Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods of using an stylus that houses optics and a detector capable of imaging display pixels. Stylus position is determined according to the number and direction of imaged pixels passing through the field of view of the stylus optics. Stylus orientation, including rotation and tilt, stylus height, stylus contact state, and stylus pressure may also be determined.

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 terminal and method for selecting an item displayed on a touch screen are disclosed. The method for selecting an item displayed on the screen includes simultaneously touching the screen at two or more locations to define a selection area and identifying the items within the selection area. The section area may be a rectangle, a horizontal or vertical band of the display, a circle, or sequentially arranged items of a list. Alternatively, a single touch may define a point in the display area and the bounds of the display area are defined by the time the touch is maintained. Recently, with the increasing development of multiple functions on a single terminal, the method can be conveniently applied to the latest terminal where associated items are simultaneously displayed on a single display screen of the terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for compensating for misalignment of a sensing surface of an absolute position input sensor is provided. In one embodiment, a first set of points is displayed on a display, the first set of points configured to represent a currently configured boundary edge. A user then traces around the physical boundary edge, and a second set of points is displayed the display, with the second set of points configured to represent the traced physical boundary edge. A user then enters a second input, and in response first set of points on the display screen is offset to align with the second set of points. From the second input, an actual boundary edge relative to the sensor surface is determined. Then, the output of the absolute position input sensor is adjusted to align with the determined actual boundary edge.

Abstract: Methods are provided for simulating a touch on a touch screen by applying a first signal to a first surface of the touch screen, applying a second signal to a second, opposing surface of the touch screen sensor, and changing the first signal relative to the second signal. Such methods can be used to simulate a touch to the center of the touch screen, for example. The simulated touch can be used in some embodiments to perform diagnostics and/or calibrations functions.

Abstract: Calibration structure, method, and code for correcting non-orthogonal misalignment of a computer-generated image that is projected onto a large screen touch-detecting display, so that a computer-generated image appears substantially where the display is touched. Structure/method/code generates at least four calibration marks, respectively, substantially proximate four corners of a projected image to be displayed on the display. Structure/method/code, responsive to a touch on the large screen touch-detecting display where each of the four calibration marks is displayed, identifies horizontal and vertical coordinates of each touched location. Structure/method/code calibrates the projected image to the display after the four calibration marks have been touched. Structure/method/code, responsive to another touch on the display after calibration, displays a computer image substantially at the location of the another touch.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image sensor array and a liquid crystal display for increasing the readout time thereof. The image sensor array and liquid crystal display both comprise a substrate, a readout line disposed on the substrate, a first switch line and a second switch line both intersecting the readout line, a first position defined by the readout line and the first switch line, a second position defined by the readout line and the second switch line, and a sensor element disposed on the first position and separated from the second position, wherein the first switch line transmitting a first switch signal and the second switch line transmitting a second switch signal overlapped the first switch signal.

Abstract: A touch system includes a touch surface and at least two cameras associated with the touch surface. The at least two cameras acquire images of the touch surface from different locations and having overlapping fields of view. A digital signal processor is associated with each camera. The digital signal processors process pixel data acquired by selected pixel subsets of the at least two digital cameras to generate pointer characteristic data when a pointer exists in the acquired images. The pointer characteristic data identifies edges of the pointer. A master digital signal processor triangulates the edge information in the pointer characteristic data to determine a bounding area that represents a pointer perimeter.

Abstract: The efficient calibration of multi-touch sensor panels that have non-flat surfaces is disclosed. The calibration of the sensor panels can be accomplished using a calibration device with a flexible calibration surface. The flexible calibration surface is particularly well-suited for curved or other non-flat touch sensor panels, such as those that might be present on a mouse or other device designed to be grasped by a user's hand. The flexible apparatus can conform to the non-flat touch sensor panel and apply the equivalent of a conductive touch over most or all of the pixels.

