75. A system according to claim 74,

wherein said system further comprises a calibrating system that establishes a series of geometric elements, with said input area comprising all regions of all geometric elements of said series of geometric elements, with each geometric element of said series of geometric elements being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a geometric element of said series of geometric elements is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step that establishes a series of regions and before said step that detects a first selecting finger set, said gesture system concludes processing of a first gesture; and

wherein for each finger of said first selecting finger set, said gesture system (a) determines the nearest geometric element of said series of geometric elements to the gestured path of said each finger and (b) includes in said first selected identity set the finger identity with which said nearest geometric element is associated.

76. A system according to claim 73, wherein said touch device is a touch-sensitive surface, and wherein said first selecting finger set includes no more than two fingers.

77. A system according to claim 76,

wherein said system further comprises a calibrating system that establishes a hand calibration;

wherein subsequent to said step that establishes a hand calibration and before said step that detects a first selecting finger set, said gesture system concludes processing of a first gesture;

wherein said input area comprises all regions of a series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said first selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated; and

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of a finger of said first selecting finger set is in a first region of said series of regions, with a position of said first region relative to each of multiple other regions of said series of regions being dependent on said hand calibration.

78. A system according to claim 76, wherein the number of finger identities in said series of available finger identities is four.

79. A system according to claim 78,

wherein said system further comprises a calibrating system that establishes a series of regions, with said input area comprising all regions of said series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step that establishes a series of regions and before said step that detects a first selecting finger set, said gesture system concludes processing of a first gesture; and

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said first selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated.

80. A system according to any one of claim 74, 77, 78 or 79, wherein said first gesture basis does not have a selectable parameterization that both (a) includes a discrete direction that includes a direction of said second side range of directions, (b) includes a first-range gesture level, (c) includes defaults for gesture parameters having defaults, and (d) indicates a letter selected from said group of letters.

81. A system according to any one of claim 74, 77, 78 or 79,

wherein said system further comprises a calibrating system that detects a first calibrating finger at a first calibrating location on a surface allocation and detects a second calibrating finger at a second calibrating location on said surface allocation;

wherein said input area is on said surface allocation; and

wherein the range of directions for said first discrete direction is dependent on the position of said first calibrating location relative to said second calibrating location.

82. A system according to claim 81, wherein said calibrating system is said gesture system.

83. A system according to any one of claim 74, 77, 78 or 79, wherein said first selecting finger set has at least two fingers.

84. A system according to any one of claim 72 or 73, wherein said first discrete direction and said second discrete direction each have a range of directions spanning an angle greater than the angle that said first side range of directions spans and each have a range of directions spanning an angle greater than the angle that said second side range of directions spans.

85. A system according to any one of claim 72 or 73, wherein said first side range of directions, said second side range of directions, and the range of directions of said second discrete direction each spans an angle less than the angle that the range of directions of said first discrete direction spans.

86. A system for user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said system comprising:

an input area that implements a gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set being multi-selectable within said input area on a set of linear associations and having a series of available finger identities, with said series of available finger identities including a plurality of finger identities and having at most four finger identities, with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a path-dependent gesture parameter, and with each parameterization of a set of at least 18 selectable parameterizations of the gesture bases of said gesture basis set both (a) being selectable by a gesture having a set of simple linear associations that is a subset of said set of linear associations and (b) indicating a request to input a distinct letter selected from a group of letters consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z; and

a gesture system that;

(i) detects a first selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

(ii) determines a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said set of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set, with the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set having a simple linear direction that is associated in said set of linear associations with a distinct finger identity of said first selected identity set;

(iii) determines a first user request as a function of each value of a first selectable parameterization of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, with said first selectable parameterization being one of said at least 18 selectable parameterizations and including a value for each gesture parameter of said first gesture basis, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, and with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis; and

(iv) reports said first user request to said host, with said first user request being said request to input the letter that said first selectable parameterization indicates.

87. A system according to claim 86, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture parameter selected from the group consisting of a gesture level parameter, a gesture direction parameter, and a backbrush level parameter.

88. A system according to claim 87, wherein said series of available finger identities has at least three finger identities.

89. A system according to claim 88,

wherein said system further comprises a calibrating system that establishes a series of geometric elements, with said input area comprising all regions of all geometric elements of said series of geometric elements, with each geometric element of said series of geometric elements being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a geometric element of said series of geometric elements is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step that establishes a series of geometric elements and before said step that detects a first selecting finger set, said gesture system concludes processing of a first gesture; and

wherein for each finger of said first selecting finger set, said gesture system (a) determines the nearest geometric element of said series of geometric elements to the gestured path of said each finger and (b) includes in said first selected identity set the finger identity with which said nearest geometric element is associated.

90. A system according to claim 89, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for 20% margins that do not extend past geometric element region boundaries.

91. A system according to claim 90, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for 28% margins that do not extend past geometric element region boundaries.

92. A system according to claim 87,

wherein the number of finger identities in said series of available finger identities is four;

wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter; and

wherein said at least 18 selectable parameterizations has 26 selectable parameterizations.

