Ellipse fitting for multi-touch surfaces
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of …
Original patent title: “Ellipse fitting for multi-touch surfaces”
What this patent covers
The actual claim
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device.
What this patent does NOT cover
The boundaries
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Patent Abstract
Patent abstract
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device.
Patent Journey
From filing to today
Patent Filed
2007
Patent Granted
2010 · 4yr after filing
Highly Cited
93 patents cite this
Active Today
2026
Expires
2027
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
High impact
Citation count
39/40
Highly cited
Claim breadth
20/20
Very broad protection
Recency
5/20
Granted 10–20 years ago
Assignee scale
20/20
Major technology company
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
The original legal language
Original claims
38 claims as filed with the patent office.
Citations
Patent lineage
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