Apparatus and method for reducing system overhead while inking strokes in a finger or stylus-based input device of a data processing system
First Claim
1. In a data processing system, a method for displaying a sequence of points representing a writing path of a pointing device, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a contact signal from a pointing device, indicating that the pointing device has started a writing path;
starting a counter in said data processing system to count the receipt of coordinate value signals from the pointing device;
receiving a first sequence of said coordinate value signals from the pointing device describing a first sequence of points traversed by said pointing device along said writing path;
counting said coordinate value signals received in said first sequence and outputting an enabling signal when a predetermined number of said signals in said first sequence have been counted;
storing said first sequence of coordinate value signals in said data processing system until said counter outputs said enabling signal;
displaying said first sequence to points on a display device in said data processing system in response to said enabling signal;
receiving a second sequence of said coordinate value signals from the pointing device describing a second sequence of points traversed by said pointing device along said writing path;
storing said second sequence of coordinate value signals in said data processing system;
receiving a contact termination signal from said pointing device, indicating that the pointing device has terminated said writing path;
displaying said second sequence of points on said display device in said data processing system in response to said termination signal.
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Abstract
The present invention reduces overhead processing of a data processing system by storing a predetermined number of points corresponding to the position of a pointing device as it moves on a workpad or other touch sensitive input device. A predetermined number of points are stored in a buffer, wherein the predetermined number is dependent upon the type of pointing device (e.g., finger, stylus, etc.) used with the workpad. The stored points are periodically displayed or inked on a visual display at a rate of at least 20 times per second. As a result, the user moving the pointing device receives both tactile and visual feedback information similar to that provided by a pencil used to make markings on a piece of paper. An alternative embodiment provides a similar reduction of overhead associated with erasing graphical information displayed on the visual display.
93 Citations
6 Claims
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1. In a data processing system, a method for displaying a sequence of points representing a writing path of a pointing device, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a contact signal from a pointing device, indicating that the pointing device has started a writing path; starting a counter in said data processing system to count the receipt of coordinate value signals from the pointing device; receiving a first sequence of said coordinate value signals from the pointing device describing a first sequence of points traversed by said pointing device along said writing path; counting said coordinate value signals received in said first sequence and outputting an enabling signal when a predetermined number of said signals in said first sequence have been counted; storing said first sequence of coordinate value signals in said data processing system until said counter outputs said enabling signal; displaying said first sequence to points on a display device in said data processing system in response to said enabling signal; receiving a second sequence of said coordinate value signals from the pointing device describing a second sequence of points traversed by said pointing device along said writing path; storing said second sequence of coordinate value signals in said data processing system; receiving a contact termination signal from said pointing device, indicating that the pointing device has terminated said writing path; displaying said second sequence of points on said display device in said data processing system in response to said termination signal. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. In a data processing system, a method for removing a sequence of points displayed which represent an erasing path of a pointing device, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a contact signal from a pointing device, indicating that the pointing device has started an erasing path; starting a counter in said data processing system to count the receipt of coordinate value signals from the pointing device; receiving a first sequence of said coordinate value signals from the pointing device describing a first sequence of points traversed by said pointing device along said erasing path; counting said coordinate value signals received in said first sequence and outputting an enabling signal when a predetermined number of said signals in said first sequence have been counted; storing said first sequence of coordinate value signals in said data processing system until said counter outputs said enabling signal; erasing said first sequence of points on a display device in said data processing system in response to said enabling signal; receiving a second sequence of said coordinate value signals from the pointing device describing a second sequence of points traversed by said pointing device along said erasing path; storing said second sequence of coordinate value signals in said data processing system; receiving a contact termination signal from said pointing device, indicating that the pointing device has terminated said erasing path; erasing said second sequence of points on said display device in said data processing system in response to said termination signal. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. A data processing system for displaying a sequence of points representing a writing path of a pointing device, comprising:
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first means for receiving a contact signal from a pointing device, indicating that the pointing device has started a writing path; a counter in said data processing system, coupled to said first receiving means, for counting the receipt of coordinate value signals from the pointing device; second means for receiving a first sequence of said coordinate value signals from the pointing device describing a first sequence of points traversed by said pointing device along said writing path; said counter coupled to said second receiving means, for counting said coordinate value signals received in said first sequence and outputting an enabling signal when a predetermined number of said signals in said first sequence have been counted; means for storing said first sequence of coordinate value signals in said data processing system until said counter outputs said enabling signal; means for displaying said first sequence of points on a display device in said data processing system in response to said enabling signal; said second receiving means receiving a second sequence of said coordinate value signals from the pointing device describing a second sequence of points traversed by said pointing device along said writing path; said storing means storing said second sequence of coordinate value signals in said data processing system; means for receiving a contact termination signal from said pointing device, indicating that the pointing device has terminated said writing path; said displaying means displaying said second sequence of points on said display device in said data processing system in response to said termination signal. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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Specification