Phrasing extensions and multiple modes in one spring-loaded control

• US 20060267967A1
• Filed: 11/18/2005
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Apitz, Georg Manfred, Jerome Guimbretiere, Francois Victor Jacques, Chen, Nicholas Yen-Cherng, Hinckley, Kenneth P., Sarin, Raman K., Agrawala, Maneesh
• Application Number:
  US11/282,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20060267967A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

Provided are techniques for extending the capabilities of pen-based interfaces. Embodiments are provided that receive an input that can include a selection, a confirmation, and/or a completion or cancellation. According to some embodiments tension-based techniques (hardwired or software) provide an interface whereby a user can confirm, cancel, or terminate a selected command gesture. The various embodiments employ techniques that include muscular tension and/or pen contact with a screen. Also provided are spring-once techniques that keeps the tool active for one use after a button has been deactivated.

Claims

1. A system that facilitates user command selection, comprising:

a scope component that defines the scope of a selection, the scope component includes a tension mode that confirms the selection; and

a command component that performs a selected command and returns to inking mode after execution of the selected command.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a parameter component that allows subsequent performance of zero, one, or more strokes specific to the selected command.

3. The system of claim 1, release of the tension mode signals cancellation or a partial command or completion of a fully selected command.

4. The system of claim 1, the tension mode is one of full-tension, half-tension, and low-tension.

5. The system of claim 1, the tension mode is activated before completion of the selection.

6. The system of claim 1, if the tension mode is activated after completion of the selection, the command component does not perform the selected command.

7. The system of claim 1, the scope component further remembers the command for reactivation after returning to an inking mode.

8. The system of claim 1, the command component further displays a menu upon detection of a user menu request.

9. A method for extending capabilities of interface devices, comprising:

detecting a user tension input and a user selection of at least one object, the user tension input is detected before completion of the selection of the at least one object.

receiving a desired user command,

determining whether the user tension input is still detected; and

executing the command.

10. The method of claim 9, the command is cancelled if the user tension input is removed before execution of the command begins.

11. The method of claim 9, the command is executed even if the user tension input is not detected after beginning execution of the command.

12. The method of claim 9, if the user tension input is received after completion of selection of the at least one object, the desired user command is not executed.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising performing one or more strokes specific to the command though interaction with a device.

14. The method of claim 9, receiving a desired user command further comprising:

detecting a pigtail;

displaying a menu; and

receiving a menu selection.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising returning to an ink mode after execution of the command.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising retaining the desired user command for execution after returning to an inking mode.

17. A system that enables menu selection utilizing stroke gestures, comprising:

means for detecting and monitoring activation of a button;

means for determining that one or more objects are selected;

means for receiving a user desired action;

means for performing the desired action; and

means for returning to an inking mode.

18. The system of claim 17, the means for detecting and monitoring activation of a button cancels the desired action if the button is deactivated before the desired action performance begins.

19. The system of claim 17, the means for detecting and monitoring activation of a button does not cancel the desired action if the button is deactivated after the desired action performance begins.

20. The system of claim 17, the means for receiving a user desired action remembers that action for a subsequent button activation.