Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for invoking an electronic ink or handwriting interface

• US 20060209040A1
• Filed: 03/18/2005
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Jones, F. David, Tandog, Judy C., Garside, Adrian J., Keely, Leroy B., Schultz, Tracy Dianne, Clow, Josh A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,561,145 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04162 for exchanging data with external devices, e.g. smart pens, via the digitiser sensing hardware
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

User interfaces, methods, systems, and computer-readable media for activating and/or displaying text input systems on display devices may include: (a) displaying a text input system activation target at a user changeable location on a display device; (b) receiving user input directed to the activation target; and (c) activating a text input system in response to the user input. Such user interfaces, methods, and systems further may include (d) displaying a pre-interaction condition of the activation target; (e) receiving user input directed to the activation target in this pre-interaction condition; and (f) changing an appearance of the activation target from the pre-interaction condition to a larger size and/or a different visual appearance in response to this user input. Additional aspects of this invention relate to computer-readable media for providing user interfaces, systems, and methods as described above.

Claims

1. A user interface for activating and displaying a text input system on a display device, comprising:

a first display mode displaying a text input system activation target, wherein the first display mode is displayed at a first size and with a first appearance characteristic at least when a user input device hovers proximate to a location of the text input system activation target, wherein the location of the text input system activation target on the display device is selectable in response to user input; and

a second display mode displaying the text input system, wherein the second display mode is activated at least when a user interacts in a predetermined manner with the text input system activation target in the first display mode.

2. A user interface according to claim 1, further comprising:

a third display mode displaying a pre-interaction condition of the text input system activation target, wherein the pre-interaction condition includes at least one display condition selected from the group consisting of;

a display condition in which no text input system activation target is visible, a display condition in which a text input system activation target of a second size is visible, and a display condition in which a text input system activation target with a second appearance characteristic different in appearance from the first appearance characteristic is visible,

wherein the third display mode is displayed at least when no user input device is sensed by a digitizer associated with the display device, wherein the first size of the text input system activation target is larger than the second size in at least one manner or dimension, and wherein the first display mode is activated at least when a user input device hovers proximate to the text input system activation target in the pre-interaction condition.

3. A user interface according to claim 1, wherein the location of the text input system activation target is along a lateral side edge of a display area of the display device.

4. A user interface according to claim 1, wherein the text input system includes an electronic ink entry area.

5. A user interface according to claim 1, wherein the text input system includes a soft keyboard.

6. A user interface according to claim 1, wherein the second display mode displays the text input system as a floating interface above other display areas visible on the display device.

7. A method for activating and displaying a text input system on a display device, comprising:

displaying a text input system activation target at a first location on the display device, wherein the text input system activation target is displayed at a first size and with a first appearance characteristic at least when a user input device hovers proximate to the first location, wherein the first location is changeable in response to user input;

receiving a first user input directed to the text input system activation target; and

activating a text input system in response to the first user input.

8. A method according to claim 7, further comprising:

displaying a pre-interaction condition of the text input system activation target, wherein the pre-interaction condition includes at least one display condition selected from the group consisting of;

a display condition in which no text input system activation target is visible, a display condition in which a text input system activation target of a second size is visible, and a display condition in which a text input system activation target with a second appearance characteristic different in appearance from the first appearance characteristic is visible;

receiving a second user input directed to the text input system activation target in the pre-interaction condition; and

changing an appearance of the text input system activation target from the pre-interaction condition to at least one of the first size or the first appearance characteristic in response to the second user input.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the second user input is a user input device hover action proximate to the first location and the first user input is a user input device tap or click of the text input system activation target.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the pre-interaction condition of the text input system activation target is displayed at least when a user input device is not sensed by a digitizer associated with the display device, wherein the first size of the text input system activation target is larger than the second size of the text input system activation target, and wherein the appearance of the text input system activation target changes at least when a user input device hovers proximate to the text input system activation target in the pre-interaction condition.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the changing the appearance of the text input system activation target at least changes the activation target from the second size to the first size.

12. A method according to claim 7, wherein the first location is along a lateral side edge of a display area of the display device.

13. A method according to claim 7, wherein the text input system includes an electronic ink entry area.

14. A method according to claim 7, wherein the text input system includes a soft keyboard.

15. A method according to claim 7, further comprising:

displaying the text input system as a floating interface above other display areas visible on the display device.

16. A system for activating and displaying a text input system, comprising:

a display device; and

a processor system programmed and adapted to;

(a) display a text input system activation target at a first location on the display device, wherein the text input system activation target is displayed at a first size and with a first appearance characteristic at least when a user input device hovers proximate to the first location, wherein the first location is changeable in response to user input;

(b) recognize a first user input directed to the text input system activation target; and

(c) activate the text input system in response to the first user input.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the processor system further is programmed and adapted to:

(d) display a pre-interaction condition of the text input system activation target, wherein the pre-interaction condition includes at least one display condition selected from the group consisting of;

a display condition in which no text input system activation target is visible, a display condition in which a text input system activation target of a second size is visible, and a display condition in which a text input system activation target of a second appearance characteristic different in appearance from the first appearance characteristic is visible;

(e) recognize a second user input directed to the text input system activation target in the pre-interaction condition; and

(f) change an appearance of the text input system activation target from the pre-interaction condition to at least one the first size or the first appearance characteristic in response to the second user input.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein the second user input is a user input device hover action proximate to the first location and the first user input is a user input device tap or click of the text input system activation target.

19. A system according to claim 16, wherein the text input system allows entry of electronic ink.

20. A system according to claim 16, wherein the processor system further is programmed and adapted to display the text input system in a floating manner above other display areas visible on the display device.