Monitoring pointer trajectory and modifying display interface

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for improving touch-screen interface usability and accuracy by determining the trajectory of a pointer as it approaches the touch-screen and modifying the touch-screen display accordingly. The system may predict an object on the display the user is likely to select next. The system may designate this object as a Designated Target Object, or DTO. The system may modify the appearance of the DTO by, for example, changing the size of the DTO, or by changing its shape, style, coloring, perspective, positioning, etc.

1 . A method, comprising:
 sensing a pointer spaced apart from a touch-enabled display of a computing device as the pointer approaches the touch-enabled display;   determining a 3-dimensional trajectory of the pointer relative to the touch-enabled display;   designating a target object on the touch-enabled display based upon the determined 3-dimensional trajectory while the pointer is spaced apart from the touch-enabled display; and   modifying an appearance of the designated target object on the touch-enabled display.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the modifying the appearance of the target object comprises changing at least one of the following:
 a size of the target object; 
 a perspective of the target object; 
 a shape of the target object; 
 a coloring of the target object; 
 a style of the target object; or 
 a position of the target object relative to other objects on the touch-enabled display. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising storing data regarding behavior patterns of a user, and wherein the designating further designates the target object based upon both the stored behavior patterns of the user and the determined 3-dimensional trajectory. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising storing data regarding usage patterns of an application, and wherein the designating further designates the target object based upon both the stored usage patterns of the application and the determined 3-dimensional trajectory. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the determining the 3-dimensional trajectory of the pointer includes determining a curvature of the 3-dimensional trajectory. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further including changing a touch-enabled display appearance based upon the curvature of the 3-dimensional trajectory such that hidden objects become visible. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the determining, designating, and modifying are repeated as the pointer moves with respect to the touch-enabled display. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the designating includes changing the designated target object. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the designating includes un-designating a previously designated target object when the determining determines that the trajectory is leading away from the previously designated target object. 
     
     
         10 . A computing device including memory and a processor configured to execute the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A system, comprising:
 a processor;   a memory;
 an input trajectory element configured to determine a 3-dimensional trajectory of a pointer when the pointer is spaced apart from a touch-enabled display of a computing device, based upon detected 3-dimensional positioning of the pointer over time; and, 
 a predictor/adapter configured to designate a target object on the touch-enabled display based upon the determined 3-dimensional trajectory and further configured to provide a control signal for changing an appearance of the designated target object on the touch-enabled display. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the predictor/adaptor is further configured to designate a different target object based upon an updated determined 3-dimensional trajectory and to generate another control signal for changing an appearance of the different target object, wherein the updated determined 3-dimensional trajectory is determined after the appearance of the designated target object is changed. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , manifested on a single computing device. 
     
     
         14 . A method, comprising:
 sensing x, y, and z coordinates of a pointer over time;   computing a 3-dimensional trajectory of the pointer relative to a touch-enabled display of a touch enabled device based upon the x, y, and z coordinates;   designating a target object on the touch-enabled display of the touch enabled device based upon the computed 3-dimensional trajectory of the pointer; and,   modifying an appearance of the target object on the touch-enabled display.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising repeating the sensing and computing subsequent to the modifying and in an instance where a trajectory change is identified, further comprising designating a different target object and restoring the appearance of the target object on the touch-enabled display.