For many of us it is a daily experience, our smartphone's small keyboard and lack of tactile feedback cause a large number of typos. This has led to ruined days (or at least a few unpleasant minutes), and some funny conversations on Pinterest.
A new development out of Georgia Tech looks to simplify phone input by decreasing the number of keys needed to type and eliminating the need to view the screen. Researchers have released an open-source app, called BrailleTouch, which is based upon the Braille system used by the visually impaired.
Only 3 fingers from each hand are necessary to type with BrailleTouch and the phone faces away from the user's line of sight. As touchscreen typing occurs, audio feedback from the phone's speaker allows the user to know if the correct text was input.
The new system does require the user to learn to type using the Braille Alphabet, but in the demonstration video below, Mario Romero, the project's primary investigator, says users can attain this skill fairly easily (he does highlight that reading Braille and typing Braille are two very different abilities).
We'll be trying BrailleTouch out soon. Will you be incorporating BrailleTouch in to your daily smartphone use?
Friday, February 24, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
NFC Trackpad Solution from Cirque on Display at CES
Press Release on Cirque's CES Activity
Next generation computing platforms with touch and Near Field Communication, powered by Cirque GlidePoint®.
Salt Lake City, Utah – January 6, 2012 – Cirque continues to lead the industry in the combination of touch and NFC capability at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. GlidePoint trackpads featuring the patented integration of touch and NFC will be on display at the NXP Semiconductors booth (CES Central Plaza, booth: CP8). We will be showing examples of GlidePoint with NFC in a notebook PC and in an industrial keyboard.
The demand for NFC capability is rapidly increasing. Native support in Windows 8 and new applications for data sharing and device pairing make NFC a necessity for future computing platforms. The trackpad, already a natural user input device, is the perfect place for adding NFC to a portable computer, especially for designs using metal enclosures. Cirque’s patented methods for combining an NFC antenna with a touch sensor, and ensuring the two systems do not interfere with each other, enables PC OEMs to easily add NFC to their devices.
See Cirque’s NFC enabled trackpad technology in action at CES 2012, and stay tuned to cirque.com and our YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/CirqueCorp) for more NFC and touch content.
Cirque Corporation is the original developer of capacitive sensing technology and continues to function as a market leader in a variety or markets such as notebook computers, payment, industrial, medical and consumer electronics. To learn more about Cirque’s wide range of capacitive touch solutions, visit http://www.cirque.com.
Cirque, GlidePoint and all associated logos are trademarks of Cirque Corporation.
Next generation computing platforms with touch and Near Field Communication, powered by Cirque GlidePoint®.
Salt Lake City, Utah – January 6, 2012 – Cirque continues to lead the industry in the combination of touch and NFC capability at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. GlidePoint trackpads featuring the patented integration of touch and NFC will be on display at the NXP Semiconductors booth (CES Central Plaza, booth: CP8). We will be showing examples of GlidePoint with NFC in a notebook PC and in an industrial keyboard.
The demand for NFC capability is rapidly increasing. Native support in Windows 8 and new applications for data sharing and device pairing make NFC a necessity for future computing platforms. The trackpad, already a natural user input device, is the perfect place for adding NFC to a portable computer, especially for designs using metal enclosures. Cirque’s patented methods for combining an NFC antenna with a touch sensor, and ensuring the two systems do not interfere with each other, enables PC OEMs to easily add NFC to their devices.
See Cirque’s NFC enabled trackpad technology in action at CES 2012, and stay tuned to cirque.com and our YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/CirqueCorp) for more NFC and touch content.
Cirque Corporation is the original developer of capacitive sensing technology and continues to function as a market leader in a variety or markets such as notebook computers, payment, industrial, medical and consumer electronics. To learn more about Cirque’s wide range of capacitive touch solutions, visit http://www.cirque.com.
Cirque, GlidePoint and all associated logos are trademarks of Cirque Corporation.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Demonstration: GlidePoint® NFC Trackpad
This is a video of our touchpad NFC solution to be shown at CES. Please visit the NXP booth at CES for a live demonstration (CES Central Plaza, booth: CP8).
Transcript
Welcome back for a new demonstration of the GlidePoint® NFC solution. Today, we're looking at some real-world applications for using GlidePoint NFC.
The demonstration includes a GlidePoint NFC trackpad installed on this laptop computer. The NFC communication will take place between the trackpad and both this Galaxy Nexus and this Mifare NFC card.
