Abstract: Each touch point placed on a multi-touch display device is matched with a contact point on a surface of a three-dimensional object displayed on the multi-touch display device. A three-dimensional transformation of the object is calculated by a solver using an algorithm that reduces deviation between projected two-dimensional locations of the three-dimensional contact points after object transformation and two dimensional locations of their matching touch points. The solver, in calculating the three-dimensional transformation, assigns a weighting value to each touch point to distribute an aggregate amount of deviation calculated by the solver among the touch points such that a magnitude of the deviation between the projected two-dimensional location of one of the contact points and that of its matching touch point is different from a magnitude of the deviation between the projected two dimensional location of another contact point and that of its matching touch point.

Abstract: Methods and systems for interfacing with multi-point input devices employ various techniques for controlling displayed images, including 2D and 3D image translation, scale/zoom, rotation control and globe axis tilt control. Various techniques employ three or more simultaneous inputs, changes in characteristics of those inputs, and pressure sensing, among other things.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing a cleaned signal in a capacitive touch sensor. A phase of periodic noise on an input of the capacitive touch sensor is determined, and a periodic excitation signal having a phase that is locked to the determined phase of the periodic noise is generated. The periodic excitation signal is applied to an excited conductor in a first array of the touch sensor. While the excitation signal is applied, a response signal on a responding conductor in a second array of the touch sensor is detected, and, based on the detected response signal, a value indicative of a measured capacitance between the excited conductor and the responding conductor is generated. A threshold value is accessed, and a determination is made whether the response signal corresponds to a touch based on a difference between the value and the threshold value.

Abstract: A method implemented on the graphical user interface device to invoke an independent, user-localized menu in an application environment, by making a predetermined gesture with a pointing device on an arbitrary part of a display screen or surface, especially when applied in a multi-touch, multi-user environment, and in environments where multiple concurrent pointing devices are present. As an example, the user may trace out a closed loop of a specific size that invokes a default system menu at any location on the surface, even when a second user may be operating a different portion of the system elsewhere on the same surface. As an additional aspect of the invention, the method allows the user to smoothly transition between the menu-invocation and menu control.

Abstract: High-resolution, scalable multi-touch sensing display systems and processes based on frustrated total internal reflection employ an optical waveguide that receives light, such as infrared light, that undergoes total internal reflection and an imaging sensor that detects light that escapes the optical waveguide caused by frustration of the total internal reflection due to contact by a user. The optical waveguide when fitted with a compliant surface overlay provides superior sensing performance, as well as other benefits and features. The systems and processes described provide true multi-touch (multi-input) and high-spatial and temporal resolution capability due to the continuous imaging of the frustrated total internal reflection that escapes the entire optical waveguide. Among other features and benefits, the systems and processes are scalable to large installations.

Abstract: Techniques for disambiguating touch data and determining user assignment of touch points detected by a touch sensor are described. The techniques leverage both user-specific touch data projected onto axes and non-user-specific touch data captured over a complete area.

Abstract: Techniques for disambiguating touch data and determining user assignment of touch points detected by a touch sensor are described. The techniques leverage both user-specific touch data projected onto axes and non-user-specific touch data captured over a complete area.

Abstract: High-resolution, scalable multi-touch sensing display systems and processes based on frustrated total internal reflection employ an optical waveguide that receives light, such as infrared light, that undergoes total internal reflection and an imaging sensor that detects light that escapes the optical waveguide caused by frustration of the total internal reflection due to contact by a user. The optical waveguide when fitted with a compliant surface overlay provides superior sensing performance, as well as other benefits and features. The systems and processes described provide true multi-touch (multi-input) and high-spatial and temporal resolution capability due to the continuous imaging of the frustrated total internal reflection that escapes the entire optical waveguide. Among other features and benefits, the systems and processes are scalable to large installations.

Abstract: First and second objects are displayed on a pressure-sensitive touch-screen display device. Contact with the display device by an input mechanism is detected in a region corresponding to empty space. The movement of the input mechanism is tracked while it remains in contact with the display device. Movement of the input mechanism is detected as it moves to a point along the boundary of the second displayed object. In response, the pressure applied to the display device by the input mechanism is sensed. It is determined that the sensed pressure exceeds a threshold pressure value. Movement of the input mechanism is then detected as it moves to a new position on the display device. As a consequence of detecting the movement of the input mechanism to the new position and determining that the sensed pressure exceeds the threshold pressure value, a fold operation is applied to the second displayed object.

Abstract: Dynamic registration of event handlers in a computer application or operating system recognizes multiple synchronous input streams by identifying each new stroke in a frame representing a single moment in time and mapping in a registration process each identified new stroke to a listening process that is associated with the user interface element to which the new input stream is to be applied. In the same frame, released strokes are unmapped and then each active listening process is called to carry out a respective control operation. When called, the strokes have the correct data for the given frame. The process is repeated for subsequent frames. By carrying out various processes in a sequence of frames, the concept of concurrency is preserved, which is particularly beneficial to multi-touch and multi-user systems.

