Functionality switching in pointer input devices

• US 10,019,081 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2009
• Issued: 07/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Buchanan, Dohn Robert, Jackson, Robert Charles, Robaina, Jason Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Levy, Amy M
• Application Number:
  US12/354,737
• Publication Number:
  US 20100180237A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,463 Days
• Field of Search: 715757, 715775, 715852, 715863
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry

Abstract

Various embodiments for switching functionality of a graphical user interface (GUI) pointer input device are provided. A first gesture pattern is configured. The first gesture pattern, when performed, enables a predetermined function of the input device. The predetermined function substitutes for a default function of the input device. The enabling of the predetermined function is indicated to a user on the GUI. A second gesture pattern is configured. The second gesture pattern, when performed, cancels the predetermined function of the input device and enables the default function.

Claims

1. A method for switching functionality of a graphical user interface (GUI) pointer input device, comprising:

configuring a first gesture pattern of a first strategic order of clicks and movements using the pointer input device, the pointer input device comprising a computer mouse, wherein the first gesture pattern, when performed, enables a first predetermined function of the pointer input device, the first predetermined function having been previously recorded as a series of steps normally taken by a user in conjunction with a keyboard device and thereby substituting for a default function of the pointer input device;

detecting performance of the first gesture pattern and indicating enabling of the first predetermined function to the user on the GUI, wherein indicating enabling of the first predetermined function to the user on the GUI includes enabling a first enablement indication comprising a flashing cursor and enabling a flashing color associated with the cursor;

subsequent to detecting the performance of the first gesture pattern and indicating the enablement of the first predetermined function using the first enablement indication, detecting performance of a second gesture pattern of a second strategic order of clicks and movements using the pointer input device, the second gesture pattern configured at a time commensurate with the configuration of the first gesture pattern;

wherein the second gesture pattern, when performed, enables a second predetermined function coexistent with the first predetermined function such that the second predetermined function is enabled on top of the first predetermined function; and

wherein the second predetermined function is indicated as enabled to the user on the GUI using a second enablement indication;

prior to detecting the performance of the first gesture pattern, configuring a third gesture pattern, wherein the third gesture pattern, when performed, cancels the first and second predetermined function of the pointer input device and enables the default function of the pointer input device; and

detecting performance of the third gesture pattern and enabling the default function.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring the first gesture pattern includes registering depressing a button on the pointer input device for a predetermined time to enable the first predetermined function of the pointer input device.

3. The method of claim 1, further including, subsequent to detecting the performance of the third gesture pattern, indicating disabling of the first and second predetermined function to the user on the GUI.

4. A system for switching functionality of a graphical user interface (GUI) pointer input device, comprising:

a pointer input device comprising a computer mouse;

a display providing a graphical user interface (GUI); and

a processor configured by a function mode module, wherein the function mode module is adapted for;

configuring a first gesture pattern of a first strategic order of clicks and movements using the pointer input device, wherein the first gesture pattern, when performed, enables a first predetermined function of the pointer input device, the first predetermined function having been previously recorded as a series of steps normally taken by a user in conjunction with a keyboard device and thereby substituting for a default function of the pointer input device,

detecting performance of the first gesture pattern and indicating enabling of the first predetermined function to the user on the GUI, wherein indicating enabling of the first predetermined function to the user on the GUI includes enabling a first enablement indication comprising a flashing cursor and enabling a flashing color associated with the cursor,

subsequent to detecting the performance of the first gesture pattern and indicating the enablement of the first predetermined function using the first enablement indication, detecting performance of a second gesture pattern of a second strategic order of clicks and movements using the pointer input device, the second gesture pattern configured at a time commensurate with the configuration of the first gesture pattern;

wherein the second gesture pattern, when performed, enables a second predetermined function coexistent with the first predetermined function such that the second predetermined function is enabled on top of the first predetermined function; and

wherein the second predetermined function is indicated as enabled to the user on the GUI using a second enablement indication,

prior to detecting the performance of the first gesture pattern, configuring a third gesture pattern, wherein the third gesture pattern, when performed, cancels the first and second predetermined function of the pointer input device and enables the default function of the pointer input device, and

detecting performance of the third gesture pattern and enabling the default function.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the function mode module is further adapted for registering depressing a button on the pointer input device for a predetermined time to enable the first predetermined function of the pointer input device.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the function mode module is further adapted for, subsequent to detecting the performance of the third gesture pattern, indicating disabling of the first and second predetermined function to the user on the GUI.

7. A computer program product for switching functionality of a graphical user interface (GUI) pointer input device, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

a first executable portion for configuring gesture patterns at a commensurate time, the gesture patterns including a first gesture pattern of a first strategic order of clicks and movements using the pointer input device comprising a computer mouse, a second gesture pattern of a second strategic order of clicks and movements using the pointer input device, and a third gesture pattern;

wherein the first gesture pattern, when performed, enables a first predetermined function of the pointer input device, the first predetermined function having been previously recorded as a series of steps normally taken by a user in conjunction with a keyboard device and thereby substituting for a default function of the pointer input device;

a second executable portion for detecting performance of the first gesture pattern and indicating enabling of the first predetermined function to the user on the GUI, wherein indicating enabling of the first predetermined function to the user on the GUI includes enabling a first enablement indication comprising a flashing cursor and enabling a flashing color associated with the cursor;

a third executable portion for, subsequent to detecting the performance of the first gesture pattern and indicating the enablement of the first predetermined function using the first enablement indication, detecting performance of the second gesture pattern;

wherein the second gesture pattern, when performed, enables a second predetermined function coexistent with the first predetermined function such that the second predetermined function is enabled on top of the first predetermined function; and

wherein the second predetermined function is indicated as enabled to the user on the GUI using a second enablement indication; and

a fourth executable portion for detecting performance of the third gesture pattern, wherein the third gesture pattern, when performed, cancels the first and second predetermined function of the pointer input device and enables the default function of the pointer input device.

8. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the first executable portion for configuring the first gesture pattern includes a fifth executable portion for registering depressing a button on the pointer input device for a predetermined time to enable the first predetermined function of the pointer input device.

9. The computer program product of claim 7, further including a fifth executable portion for, subsequent to detecting the performance of the third gesture pattern, indicating disabling of the first and second predetermined function to the user on the GUI.