Abstract: A method for providing a visual response to input with reduced latency in a computing device includes computing alternative sets of intermediate data for a first graphical user interface element, each alternative set of intermediate data comprising data useful to produce a visual representation of the graphical user interface element. The plurality of alternative sets of intermediate data and a set of intermediate data for a second graphical user interface element are stored in memory. The method creates an index identifying a first one of the plurality of alternative sets of intermediate data for the first graphical user interface element to use in forming a final pixel image. The index, the first set of alternative intermediate data for the graphical user interface element, and the intermediate data for the second graphical user interface element are used to create a first final pixel image for display to a user, the first final pixel image including the first and second graphical user interface elements.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system for processing user input on a device is disclosed which includes a low-latency subsystem (LLS) adapted to receive signals from an input subsystem and to selectively forward the signals to a conventional software stack. The subsystem is adapted to generate a low-latency response in response to one or more of the signals and the signals received by the subsystem comprise an input which triggers a cross-control behavior that inhibits forwarding of at least some of the signals to the conventional software stack. In another embodiment, a system for processing user input having an input subsystem is disclosed. A LLS is adapted to receive signals from the input subsystem and to generate a low-latency response in response to one or more of the signals, and to send at least one of the signals to a regular output subsystem. The LLS is configured to identify the cross-control behavior and generate a response reflecting the behavior.

Abstract: A low-latency touch sensitive device provides a method for determining a location of a touch event thereon. The touch sensitive device row conductors and column conductors, the path of each of the row conductors crossing the path of each of the column conductors. Each of a set of orthogonal row signals are simultaneously transmitted on a respective one of at least some of the row conductors and an amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal row signals present on each of the plurality of column conductors is detected. A set of orthogonal column signals are simultaneously transmitted on a respective one of at least some of the column conductors. An amount of each of the orthogonal column signals present on each of the plurality of row conductors is detected. The detected amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal row signals and the detected amount of each of the plurality of orthogonal column signals is used to determine the location of a touch event on the device.

Abstract: A touch sensitive device includes a touch interface having rows and columns, a signal generator for generating a plurality of unique orthogonal signals in a first range and having a first frequency spacing on at least a plurality of the rows, respectively, and a heterodyning frequency converter. The heterodyning frequency converter receives a signal present on a column, the signal comprising signals within the first range and having the first frequency spacing. The heterodyning frequency converter converts the signal to a heterodyned signal comprising signals in a second range and having the first frequency spacing, and outputs the heterodyned signal. A touch processor identifies touch on the touch interface at least in part by processing the heterodyned signal.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a touch sensitive device includes a touch interface having rows and columns and a signal generator for generating unique orthogonal signals on a plurality of the rows, respectively. A touch processor is identifies touch on the touch interface by processing touch signals present on the columns, and outputting a stream of touch events. A decimator receives the stream of touch events, selectively identifies one or more of the touch events in the stream and assembles information concerning one or more touch events in the stream, and outputs both the selectively identified touch events and the assembled information for use by the touch sensitive device.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a touch surface, such as a GUI is graphically divided into two or more input regions, and based on this division, input event paths from a single sensor can be integrated within an operating system to provide application developers with the ability to easily and effectively filter there-between. The graphical division allows an application developer to specify which elements of a given GUI take one path, versus another. In an embodiment, low-latency and high-latency event paths are provided; an algorithm takes into consideration input regions and, based on those regions, handles the low- and high-latency input event paths in a computer system, directing the appropriate inputs through the appropriate processing, and directing the output to the appropriate process or queue without creating constraints on the low-latency event processing due to the presence of higher-latency event paths for a given sensor.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods relate in general to the field of user input to a touch sensitive device, and in particular to user input systems and methods which can reduce the latency between a most recent input event and the displaying of a rendered frame reflecting such input.

Abstract: A system for processing user input includes an input device, an input processing unit, a high-latency subsystem, a low-latency subsystem, input processing unit software for generating signals in response to user inputs, and an output device. The low-latency subsystem processes signals corresponding to at least some events and generates corresponding programmable low-latency output, the programmable output being based, at least in part, on state information being maintained by the high-latency subsystem. The high-latency subsystem processes signals corresponding to at least some events, and generates corresponding output, the output of the high-latency subsystem being higher latency than the output of the low-latency subsystem with respect to a given event.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system for processing user input on a device is disclosed which includes a low-latency subsystem (LLS) adapted to receive signals from an input subsystem and to selectively forward the signals to a conventional software stack. The subsystem is adapted to generate a low-latency response in response to one or more of the signals and the signals received by the subsystem comprise an input which triggers a cross-control behavior that inhibits forwarding of at least some of the signals to the conventional software stack. In another embodiment, a system for processing user input having an input subsystem is disclosed. A LLS is adapted to receive signals from the input subsystem and to generate a low-latency response in response to one or more of the signals, and to send at least one of the signals to a regular output subsystem. The LLS is configured to identify the cross-control behavior and generate a response reflecting the behavior.

