SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIA FOR INVOKING AN ELECTRONIC INK OR HANDWRITING INTERFACE

• US 20140111440A1
• Filed: 12/27/2013
• Published: 04/24/2014
• 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, KEELY, LEROY B., GARSIDE, ADRIAN J., CLOW, JOSH A., TANDOG, JUDY C., SCHULTZ, TRACY DIANNE
• Granted Patent: US 9,081,439 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• 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. One or more computer-readable storage media comprising computer-readable instructions for providing a user interface on a display device, the user interface comprising:

a first display mode comprising a pre-interaction condition of a text input system activation target in which the text input system activation target is invisible; and

a second display mode displaying a text input system that is activated in response to input at the text input system activation target in the first display mode.

2. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1, wherein the user interface further comprises:

a third display mode displaying a visible text input system activation target in response to input received via an input device at the text input system activation target;

3. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1, wherein a location of the text input system activation target is adjustable by a user.

4. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1, wherein the text input system includes an electronic ink entry area that receives handwritten input.

5. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1, wherein the text input system comprises a soft keyboard.

6. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1, wherein the text input system activation target is located in a position that overlaps a text input box.

7. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1, wherein the second display mode is displayed when a hover is performed on the text input system activation target.

8. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 1, wherein the input device includes a touchscreen for use with a user'"'"'s finger.

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

generating a text input system activation target at a first location on a user interface including a plurality of visible content, the text input system activation target being invisible;

receiving a first input via an input device directed to the text input system activation target; and

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

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the input device includes a touchscreen for use with a user'"'"'s finger.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising changing the first location of the text input system activation target to a second location in response to a change in the content.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the text input system activation target includes an electronic ink entry area.

13. The method of claim 9, where in the first location overlaps a text input interface.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the text input system activation target includes a soft keyboard.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

displaying the text input system activation target as a floating interface proximate to text input areas visible on the display device.

16. A computing device, comprising:

a display device comprising a touchscreen;

one or more processing units; and

one or more computer-readable storage media comprising computer-readable instructions that when executed by the one or more processing units perform operations comprising;

generating a text input system activation target at a first location on the touchscreen, the text input system activation target being invisible;

recognizing a first input on a touchscreen at the first location where the text input system activation target is located; and

displaying a text input system in response to the first input.

17. The computing device of claim 16 wherein the computer-readable instructions when executed further perform operations comprising:

moving the text input system activation target to a new display location in response to input via the input device.

18. The computing device of claim 16, wherein the first location overlaps a text input interface.

19. The computing device of claim 16 wherein the text input system activation target includes an electronic ink entry area, a soft keyboard, or any combination thereof.

20. The computing device of claim 16 wherein the computer-readable instructions when executed further perform operations comprising:

displaying the text input system activation target in a floating manner proximate to text input interfaces visible on the display device.