93. A system according to claim 92,

wherein said system further comprises a calibrating system that establishes a series of geometric elements, with said input area comprising all regions of all geometric elements of said series of geometric elements, with each geometric element of said series of geometric elements being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a geometric element of said series of geometric elements is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step that establishes a series of geometric elements and before said step that detects a first selecting finger set, said gesture system concludes processing of a first gesture; and

wherein for each finger of said first selecting finger set, said gesture system (a) determines the nearest geometric element of said series of geometric elements to the gestured path of said each finger and (b) includes in said first selected identity set the finger identity with which said nearest geometric element is associated.

94. A system according to any one of claim 89 or 93, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for second-level margins that do not extend past geometric element region boundaries.

95. A system according to claim 92, wherein said touch device is a touch-sensitive surface, and wherein said first selecting finger set includes no more than two fingers.

96. A system according to claim 95,

wherein said system further comprises a calibrating system that establishes a series of regions, with said input area comprising all regions of said series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step that establishes a series of regions and before said step that detects a first selecting finger set, said gesture system concludes processing of a first gesture; and

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said first selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated.

97. A system according to claim 95, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture direction parameter.

98. A system according to claim 97,

wherein said system further comprises a calibrating system that establishes a series of regions, with said input area comprising all regions of said series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step that establishes a series of regions and before said step that detects a first selecting finger set, said gesture system concludes processing of a first gesture; and

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said first selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated.

99. A system according to any one of claim 88, 92 or 98, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities within said input area.

100. A system according to claim 98, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for second-level margins that do not extend past region boundaries.

101. A system according to any one of claim 88, 92 or 98,

wherein said system further comprises a calibrating system that detects a first calibrating finger at a first calibrating location on a surface allocation and detects a second calibrating finger at a second calibrating location on said surface allocation;

wherein said input area is on said surface allocation;

wherein said first gesture basis includes a gesture direction parameter; and

wherein said first selectable parameterization includes a discrete direction for a range of directions that is dependent on the position of said first calibrating location relative to said second calibrating location.

102. A system according to claim 101, wherein said calibrating system is said gesture system.

103. A system for user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said system comprising:

an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set having a series of available finger identities, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a path-dependent gesture parameter; and

a gesture system that;

(i) detects a first selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

(ii) determines a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set;

(iii) determines that a first finger having an initial touch location on said input area is not gesturing;

(iv) determines a first user request as a function of said first selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis, and with said first user request being dependent on the number of paths in the touch history of said first finger; and

(v) reports said first user request to said host.

104. A system according to claim 103,

wherein said series of available finger identities has at least three finger identities;

and

wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture parameter selected from the group consisting of a gesture level parameter, a gesture direction parameter, and a backbrush level parameter.

105. A system according to claim 104,

wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter;

and

wherein said first user request is a request to input a character.

106. A system according to claim 104,

wherein said touch device is a touch-sensitive surface;

wherein said first selecting finger set includes no more than two fingers;

wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter;

wherein the number of finger identities in said series of available finger identities is four; and

wherein said first user request is a request to input a character.

107. A system according to claim 106, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture direction parameter.

108. A system according to claim 107,

wherein said system further comprises a calibrating system that establishes a series of regions, with said input area comprising all regions of said series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step that establishes a series of regions and before said step that detects a first selecting finger set, said gesture system concludes processing of a first gesture; and

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said first selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated.

112. A system according to any one of claim 103, 109, 104, 110 or 111, wherein said first user request is a request to input a character.

188. A system according to any one of claim 169, 177, 178, 185, 75, 77, 79, 89, 93, 96, 98, 108, 115 or 118, wherein said calibrating system is said gesture system.

109. A system for user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said system comprising:

an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set having a series of available finger identities, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a path-dependent gesture parameter; and

a gesture system that;

(i) detects a first selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

(ii) determines a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set;

(iii) determines that a first finger having an initial touch location on said input area does not begin gesturing prior to said detection of a first selecting finger set;

(iv) determines a first user request as a function of said first selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis, and with said first user request being dependent on a particular shift mode, said particular shift mode being dependent on the determination that said first finger does not begin gesturing prior to said detection of a first selecting finger set;

(v) reports said first user request to said host;

(vi) after each finger of said first selecting finger set has lifted, detects a second selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, with said first finger not having lifted after said detection a first selecting finger set, and with each finger of said second selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

(vii) determines a second selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said second selecting finger set;

(viii) determines a second user request as a function of said second selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a second gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said second selecting finger set, with said second selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said second gesture basis, and with said second user request being dependent on said particular shift mode regardless of whether said first finger performs gesturing movement after said detection a first selecting finger set; and

(ix) reports said second user request to said host.

110. A system according to claim 109,

wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture parameter selected from the group consisting of a gesture level parameter, a gesture direction parameter, and a backbrush level parameter;

and

wherein said series of available finger identities has at least three finger identities.

111. A system according to claim 110,

wherein said gesture system determines a first finger identity for said first finger, said first finger identity being in said series of available finger identities;

and

wherein said first user request is dependent on said first finger identity.

113. A system according to claim 110, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter, and wherein said first user request is a request to input a character.