Abstract: A contact-sensing device includes a capacitance contact-sensing unit including contact-sensing areas configured to at least detect contact with an external object; a calibration-value setting unit configured to set a calibration value to be used to calibrate capacitances of the contact-sensing areas on the basis of capacitances of the contact-sensing areas excluding the contact-sensing area detected by the contact-sensing unit to be in contact with the external object; a calibration determining unit configured to determine whether or not calibration of the capacitances of the contact-sensing areas is to be carried out on the basis of capacitances of the contact-sensing areas excluding the contact-sensing area detected by the contact-sensing unit to be in contact with the external object; and a capacitance calibrating unit configured to calibrate capacitances of all of the contact-sensing areas using the calibration value set by the calibration-value setting unit when the calibration determining unit determine

Abstract: The topology and the shape of sensing electrodes (4, 31) on the Capacity Touch Pad Sensor that allow sensing of small targets are disclosed. Sensor construction utilizes common PCB manufacture technique.

Abstract: A touch screen image setting frame configured to be placed over a monitor having a touch screen overlay, including an inner perimeter that defines an opening in the touch screen image setting frame, an outer perimeter disposed parallel to the inner perimeter, at least one surface configured to conform to the surface of a monitor, and a device disposed on the touch screen image setting frame and configured to at least temporarily secure the touch screen image setting frame to the front of the monitor, wherein the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the inner perimeter are equal to or adjustable to be equal to the vertical and horizontal dimensions of a touch screen active area of the touch screen overlay, and a method of using the same is disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media process and distinguish user input device gestures, such as gestures input via a pen in a pen-based computing system, e.g., to quickly and reliably distinguish between electronic ink entry, single taps, double taps, press-and-hold actions, dragging operations, and the like. Systems, methods, and computer-readable media also are provided for dynamically calibrating a computer system, e.g., calibrating a displayed input panel view based on input data recognized and received by a digitizer. Such systems and methods may operate without entering a dedicated or special calibration application, program, or routine.

Abstract: When a display panel is in contact with the pen tip of an input pen, an infrared receiver and at least two ultrasonic receivers, provided on the display panel, receive respectively an infrared signal and an ultrasonic signal simultaneously transmitted from an infrared transmitter and an ultrasonic transmitter, and computes the contact position of the pen tip on the display panel from a result, containing a time delay, of the ultrasonic receiver receiving the ultrasonic signal with reference to a time when infrared signal is received. The input pen includes a piezoelectric element sensing pen pressure when the pen tip is in contact with the display panel and a microcomputer controlling a infrared transmitter to transmit an infrared signal which changes in accordance with the pen pressure.

Abstract: An image jaggedness filter is disclosed that can be used to detect the presence of ungrounded objects such as water droplets or coins, and delay periodic baseline adjustments until these objects are no longer present. To do otherwise could produce inaccurate normalized baseline sensor output values. The application of a global baseline offset is also disclosed to quickly modify the sensor offset values to account for conditions such as rapid temperature changes. Background pixels not part of any touch regions can be used to detect changes to no-touch sensor output values and globally modify the sensor offset values accordingly. The use of motion dominance ratios and axis domination confidence values is also disclosed to improve the accuracy of locking onto dominant motion components as part of gesture recognition.

Abstract: A method for calibrating coordinates of a touch screen includes the steps of: providing a display panel, which includes display coordinates along a first axis and a first axis display coordinate; providing a capacitive sensor, which includes sensing electrodes disposed along the first axis and respectively corresponding to sensing coordinates, wherein capacitive sensor has a maximum sensing coordinate; detecting digital values corresponding to the sensing electrodes when the capacitive sensor is touched; multiplying the digital values by the sensing coordinates corresponding to the sensing electrodes to obtain a weighting value; dividing the weighting value by the maximum sensing coordinate to obtain an interpolated value; and multiplying the interpolated value by the first axis display coordinate to obtain a calibrated coordinate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a portable electronic device including an operation surface for inputting an operating action of a user, detecting means for detecting the coordinates of a point of contact of a user's finger with said operation surface, a memory for storing information representing a deviation between the coordinates of a point on said operation surface where the user desires the user's finger to touch said operation surface and the detected coordinates of the point of contact, and correcting means for correcting said deviation based on the stored information.

