Abstract: A method for interpreting ambiguous click events in relation to click targets on a touch-screen display disposed at respective click target locations includes detecting a touch at a touch location and determining whether the touch location corresponds to a click target location. The method also includes searching for nearby click target locations in a predetermined click region and, upon locating a first click target location within the predetermined click region, associating the touch with the first click target location to identify a click event. A computing device for facilitating accurate touch input targeting with respect to a touch-screen display includes a display component, a touch detection component, a targeting component that associates a touch with a click target, and an event detection component that associates the touch with one of a right click event, a left click event, or a drag event.

Abstract: A device includes a control configured to provide 5-way navigation. The control includes a fingerprint sensor with a platen that is coupled to an actuation sensor. A user can navigate by sliding a finger across the platen so as to provide direction input. In addition, the user can make a selection by applying a center press to the platen. In an embodiment, the fingerprint sensor is a sweep sensor and is rotatably mounted to the device. The device may include a display that is configured for a first orientation that matches the orientation of the control. The display and the control may be switched to a second orientation so that the user can more efficiently use the device in the second orientation.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide context menus useful in, e.g., a computing device receiving user input via a stylus. Icons representing actions performable on an object are displayed in a context menu for the object. Additional aspects of the invention include cascading menus that also minimize hand and/or wrist motion, as well as placement of menus based on user handedness and/or stylus orientation.

Abstract: User interfaces, methods, systems, and computer-readable media for activating and/or displaying text input systems on display devices may include: (a) displaying a text input system activation target at a user changeable location on a display device; (b) receiving user input directed to the activation target; and (c) activating a text input system in response to the user input. Such user interfaces, methods, and systems further may include (d) displaying a pre-interaction condition of the activation target; (e) receiving user input directed to the activation target in this pre-interaction condition; and (f) changing an appearance of the activation target from the pre-interaction condition to a larger size and/or a different visual appearance in response to this user input. Additional aspects of this invention relate to computer-readable media for providing user interfaces, systems, and methods as described above.

Abstract: Textboxes are provided to support both standard textbox operations and handwriting input. A textbox may be displayed as a standard textbox, receive input from a keyboard, a pointing device (e.g., a mouse), and/or a handheld writing device (e.g., an electronic pen or stylus), and interpret the input to perform standard textbox operations. Based on various user actions, the textbox is displayed as an enlarged textbox that provides a writing surface for receiving input from the handheld writing device that is interpreted as handwriting input. Text is recognized from the handwriting input, and the text from the enlarged textbox is synchronized with the textbox.

Abstract: Described is a system and method in which pen gestures cause a mode to be entered in which a computing device acts as if a modifier key (e.g., Control, Alt, or Shift) was being pressed. This is accomplished by a pen driver sending a modifier key down to the keyboard and mouse input subsystem. Modifier key behavior is thus provided, including at times when a keyboard is not readily available. While in the modifier key mode, additional gestures can be input, including a gesture that results in the computing device acting as if multiple modifier keys are pressed. Also, while in the mode, visual feedback may be provided to indicate the mode is active. The mode may be exited by sending a corresponding modifier key up, and the exit may be triggered in various ways, including by other gestures, mouse or pen events, and certain keyboard input.

Abstract: An input device is provided that has tactile features for assisting a user with locating an actuator and/or that has features for avoiding inadvertent actuation of an actuator. The input device may include a digital pen having an actuator disposed along a shaft of the pen at a location generally beyond the grip region, and/or an actuator recessed within an outer diameter of the pen shaft. The digital pen may include tactile features for indicating the actuator region of the pen within which the actuator is located. A method is also provided for identifying an actuator or actuator region of an input device.

Abstract: A processing device may include a display screen and one or more buttons located near the display screen. Pressing one of the one or more buttons may cause the processing device to perform a first function and pressing and holding the one of the one or more buttons may cause the processing device to perform a second function. When the one of the one or more buttons is pressed, the processing device may provide a first feedback describing the first function. When the one of the one or more buttons is pressed and held for at least a predetermined amount of time, the processing device may provide a second feedback describing the second function. In some implementations, a time indicator may be displayed indicating an amount of passing time until the one of the one or more buttons is pressed and held for the predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A processing device may display a representation of a system resource. The system resource may include a menu, a folder, a filename, a shortcut, a textbox, or other resource. The user may make a gesture to indicate a desire to create a personalized identifier for the system resource. The processing device may display a personalized identifier writing area for inputting personalized identifier information. Personalized identifier information may be input via text, speech, digital ink, or other methods. The processing device may permit the user to configure types of information to be stored with personalized identifiers and how the personalized identifier information may be indexed for searching. In one embodiment, the input personalized identifier information may be translated to a second language and indexed for searching. Further, the processing device may permit the user to configure whether or how to display a personalized identifier for a system resource.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for presenting electronic documents to users in the form of immersive reading pages. Immersive reading pages mimic the presentation that is provided by printed paper documents. There are no traditional user interface features displayed to the user, yet the user has access to the enhanced functionality that can be provided by computer-implemented documents. In an illustrative embodiment, the user has access to intrabook (or inside-the-book), interbook (or outside-the-book) navigational features, and content interactive features, such as highlighting, annotating, drawing or looking up definitions or synonyms of words in the document. Enhanced functionality is transparently associated with elements on the immersive reading page such that the immersive reading page is without visible indicators of the association. A training mode for permitting the user to learn the transparent association behind the immersive reading pages provides visual guides to the user.

