Abstract: A method extracts information from a signal, the signal having properties which vary with respect to time. The signal includes a finite number of component signals, the component signals in combination defining the signal. The method analyzes the signal to determine the component signals. The signal analysis includes defining a signal analysis sample interval, the signal analysis sample interval being within a boundary, wherein at least one component signal is included within the signal analysis sample interval. The method transforms the signal over the signal analysis sample interval using a transform method to produce a transform of the signal consisting of transform coefficients. The method fits a function having real and imaginary parameters to a number of transform coefficients to determine a best fit function within the signal analysis sample interval. A mathematical operation performed on the best fit function yields parameter information within the signal analysis sample interval.

Abstract: A method extracts information from a signal, the signal having properties which vary with respect to time. The signal includes a finite number of component signals, the component signals in combination defining the signal. The method analyzes the signal to determine the component signals. The signal analysis includes defining a signal analysis sample interval, the signal analysis sample interval being within a boundary, wherein at least one component signal is included within the signal analysis sample interval. The method transforms the signal over the signal analysis sample interval using a transform method to produce a transform of the signal consisting of transform coefficients. The method fits a function having real and imaginary parameters to a number of transform coefficients to determine a best fit function within the signal analysis sample interval. A mathematical operation performed on the best fit function yields parameter information within the signal analysis sample interval.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optically determining the direction of an object, such as a pointer, relative to an imaging system, particularly systems where triangulation is employed to determine the location of a pointer within a generally planar viewing field, such as a touch screen. Rather than employing focused imaging systems to produce a sharp image at the plane of a photodetector, and to thus define the visual pen for finger position, a deliberately diffuse or blurred image is employed. The diffusion produces a characteristic "bell-shaped" or Gaussian intensity distribution. By recognizing the characteristic intensity distribution, the position of the maximum intensity, and thus the direction of the object, can be determined to a small fraction of the distance between sample points, with an accordingly much higher resolution than focused systems.

Abstract: A resistor electrode type of gradient sheet for a touch sensor having reduced ripple and bow of equipotential lines along edges and in the corners of the sensor. Orthogonal electrical fields are produced on a resistive surface so as to give coordinates of a selected position. T-shaped electrodes of a selected effective length and spacing are attached to the resistive surface, the length and spacing selected to substantially eliminate the bow of the equipotential fields. Each electrode is connected to a selected connection point along a resistor chain positioned along each edge of the resistive surface to provide selected voltages to the surface. Preferably, each resistance chain is made up of at least one resistance unit between each electrode connection point, with each unit formed of a pair of spaced-apart conductive lines applied to the resistive surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for creating a virtual push button comprise a touch sensitive orthogonal data field input device useably connected within a computing system in which a touch action at the device generates a stream of data related to the location within the field of the touch action. The orthogonal data field input device includes circuitry for sensing the onset of a first touch action and for monitoring the continuity thereof; and the computing system including a second condition sensor for sensing the occurrence of a second predetermined condition; and, computing circuitry for generating the virtual push button upon the concurrence of touch action continuation and the occurrence of the second predetermined condition.