Abstract: The techniques disclosed herein implement a centralized lighting module configured to control a diverse set of lighting-enabled peripheral devices. The set of lighting-enabled peripheral devices is diverse with respect to a type and a manufacturer. The lighting module is referred to as a centralized lighting module because the lighting module is part of an operating system of a computing device. Consequently, a user of the computing device no longer has to download and learn to use multiple different lighting applications if the user wants to create a diverse lighting ecosystem in which lighting-enabled peripheral devices from different manufacturers are connected to the computing device. Similarly, a developer of a computing application no longer has to engage and interact with multiple application programming interfaces (APIs) and software development kits (SDKs) if the developer wants users of their computing application to be able to create a diverse lighting ecosystem.

Abstract: The described embodiments allow for the association of an interaction with a target in a display. One embodiment includes detecting an interaction with an area associated with a graphical element in a display, detecting a later interaction displaced from the area, and associating the later interaction with a target in the display based at least on the time between the interaction with the area and the later interaction. User interactions with one or more displayed hit targets are based on corresponding time-varying hit zones. In response to unlimited user interaction with a hit target, subsequent user selections are validated based on a time-varying hit zone that is typically extended with respect to the previously selected hit target. The extended selection zone can overlap one or more other hit targets to favor re-selection of the individually selected hit target. The extended selection zone generally decreases as a function of time from prior selections of a hit zone.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for providing feedback and guidance to touch screen device users to improve the text entry user experience and performance. According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a text entry, receiving input on a touch screen in the form of a first single touch input located over a word of previously entered text, and presenting the user with one or more suggestion candidates indicated possible replacement words related to the selected word. The user can then select one of the suggestion candidates using a second single touch input to replace the selected word with a word associated with the selected suggestion candidate.

Abstract: Quick tasks for on-screen keyboards are described in which an on-screen keyboard supports a plurality of quick tasks configured to edit selected text in defined ways. Quick task functions may be assigned to keys of the on-screen keyboard in addition to the default actions or “normal” character entry functions of the keys. During text input, the keys operate normally to perform a function related to character entry, such as to cause input of corresponding text character. When text is selected or in other designated interaction scenarios, operation of a key associated with a quick task may automatically trigger the quick task to modify selected text in a corresponding way. Thus, the same key of an on-screen keyboard may be employed to initiate a function related to character entry or apply of a quick task to text depending upon the interaction scenario.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing feedback and guidance to touch screen device users to improve text entry user experience and performance by generating input history data including character probabilities, word probabilities, and touch models. According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving first input data, automatically learning user tendencies based on the first input data to generate input history data, receiving second input data, and generating auto-corrections or suggestion candidates for one or more words of the second input data based on the input history data. The user can then select one of the suggestion candidates to replace a selected word with the selected suggestion candidate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for providing feedback and guidance to touch screen device users to improve the text entry user experience and performance. According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a text entry, receiving input on a touch screen in the form of a first single touch input located over a word of previously entered text, and presenting the user with one or more suggestion candidates indicated possible replacement words related to the selected word. The user can then select one of the suggestion candidates using a second single touch input to replace the selected word with a word associated with the selected suggestion candidate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing feedback and guidance to touch screen device users to improve text entry user experience and performance by generating input history data including character probabilities, word probabilities, and touch models. According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving first input data, automatically learning user tendencies based on the first input data to generate input history data, receiving second input data, and generating auto-corrections or suggestion candidates for one or more words of the second input data based on the input history data. The user can then select one of the suggestion candidates to replace a selected word with the selected suggestion candidate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for providing feedback and guidance to touch screen device users to improve the text entry user experience and performance. According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a text entry, receiving input on a touch screen in the form of a first single touch input located over a word of previously entered text, and presenting the user with one or more suggestion candidates indicated possible replacement words related to the selected word. The user can then select one of the suggestion candidates using a second single touch input to replace the selected word with a word associated with the selected suggestion candidate.

Abstract: A facility for processing textual input generated with a user input device described. In one example facility, the facility stores the textual input in a first data structure contained in the address space of a first process. The facility synchronizes contents of the first data structure to a second data structure contained in the address space of a second process distinct from the first process, an application executing in the second process being configured to consume textual input synchronized to the second data structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating with a handheld device (e.g., a cellular telephone) is provided herein. A protective shroud is configured to enclose the handheld device and protect it against incidents that commonly cause damage to handheld devices. Integral to the protective shroud is at least one of an input component configured to receive user input and a wireless transceiver configured to transmit signals to and/or receive signals from the handheld device. In one example, where both the input component and the wireless transceiver are integral to the protective shroud, signals related to received user input (e.g., where the shroud serves as a keypad) may be transmitted to the handheld device even if the protective shroud is removed from the handheld device.

