Abstract: A method for entering text in a text input field using a non-keyboard type accessory includes selecting a character for entry into the text field presented by a portable computing device. The portable computing device determines whether text suggestions are available based on the character. If text suggestions are available, the portable computing device can determine the text suggestions and send them to the accessory, which in turn can display the suggestions on a display. A user operating the accessory can select one of the text suggestions, expressly reject the text suggestions, or ignore the text suggestions. If a text suggestion is selected, the accessory can send the selected text to the portable computing device for populating the text field.

Abstract: An optical input apparatus is provided and includes an input device for providing data and control signals to a computer; and at least one object sensing module disposed on a top of the input device and each including an optical sensor and a light source. The light source is capable of emitting light upward divergently to create a virtual sensing space above.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying virtual keyboards is disclosed. An electronic device displays (705) a first virtual keyboard on a user interface. The electronic device detects (710) a selection of the first virtual keyboard and identifies (715) a user interaction with the first virtual keyboard. The user interaction can be a drag-and-drop resizing, a multiplicative selection of the user interface, or other gestures. After identifying a location associated with the user interaction, the electronic device determines (735, 750, 760) a second virtual keyboard of a different type than the first virtual keyboard based on the location and displays (740, 765) the second virtual keyboard on the user interface.

Abstract: A computer input device is disclosed which comprised a keyboard having a plurality of keys for entering commands and characters into the computer, the keyboard having a designated surface area overlaying the plurality of keys, at least one of the plurality of keys being located outside of the designated surface area, a touch sensor for detecting one or more touches by one or more objects on the designated surface area of the keyboard, and an input processor configured to switch the keyboard into a mouse mode when the touch sensor having detected the designated surface area being touched by a single object, the input processor configured to switch the keyboard into a keyboard mode when the touch sensor having detected the designated surface area being touched by two or more objects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligent language models that can be used across multiple devices are provided. Some embodiments provide for a client-server system for integrating change events from each device running a local language processing system into a master language model. The change events can be integrated, not only into the master model, but also into each of the other local language models. As a result, some embodiments enable restoration to new devices as well as synchronization of usage across multiple devices. In addition, real-time messaging can be used on selected messages to ensure that high priority change events are updated quickly across all active devices. Using a subscription model driven by a server infrastructure, utilization logic on the client side can also drive selective language model updates.

Abstract: In a preferred form, a keyboard has a single row of eight multi-position keys with the letters arranged in a standard QWERTY keyboard configuration. The eight keys correspond to the eight fingers used when touch typing; each finger operates one key, and that key contains all the letters that the finger normally accesses when touch typing on a standard QWERTY keyboard. With this design, no finger has to move to a different key while typing. When depressed at different locations on its key face, each key either moves straight down, or down while tilting slightly about one of a plurality of axes. Three-position keys have two tilt axes and six-position keys have five tilt axes. The keys utilize contacts located on the bottom of the keys which may be conductive or nonconductive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating input of data to an electronic device using overlaid inputs is disclosed. A determination is made as to which of a plurality of terminating hand members is being used to activate a key. A first character value is assigned to an activation of the key, based at least upon the determination.

Abstract: A data entry device including a housing formed of at least two portions, data entry circuitry located within the housing, at least one case-open switch assembly operative to sense when the housing is opened and tamper indication circuitry operative to receive an input from the at least one case-open switch assembly and to provide an output indication of possible tampering with the data entry circuitry located within the housing, the at least one case-open switch assembly including an arrangement of electrical contacts including at least first, second and third contacts and a displaceable conductive element, the tamper indication circuitry and the third contact together being operative such that when the third contact is short circuited to at least one of the first contact, the second contact and another contact, an output indication of possible tampering is provided.