Abstract: A system and method of dynamically calibrating an image triage system. An image that may include one or more target entities is into a plurality of individual non-calibration image chips. Each non-calibration image chip is successively displayed to a user for a presentation time period. A calibration image chip that includes a synthetic target entity is selectively displayed, for the presentation time period, between the successive display of two non-calibration image chips. Calibration data are collected from the user at least while each calibration image chip is being displayed, and the image triage system is dynamically calibrated using the calibration data.

Abstract: A computer readable medium has instructions to calibrate a touch system by detecting touch points on a touchscreen that are each associated with touchscreen coordinates in a touchscreen coordinate system. The instructions associated each of the touch points with known calibration targets, and each of the calibration targets has display coordinates in a display coordinate system that is associated with at least one of a display screen and an operating system. The instructions fit the display coordinates and the touchscreen coordinates non-linearly with respect to each other based on a generalized Laplace-constrained fit that is used to identify correction parameters used to map a user generated run-time touch point on the touchscreen to a display coordinate location on a display screen. The correction parameters represent non-linear corrections.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an effective keypad assembly and keypad layout for mobile computing devices. In particular, embodiments of the invention provide keyboard layouts and designs. Additionally, embodiments described herein provide for stack components to make keyboards operable on small-form factor devices.

Abstract: A software compensation method that allows a touch sensitive display to be built using low-cost FSR force sensors The compensation method comprises an array of functional compensation modules including filtering, voltage conversion, temperature compensation, humidity compensation, sensor calibration, sensor reading linearization, auto calibration, positioning determination and finally end-user and mechanical calibration. The array of compensation modules can bring system accuracy from a non-compensated average positioning error in the 25% to 50% range, down to aN end-user acceptable range of 0% to 5%. The increased positioning accuracy makes it possible to use FSRs as opposed to traditional piezoresistive based touch screen sensors.

Abstract: A single-layer touch-sensor device having a calibration mechanism coupled therewith is described. Included is a charge measurement circuit coupled, by a pair of electrical traces, with a slider of the single-layer touch-sensor device. A pair of calibration capacitors is included, each calibration capacitor coupled, between the slider and the charge measurement circuit, with one of the pair of electrical traces. A pair of connection switches is also included, each connection switch coupled with one of the pair of calibration capacitors.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an accurate positioning function with respect to an object and program generating an operation by depression and its depression release. The present invention provides a control device (1) for outputting an information in accordance with an operation with respect to an input device. The control device (1) comprises: a detection unit (8) for detecting a release of depression with respect to the input device; and an output unit (8) for outputting an information indicative of a depression with respect to the input device and an information indicative of a depression release when detecting a release of the depression.

Abstract: Detect four sets of first touch coordinates (A, B, C, D) on a touch panel. Divide an area delimited by the detected four sets into two areas of triangles (ABD, BCD). For each area of triangle, obtain a first correction factor. Detect a set of second touch coordinates (P, Q) selected within a respective one of the areas of triangles. Convert the detected set of second touch coordinates into a set of first corrected coordinates. Detect a difference between the set of first corrected coordinates and a set of true display coordinates. Where the detected difference is greater than a predetermined threshold value, further divide the area of triangle (BCD) into three areas of triangles (QBD, QBC, QCD). Obtain a second correction factor using the set of second touch coordinates and the sets of first touch coordinates corresponding to the vertices.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a pointer relative to a touch surface includes at least two spaced imaging assemblies having overlapping fields of view encompassing the touch surface. The imaging assemblies see the touch surface in three-dimensions as a perspective view. The imaging assemblies acquire overlapping images from different locations. A processor receives and processes image data generated by at least one of the imaging assemblies to determine the location of the pointer relative to the touch surface.

