Abstract: Motion of a writing instrument is tracked from sensors located in the vicinity. The signals generated from the sensors are processed and used in a wide variety of ways.

Abstract: A technique for controlling a switching circuit includes one or more sensing circuits that generate signals based upon the presence of an actuating object and upon a randomly applied strobe signal. The generated signals are sampled and are used as a for determining the state of an output signal. The sensing circuit may generate the signals based upon capacitive coupling with the actuating object. The randomization of the sampling enhances immunity to periodic noise. Where more than one sensing circuit is included, the output of the circuits may be considered together for determining the state of the output signal, such as based upon predetermined ranges of signal levels. Signals of the sensing circuit may be sampled in the absence of the strobe to provide an indication of the relative noise level. If the noise level is determined to be elevated, the output signal may not change states.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to correct inaccuracies in touch location determination associated with mechanical distortion of the touch screen. Calibration parameters are provided for a touch screen characterizing an error in an expected touch signal associated with mechanical distortion of the touch screen. A force responsive touch signal having the error is detected and the touch location determined using the calibration parameters to correct the error in the touch signal. The calibration parameters are determined by applying mechanical distortion to the touch screen and characterizing the touch signal error associated with the mechanical distortion.

Abstract: A touch sensing method and a touch sensing device are described for sensing a location of a touch. When the touch sensing device is touched, a first conductive layer disposed on a supporting layer is deflected toward a second conductive layer. The touch location is determined by sensing the change in capacitance at the location of the touch. A change in capacitance at the touch location is sensed by driving one of the conductive layers with an electrical signal referenced to the other conductive layer and measuring the current flow between the conductive layers. The sensed change in capacitance is greater than a change in the external capacitance of the touch sensor.

Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and touch sensor system for reducing the effects of contaminants on an acoustic touch sensor. Acoustic energy is transmitted across the touch sensor substrate. Any perturbations in the acoustic energy induced by environmental events, such as valid touches or contaminants, are sensed and analyzed. If the perturbation exhibits a monotonic growth over a time period, it is considered to be a valid touch. If the perturbation exhibits a non-monotonic growth over the time period, it is considered a contaminant.

Abstract: A method and system for correcting alignment and linearity errors in devices using a finger or stylus input device with a display device interactively coupled to a digitizer is disclosed. Touching intersections in a calibration grid on the display device may be performed to create a linearity map. Subsequently, detected stylus input is mapped to a sector in the linearity map, and resultant screen coordinates are calculated using ratios within a reference rectangle corresponding to the detected stylus input and the mapped sector.

Abstract: A touch screen assembly includes a first outer layer (102) and a second outer layer (110) separated by a separator layer (118). The first and second outer layers are transparent, and the separator layer has openings (120) at button locations where buttons will be defined. On each of the outer layers is a layer of transparent conductor (104, 112). On the first outer layer the transparent conductor is in the form of a contiguous trace or path. The touch screen assembly is placed on a display element (203) and images displayed on the display element can be seen through the touch screen assembly. Images such as characters are displayed at button locations, and when a user presses on one of the images the conductive layers on the first and second outer layers of the touch screen assembly come into contact.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an approximated position signal that is updated and output at a rate higher than a base rate of actual position signals measured using a position transducer. The actual position signals are determined and/or stored by a transducer signal processing circuit at discrete time intervals. The approximated position signals are generated by a high frequency estimated position generating circuit. A rate of incrementing the approximated position signals is adjusted for use during the next discrete time interval by an error correction feedback loop, based on a difference between certain approximated and actual position values. The accuracy of the system may be further improved by utilizing a latch signal to ensure that the approximated and actual position values that are compared by the error feedback loop correspond to the same time.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel device having a touch panel, includes a liquid crystal panel, a touch panel positioned on the liquid crystal panel, a signal line having one end connected to the liquid crystal panel, and a touch controller for receiving analog signals generated by contacting the touch panel to determine X/Y coordinates, wherein the touch controller detects rising and falling of a liquid crystal driving voltage transmitted from the signal line.