Abstract: According to some aspects, the invention provides methods and apparatuses for incorporating motion sensors into a full function remote control. In addition to using movement for cursor location on an associated display, the invention can use the motion sensor information in many new and useful ways. As one example, information about movement along the ±Z axis can be used to activate a “zoom in” function when remote pointed toward the screen and “zoom out” when it is pulled back. As another example, a remote control incorporating the invention can include controls on two opposite sides, and the motion sensors can be used to activate controls on one side of the device and deactivate controls on the other side based on its orientation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for entering words into a computer system. Letters contained in a desired word are entered by giving approximate location and directional information relative to any specified keyboard layout. The inputs need not correspond to specific keys on the keyboard, a sequence of ambiguous key entries corresponding to individual words can be used to retrieve a word from the dictionary. The system tracks directional information of movement relative to a/the specific keyboard layout, reducing it to predetermined primary directions and translates this seemingly ambiguous information into accurate words from the dictionary. The system may also capture the user's intention (with regard to text entry) by observing the movements on the keyboard.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a keyboard deck having an upper surface and a motion sensor carried within the keyboard deck. The motion sensor comprises a light emitter below the upper surface to emit light in an upward direction and a light sensing device below the upper surface to sense reflections of the light from above the upper surface.

Abstract: Provided is a technique for improving the usability when a software keyboard is divided and displayed on a touch screen display. A tablet computer (1) includes: a display (12) including a display screen (S); a touch sensor (13) that detects a user operation on the display screen (S); and a keyboard display control unit (30) that causes a software keyboard (SK) including a plurality of software keys (k) to be displayed on the display screen (S). The keyboard display control unit (30) divides and displays the software keyboard (SK) on the display screen (S) and controls a display form of the division display of the software keyboard (SK) based on the operation detected by the touch sensor (13).

Abstract: Stacked panel housings are stretched to join displays to each other to form a single screen, the stacked panel housings are stretched and two displays are jointed to each other to form a single screen. Horizontal sliding means and vertical moving means can be provided so as to displace the stacked displays to be flush with each other. A portable display device is provided which has at least two panel housings vertically stacked and displays mounted on the panel housings, respectively, in which the displays horizontally slide and then vertically move so as for the displays of the panel housings to be contiguous to each other. When the displays are contiguous to each other, the distance between the displays is in the range of 0.1 mm to 5 mm and a joint between the displays is provided with a lid.

Abstract: A data processing device includes a keypad including a number of keys and appropriate driver components to provide a capability to the data processing device to be used as a mobile phone, a computer and a television, a hinge, and a display unit physically coupled to the keypad through the hinge to enable movement thereof toward and away from the keypad such that the data processing device is in a closed state when a plane of a screen of the display unit faces and contacts a plane of the keypad and in an open state when the plane of the screen of the display unit is approximately perpendicular to the plane of the keypad. The hinge further enables movement of the display unit thereabout such that the plane of the screen of the display unit is away from the keypad in the open state when rotated 180° about the hinge.

Abstract: A data input system for a touch sensor input identifies words input as a set of points by a user. The intended word is identified by determining an origin and points associated with letters on a log polar coordinate system. The log distances and angles of the points are then compared to log distances and angles for known words stored in a computer memory. The known word having the log distances and angles that most closely match the input points is identified as the intended word.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus including a display controller that controls a display to display a keyboard, an interface that receives position information corresponding to a user input detected at a user interface, and a processor that determines that the received position information corresponds to a first determination region of a first key of the displayed keyboard and expands a second determination region of a second key based on the determining.

