Abstract: A handheld electronic communication device features an optically based user input device and navigation tool. In one embodiment, the optically based user input device features a translucent domed lens and a light source to illuminate a user's finger as the user slides his finger over the domed lens. In another embodiment, the optically based user input device features a translucent ball that the user rotates. In both embodiments, optical means are used to measure movement of the user's finger and translate that movement into a navigational command to the handheld electronic communication device. The optically based user input device is further configured such that an entry command is entered by depressing the optically based user input device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus to provide a visual feedback in response to a manipulation of a navigation key includes a display panel unit, a navigation which is selectable and rotatable, to perform a menu navigation over the display panel unit according to at least one of a selection and a rotation thereof, a state indicating unit to operate in a display pattern to correspond to a manipulation state of the navigation key, and a control unit to control the state indicating unit according to the manipulation state of the navigation key. As a result, a direct, instant, and visual feedback is provided.

Abstract: A navigation input mechanism is provided. The navigation input mechanism is disposed on an electronic device. The navigation input mechanism further includes a switch sheet and a biometric recognition module. The switch sheet has a first penetrating hole and includes a plurality of switches. The switches are disposed on an upper surface of the switch sheet and surround a peripheral region of the first penetrating hole. The biometric recognition module includes a sensing unit. The sensing unit, capable of reading a biometric recognition signal, is accommodated in the first penetrating hole, and the upper surface of the sensing unit is exposed outside the first penetrating hole.

Abstract: Provided is a pointing device that can be reduced in thickness even if a magnetic field sensor is mounted to a front face of a printed circuit board. When a support portion laterally moves, a reverse face of a flexible portion is displaced while being guided away from the printed circuit board due to deformation of a mountain fold flexure portion as a directional deformation portion. Therefore, a clearance between the reverse face of the flexible portion and the printed circuit board increases, and the magnetic field sensor can be mounted to the front face of the printed circuit board, thereby making it possible to reduce thickness of the pointing device. At the same time, the flexible portion would not be ruptured through sliding contact with the magnetic field sensor.

Abstract: A keypad having a first key and a second key is provided. The first key includes a first front body and a first back body. The first back body is disposed on the backside of the first front body. The edge of the first back body has a protruding portion. The terminal of the protruding portion is wider than the junction of the protruding portion and the edge of the first back body. The second key includes a second front body and a second back body. The second back body is disposed on the backside of the second front body. The edge of the second back body has an indentation corresponding to the protruding portion. The indentation exposes a part of the backside of the second front body for buckling up with the protruding potion tightly so that the first key and the second key are fastened together firmly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for interactively moving a hit point within a current triangle of the model, where the hit point defines a location of a brush stamp relative to the model, where a circle with a radius either defines the brush stamp or minimally contains the brush stamp. For each vertex of the current triangle containing the hit point, a sub-neighborhood of vertices of the model is defined by including in the sub-neighborhood vertices of the model that are within a distance of the hit point, the distance being a sum of the radius of the circle added to a length of a longest edge that is attached to the vertex. A sub-parameterization for each sub-neighborhood is then computed. The system then finds a barycentric coordinate of the hit point in the current triangle, where the barycentric coordinate has three barycentric values, each corresponding to a vertex of the current triangle.

Abstract: A pointing device including a base section, an operating section shiftably supported on the base section, a magnet carried on one of the base section and the operating section, and a magneto-electro transducer carried on the other of the base section and the operating section at a location close to the magnet. The operating section includes a first part securely holding one of the magnet and the magneto-electro transducer and supported on the base section shiftably in a desired horizontal direction relative to the base section, and a second part connected to the first part and elastically biasing the first part toward a home position in a horizontal shifting range during a period when the first part is horizontally shifted along the base section.

