Classifying the intent of user input

• US 9,098,117 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2012
• Issued: 08/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Lutz, Moshe R., Dietz, Paul Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Hicks, Charles V
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZHENG, CHARLES H
• Application Number:
  US13/651,232
• Publication Number:
  US 20130229347A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-178, 702/41
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/1064 with a coil spring perpendicular to the pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/08 with springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/46 Magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1618 the display being foldable up to the back of the other housing with a single degree of freedom, e.g. by 360° rotation over the axis defined by the rear edge of the base enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3089 Monitoring arrangements determined by the means or processing involved in sensing the monitored data, e.g. interfaces, connectors, sensors, probes, agents software debugging using additional hardware using a specific debug interface G06F11/3656; performance evaluation by tracing or monitoring G06F11/3466
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 : Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 : Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 : Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 : Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 : using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 : Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 : via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 : Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 : with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 : characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/704 : characterised by the layers, e.g. by their material or structure H01H13/703 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/78 : characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 : characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/79 : characterised by the form of the contacts, e.g. interspersed fingers or helical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 : characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/82 : characterised by contact space venting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 : Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/02 : Interspersed fingers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/036 : to solve particular problems
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/058 : Contact area function of position on layered keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/006 : mounted on spacer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/004 : Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/006 : Individual areas
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2213/016 : in adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/004 : Larger or different actuating area
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/006 : Different feeling for different switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/01 : Off centre actuation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/032 : Operating force
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/26 : for interlocking two or more switches H01H13/568 takes precedence; by a detachable member H01H9/28 ; for electromagnetic relays H01H50/323
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 : Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 : using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 : comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 : by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 : Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0234 : Feet; Stands; Pedestals, e.g. wheels for moving casing on floor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

Different types of user inputs can be input by a user via a keyboard of an input device. These different types of user inputs include, for example, key strikes, multi-touch interactions, single finger motions, and/or mouse clicks. Touch information regarding the pressure applied to the keys of a pressure sensitive keyboard over time (or the contact area of the user input for other types of keyboards over time) is used to classify the intent of the user input as one of the various types of user inputs.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

obtaining force information regarding a particular single touch user input to a common input area of an input device, the force information indicating pressure applied by the particular single touch user input;

analyzing the force information to classify an intent of the particular single touch user input as one of two intents, the two intents comprising a key strike and a mouse click, the analyzing including defining an initial impact time duration beginning when pressure applied as the particular single touch user input rises to a start threshold amount, and ending when the pressure applied as the particular single touch user input drops to a local minimum or a stop threshold amount;

classifying the intent of the particular single touch user input as a key strike in response to the particular single touch user input comprising a sharp rise in force followed by a sharp decrease in force, the sharp rise and the sharp decrease in force occurring during the initial impact time duration; and

classifying the intent of the particular single touch user input as a mouse click in response to the force information conforming to characteristics of a mouse click.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, the input device comprising multiple pressure sensors that receive the particular single touch user input, and the obtaining comprising obtaining force information from the multiple pressure sensors.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, the input device comprising an input device that is physically separate from and communicatively removable from a computing device.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, the analyzing comprising analyzing the force information to automatically classify the intent of the user in the absence of another option or button selection by the user to indicate the intent of the user.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, the classifying the intent of the particular single touch user input as a key strike comprising classifying the intent of the particular single touch user input as a key strike only if the initial impact time duration is within a particular time range.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, the analyzing including defining an additional time duration beginning when pressure applied as the particular single touch user input rises to the start threshold amount, and ending when the pressure applied as the particular single touch user input drops to an additional stop threshold amount, and identifying a maximum force applied as the particular single touch user input during the additional time duration, and the classifying the intent of the particular single touch user input as a mouse click comprising classifying the intent of the particular single touch user input as a mouse click only if the maximum force applied as the particular single touch user input during the additional time duration is applied at least a threshold amount of time after the beginning of the additional time duration.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, the pressure applied as the particular single touch user input rising to a local maximum force during the initial impact time duration, and the sharp rise in force followed by the sharp decrease in force comprising the pressure applied as the particular single touch user input rising to the local maximum force within a threshold amount of time of the beginning of the initial impact time duration, and the pressure applied as the particular single touch user input at the ending of the initial impact time duration being less than a particular percentage of the local maximum force.