Abstract: A hard disk drive case mounting structure includes a case formed of a top cover shell and a bottom holder shell, an electronic system accommodated in the case, and fasteners each including a female fastening component having an annular head press-fitted in one respective vertical mounting hole at the top cover shell of the case and a split tube-like mating connection socket downwardly extended from the annular head, and a male fastening component having a flat circular head press-fitted into one respective vertical mounting hole at the bottom holder shell of the case and a retaining shank extended from the flat circular head and inserted through one respective mounting through hole at a flat frame member of the electronic system and then fastened to the split tube-like mating connection socket of the female fastening component by means of a hook block.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a key control device for click pad. The key control device is disposed below a click pad of a notebook computer, and comprises a frame and a sliding lever. The click pad is disposed at the frame. When a plurality of positioning parts of the sliding lever are interlocked with a plurality of locking parts of the frame, the frame and the click pad cannot have up-and-down movements and thus shutting down the key functions of the click pad. When the plurality of positioning parts of the sliding lever are not interlocked with the plurality of locking parts of the frame, the frame and the click pad can have up-and-down movements and thus activating the key functions of the click pad. Thereby, the key control device according to the present disclosure can control the activation or shutdown of the key functions of the click pad.

Abstract: A keyboard may provide a user with a customizable keyboard layout. Keys may be moved from their default position into a new key position while retaining their indicated keystroke function. In some embodiments, two keys may be swappable so that the keystroke function associated with the first key may be moved into the keyboard position of the second key and vice versa. In some embodiments, the keyboard positions may include more than one switch to provide more than one keystroke function at keyboard positions. Key caps may be configured to actuate their corresponding indicated keystroke function by actuating one or more switches at different keyboard positions.

Abstract: A configurable keyboard. The configurable keyboard includes a base with a top face, and a top edge. A position adjustable panel containing keyboard keys. The position adjustable panel is attached to the base by a position adjustment device. The position adjustment device includes a shaft and a first connector. The shaft is attached, towards a bottom end, to the base. The first connector connects the position adjustable panel to the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for assisting a user of a Self-Service Terminal (SST). The apparatus provides a user interface for an SST, comprising a media slot for dispensing and/or depositing a media item to a user, a pair of spaced apart edges extending across a substantial portion of the user interface and converging in the vicinity of a transaction activation region to provide a tactile path to assist the user in locating the transaction activation region, and an illuminated guide to provide a visual path to further assist the user in locating the transaction activation region.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a word input by a gesture stroke on a virtual keyboard. The method includes receiving data representing the gesture stroke, analyzing the data to identify a set of dwell points in the gesture stroke, generating a simplified stroke defining a polyline having vertices corresponding with the dwell points of the identified set. The method further includes comparing the simplified stroke polyline with a plurality of predefined polylines each representing a respective word, to determine a closest matching polyline. The computing system outputs the word represented by the closest matching polyline.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a keyboard and a trackpad, where a spacebar for the keyboard is integrated as a part of the trackpad.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus and a control method are provided that are capable of reducing power consumption. The electronic apparatus having a normal mode in which first electric power is consumed and a power-saving mode in which second electric power lower than the first electric power is consumed includes a first sensor and a second sensor whose power consumption is lower than that of the first sensor. In the power-saving mode, supply of power to the first sensor is restricted, the second sensor is set to the power-saving mode, a trigger for restoring the power-saving mode to the normal mode is detected by using the second sensor set to the power-saving mode, and the power-saving mode is restored to the normal mode based on the detected trigger.

Abstract: A control method, and an input device of a touch screen terminal are provided. A first touch signal that is input, on a touch screen, by a user by using at least one physical key is received, where the at least one physical key is fixed in a specified area on the touch screen; a second touch signal corresponding to the first touch signal is obtained according to a preset correspondence between the first touch signal and the second touch signal, so that control information can be generated according to the second touch signal, and a control operation is performed. Because the physical key is fixed on the touch screen, the physical key protrudes from the touch screen; thereby it is easy for the user to sense the physical key.

Abstract: A computer-implemented user input method includes sensing a user manipulation of a mobile device to present a keyboard, automatically presenting, in response to the sensed manipulation, a search entry area on a display of the user device, and activating the keyboard to provide input into the search entry area.

