METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENTERING DATA USING A VIRTUAL INPUT DEVICE

摘要

A user inputs digital data to a companion system (80) such as a PDA, a cell telephone, or an appliance device using a virtual input device (50) such as an image of a keyboard. A sensor (20) captures three-dimensional positional information as to the location of the user's fingers (30) in relation to where keys would be on an actual keyboard. This information is processed with respect to finger (30) locations and velocities and shape to determine when virtual keys would have been struck. The processed digital information is output to the companion system (80). The companion system (80) can display an image of a keyboard, including an image of a keyboard showing user fingers, and/or alphanumeric text as such data is input by the user on the virtual input device.