Abstract: An optical pointing device includes a variable frame rate controller to reduce power consumption. Frame rate can be varied through analog devices by varying the reference current, or through digital devices by varying the length of time between successive frames. The variable frame rate controller can accept input from various measurements such as velocity of the device, or a spatial frequency of the surface on which the device is situated.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display memory for storing an image of a first area forming a portion of an entire image; a display section including a display screen having a display area usable for displaying at least a partial image of the first area; a case for exposing the display screen; a scroll unit operable to move a display screen area appearing on the display screen over the image in accordance with a movement of the case; and a controller operable to provide a virtual memory area for storing an image of a second area having a size greater than the size of the first area in the image when the scroll unit moves the display screen area beyond the first area.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an invention which relates to a data input apparatus for a handheld terminal and a method thereof comprising a sliding panel including a panel of a certain shape and a plurality of input members arranged at regular intervals on a certain portion of the bottom face of the panel; and a frame having the same shape as the sliding panel, the frame including one or more sliding through-holes having a longer inner diameter than that of the sliding panel, resting on a plurality of input buttons contained in the handheld terminal or on a plurality of input points forming a screen output from a touch screen, and inputting a key value of a corresponding input point by aligning any one of the input buttons or the input points with any one of the input members, the alignment being established by inserting the sliding panel into the sliding through-hole and displacing in a sliding manner.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and computer-readable medium for identifying a command in response to receiving notice of a pointer selection event followed by an associated pointer activation event. Also, the present invention layers Web browsing in a system where a Web page is first displayed in an overview mode at a predetermined magnification. From a Web page displayed in overview mode, the user may issue adaptive viewing commands that cause relevant content to be displayed using additional screen space. The adaptive viewing commands are identified based on the direction the pointer was moved when the pointer selection event occurred.

Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus includes a display unit, a key operation unit which detects depression operation of each of a first direction key and a second direction key adjacent to the first direction key and outputs a detection signal, and a control unit which controls displaying of a screen of the display unit in accordance with the detection signal. The control unit comprises a cursor movement detection unit which outputs a cursor movement information for moving the cursor on the screen of the display unit in accordance with a detection signal outputted when the first direction key is depressed solely, and a scrolling movement detection unit which outputs a scrolling operation information for scrolling the screen of the display unit in accordance with a detection signal outputted when both the first direction key and the second direction key are depressed simultaneously.

Abstract: The pointing device has a moveable puck that moves over a surface in a puck field of motion. A position detector measures the puck position in the puck field of motion. In one embodiment, the puck includes a user sensor that detects an interaction between a user and the puck. A controller causes a cursor to move on a display in response to the puck moving in the puck field of motion when the user sensor senses the interaction between the user and the puck. The magnitude and direction of motion of the cursor is determined by the magnitude and direction of motion of the puck in the puck field of motion. In another embodiment, a restoring mechanism is provided that returns the puck to a predetermined area in the puck field of motion when the user releases the puck.

Abstract: Provided are a pointing apparatus and method. The apparatus, which inputs a pointing signal to a portable computer, includes an accelerometer outputting an acceleration signal in response to motion of the finger; and a signal processing unit sensing micro-collisions generated when the finger comes into contact with a predetermined contact surface and a rising signal generated when the finger is detached from the contact surface using the acceleration signal, sensing pointing motion of the finger lasting between the generation of the micro-collisions and the generation of the rising signal, and outputting the pointing signal.

Abstract: A user interface navigation mechanism for a non-touch screen display of a computing device includes a vertical tracking input disposed in a front of the computing device in a right margin between a right of the non-touch screen display and a right of the computing device, the vertical tracking input including an up input, a down input, and a vertical selection point; and a horizontal tracking input disposed in the front of the computing device in a bottom margin between a bottom of the non-touch screen display and a bottom of the computing device, the horizontal tracking input including a left input, a right input, and a horizontal selection point; and a main menu input disposed in the front of the computing device.

Abstract: This invention discloses a sequential two-key system to input letters of the English alphabet and of many world languages, numbers, punctuation marks, page-control characters, line-control characters, cursor-control characters and many other symbols on keypads with few buttons. Character repeating, shifting and control access are feasible. Brief and easy to understand notations are displayed on the keypads. The system is easy to learn and the keypads may be used on portable devices such as PDA, hand-held computers, hand-held text-messaging devices and telephones.

