Mode hinting and switching

• US 20020080126A1
• Filed: 12/21/2000
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Jones, F. David, Jarrett, Robert, Keely, Leroy B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,002,558 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

The present invention relates to switching modes of an input device based on events. The invention detects events that suggest that the user does not want to continue with a present mode of the input device and switches to another operation mode. The detection and response to user inputs simplifies the user'"'"'s interactions with the system. In some embodiments, the user may be asked prior to switching modes for confirmation. The present invention may be used with limited input devices including styluses.

Claims

1. A method for switching between an auxiliary input mode and a primary input mode of a computer with a digitizer and stylus comprising the steps of:

receiving user input comprising a gesture while in an auxiliary mode;

determining that said gesture is indicative of an action not associated with said auxiliary mode; and

,

switching the system from said auxiliary mode to a primary mode.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said auxiliary mode includes an erasing mode.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said gesture includes attempting to erase a non-erasable object.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said gesture includes attempting to erase no objects at a location on said digitizer associated with said user input.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said auxiliary mode includes a selection mode.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said gesture includes attempting to select no objects.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein said auxiliary mode includes a highlighting mode.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said gesture is smaller than a line width of highlighting ink associated with said highlighting mode.

9. The method according to 8, wherein said gesture is less than half of the width of said highlighting ink.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein a threshold for interpreting said gesture to be suggestive of switching between said auxiliary mode and said primary mode is set by a user.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

displaying an option to switch to said primary mode or stay in said auxiliary mode and receiving a user input responsive to said display.

13. The computer readable medium according to claim 12, wherein said auxiliary mode includes an erasing mode.

14. The computer readable medium according to claim 13, wherein said gesture includes attempting to erase a non-erasable object.

15. The computer readable medium according to claim 13, wherein said gesture includes attempting to erase no objects at a location on said digitizer associated with said user input.

16. The computer readable medium according to claim 12, wherein said auxiliary mode includes a selection mode.

17. The computer readable medium according to claim 16, wherein said gesture includes attempting to select no objects.

18. The computer readable medium according to claim 12 wherein said auxiliary mode includes a highlighting mode.

19. The computer readable medium according to claim 18, wherein said gesture is smaller than a fine width of highlighting ink associated with said highlighting mode.

20. The computer readable medium according to claim 19, wherein said gesture is less than half of the width of said highlighting ink.

21. The computer readable medium according to claim 19, wherein a threshold for interpreting said gesture to be suggestive of switching between said auxiliary mode and said primary mode is set by a user.

22. The computer readable medium according to claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

displaying an option to switch to said primary mode or stay in said auxiliary mode and receiving a user input responsive to said display.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said auxiliary mode includes at least one of a selection mode, an erasing mode and a highlighting mode.

12. A computer readable medium having a program stored thereon for switching between an auxiliary input mode and a primary input mode of a computer with a digitizer and stylus, said program comprising the steps of:

receiving user input comprising a gesture while in an auxiliary mode;

determining that said gesture is indicative of an action not associated with said auxiliary mode; and

,

switching the system from said auxiliary mode to a primary mode.

23. A system for switching between an auxiliary mode of operation and a primary mode of operation comprising:

a digitizer associated with a display;

a stylus; and

a processor,

wherein, in response to a gesture by interaction between said stylus and said digitizer, said processor determines that said primary mode is desired by a user and said processor switches from said auxiliary mode to said primary mode.