Abstract: The described embodiments allow for the association of an interaction with a target in a display. One embodiment includes detecting an interaction with an area associated with a graphical element in a display, detecting a later interaction displaced from the area, and associating the later interaction with a target in the display based at least on the time between the interaction with the area and the later interaction. User interactions with one or more displayed hit targets are based on corresponding time-varying hit zones. In response to unlimited user interaction with a hit target, subsequent user selections are validated based on a time-varying hit zone that is typically extended with respect to the previously selected hit target. The extended selection zone can overlap one or more other hit targets to favor re-selection of the individually selected hit target. The extended selection zone generally decreases as a function of time from prior selections of a hit zone.

Abstract: An apparatus described herein communicates with a handheld device. A protective shroud is configured to enclose the handheld device and to protect it against incidents that commonly cause damage to handheld devices. Integral to the protective shroud is at least one of an input component configured to receive user input or a wireless transceiver configured to transmit signals to and/or receive signals from the handheld device. In one example, where both the input component and the wireless transceiver are integral to the protective shroud, signals related to received user input (e.g., where the shroud serves as a keypad) may be transmitted to the handheld device, even if the protective shroud is removed from the handheld device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing feedback and guidance to touch screen device users to improve text entry user experience and performance by generating input history data including character probabilities, word probabilities, and touch models. According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving first input data, automatically learning user tendencies based on the first input data to generate input history data, receiving second input data, and generating auto-corrections or suggestion candidates for one or more words of the second input data based on the input history data. The user can then select one of the suggestion candidates to replace a selected word with the selected suggestion candidate.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating with a handheld device (e.g., a cellular telephone) is provided herein. A protective shroud is configured to enclose the handheld device and protect it against incidents that commonly cause damage to handheld devices. Integral to the protective shroud is at least one of an input component configured to receive user input and a wireless transceiver configured to transmit signals to and/or receive signals from the handheld device. In one example, where both the input component and the wireless transceiver are integral to the protective shroud, signals related to received user input (e.g., where the shroud serves as a keypad) may be transmitted to the handheld device even if the protective shroud is removed from the handheld device.

Abstract: Embodiments present a game in which an ordered plurality of characters is presented for entry by a user with a touch screen, a physical keyboard, or other key input layout. The game advances to each successive character when the user presses the intended character or a character adjacent thereto. Contact areas are determined for each press, and in some embodiments the contact areas are overlaid on the keyboard. The contact areas are used to adjust user-specific touch models to improve text entry by the user. In some embodiments, the contact areas indicate areas for improvement by the user. Game completion statistics are calculated including speed and accuracy.

Abstract: The described embodiments allow for the association of an interaction with a target in a display. One embodiment includes detecting an interaction with an area associated with a graphical element in a display, detecting a later interaction displaced from the area, and associating the later interaction with a target in the display based at least on the time between the interaction with the area and the later interaction. User interactions with one or more displayed hit targets are based on corresponding time-varying hit zones. In response to unlimited user interaction with a hit target, subsequent user selections are validated based on a time-varying hit zone that is typically extended with respect to the previously selected hit target. The extended selection zone can overlap one or more other hit targets to favor re-selection of the individually selected hit target. The extended selection zone generally decreases as a function of time from prior selections of a hit zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating with a handheld device (e.g., a cellular telephone) is provided herein. A protective shroud is configured to enclose the handheld device and protect it against incidents that commonly cause damage to handheld devices. Integral to the protective shroud is at least one of an input component configured to receive user input and a wireless transceiver configured to transmit signals to and/or receive signals from the handheld device. In one example, where both the input component and the wireless transceiver are integral to the protective shroud, signals related to received user input (e.g., where the shroud serves as a keypad) may be transmitted to the handheld device even if the protective shroud is removed from the handheld device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing feedback and guidance to touch screen device users to improve text entry user experience and performance by generating input history data including character probabilities, word probabilities, and touch models. According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving first input data, automatically learning user tendencies based on the first input data to generate input history data, receiving second input data, and generating auto-corrections or suggestion candidates for one or more words of the second input data based on the input history data. The user can then select one of the suggestion candidates to replace a selected word with the selected suggestion candidate.

Abstract: A facility for processing textual input generated with a user input device described. In one example facility, the facility stores the textual input in a first data structure contained in the address space of a first process. The facility synchronizes contents of the first data structure to a second data structure contained in the address space of a second process distinct from the first process, an application executing in the second process being configured to consume textual input synchronized to the second data structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating with a handheld device (e.g., a cellular telephone) is provided herein. A protective shroud is configured to enclose the handheld device and protect it against incidents that commonly cause damage to handheld devices. Integral to the protective shroud is at least one of an input component configured to receive user input and a wireless transceiver configured to transmit signals to and/or receive signals from the handheld device. In one example, where both the input component and the wireless transceiver are integral to the protective shroud, signals related to received user input (e.g., where the shroud serves as a keypad) may be transmitted to the handheld device even if the protective shroud is removed from the handheld device.