Digitizer system with on-screen cue indicative of stylus position

• US 6,473,073 B1
• Filed: 08/28/2000
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wacom Co Limited (Wacom)
• Original Assignee: Wacom Co Limited (Wacom)
• Inventors: Fleck, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): WU, XIAO MIN
• Application Number:
  US09/648,648
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/174, 345/175, 345/176, 345/177, 345/178, 345/179, 345/156, 345/157, 345/856, 345/863, 345/864, 345/857, 345/858, 345/862, 178/18.1, 178/18.07, 178/19.03, 178/19.04, 178/19.01
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04812 Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

A digitizer system includes a pointer (e.g. stylus or puck) for manipulation by a user over a work surface of a tablet. The tablet includes a menu strip area thereon. The location of the pointer on the tablet is shown by way of a cursor shape on a corresponding monitor or display which is in communication with the tablet. According to certain embodiments of this invention, the cursor shape shown on the display is changed as a function of the pointer'"'"'s position within the menu strip area of the tablet. Thus, for example, a first cursor shape may be shown on the display when the pointer is over a first area of the menu strip, while a different second cursor shape may be shown on the display when the pointer is over a second area of the menu strip.

Claims

1. A digitizer system comprising:

a digitizer tablet having a menu area and a plurality of different menu items therein;

a pointer for movement over the tablet and over the menu area; and

a controller for providing an on-screen cue on a corresponding display screen which indicates to which menu item in the menu area the pointer is proximate without requiring a user to look at the tablet to determine which menu item the pointer is proximate.

2. The digitizer system of claim 1, wherein:

said controller is one of hardware, software and combinations thereof.

3. The digitizer system of claim 1, wherein:

said tablet includes a plurality of overlapping loop coils for generating electromagnetic waves to be sent to said pointer.

4. The digitizer system of claim 3, wherein:

said pointer includes a tuning circuit having each of a capacitor and an inductive coil.

5. The digitizer system of claim 4, wherein:

said pointer is one of a stylus and a puck.

6. The digitizer system of claim 1, wherein:

the on-screen cue is indicative of a function of the menu item that the pointer is proximate.

7. The digitizer system of claim 6, wherein:

each menu item is identified by information indicative of the function of the menu item and the corresponding on-screen cue conveys the same information.

8. The digitizer system of claim 7, wherein:

the information is one of text, graphics, and combinations thereof.

9. The digitizer system of claim 1, wherein:

said controller determines the coordinate values of a location of the pointer relative to the tablet and changes the on-screen cue being provided on the display screen as a function of the coordinate values determined.

10. The digitizer system of claim 1, wherein:

the on-screen cue is displayed on the corresponding display screen in a location corresponding to a position of the menu item on the tablet.

11. The digitizer system of claim 1, wherein:

the on-screen cue changes as the pointer is manipulated across the tablet from one of the menu items to another of the menu items.

12. The digitizer system of claim 11, wherein:

the menu items are spaced.

13. A method of providing an on-screen cue on a display screen that indicates proximity of a digitizer pointer to a menu item on a digitizing tablet, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a digitizer tablet having a menu area with at least first and second menu items therein for selection;

providing a digitizer pointer for movement over the tablet and for selection of the menu items;

providing a display screen in communication with the tablet for displaying a cursor in a location on the display screen corresponding to a position of the pointer on the tablet; and

displaying an on-screen cue on the display screen when the pointer is proximate a menu item, the on-screen cue indicating to which menu item in the menu area the pointer is proximate without requiring a user to look at the tablet to determine which menu item the pointer is proximate.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the on-screen cue changes as the pointer is manipulated across the tablet from the first menu item to the second menu item.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the menu items are spaced.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the on-screen cue is displayed in a location on the display screen corresponding to a position of the menu item on the tablet.