Abstract: A user interface allows a user to input handwritten, key-press, and spoken text in a seamless, synchronized manner. A text input panel accepts soft keyboard presses and handwritten words, characters, and gestures. A text recognizer/synchronizer integrates textual input from various sources while recognizing and preserving the order in which a user entered text via the soft keyboard, via handwriting, and/or by speaking. Synchronized text may be displayed in a stage area of the text input panel before being passed to an operating system message router and/or an application program. While in handwriting recognition mode, various permutations and combinations of a word recognition area, a character recognition area, and a keybar/keypad may optionally be displayed.

Abstract: An improved system for managing user inputs and z-order in a graphic user interface (GUI) environment is disclosed. A GUI element may include a plurality of keys corresponding to keys on a typical keyboard, and may serve as a replacement for the keyboard. The system permits an application having an input focus to retain the input focus while inputs are received in the GUI element, and even transient user interface elements (e.g., menus) will remain displayed in those applications after the user inputs are entered. Input pen and mouse events may first be forwarded to the input area application, which may remove the events from the normal circulation, preventing other applications from learning of the events, and then post those events to the input panel application separately.

Abstract: An improved system for managing user inputs and z-order in a graphic user interface (GUI) environment is disclosed. A GUI element may include a plurality of keys corresponding to keys on a typical keyboard, and may serve as a replacement for the keyboard. The system permits an application having an input focus to retain the input focus while inputs are received in the GUI element, and even transient user interface elements (e.g., menus) will remain displayed in those applications after the user inputs are entered. Input pen and mouse events may first be forwarded to the input area application, which may remove the events from the normal circulation, preventing other applications from learning of the events, and then post those events to the input panel application separately.

Abstract: An inductive power systems transfers energy by inductively coupling a source coil on a power source to a receiver coil on a power portion of a power adapter. The source current is received in the power adapter and converted to direct current for transmission to a computer system. Wireless communication between a power source and the power adapter is provided. A wireless communication arrangement provides for authentication of devices that are allowed by a source to be powered.

Abstract: A recognition tool according to various examples of the invention intelligently recognizes natural input before it is passed to a destination or target application. More particularly, the recognition tool according to various examples of the invention provides better formatting for text recognized from natural input, based upon the context in which the text is being inserted into a target application. The recognition tool also provides various tools for correcting inaccurately recognized text. The recognition tool may allow a user to select only a part of an inaccurate text, and then identify alternate text candidates based upon the selected portion of the inaccurate text. Further, when the user selects text containing multiple words for correction, the recognition tool provides cross combinations of alternate text candidates for the user's selection.

Abstract: An inductive charging system transfers energy by inductively coupling a source coil on a power source to a receiver coil for a battery charger. Source current may be received in the battery charger and converted for charging a battery pack. A wireless communication arrangement may also provide for authentication of devices that are allowed by the source to be powered or otherwise charged.

Abstract: An inductive charging systems transfers energy by inductively coupling a source coil on a charging source to a receiver coil on a charging portion of a battery pack. The source current is received in the battery pack and converted to direct current for storage in the battery pack cells. Communication between a charging source and the charging portion is provided. A wireless communication arrangement provides for authentication of devices that are allowed by a source to be charged.

Abstract: An apparatus, carrying case and computer system are disclosed herein. In the apparatus, a housing to which an electrical device may be electrically coupled is provided. A secondary battery may be electrically coupled to the housing and adapted to power the electrical device or to charge the device's internal battery.

Abstract: An expansion device is provided for expanding the functionality of a mobile electronic device while in a mobile mode and/or in a desktop mode. The expansion device may be a media slice that provides multimedia functionality to a mobile electronic device. The media slice may be configured to receive an electromechanical interface from the mobile electronic device and to replicate the electromechanical interface for connecting to another expansion device, such as to a docking station or a port replicator. The expansion device and the mobile electronic device may be connected via a latch mechanism that easily couples and de-couples the devices. An expansion system is also provided that includes a support stand for providing orientation and support features for a computing device and/or an expansion device.