Abstract: A user input device for providing 8-way directional control, comprising a first set of sensors consisting of a first sensor adjacent a second sensor, constituting a first pair of sensors, and a third sensor adjacent the second sensor, constituting a second pair of sensors; and a second set of sensors, adjacent the second set of sensors, consisting of a fourth sensor adjacent a fifth sensor, constituting a third pair of sensors, and a sixth sensor adjacent the fifth sensor, constituting a fourth pair of sensors; wherein user actuation of a respective one of at least four of the six sensors provides for control in a respective one of four different directions and user actuation of a respective one of the first, second, third and fourth pairs of sensors provides for control in a respective one of the remaining four different directions.

Abstract: In an analog input device, a rubber member is provided between a key top and a movable electrode of an analog-quantity generating unit. A dead zone can be removed or reduced by forming a bottom portion of the rubber member of a flat or curved face. Furthermore, since first round surfaces are connected to an outer side face, the linearity of the input (e.g., a load)-output (voltage) characteristic can be enhanced.

Abstract: A touch sensitive apparatus includes a touch plate to which several pickup sensors and at least one excitation transducer are coupled. Each of the sensors is configured to sense bending waves in the touch plate, and the excitation transducer is configured to induce bending waves in the touch plate. The apparatus may further include active buffer circuits, wherein each of the active buffer circuits is coupled to one of the sensors. A controller is coupled to the sensors via the active buffer circuits and to the excitation transducer via a non-actively buffered connection. The controller is configured to compute a location of a contact on the touch plate responsive to sense signals received from the sensors. The apparatus may be used to perform a variety of calibrations, including touch plate and sensor calibrations. Changes in touch sensing apparatus calibration and performance may be detected and tracked over time.

Abstract: A method for efficiently categorizing images on a computer system is disclosed. A series of related images that are to be categorized are ordered by time of capture, and category levels for input of category information by a user are displayed. The category levels include a highest-category level and a lowest-category level, where the highest-category level has a low frequency of data change between the series of related images, and the lowest-category level has a high frequency of data change between the series of images. A first image is then categorized by allowing the user to enter highest-category level data and lowest-category level data. A next image in the series is then categorized by leaving the highest-category level data unchanged, and automatically selecting the lowest-category level data for reentry by the user, thereby eliminating the need for the user to reenter the highest-category level data.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (12) is operative to conduct transactions in response to HTML documents and TCP/IP messages exchanged with a local computer system (14) through an intranet (16), as well as in response to messages exchanged with foreign servers (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 96) in a wide area network (18). The banking machine includes a computer (34) having an HTML document handling portion (76, 80, 82). The HTML document handling portion is operative to communicate through a proxy server (88), with a home HTTP server (90) in the intranet or the foreign servers in the wide area network. The computer further includes a device application portion (84) which interfaces with the HTML document handling portion and dispatches messages to operate devices (36) in the automated banking machine. The devices include a sheet dispenser mechanism (42) which dispenses currency as well as other transaction devices.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a directionality judging method for an operation key in a direction detecting switch, capable of detecting a key operation in any direction; and superior as the cursor can be freely moved by one operation key.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for operating a portable terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a planar first body; a planar second body connected to the planar first body so as to rotate about an eccentric hinge axis extending through a lateral surface of the planar first body in a longitudinal direction of the planar first body; a rotation-sensing unit for sensing rotation of at least one of the planar first and second bodies; and a control unit for controlling the portable terminal according to the rotation. An input function is provided according to the rotation.

Abstract: A single set of input devices (keyboard, mouse, etc.) is employed with a plurality of data processing systems each having a separate display. The logical display areas for the displays are arranged in a contiguous array to have common boundaries, with an edge (e.g., a right boundary or a lower boundary) of one logical display area coinciding with an edge of another logical display area (e.g., a left boundary or an upper boundary). When a cursor controlled by a pointing device is moved past a logical display area boundary which the current active data processing system shares in common with another data processing system, the active data processing system to which input device signals are transmitted is automatically switched to the other data processing system.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an input device for a mobile terminal. The input device of the present invention comprises a rotatable scroll key providing rotational information based on movement of the scroll key, a sensing device for sensing a position of a user's finger relative to the scroll key and providing sensing information based on the sensed position of the user's finger, and a controller for receiving the rotational information and sensing information, and controlling the mobile terminal based on the received rotational information and sensing information.

