(12) Un1ted States Patent
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 7,631,811 B1
`
`Brown
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Dec. 15, 2009
`
`USOO7631811B1
`
`(54) OPTICAL HEADSET USER INTERFACE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: William Owen Brown, Santa Cruz, CA
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Plantronics, Inc., Santa Cruz, CA (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 103 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/906,803
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 4, 2007
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(200601)
`G06K 7/14
`(52) US. Cl.
`..................... 235/454; 379/428.02; 455/73
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................. 235/454;
`.
`.
`.379/428-02
`See apphcatron file for complete search hlstory.
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6,980,673 B2 * 12/2005 Funahashi ................... 382/124
`2001/0017934 A1*
`8/2001 Paloniemi et a1.
`........... 382/107
`
`..................... 381/74
`2007/0274530 A1* 11/2007 Buil et al.
`2008/0130910 A1
`6/2008 Jobling et al.
`2008/0284734 A1* 11/2008 Visser
`........................ 345/166
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Gregory, Peter; Doria, Tom; Stegh, Chris; Su, Jim; SIP Communica-
`tions For Dummies, Avaya Custom Edition, 2006, Wiley Publishing,
`
`Inc" HObOken’ NJ’ USA'
`* cited by examiner
`.
`.
`.
`Prtmary ExamtneriDamel A Hess
`Assistant ExamineriLaura Gudorf
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firmilntellectual Property Law
`Office of Thomas Chuang
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A headset includes a finger pad on an exterior of the headset
`on which a finger ofa headset wearer is placed. The headset
`includes an optical line scanner which scans the finger pad
`and outputs a series of successive images of the finger placed
`on the finger pad. A headset processor processes the output of
`the optical line scanner to detect relative motion ofthe finger
`on the finger pad or detect tapping of the finger on the finger
`pad.
`
`20 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
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`APPLE 1008
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`1
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`APPLE 1008
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`US. Patent
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`Dec. 15, 2009
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`Sheet 1 of5
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`US 7,631,811 B1
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`FIG. 1
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`2
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`US. Patent
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`Dec. 15, 2009
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`Sheet 2 of5
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`US 7,631,811 B1
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`Power Source
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`11
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`Memory
`12
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`Microphone
`14
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`Speaker
`16
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`User Interface 18
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`Line
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`Scanner 20
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`2 \
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`Processor
`10
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`50
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`FIG. 2
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`Input Keys 6
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`Light Source 22
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`Optical Sensor 26
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`Finger Pad 4
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`3
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`US. Patent
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`Dec. 15, 2009
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`Sheet 3 of5
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`US 7,631,811 B1
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`FIG. 3
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`4
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 15, 2009
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`Sheet 4 of 5
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`US 7,631,811 B1
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`Line Scanner for Scrolling
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`FIG. 4A
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`FIG. 48
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`32
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`mmw_
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`34
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`Vix
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`FIG. 4C
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`FIG. 4D
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`US. Patent
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`Dec. 15, 2009
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`Sheet 5 015
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`US 7,631,811 B1
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`Line Scanner for Selecting
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`4
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`4
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`4
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`Figure 5A
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`36
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`Figure SB
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`Figure 50
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`US 7,631,811 B1
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`1
`OPTICAL HEADSET USER INTERFACE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Recent developments in the telecommunications industries
`have produced telecommunications devices with increased
`capabilities. As a result, the complexity of interacting with
`these devices has increased. Headsets are now capable of
`doing more than being simple peripherals to legacy phones.
`For example, the headsets may control navigation through
`menus or files.
`However, headset form factors do not lend themselves well
`to traditional user interface technologies like keypads and
`displays which are suited for complex user man-machine
`interface interactions. For example, the available space on the
`headset housing is limited. In the prior art, headset user inter-
`faces typically consist of a small number of multifunction
`buttons and a multifunction visual indicator. This limited user
`
`interface makes access to more complex features and capa-
`bilities difficult and non-intuitive, particularly when the head-
`set is being worn. Visual indicators have limited use while the
`headset is being worn. Multifunction buttons are non-intui-
`tive and awkward to use.
