Touch sensitive display apparatus using sensor input

Described herein is a system that includes a receiver component that receives gesture data from a sensor unit that is coupled to a body of a gloveless user, wherein the gesture data is indicative of a bodily gesture of the user, wherein the bodily gesture comprises movement pertaining to at least one limb of the gloveless user. The system further includes a location determiner component that determines location of the bodily gesture with respect to a touch-sensitive display apparatus. The system also includes a display component that causes the touch-sensitive display apparatus to display an image based at least in part upon the received gesture data and the determined location of the bodily gesture with respect to the touch-sensitive display apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Technology pertaining to touch sensitive display apparatuses has advanced in recent years such that touch sensitive display apparatuses can be found in many consumer level devices and applications. For example, automated teller machines (ATMs) often include touch sensitive display apparatuses that allow users to select an amount for withdrawal or deposit when the user touches a certain portion of the screen. In another example, many conventional personal digital assistants include touch sensitive display apparatuses that allow users to select graphical icons and interact with the personal digital assistant in a way that many novice users find to be intuitive. In still other examples, touch sensitive display apparatuses can be found in point of sale terminals, laptop computers, cellular telephones and other devices that are commonplace.

The popularity of touch sensitive display apparatuses has increased due at least in part to ease of use, particularly for novice computer users. For instance, novice computer users may find selection of a graphical icon by hand more intuitive than selection of the icon through use of various menus and/or a pointing and clicking mechanism such as a mouse. In conventional touch sensitive display apparatuses users can select, move, modify or perform other tasks on graphical objects that are visible on the touch sensitive display apparatus by selecting such objects with a finger and/or stylus.

More advanced touch sensitive display apparatuses are equipped with multi-touch functionality. That is, a multi-touch display apparatus can recognize that two members (e.g., fingers) are simultaneously in contact therewith. A computing process may then be performed based at least in part upon the simultaneous touching of the touch sensitive display apparatus with the multiple members. In an example, a user may select a first corner of a graphical icon with a first finger and select a second corner of the graphical icon with a second finger and, by moving the fingers in opposite directions, cause the graphical object to be expanded on the touch sensitive display apparatus.

While multi-touch functionality has expanded the input vocabulary (e.g., possible commands) that can be used in connection with interacting with a touch sensitive display apparatus, the vocabulary for interacting with touch sensitive display apparatuses remains relatively limited. In other words, application designers are currently limited in designing applications for use in touch sensitive display apparatuses by the relatively limited manners in which a user can interact with a conventional touch sensitive display apparatus.

SUMMARY

Described herein are various technologies pertaining to touch sensitive display apparatuses in general and, more particularly, to using input from a sensor attached to the body of a user in connection with the touch sensitive display apparatus. Pursuant to an example, a user can place a sensor on a portion of their body such as on a wrist, a forearm, around a neck, around a bicep, etc. For instance, the sensor may be or include at least one electromyography sensor. In another example, the sensor may be a sensor that is configured to detect muscular movement pertaining to a limb or finger of the user by way of a technology other than electromyography.

The sensor coupled to the body of the user can be configured to output data indicative of a gesture being undertaken by the user, wherein a gesture can be particular movement of at least one finger, movement pertaining to a limb of the user (such as rotating an arm or moving an arm), movement pertaining to multiple fingers of the user, etc. Still further, data output from the sensor can be indicative of identities of one or more fingers or hands of the user. Thus, in an example, the sensor may be a portion of a sensor unit that is attached to the forearm of the user. The sensor can output data that indicates an index finger of the user has been moved in a particular manner. Therefore, data output by the sensor can be indicative of hand identity, finger identity and type of gesture being undertaken by the user.

