Abstract: Methods and systems for securely transferring assets via a cloud-based clipboard are provided. In an embodiment, input is indicating an asset is received from an input device at a computing device, which transmits to asset to cloud-based storage. The method stores a reference to a storage location of the asset in the cloud-based storage in the input device. The method receives, from the input device, a request for the asset at a second computing device, the request indicating the reference. The requested asset is retrieved from the cloud-based storage and rendered on the second computing device. The asset can be encrypted prior to transmission to the cloud-based storage and a decryption key for the asset is stored in the input device. In response to a request, the encrypted asset is retrieved and provided to a second computing device, where the asset is decrypted using the key from the input device.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein provide drawing assistance to a user that improves the user's ability to draw accurate perspective drawings. In general, a drawing assistance system provides a homography that annotates guidelines over an image and connects lined features of the image to a corresponding vanishing point. More specifically, the homography provides a perspective grid to the user that assists the user in adding drawing strokes to a drawing using the proper perspective. In addition, the drawing assistance system can adjust a user's drawing stroke to properly align with a vanishing point. Further, in some embodiments, the drawing assistance system allows a user to add an asset into a drawing such that the asset is displayed in the proper perspective, even after a user moves the asset within a drawing.

Abstract: Methods and systems for securely transferring assets via a cloud-based clipboard are provided. In an embodiment, input is indicating an asset is received from an input device at a computing device, which transmits to asset to cloud-based storage. The method stores a reference to a storage location of the asset in the cloud-based storage in the input device. The method receives, from the input device, a request for the asset at a second computing device, the request indicating the reference. The requested asset is retrieved from the cloud-based storage and rendered on the second computing device. The asset can be encrypted prior to transmission to the cloud-based storage and a decryption key for the asset is stored in the input device. In response to a request, the encrypted asset is retrieved and provided to a second computing device, where the asset is decrypted using the key from the input device.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein provide drawing assistance to a user that improves the user's ability to draw accurate perspective drawings. In general, a drawing assistance system provides a homography that annotates guidelines over an image and connects lined features of the image to a corresponding vanishing point. More specifically, the homography provides a perspective grid to the user that assists the user in adding drawing strokes to a drawing using the proper perspective. In addition, the drawing assistance system can adjust a user's drawing stroke to properly align with a vanishing point. Further, in some embodiments, the drawing assistance system allows a user to add an asset into a drawing such that the asset is displayed in the proper perspective, even after a user moves the asset within a drawing.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for charging input devices. A charging unit includes a sleeve for receiving a stylus and a base. The charging unit receives electrical power from an external power source via an interface and transfers the power to the stylus via a connection between the base's charging contacts and conductive charging zones on a portion of the input device in the base. A method detects insertion of a stylus into a charging unit having an internal battery and an interface capable of receiving power from an external power source. The method determines if the unit is connected to a power source. If so, the stylus is charged by transferring the received energy via a connection between the unit's charging contacts and conductive charging zones of the stylus. If energy is not being received from the external power source, the method charges the stylus using the unit's internal battery.

Abstract: Methods and systems for securely transferring assets via a cloud-based clipboard are provided. In an embodiment, input is indicating an asset is received from an input device at a computing device, which transmits to asset to cloud-based storage. The method stores a reference to a storage location of the asset in the cloud-based storage in the input device. The method receives, from the input device, a request for the asset at a second computing device, the request indicating the reference. The requested asset is retrieved from the cloud-based storage and rendered on the second computing device. The asset can be encrypted prior to transmission to the cloud-based storage and a decryption key for the asset is stored in the input device. In response to a request, the encrypted asset is retrieved and provided to a second computing device, where the asset is decrypted using the key from the input device.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment involves, on a computer device, displaying a graphical user interface for editing electronic content and displaying representations of a fixed number of layers available for use in the electronic content. Representation of ones of the layers that are not used are graphically distinguished from representations of ones of the layers that are used. In response to receiving input at the computer device, an editing feature for editing a layer of the electronic content is provided.