To begin, we'll send a URL from the phone. Here we have Cirque's webpage. As the devices communicate, the URL is sent to the PC.
In this same fashion, we're able to communicate maps… and contacts. Both of these can happen via GlidePoint NFC.
Watch as a webpage is transferred from this business card to the NFC touchpad. In the future, you're going to see more information stored in everyday items.
Thank you for watching this demonstration today. For more information on GlidePoint NFC or other Cirque products, please visit www.cirque.com.
Other Links:
Press Release, GlidePoint NFC Page, Video
Video:
Transcript
Welcome back for a new demonstration of the GlidePoint® NFC solution. Today, we're looking at some real-world applications for using GlidePoint NFC.
The demonstration includes a GlidePoint NFC trackpad installed on this laptop computer. The NFC communication will take place between the trackpad and both this Galaxy Nexus and this Mifare NFC card.
To begin, we'll send a URL from the phone. Here we have Cirque's webpage. As the devices communicate, the URL is sent to the PC.
In this same fashion, we're able to communicate maps… and contacts. Both of these can happen via GlidePoint NFC.
Watch as a webpage is transferred from this business card to the NFC touchpad. In the future, you're going to see more information stored in everyday items.
Thank you for watching this demonstration today. For more information on GlidePoint NFC or other Cirque products, please visit www.cirque.com.
Other Links:
Press Release, GlidePoint NFC Page, Video
Video:
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Happy Holidays
Holiday Cheer is Prevalent Here.
Happy Holidays from Cirque!
Cirque Celebrates with a little Gingerbread Contest.
Gingerbread Eiffel Tower
QR Code for www.cirque.com.
It really works!
Happy Holidays from Cirque!
It really works!
Friday, December 23, 2011
GlideTouch® High Resolution Stylus - Video Transcription
Video is available to play at the bottom of this post.
♫ Some introductory Music ♫
Welcome to the demonstration of Cirque's High Resolution Input Stylus.
The High Resolution Stylus can be used in devices like point of sale payment terminals, graphic tablets, and signature capture pads.
Today we'll be looking at a Stylus Demonstration Kit. You can see that this would be easy for including in a device needing pen input. The demonstration kit includes a glass panel touchscreen, stylus, and a controller board. We will be interfacing with my computer through a USB connection.
This product is not limited to touchscreens. You can also have a signature capture device created on a printed circuit board, and you can see here that the sizing options are endless.
We'll begin by using the stylus. You can see on the screen the input on the right, and then without making any adjustments, input from the finger can be captured as well.
This is the same input on the actual screen. For signature capture, forensic quality is considered 300 samples per second. At Cirque, we exceed that and offer up to 550 samples per second.
High Resolution Stylus has a pen priority mode which defaults to the stylus if input is received from both pen and finger. Pen priority mode allows users to hold the pen in any way desired without accidentally causing input if the sensor is touched.
Finally, let's capture a forensic quality signature. Today, I'll be signing with the name "Elvis" and because this performs 550 samples per second, this signature is forensic quality.
Thank you for watching the demonstration of Cirque's High Resolution Input Stylus. If you have any questions or would like to see further demos, please visit www.Cirque.com.
♫ Closing Music ♫
♫ Some introductory Music ♫
Welcome to the demonstration of Cirque's High Resolution Input Stylus.
The High Resolution Stylus can be used in devices like point of sale payment terminals, graphic tablets, and signature capture pads.
Today we'll be looking at a Stylus Demonstration Kit. You can see that this would be easy for including in a device needing pen input. The demonstration kit includes a glass panel touchscreen, stylus, and a controller board. We will be interfacing with my computer through a USB connection.
This product is not limited to touchscreens. You can also have a signature capture device created on a printed circuit board, and you can see here that the sizing options are endless.
We'll begin by using the stylus. You can see on the screen the input on the right, and then without making any adjustments, input from the finger can be captured as well.
This is the same input on the actual screen. For signature capture, forensic quality is considered 300 samples per second. At Cirque, we exceed that and offer up to 550 samples per second.
High Resolution Stylus has a pen priority mode which defaults to the stylus if input is received from both pen and finger. Pen priority mode allows users to hold the pen in any way desired without accidentally causing input if the sensor is touched.
