Proximity sensor device and method with subregion based swipethrough data entry

Abstract

A touch sensor device and method is provided that facilitates improved device usability. Specifically, the device and method provide improved user interface functionality by facilitating quick and easy data entry using proximity sensors with limited space. The electronic device includes a processing system and a sensor adapted to detect strokes in a sensing region. The device is adapted to provide user interface functionality by defining a plurality of subregions in the sensing region and producing an output responsive to the sensor detecting a stroke that meets a set of criteria. The produced output corresponds to a selected option, and the option is selected from a plurality of options based on a subregion identified by a portion of the stroke and a direction of the stroke. By so defining a plurality of subregions, and facilitating the selection of options based on subregion identified by a stroke and the direction of the stroke, the electronic device facilitates fast and flexible user input in a limited space.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.