Responsive to receipt of data output by at least one sensor coupled to the body of the user, a location of a gesture performed by the user can be determined with respect to a touch sensitive display apparatus. For example, the user may touch the touch sensitive display apparatus with the pointer finger of the right hand of the user at a particular position on the touch sensitive display apparatus. Once the user has touched the touch sensitive display apparatus, determination of the location of such touch can be undertaken. In another example, location of a gesture can be determined in a hoverspace above the touch sensitive display apparatus. This can be accomplished, for example, by emitting infrared light through a diffuse surface of the touch sensitive display apparatus and capturing light reflected from the fingers or hands of the user, wherein such fingers or hands are positioned in the hoverspace above the touch sensitive display apparatus. Other manners for determining location of gestures undertaken by the user are also contemplated.

Responsive to receipt of data from the sensor and responsive to determining location of a gesture with respect to the touch sensitive display apparatus, a computing process can be performed at the touch sensitive display apparatus. For instance, the computing process can include displaying certain graphical items to the user or causing graphical items to be modified.

Other aspects will be appreciated upon reading and understanding the attached figures and description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various technologies pertaining to touch sensitive display apparatuses and sensors that are configured to detect gestures will now be described with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like elements throughout. In addition, several functional block diagrams of example systems are illustrated and described herein for purposes of explanation; however, it is to be understood that functionality that is described as being carried out by certain system components may be performed by multiple components. Similarly, for instance, a component may be configured to perform functionality that is described as being carried out by multiple components.

With reference toFIG. 1, an example system100that facilitates performing a computing process on a touch sensitive display apparatus is illustrated. The system100includes a receiver component102that is configured to receive gesture data from a sensor unit104that is coupled to a body of a gloveless user106. Gesture data output by the sensor unit104can be indicative of a bodily gesture of the gloveless user106. As used herein, a bodily gesture can refer to movement pertaining to at least one limb of the gloveless user. In another example, a bodily gesture can comprise movement of at least one finger of the gloveless user106. Thus, for example, as used herein a gesture may be a movement of an arm of the gloveless user106in a particular direction. In another example, a gesture may be movement of a particular finger such as tapping of a pointer finger. In yet another example, a gesture may be movement of a limb and at least one finger at a substantially similar point in time. In still yet another example, a gesture may be movement of two fingers at a substantially similar point in time, positioning of two fingers at certain location(s) at a substantially similar point in time, etc. For instance, a gesture may be pressing a pointer finger against a thumb, may be separating a pointer finger from a middle finger or any other suitable movement or position of fingers. Types of sensors that can be included in the sensor unit104that can facilitate outputting gesture data will be described in greater detail below.

The system100may further include a location determiner component108that can be configured to determine location of the bodily gesture with respect to a touch sensitive display apparatus110. For example, the location determiner component108may be in communication with, or part of, the touch sensitive display apparatus110. In other words, the touch sensitive display apparatus110can use any suitable technology/technique in connection with determining location of a touch on the touch sensitive display apparatus110. Furthermore, the location determiner component108can be configured to determine location of a gesture as it occurs in a hoverspace above the touch sensitive display apparatus110. For instance, the touch sensitive display apparatus110may have a diffuse surface and nonvisible light, such as infrared light, can be emitted through the surface of the touch sensitive display apparatus110. Such nonvisible light may then reflect from a finger, the hand, etc. of the gloveless user106back through the diffuse display surface of the touch sensitive display apparatus110. Other techniques for determining locations of a gesture (e.g., a location of a finger, etc.) are contemplated and intended to fall under the scope of the hereto-appended claims.

The system100may further include a display component112which can be in communication with the receiver component102and the location determiner component108. The display component112can receive gesture data received by the receiver component102and a location determined by the location determiner component108and can cause the touch sensitive display apparatus110to display an image on a display surface based at least in part upon the received gesture data and the determined location of the bodily gesture with respect to the touch sensitive display apparatus110. For example, the display component112can cause an image to be presented to the user responsive to receipt of the gesture data and determined location of the gesture. Such image may pertain to an application executing on the touch sensitive display apparatus110(e.g., initializing an application, interacting with an application, etc.).

