Abstract: Radial capacitive sliders on touch enabled devices are physical end-effectors that provide a circular sliding control for a user to manipulate in order to provide input (e.g. menu and/or volume control) to the mobile device. They are traditionally configured to include a plurality of capacitive touch sensors that sense the user's contact with the radial capacitive slider, which is then signaled for use in determining an intended input of the user. The present disclosure provides a touch sensor configuration for radial capacitive sliders that requires less capacitive touch sensors than past configurations while still providing accurate touch sensing to enable correct response by the mobile device.

Abstract: Interactive computer applications, such as video games, are generally developed to allow user interaction through input keys of either a keyboard or a remote controller. In some cases, video games can also be developed to allow user interaction through voice commands. In any case, the user is limited to using the specific input keys and/or voice commands preprogrammed within the application to control various aspects of the application. The present disclosure provides a voice command interface that enables use of additional voice commands to control aspects of the application other than the voice commands preprogrammed within the application. The voice command interface can be used for one or more interactive computer applications.

Abstract: Haptic effects have long been provided to enhance content, such as by providing vibrations, rumbles, etc. in a remote controller or other device being used by a user while watching or listening to the content. To date, haptic effects have either been provided by programming controls for the haptic effects within the content itself, or by providing an interface to audio that simply maps certain haptic effects with certain audio frequencies. The present disclosure provides a haptic control interface that intelligently induces haptic effects for content, in particular by using machine learning to detect specific features in content and then induce certain haptic effects for those features.

Abstract: While one type of input, either a mouse input or a joystick input, may be preferred for one type of a game, it may not be preferred, or even compatible, for another type of a game. Introduced herein is a game controller that employs a dedicated input, which is capable of the absolute accuracy of a mouse input or trackball input, but is also capable of measuring how far off center the input is (e.g., how far off center it has moved), and can also return to center when released, as is present in a joystick input. The introduced game controller integrates a touch sensing trackball to enjoy the benefits of both the mouse type input and joystick type input, in a single dedicated input, providing a user freedom to play any type of game without worrying about the compatibility of their game controllers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for dispensing fluids such as hand soaps. The device provides a recovery bin that captures run off or dripping fluid thus reducing or substantially eliminating waste of the fluid.