`
`they offer
`As headsets become more “intelligent”,
`advanced features and functionality. With increased features
`and functionality, these headsets require more complex user
`interfaces. However, the limited physical size of headset
`housings makes it desirable to minimize the number of or
`required size of the headset user interface mechanisms.
`As a result, there is a need for improved methods and
`apparatuses for headset user interface input mechanisms.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention will be readily understood by the
`following detailed description in conjunction with the accom-
`panying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate
`like structural elements.
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a headset capable ofreceiving user inputs
`utilizing an optical line scanner.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified block diagram of the com-
`ponents of the headset shown in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a headset showing the
`internal arrangement of a line scanner system.
`FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate sample operation of a line scanner
`to detect user input scrolling as the user “wipes” his finger.
`FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate sample operation of a line scanner
`to detect user input tapping.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
`
`Methods and apparatuses for a headset user interface is
`disclosed. The following description is presented to enable
`any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention.
`Descriptions of specific embodiments and applications are
`provided only as examples and various modifications will be
`readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The general prin-
`ciples defined herein may be applied to other embodiments
`and applications without departing from the spirit and scope
`ofthe invention. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded
`the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modi-
`fications and equivalents consistent with the principles and
`features disclosed herein. For purpose of clarity, details relat-
`ing to technical material that is known in the technical fields
`related to the invention have not been described in detail so as
`
`not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
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`This invention relates generally to the field of headset user
`interfaces and specifically to the field ofheadset user interface
`input mechanisms. In one example, this description describes
`a method and apparatus for a headset with an optical line
`scanner on a lightweight headset, where the optical line scan-
`ner detects finger movements, such as tapping, sliding for-
`ward and sliding backward to be translated into various
`inputs, such as volume up and down, menu scrolling, and
`other headset user interface options known in the art.
`As a user moves his or her finger moves across the line
`scanner, relative motion of the fingerprints ridges and valleys
`are scanned. In the same manner that an optical mouse inter-
`prets the changing images to detect movement of the mouse,
`motion of the user finger is determined. However, for a head-
`set user interface, only one axis is needed for scrolling, allow-
`ing the possibility of using a line scanner. For tapping, an
`algorithm is used to determine the amount of light being
`received by the optoelectronic sensor. In a further example, to
`reduce false triggers, such as due to hair falling in front ofthe
`sensor, secondary mechanisms are used such as overlaying a
`transparent touch sensor such as a capacitance sensor on the
`line scanner pad.
`In one example of the invention, a headset includes a
`microphone, a speaker, and a finger pad on an exterior of the
`headset on which a finger of a headset wearer is placed. The
`headset includes an optical line scanner which scans the fin-
`ger pad and outputs a series of successive images ofthe finger
`placed on the finger pad. A headset processor processes the
`output of the optical line scanner to detect relative motion of
`the finger on the finger pad or detect tapping of the finger on
`the finger pad. The optical line scanner may include a light
`source, an optical guide for forming a line of light from the
`light source, an imaging sensor, and a lens for directing the
`line of light reflected from the finger pad onto the imaging
`sensor.
`
`In one example ofthe invention, a headset includes a finger
`receiving means for placement of a user finger, and an optical
`line scanning means for scanning the finger receiving means
`on a headset housing exterior and providing an output of
`successive images ofthe finger receiving means. The process-
`ing means processes the output of successive images on the
`finger pad to determine a relative movement of a user finger
`across the finger pad or to determine a tapping of the user
`finger on the finger pad. The processing means modifies a
`headset control operation responsive to the relative move-
`ment of the user finger or the tapping.
`In one example of the invention, a method for receiving
`user input at a headset includes providing a transparent finger
`pad on a headset housing for receiving a user finger, providing
`an optical line scanner disposed within the headset housing,
`and scanning the transparent finger pad with the optical line
`scanner to output a series of successive images. The method
`further includes processing the successive images to deter-
`mine a relative movement of a user finger across the finger
`pad, and modifying a headset control operation responsive to
`the relative movement of the user finger.
