Processing signals to determine spatial positions
AssigneeSoundtouch Limited
InventorsChristopher Chapman, David L. Sandbach, Anthony Hardie-Bick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed for supplying input signals to a computer. A sensor having the form of a sphere has a touch sensitive surface for generating position data for touch events. The sensor includes orientation sensors that determine rotation with respect to the earth's magnetic and gravitational fields. Orientation data may be combined with position data to interpret the orientation of touch events on the surface with respect to the computer's display. Cursor movement or text may be generated from touch events. Preferably the sphere has a roughened surface that generates sound when touched. Position data is generated by processing signals from microphones under the sphere's surface.
Claims19
A method of determining the location of contact between a moving fingertip and a surface across which it is moving, comprising the steps of:
- generating random sound at the location of said contact by a process of substantially continuous frictional interaction between said surface and said moving fingertip,
- conducting sound waves from the location of said interaction to at least one microphone via sound-conducting material,
- analyzing signals from said at least one microphone, and
- processing results of said analysis to identify said location of contact.
A touch-operable input device comprising:
- a surface for generating random sound by a process of substantially continuous frictional interaction with a moving fingertip,
- at least one microphone arranged to receive sound waves from the location of said frictional interaction via sound-conducting material, and
- means for supplying signals to processing means configured to identify a fingertip location by processing signals from said at least one microphone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.