Finally, let's capture a forensic quality signature. Today, I'll be signing with the name "Elvis" and because this performs 550 samples per second, this signature is forensic quality.
Thank you for watching the demonstration of Cirque's High Resolution Input Stylus. If you have any questions or would like to see further demos, please visit www.Cirque.com.
♫ Closing Music ♫
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
GlidePoint® Trackpad in Audi Console
It's happened to us all. The sun shines through a few scattered clouds. The deep blue sky contrasts perfectly with the surrounding green meadow and scattered mountain peaks. It's a gorgeous day for a drive.
It's also the perfect day for wildlife to be up and about, crossing the road and in general getting in your way.
So when you need to find the nearest gas station, are you able to look at the touchscreen of your navigation system? Of course not! You need to be focused, eyes on the road, avoiding obstacles that could present themselves at any minute.
See the videos below to see Audi's use of the GlidePoint® trackpad to make navigation and auto automation systems easy to use while keeping drivers' attention in front of the vehicle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVgvkUIVnVc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ1qD09R1vU is really good from 1:20 to 1:30.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Some initial thoughts on Windows 8
Touch comes to life on Windows 8
The touch offerings via trackpad and touchscreen are sophisticated and easy to use. Either method gives access to multi-finger gestures.We enjoy the Metro Screen as the main method of navigation and applaud easy access to the desktop when needed.
This combination of old and new should make it easy to use the new OS even if some utilities' access methods have changed.
Productivity and Entertainment
Windows has always offered robust productivity tools, but Windows 8 users will likely see a shift to more activities of consumption and entertainment. Touchscreen input offers the ability to navigate the web and interact with games in new ways.We're excited to see Windows 8 devices come to market sometime next year, and look forward to seeing the additional abilities of the OS at the time of release.
Hopefully, we'll be able to stop playing some of these games included with Windows 8 and write a few more articles about the OS.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Resistive Touch (Touch Sensing Technologies - Part 3)
We encounter resistive touch on a regular basis; though, this technology's inclusion in everyday devices has been eclipsed by capacitive touch in the last few years. Because resistive touch does not depend on the capacitance of the object touching it, resistive touchscreens accommodate contact from various materials such as a stylus tip or a finger wrapped in a glove.
Resistive, like most non-capacitive touch technologies, is usually specific to touchscreen technology and is not used in trackpads or other forms of cursor control.
Resistive Sensing works in the way one might initially expect a touchscreen to work. It doesn't sense a finger; it senses the push (or pressure).
Resistive touch is dependent upon the opposing electrical principles of resistance and conductivity. Materials that create to a barrier for electricity are electrically resistant. Conversely, conductive materials are those that are favorable for the passage of electricity.
Resistive touch panels have two conductive layers separated by a resistive substance (likely air). When not being touched, the resistive layer prohibits the layers transfer of electricity between the conductive layers—a circuit is not able to form.
When the top layer is pressed, the screen bends and comes in contact with the bottom layer. At this point of touch the two conductive layers connect and a circuit is completed. Sensors then analyze the change in the electric field to calculate where the touch occurred.
Resistive, like most non-capacitive touch technologies, is usually specific to touchscreen technology and is not used in trackpads or other forms of cursor control.
Resistive Sensing works in the way one might initially expect a touchscreen to work. It doesn't sense a finger; it senses the push (or pressure).
How Resistive Touch works
Resistive touch panels have two conductive layers separated by a resistive substance (likely air). When not being touched, the resistive layer prohibits the layers transfer of electricity between the conductive layers—a circuit is not able to form.
When the top layer is pressed, the screen bends and comes in contact with the bottom layer. At this point of touch the two conductive layers connect and a circuit is completed. Sensors then analyze the change in the electric field to calculate where the touch occurred.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Product Announcement Video: NFC Technology Integration with GlidePoint
Does your device need NFC, but sizing constraints leave few options for including the technology? See this video of Cirque's implementation of a trackpad integrated with NFC technology.
Integration is not limited to trackpads; NFC touchscreens are available for mobile phones, tablets, point of sale, and other uses as well.
One unique feature of note is the ability to track a finger while reading an NFC card at the same time. No interference occurs while the two functions are performed simultaneously.
Integration is not limited to trackpads; NFC touchscreens are available for mobile phones, tablets, point of sale, and other uses as well.