Abstract: A user interface is provided allowing a user to simulate mouse hovering with the user's finger on a touch-sensitive display. When a finger or other stylus touches the touch-sensitive display adjacent to a display cursor, a control appears that enables the user to drag the cursor about the display by dragging the control. Manipulation of the control instead of the cursor allows the user to see the cursor while it moves, making it easier to accurately target small objects that were previously difficult to target directly. In addition, a tap or other user touch input is funneled from the control to the location of the cursor itself. For example, if the user taps on the control, the tap causes an event such as a left mouse button down event to be generated at the location of the cursor as opposed to the location of the tap, thereby improving accuracy.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a contoured capacitive touch screen control panel includes printing control indicia on at least one of a front surface and a back surface of a flexible film and printing conductive ink pads on a back surface of the film in alignment with the control indicia. The printed film is placed in an injection mold with the conductive pads in contact with a back surface of the mold so that a space remains between the front surface of the flexible film and a front surface of the mold. The method then includes flowing a molten plastic into the space in engagement with the front surface of the film to form a control panel with the printed indicia being visible through the control panel from a face of the control panel opposite from the film.

Abstract: An AC-to-DC adapter may be provided in order to increase the sensitivity of a touch-sensitive surface. Such an AC-to-DC adapter may include a rectifying circuit to rectify incoming AC signals. The rectifying circuit may take the form of a diode bridge network that includes four diode branches. Stabilization circuits may be provided in parallel with each diode branch in order to decrease the impedance of the diode bridge network during particular periods of operation. The stabilization circuits may be configured such that the impedance of the diode bridge network is substantially constant during all periods of operation. As a result, the impedance of the AC-to-DC adapter may be relatively constant during all periods of operation. In turn, the sensitivity of a touch-sensitive surface of a device being powered by such an AC-to-DC adapter may increase.

Abstract: In an interactive display system, a projected image on a display surface and a vision system used to detect objects touching the display surface are aligned, and optical distortion of the vision system is compensated. Also, calibration procedures correct for a non-uniformity of infrared (IR) illumination of the display surface by IR light sources and establish a touch threshold for one or more uses so that the interactive display system correctly responds to each user touching the display surface. A movable IR camera filter enables automation of the alignment of the projected image and the image of the display surface and help in detecting problems in either the projector or vision system.

Abstract: A method of displaying controls in a touch panel includes detecting contact of an object with the touch panel, determining a dimension of the object contacting the touch panel, and increasing a size of controls corresponding to the contact of the object when the dimension of the object is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An electro-optic display is driven using a plurality of different drive schemes. The waveforms of the drive schemes are chosen such that the absolute value of the net impulse applied to a pixel for all homogeneous and heterogeneous irreducible loops divided by the number of transitions in the loop is less than about 20 percent of the characteristic impulse (i.e., the average of the absolute values of the impulses required to drive a pixel between its two extreme optical states).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of deactivating the touch screen lock in a portable electronic device comprising a touch screen and means for locking the touch screen. The method comprises detecting touches on predetermined contact areas on the touch screen in a given order during touch screen lock and deactivating the touch screen lock once said touches on said predetermined contact areas are detected. The invention also relates to a portable electronic device comprising a touch screen and means for locking the touch screen. The device comprises means for detecting touches on predetermined contact areas on the touch screen in a given order during touch screen lock and deactivating the touch screen lock once said touches on said predetermined contact areas are detected.

Abstract: A touch panel for a display device integrates functionality provided by resistive-type and EM-type touch panels. The touch panel is integrated with the display device and includes a resisitve-type touch panel arranged above the display device and an EM-type touch panel arranged below the display device.

Abstract: Each of transducers of a touch panel device includes a piezoelectric thin film, a plate electrode disposed at one surface of the piezoelectric thin film and a comb-like electrode disposed at the other surface of the piezoelectric thin film. The comb-like electrode has a plurality of comb-like electrode fingers and a linear bus electrode to which one end of each of the plural comb-like electrode fingers is connected. A plurality of wiring electrodes is provided at the outer side of any of the transducers in parallel with the bus electrode of the transducer and is connected to the bus electrode and the plate electrode of any of the transducers. Each of the wiring electrodes includes an electrode base portion formed by printing silver paste containing fine particles on the substrate and an electrode main body formed by printing silver paste containing large particles and fine particles in a mixed manner on the electrode base portion.