Abstract: Correction of coordinates input by a user through an input device is effected using coordinate correction parameters. To calculate the coordinate correction parameters, a plurality of reference points are displayed on the input device. Coordinate input is designated by a user, and if the coordinate is determined to correspond to a reference point, then the coordinate input is retained. The process is repeated until a coordinate is kept for each reference point, wherein only remaining reference point(s) for which a corresponding coordinate has not yet been retained are displayed. Once coordinates have been input for the reference points, a correspondence between coordinate input and a reference point is determined, and corresponding coordinates are kept for each reference point. Using correction parameters calculated based on the kept coordinates, it is possible to correct device characteristics of the input device such as position aberration, even if such characteristics are non-linear.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel new technique for detecting an intended activation of a touch sensor in the presence of noise. An algorithm is described that compares a cumulative deviation of a touch sensor reading to a scale to obtain a ratio expressed as a percentage. The percentage is compared against a target threshold and the period required to reach the threshold is examined to determine whether the rise or fall in touch sensor readings is attributable to a touch or to system noise. Additional disclosed embodiments describe circuits configured to operate in a noisy environment and have touch sensors arranged as arrays that are capable of detecting a direction and speed of a human-like contact.

Abstract: A touch curve memory 110 stores therein a touch curve formed by velocity values corresponding to touch data generated by a keyboard device 20. A correction coefficient generator 10 generates a correction coefficient composed of a ratio of one of the velocity values stored in the touch curve memory corresponding to one of the touch data generated by the keyboard device, in a maximum touch memory mode switched by a mode switch 21 (SW1), to a maximum value of the velocity values in the touch curve memory. A corrector 10 multiplies the correction coefficient generated by the correction coefficient generator by the respective velocity values stored in the touch curve memory, and then generates a touch curve formed by new velocity values. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a touch control apparatus and a touch control method which can obtain a touch curve, from which a touch response suitable for a user can be obtained, easily and in a short time.

Abstract: A glass touch sensing circuit which is capable of accurately detecting a sense signal resulting from a user's touch under no influence of variations in temperature. The glass touch sensing circuit is adapted to compare the level of an output signal from a switching device, which indicates whether the user touches a touch sensor, with that of a reference signal and convert the output signal from the switching device into a wave-shaped signal in accordance with the compared result. The present glass touch sensing circuit is further adapted to determine the level of the reference signal for compensation for a variation in the output signal from the switching device with temperature. Therefore, the glass touch sensing circuit can be employed in a human body touch-based key input sensing system to provide a constant performance irrespective of a variation in temperature so as to sense a key input based on a touching operation.

Abstract: An apparatus including a writing surface, such as a whiteboard, is configured to accept various elements of an electronic transcription system. In one embodiment of the invention, a writing surface, such as a whiteboard or other writing surface, includes an aperture adapted to accept a transducer of the transcription system.

Abstract: An antenna loop structure applicable to a digitizer tablet is capable of reducing effect of electromagnetic interference (EMI) by aggregating a plurality of antenna loops, wherein each antenna loop further comprises a plurality of -shaped segmental antennas, and each pair of immediate neighboring segmental antennas is phase-inverted to each other for counteracting against external EMI.

Abstract: A touch-panel device including a conductive membrane, current measurement resistors which are connected at one end to both ends of the conductive membrane and which are connected at the other end to one another, an oscillator which is connected on one end to the connection point of the current measurement resistors and is connected on its other end to the ground, and a serial connection circuit of a switch and a load impedance which circuit is connected between the ground side of the oscillator and one end of the conductive membrane. The touch-panel device measures voltages V10 and V20 of both resistors and calculates Rk/Ro=V20/(V10−V20) by turning the switch ON. When a touch position is to be measured, substitute Rk/Ro to the equation of RL/Ro=Rk(V2−V1)/R(V1+V2)+V2/(V1+V2) so as to obtain a touch position. Therefore, touch position detection accuracy is improved and the cost is reduced.

Abstract: Interface screen 30 is displayed on display 3 of data processing system 1; interface screen 30 is a composite screen of an interface screen of open Layer L1 on which data processing operations are available for general use, and an interface screen of closed layer L2 to which access is restricted to designated users. Identification data ID transmitted from pen-form operating device 2 is received in receiving part 15 of data processing system 1. When a position is selected by contacting an area on touch panel 3b with an operating device, the contacted position is detected by touch panel 3b. CPU 10 determines whether identification data ID stored in ROM 12 is received. CPU 10, on the basis of this determination result, selects both or either of layers L1 and/or L2. When a position is detected by touch panel 3b, CPU 10 executes a data processing operation corresponding to a detected position on selected layer(s).

