Method for implementing a partial ink layer for a pen-based computing device

• US 20040196255A1
• Filed: 04/04/2003
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Cheng, Brett Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 7,170,502 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/104
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

A method for creating an ink-trail and implementing a partial ink layer in a pen based computing apparatus is described. The partial ink layer, which is smaller than a display window of a computing apparatus, is located at a starting address with a shape and size that fits within the display widow. An ink trail is created within the ink layer that simulates ink flowing from the pen to paper while a character, or several cursive characters, is formed by the pen while touching a touch screen overlaying the display screen of the computing apparatus. The ink trail is erased when the pen is removed from the touch screen. The bit depth of the pixels in the partial ink layer are less than for the pixels of the main display and can be as few as 2, which includes a transparency bit.

Claims

1. A method of writing to a computing device using a touching device for data entry, comprising:

a) locating a partial ink-layer over a region of a display screen,

b) forming a cursive combination of characters by contacting a transparent touch screen located over said LCD screen with a touching device,

c) displaying an ink trail of said touching device in said partial ink layer as said touching device forms said cursive combination of characters,

e) storing a digital representation of said cursive combination of characters,

f) erasing said ink trail after said touching device forms said cursive combination of characters.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said touching device is any device capable of forming a coherent combination of characters when in contact with said touch screen.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said touching device is a stylus, pen or finger.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said cursive combination of characters is a single character.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said cursive combination of characters is a word or a combination of words.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein forming a cursive combination of characters is by contacting said transparent touch screen with a touching device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said region is smaller in size than said display screen.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said region covers an entire area of said display screen.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein locating a partial ink-layer is by software using a starting address and a shape.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying said ink trail is in real time and simulates ink flowing from a pen to a paper.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying said ink trail in said partial ink-layer comprises pixels at a bit depth of less than said pixels on the display screen.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein storing a digital representation of said cursive combination of characters is done in said partial ink layer.

13. A computing apparatus with means to write to a partial ink-layer, comprising;

a) a means for locating and configuring a partial ink-layer within an area of a portion of a display of a computing device,

b) a means for inputting a cursive combination of characters using a touching device and a touch screen of said computing device,

c) a means for displaying an ink trail of said touching device in said partial ink-layer while inputting said cursive combination of characters,

d) a means for erasing said ink trail of said touching device from said partial ink-layer upon completion of said cursive combination of characters.

14. The computing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for locating and configuring said partial ink-layer uses a starting address and a shape.

15. The computing apparatus of claim 13, wherein said partial ink-layer covers an entire area of said display.

16. The computing apparatus of claim 13, wherein said partial ink-layer is turned on or off by software and is not needed for all operations.

17. The computing apparatus of claim 13, wherein said cursive combination of characters is one character.

18. The computing apparatus of claim 13, wherein said cursive combination of characters is a word or a combination of words.

19. The computing apparatus of claim 13, wherein said means for inputting said cursive combination of characters uses any device capable of forming a coherent combination of characters when in contact with said touch screen.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said touching device is a stylus, pen or finger.

21. The computing apparatus of claim 13, wherein said means for displaying said ink trail is in real time and displays a movement of said touching device thereby simulating ink from a pen onto paper.

22. The computing apparatus of claim 13, wherein said means for displaying said ink trail in said partial ink-layer uses fewer bits per pixel than used in the main display.

23. A computing apparatus with a pen-based data entry, comprising:

a) a controller

b) an LCD display,

c) a transparent touch screen,

d) a touching device for data entry,

e) a partial ink-layer covering a display portion smaller than said LCD display,

f) said partial ink-layer displays an ink trail of said pen during data entry.

24. The computing apparatus of claim 23, wherein said controller further comprises:

a) a touch screen digitizer,

b) a central processing unit,.

c) an LCD controller.

25. The computing apparatus of claim 24, wherein said touch screen digitizer converts location information of said touching device in contact with said touch screen into digital data to be processed by said central processing unit.

26. The computing apparatus of claim 24, wherein said central processing unit interprets which character or cursive combination of characters are being formed by the touching device in contact with the touch screen.

27. The computing apparatus of claim 24, wherein said central processing unit determines a size of the partial ink layer and when to expand said size as a character or a cursive combination of characters is formed by the touching device.

28. The computing apparatus of claim 24, wherein said LCD controller controls formation and expansion of the partial ink layer and draws the ink trail that follows a movement of the touching device.

29. The computing apparatus of claim 23, wherein said touching device is any device capable of forming a coherent combination of characters when in contact with said touch screen.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said touching device is a stylus, pen or finger.

31. The computing apparatus of claim 23, wherein said partial ink-layer is a full ink-layer covering an entirety of said LCD display.

32. The computing apparatus of claim 23, wherein said partial ink-layer is re-locatable over the surface of the LCD display.

33. The computing apparatus of claim 23, wherein said partial ink layer is turned on or off by software.

34. The computing apparatus of claim 23, wherein said ink trail displays a movement in real time of said touching device and thereby simulating ink from a pen onto a paper.

35. The computing apparatus of claim 23, wherein said ink trail is erased upon ending of said data entry by a user, wherein said data entry is a character or a cursive combination of characters.

36. The computing apparatus of claim 35, wherein said data entry ends when said touching device is lifted from said touch screen.

37. The computing apparatus-of claim 23, wherein a bit-depth for a pixel in said partial ink layer is different than said bit-depth for said pixel in said main display.

38. The computing apparatus of claim 23, wherein said bit depth for a pixel in said partial ink layer is less than said bit depth for said pixel in said main display.