Abstract: Disclosed is a compact, multi-user magnetic tracking system. In an embodiment, a compactness is achieved by using a single coil and inertial sensors at the transmitter and magnetometers and inertial sensors at the receiver for sensing the magnetic field generated by the single coil and for determining a position and attitude of the receiver relative to the transmitter. The transmitter and receiver each include a wireless transceiver for exchanging clock synchronization data and sending transmitter attitude data to the receiver. In another embodiment, frequency or time division multiplexing is used to differentiate between multiple users of the multi-user magnetic tracking system.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for volume control of ear devices. In an embodiment, a method comprises: determining a reference attitude of the ear device based on sensor data collected by motion sensors of the ear device; storing the reference attitude; receiving, with at least one processor, a first user input indicating a user request for a volume control mode of the ear device; receiving a rotation input; determining, with the at least one processor, an amount of volume level increase/decrease based on attitude change relative to the reference attitude due to the rotation input; adjusting a volume level of the ear device in accordance with the volume level increase/decrease; and receiving second user input indicating a second user request to release the volume control mode.

Abstract: A method for performing multi-touch (MT) data fusion is disclosed in which multiple touch inputs occurring at about the same time are received to generating first touch data. Secondary sense data can then be combined with the first touch data to perform operations on an electronic device. The first touch data and the secondary sense data can be time-aligned and interpreted in a time-coherent manner. The first touch data can be refined in accordance with the secondary sense data, or alternatively, the secondary sense data can be interpreted in accordance with the first touch data. Additionally, the first touch data and the secondary sense data can be combined to create a new command.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for performing multi-touch (MT) data fusion is disclosed in which multiple touch inputs occurring at about the same time are received to generating first touch data. Secondary sense data can then be combined with the first touch data to perform operations on an electronic device. The first touch data and the secondary sense data can be time-aligned and interpreted in a time-coherent manner. The first touch data can be refined in accordance with the secondary sense data, or alternatively, the secondary sense data can be interpreted in accordance with the first touch data. Additionally, the first touch data and the secondary sense data can be combined to create a new command.

Abstract: Multi-touch touch-sensing devices and methods are described herein. The touch sensing devices can include multiple sense points, each located at a crossing of a drive line and a sense line. In some embodiments, multiple drive lines may be simultaneously or nearly simultaneously stimulated with drive signals having unique characteristics, such as phase or frequency. A sense signal can occur on each sense line that can be related to the drive signals by an amount of touch present at sense points corresponding to the stimulated drive lines and the sense line. By using processing techniques based on the unique drive signals, an amount of touch corresponding to each sense point can be extracted from the sense signal. The touch sensing methods and devices can be incorporated into interfaces for a variety of electronic devices such as a desktop, tablet, notebook, and handheld computers, personal digital assistants, media players, and mobile telephones.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for volume control of ear devices. In an embodiment, a method comprises: determining a reference attitude of the ear device based on sensor data collected by motion sensors of the ear device; storing the reference attitude; receiving, with at least one processor, a first user input indicating a user request for a volume control mode of the ear device; receiving a rotation input; determining, with the at least one processor, an amount of volume level increase/decrease based on attitude change relative to the reference attitude due to the rotation input; adjusting a volume level of the ear device in accordance with the volume level increase/decrease; and receiving second user input indicating a second user request to release the volume control mode.

Abstract: A method for performing multi-touch (MT) data fusion is disclosed in which multiple touch inputs occurring at about the same time are received to generating first touch data. Secondary sense data can then be combined with the first touch data to perform operations on an electronic device. The first touch data and the secondary sense data can be time-aligned and interpreted in a time-coherent manner. The first touch data can be refined in accordance with the secondary sense data, or alternatively, the secondary sense data can be interpreted in accordance with the first touch data. Additionally, the first touch data and the secondary sense data can be combined to create a new command.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compact 3-axis coil design for a magnetic tracking system. In an embodiment, compactness is achieved by using a 3-axis coil in the transmitter that includes a scaffold design with a side surface having a curved groove for guiding one or more windings of a z-axis coil, such that the physical geometry is not increased.