`In one example ofthe invention, a headset includes a finger
`receiving means for placement of a user finger, and an optical
`scanning means for scanning the finger receiving means on a
`headset housing exterior and providing a sequence of electri-
`cal signals associated with successive line scan images of the
`finger receiving means. The headset further includes a pro-
`cessing means for processing the sequence of electrical sig-
`nals to determine a relative bi-directional movement of a user
`
`finger across the finger pad along a single axis or determine a
`tapping of the user finger on the finger pad. The processing
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`US 7,631,811B1
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`3
`means modifies a headset control operation responsive to the
`relative movement of the user finger or the tapping.
`In one example of the invention, a method for receiving
`user input at a headset includes providing a transparent finger
`pad on a headset housing for receiving a user finger, providing
`an optical line scanner disposed within the headset housing,
`and scanning the transparent finger pad with the optical line
`scanner to output a sequence of electrical signals associated
`with successive line scan images. The sequence of electrical
`signals is processed to determine a relative movement of a
`user finger across the finger pad. The headset control opera-
`tion is modified responsive to the relative movement of the
`user finger.
`FIG. 1 illustrates a headset 2 capable of receiving user
`inputs utilizing an optical line scanner. Headset 2 includes a
`narrow finger pad 4 serving as a scanning surface on which a
`user finger is placed and scanned by the user “wiping” his
`finger across the scanning surface. During optical scanning,
`the user slides his or her finger across the scanning surface,
`whereby the line scanner images the finger line by line as it is
`slid across the scanning surface.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified block diagram of the com-
`ponents of the headset 2 shown in FIG. 1. The headset 2
`includes a processor 10 operably coupled via a bus 50 to a
`memory 12, a microphone 14, power source 11, and user
`interface 18. User interface 18 includes a line scanner 20 and,
`optionally, one or more input buttons or keys 6. In one
`example, line scanner 20 includes a light source 22, lens 24,
`and optical sensor 26. Optical sensor 26 is, for example, a
`charge coupled device (CCD) such as a CMOS square pixel
`array. The CCD is an array of light sensitive diodes which
`generate an electrical signal in response to light which hits a
`particular pixel. Line scanner 20 may also include a processor
`for processing scan data. Alternatively, line scanner 20 may
`utilize processor 10 to process scan data. Line scanner 20 may
`also include memory separate from memory 12 for storing
`scan data or firmware/software executable to operate line
`scanner 20 and process scan data. The firmware/software may
`include a user input
`identifier application for analyzing
`scanned finger motion data to determine user input at the
`finger pad 4. Alternatively,
`line scanner 20 may utilize
`memory 12 for such purposes. The line scanner 20 is properly
`aligned and integrated with finger pad 4 within the headset
`housing. In a further example, line scanner 20 is replaced with
`an alternative optical scanner. Examples of optical scanners
`include, without limitation, image sensors, planar scanners,
`CMOS sensors, contact image sensors, or other optical sys-
`tems such as used by optical mouse devices.
`Memory 12 may include a variety of memories, and in one
`example includes SDRM, ROM, flash memory, or a combi-
`nation thereof. Memory 12 may further include separate
`memory structures or a single integrated memory structure. In
`one example, memory 12 may be used to store passwords,
`network and telecommunications programs, and/or an oper-
`ating system (OS).
`Processor 10, using executable code and applications
`stored in memory, performs the necessary functions associ-
`ated with headset operation described herein. Processor 10
`allows for processing data,
`in particular managing data
`between user interface 18 and operation of headset 2 func-
`tions. In one example, processor 10 is a high performance,
`highly integrated, and highly flexible system-on-chip (SOC),
`including signal processing functionality such as echo can-
`cellation/reduction and gain control in another example. Pro-
`cessor 10 may include a variety of processors (e.g., digital
`signal processors), with conventional CPUs being applicable.
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`In one example the line scanner 20 continuously monitors
`finger pad 4 to identify whether a user has placed a finger on
`finger pad 4 to perform an input action. User interface 18
`allows for manual communication between the headset user
`
`and the headset. User interface 18 may also include, for
`example, an audio and/or visual interface such that an audio
`prompt may be provided to the user’s ear and/or an LED may
`be lit. For example, the prompt may inform the user to place
`his or her finger on the finger pad to perform a fingerprint
`scan. Although illustrated in FIG. 2 as separate from line
`scanner 20, finger pad 4 may also be considered to be a
`component of line scanner 20.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the headset 2 showing the
`internal arrangement of the line scanner system. The housing
`body ofheadset 2 includes a finger pad 4. Headset 2 may also
`include one or more user interface buttons or keys 6 which the
`user may depress.
