Method and apparatus for providing context menus on a pen-based device

• US 6,664,991 B1
• Filed: 04/27/2000
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation), Textiles Coated Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Sharpe, Timothy D., Lui, Charlton E., Chew, Chee H., Blum, Jeffrey R., Parker, Kathryn L., Zuberec, Sarah E., Keyser, Greg A., Bastiaanse, Elizabeth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh, Ba
• Application Number:
  US09/559,694
• Time in Patent Office: 1,328 Days
• Field of Search: 345/863, 345/864, 345/179, 345/810, 345/812, 345/813, 345/817, 345/825, 382/187, 382/190, 382/203, 382/229
• US Class Current: 715/863
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04807 Pen manipulated menu
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

The present invention provides a user interface for a pen-based device that allows users to activate the full “card” for an entry using a single tap while also giving the user the ability to reach a menu of context dependent commands using a simple gesture. In particular, the present invention recognizes certain stylus and/or button inputs as context menu gestures. When these gestures are made, a context menu appears. The user is then able to select a command in the context menu that is to be performed. The present invention also allows a user to open context menus while only using one hand to operate and hold the device.

Claims

1. A method of generating a user interface on a stylus-based computing device having a display and a stylus for providing input through the display, the method comprising:

displaying a list of entries to the user;

receiving input from the user;

displaying a full record for a displayed entry if the input is a single tap on the entry;

if the input is over an entry, determining if the input forms a context menu gesture by determining if the stylus remains in a context area over a first time period;

if the input is away from an entry, determining if the input forms a context menu gesture by determining if the stylus remains in a second contact area over a second time period, the second time period being different than the first time period; and

displaying a context menu if the input forms a context menu gesture.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving input from the user comprises receiving a series of input events from the user and wherein determining if the input forms a context menu gesture comprises examining the series of input events and identifying an event that initiates a context menu gesture.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein determining if the input forms a context menu gesture further comprises determining if input events occurring after an event that initiates a context menu gesture are within the parameters of the context menu gesture.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising identifying the parameters of the context menu gesture based on a current position of a stylus on the display.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein determining if the input forms a context menu gesture further comprises determining that the input does not form a context menu gesture if an input event occurring after an event that initiates a context menu gesture is not within the parameters of the context menu gesture.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein determining if the input forms a context menu gesture further comprises determining that an event occurring after an event that initiates a context menu gesture is a termination event for a context menu gesture and indicating that the input forms a context menu gesture based in part on the termination event.

7. A computer-readable medium for a hand-held device, the medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:

designating a first set of gesture parameters for a first location on a display, the first set of gesture parameters defining a contact time period over which a stylus must remain within a contact area in order to be considered a context menu gesture at the first location;

designating a second set of gesture parameters for a second location on a display, the second set of gesture parameters defining a second contact time period over which a stylus must remain within a second contact area in order to be considered a context menu gesture at the second location, the second contact time period being different from the first contact time period;

receiving user input relating to the first location on the screen; and

if the user input is within the first set of gesture parameters, displaying a context menu for the first location.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 7 wherein designating a first set of gesture parameters further comprises designating the contact area around an initial stylus contact point on the display.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein designating a second set of gesture parameters comprises designating a second contact area around a second initial stylus contact point on the display, the second contact area being of a different size from the contact area in the first set of gesture parameters.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 8 further comprising if the stylus leaves the contact area before the end of the contact time period determining that the user input is not within the first set of gesture parameters.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 7 wherein the first location is over a list entry on the display and the second location is in an edit control box on the display.