8. A method implemented in a pressure sensitive keyboard input device, the method comprising:

obtaining, at the pressure sensitive keyboard input device, force information regarding a particular single touch user input to the pressure sensitive keyboard input device, the force information identifying pressure applied by the particular single touch user input over time; and

automatically distinguishing, based on the force information, between two possible intents of the particular single touch user input, the two possible intents of the particular single touch user input being a key strike and a mouse click, the automatically distinguishing including;

defining an initial impact time duration beginning when pressure applied as the particular single touch user input rises to a start threshold amount, and ending when the pressure applied as the particular single touch user input drops to a local minimum or a stop threshold amount, the pressure applied as the particular single touch user input rising to a local maximum force during the initial impact time duration, and

classifying the intent of the particular single touch user input as a key strike in response to both the pressure applied as the particular single touch user input rising to the local maximum within a threshold amount of time of the beginning of the initial impact time duration, and the pressure applied as the particular single touch user input at the ending of the initial impact time duration being less than a particular percentage of the local maximum force.

9. A method as recited in claim 8, the pressure sensitive keyboard input device comprising an input device that is physically separate from and communicatively removable from a computing device.

10. A method as recited in claim 8, the automatically distinguishing comprising automatically distinguishing between the two possible intents of the particular single touch user input in the absence of another option or button selection by the user to indicate the intent of the user.

11. A method as recited in claim 8, the classifying the intent of the particular single touch user input as a key strike further comprising classifying the intent of the particular single touch user input as a key strike only if the initial impact time duration is within a particular time range.

12. A method as recited in claim 8, the automatically distinguishing further including:

defining an additional time duration beginning when pressure applied as the particular single touch user input rises to the start threshold amount, and ending when the pressure applied as the particular single touch user input drops to an additional stop threshold amount;

identifying a maximum force applied as the particular single touch user input during the additional time duration; and

classifying the intent of the particular single touch user input as a mouse click in response to the maximum force applied as the particular single touch user input during the additional time duration being applied at least a threshold amount of time after the beginning of the additional time duration.

13. An apparatus comprising:

an input device configured to obtain force information regarding a particular single touch user input to a common input area of the input device, the force information indicating pressure applied by the particular single touch user input; and

one or more modules implementing operations including;

analyzing the force information to classify an intent of the particular single touch user input as one of two intents, the two intents comprising a key strike and a mouse click, the analyzing including defining an initial impact time duration beginning when pressure applied as the particular single touch user input rises to a start threshold amount, and ending when the pressure applied as the particular single touch user input drops to a local minimum or a stop threshold amount,

classifying the intent of the particular single touch user input as a key strike in response to the particular single touch user input comprising a sharp rise in force followed by a sharp decrease in force, the sharp rise and the sharp decrease in force occurring during the initial impact time duration, and

classifying the intent of the particular single touch user input as a mouse click in response to the force information conforming to characteristics of a mouse click.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, the pressure applied as the particular single touch user input rising to a local maximum force during the initial impact time duration, and the sharp rise in force followed by the sharp decrease in force comprising the pressure applied as the particular single touch user input rising to the local maximum force within a threshold amount of time of the beginning of the initial impact time duration, and the pressure applied as the particular single touch user input at the ending of the initial impact time duration being less than a particular percentage of the local maximum force.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 14, the particular percentage of the local maximum force varying based on whether the local maximum force occurred within an additional threshold amount of time of the beginning of the initial impact time duration.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, the input device comprising multiple pressure sensors that receive the particular single touch user input and that are configured to obtain the force information.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, the input device comprising an input device that is physically separate from and communicatively removable from a computing device.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, the analyzing comprising analyzing the force information to automatically classify the intent of the user in the absence of another option or button selection by the user to indicate the intent of the user.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, the classifying the intent of the particular single touch user input as a key strike comprising classifying the intent of the particular single touch user input as a key strike only if the initial impact time duration is within a particular time range.

20. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, the analyzing including defining an additional time duration beginning when pressure applied as the particular single touch user input rises to the start threshold amount, and ending when the pressure applied as the particular single touch user input drops to an additional stop threshold amount, and identifying a maximum force applied as the particular single touch user input during the additional time duration, and the classifying the intent of the particular single touch user input as a mouse click comprising classifying the intent of the particular single touch user input as a mouse click only if the maximum force applied as the particular single touch user input during the additional time duration is applied at least a threshold amount of time after the beginning of the additional time duration.