Methods and systems for increasing the input efficiency of personal digital assistants and other handheld stylus-engagable computing devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of operating a stylus-engagable, hand-held computing device, the method comprising:
- associating one or more non-text writing input commands for use with a stylus-engagable, hand-held computing device, with a combination of user-input activities, the computing device comprising a touch screen that is engagable with a stylus;
transmitting a signal from the stylus to the hand-held computing device, said transmitting comprising a first type of user-input activity;
detecting, in combination with said first type of user-input activity, at least one other type of user-input activity;
generating a non-text writing input command that is associated with the detected combination of user-input activities; and
performing the generated command.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for enhancing the input fidelity of personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other handheld stylus-engagable computing devices are described. In some embodiments, this can be done by associating input commands with different user-input activities, including different combinations of user-input activities. By using different combinations of user-input activities to designate particular input commands, a more robust collection of commands can be provided to a user in a manner that is simple, straight-forward and easy to understand.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of operating a stylus-engagable, hand-held computing device, the method comprising:
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associating one or more non-text writing input commands for use with a stylus-engagable, hand-held computing device, with a combination of user-input activities, the computing device comprising a touch screen that is engagable with a stylus;
transmitting a signal from the stylus to the hand-held computing device, said transmitting comprising a first type of user-input activity;
detecting, in combination with said first type of user-input activity, at least one other type of user-input activity;
generating a non-text writing input command that is associated with the detected combination of user-input activities; and
performing the generated command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by one or more processors on a stylus-engagable, hand-held computing device having a touch screen, cause the one or more processors to:
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detect a combination of user-input activities, the combination being associated with a non-text writing input command, the user-input activities comprising (1) engaging a button on the stylus, and (2) touching the computing device'"'"'s touch screen with the stylus;
generate the input command that is associated with the detected combination of user-input activities; and
perform the generated command. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A personal digital assistant comprising:
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a stylus having one or more user-depressible buttons;
a stylus-engagable touch screen;
one or more processors;
one or more computer-readable media;
an association embodied on the readable media, the association defining relationships between one or more non-text writing input commands and a combination of user-input activities associated with individual non-text writing input commands; and
computer-readable instructions on the readable media which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;
detect a combination of user-input activities, one user-input activity comprising touching the touch screen with the stylus;
generate a non-text writing input command that is associated with the detected combination of user-input activities; and
perform the generated command. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A method of operating a stylus-engagable personal digital assistant, the method comprising:
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displaying a selectable area on a touch screen of a personal digital assistant, said area being touch-selectable by a stylus associated with the personal digital assistant;
executing a first non-text writing command if a stylus engages the selectable area; and
executing a second different non-text writing command if the stylus engages the selectable area and the stylus transmits a receivable signal to the personal digital assistant. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by one or more processors on a stylus-engagable, hand-held personal digital assistant having a touch screen, cause the one or more processors to:
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display a selectable area on the touch screen, said area being touch-selectable by a stylus associated with the personal digital assistant;
execute a first non-text writing, command if only a stylus engages the selectable area; and
execute a second different non-text writing command if the stylus engages the selectable area and the stylus transmits a receivable signal to the personal digital assistant.
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16. A hand-held computing device comprising:
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a stylus comprising one or more user-depressible buttons and a transmitter coupled with the one or more buttons, the transmitter being configured to transmit a signal when a button is depressed;
a stylus-engagable touch screen;
one or more processors;
one or more computer-readable media;
an association embodied on the readable media, the association defining relationships between one or more non-text writing input commands and a combination of user-input activities associated with individual non-text writing input commands; and
computer-readable instructions on the readable media which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;
display a selectable area on the touch screen, said selectable area being touch-selectable by the stylus;
execute a first non-text writing command if the stylus engages the selectable area; and
execute a second different non-text writing command if the stylus engages the selectable area and the stylus transmits a receivable signal responsive to a user depressing at least one of the user-depressible buttons. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification