Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Duncan

Peter Vale

John Guido Atkins Weiss

Nigel Stuart Keam

Manolito E Adan

Dana Lu Silverstein

Robert Brigham

The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for recognizing multiple input point gestures. A recognition module receives an ordered set of points indicating that contacts have been detected in a specified order at multiple different locations on a multi-touch input surface. The recognition module determines the position of subsequently detected locations (e.g., third detected location) relative to (e.g., to the left of right of) line segments connecting previously detected locations (e.g., connecting first and second detected locations). The gesture module also detects whether line segments connecting subsequently detected locations (e.g., connecting third and fourth detected locations) intersect line segments connecting previously detected locations (e.g., connecting first and second detected locations). The gesture module recognizes an input gesture based on the relative positions and whether or not line segments intersect. The gesture module then identifies a corresponding input operation (e.g., cut, paste, etc.) to be performed.

Recognizing multiple input point gestures

Systems and methods for processing a user speech input to determine whether the user has correctly read a target sentence string are provided. One disclosed method may include receiving a sentence array including component words of the target sentence string and processing the sentence array to generate a symbolic representation of the target sentence string. The symbolic representation may include a subset of words selected from the component words of the target sentence string, having fewer words than the sentence array. The method may include processing user speech input to recognize in the user speech input each of the words in the subset of words in the symbolic representation of the target sentence string. The method may further include, upon recognizing the subset of words, making a determination that the user has correctly read the target sentence string.

Speech recognition for determining if a user has correctly read a target sentence string

A password-type security system may be employed using the placement of physical objects as a security pattern that is to be matched before access to secured content is granted. The system may be implemented on a computing system that uses a display that can detect, e.g., via optical circuitry, the visual characteristics of the display surface. The system can visually detect the placement of objects, their orientations, locations, color, printed patterns, etc. The user may define a security pattern as comprising one or more objects placed at locations on the screen, or at a predetermined rotation angle. The outline shape of an object may be treated as a required pattern, such that access to secured content is permitted only if the object having that outline shape is detected on the display surface. Similarly, printed patterns on objects may also be detected and used as part of security patterns.

Security using physical objects

The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for recognizing multiple input point gestures. A recognition module receives an ordered set of points indicating that contacts have been detected in a specified order at multiple different locations on a multi-touch input surface. The recognition module determines the position of subsequently detected locations (e.g., third detected location) relative to (e.g., to the left of right of) line segments connecting previously detected locations (e.g., connecting first and second detected locations). The gesture module also detects whether line segments connecting subsequently detected locations (e.g., connecting third and fourth detected locations) intersect line segments connecting previously detected locations (e.g., connecting first and second detected locations). The gesture module recognizes an input gesture based on the relative positions and whether or not line segments intersect. The gesture module then identifies a corresponding input operation to be performed.

A method of interacting with a computing device via one or more inking instruments to generate digital ink may include the steps of emitting light from a light emitting device to an inking instrument, receiving first user inputs from the inking instrument, and identifying the inking instrument based on sensed light reflected from the inking instrument. Another method may include the steps of simultaneously detecting first user inputs from a first inking instrument and second user inputs from a second inking instrument by receiving first light emitted from the first inking instrument and second light emitted from a second inking instrument that each have one or more identifying characteristics, identifying the inking instrument based on their identifying characteristics, and generating corresponding digital ink. These methods may be implemented via computer-executable instructions and may be used with a horizontally-placed display, tablet-based laptop computers, and passive or active digital inking instruments.

Uniquely identifiable inking instruments

User input methods may employ an input sensitive display screen that is agnostic with regard to the orientation in which the user is viewing the screen. Input methods may involve touching objects displayed on the screen, and movement of the objects may be determined by the release of a selected object, and a positional relationship involving the released and selected objects. A released object may automatically move towards, or away from, other selected objects. Alternatively, other selected objects may automatically move towards, or away from, the released object. Selection of objects may be performed in a sequence, and the particular sequence may help determine the direction of movement. Selection of multiple objects may be accomplished through a user simultaneously holding a finger over multiple objects, or a selection timer may be used to select multiple objects within a predetermined time. Gestures, such as a tilting of a finger on a display screen, may also determine movement characteristics.

Variable orientation input mode

A display system and method for use in controlling movement of a virtual image version of a physical object is described. A physical object may be placed on or near a display surface, which may sense the presence of the object and display a virtual image version of the object. In response to movement of the physical object, the virtual image may move as well. Movement speed of the virtual image may be capped at a maximum speed, so that if the physical object is moved too quickly, the image will remain moving at a constant maximum speed. Movement effects, such as blurring, fading, animation, etc. may be applied to the image during the movement. The movement may change direction as the physical object is detected in different positions, and the movement effects may be applied to smooth the change in direction (e.g., curving trajectory).

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Camano Island, WA, United States of America

Duncan