114. A system according to claim 113,

wherein said gesture system determines a first finger identity for said first finger, said first finger identity being in said series of available finger identities;

and

wherein said first user request is dependent on said first finger identity.

115. A system according to claim 114,

wherein said system further comprises a calibrating system that establishes a series of geometric elements, with said input area comprising all regions of all geometric elements of said series of geometric elements, with each geometric element of said series of geometric elements being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a geometric element of said series of geometric elements is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step that establishes a series of geometric elements and before said step that detects a first selecting finger set, said gesture system concludes processing of a first gesture;

wherein for each finger of said first selecting finger set, said gesture system (a) determines the nearest geometric element of said series of geometric elements to the gestured path of said each finger and (b) includes in said first selected identity set the finger identity with which said nearest geometric element is associated;

wherein for each finger of said second selecting finger set, said gesture system (a) determines the nearest geometric element of said series of geometric elements to the gestured path of said each finger and (b) includes in said second selected identity set the finger identity with which said nearest geometric element is associated; and

wherein the initial touch location of said first finger is in the region of the geometric element of said series of geometric elements that is associated with said first finger identity.

116. A system according to claim 109,

wherein said touch device is a touch-sensitive surface,

wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter,

wherein said first selecting finger set has no more than two fingers;

wherein said second selecting finger set has no more than two fingers;

wherein the number of finger identities in said series of available finger identities is four; and

wherein said first user request is a request to input a character.

117. A system according to claim 116, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture direction parameter.

118. A system according to claim 117,

wherein said system further comprises a calibrating system that establishes a series of regions, with said input area comprising all regions of said series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step that establishes a series of regions and before said step that detects a first selecting finger set, said gesture system concludes processing of a first gesture;

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said first selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated; and

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said second selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said second selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated.

119. A system according to claim 118,

wherein said gesture system determines a first finger identity for said first finger, with the initial touch location of said first finger being in the region of said series of regions that is associated with said first finger identity;

and

wherein said first user request is dependent on said first finger identity.

120. A non-transitory computer-readable medium carrying thereon instructions which when executed by a processor perform a method of user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set having a series of available finger identities, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a path-dependent gesture parameter;

upon detecting that a gesturing finger has lifted, establishing a first selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, including said gesturing finger, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

determining a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set;

determining a first user request as a function of said first selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis; and

reporting said first user request to said host, with said first user request being a request to input a character.

121. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 120, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture parameter selected from the group consisting of a gesture level parameter, a gesture direction parameter, and a backbrush level parameter.

122. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 121, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter.

123. A non-transitory computer-readable medium carrying thereon instructions which when executed by a processor perform a method of user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set being multi-selectable within said input area on a set of linear associations, with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a gesture direction parameter and a gesture level parameter, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set having a plurality of selectable parameterizations each indicating a request to input a distinct letter selected from a group of letters consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z;

detecting a first selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

determining a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said set of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set, with the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set having a simple linear direction that is associated in said set of linear associations with a distinct finger identity of said first selected identity set;

determining a first user request as a function of each value of a first selectable parameterization of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, with said first selectable parameterization being one of the plurality of selectable parameterizations of said first gesture basis and including a value for each gesture parameter of said first gesture basis, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis, with said first selectable parameterization including a first discrete direction, with each parameterization of said plurality of selectable parameterizations of said first gesture basis including said first discrete direction and a gesture level distinct among said plurality of selectable parameterizations, with a second discrete direction being opposite said first discrete direction in said first gesture basis, with said first discrete direction and said second discrete direction defining a first side range of directions and a second side range of directions, and with said first gesture basis not having a selectable parameterization that (a) includes a discrete direction that includes a direction in said first side range of directions, (b) includes a first-range gesture level, (c) includes defaults for gesture parameters having defaults, and (d) indicates a letter selected from said group of letters; and

reporting said first user request to said host, said first user request being said request to input the letter that said first selectable parameterization indicates.

124. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 123, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set has a selectable parameterization that has a path parameterization and indicates a request to input a particular letter selected from said group of letters, with no other gesture basis of said gesture basis set having a selectable parameterization that both has said path parameterization and indicates a request to input said particular letter.

125. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 124, wherein said series of available finger identities has at least three finger identities.

126. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 125,

wherein said method further comprises the step of establishing a series of geometric elements, with said input area comprising all regions of all geometric elements of said series of geometric elements, with each geometric element of said series of geometric elements being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a geometric element of said series of geometric elements is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a series of geometric elements and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture; and

wherein for each finger of said first selecting finger set, said step of determining a first selected identity set (a) determines the nearest geometric element of said series of geometric elements to the gestured path of said each finger and (b) includes in said first selected identity set the finger identity with which said nearest geometric element is associated.

127. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 124, wherein said touch device is a touch-sensitive surface, and wherein said first selecting finger set includes no more than two fingers.

128. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 127,

wherein said method comprises the step of establishing a hand calibration;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a hand calibration and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture;

wherein said input area comprises all regions of a series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said first selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated; and

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of a finger of said first selecting finger set is in a first region of said series of regions, with a position of said first region relative to each of multiple other regions of said series of regions being dependent on said hand calibration.

129. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 127, wherein the number of finger identities in said series of available finger identities is four.

130. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 129,

wherein said method further comprises the step of establishing a series of regions, with said input area comprising all regions of said series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a series of regions and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture; and

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said first selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated.

131. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of claim 125, 128, 129 or 130, wherein said first gesture basis does not have a selectable parameterization that both (a) includes a discrete direction that includes a direction of said second side range of directions, (b) includes a first-range gesture level, (c) includes defaults for gesture parameters having defaults, and (d) indicates a letter selected from said group of letters.

132. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of claim 125, 128, 129 or 130,

wherein said method comprises the step of detecting a first calibrating finger at a first calibrating location on a surface allocation;

wherein said method comprises the step of detecting a second calibrating finger at a second calibrating location on said surface allocation;

wherein said step of providing an input area provides said input area on said surface allocation; and

wherein the range of directions for said first discrete direction is dependent on the position of said first calibrating location relative to said second calibrating location.

133. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of claim 125, 128, 129 or 130, wherein said first selecting finger set has at least two fingers.

134. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of claim 123 or 124, wherein said first discrete direction and said second discrete direction each have a range of directions spanning an angle greater than the angle that said first side range of directions spans and each have a range of directions spanning an angle greater than the angle that said second side range of directions spans.

135. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of claim 123 or 124, wherein said first side range of directions, said second side range of directions, and the range of directions of said second discrete direction each spans an angle less than the angle that the range of directions of said first discrete direction spans.

136. A non-transitory computer-readable medium carrying thereon instructions which when executed by a processor perform a method of user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an input area that implements a gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set being multi-selectable within said input area on a set of linear associations and having a series of available finger identities, with said series of available finger identities including a plurality of finger identities and having at most four finger identities, with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a path-dependent gesture parameter, and with each parameterization of a set of at least 18 selectable parameterizations of the gesture bases of said gesture basis set both (a) being selectable by a gesture having a set of simple linear associations that is a subset of said set of linear associations and (b) indicating a request to input a distinct letter selected from a group of letters consisting of A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z;

detecting a first selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

determining a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said set of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set, with the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set having a simple linear direction that is associated in said set of linear associations with a distinct finger identity of said first selected identity set;

determining a first user request as a function of each value of a first selectable parameterization of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, with said first selectable parameterization being one of said at least 18 selectable parameterizations and including a value for each gesture parameter of said first gesture basis, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, and with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis; and

reporting said first user request to said host, with said first user request being said request to input the letter that said first selectable parameterization indicates.

137. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 136, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture parameter selected from the group consisting of a gesture level parameter, a gesture direction parameter, and a backbrush level parameter.

138. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 137, wherein said series of available finger identities has at least three finger identities.

139. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 138,

wherein said method further comprises the step of establishing a series of geometric elements, with said input area comprising all regions of all geometric elements of said series of geometric elements, with each geometric element of said series of geometric elements being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a geometric element of said series of geometric elements is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a series of geometric elements and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture; and

wherein for each finger of said first selecting finger set, said step of determining a first selected identity set (a) determines the nearest geometric element of said series of geometric elements to the gestured path of said each finger and (b) includes in said first selected identity set the finger identity with which said nearest geometric element is associated.

140. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 139, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for 20% margins that do not extend past geometric element region boundaries.

141. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 140, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for 28% margins that do not extend past geometric element region boundaries.

142. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 137,

wherein the number of finger identities in said series of available finger identities is four;

wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter; and

wherein said at least 18 selectable parameterizations has 26 selectable parameterizations.

143. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 142,

wherein said method further comprises the step of establishing a series of geometric elements, with aid input area comprising all regions of all geometric elements of said series of geometric elements, with each geometric element of said series of geometric elements being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a geometric element of said series of geometric elements is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a series of geometric elements and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture; and

wherein for each finger of said first selecting finger set, said step of determining a first selected identity set (a) determines the nearest geometric element of said series of geometric elements to the gestured path of said each finger and (b) includes in said first selected identity set the finger identity with which said nearest geometric element is associated.

144. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of claim 139 or 143, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for second-level margins that do not extend past geometric element region boundaries.

145. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 142, wherein said touch device is a touch-sensitive surface, and wherein said first selecting finger set includes no more than two fingers.

146. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 145,

wherein said method further comprises the step of establishing a series of regions, with said input area comprising all regions of said series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a series of regions and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture; and

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said first selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated.

147. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 145, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture direction parameter.

148. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 147,

wherein said method further comprises the step of establishing a series of regions, with aid input area comprising all regions of said series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a series of regions and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture; and

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said first selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated.

149. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of claim 138, 142 or 148, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities within said input area.

150. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 148, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for second-level margins that do not extend past region boundaries.

151. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of claim 138, 142 or 148,

wherein said method comprises the step of detecting a first calibrating finger at a first calibrating location on a surface allocation;

wherein said method comprises the step of detecting a second calibrating finger at a second calibrating location on said surface allocation;

wherein said step of providing an input area provides said input area on said surface allocation;

wherein said first gesture basis includes a gesture direction parameter; and

wherein said first selectable parameterization includes a discrete direction for a range of directions that is dependent on the position of said first calibrating location relative to said second calibrating location.