Abstract: A keyboard includes a housing, a number of keys, a circuit board received in the housing, and a connecting port. The circuit board includes a main control unit, a key control unit, and an analyzing unit. The connecting port is configured for electrically connecting the circuit board to a main board of a computer. The main control unit includes a main controller. The key control unit includes a key controlling module electrically connected to the keys, and a processor electrically connected to the key controlling module through the main controller. The analyzing unit includes a display and an analyzing module. The analyzing module is electrically connected to the main controller and the connecting port, and is capable of reading breakdown information of the main board of the computer under the control of the main controller. The analyzing module displays the breakdown information on the display.

Abstract: A holographic interaction device is described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes an input portion comprising a plurality of controls that are configured to generate signals to be processed as inputs by a computing device that is communicatively coupled to the controls. The input device also includes a holographic recording mechanism disposed over a surface of the input portion, the holographic recording mechanism is configured to output a hologram in response to receipt of light, from a light source, that is viewable by a user over the input portion.

Abstract: In some examples, pointing functionality is integrated with one or more keys of a keyboard. For instance, a precision pointing surface can be integrated with a key, such as the “J” key, that allows a user to manipulate a pointer on a display. In some situations, one or more touch-sensitive surfaces can also be integrated on other keys to provide clicking functionality. For example, a touch-sensitive surface can be integrated onto a left portion of a spacebar to allow left clicking capability and a touch-sensitive surface can be integrated onto a right portion of the spacebar to allow right clicking capability. In some instances, one or more touch-sensitive surfaces can be used to enable and disable the precision pointing surfaces and other touch-sensitive surfaces.

Abstract: An ergonomic writing apparatus including a keyboard screen integrated in the ordinary screen image, alternatively an independent keyboard screen, which interacts with a control unit. When the control arm/lateral joystick is moved, then two cursors which can be moved independently of each other and simultaneously, are displaceable over the columns of characters in the keyboard image. A choice of keys in the keyboard windows and control of the ordinary PC functions is realized by finger keys.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to control devices configured for use with computing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and devices for shortening wireless reconnection time by determining the presence of an object or body near a device. When the control device detects an object or body in proximity to the device, the control device may automatically establish a wireless connection with a host devices, such that when the control device receives any user interactions, the wireless connection has already been established, preventing loss of data.

Abstract: An apparatus generally directed to controlling a video game. The apparatus preferably includes a tablet computer, an electronic game communicating with the tablet computer, and an input device for controlling movement of a virtual object provided by the electronic game. Preferably, the input device includes a pair of opposing side structures adjacent opposing sides of plurality of sides of the tablet computer. The input device further preferably includes a plurality of input switches, wherein said input switches are adjacent each of the at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides of the tablet computer, and a bridge structure disposed between the pair of sides to form a three sided structure. The third structure mitigates inadvertent removal of the tablet computer from the three sided structure when the tablet computer is fully nested within the three sided structure.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide a folding electronic apparatus and a method for detecting open and closed modes thereof. The folding electronic apparatus includes a body and a cover, with a keyboard being disposed on the body and a capacitive touch screen being disposed on the cover. A plurality of metal detection points is disposed on the body. A sensor connected to the capacitive touch screen senses change of a capacitance value resulting from capacitive effect between the plurality of metal detection points and the capacitive touch screen, and determines open and closed modes of the folding electronic apparatus. The embodiments of the present invention detect open and closed modes of a folding electronic apparatus using a sensor connected to a capacitive touch screen by predefining a plurality of metal detection points on a keyboard or physical structure of the folding electronic apparatus.