Abstract: A touchscreen device may be configured to facilitate drawing lines, circles, and shapes through use of a guide device placed on the touchscreen. The touchscreen device may detect the position and orientation of the guide device, for example, by determining an axis of the guide device based on a set of locations at which the guide device triggered contact signals on the touchscreen. Based on the detected position and orientation of the guide device on its touchscreen, the touchscreen device may display one or more lines or shapes on the touchscreen. If a user traces a portion of such a displayed line or shape, the touchscreen device may display the traced portion. A button on the guide device may be configured to cause the touchscreen device to sequentially display available lines and shapes. The user may also configure the button to display one or more user-generated shapes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for transferring assets via a server-based clipboard. In one embodiment, an asset is stored on a server system. The asset is transmitted to the server system from a first application in response to a first input to the first application from an input device. A request for the asset is received from a second application in response to a second input to the second application from the input device. The second application is different from the first application. A rendering attribute is identified for the asset. The rendering attribute has a first value that is specific to rendering the asset via the first application. The rendering attribute is modified to have a second value that is specific to rendering the asset via the second application. The asset is provided with the rendering attribute having the second value specific to the second application.

Abstract: Input devices and methods for charging input devices are disclosed. A stylus input device has a tip configured to interact with a touch computing device and a body connected to the tip. The stylus has a nozzle housing between its body and tip, electrical components, and an internal rechargeable power source. The internal power source can store power received via a connection between an external power source and a conductive surface on the nozzle housing and supply power to the stylus' electrical components. A method for charging a stylus determines whether power is being received via an electrical connection between a conductive surface on a nozzle of the stylus and an external power source and then determines an amount of power stored in the stylus' battery. If the stylus is receiving power from the external power source and the battery is not fully charged, the method charges the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A touch-enabled device establishes a two-way connection with a computing device through a network. The computing device has a content authoring program stored therein. Further, the touch-enabled device displays a navigation menu. In addition, the touch-enabled device receives an input indicating a selected item from the navigation menu. The touch-enabled device sends the selected item to the computing device such that the computing device utilizes the selected item in the content authoring program. Further, the touch-enabled device receives, from the computing device, an indication that the computing device is utilizing the selected item in the content authoring program.

Abstract: A stylus and sensor capable of determining levels of pressure applied to a tip are disclosed. The stylus has a tip configured to interact with and receive a force from a touch surface. The stylus includes a force sensitive resistor configured to vary resistance in an electrical circuit based on the force and a component for determining an amount of pressure corresponding to the force or a change in pressure based on the resistance in the electrical circuit. The stylus can have a chamber housing a slide-able plunger connected to the tip, the plunger being adapted to move in directions perpendicular or tangential to the surface when the force is applied. The resistor is disposed at an end of the chamber. The stylus can have a conductive strip on the resistor and a disc on the strip. The disc is configured to compress when force is applied by the plunger.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment involves receiving an input on a device, the input comprising at least one of an amount of pressure applied to the device against a computing device, a click of a physical button associated with the device, or a movement of the device against the computing device. The embodiment also includes transmitting the received input to the computing device via a wireless transceiver associated with the device. Additionally, the embodiment includes causing a plurality of actions to be performed on the computing device based at least in part on the received input.

Abstract: An accessory device for providing input a touchscreen interface comprises a touchscreen ruler that provides uniquely identifiable and orientation-sensitive touch input to a touchscreen. The ruler can comprise a plurality of charge-conductive touchpoint elements mounted on a non-conductive frame such that the touchpoint elements are closely spaced from a support surface that engages the touchscreen in use. The touchpoint elements are conductively coupled to a touch receptor exposed to user touch during operation, causing indirect exposure of the touchpoint elements to the user's body capacitance. One of the touchpoint elements may be coupled to a user-operable switch mechanism to allow selective activation of the coupled touchpoint element.

Abstract: A touchscreen device may be configured to facilitate drawing lines, circles, and shapes through use of a guide device placed on the touchscreen. The touchscreen device may detect the position and orientation of the guide device, for example, by determining an axis of the guide device based on a set of locations at which the guide device triggered contact signals on the touchscreen. Based on the detected position and orientation of the guide device on its touchscreen, the touchscreen device may display one or more lines or shapes on the touchscreen. If a user traces a portion of such a displayed line or shape, the touchscreen device may display the traced portion. A button on the guide device may be configured to cause the touchscreen device to sequentially display available lines and shapes. The user may also configure the button to display one or more user-generated shapes.

Abstract: In response to receiving, by an image editing application, selection of a layer from an image comprising at least two layers, selecting the layer in the image editing application. A view from a camera may be rendered by the image editing application in at least a portion of the selected layer. In response to receiving, by the image editing application, an input indicating that the view from the camera should be captured, the view from the camera can be captured. The captured view from the camera may be inserted into the at least the portion of the selected layer by the image editing application.