Abstract: Y coil Y1 is mounted on the attachment panel 24 so that its long sides Y1f and Y1g follow the front surface 24n, and is bent at a first edge 24a1 onto an edge surface 24a, and is further bent at a second edge 24a onto a rear surface 24b. Even if the pen moves to near an edge portion of the writing surface, the signal generated by long sides Y1f, Y1g will have a little influence from a signal generated from the short side Y1d. When the X coordinate calculated in S1306 is judged to be a coordinate in the X axis edge (S1308:YES), then an X axis edge flag is set in S1310 and a correction coefficient K that corresponds to the distance of the pen from the edge of the Y coil is extracted in S1312 by referring to a correction table. When the Y coils are scanned in S1314, if the X axis edge flag is judged to be set (S1316:YES), then in S1318, all of the values detected for the Y coils in S1314 are multiplied by the correction coefficient K.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor-based input device for coordinate data input includes an input unit that detects the variation of capacitances at a plurality of detection points, and a control unit that calculates detection outputs from the plurality of detection points to detect the peak position in the variation of capacitances to generate coordinate data. When the maximum value detected at any one of the detection points transitions relative to the previous and following values by less than a first threshold value, the coordinate data is cancelled. When it varies by more than the first threshold value but less than a second threshold value, a corrected value to generate the coordinate data is decreased, thereby suppressing an oscillation of a cursor on a screen while a finger rests on the input device.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer is provided, in which a piezoelectric shell has conductive layers on the outside and inside of the shell, which are adapted to be connected to a signal input source. When the conductive layers are activated, the piezoelectric layer resonates to produce an output signal waveform from the shell structure. An alternative embodiment includes a flat piezoelectric layer with opposing conductive layers, which is then formed into a shell structure. In preferred embodiments, an inner spool is located within the shell structure, which acts to increase the output sound pressure level for the transducer. To increase the sound pressure level further, the inner spool preferably includes a recessed area, which defines a void between the inner conductive layer on the shell and the recessed area. The void acts to increase the characteristic output sound pressure level for the transducer.

Abstract: An improved touchpad and measurement circuitry for enabling input to a computer or other electronic device. The system includes an X electrode, a Y electrode, a common sensing electrode, and a “water” electrode, wherein these four separate electrodes can be implemented in various physical configurations to obtain the desired effects, wherein moisture and water droplets can be identified and compensated for so as not to interfere with the input of data, wherein noise rejection is achieved by using a time aperture filtering method, wherein an improved scanning technique focuses scanning around an identified input object, wherein an adaptive motion filter responds to the speed and acceleration of an object being tracked, and wherein the measurement circuitry has an increased dynamic range enabling the touchpad to operate with greater tolerances to manufacturing variances.

Abstract: A method and system for correcting alignment and linearity errors in devices using a finger or stylus input device with a display device interactively coupled to a digitizer is disclosed. Touching intersections in a calibration grid on the display device may be performed to create a linearity map. Subsequently, detected stylus input is mapped to a sector in the linearity map, and resultant screen coordinates are calculated using ratios within a reference rectangle corresponding to the detected stylus input and the mapped sector.

Abstract: A digital pen that has a writing tip includes an ultrasonic (US) transducer on a pen body that generates frames of US pulses toward a receiver base in response to an infrared (IR) synchronizing signal from the base. The first pulse of a frame is adjusted by a modulo of the US period &tgr; when the time of arrival (TOA) of the first pulse varies from an expected TOA by more than one-half &tgr;. The TOAs of successive ith pulses in the frame, which are one wavelength apart from each other, are adjusted forward in time by subtracting from each pulse TOA (i−1)&tgr;, and then several of the adjusted pulse TOAs in a single frame are averaged together to determine a frame TOA. The frame TOAs from plural receivers on the base are then triangulated to determine a pen position for that frame, with the pen positions being input to a handwriting recognition module.

Abstract: Disclosed is a user-friendly electronic apparatus having a pen and a panel as the input devices. The pen is tethered to the apparatus by a cord on which position data is recorded along its length direction. Responding to the readout of the position data, the CPU controls the reel-in operation according to the standby mode or the sleep mode of the apparatus. As the pen is held at a proper position on the apparatus by the CPU's control, the user is free from worrying about dropping, spoiling, or losing the pen. Besides, the operation of reeling-out the pen from a housing position in the apparatus allows the apparatus to automatically come back into an active mode from its sleep mode or standby mode.