One unique feature of note is the ability to track a finger while reading an NFC card at the same time. No interference occurs while the two functions are performed simultaneously.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Capacitive Touch (Touch Sensing Technologies - Part 2)
Basics
It is quite likely that your interest in touch was first awakened after seeing an implementation of capacitive touch.
For changing displays and interacting with electronics and machines, touch has many great solutions, but if very precise measurements of multiple finger movements are necessary, capacitive is the technology of choice.
This article should answer some basic questions about how capacitive touch works—future articles will focus on finer details of implementation. If you have questions about implementing capacitive touch, we at Cirque would definitely enjoy discussing ideas with you.
Surface Capacitive
Surface Capacitive sensing is implemented by applying a conductive coating to one side of an insulated surface then applying a very thin insulator on top of the conductor (an insulator is a material that acts as a barrier to the flow of electricity). A current is then applied to each of the four corners of the conductive coating. When a conductor, such as a finger, contacts the surface, a capacitor is formed and draws more current or charge from the four corners. The current is measured at each corner and the ratio of the currents is used to determine where the finger is on the touchpanel.
Projected Capacitive
Projected Capacitive, instead of charging a whole surface, places an X-Y grid of conductive material between two insulator materials. The grid is often copper or gold on a printed circuit board or indium tin oxide (ITO) on glass, depending on the use of the touch product; however, there are many other options of materials to use.
An ASIC then charges and monitors the grid. As charge is pulled by a finger(s) from an area in the grid, the ASIC is made aware of the location of the finger, which then gets interpreted into a mouse cursor position or point of touch on a touchscreen.
Sensors using projected capacitive technology can be tuned to sense a finger or another capacitor that is not touching the surface. This also allows more layers on top of the sensing surface or thicker materials that can better handle vandalism and extreme conditions.
Because a grid is involved it is possible to sense the presence of more than one finger. The grid's sensing of both and X and Y coordinates also increases the accuracy of projected capacitive.
Where you've seen
You are seeing projected capacitive sensors everywhere. It is in the trackpad on your laptop and in most of the high-end touchscreen cell phones. It is in the screens of tablet computers, and as TouchAdvance readers likely know, it may be in the restaurant you're eating at this evening.
What's still missing from this report
As with most feats of electronic engineering, capacitive touch goes much deeper than can be covered in one article.
Projected capacitive can be broken down into two different methods: mutual capacitance and self-capacitance. These subjects should be explored on TouchAdvance soon.
The differences of projected and surface capacitive are highlighted fairly well, but the detailed intricacies of the underlying components will be left for another article.
* Depending on tuning, the finger does not have to actually contact the surface for projected capacitive to sense the finger's location.
It is quite likely that your interest in touch was first awakened after seeing an implementation of capacitive touch.
For changing displays and interacting with electronics and machines, touch has many great solutions, but if very precise measurements of multiple finger movements are necessary, capacitive is the technology of choice.
This article should answer some basic questions about how capacitive touch works—future articles will focus on finer details of implementation. If you have questions about implementing capacitive touch, we at Cirque would definitely enjoy discussing ideas with you.
Surface Capacitive
Projected Capacitive
An ASIC then charges and monitors the grid. As charge is pulled by a finger(s) from an area in the grid, the ASIC is made aware of the location of the finger, which then gets interpreted into a mouse cursor position or point of touch on a touchscreen.
Sensors using projected capacitive technology can be tuned to sense a finger or another capacitor that is not touching the surface. This also allows more layers on top of the sensing surface or thicker materials that can better handle vandalism and extreme conditions.
Because a grid is involved it is possible to sense the presence of more than one finger. The grid's sensing of both and X and Y coordinates also increases the accuracy of projected capacitive.
Where you've seen
You are seeing projected capacitive sensors everywhere. It is in the trackpad on your laptop and in most of the high-end touchscreen cell phones. It is in the screens of tablet computers, and as TouchAdvance readers likely know, it may be in the restaurant you're eating at this evening.
What's still missing from this report
As with most feats of electronic engineering, capacitive touch goes much deeper than can be covered in one article.
Projected capacitive can be broken down into two different methods: mutual capacitance and self-capacitance. These subjects should be explored on TouchAdvance soon.
The differences of projected and surface capacitive are highlighted fairly well, but the detailed intricacies of the underlying components will be left for another article.
* Depending on tuning, the finger does not have to actually contact the surface for projected capacitive to sense the finger's location.
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