`The finger pad 4 is optically transparent, allowing light
`from a light source 22 disposed within the headset housing to
`exit the headset. For example, finger pad 4 is a planar surface
`composed of glass or plastic. After light from the light source
`22 is reflected off the finger pad 4, it re-enters the headset
`housing and is focused by a lens 24 on an optical sensor 26.
`For example, optical sensor 26 is a motion sensor integrated
`circuit (IC) having an array ofphotodetectors for capturing an
`image. Optical sensor 26 converts light information into an
`electrical signal and transmits the signal to a system image
`processing unit. Lens 24 and optical motion sensor 26 are
`disposed within the headset 2. An optical guide may be
`arranged to convert light from light source 22 into a line-
`shaped light to illuminate a fingerprint in a line-shape. In a
`further example, a scanning component may sweep a beam
`spot of light across the finger pad 4 and the optical sensor may
`be a single element.
`The light reflected off the finger pad 4 forms an image of a
`user finger placed on the finger pad 4 on optical sensor 26.
`This image is captured by optical sensor 26. For example,
`optical sensor 26 has a plurality of line-shaped photoelectric
`converting elements. Successive images of a finger placed on
`the finger pad 4 are then compared by a processor. The pro-
`cessor may be integrated with the optical sensor 26 or may be
`a separate processor such as the headset processor 10. The
`successive images are compared to determine the forward or
`backward motion of the user finger across finger pad 4. The
`successive images are also compared to determine whether
`the user is “tapping” or “double tapping” the finger pad 4, i.e.,
`quickly placing his finger tip on finger pad 4 and then remov-
`ing it. Depending on the current operational state ofthe head-
`set, the forward or backward motion is translated to a pre-
`defined user input, such as scrolling through a menu or
`volume increase or decrease. User tapping or double tapping
`is translated, for example, to a user selected command.
`The directional motion of a finger on finger pad 4 along a
`single axis (e.g., X or Y) or the presence of a finger on finger
`pad 4 is detected optically by optical sensor 26 by directly
`imaging, as an array of pixels, the various particular ridges
`and valleys of the user fingerprint placed on the finger pad 4.
`The particular features of the fingerprint are illuminated by
`the light source 22. The use of optical sensors to detect direc-
`tion and degree ofmovement along an X-Y coordinate system
`is described in US. Pat. No. 6,233,368 issued May 15, 2001,
`entitled “CMOS Digital Optical Navigation Chip”, which is
`hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
`The motion of a finger on finger pad 4 is detected by optical
`sensor 26 by comparing a newly captured image with a pre-
`viously captured image to ascertain the direction and amount
`ofmovement. The newly captured image and previously cap-
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`US 7,631,811 B1
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`tured images may be stored in memory on the optical sensor
`26 or stored in headset memory 12. For example, referring to
`FIGS. 4A-4C, sample operation of line scanner 20 to detect
`user input scrolling as the user “wipes” his finger in a direc-
`tion 30 is illustrated. FIG. 4A illustrates a fingerprint 28 5
`corresponding to a user finger placed on finger pad 4. Refer-
`ring to FIG. 4C, a fingerprint portion 32 scanned by line
`scanner 20 is captured. At an immediate point in time there-
`after as the user finger is wiped in direction 30, the fingerprint
`28 is at a second position on finger pad 4, as shown in FIG. 4B.
`As a result, a different fingerprint portion 34 scanned by line
`scanner 20 is captured, as shown in FIG. FIG. 4D. The image
`of fingerprint portion 32 is compared to the image of finger-
`print portion 34 to ascertain the direction of movement of the
`user finger across finger pad 4. For example, the ridges and 15
`valleys of the fingerprint line scans may be pattern matched
`and aligned to determine the direction of movement.