Abstract: A touch sensitive device includes a touch interface having rows and columns, a signal generator for generating a plurality of unique orthogonal signals on at least a plurality of the rows, respectively, and a frequency converter. The frequency converter receives a first touch signal present on at least one of the plurality of columns, converts the first touch signal to a second signal having a second center frequency, and outputs the second signal. A touch processor is identifies touch on the touch interface by processing the second signal having the second center frequency and outputting touch event data.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a latency measuring head is provided for use in measuring touch-to-response latency in a test device, the test device including a capacitive user interface that responds to touch input. The latency measuring head includes a conductive element adapted to be positioned in static proximity with and/or in contact with the capacitive user interface. An electron sink is operatively connected to the conductive element via a normally open switch having an open and a closed position. The electron sink has capacity to hold or dissipate a sufficient charge to trigger a touch event on the test device when the switch is closed. A photosensitive element is positioned in static proximity with and/or in contact with the capacitive user interface such that the photosensitive element can output a signal in response to a change in an optical property of at least a portion of the capacitive user interface.

Abstract: A system for processing user input with reduced control response latency includes an input device, an input processing unit, a high-latency subsystem, a low-latency subsystem, input processing unit software for generating signals, and an output device. The low-latency subsystem receives the signals and generates low-latency output and the high-latency subsystem processes the signals and generates high-latency output. In an embodiment, the signals comprise an identification of a defined cross-control behavior.

Abstract: Disclosed are styli having an elongated body for use in connection with a touch-sensitive device, wherein the touch-sensitive device generates touch detection signals proximate to its surface. In an embodiment, the stylus comprises a nib having one or more nib components adapted to interact with the touch detection signals present on the touch surface, and one or more variable circuits operatively connecting the one or more nib components to the stylus body or other source of environmental ground. In an embodiment, the stylus has a nib comprising a plurality of nib components adapted to interact with the touch detection signals present on the touch surface; each of the plurality of nib components are insulated from each other, except for a variable circuit variably connecting at least two of the plurality of nib components.

Abstract: A touch sensitive device, comprising touch interface comprising rows and columns, a signal generator for generating a plurality of unique orthogonal signals on at least a plurality of the rows, respectively, capacitive sensors on at least a plurality of the columns for sensing changes in the amount of capacitive coupling between the rows and the columns on the touch interface, and a touch processor for identifying a pressure of touch on the touch interface by processing the amount of pressure applied to the touch interface based on the capacitive coupling. Methods for inferring contact pressure, calculating an inferred touch pressure, and calculating a single gradient value are also presented.

Abstract: Disclosed are a touch sensitive device and corresponding method that utilizes distance fields for frame matching. The device includes a touch interface having row conductors and column conductors. A row signal generator transmits a row signal on at least one of the row conductors. A touch processor is used to process column signals from data received on at least one of the column conductors. The touch processor is configured to use discrete values from the column signals to compute a distance field function and store a representation of a distance field grid for a current frame, use the representation of the distance field grid to determine data representing a state change, and use the data representing a state change to match at least one touch location from a previous frame to at least one touch location in the current frame.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a touch sensitive device includes touch interface having rows and columns and a signal generator for generating unique orthogonal signals on a plurality of the rows, respectively. A touch processor identifies touch on the touch interface by processing touch signals present on the columns, and outputting a stream of touch events. A decimator receives the stream of touch events including information as to a pressure of the touch event or the contact area of the touch event, selectively identifies one or more of the touch events in the stream, and outputs a modified stream of touch events for use by the touch sensitive device.

Abstract: A system and method for determining location of a touch event on or in proximity to a touch sensitive device is disclosed. The touch sensitive device includes row conductors and column conductors that each only transmit or receive signals during a given frame. Each of the orthogonal row signals is transmitted on a respective one of at least some of the row conductors. Signals are received on each of the column conductors an amount of each of the row signals present on each of the plurality of column conductors is detected. Orthogonal column signals are transmitted on the column conductors. Signals are received on each of the row conductors and an amount of each of the orthogonal column signals present on each of the row conductors is detected. The detected amount of each of the orthogonal row signals and the detected amount of each of the orthogonal column signals is used to determine a location of a touch event on or in proximity to the touch sensitive device.

Abstract: A system for processing user input includes an input device, an input processing unit, a high-latency subsystem, a low-latency subsystem, input processing unit software for generating signals in response to user inputs, and an output device. The low-latency subsystem receives the signals and generates low-latency output and the high-latency subsystem processes the signals and generates high-latency output.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for utilizing a module running in an operating system to enable communication with decreased latency between a source of input event data and one or more user application processes awaiting input events in a computing device. The module receives a notification that a frame of input event data from a source of input event data is ready to be read. In response, the module reads the frame of input event data from a communication channel such as a named pipe, loads the frame of input event data into a buffer, or into a memory of a dedicated processing unit, and generates a notification to the user application process, thereby causing the user application process to read the frame of input event data from the buffer.

Abstract: Disclosed are touch sensitive devices and methods of responding to hits in touch sensitive devices that include a graphical user interface having interface elements, each associated with a program element. A hit test map updater is used to process graphical user interface information into a hit test map in connection with the rendering of the graphical user interface, such that the hit test map associates properties with interface elements appearing on the graphical user interface. An input processor is used to receive a location corresponding to an input in connection with an input event, search the hit test map in which values are associated with interface elements appearing in the graphical user interface, and identify a property of the interface element from the values. In an embodiment, the identified property is proved to a central processing system and a user interface event is generated.