Abstract: A method for performing multi-touch (MT) data fusion is disclosed in which multiple touch inputs occurring at about the same time are received to generating first touch data. Secondary sense data can then be combined with the first touch data to perform operations on an electronic device. The first touch data and the secondary sense data can be time-aligned and interpreted in a time-coherent manner. The first touch data can be refined in accordance with the secondary sense data, or alternatively, the secondary sense data can be interpreted in accordance with the first touch data. Additionally, the first touch data and the secondary sense data can be combined to create a new command.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compact 3-axis coil design for a magnetic tracking system. In an embodiment, compactness is achieved by using a 3-axis coil in the transmitter that includes a scaffold design with a side surface having a curved groove for guiding one or more windings of a z-axis coil, such that the physical geometry is not increased.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compact, multi-user magnetic tracking system. In an embodiment, a compactness is achieved by using a single coil and inertial sensors at the transmitter and magnetometers and inertial sensors at the receiver for sensing the magnetic field generated by the single coil and for determining a position and attitude of the receiver relative to the transmitter. The transmitter and receiver each include a wireless transceiver for exchanging clock synchronization data and sending transmitter attitude data to the receiver. In another embodiment, frequency or time division multiplexing is used to differentiate between multiple users of the multi-user magnetic tracking system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.

Abstract: Magnetic sensing technology can be used to detect changes, or disturbances (e.g., changes in magnetic field strength), in magnetic fields and can be used to measure the precise location/positioning of an electronic device in proximity to a magnetic source. In order to avoid interference by earth's static magnetic field, a modulated magnetic field can be used for magnetic based proximity sensing. Received modulated magnetic field signals can be demodulated to determine a received magnetic field strength. A drive current of a magnetic transmitter coil can be varied to maintain the detected magnetic field strength at a target value or within a desirable range. The drive current can also be varied to remain below a burnout current level that can cause damage to the transmitter coil.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.

Abstract: A touch sensitive mechanical keyboard configured to enable a standard look and feel mechanical keyboard to sense fine hand/finger motion over the surface of the keys. Command and cursor input (e.g., pointing and gestures) can be received from the user on the touch sensitive mechanical keyboard without requiring the user to move the user's hand off the keyboard. Fine hand/finger motion detection can be enabled by embedding clusters of capacitive sensors near the surface of the keyboard's keys. The touch sensitive mechanical keyboard can operate in two or more modes—e.g., a typing mode and a mouse mode—and operating the keyboard in mouse mode or switching between the modes can be facilitated by holding (depressing and holding) or tapping (depressing and releasing) arbitrary combinations of keys, or by detecting the number of fingers touching the touch sensitive mechanical keyboard.

Abstract: Multi-touch touch-sensing devices and methods are described herein. The touch sensing devices can include multiple sense points, each located at a crossing of a drive line and a sense line. In some embodiments, multiple drive lines may be simultaneously or nearly simultaneously stimulated with drive signals having unique characteristics, such as phase or frequency. A sense signal can occur on each sense line that can be related to the drive signals by an amount of touch present at sense points corresponding to the stimulated drive lines and the sense line. By using processing techniques based on the unique drive signals, an amount of touch corresponding to each sense point can be extracted from the sense signal. The touch sensing methods and devices can be incorporated into interfaces for a variety of electronic devices such as a desktop, tablet, notebook, and handheld computers, personal digital assistants, media players, and mobile telephones.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.

Abstract: Magnetic sensing technology can be used to detect changes, or disturbances (e.g., changes in magnetic field strength), in magnetic fields and can be used to measure the precise location/positioning of an electronic device in proximity to a magnetic source. In order to avoid interference by earth's static magnetic field, a modulated magnetic field can be used for magnetic based proximity sensing. Received modulated magnetic field signals can be demodulated to determine proximity of the sensor to the source of the modulated magnetic field. Devices such as gloves or devices with fingertip nodes based on receiving modulated magnetic fields can be used to detect user hand position.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a VR glove capable of measuring the movement of individual finger and thumb bones. The VR glove can include a plurality of inertial measurement units (IMUs) to track the movement of one or more finger and/or hand sections. The IMUs can include one or more motion sensors, such as a gyroscope and an accelerometer, for measuring the orientation, position, and velocity of objects (e.g., finger bones) that the IMU can be attached. An IMU can be located proximate to a finger (or thumb) bone and can measure the inertial motion of the corresponding bone. In some examples, the VR glove may include magnetometers to determine the direction of the geo-magnetic field. The VR glove can also include one or more other electronic components, such as a plurality of electrodes for sensing the heading, enabling capacitive touch, and/or contact sensing between finger tips.