One potential Touch Screen technology is from Austrailia. http://www.laserfocusworld.com/display_article/302469/12/none/none/News/DISPLAYS:-Low-cost-touch-screen-relies-on-optical-waveguides
I'm also thinking there is another input device that could potentially provide both a flying mouse and virtual keyboard without any added electronic hardware modifications (a less than 26 cent solution); the Camera ! If the camera were oriented facing towards the user (some method) AND it was oriented near the bottom of the phone, then with the LED flash unit set on low intensity, the Android Keyboard program could use use the spacial orientation of the camera to enter key strokes. As a finger moved, the image processing algorithms would detect location and stroke, with feedback shown on the display. This would provide a completely unobstructed display. Image processing algorithms http://www.efg2.com/Lab/Library/ImageProcessing/Algorithms.htm Also, this would potentially allow for a two-handed virtual keyboard. Image analysis would need to track each finger pad and its relation to the chord of the two hands. This would also potentially provide for 4-axis remote control applications (2 joysticks) for flight simulators (throttle, elevator, allerons, rudder) and potentially even more axi of control for robotics. This would also provide for vastly more complex interactions with the small display, providing artistic brush strokes and other graphic manipulation. The big catch here is the near field focus for the camera. Either the camera needs to already have near field focus, which it may have; or a flip/slide lens would need to fit over the camera to provide the near field focus needed. James On Jun 9, 5:23 pm, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > James, > > That sounds good! > > ... Do you know how much the different kinds of touch screens cost? > > The change in "strongness of touch" could be recognized by fingerprint > size, or rather d(fps)/dt > > So what you are suggesting is within reach for all screens that return > pressed area rather than just centroid location. > > I don't know how much of that is accessible at high levels. > > Ed > > PS: I'm still chasing the waterproof, sandproof, wearout proof, > dogproof, keyless phone. I would like for the screen to be less than > $4. With great audio because the driver compensates for the > nonlinearity of the inexpensive waterproof speaker. A decent > accelerometer gets you there.... $15 plus the battery? > > Anyway, I like the use model. > > On Jun 9, 7:45 am, James <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > Android cell phones already come with a graphic user interface, the > > touch screen. > > >http://androidcommunity.com/first-live-images-of-fullscreen-android-d... > > > But the problem is that a lot of keys need to fit on a small display. > > > The good alternative would be a touch sensitive virtual keyboard > > program that drags the keyboard focus around on the display and press > > strongly on the key desired for entry. The buttons that scroll under > > the users finger with a light touch would become larger and spread > > apart to avoid pressing multiple buttons on the small display. And as > > the finger scrolled past the button group it would become small and > > provide visual reference of key location. > > > This way, with only one finger the user could type messages without > > any additional complexity. > > > James > > > On May 30, 4:07 pm, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > Hey, > > > > It is obvious for an inexpensive hand held device that a 26 cent > > > accelerometer can behave as an edge sensitive touch screen with the > > > addition of soft keys along each edge. Think "label each edge and have > > > a translucent ball bearing that the user 'rolls' toward a key to press > > > it." The ball bearing returns to center automatically when the rate of > > > change of the angle of the acceleration vector is below some threshold > > > and you're ready for the next key. > > > > Kids can text with multiple strokes of 8 keys mostly because they get > > > feedback from when they have the desired letter - so with feedback > > > this will work very well. My best guess and current direction is soft > > > keys arranged around the edge of the screen like the face of clock > > > with 10 being '0', 11 being '*' and 12 being "#''. > > > > What are you guys using? > > > > This is touch screen like if the phone has a hard bump on the back of > > > the case right behind the screen and soft bumps under the edges. After > > > you learn with the phone on the desk you can learn to move the phone > > > like that without the desk present. > > > > Some have said, yes, this is an obvious idea, but a stupid one... > > > Anyway how are others doing this for inexpensive phone applications. > > > > ed- Hide quoted text - > > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Android Discuss" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/android-discuss?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