Abstract: A touch screen capable of isolating noise signals is mainly a touch screen installing at the front side of a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen or cathode ray tube (CRT) for eliminating electromagnetic and radio frequency interference received by the LCD and CRT. The touch screen includes an antenna like conductive wire which is able to receive same noise signals mixed in the touch control signals. The touch screen controller uses the noise signals received by the antenna wire to offset the noise signals in the controller for increasing accuracy of the touch screen.

Abstract: There are provided microphones 11A, 11B arranged at least any two different locations of edge portions of a touch panel 10, for sensing a ultrasonic signal propagated through a space, an input pen 12 containing a piezoelectric loudspeaker 12G, for oscillating a ultrasonic wave that is output from the piezoelectric loudspeaker 12G, and a touch position sensor 13 for calculating a coordinate of a touch position P by calculating distances between the microphones 11A, 11B and the touch position P of the input pen 12 on the touch panel 10 based on the ultrasonic wave sensed by the microphones 11A, 11B, whereby the microphones 11A, 11B have a sound collecting directivity characteristic in response to fitted positions of the edge portions of the touch panel 10.

Abstract: Methods for recognizing gestures made by a conductive object on a touch-sensor pad and for cursor motion are disclosed. Tapping, drags, pushes, extended drags and variable drags gestures are recognized by analyzing the position, pressure, and movement of the conductive object on the sensor pad during the time of a suspected gesture, and signals are sent to a host indicating the occurrence of these gestures. Signals indicating the position of a conductive object and distinguishing between the peripheral portion and an inner portion of the touch-sensor pad are also sent to the host.

Abstract: A method of capturing data having the steps of writing on a form with a pen to leave an image on the form, scanning the written image as the written image is being written, and storing the scanned written image in a specific data field. A method of capturing an input, including written information, sounds and images includes the steps of specifying a data field by touching a pen tip to a data-field-specific area on a form; supplying the input; electronically capturing the input and associating the input with the specified data field. An information capturing system, includes a pen, the pen including a writing tip and a position transducer to determine the position of the writing tip relative to a form.

Abstract: Conventionally, when the coordinates detection characteristic of a coordinates input apparatus was nonlinear correction of the input coordinates could not always be accurately performed.

Abstract: A general method is described for producing an inexpensive touchscreen system that provides accurate positional information and compensates for manufacturing variations without complicated sensor arrangements. Utilizing a set of sensed signals that are unique to each location on the touchscreen sensor, equations for X and Y are derived via curve fitting methods. The coefficients of the equations are stored with the sensor. During touchscreen operation the coefficients are used to calculate X and Y to the desired accuracy directly and independently.

Abstract: A position coordinates signal detecting circuit of a sensor panel is provided. The position coordinates signal detecting circuit of the sensor panel according to the present invention includes first through fourth resistors each of which has one end connected to one of the left upper-most edge, the left lower-most edge, the right upper-most edge, and the right lower-most edge of the sensor panel. First through fourth driving signal generators are respectively connected to the other side of the first through fourth resistors for generating a driving signal so as to drive the sensor panel. Analog switches receive first through fourth pairs of voltages respectively generated at both ends of the first through fourth resistors. The first through fourth pairs of voltage are multiplexed in response to first through fourth selecting signals to provide a multiplexed signal, and a differential amplifier for amplifies the multiplexed signal.

Abstract: A system and method compensates for drift in electronic touch screens. A plurality of touch areas and drift areas are defined for a touch screen. From location coordinates generated by the screen, a ratio between detected touch hits in each defined touch area and detected touch hits in each corresponding drift area is computed. The computed ratio is compared to a calibration threshold to determine whether the number of touch hits in the drift area are excessive. If they are, a correction vector for all or a portion of the screen may be computed and used to adjust subsequent location coordinates or a calibration signal may be generated. The calibration signal may be a data message transmitted to a remote site to indicate a service call is required at the site of the touch screen and computer. Preferably, the system includes a location adjustor that determines whether the adjustment vectors for a plurality of keypad areas have a corresponding direction and magnitude.

