Information processing apparatus, program and coordinate input method

• US 20030098871A1
• Filed: 11/20/2002
• Published: 05/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Kawano, Seiichi, Nakano, Masayoshi, Ohmori, Yuhko
• Granted Patent: US 7,119,797 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/619
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/043 using propagating acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

Units are provided for determining whether or not a coordinate input is continued as being substantially the same coordinate and a predetermined time period has lapsed after an initial input of an arbitrary coordinate by a coordinate input unit. A first processing unit performs a first processing in accordance with the coordinate when the determination is not met, and a second processing unit performs a second processing different from the first processing when the determination is met.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a coordinate input unit for periodically receiving an input of a coordinate corresponding to a touched position during an input operation;

a unit for determining whether or not input coordinates are substantially the same and a predetermined time period has lapsed from an initial input of said coordinate by said coordinate input unit;

a first processing unit for performing a first processing in accordance with said coordinate when said determination is not met; and

a second processing unit for performing a second processing different from said first processing when said determination is met;

wherein said second processing comprises displaying an image in response to an input coordinate periodically received by said input unit, if the input operation of any coordinate has been continued since the lapse of said predetermined time period.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input coordinate is periodically changed from substantially from the same input coordinate as at the initial input of said coordinate, and the periodically changed image is displayed by scrolling the image in a direction corresponding to a change of said input coordinate.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input coordinate is periodically changed from a new input coordinate different from substantially the same input coordinate as at the initial input of said coordinate, and the periodically changed image is displayed by scrolling the image in a direction corresponding to a change of said input coordinate.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the periodically changed image is displayed with a predetermined pointer that is initiated upon the lapse of said predetermined time period.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input coordinate is periodically changed from substantially the same input coordinate as at the initial input of said coordinate, and the periodically changed image is displayed in greater scale, while being periodically moved corresponding to said periodically changed input coordinate in an area having a certain positional relation with said periodically changed input coordinate.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said periodically changed image is displayed in greater scale such that said periodically changed input coordinate is always located at an end portion or outside of a display area.

19. The coordinate input method according to claim 13, wherein said information processing apparatus is set forth in claim 1.

7. A program for enabling a computer to function as:

a unit for determining whether or not a coordinate input is continued as being substantially the same coordinate and a predetermined time period has lapsed after an initial input of an arbitrary coordinate by a coordinate input unit for periodically receiving an input of said coordinate corresponding to a touched position during the input operation;

a first processing unit for performing a first processing in accordance with said coordinate when said determination is not met; and

a second processing unit for performing a second processing different from said first processing when said determination is met;

wherein said second processing comprises displaying an image periodically changed in response to an input coordinate periodically received by said coordinate input unit, if the coordinate input of any coordinate by said coordinate input unit has been continued after the lapse of said predetermined time period.

8. The program according to claim 7, wherein said input coordinate is periodically changed from substantially the same input coordinate as at the initial input of said coordinate, and the periodically changed image is displayed by scrolling the image in a direction corresponding to a change of said input coordinate.

9. The program according to claim 7, wherein said input coordinate is periodically changed from a new input coordinate different from substantially the same input coordinate as at the initial input of said coordinate, and the periodically changed image is displayed by scrolling the image in a direction corresponding to a change of said input coordinate.

10. The program according to claim 7, wherein the periodically changed image is displayed with a predetermined pointer that is initiated upon the lapse of said predetermined time period.

11. The program according to claim 7, wherein said input coordinate is periodically changed from substantially the same input coordinate as at the initial input of said coordinate, and the periodically changed image is displayed in greater scale, while being successively moved corresponding to said periodically changed input coordinate in an area having a certain positional relation with said periodically changed input coordinate.

12. The program according to claim 11, wherein said periodically changed image is displayed in greater scale such that said periodically changed input coordinate is always located at an end portion or outside of a display area.

13. A coordinate input method, comprising:

a first step of performing a touch for inputting a coordinate, before the lapse of a predetermined time period, by a coordinate input unit for periodically receiving an input of said coordinate corresponding to a touched position during the input operation to enable an information processing apparatus to perform a first processing;

a second step of performing a touch for inputting a coordinate by said coordinate input unit, until a predetermined period has lapsed, to enable said information processing apparatus to perform a second processing different from said first processing; and

a third step of periodically performing an input of any coordinate by said coordinate input unit to enable said information processing apparatus to perform said second processing comprising displaying an image periodically changed in response to an input coordinate periodically received by said coordinate input unit, following said second step.

14. The coordinate input method according to claim 13, wherein said input coordinate is periodically changed from said coordinate or substantially the same coordinate as said coordinate, and the periodically changed image is displayed by scrolling the image in a direction corresponding to a change of said input coordinate.

15. The coordinate input method according to claim 13, wherein said input coordinate is periodically changed from a new input coordinate different from said coordinate or substantially the same coordinate as said coordinate, and the periodically changed image is displayed by scrolling the image in a direction corresponding to a change of said input coordinate.

16. The coordinate input method according to claim 13, wherein the periodically changed image is displayed including a predetermined pointer that is initiated upon the lapse of said predetermined time period.

17. The coordinate input method according to claim 13, wherein said input coordinate is periodically changed from said coordinate or substantially the same input coordinate as said coordinate, and the periodically changed image is displayed in greater scale, while being successively moved corresponding to said periodically changed input coordinate in an area having a certain positional relation with said periodically changed input coordinate.

18. The coordinate input method according to claim 17, wherein said periodically changed image is displayed in greater scale such that said periodically changed input coordinate is always located at an end portion or outside of a display area.