Abstract: A first hand-held computing device includes an analog input device and a processor. The analog input device generates analog input. The processor receives the analog input and converts the analog input to coordinates. The processor then maps the coordinates to a button for a second hand-held computing device and generates an event indicating a state of the button for the second hand-held computing device.

Abstract: A miniaturized user input device or input button (14) for a computing or communication device, such as a personal digital assistant device or a mobile phone. A user provides inputs to the computing or communication device by inserting an end (12) of a pen or other indicator instrument (11) into a receptacle (14a) of the input button (14) and applying a force, as a result of which the input button (14) actually or only barely perceptibly moves or deforms. Sensors (14b-c) proximate to the input button (14) detect the moving or deforming and provide signals corresponding the moving or deforming, and so corresponding to the user input.

Abstract: An input device may be used with the information processing apparatus and the like, and provides an improved ease of operation in moving the cursor on the display screen. The input device includes a set of cursor keys 1 that, when activated, cause the cursor to move on a display section 8, a cursor key activation detect means 2, a rotary operation device 3, a rotary operation device activation detect means 4, and a cursor movement information generator means 5 that responds to the detect results from the cursor key activation detect means 2 and from the rotary operation device activation detect means 4, and provides respective output signals that cause the cursor to move as indicated by the received detect results, depending upon whether only the cursor keys are activated or both the cursor keys and the rotary operation device are activated. Using the input device allows the operator to cause the cursor to move around and across the display screen, quickly and/or with any speed specified by the operator.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a serial port configured to interface with a separate host, one serial interface engine (SIE) connected to the serial port, and at least a first interface unit and a second interface unit connected to the one serial interface engine. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a virtual hub comprising a firmware unit configured to emulate a hub having multiple ports. In another alternative embodiment, the apparatus is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) peripheral and the serial port is a Universal Serial Bus port. In another alternative embodiment, apparatus is housed within a keyboard.

Abstract: An inputting apparatus for use in an electronic device, etc., that includes: a case, which has a through-hole and which forms an interior space; an upper movement key, which has a portion exposed to the exterior through the through-hole and which is movable in certain directions in a plane; an elastic member, which is secured to the case and which supports the upper movement key, such that if the upper movement key deviates from the center of the through-hole, the elastic member returns the upper movement key to the center by elastic force; and a lower movement key, which is coupled with the upper movement key with the elastic member positioned in-between, so that information may be inputted in correspondence to the movement of the upper movement key. The apparatus allows convenient manipulation and reduced overall thickness, while allowing manipulation with only a small amount of force.

Abstract: An image controller structured for allowing inputs to be converted or translated into electrical outputs, one preferred controller structured with at least a sufficient number of sensors to aid in controlling three-dimensional objects and navigating a three-dimensional viewpoint shown by a display. An active tactile feedback vibrator is mounted as a component of the controller for providing vibration to be felt by a user. Some preferred embodiments also incorporate proportional sensors allowing user variable inputs to cause imagery to be variably controlled.

Abstract: Methods and systems for classifying images, such as photographs, allow a user to incorporate subjective judgments regarding photograph qualities when making classification decisions. A slide-show interface allows a user to classify and advance photographs with a one-key action or a single interaction event. The interface presents related information relevant to a displayed photograph that is to be classified, such as contiguous photographs, similar photographs, and other versions of the same photograph. The methods and systems provide an overview interface which allows a user to review and refine classification decisions in the context of the original sequence of photographs.

Abstract: A touch sensitive apparatus includes a touch plate and a number of sensors coupled to the touch plate. Each of the sensors is configured to sense bending waves in the touch plate and, in response to a touch to the touch plate, generate sensor signals. A controller is coupled to the sensors. The controller corrects for dispersion in the sensor signals and determines a location of the touch using the dispersion corrected signals. The controller performs impulse reconstruction, by which impulses representative of impulses generated by the touch to the touch sensitive device are produced. Using the reconstructed impulses, the controller confirms the location of the touch.

