Pressure and position sensing pointing devices and methods
US9141234B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 29, 2011 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/03547
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Pointing devices and related methods are disclosed that generally involve manipulation of a cursor or other user interface component based on inputs from a user. In one embodiment, an image sensor captures an image of the underside of a transparent contact surface and determines whether an object (e.g., a user's finger) is present in the image. Cursor movement information comprising direction and velocity components can be calculated from a single image by equating the size of a detected object with a desired velocity and by equating the position of the detected object relative to a fixed reference point with a desired direction. Thus, detection of user motion is not required, nor is comparison of successive image frames relative to a time reference. As a result, a device having few or no moving parts can be provided while at the same time permitting continuous cursor motion without repetitive swiping by a user.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.