152. A non-transitory computer-readable medium carrying thereon instructions which when executed by a processor perform a method of user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set having a series of available finger identities, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a path-dependent gesture parameter;

detecting a first selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

determining a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set;

determining that a first finger having an initial touch location on said input area is not gesturing;

determining a first user request as a function of said first selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis, and with said first user request being dependent on the number of paths in the touch history of said first finger; and

reporting said first user request to said host.

153. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 152,

wherein said series of available finger identities has at least three finger identities;

and

wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture parameter selected from the group consisting of a gesture level parameter, a gesture direction parameter, and a backbrush level parameter.

154. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 153,

wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter;

and

wherein said first user request is a request to input a character.

155. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 153,

wherein said touch device is a touch-sensitive surface;

wherein said first selecting finger set includes no more than two fingers;

wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter;

wherein the number of finger identities in said series of available finger identities is four; and

wherein said first user request is a request to input a character.

156. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 155, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture direction parameter.

157. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 156,

wherein said method further comprises the step of establishing a series of regions, with said input area comprising all regions of said series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a series of regions and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture; and

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said first selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated.

161. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of claim 152, 158, 153, 159 or 160, wherein said first user request is a request to input a character.

158. A non-transitory computer-readable medium carrying thereon instructions which when executed by a processor perform a method of user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set having a series of available finger identities, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a path-dependent gesture parameter;

detecting a first selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

determining a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set;

determining that a first finger having an initial touch location on said input area does not begin gesturing prior to said step of detecting a first selecting finger set;

determining a first user request as a function of said first selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis, and with said first user request being dependent on a particular shift mode, said particular shift mode being dependent on the determination that said first finger does not begin gesturing prior to said step of detecting a first selecting finger set;

reporting said first user request to said host;

after each finger of said first selecting finger set has lifted, detecting a second selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, with said first finger not having lifted after said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, and with each finger of said second selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

determining a second selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said second selecting finger set;

determining a second user request as a function of said second selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a second gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said second selecting finger set, with said second selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said second gesture basis, and with said second user request being dependent on said particular shift mode regardless of whether said first finger performs gesturing movement after said step of detecting a first selecting finger set; and

reporting said second user request to said host.

159. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 158,

wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture parameter selected from the group consisting of a gesture level parameter, a gesture direction parameter, and a backbrush level parameter;

and

wherein said series of available finger identities has at least three finger identities.

160. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 159,

wherein said method comprises the step of determining a first finger identity for said first finger, said first finger identity being in said series of available finger identities;

and

wherein said first user request is dependent on said first finger identity.

162. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 159, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter, and wherein said first user request is a request to input a character.

163. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 162,

wherein said method comprises the step of determining a first finger identity for said first finger, said first finger identity being in said series of available finger identities;

and

wherein said first user request is dependent on said first finger identity.

164. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 163,

wherein said method further comprises the step of establishing a series of geometric elements, with said input area comprising all regions of all geometric elements of said series of geometric elements, with each geometric element of said series of geometric elements being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a geometric element of said series of geometric elements is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a series of geometric elements and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture;

wherein for each finger of said first selecting finger set, said step of determining a first selected identity set (a) determines the nearest geometric element of said series of geometric elements to the gestured path of said each finger and (b) includes in said first selected identity set the finger identity with which said nearest geometric element is associated;

wherein for each finger of said second selecting finger set, said step of determining a second selected identity set (a) determines the nearest geometric element of said series of geometric elements to the gestured path of said each finger and (b) includes in said second selected identity set the finger identity with which said nearest geometric element is associated; and

wherein the initial touch location of said first finger is in the region of the geometric element of said series of geometric elements that is associated with said first finger identity.

165. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 158,

wherein said touch device is a touch-sensitive surface,

wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter,

wherein said first selecting finger set has no more than two fingers;

wherein said second selecting finger set has no more than two fingers;

wherein the number of finger identities in said series of available finger identities is four; and

wherein said first user request is a request to input a character.

166. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 165, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture direction parameter.

167. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 166,

wherein said method further comprises the step of establishing a series of regions, with said input area comprising all regions of said series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

wherein subsequent to said step of establishing a series of regions and before said step of detecting a first selecting finger set, said method further comprises the step of concluding processing of a first gesture;

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said first selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated; and

wherein the initial touch location of the gestured path of each finger of said second selecting finger set is in a distinct region of said series of regions, with said second selected identity set including the finger identity with which said distinct region is associated.

168. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 167,

wherein said method comprises the step of determining a first finger identity for said first finger, with the initial touch location of said first finger being in the region of said series of regions that is associated with said first finger identity;

and

wherein said first user request is dependent on said first finger identity.