Abstract: A pointing device in a computer system is automatically calibrated by distinguishing between “in presence” and “out of presence” conditions. Calibration correction accommodates differing geometry of users' hands and fingers. Thus, the “natural” “home” position may be different for left-handers or right-handers, or if the device is operated with a thumb versus a forefinger. A system monitors user activity and from that activity automatically selects X-Y values for auto-calibration. “First touch” and “click” activities are used to select proper X-Y values for auto-calibration. “Click from out of presence” is used to determine user selection events for proper calibration. The invention provides “hardware help” for detecting and calibrating a “first touch.

Abstract: In a device having a display, at least one sensor signal is generated from a sensor in the device. One or more context values are then generated from the sensor signal. The context values indicate how the device is situated relative to one or more objects. At least one of the context values is then used to control the operation of one or more aspects of the device.

Abstract: A manipulandum includes a sensor and an actuator. The sensor is configured to output a position signal when the manipulandum is moved from the first position to the second position. Additionally, the actuator is configured to output haptic feedback having a position-based component and a predetermined time-based component.

Abstract: An input device including a scroll wheel assembly for moving an image in multiple directions on a display screen. The scroll wheel assembly may include a finger-engagable control member that may be endlessly rotated about a rotation axis and a tilt sensor containing a tilt contact member coplanar with the finger-engagable control member and oriented in a substantially vertical, downward orientation such that pivoting of the finger-engagable control member may move the tilt contact member laterally to contact laterally disposed contact switches. In another example, the finger-engagable control member contains a flexible blade at an underside for biasing the scroll wheel assembly to an upright position.

Abstract: A control panel having a touch sensitive position sensor and at least one mechanical switch located within a sensitive area of the position sensor is provided. The position sensor comprises a capacitive position sensing element coupled to position sensing circuitry operable to determine the position of a capacitive load, such as a finger, positioned adjacent to the sensitive area of the position sensing element. The mechanical switch has an open state and a closed state and is arranged such that a contact of the switch is selectively electrically coupled to or decoupled from the position sensing element depending on whether the switch is in the open or closed state. A compact and robust control panel can thus be provided in which the presence of the mechanical switch within the sensitive area of the position sensor does not significantly effect its sensitivity.

Abstract: A touch sensing device includes a plurality of sensors and an emitting transducer coupled to a touch panel. The transducer induces bending waves in the touch panel. The sensors sense bending waves in the touch panel and generate a bending wave signal responsive to the sensed bending waves. A controller identifies an untouched condition signal responsive to the induced bending waves. The controller compares the untouched condition signal to the bending wave signal, and detects a touch on the touch panel based on the comparison.

Abstract: Character information is input into a computing device using one or more multidirectional keys, such as an analog stick, a multidirectional button, or a d-pad. The complete collection of desired characters can be divided into character sets. Each of these sets can then be associated with one input value of one of the multidirectional keys, such as, for example, the d-pad. Selecting a value (such as up) then selects one of the character sets. Another multidirectional input device, such as an analog stick, can then be used to choose one of the characters within the chosen character set. The chosen character is then displayed.

Abstract: An input device. The input device may be coupled to an electronic device. The input device comprises a control capable of being moved to n activation points to respectively activate input functions, wherein n is an integer larger than or equal to ten. When activated, the input functions respectively enable n digits to be input to the electronic device.

Abstract: Provided are a pointing device allowing accurate depressing operation on a key top and involving no erroneous input or erroneous operation, and a key sheet for the pointing device. On the back surface of a base sheet (14) of a key sheet (15) for a pointing device, an accommodating portion (17) for a magnet (13), for accommodating portion greatly protrudes toward a board (P) beyond a pusher (14b) is provided. When the key top (12) is depressed, the accommodating portion (17) and the magnet (13) come into contact with the board (P), and causes the depressed key top (12) to tilt using the point of contact as a fulcrum, thereby pressing the pusher (14b) against a contact switch (Pi, Po). Thus, it is possible to reduce the thickness and weight of the pointing device (10) and the key sheet (15) for the pointing device. Further, a reduction is achieved in terms of the possibility of erroneous input and erroneous operation, making it possible to reliably effect confirmation input.

