Proximity-aware multi-touch tabletop
US8976136B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 12, 2012 |
| Grant date | Mar 10, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 20, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/04808
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A proximity-aware multi-touch tabletop is disclosed that includes both a touch screen display and proximity sensors. The proximity sensors are disposed in one or more annular groups around the touch screen display and are positioned in upward-and outward-facing directions. The proximity sensors allow the multi-touch tabletop to sense the distance of a body, arm, hand, or fingers of a user from the multi-touch tabletop. Thus, hand, arm, and finger positions of a user can be determined relative to the body position of the user, which enables the multi-touch tabletop to differentiate between left hand/arm gestures and right hand/arm gestures. Further, because the multi-touch tabletop can correlate left arm and right arm movements to a user body, the multi-touch tabletop can differentiate gestures originating from different users. The ability of the multi-touch tabletop to distinguish between users greatly enhances user experiences, particularly in a multi-user environment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.