Method and apparatus for controlling a display of data on a display screen

• US 20030160808A1
• Filed: 06/07/2001
• Published: 08/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wacom Co Limited (Wacom)
• Original Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
• Inventors: Gillespie, David W., Foote, Geoffrey
• Granted Patent: US 6,904,570 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/700
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations

Abstract

A user interface of a smart compact device employs a combination comprising a display screen in combination with an activating object that is capable of reporting X and Y position information in a first state and a second state. Selected data is displayed or hidden depending on whether the first state or second state is detected.

Claims

1. In a smart compact device, a user interface comprising:

a display screen in communication with an activating object that is capable of reporting X and Y position information in a first and a second state;

data displayed on said display screen in response to a selection of said first state or said second state.

2. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said second state is entered substantially immediately when said activating object is placed in proximity to, but not in contact with, said display screen.

3. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said second state is entered following a selected time delay period after said activating object is placed in proximity to, but not in contact with, said display screen.

4. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said data displayed on said display screen is displayed or hidden in response to a selection of either said first state or said second state.

5. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said user interface employs an inductive sensing system.

6. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said user interface employs a ratiometric measurement technique with a small number of coils that each extend across a sensing area.

7. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said smart compact device displays said data in windows.

8. The user interface of claim 4, wherein additional data related to at least part of data displayed on said display screen is displayed in response to said second state.

9. The user interface of claim 5, wherein additional data related to at least part of data displayed on said display screen is displayed in response to said second state.

10. The user interface of claim 6, wherein additional data related to at least part of data displayed on said display screen is displayed in response to said second state.

11. The user interface of claim 8, wherein said additional data is displayed only after said activating object has been held above the display for a pre-selected period of time.

12. The user interface of claim 9, wherein said additional data is displayed only after said activating object has been held above the display for a pre-selected period of time.

13. The user interface of claim 10, wherein said additional data is displayed only after said activating object has been held above the display for a pre-selected period of time.

14. The user interface of claim 6, wherein once said additional data has been displayed, touching said activating object to said display screen on said additional data causes a first action to occur, said first action being different from a second action that would have occurred if said additional data had not been displayed.

15. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said smart compact device is handheld.

16. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said activating object is a finger, pen, and the like.

17. A system for presenting and manipulating information in the user interface of a smart compact device, comprising:

coupling a display screen in communication with an activating object that is capable of reporting X and Y position information in a first state and a second state;

coupling at least one processing element said activating object;

operating control software for said activating object reporting said X and Y position information and whether said activating object is in said first or said second state;

operating an operating system on said at least one processing element that presents data; and

controlling information on said display screen in response to said activating object to selectively hide and display data in response to whether said activating object is in said first state or said second state.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said second state is entered substantially immediately by placing said activating in proximity to, but not in contact with, said display screen.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said second state is entered following a selected time delay period after placing said activating object in proximity to, but not in contact with, said display screen.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein said data displayed on said display screen is displayed or hidden in response to a selection of either said first state or said second state.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein said user interface employs an inductive sensing system.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein said user interface employs a ratiometric measurement technique with a small number of coils that each extend across a sensing area.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein said smart compact device displays said data in windows.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein additional data related to at least part of data displayed on said display screen is displayed in response to said second state.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein additional data related to at least part of data displayed on said display screen is displayed in response to said second state.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein additional data related to at least part of data displayed on said display screen is displayed in response to said second state.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein said additional data is displayed only after said activating object has been held above the display for a pre-selected period of time.

28. The system of claim 25, wherein said additional data is displayed only after said activating object has been held above the display for a pre-selected period of time.

29. The system of claim 26, wherein said additional data is displayed only after said activating object has been held above the display for a pre-selected period of time.

30. The system of claim 22, wherein following displaying said additional data, touching said activating object to said display screen on said additional data causes a first action to occur, said first action being different from a second action that would have occurred if said additional data had not been displayed.

31. The system of claim 17, wherein said smart compact device is handheld.

32. The system of claim 17, wherein said activating object is a finger, pen, and the like.

33. A method for controlling a display of data on a display screen, comprising:

providing a touch screen in communication with an activating object;

defining a first state and a second state by a first proximity relationship and a second proximity relationship between said activating and said touch screen;

sensing a relationship between said activating object and said touch screen;

determining whether said relationship is within said first state or said second state; and

displaying a first group of data on said display screen if said relationship is within said first state and displaying a second group of data on said display screen if said relationship is within said second state.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said first proximity relationship is contact and said second proximity relationship is within close proximity to said display screen.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein said contact is at a first pressure and said close proximity is at a second pressure less than said first pressure.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein said sensing said relationship for a pre-selected period of time.