`For example, referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, sample operation
`of line scanner 20 to detect user input tapping is illustrated. In
`this example, line scanner 20 detects user tapping by deter- 20
`mining whether the user has placed his finger across finger
`pad 4 and removed it immediately thereafter. For example, at
`a first time shown in FIG. 5A, the user finger pad 4 does not
`have a finger placed upon it. At a second time shown in FIG.
`5B, the user has placed his finger upon finger pad 4, which is 25
`scanned by line scanner 20. At third time illustrated in FIG.
`5C, the finger pad 4 is once again clear as the user has
`removed his finger. In one example, the quantity of light
`detected by the sensor is used to determine a tap. In a further
`example, a time period on which the user finger is placed on 30
`finger pad 4 to indicate a user tap is empirically determined.
`Double tapping is detected, for example, by detecting user
`tapping twice within a predefined time period.
`The information developed by optical sensor 26 regarding
`the motion of the user finger on the finger pad 4 is relayed to 35
`the headset processor 10, which translates the information to
`correspond to user input actions at the headset. The headset
`processor 10 then implements the desired input action. For
`example, such desired input actions may include volume
`control, power control, call answer, call
`terminate,
`item 40
`select, next item, and previous item, or other actions typically
`performed at a headset device.
`In a further example, line scanner 20 is used to authenticate
`the identity of the headset user by scanning the fingerprint of
`the user and comparing it to a previously stored authorized 45
`fingerprint. During optical scanning, the user slides his or her
`finger across the scanning surface, whereby the line scanner
`images the finger line by line as it is slid across the scanning
`surface. In this manner, the fingerprint of the user is gener-
`ated. In this example, the headset memory includes previ- 50
`ously stored fingerprint data corresponding to validated users,
`a feature identifier application for analyzing scanned finger-
`print scan data, and a fingerprint match application for com-
`paring the analyzed scanned fingerprint scan data to previ-
`ously stored fingerprint data. In one example, headset user 55
`authentication is required prior to allowing the user to operate
`the headset. In this example, the line scanner 20 serves the
`dual function of being a user interface input device and an
`authentication device.
`
`The various examples described above are provided by 60
`way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit
`the invention. Based on the above discussion and illustrations,
`those skilled in the art will readily recognize that various
`modifications and changes may be made to the present inven-
`tion without strictly following the exemplary embodiments 65
`and applications
`illustrated and described herein. For
`example, the methods and systems described herein may be
`
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`applied to other body worn devices in addition to headsets.
`Furthermore, the functionality associated with any blocks
`described above may be centralized or distributed. It is also
`understood that one or more blocks of the headset may be
`performed by hardware, firmware or software, or some com-
`binations thereof. Such modifications and changes do not
`depart from the true spirit and scope of the present invention
`that is set forth in the following claims.
`While the exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention
`are described and illustrated herein, it will be appreciated that
`they are merely illustrative and that modifications can be
`made to these embodiments without departing from the spirit
`and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention is
`intended to be defined only in terms ofthe following claims as
`may be amended, with each claim being expressly incorpo-
`rated into this Description of Specific Embodiments as an
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A headset comprising:
`a microphone;
`a speaker;
`a finger pad on an exterior of the headset on which a finger
`of a headset wearer is placed;
`an optical line scanner, wherein the optical line scanner
`scans the finger pad and outputs a series of successive
`images of the finger placed on the finger pad; and
`a processor, wherein the processor processes the series of
`successive images to detect relative motion of the finger
`on the finger pad or detect tapping of the finger on the
`finger pad.
`2. The headset of claim 1, wherein the optical line scanner
`comprises:
`a light source;
`an optical guide for forming a line of light from the light
`source an imaging sensor; and
`a lens for directing the line of light reflected from the finger
`pad onto the imaging sensor.
`3. The headset of claim 2, wherein the light source com-
`prises a light emitting diode.
`4. The headset of claim 2, wherein the imaging sensor
`comprises an integrated circuit sensor.
`5. The headset of claim 1, wherein the optical line scanner
`detects relative motion of the finger on the finger pad along a
`single axis.
`6. The headset of claim 1, wherein the fingerpad comprises
`a glass planar surface.