Abstract: A system for determining a route is provided. The system comprises a map of a geographic area, a sensing device and a computer system. The map includes coded data indicative of the map and a plurality of reference points on the map. The sensing device is operable to sense the coded data, generate indicating data relating to the map's identity and one or more of the reference points, and communicate the indicating data to the computer system. The computer system is operable to receive the indicating data, identify a geographic location from the indicating data and determine a route incorporating the geographic location.

Abstract: A position encoded sensing device having a display panel, a light guiding layer disposed on the display panel. The light guiding layer is configured to have encoded information therein. In addition, the position encoded sensing device includes a transceiver for detecting light and the encoded information that are guided out of the light guiding layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for simulating an effective touch on a touch screen sensor. A touch screen sensor includes a first surface, an opposing second surface, and one or more electrodes disposed on or proximate to the second surface. Signals are applied to the first and second surfaces in a manner which results in a simulated touch to a particular location of the touch screen sensor. In another approach, a plurality of voltage drive signals are applied at various touch surface regions of the touch screen sensor. A current flow resulting from application of the voltage drive signals is detected as the simulated touch. Touch simulation can be initiated locally or remotely as part of automated monitoring, testing, calibration, and/or servicing procedures. Results of a touch simulation procedure can be acquired and used locally or remotely to assess the operational fitness of the touch screen sensor over time.

Abstract: An input device includes a flat first input unit for a first input operation, a second input unit for a second input operation, a display unit having a display portion displaying data, and a control unit controlling each unit. The control unit gives an operator feedback by provisionally displaying input data obtained from the first input operation, and then confirms the input by the second input operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for toggling between operation modes of a touch control device, being applied in an electronic data processing device with a touch control device and providing an electronic data processing device capable of toggling its operation between a first coordinate operation mode and a second coordinate operation mode to use the input of the touch control device, which comprises the steps of: setting a predetermined area of a touch control device as a switching mode area by a controller; determining a received position signal by the controller whether or not to act as an instruction for toggling its operation between the first coordinate operation mode and the second coordinate operation; and setting the current operation mode to another operation mode by the controller if the determination is true.

Abstract: A digital resistive-type touch panel includes first and second transparent substrates opposing each other; a plurality of first transparent electrodes extending along a surface of the first transparent substrate; a plurality of second transparent electrodes extending along a surface of the second transparent substrate, wherein the first and second transparent electrodes cross each other; a first signal line for dividing an applied voltage and applying unique voltages to respective ones of the first transparent electrodes; and a plurality of second signal lines connected to respective ones of the plurality of second transparent electrodes.

Abstract: A system and method for turning a regular computer monitor screen into a touch screen using an ordinary camera. It includes an image-screen mapping procedure to correct for the non-flatness of the computer screen. It also includes a segmentation method to distinguish the foreground, for example an indicator such as a finger, from the background of a computer screen. Additionally, this system and method includes a robust technique of finding the tip point location of the indicator (such as the finger tip). The screen coordinates of the tip point are then used to control the position of the system indicator.

Abstract: A user interface for a portable electronic device comprising a flexible display panel and a flexible touch sensor. The flexible touch sensor is operable to register a position where contact is made with a surface of the flexible display panel, such that the position of contact registered is translated into a particular command for controlling the portable electronic device. In the present embodiment, the flexible touch sensor is disposed beneath the flexible display panel. As such, the quality of the display is not diminished. In addition, the combination of the flexible display panel and the flexible touch sensor reduces the thickness of the portable computer system.

