Virtual keyboards and methods of providing the same

A method for inputting data into an electronic device using a virtual keyboard, the method comprising:

• receiving a sequence of images containing a finger of a user;
• generating a combined image for each image of the sequence, the combined image containing the finger of the user and a virtual keyboard;
• detecting a motion of the finger in the sequence of images relative to the virtual keyboard, the virtual keyboard having a plurality of virtual keys, each virtual key having a plurality of virtual sensors;
• generating sensor actuation data by comparing a pixel region of the detected motion to a pixel region of the virtual sensors;
• and
• recognizing a gesture using the sensor actuation data to input data into the electronic device.

A system for inputting data into a computing device, the system comprising:

• means for capturing a sequence of images containing a finger of a user;
• means for displaying each image of the sequence combined with a virtual keyboard, wherein the position of the finger in the displayed image relative to the virtual keyboard changes as the finger of the user moves relative to the camera;
• means for detecting motion of the user's finger in the sequence of images relative to the virtual keyboard, wherein the virtual keyboard comprises a plurality of virtual keys, each virtual key having a plurality of virtual sensors, and wherein means for detecting motion captures sensor actuation data of the virtual sensors using the detected motion;
• and
• means for recognizing a user's gesture using the sensor actuation data to input data into the computing device.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that when executed perform a method of inputting data into an electronic device using a virtual keyboard, the method comprising:

• receiving a sequence of images containing a finger of a user;
• generating a combined image for each image of the sequence, the combined image containing the finger of the user and a virtual keyboard;
• detecting a motion of the finger in the sequence of images relative to the virtual keyboard, the virtual keyboard having a plurality of virtual keys, each virtual key having a plurality of virtual sensors;
• generating sensor actuation data by comparing a pixel region of the detected motion to a pixel region of the virtual sensors;
• and
• recognizing a gesture using the sensor actuation data to input data into the electronic device.