Abstract: A haptic feedback device includes: a determination unit which calculates, as a path length, a length along which a user touches the touch panel; a display control unit which converts the path length into a rotation angle of a manipulation image, and display the rotated manipulation image on a display unit; and a vibration control unit which drives a vibration unit according to a drive waveform having a predetermined amplitude and a predetermined frequency upon starting rotation of the manipulation image, decreases the amplitude of the drive waveform with an increase in the path length, and performs control to cause the vibration unit to vibrate according to the drive waveform the amplitude of which is decreased to zero in a predetermined time after the rotation of the manipulation image stops.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus to provide improved visibility to user input devices, such as keys, are disclosed. In low light conditions, keys can be difficult to distinguish. For example, often keys have legends on them to visually distinguish them from one another, but in low light conditions it can be difficult for users to visually distinguish the different keys. The legends can be textual and/or graphic. Hence, according to one embodiment, light from a nearby display device can be used to provide illumination to the user input devices (e.g., keys). More particularly, in one embodiment, some light from the nearby display device can be directed towards and reflected from the user input devices (e.g., keys) to enhance visibility of the keys or the legends thereon.

Abstract: The use of one or more proximity sensors in combination with one or more touch sensors in a multi-touch panel to detect the presence of a finger, body part or other object and control or trigger one or more functions in accordance with an “image” of touch provided by the sensor outputs is disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more infrared (IR) proximity sensors can be driven with a specific stimulation frequency and emit IR light from one or more areas, which can in some embodiments correspond to one or more multi-touch sensor “pixel” locations. The reflected IR signal, if any, can be demodulated using synchronous demodulation. In some embodiments, both physical interfaces (touch and proximity sensors) can be connected to analog channels in the same electrical core.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for typing Ethiopic characters in a computer system using at most two keystrokes. The rendering of characters is based on the timing between a first and second keystroke and on whether the first and second keystroke are, together, one of a predetermined number of ordered key pairs. Conventional symbol typing may be preserved by a prioritized assignment of the symbols to alternative shift keys. A timing disable key may be defined that allows typing of default characters at a comfortable speed.

Abstract: Devices, methods and products are described that provide information handling devices with touch-based reflective display. One aspect provides a method including: providing a first configuration for one or more areas of a touchable control area of an information handling device, said first configuration comprising a designation of one or more areas of said touchable control area, said one or more areas providing both reflective display and accepting touch-based input, wherein said reflective display substantially only draws power when the display contents are changed; ascertaining a power state; updating said first configuration for said one or more areas of said touchable control area associated with the ascertained power state.

Abstract: An input device with improved operability in switching character types is provided. The input device includes a display unit configured to display an image of each key that constitutes a keyboard and is labeled with information for identifying the operation modes, and a touch panel configured to accept an input operation on an image of the keyboard. Each key is set so as to accept an input in accordance with an operation mode of the input device. The input device further includes a controller configured to, if an operation on the touch panel to indicate a predetermined direction is accepted, select an operation mode in accordance with the predetermined direction from the operation modes identified by the information labeled on the each key and allow the display unit to display the keyboard corresponding to the selected operation mode.

Abstract: A display based keyboard is described herein. The display based keyboard includes a bi-stable segmented-based display, a master controller, and a display driver. The bi-stable segmented-based display may include a front barrier layer, a top plane layer, a display technology specific layer, a back plane layer, and a rear barrier layer.

Abstract: An embodiment for a computing device is described herein. The computing device may include a word database enhancer, a recommendation engine, a keyboard monitor, a ranking and display manager, and a keyboard. The keyboard may be a configurable physical keyboard device that includes an embedded display, where the embedded display is a runtime configurable display. The keyboard may display configurable images in the form of auto-text completion text or a decrypted password. The keyboard may also include a microcontroller, a touch sensor, and a keyboard filter driver.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes outputting, by a computing device and for display, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys. The method may also include receiving, by the computing device, an indication of a gesture detected at a presence-sensitive input device. The method may also include determining, by the computing device and based on a plurality of features associated with the gesture, a degree of precision of the gesture. The method may also include modifying, by the computing device and based at least in part on the degree of precision, a probability that the gesture indicates at least one key of the plurality of keys. The method may also include outputting, by the computing device and for display, a candidate word that is based at least in part on the probability that the gesture indicates at least one key of the plurality of keys.