As can be ascertained, the gesture data output by the sensor unit104allows for additional vocabulary to be used in connection with interacting with the touch sensitive display apparatus110. For example, gesture data output by the sensor unit104can indicate that an index finger is being used to touch the touch sensitive display apparatus110. Touching the touch sensitive display apparatus110with an index finger may be associated with a different command when compared to touching the touch sensitive display apparatus with a pointer finger.

Furthermore, gesture data output by the sensor unit104can indicate which user is interacting with the touch sensitive display apparatus110. For example, the sensor unit104can be configured to output data that identifies the sensor unit204, and therefore can identity a user that is wearing the sensor unit104. In yet another example, the gesture data output by the sensor unit104can indicate which hand is being used to interact with the touch sensitive display apparatus110(e.g., during initial use of the sensor unit104, the user can indicate that the sensor unit104is being worn on a certain arm). In still yet another example, the sensor unit104can output gesture data to indicate that multiple fingers are being employed by the gloveless user106to interact with the touch sensitive display apparatus110. The display component112can be configured to recognize a plurality of different types of gestures and can take into consideration identities of fingers, hands and/or users that are performing the gestures in connection with displaying an image on the touch sensitive display apparatus110.

With respect to the sensor unit104, such sensor unit104may be in any suitable form that allows the gloveless user106to natively interact with the touch sensitive display apparatus110. For instance, the sensor unit104may be in the form of a wristband or included as a portion of a wristwatch. In another example, the sensor unit104may be in the form of a forearm band, a bicep band, may be placed on eyeglasses, may be in the form of a necklace, etc.

Furthermore, in an example, the sensor unit104may include at least one electromyography sensor. Electromyography is a sensing technology that measures electrical potentials generated by activity of muscle cells in the human body. Specific muscle activity can be monitored through use of an electromyography sensor and used to infer movements (intended or otherwise). Specifically human skeletal muscles are made up of muscle fibers attached to bone by tendons. To contract a muscle, the brain sends an electrical signal to the nervous system to motor neurons. Motor neurons in turn transmit electrical impulses to adjoining muscle fibers causing the muscle fibers to contract. Many motor neurons and their muscle fibers make up a muscle. During muscle contraction, some subset of these neurons and their muscle fibers are activated and the sum of electrical activity can be measured with an electromyography sensor. For instance, an electromyography sensor can measure muscular electrical signals from the surface of the skin. As noted above, gesture data output by the sensor unit104can be indicative of a bodily gesture undertaken by the user. Recognizing particular gestures through utilization of electromyography technologies is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/146,471, filed Jun. 26, 2008, and entitled “RECOGNIZING GESTURES FROM FOREARM EMG SIGNALS,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Additionally, the sensor unit104may comprise multiple electromyography sensors. Such sensors in the sensor unit104may be calibrated by causing electrical pulses to be transmitted from electrodes in the sensor unit104, wherein such electrical pulses can be sensed by sensors in the sensing unit104. Calibrating electromyography sensors in a sensor unit as well as multiplexing data from electromyography sensors in the sensor unit104is described in application Ser. No. 12/404,223, filed Mar. 13, 2009, and entitled “WEARABLE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY-BASED CONTROLLERS FOR HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERFACE,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In another example, the sensor unit104may include one or more sensors that are configured to measure muscle displacement in a forearm, on a hand, etc. For instance, rather than sensing electrical signals output by muscles during certain muscle activity, the sensor unit104may include one or more sensors that are configured to detect physical displacement of one or more muscles/tendons on the gloveless user106. For instance, the sensor unit104may include one or more piezoelectric sensors that are configured to output an electrical signal upon distortion of piezoelectric material in the piezoelectric sensors. A signal output by a piezoelectric sensor can be indicative of a gesture being undertaken by the gloveless user106. Of course, other sensor technologies that can be configured to output data responsive to muscle movement/electrical activity in the human body are contemplated and intended to fall into the scope of the hereto appended claims.

The sensor unit104may be equipped with a communications interface that facilitates transmission and receipt of data to and from a computing device, such as the touch sensitive display apparatus110. For instance, the sensor unit104may be equipped with a wireless transmitter that transmits data in accordance with 802.11 specifications. In another example, the sensor unit104may be equipped with an infrared transmitter that facilitates transmission and receipt of data by way of infrared signals. In still another example, the sensor unit104can be connected via a wireline connection to a computing device such as the touch sensitive display apparatus110. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor unit104may be configured to include a processor, such that data output by one or more sensors in the sensor unit104may be processed in the sensor unit104.

Additionally, the sensor unit104may be powered by any suitable power source. For example, the sensor unit104may include a repository that facilitates receipt of a battery that can provide power to sensors in the sensor unit104and a transmission device in the sensor unit104. In another example, the sensor unit104may be equipped with fuel cell technology, one or more solar cells or other suitable technology that can be employed in connection with providing power to one or more sensors and a data transmission/reception device in the sensor unit104.

The sensor unit104may also be equipped with modules that allow tactile response to be provided to the gloveless user106. For instance, the sensor unit104may be equipped with modules that vibrate in response to receipt of a command from the receiver component102. If the receiver component102does not recognize a gesture, the receiver component102can cause a module in the sensor unit104to vibrate, thereby providing information to the user that the user should re-perform the gesture. In another example, an application executing on the touch sensitive display apparatus110can be configured to cause a module to provide tactile responses to the gloveless user106by way of the sensor unit104. For instance, the gloveless user106may be participating in a computer video game that is executing on the touch sensitive display apparatus110, and a portion of such game may desirably cause the sensor unit104to provide tactile responses to the gloveless user106.

In addition, whileFIG. 1depicts the gloveless user106wearing a single sensor unit, it is to be understood that multiple sensor units may be coupled to the gloveless user106. For example, a sensor unit may be placed on each arm of the gloveless user106such that the gloveless user106can interact with the touch sensitive display apparatus110with gestures using both hands/arms. In another example, multiple sensor units can be placed on a single limb of the gloveless user104. Thus, the gloveless user106may wear a first sensor unit in the form of a shoulder strap, may wear a second sensor unit in the form of a forearm band, and may wear third sensor unit in the form of a wristband or wristwatch. Gesture data output by the series of sensor units may provide granular information pertaining to gestures undertaken by the user.

With respect to the touch sensitive display apparatus110, such apparatus110may be or include any suitable touch sensitive technologies. For example, the touch sensitive display apparatus110may include a resistive surface, a capacitive surface, may include one or more cameras that can recognize when a member is in physical contact or hovering above the touch sensitive display apparatus110, may include infrared technologies or any other suitable technologies that may be used in connection with touch sensitive displays.

With respect to the display component112, various interactive applications can be used in connection with the sensor unit104. For example, the display component112can combine high resolution and/or special gestures such as pointing and selecting objects on the surface of the touch sensitive display apparatus110with lower resolution gestures. For instance, the gloveless user106may be participating in a computer video game using the touch sensitive display apparatus110, where a first portion of the game can be played by directly contacting the surface of the touch sensitive display apparatus110and a second portion of the game may be played by stepping away from the touch sensitive display apparatus110and using gestures sensed by way of the sensor unit104. In another example, discrete actions such as turn on and off lights, etc. may be performed by directly contacting the touch sensitive display apparatus110, while executing such actions may be initiated by way of a gesture recognized using the sensor unit104. In still yet another example, the touch sensitive display apparatus110may be executing presentation software (e.g., software that facilitates presenting data/images to a plurality of people). An object on the surface can be selected by the gloveless user106by touching the surface of the touch sensitive display apparatus110while other actions such as rotating and scaling images can be executed based upon data output by the sensor unit104when the gloveless user106is standing away from the touch-sensitive display apparatus110. These applications are but a mere few examples of the possible applications that can employ a combination of data output by the sensor unit104and capabilities of touch sensitive display apparatuses.

Referring now toFIG. 2, an example depiction200of a sensor unit that employs electromyography technologies is illustrated. The depiction200includes an arm202of a gloveless user. A sensor unit204is placed directly on the skin of the gloveless user202. In an example, the sensor unit204may be an elastic band that is configured to closely couple sensors in the sensor unit204with skin of the gloveless user202. Sensor in the sensor unit204may be uniformly placed on the inside of such sensor unit204. While shown as being positioned on the forearm of the gloveless user202, it is to be understood that the sensor unit204may be placed at other positions on the body of the gloveless user202. Furthermore, it is to be noted that the gloveless user202can interact in a native and unoccluded manner with a touch sensitive display apparatus or other entities as the user202does not have sensors coupled to the fingers of such user.

Turning now toFIG. 3, an example system300that facilitates calibrating a sensor unit and/or a touch sensitive display apparatus110is illustrated. The system300includes the receiver component102that receives gesture data from the sensor unit104that is coupled to the skin of the gloveless user106. The location determiner component108determines location of a gesture that is detected through use of the sensor unit104with respect to the touch sensitive display apparatus110. The display component112is in communication with the receiver component102and the location determiner component108and displays an image based at least in part upon the gesture data received from the receiver component102and a location of the gesture as determined by the location determiner component108. As noted above, the display component112can disambiguate between fingers of the gloveless user106used in a gesture, may disambiguate between users that are wearing sensor units, may disambiguate between hands of a user, etc. in connection with displaying an image on the touch sensitive display apparatus110.

The system300further includes a calibration component302that can be used in connection with calibrating the sensor unit104with respect to the touch sensitive display apparatus110and/or calibrating the touch sensitive display apparatus110with respect to the sensor unit104. For example, the calibration component302may cause the touch sensitive display apparatus110to display graphical icons and/or instructions that inform the gloveless user106of certain gestures to make with respect to the touch sensitive display apparatus110at particular locations. Thus, for instance, the calibration component302can cause an icon to appear on the touch sensitive display apparatus110and instructions that request that the gloveless user106touch the displayed icon with a pointer finger of the gloveless user's right hand. Thereafter, the display component112can have some data pertaining to what constitutes a touch of the touch sensitive display apparatus110with the pointer finger of the right hand of the gloveless user106.

In another example, the touch sensitive display apparatus110may include algorithm/functionality that is used to approximate multi-finger gestures, used to approximate pressure applied to the touch sensitive display apparatus110, etc. Data output from the sensor unit104may be used in connection with calibrating such approximations. Therefore, data output from the sensor unit104may be used by the touch sensitive display apparatus110even when the gloveless user106or another user is not wearing the sensor unit104.

Turning now toFIG. 4, an example system400that facilitates detecting location of a gesture with respect to a touch sensitive display apparatus when the gesture occurs in a hoverspace of the touch sensitive display apparatus is illustrated. The system400includes the touch sensitive display apparatus110, wherein the gloveless user106is performing a gesture in the hoverspace of the touch sensitive display apparatus110. As can be ascertained, the sensor unit104is coupled to the skin of the gloveless user106.

The system400further includes a light emitter402that can, for example, emit nonvisible light through a diffuse display surface of the touch sensitive display apparatus110. For example, the location determiner component108may comprise the light emitter402. A light detector404can detect nonvisible light that reflects from a finger, hand, etc. of the gloveless user106. The location determiner component108can process the reflective light in connection with determining where, with respect to the touch sensitive display apparatus110, the gloveless user's hand/finger is located, thereby ascertaining where (with respect to the touch sensitive display apparatus110) a gesture is performed.

While the light emitter402has been described as emitting nonvisible light, it is to be understood that other technologies may be used in connection with detecting location of a gesture in a hoverspace of the touch sensitive display apparatus110. For example, a camera may be positioned in the touch sensitive display apparatus110and pixels of images captured by such camera can be analyzed to determine where, with respect to the touch sensitive display apparatus110, a gesture is being performed. In other words, depth values can be assigned to pixels in captured images, and such depth values can be used in connection with determining where a gesture is being performed. In another example, techniques such as ultrasound can be used in connection with determining where the gloveless user106is undertaking a gesture with respect to the touch sensitive display apparatus110. Such location information can be used together with gesture data output by the sensor unit104to display an image to the gloveless user106on the touch sensitive display apparatus110(e.g., such location data may be used in connection with allowing the gloveless user106to interact in an intuitive manner with the touch sensitive display apparatus110).

Turning now toFIG. 5, another example system500that can be used in connection with determining location of a gesture in a hoverspace over a touch sensitive display apparatus as illustrated. The system500includes the receiver component102that receives gesture data from the sensor unit104being worn by the gloveless user106.

The system500may additionally include a camera502that is external to the touch sensitive display apparatus110, wherein field of view of the camera502is configured to encompass a hoverspace of the touch sensitive display apparatus110. The location determiner component108can analyze images captured by the camera502in connection with determining location of a gesture being performed by the gloveless user106with respect to the touch sensitive display apparatus110. Image analysis techniques are well known and for the sake of brevity are not described herein. However, it is to be understood that the location determiner component108may use any suitable image analysis technique in connection with determining/estimating a location of a gesture undertaken by the gloveless user106as such gesture is performed in the hover space of the touch sensitive display apparatus110. As described above, the display component110can cause image data to be displayed on the touch sensitive display apparatus110based at least in part upon the location determined by the location determiner component108and gesture data received by the receiver component102.

With reference now toFIGS. 6 and 7, various example methodologies are illustrated and described. While the methodologies are described as being a series of acts that are performed in a sequence, it is to be understood that the methodologies are not limited by the order of the sequence. For instance, some acts may occur in a different order than what is described herein. In addition, an act may occur concurrently with another act. Furthermore, in some instances, not all acts may be required to implement a methodology described herein.

Moreover, the acts described herein may be computer-executable instructions that can be implemented by one or more processors and/or stored on a computer-readable medium or media. The computer-executable instructions may include a routine, a sub-routine, programs, a thread of execution, and/or the like. Still further, results of acts of the methodologies may be stored in a computer-readable medium, displayed on a display device, and/or the like.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a methodology600that facilitates performing a computing process based at least in part upon gesture data output from a sensor unit coupled to a user that is indicative of a gesture performed by the user and location of such gesture with respect to a touch sensitive display apparatus is illustrated. The methodology600begins at602, and at604gesture data is received from a sensor apparatus that is coupled to a gloveless user. Pursuant to an example, the gesture data can be indicative of a gesture undertaken by the gloveless user, such as movement of at least one finger of the gloveless user. Moreover, the gesture data include data that is indicative of an identity of the gloveless user, which digit or digits of the gloveless user are included in the gesture, an amount of pressure applied to a touch sensitive display apparatus by at least one finger of the gloveless user, an identity of a hand being used to perform the gesture, etc. The gesture data may also include data that has been provided in examples given above. The sensor apparatus may include at least one electromyography sensor and may be of any suitable form, such as a wristband, a band for placement on a forearm, a device for coupling to a human shoulder, a necklace, etc.

Furthermore, as used herein, the gesture data received at604may indicate that a first finger and a second finger of the gloveless user are substantially simultaneously performing gestures with respect to a touch sensitive display apparatus. The gesture data may also include data that identifies the first finger and that identifies a second finger. In still yet another example, gesture data received at604may indicate that a first user and a second user are substantially simultaneously performing one or more gestures with respect to a touch sensitive display apparatus, and the gesture data may further include data that disambiguates between the first user and the second user (or additional users).

At606, location of the gesture with respect to a touch sensitive display apparatus is determined. For example, determining the location of the gesture with respect to the touch sensitive display apparatus may be based upon or include determining where on the touch sensitive display apparatus that at least one finger of the gloveless user is in physical contact with the touch sensitive display apparatus. In another example, determining location of the gesture with respect to the touch sensitive display apparatus may include determining that the gesture is performed in a hoverspace above the touch sensitive display apparatus and further may include determining where in the hoverspace such gesture is being performed.

At608, a computing process is performed at the touch sensitive display apparatus based at least in part upon the gesture data received at604and the location determined at606. For example, the computing process may include disambiguating between two fingers of a user, disambiguating between hands of a user, disambiguating between users, etc. The computing process may also include executing a particular process based at least in part upon whether or not the gesture occurs in a hoverspace of the touch sensitive display apparatus. Still further, performing the computing process may include modifying graphical data displayed on the touch sensitive display apparatus responsive to receipt of the gesture data and/or the determined location. The methodology600completes at610.

With reference now toFIG. 7, an example methodology700that facilitates graphically displaying image data to a gloveless user on a touch sensitive display apparatus is illustrated. The methodology700starts at702, and at704gesture data is received from the electromyography sensor unit that is in contact with the skin of a gloveless user. For example, the electromyography sensor unit may include one or more electromyography sensors and may in the form of one of a wearable wristband, forearm band, etc. Furthermore, as noted above, the gesture data received from the electromyography sensor can be indicative of a gesture of the gloveless user, wherein a gesture includes movement of at least one finger of the gloveless user and wherein the gesture data comprises data that identifies the at least one finger.

At706, location of the gesture with respect to a touch sensitive display apparatus is determined. At708, image data is graphically displayed to the gloveless user based at least in part upon the gesture data received at704and the location of the gesture determined at706. The methodology700completes at710.

Now referring toFIG. 8, a high-level illustration of an example computing device800that can be used in accordance with the systems and methodologies disclosed herein is illustrated. For instance, the computing device800may be used in a system that supports electromyography sensing. In another example, at least a portion of the computing device800may be used in a system that supports touch sensitive applications. The computing device800includes at least one processor802that executes instructions that are stored in a memory804. The instructions may be, for instance, instructions for implementing functionality described as being carried out by one or more components discussed above or instructions for implementing one or more of the methods described above. The processor802may access the memory804by way of a system bus806. In addition to storing executable instructions, the memory804may also store calibration data pertaining to electromyography sensors, calibration data pertaining to touch sensitive display apparatuses, data identifying users, digits, etc.

The computing device800additionally includes a data store808that is accessible by the processor802by way of the system bus806. The data store808may include executable instructions, image data displayed to a user on a touch sensitive display apparatus, etc. The computing device800also includes an input interface810that allows external devices to communicate with the computing device800. For instance, the input interface810may be used to receive instructions from an external computer device, receive data from a sensor unit such as an electromyography sensor unit, etc. The computing device800also includes an output interface812that interfaces the computing device800with one or more external devices. For example, the computing device800may display text, images, etc. by way of the output interface812.

Additionally, while illustrated as a single system, it is to be understood that the computing device800may be a distributed system. Thus, for instance, several devices may be in communication by way of a network connection and may collectively perform tasks described as being performed by the computing device800.

As used herein, the terms “component” and “system” are intended to encompass hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Thus, for example, a system or component may be a process, a process executing on a processor, or a processor. Additionally, a component or system may be localized on a single device or distributed across several devices.

It is noted that several examples have been provided for purposes of explanation. These examples are not to be construed as limiting the hereto-appended claims. Additionally, it may be recognized that the examples provided herein may be permutated while still falling under the scope of the claims.