169. A system for user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said system comprising:

an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set having a series of available finger identities, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a gesture level parameter, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set has a selectable parameterization that has a path parameterization and indicates a request to input a particular character, with no other gesture basis of said gesture basis set having a selectable parameterization that both has said path parameterization and indicates a request to input said particular character;

a calibrating system that establishes a series of geometric elements, wherein said input area comprises all regions of all geometric elements of said series of geometric elements, with each geometric element of said series of geometric elements being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities having at least three finger identities and comprising all finger identities with which a geometric element of said series of geometric elements is associated; and

a gesture system that;

(i) subsequent to said step that establishes a series of geometric elements, concludes processing of a first gesture;

(ii) subsequent to said step that concludes processing of a first gesture, detects a first selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path that has an initial touch location and a final touch location, said initial touch location and said final touch location being in a geometric element that is in said input area;

(iii) determines a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set, with the geometric element that contains the initial touch location and the final touch location of the gestured path of said each finger being an isogeometric element that specifies said distinct finger identity, wherein for each finger of said first selecting finger set, (a) the geometric element that contains the initial touch location and the final touch location of the gestured path of said each finger is the region of a distinct geometric element of said series of geometric elements, and (b) said first selected identity set includes the finger identity with which said distinct geometric element is associated;

(iv) determines a first user request as a function of said first selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with a first gesture level parameter being the gesture level parameter of said first gesture basis, with the value for said first gesture level parameter indicating a second-range gesture level, and with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis; and

(v) reports said first user request to said host, with said first user request being a request to input a character.

170. A system according to claim 169,

wherein said gesture basis set is multi-selectable within said input area on a set of linear associations;

and

wherein for each finger identity of said series of available finger identities, the region of the geometric element that is associated with said each finger identity has a length of at least 1.6 times a second-range gesture level threshold, said length being along a linear direction associated with said each finger identity in said set of linear associations.

171. A system according to claim 170, wherein for each finger identity of said series of available finger identities, said length of the region of the geometric element that is associated with said each finger identity is at least 2 times said second-range gesture level threshold.

172. A system according to claim 169,

wherein said gesture basis set is multi-selectable within said input area on a set of linear associations, with said set of linear associations being longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities within said input area;

wherein the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set has a simple linear direction that is associated in said set of linear associations with a distinct finger identity of said first selected identity set; and

wherein for each finger identity of said first selected identity set, the region of the geometric element that is associated with said each finger identity has a length of at least 1.6 times a second-range gesture level threshold, said length being along a linear direction associated with said each finger identity in said set of linear associations.

173. A system according to claim 172, wherein for each finger identity of said first selected identity set, said length of the region of the geometric element that is associated with said each finger identity is at least 2 times said second-range gesture level threshold.

174. A system according to claim 173, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for second-level margins that do not extend past geometric element region boundaries.

175. A system according to claim 173, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for 20% margins that do not extend past geometric element region boundaries.

176. A system according to claim 173, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for 28% margins that do not extend past geometric element region boundaries.

177. A system according to claim 169,

wherein said system further comprises a calibrating system that establishes at least one direction;

wherein the region form of a first geometric element of said series of geometric elements differs from the region form of a second geometric element of said series of geometric elements, with at least one difference between a property of the region form of said first geometric element and a property of the region form of said second geometric element being dependent on said at least one direction; and

wherein said first selected identity set includes the finger identity with which said first geometric element is associated.

181. A system according to any one of claim 169, 178, 179 or 180, wherein said first selecting finger set comprises two fingers.

178. A system for user input on a touch-sensitive surface associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said system comprising:

an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set having a series of available finger identities, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a gesture level parameter, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set has a selectable parameterization that has a path parameterization and indicates a request to input a particular character, with no other gesture basis of said gesture basis set having a selectable parameterization that both has said path parameterization and indicates a request to input said particular character;

a calibrating system that establishes a series of regions, said input area comprises all regions of said series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated; and

a gesture system that;

(i) subsequent to said step that establishes a series of regions, concludes processing of a first gesture;

(ii) subsequent to said step that concludes processing of a first gesture, detects a first selecting finger set of no more than two gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path that has an initial touch location and a final touch location, said initial touch location and said final touch location being in a region of said series of regions;

(iii) determines a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set, with the region that contains the initial touch location and the final touch location of the gestured path of said each finger being associated with said distinct finger identity;

(iv) determines a first user request as a function of said first selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with a first gesture level parameter being the gesture level parameter of said first gesture basis, with the value for said first gesture level parameter indicating a second-range gesture level, and with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis; and

(v) reports said first user request to said host, with said first user request being a request to input a character.

179. A system according to claim 178, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture direction parameter.

180. A system according to claim 179, wherein the number of finger identities in said series of available finger identities is four.

182. A system according to any one of claim 178 or 180,

wherein said gesture basis set is multi-selectable within said input area on a set of linear associations;

and

wherein for each finger identity of said series of available finger identities, the region that is associated with said each finger identity has a length of at least 2 times a second-range gesture level threshold, said length being along a linear direction associated with said each finger identity in said set of linear associations.

183. A system according to any one of claim 178 or 180,

wherein said gesture basis set is multi-selectable within said input area on a set of linear associations, with said set of linear associations being longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities within said input area;

wherein the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set has a simple linear direction that is associated in said set of linear associations with a distinct finger identity of said first selected identity set; and

wherein for each finger identity of said first selected identity set, the region that is associated with said each finger identity has a length of at least 2 times a second-range gesture level threshold of said first gesture level parameter, said length being along a linear direction associated with said each finger identity in said set of linear associations.

