System and method for extending the drag function of a computer pointing device
First Claim
1. A method for extending the cursor dragging function of a pointing device used to control the movement of a cursor on a computing output device, the pointing device otherwise requiring continuous contact by a human digit of a user in a dragging position to maintain engagement of the cursor dragging function of the pointing device, the method comprising the steps of:
- defining a border area which is less than the maximum distance which can be traveled by a pointing object manipulated by the user;
detecting when the pointing object is on the edge of the border or beyond;
determining if the drag function is engaged when the pointing object enters the border;
maintaining the dragging function as the human digit is removed from its dragging position;
continuing the drag function and holding the cursor at a first location on the computing output device while the pointing object is moved to a new position using the pointing device;
continuing the dragging function as the human digit is again applied to the dragging position; and
continuing the dragging function from the first location on the computing output device to a second location on the computing output device as the pointing object is moved from the new position to an end position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for extending the distance which a user can drag a cursor across a computer display device when using a touch sensitive pointing device as a relative cursor locating device. When such relative cursor locating devices are used the small perimeter size of the position sensing surface makes it inconvenient to carry out drag required functions. A border within the outer perimeter of the position sensing surface is defined and when a pointing object enters the border on the position sensing surface it is detected. It is then determined if the drag function is engaged for the cursor when the pointing object enters the border. If the drag function is engaged, the present invention holds the cursor at the location on the computer display while the user moves the pointing object to a new position on the position sensing surface from which position the user continues the dragging function to a desired end location on the computer display. Most preferably, a touch sensitive pointing device is utilized which allows a user to locate the cursor on the computer display using a single finger and emulate the click and drag functions of a mouse by tapping on the position sensing surface with a finger.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for extending the cursor dragging function of a pointing device used to control the movement of a cursor on a computing output device, the pointing device otherwise requiring continuous contact by a human digit of a user in a dragging position to maintain engagement of the cursor dragging function of the pointing device, the method comprising the steps of:
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defining a border area which is less than the maximum distance which can be traveled by a pointing object manipulated by the user; detecting when the pointing object is on the edge of the border or beyond; determining if the drag function is engaged when the pointing object enters the border; maintaining the dragging function as the human digit is removed from its dragging position; continuing the drag function and holding the cursor at a first location on the computing output device while the pointing object is moved to a new position using the pointing device; continuing the dragging function as the human digit is again applied to the dragging position; and continuing the dragging function from the first location on the computing output device to a second location on the computing output device as the pointing object is moved from the new position to an end position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for extending the distance which a user can drag a cursor across a display which responds to user input in real time, the user employing a pointing object whose position is detected by a position sensing surface having a perimeter, the cursor following the movement of the pointing object upon the position sensing surface but the cursor not moving further once the pointing object reaches the perimeter of the sensing surface, dragging of the cursor across the display otherwise requiring the pointing object to be in contact with the sensing surface, the method comprising the steps of:
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defining a border within the perimeter of the position sensing surface; detecting when the pointing object enters the border of the position sensing surface; determining if the drag function is active for the cursor when the pointing object enters the border; maintaining the drag function as the pointing object is removed from the position sensing surface; holding the cursor at a first location on the display device, the first location being the location of the cursor when the pointing object entered the border, while the pointing object is moved to a new position; continuing the drag function of the cursor as the pointing object is applied again to the position sensing surface; and continuing the drag function from the first location on the display device to a second location on the display device as the pointing object is moved from the new position to an end position on the position sensing surface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for extending the cursor dragging function of a pointing device used to control the movement of a cursor on a display, the system comprising:
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sensing surface means for sensing the position of a pointing object thereon, the sensing surface having a perimeter; means for detecting when the pointing object is within a border distance from the perimeter on the sensing surface means; means for activating a drag function of the cursor which is engaged by continuous dragging action of a user; means for holding the cursor at a first location on the display when the pointing object is within the border distance from the perimeter on the sensing surface and the user ceases the dragging action and while the pointing object is moved to a new position on the sensing surface means; and means for maintaining the dragging function until the user continues the dragging action from the first location on the display to a second location on the display as the pointing object is moved from the new position to an end position on the sensing surface means. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification