Apparatus and method for proximity based input

Abstract

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for transferring information items between communications devices. A source device detects a selection input by an input object. Direction of movement of the input object is detected after the selection input. A target device is identified on the basis of the direction of movement of the input object. The target device is connected for transferring an information item associated with the selection input.

1 . A method, comprising:
 detecting by a source device a selection input by an input object selecting an information item,   detecting direction of movement of the input object after the selection input,   identifying a target device on the basis of the direction of movement of the input object, and   operatively connecting with the target device for transferring the information item to the target device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein presence of the input object in close proximity to an input surface is detected,
 the detection of the selection input is arranged based on detecting a grab hovering gesture by the input object, and   the detection of the direction of movement of the object is arranged based on detecting the direction of hovering of the input object.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the source device searches for other nearby devices,
 the source device determines positions of nearby devices in relation to the position of the source device,   at least one device positioned in the direction of the movement of the input object is selected as the target device, and   in response to detecting movement of the input object towards the target device, informing the target device of the approaching input object and/or the information item.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the source device determines a description of user's hand, and
 the source device transmits the description to the target device.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein information on at least the detected direction is transmitted to at least one other device, and
 the information item is transmitted to the target device in response to the target device requesting the information item.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting presence of at least two fingers in close proximity to an input surface,   defining a selection area between the fingers, and   selecting information items associated with the selection area.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the selection area is defined in three dimensions on the basis of detecting three or more input objects at least partly at different heights. 
     
     
         8 . A method, comprising:
 receiving direction information associated with direction of movement of an input object from a source device,   identifying an input object on the basis of the received direction information, and   in response to detecting a release input by the identified input object, operatively connecting with the source device to initiate transmission of an information item associated with the input object from the source device.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the target device determines direction of movement of input objects in close proximity of an input surface of the target device,
 in response to detecting the input object approaching from the direction indicated in the received information, the input object is identified and a hovering gesture sensing functionality is activated, and   the source device is operatively connected to initiate transmission of the information item in response to detecting a drop hovering gesture by the identified object.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein an input object description is received from the source device, and
 the input object is further identified on the basis of the received input object description.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code,   the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform:   detect a selection input by an input object selecting an information item,   detect direction of movement of the input object after the selection input,   identify a target device on the basis of the direction of movement of the input object, and   operatively connect with the target device for transferring the information item to the target device.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is configured to detect presence of the input object in close proximity to an input surface,
 the apparatus is configured detect a grab hovering gesture by the input object, and   the apparatus is configured to detect the direction of hovering of the input object.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is configured to search for other nearby devices,
 the apparatus is configured to determine positions of nearby devices in relation to the position of the source device,   the apparatus is configured to select at least one device positioned in the direction of the movement of the input object, and   the apparatus is configured to inform the target device of the approaching input object and/or the information item in response to detecting movement of the input object towards the target device.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit information on at least the detected direction to at least one other device, and
 the apparatus is configured to transmit the information item to the target device in response to the target device requesting the information item.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is a mobile communications device comprising a touch screen. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code,   the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform:   receive direction information associated with direction of movement of an input object from a source device,   identify an input object on the basis of the received direction information, and   in response to detecting a release input by the identified input object, operatively connect with the source device to initiate transmission of an information item associated with the input object from the source device.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the apparatus is configured to determine direction of movement of input objects in close proximity of an input surface,
 in response to detecting the input object approaching from the direction indicated in the received information, the apparatus is configured to identify the input object and activate a hovering gesture sensing functionality, and   the apparatus is configured to operatively connect the source device to initiate transmission of the information item in response to detecting a drop hovering gesture by the identified object.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the apparatus is configured to receive an input object description from the source device, and
 the apparatus is configured to identify the input object further on the basis of the received input object description.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the input object description is a hand description, and
 the apparatus is configured to carry out a hand matching process to identify a hand on the basis of the hand description.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the apparatus is configured to determine positions of nearby devices in relation to itself, and
 the apparatus is configured to select at least one device positioned in the direction of the movement of the input object as the source device.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the apparatus is configured to detect presence of at least two fingers in close proximity to an input surface,
 the apparatus is configured to define a selection area between the fingers, and   the apparatus is configured to select information items associated with the selection area.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the apparatus is configured to define the selection area in three dimensions on the basis of detecting three or more input objects at least partly at different heights.