Abstract: A computer system, a display system, a method of graphic illumination is provided to give a user an improved appearance, functionality, and aesthetics. A display system may comprise a housing, a light source, and a plurality of micro perforations. The housing may have an interior surface and an exterior surface. The light source may be located within the housing. The plurality of micro perforations may be disposed to extend from the interior surface to the exterior surface of the housing. The plurality of micro perforations may pass through the housing at different angles with respect to a plane of the exterior surface of the housing.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and an information processing method for displaying a plurality of virtual key buttons on a touchscreen including one or more touch input nodes generating a touch signal corresponding to touch; receiving a touch signal corresponding to virtual key buttons displayed on the touchscreen; and outputting a key value of at least one of the plurality of virtual key buttons as a key value corresponding to the received touch signal according to touch data calculated based on the received touch signal, wherein the touch data is calculated by expanding the touch signal to a virtual touch input node in proximity to touch input nodes generating the touch signal from among the one or more one touch input nodes.

Abstract: Text correction processing is disclosed. An initial score is assigned to each of a plurality of candidate sequences of one or more characters, based at least in part on a keyboard geometry-based value associated with the received user input with respect to the candidate key. Further processing is performed with respect to a subset of the candidate sequences having the highest initial score(s) to determine for each candidate sequence in the subset a refined score. A candidate sequence is selected for inclusion in a result set based at least in part on a determination that a refined score of the selected candidate is higher than an initial score of one or more candidate sequences that are not included in the subset and with respect to which the further processing has not been performed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for recognizing a key input from a virtual keyboard according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method for recognizing a key input from a virtual keyboard according to one embodiment of the present invention is a method for recognizing a key input from a virtual keyboard using at least one camera, e.g. two cameras or one 3D camera, and includes the steps of: tracking a user tool when the actuation of the user tool for a key input on the virtual keyboard is detected using the camera, and continuing the tracking until the vertical coordinate of the position of the user tool is less than or equal to a predetermined vertical threshold value; and determining that a key input has been carried out at the last tracked horizontal position of the user tool.

Abstract: A trackpad device includes a top surface, a capacitive sensor operably coupled to the top surface, a resistive sensor disposed below the capacitive sensor and at least one controller operably coupled to the capacitive sensor and to the resistive sensor. The at least one controller and the capacitive sensor are configured to detect one or more objects on the top surface. The at least one controller and the resistive sensor are configured to detect the one or more objects on the top surface independent of the detection by the at least one controller and the capacitive sensor. The at least one controller is configured to determine locations of the one or more objects on the top surface using information from the detection by the at least one controller and capacitive sensor and information from the detection by the at least one controller and the resistive sensor.

Abstract: A keyboard activates areas of a touchscreen according to user interaction with the keyboard. A discharge circuit provides a discharge path for altering the electrostatic field of the touchscreen. Such discharge circuit excludes the user's finger (or stylus). Instead of grounding to the user, a ground plane in varying embodiments may be contained within the keyboard, or be formed at least in part by by the case of the keyboard, the case of the host device, or the ground plane of the host device. The keyboard includes an electrical ground member to absorb the capacitive discharge and/or conduct such discharge to the ground plane.

Abstract: Provided are a method and related mobile device for editing, in an integrated, convenient and quick manner, various menu pages selectively used for a home screen. In response to a given input signal, the mobile device outputs a page edit screen including a specific page displayed on the home screen. Then, in response to subsequent input signals, the mobile device may add a new page, delete a selected page, change a title of a selected page, move or remove a selected icon in a page, change a background image of a selected page, or change a positional order of pages.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to an input device comprising a processor configured to operate the input device in one of a plurality of modes of operation, a plurality of buttons, and a housing configured to receive and secure a display device. The housing is configurable in a plurality of positions relative to the plurality of buttons, where at least a portion of the plurality of buttons operates in one of the plurality of modes of operation based, at least in part, on a position of the plurality of positions of the housing relative to the plurality of buttons.