Input method and apparatus using tactile guidance and bi-directional segmented stroke

• Main Author: BLASKO GABOR
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 04.05.2006
• Subjects: ADVERTISING; ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICESUSING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION; BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; EDUCATION; ELECTRIC SWITCHES; ELECTRICITY; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES; PHYSICS; RELAYS; SEALS; SELECTORS

An input method that is based on bidirectional strokes that are segmented by tactile landmarks. By giving the user tactile feedback about the length of a stroke during input, dependence on visual display is greatly reduced. By concatenating separate strokes into multi-strokes, complex commands may be entered, which may encode commands, data content, or both simultaneously. Multi-strokes can be used to traverse a menu hierarchy quickly. Inter-landmark segments may be used for continuous and discrete parameter entry, resulting in a multifunctional interaction paradigm. This approach to input does not depend on material displayed visually to the user, and, due to tactile guidance, may be used as an eyes-free user interface. The method is especially suitable for wearable computer systems that use a head-worn display and wrist-worn watch-style devices.