`7. A headset comprising:
`a finger receiving means for placement of a user finger;
`an optical line scanning means for scanning the finger
`receiving means on a headset housing exterior and pro-
`viding an output of successive images of the finger
`receiving means;
`a capacitive sensing means overlaid on the finger receiving
`means for sensing placement of a user finger to detect a
`false trigger of the optical line scanning means; and
`a processing means for processing the output of successive
`images of the finger receiving means to determine a
`relative movement of a user finger across the finger
`receiving means or determine a tapping ofthe user finger
`on the finger receiving means, wherein the processing
`means modifies a headset control operation responsive
`to the relative movement of the user finger or the tap-
`ping;
`a first transducer means for receiving a user speech signal;
`and
`
`a second transducer means for outputting an audio signal.
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`US 7,631,811 B1
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`7
`8. The headset of claim 7, wherein the headset control
`operation comprises one or more selected from the following
`group: volume control, power control, call answer, call ter-
`minate, item select, next item, and previous item.
`9. A method for receiving user input at a headset compris-
`ing:
`providing a transparent finger pad on a headset housing for
`receiving a user finger;
`providing an optical line scanner disposed within the head-
`set housing;
`scanning the transparent finger pad with the optical line
`scanner to output a series of successive images;
`processing the series of successive images to determine a
`relative movement of a user finger across the transparent
`finger pad; and
`modifying a headset control operation responsive to the
`relative movement of the user finger.
`10. The method of claim 9, wherein processing the succes-
`sive images to determine a relative movement of a user finger
`across the finger pad comprising determining whether the
`user finger is moving in a first direction along an axis or in a
`second direction opposite the first direction along the axis.
`11. The method of claim 9, further comprising processing
`the successive images to determine a tap of the user finger on
`the finger pad.
`12. The method of claim 11, wherein processing the suc-
`cessive images to determine a tap of the user finger on the
`finger pad comprises measuring a quantity of light received at
`the optical line scanner.
`13. The method of claim 9, wherein processing the succes-
`sive images comprises identifying and comparing fingerprint
`ridges and valleys.
`14. A headset comprising:
`a finger receiving means for placement of a user finger;
`an optical scanning means for scanning the finger receiving
`means on a headset housing exterior and providing a
`sequence of electrical signals associated with successive
`line scan images of the finger receiving means;
`a capacitive sensing means overlaid on the finger receiving
`means for sensing placement of a user finger to detect a
`false trigger of the optical line scanning means; and
`a processing means for processing the sequence of electri-
`cal signals to determine a relative bi-directional move-
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`ment of a user finger across the finger receiving means
`along a single axis or determine a tapping of the user
`finger on the finger receiving means, wherein the pro-
`cessing means modifies a headset control operation
`responsive to the relative bi-directional movement ofthe
`user finger or the tapping;
`a first transducer means for receiving user speech; and
`a second transducer means for outputting an audio signal.
`15. The headset of claim 14, wherein the headset control
`operation comprises one or more selected from the following
`group: volume control, power control, call answer, call ter-
`minate, item select, next item, and previous item.
`16. A method for receiving user input at a headset compris-
`ing:
`providing a transparent finger pad on a headset housing for
`receiving a user finger;
`providing an optical line scanner disposed within the head-
`set housing;
`scanning the transparent finger pad with the optical line
`scanner to output a sequence of electrical signals asso-
`ciated with successive line scan images;
`processing the sequence of electrical signals to determine a
`relative movement of a user finger across the transparent
`finger pad; and
`modifying a headset control operation responsive to the
`relative movement of the user finger.
`17. The method of claim 16, wherein processing the
`sequence of electrical signals comprises pattern matching
`fingerprint ridges and valleys.
`18. The method of claim 16, wherein processing the
`sequence of electrical signals to determine a relative move-
`ment of a user finger across the finger pad comprising deter-
`mining whether the user finger is moving in a first direction
`along an axis or in a second direction opposite the first direc-
`tion along the axis.
`19. The method of claim 16, further comprising processing
`the sequence ofelectrical signals to determine a tap ofthe user
`finger on the finger pad.
`20. The method of claim 19, wherein processing the
`sequence of electrical signals to determine a tap of the user
`finger on the finger pad comprises measuring a quantity of
`light received at the optical line scanner.
`*
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`*
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`10
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`10
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