Abstract: Dynamic registration of event handlers in a computer application or operating system recognizes multiple synchronous input streams by identifying each new stroke in a frame representing a single moment in time and mapping in a registration process each identified new stroke to a listening process that is associated with the user interface element to which the new input stream is to be applied. In the same frame, released strokes are unmapped and then each active listening process is called to carry out a respective control operation. When called, the strokes have the correct data for the given frame. The process is repeated for subsequent frames. By carrying out various processes in a sequence of frames, the concept of concurrency is preserved, which is particularly beneficial to multi-touch and multi-user systems.

Abstract: Dynamic registration of event handlers in a computer application or operating system recognizes multiple synchronous input streams by identifying each new stroke in a frame representing a single moment in time and mapping in a registration process each identified new stroke to a listening process that is associated with the user interface element to which the new input stream is to be applied. In the same frame, released strokes are unmapped and then each active listening process is called to carry out a respective control operation. When called, the strokes have the correct data for the given frame. The process is repeated for subsequent frames. By carrying out various processes in a sequence of frames, the concept of concurrency is preserved, which is particularly beneficial to multi-touch and multi-user systems.

Abstract: A method implemented on the graphical user interface device to invoke an independent, user-localized menu in an application environment, by making a predetermined gesture with a pointing device on an arbitrary part of a display screen or surface, especially when applied in a multi-touch, multi-user environment, and in environments where multiple concurrent pointing devices are present. As an example, the user may trace out a closed loop of a specific size that invokes a default system menu at any location on the surface, even when a second user may be operating a different portion of the system elsewhere on the same surface. As an additional aspect of the invention, the method allows the user to smoothly transition between the menu-invocation and menu control.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system for processing gesture inputs on a touch screen display. The system receives a gesture input on the touch screen display. When the gesture is recognized as invoking an annotation canvas, the system determines the height, width and location of an annotation canvas, and displays the annotation canvas on the touch screen display. Then, in response to an input gesture within the annotation canvas, the system recognizes the gesture as an annotation gesture, and executes the annotation gesture. In response to receiving an input gesture outside of the annotation canvas, the gesture is interpreted by the system as a navigation input.

Abstract: High-resolution, scalable multi-touch sensing display systems and processes based on frustrated total internal reflection employ an optical waveguide that receives light, such as infrared light, that undergoes total internal reflection and an imaging sensor that detects light that escapes the optical waveguide caused by frustration of the total internal reflection due to contact by a user. The optical waveguide when fitted with a compliant surface overlay provides superior sensing performance, as well as other benefits and features. The systems and processes described provide true multi-touch (multi-input) and high-spatial and temporal resolution capability due to the continuous imaging of the frustrated total internal reflection that escapes the entire optical waveguide. Among other features and benefits, the systems and processes are scalable to large installations.

Abstract: Systems are described for transmitting and receiving signals in an active stylus for a capacitive touch sensor, for which the systems have at least one circuit for receiving a current from an electrode and for transmitting a voltage onto the electrode. The systems include components for receiving the current in a receiving mode, a switch, and a switchmode power supply circuit having at least a transformer and a diode, for which the diode is coupled to the transformer. In a transmission mode, there is means for electrically isolating at least some of the components configured for receiving the current in the receiving mode from the voltage formed across the stray capacitance. In the receiving mode, there is a means for electrically isolating at least some of the components configured for receiving the current in the receiving mode from an inductance of the transformer in the switchmode power supply circuit.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus relate to capacitive touch sensors with a fine-pointed, active stylus. The active stylus is configured to receive a signal from the capacitive touch sensor for synchronizing a time base of the stylus with the capacitive touch sensor. The active stylus is configured to receive a signal from a matrix of the capacitive touch sensor to measure a first position along one axis, and transmit a signal from the single electrode of the stylus to the matrix to indicate a second position of the stylus along another axis of the matrix. The stylus can transmit the received signal to report the first position of the stylus.

Abstract: High-resolution multi-touch sensor and display device where the interaction medium is liquid, enabling more realistic tactile experience for simulations of synthetic wet environments. Based on frustrated total internal reflection, the device employs liquid within a tank as the optical waveguide that receives light, such as infrared light, that undergoes total internal reflection and an imaging camera that detects light that escapes from the tank caused by frustration of the total internal reflection due to contact of the water by a user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus relate to touch sensors that are configured to measure a true capacitive touch and a force applied to the sensor from a user. Some implementations involve the measurement of force and true capacitive touch simultaneously in a touch capacitive sensor.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for digital signal processing (DSP) techniques for generally improving a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of capacitive touch sensors.