Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining an intended gesture-based input command from an incomplete gesture-based input command that is supplied to a gesture-based touch screen display that includes at least a touch sensitive region includes receiving an incomplete gesture-based input command on the touch sensitive region of the gesture-based touch screen device, the incomplete gesture-based input command including a gesture profile and a gesture direction. Gesture signals that include data representative of the gesture profile and the gesture direction are generated in response to the input command. The gesture signals are processed in a processor to predict the intended gesture-based input command. The intended gesture-based command is retrieved, with the processor, from an electronically stored standard gesture library.

Abstract: A flight deck communication system comprises a speech engine for receiving a pilot's speech input and an aural annunciation manager. A smart pilot is coupled to the speech engine and to the aural annunciation manager and configured to (a) generate new aural message annunciation requests, (b) determine if the pilot is engaged in an active speech input task, (c) deferring annunciation if the message is not a high priority message, (d) annunciate the deferred message when the active speech input task is completed, (e) annunciate the received message substantially immediately if the message is a high priority message, and (f) store the progress of the active task.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for analyzing the movement of an object. The system is comprised of a sensor that is coupled to a processor that is configured to generate a volume that corresponds to a predefined area and the location of the object. The sensor detects the movement of the object and determines if the object's movement is within the volume. If the movement is within the volume, then an information channel is created between the volume and the user defined algorithm. The movement is then compared with the requirements of the user defined algorithm and accepted if the movement meets the requirements. Otherwise, the object's movement is discarded if the movement is not within the volume or does not meet the requirements of the user defined algorithm.

Abstract: A virtual keyboard for display on an avionics touch screen display comprises a first cluster of alphabetically sequential keys and a second cluster including alphabetically sequential keys, the second cluster separated from the first cluster. The virtual keyboard further comprises at least one visual marker between the first and second clusters.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for employing a hover gesture controller to reduce inadvertent interactions with a touch screen. The hover gesture controller recognizes the user's interaction intentionality before physical contact is made with the touch screen. This reduces inadvertent user interactions and offloads a portion of computation cost involved in post touch intentionality reorganization. The hover gesture controller utilizes a touch screen interface onboard an aircraft coupled to a processor and configured to (a) detect a weighted hover interaction; and (b) compare the weighted hover interaction to a threshold value to determine if a subsequent touch is acceptable.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for correcting gesture-based input commands supplied by a user to a gesture-based touch screen display include using one or more sensors to detect that at least one of the touch screen display or the user is being subjected to an instability. Corrections to gesture-based input commands supplied to the touch screen display by the user are at least selectively supplied, in a processor, based upon the detected instability.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a touch screen whose input is less influenced by turbulence, G forces, and/or equipment vibrations. A method of selecting one of a plurality of buttons displayed on a touch screen includes preventing buttons within a first portion of the touch screen from registering a touch; placing a portion of a hand on the first portion; and touching one of the plurality of buttons on a second portion of the touch screen.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for employing an intelligent stencil mask to interact with a touch screen interface and thereby reduce the probability of accidental control function activation. A touch screen interface onboard an aircraft is coupled to a processor and is configured to generate a first virtual mask having a first region and a second region. A user interaction is then detected with one of the first region and the second region. A first reconfigured virtual mask is generated if the user interacted with the second region. However, an aircraft control function is activated if the user interacted with the first region.

Abstract: Selected adaptive touch screen key pad characters not existing in a list of possible available character strings are removed from the touch screen key pad and the space occupied by the remaining characters on the key pad and their character size (font) are enlarged, making their recognition and selection by a user much easier. The method includes detecting selection of a button displaying at least one of the selectable characters; creating at least one character substring, one for each of the one or more selectable characters displayed on the selected button; identifying selectable characters on the touch screen not included in the one or more character strings; removing the identified selectable characters from the touch screen; and enlarging the selectable characters remaining on the touch screen.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting the inadvertent touch of a user interface element on a touch screen. An analog signal stream associated with a touch sensor parameter is converted into a plurality of real-time, discrete signal stream packets. At least one of a plurality of modes for analyzing the discrete signal stream packets is selected, and the discrete signal stream packets are processed in accordance with the rules of the selected mode to determine if the user interface element has been inadvertently touched.

Abstract: A system and method of protecting one or more objects rendered on a display device from being observed by an unwanted viewer. A primary object is rendered on the display device, and a privacy protection object is simultaneously rendered over at least a portion of the primary object. At least a portion of the privacy protection object is rendered with a color saturation value, a transparency value, and a phase delay relative to the primary object such that the portion of the primary object over which the privacy protection object is rendered is visibly obscured to a viewer that is located greater than a predetermined viewing distance from the display device and beyond a predetermined field of view of the display device.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for improving touch utility on a touch screen display user interface providing a rule-based mask that enables or limits a function in a way that allows a user or developer to enhance precision or efficiency of input, or to create a unique modality of input. A method of touch-based user interaction with a touch screen device includes providing a virtual mask overlaying one or more of a plurality of virtual objects on the touch screen device and defining a mask area, sensing a touch within the mask area, the touch generating a touch data signal, and applying one or more combination of interaction, graphical rendering and/or visual feedback rules to the touch data signal and graphical objects. The interaction, graphical rendering and visual feedback rules can exist individually or in combination.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for correcting gesture-based input commands supplied by a user to a gesture-based touch screen display include using one or more sensors to detect that at least one of the touch screen display or the user is being subjected to an instability. Corrections to gesture-based input commands supplied to the touch screen display by the user are at least selectively supplied, in a processor, based upon the detected instability.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining an intended gesture-based input command from an incomplete gesture-based input command that is supplied to a gesture-based touch screen display that includes at least a touch sensitive region includes receiving an incomplete gesture-based input command on the touch sensitive region of the gesture-based touch screen device, the incomplete gesture-based input command including a gesture profile and a gesture direction. Gesture signals that include data representative of the gesture profile and the gesture direction are generated in response to the input command. The gesture signals are processed in a processor to predict the intended gesture-based input command. The intended gesture-based command is retrieved, with the processor, from an electronically stored standard gesture library.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a touch screen whose input is less influenced by turbulence, G forces, and/or equipment vibrations. A method of selecting one of a plurality of buttons displayed on a touch screen includes preventing buttons within a first portion of the touch screen from registering a touch; placing a portion of a hand on the first portion; and touching one of the plurality of buttons on a second portion of the touch screen.

Abstract: Selected adaptive touch screen key pad characters not existing in a list of possible available character strings are removed from the touch screen key pad and the space occupied by the remaining characters on the key pad and their character size (font) are enlarged, making their recognition and selection by a user much easier. The method includes detecting selection of a button displaying at least one of the selectable characters; creating at least one character substring, one for each of the one or more selectable characters displayed on the selected button; identifying selectable characters on the touch screen not included in the one or more character strings; removing the identified selectable characters from the touch screen; and enlarging the selectable characters remaining on the touch screen.

Abstract: A mobile device including: a display for displaying information; a processor for controlling software and firmware operation; a keypad for entering data to the processor comprising an array of alpha keys for alpha data entry and an array of numeric keys for numeric data entry, wherein entry of alpha data does not require use of numeric keys and numeric data does not require use of alpha keys, the keypad comprising: a first cell of alpha keys to be actuated by the left thumb of an operator, the first cell of alpha keys comprised of more than one essentially linear row of alpha keys; a second cell of alpha keys to be actuated by the right thumb of an operator, the second cell of alpha keys comprised of more than one essentially linear row of alpha keys.