Abstract: A display (3) displays a menu, and a centralized commander (5) has a central decision switch (6), a first scan switch (7) surrounding the decision switch and operable for an inching scan on the menu in a vertical direction, and a second scan switch (9) surrounding the first scan switch and operable for a traverse scan on the menu in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for inputting a character in a mobile communication terminal which displays character items representing types of characters on a screen of the mobile communication terminal in order for a user to select a type of character to be input in a character input mode. The apparatus and method comprise mapping each of the character items to each of predetermined keys included in a keypad and displaying mapped items, when the mobile communication terminal enters the character input mode; and setting predetermined characters to be display characters for displaying on the screen when a predetermined key signal is input while a preset key signal is input, the predetermined characters being included in a character item corresponding to the predetermined key signal, the predetermined key signal corresponding to one of the displayed character items.

Abstract: A switching apparatus includes a case, an operation shaft whose one end outwardly projects from inside of the case and which is provided at its central portion with a flange, a support member which supports the flange such that the operation shaft can rock and rotate, an operation knob mounted on one end of the operation shaft, a first contact which is switched when the operation knob is pushed to move the operation shaft, a second contact which is switched when the operation knob is rotated to rotate the operation shaft, and a third contact which is switched when the operation knob is rocked to rock the operation shaft.

Abstract: There is provided an input apparatus which makes it possible to reduce the size and weight of the apparatus on which it is mounted while improving the ease of use through its jog dial functionality. On a joint section for allowing a first housing and a second housing to be opened to a predetermined angle is provided the input apparatus (jog dial function section) that functions as a jog dial. This input apparatus is formed on at least a part of a cylindrical section of a structure in which the cylindrical section, which is part of the second housing, is fitted between a pair of shoulder portions of the first housing. As used above, “at least a part” refers to an area that can be touched by a user's finger when the first housing and the second housing are opened.

Abstract: A switching apparatus includes a case, an operation shaft whose one end outwardly projects from inside of the case and which is provided at its central portion with a flange, a support member which supports the flange such that the operation shaft can rock and rotate, an operation knob mounted on one end of the operation shaft, a first contact which is switched when the operation knob is pushed to move the operation shaft and the support member is moved, a second contact which is switched when the operation knob is rotated to rotate the operation shaft, a third contact which is switched when the operation knob is rocked to rock the operation shaft, and a substrate respectively having the first, second and third contacts.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a movable cursor control device is provided for controlling a cursor on a display screen of a digital processing system. One exemplary cursor control device comprises a housing, an electromagnetic emitting device coupled to the housing, and an electromagnetic detector coupled to the housing. The electromagnetic detector detects reflections of signals emitted from the electromagnetic emitting device and determines when the housing has been lifted from a surface. In another aspect of the invention, an exemplary method is provided for controlling a cursor on a display screen of a digital processing system. The exemplary method includes holding the cursor relative to an object on the display screen using a cursor control device activated by a user, detecting that the user no longer activates the cursor control device, and detecting that the user has lifted the cursor control device from a surface when the cursor control device is no longer activated by the user.

Abstract: The invention is a scrolling apparatus may be incorporated into an input device, such as a pointing device or a keyboard, for example, and operatively connected to a host computer to scroll an image along multiple axes relative to a display screen. The scrolling apparatus includes a rotatable member with the configuration of a wheel or a ball. In addition, the scrolling apparatus includes a depressible actuator located around the rotatable member. Both the rotatable member and the actuator, which scroll the image in different scrolling directions or at different scrolling velocities, for example, may be utilized for scrolling the image.

Abstract: A system for indexing displayed elements that is useful for accessing and understanding new or difficult materials, in which a user highlights unknown words or characters or other displayed elements encountered while viewing displayed materials. In a language learning application, the system displays the meaning of a word in context; and the user may include the word in a personal vocabulary to build a database of words and phrases. In a Japanese language application, one or more Japanese language books are read on an electronic display. Readings (‘yomi’) for all words are readily viewable for any selected word or phrase, as well as an English reference to the selected word or phrase. Extensive notes are provided for difficult phrases and words not normally found in a dictionary. A unique indexing scheme allows word-by-word access to any of several external multi-media references.