Abstract: A touchpad pointing device dynamically adjusts cursor control gain characteristics based on the x-y coordinates at which the finger first touches the touchpad for a given cursor control task. In this manner, cursor control gain such as simple cursor tracking rate or cursor acceleration profile may be optimized for each control task without changing settings. The x-y coordinates are preferably grouped into easily identifiable zones on the touchpad surface. Accordingly, a wide range of control gain is available, including very high cursor track rates where long distance cursor excursions are desired, and very low cursor tracking for tasks requiring fine cursor positioning. As a further aspect of the invention, the touchpad also allows control of other operational features such as tapping, tapping sensitivity, and button functionality, thus providing a touchpad that is highly customizable.

Abstract: An antenna for wireless communication into a touchpad module. A touchpad module, which can be inserted into an aperture in a laptop computer, includes a touch sensor for detecting touch in a touch sensor circuit for processing signals from the touch sensor. The antenna is connected to a port (input or output) on the touchpad module. The touchpad provides an open aperture for the antenna to communicate with the outside world, without being blocked by the shielding used in a laptop computer.

Abstract: A converter for connection between an electrographic sensor and an electrographic controller, and comprising: (a) a first set of contacts for connection to the sensor; (b) a second set of contacts for connection to the controller; and (c) an emulator for emulating at the second set of contacts: (i) a four-wire sensor when the first set of contacts is connected to a five-wire sensor and a second set of contacts is connected to a four-wire controller; and/or (ii) a five-wire sensor when the first set of contacts is connected to a four-wire sensor and a second set of contacts is connected to a five-wire controller.

Abstract: In a coordinates detecting apparatus including a tablet for detecting X and Y coordinates and a correcting circuit for correcting the X and Y coordinates detected from the tablet, a parameter used for correcting the X coordinate and a parameter used for correcting the Y coordinate are adjustable independent from each other. More specifically, time constant of a CR filter circuit for the X coordinate and time constant of the CR filter circuit for the Y coordinate can be adjusted independent from each other. Further, numbers of A/D conversion, threshold values, number of samples and so on for the X and Y coordinates can be set independent from each other. As a result, in the coordinates detecting apparatus, noises in X and Y coordinates can be optimally removed, allowing detection of X and Y coordinates with high accuracy.

Abstract: A picture recording device includes at least one photodetector for each picture element to be recorded before which one focusing element is arranged for forming an image of each element of the picture to be recorded on the photodetector. The picture recording device is fabricated as a thin, preferably flexible sheet and, on the side facing away from the picture to be recorded, further focusing elements are arranged in such a way that light emitted from a screen having the picture recording device mounted thereon is focused in a plane situated inside or directly in front of the picture recording device, ensuring an undisturbed viewing of the picture.

Abstract: A coordinate input apparatus for correcting the shift in an input coordinate system between different coordinate input apparatuses relative to an opening of each apparatus. A data processing block captures information from a coordinate detector PD to determine whether a tapping operation has been performed and determine whether the finger is being slid on a sensor board. A data analyzing block compares inputted absolute coordinates (X, y) with minimum coordinate values (Xmin, Ymin) and maximum coordinate values (Xmax, Ymax) indicative of a preset effective pointing area on the sensor board. A control block controls the data analyzing block to transfer replaced minimum coordinate values (Xmin, Ymin), maximum coordinate values (Xmax, Ymax) and the values of absolute coordinates (X, Y) to a data correcting block. Based on these minimum coordinate values (Xmin, Ymin) and maximum coordinate values (Xmax, Ymax), the data correcting block transforms the absolute coordinates (X, Y) into display coordinates.

Abstract: An eraser for use on an electronic whiteboard with a protrusion area on the erasing surface forming a convex area on the erasing surface for establishing a positive point of contact with the whiteboard; an electronic whiteboard system including such an eraser, a controller for storing data relating to information written on and erased from the whiteboard data, and a filter for preventing the storage of digital data relating to contacts with the whiteboard not attributable to normal writing or erasing actions.

Abstract: The system and method consistent with the present invention provides a contextual gesture interface for electronic devices. The contextual gesture interface activates a function corresponding to the characteristics of an object making contact with a display. The system may determine the time period of the contact as well as the size of the contact. The functions may include a wide array of navigation tools or editing tools. The contextual gesture interface of the present invention may be especially useful in portable electronic devices with small displays.

Abstract: A touch sensitive display panel comprises a noisy display panel having a display screen on which images are displayed. An electronic writeboard is provided on the noisy display panel and overlies the display screen. Images displayed on the display screen are visible through the electronic writeboard. The electronic writeboard detects user input and provides output to alter displayed images. The electronic writeboard includes means to compensate for noise generated by the noisy display panel.