184. A system according to claim 183, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for second-level margins that do not extend past region boundaries.

185. A system for user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said system comprising:

an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set having a series of available finger identities, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a gesture parameter selected from the group consisting of a gesture level parameter, a gesture direction parameter, and a backbrush level parameter;

a calibrating system that establishes a series of geometric elements wherein said input area comprises all regions of all geometric elements of said series of geometric elements, with each geometric element of said series of geometric elements being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a geometric element of said series of geometric elements is associated; and

a gesture system that;

(i) subsequent to said step that establishes a series of geometric elements, concludes processing of a first gesture;

(ii) subsequent to said step that concludes processing of a first gesture, detects a first selecting finger set of at least two gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

(iii) determines a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set;

(iv) determines that the gestured path of a first finger of said first selecting finger set is nearest to a first geometric element of said series of geometric elements;

(v) determines that the gestured path of a second finger of said first selecting finger set is nearest to a second geometric element of said series of geometric elements, with said second finger being distinct from said first finger;

(vi) determines that said first geometric element is said second geometric element;

(vii) includes in said first selected identity set the finger identity with which said first geometric element is associated; and

(viii) includes in said first selected identity set the finger identity with which an adjacent geometric element is associated, said adjacent geometric element being adjacent to said first geometric element in said series of geometric elements;

(ix) determines a first user request as a function of said first selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis; and

(x) reports said first user request to said host, with said first user request being a request to input a character.

186. A system according to claim 185, wherein

if said first geometric element is an end-of-series geometric element of said series of geometric elements, said adjacent geometric element is the geometric element adjacent in said series of geometric elements to said first geometric element;

and

if said first geometric element is not an end-of-series geometric element of said series of geometric elements, said adjacent geometric element is the geometric element that is adjacent in said series of geometric elements to said first geometric element nearest to a midpoint between a location in the gestured path of said first finger and a location in the gestured path of said second finger.

187. A system according to any one of claim 185 or 186, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter.

189. A non-transitory computer-readable medium carrying thereon instructions which when executed by a processor perform a method of user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set having a series of available finger identities, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a gesture level parameter, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set has a selectable parameterization that has a path parameterization and indicates a request to input a particular character, with no other gesture basis of said gesture basis set having a selectable parameterization that both has said path parameterization and indicates a request to input said particular character;

establishing a series of geometric elements, wherein said input area comprises all regions of all geometric elements of said series of geometric elements, with each geometric element of said series of geometric elements being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities having at least three finger identities and comprising all finger identities with which a geometric element of said series of geometric elements is associated;

subsequent to said step of establishing a series of geometric elements, concluding processing of a first gesture;

subsequent to said step of concluding processing of a first gesture, detecting a first selecting finger set of gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path that has an initial touch location and a final touch location, said initial touch location and said final touch location being in a geometric element that is in said input area;

determining a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set, with the geometric element that contains the initial touch location and the final touch location of the gestured path of said each finger being an isogeometric element that specifies said distinct finger identity, wherein for each finger of said first selecting finger set, (a) the geometric element that contains the initial touch location and the final touch location of the gestured path of said each finger is the region of a distinct geometric element of said series of geometric elements, and (b) said first selected identity set includes the finger identity with which said distinct geometric element is associated;

determining a first user request as a function of said first selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with a first gesture level parameter being the gesture level parameter of said first gesture basis, with the value for said first gesture level parameter indicating a second-range gesture level, and with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis; and

reporting said first user request to said host, with said first user request being a request to input a character.

190. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 189,

wherein said gesture basis set is multi-selectable within said input area on a set of linear associations;

and

wherein for each finger identity of said series of available finger identities, the region of the geometric element that is associated with said each finger identity has a length of at least 1.6 times a second-range gesture level threshold, said length being along a linear direction associated with said each finger identity in said set of linear associations.

191. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 190, wherein for each finger identity of said series of available finger identities, said length of the region of the geometric element that is associated with said each finger identity is at least 2 times said second-range gesture level threshold.

192. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 189,

wherein said gesture basis set is multi-selectable within said input area on a set of linear associations, with said set of linear associations being longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities within said input area;

wherein the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set has a simple linear direction that is associated in said set of linear associations with a distinct finger identity of said first selected identity set; and

wherein for each finger identity of said first selected identity set, the region of the geometric element that is associated with said each finger identity has a length of at least 1.6 times a second-range gesture level threshold, said length being along a linear direction associated with said each finger identity in said set of linear associations.

193. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 192, wherein for each finger identity of said first selected identity set, said length of the region of the geometric element that is associated with said each finger identity is at least 2 times said second-range gesture level threshold.

194. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 193, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for second-level margins that do not extend past geometric element region boundaries.

195. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 193, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for 20% margins that do not extend past geometric element region boundaries.

196. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 193, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for 28% margins that do not extend past geometric element region boundaries.

197. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 189,

wherein said method comprises the step of establishing at least one direction;

wherein the region form of a first geometric element of said series of geometric elements differs from the region form of a second geometric element of said series of geometric elements, with at least one difference between a property of the region form of said first geometric element and a property of the region form of said second geometric element being dependent on said at least one direction; and

wherein said first selected identity set includes the finger identity with which said first geometric element is associated.

201. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of claim 189, 198, 199 or 200, wherein said first selecting finger set comprises two fingers.

198. A non-transitory computer-readable medium carrying thereon instructions which when executed by a processor perform a method of user input on a touch-sensitive surface associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set having a series of available finger identities, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a gesture level parameter, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set has a selectable parameterization that has a path parameterization and indicates a request to input a particular character, with no other gesture basis of said gesture basis set having a selectable parameterization that both has said path parameterization and indicates a request to input said particular character;

establishing a series of regions, wherein said input area comprises all regions of said series of regions, with each region of said series of regions being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a region of said series of regions is associated;

subsequent to said step of establishing a series of regions, concluding processing of a first gesture;

subsequent to said step of concluding processing of a first gesture, detecting a first selecting finger set of no more than two gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path that has an initial touch location and a final touch location, said initial touch location and said final touch location being in a region of said series of regions;

determining a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set, with the region that contains the initial touch location and the final touch location of the gestured path of said each finger being associated with said distinct finger identity;

determining a first user request as a function of said first selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with a first gesture level parameter being the gesture level parameter of said first gesture basis, with the value for said first gesture level parameter indicating a second-range gesture level, and with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis; and

reporting said first user request to said host, with said first user request being a request to input a character.

199. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 198, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture direction parameter.

200. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 199, wherein the number of finger identities in said series of available finger identities is four.

202. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of claim 198 or 200,

wherein said gesture basis set is multi-selectable within said input area on a set of linear associations;

and

wherein for each finger identity of said series of available finger identities, the region that is associated with said each finger identity has a length of at least 2 times a second-range gesture level threshold, said length being along a linear direction associated with said each finger identity in said set of linear associations.

203. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of claim 198 or 200,

wherein said gesture basis set is multi-selectable within said input area on a set of linear associations, with said set of linear associations being longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities within said input area;

wherein the gestured path of each finger of said first selecting finger set has a simple linear direction that is associated in said set of linear associations with a distinct finger identity of said first selected identity set; and

wherein for each finger identity of said first selected identity set, the region that is associated with said each finger identity has a length of at least 2 times a second-range gesture level threshold of said first gesture level parameter, said length being along a linear direction associated with said each finger identity in said set of linear associations.

204. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 203, wherein said set of linear associations is longitudinally conformant with said series of available finger identities in said input area for second-level margins that do not extend past region boundaries.

205. A non-transitory computer-readable medium carrying thereon instructions which when executed by a processor perform a method of user input on a touch device associated with a host that interprets user requests in response to user input, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an input area that implements a non-subsumptive gesture basis set of independent gesture bases, with said gesture basis set having a series of available finger identities, and with each gesture basis of said gesture basis set including a gesture parameter selected from the group consisting of a gesture level parameter, a gesture direction parameter, and a backbrush level parameter;

establishing a series of geometric elements, wherein said input area comprises all regions of all geometric elements of said series of geometric elements, with each geometric element of said series of geometric elements being associated with a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities, and with said series of available finger identities comprising all finger identities with which a geometric element of said series of geometric elements is associated;

subsequent to said step of establishing a series of geometric elements, concluding processing of a first gesture;

subsequent to said step of concluding processing of a first gesture, detecting a first selecting finger set of at least two gesturing fingers, with each finger of said first selecting finger set having a gestured path with an initial touch location on said input area;

determining a first selected identity set comprising a distinct finger identity of said series of available finger identities for each finger of said first selecting finger set;

determining that the gestured path of a first finger of said first selecting finger set is nearest to a first geometric element of said series of geometric elements;

determining that the gestured path of a second finger of said first selecting finger set is nearest to a second geometric element of said series of geometric elements, with said second finger being distinct from said first finger;

determining that said first geometric element is said second geometric element;

including in said first selected identity set the finger identity with which said first geometric element is associated; and

including in said first selected identity set the finger identity with which an adjacent geometric element is associated, said adjacent geometric element being adjacent to said first geometric element in said series of geometric elements;

determining a first user request as a function of said first selected identity set and as a function of a value for each gesture parameter of a first gesture basis of said gesture basis set, said value for said each gesture parameter being a function of the gestured path of at least one finger of said first selecting finger set, with said first selected identity set being identical to the characteristic identity set of said first gesture basis; and

reporting said first user request to said host, with said first user request being a request to input a character.

206. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 205, wherein

if said first geometric element is an end-of-series geometric element of said series of geometric elements, said adjacent geometric element is the geometric element adjacent in said series of geometric elements to said first geometric element;

and

if said first geometric element is not an end-of-series geometric element of said series of geometric elements, said adjacent geometric element is the geometric element that is adjacent in said series of geometric elements to said first geometric element nearest to a midpoint between a location in the gestured path of said first finger and a location in the gestured path of said second finger.

207. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of claim 205 or 206, wherein each gesture basis of said gesture basis set includes a gesture level parameter.