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US 7,812,828 B2Granted
Ellipse fitting for multi-touch surfaces
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsWayne Westerman, John G. Elias
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device.
Claims35
A method of processing input from a touch-sensitive surface, the method comprising:
- receiving at least one proximity image representing a scan of a plurality of electrodes of the touch-sensitive surface;
- segmenting each proximity image into one or more pixel groups that indicate significant proximity, each pixel group representing proximity of a distinguishable hand part or other touch object on or near the touch-sensitive surface;
- and
- mathematically fitting an ellipse to at least one of the pixel groups.
1 more element
A touch-sensing device comprising:
- a substrate;
- a plurality of touch-sensing electrodes arranged on the substrate;
- electronic scanning hardware adapted to read the plurality of touch-sensing electrodes;
- a calibration module operatively coupled to the electronic scanning hardware and adapted to construct a proximity image having a plurality of pixels corresponding to the touch-sensing electrodes;
- and
- a contact tracking and identification module adapted to:
- segment the proximity image into one or more pixel groups, each pixel group representing proximity of a distinguishable hand part or other touch object on or near the touch-sensitive surface;
- and
- mathematically fit an ellipse to at least one of the one or more pixel groups.
6 more elements
A touch-sensing device comprising:
- means for producing a proximity image representing a scan of a plurality of electrodes of a touch-sensitive surface, the proximity image having a plurality of pixels corresponding to the touch-sensing electrodes;
- and
- means for segmenting the proximity image into one or more pixel groups, each pixel group representing a touch object on or near the touch-sensitive surface;
- and
- means for fitting an ellipse to at least one of the pixel groups.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.