Abstract: A display has a display part displaying an image signal, an image signal processor providing the image signal to the display part, a pen sensor sensing at least two locations on a main body of the pen positioned on the display part and generating a first pen sensor signal and a second pen sensor signal, and a controller controlling the image signal processor to display the image as rotated based on the first pen sensor signal and the second pen sensor signal. The display senses an exact display direction which a user wants to use without operating a display direction converting switch and rotates the displayed image according to the sensed display direction.

Abstract: A presentation device for generating a virtual screen used for performing a pointing operation, has a photographing section of which an angle of view can be adjusted by operating a zoom function and a pan-and-tilt mechanism, a monitor for a presenter, displaying an image photographed by the photographing section, and a control section. A mark for generating the virtual screen is set on a photographing range of the photographing section or the monitor, a virtual screen area having a predetermined size is set within the angle of view of the photographing section based on the mark, and the control section generates XY coordinates of the virtual screen on the virtual screen area.

Abstract: An interactive display system comprising a touch sensitive display surface for sensing pressure applied thereto and in response generating control signals indicating locations of the applied pressure, a personal computer for receiving the control signals and in response generating graphic images, and an LCD panel in combination with an overhead projector for receiving and projecting the graphic images onto the touch sensitive display surface at the indicated locations. The LCD panel and overhead projector may be provided an integral unit.

Abstract: A touch pad for a data processing system includes a first film and an electrically conductive first thin film above the first film, a plurality of electrically non-conductive spacer dots above the first thin film, a second electrically conductive thin film above the plurality of spacer dots, and a second film above the second thin film. The density of spacer dots above the first thin film is non-uniform. In one implementation, the first film is a ceramic, the second film is a flexible polymer, and the first and second thin films are a metal-oxide compound. In one embodiment, the spacer dot density is in a first range over a first portion of the first film and in a second range over a second portion of the first film. The second portion of the first film may define a signature box suitable for receiving a user's signature.

Abstract: A capacitive touchpad integrated with key and handwriting functions is provided for operation in key, handwriting and mouse modes. Several regions are defined on the panel of the touchpad and have several patterns printed thereon for the operation modes thereby. In the key mode, the key patterns among the printed patterns simulate a keyboard. In the handwriting mode, the handwriting region among the defined regions serves to handwriting input. In the mouse mode, the defined regions provide a cursor moving region and a horizontal and vertical scroll bars for input operations.

Abstract: A universal input device for use with a surface, such as a whiteboard, is provided. The universal input device can be used to control various computing devices as well as capture handwritten electronic ink and have the electronic ink be associated with new or stored documents. The universal input device can be coupled to a whiteboard marker for use with a conventional whiteboard. The universal input device can track the movement of the whiteboard marker on the whiteboard for transmission to a host PC applying those movements to a document and/or other application. The universal input device can identify the width of the marker's tip as well as the marker color. A digital eraser tracks the movement of a conventional whiteboard eraser across the surface of the whiteboard. An encoded medium can be placed over a conventional whiteboard for tracking of the movements.

Abstract: A touch system includes a touch surface on which an image is, displayed and at least one camera acquiring images of the touch surface. A pointer contact data generator generates pointer position data in response to pointer contact with the touch surface. The pointer position data represents the location of the pointer on the touch surface where pointer contact is made. A processor communicates with the at least one camera and the pointer contact data generator. The processor uses known points in the displayed images to calibrate automatically co-ordinate systems of the touch system, and uses calibrated pointer position data to update image data that is used to present the displayed image on the touch surface. In one embodiment, the touch system includes an active touch sensitive screen that comprises both the touch surface and the pointer contact data generator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and assembly which determines a route using a computer system, a map and a user operated sensing device. The map shows a geographic area and includes coded data that is indicative of the map and reference points on the map. The sensing device is operable to sense the coded data and generate indicating data relating to the map's identity and one or more of the reference points. The computer system is operable to identify a geographic location from the indicating data. The sensing device is positioned relative to the map to generate indicating data specifying a point on the route, and the indicating data is sent to the computer system for it to determine a route incorporating the specified point.