User interface for stylus-based user input

• US 7,685,539 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2004
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Nguyen, Vu
• Primary Examiner(s): HAILU, TADESSE
• Application Number:
  US11/025,261
• Publication Number:
  US 20050114797A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,910 Days
• Field of Search: 715/863, 715/864, 715/810, 715/802, 715/808, 715/708, 715/716, 715/173
• US Class Current: 715/863
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1075 using a touch screen
• 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

Systems and methods for a user interface for stylus-based user input is described. In one aspect, a stylus-based user input is received. Responsive to receiving the input, a menu is displayed. The menu includes selectable items to allow a user, by selecting one of the selectable items, to direct the computer system to generate right-mouse button input or to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as hover cursor input, keyboard-like input, or handwriting input.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving a continuous touch stylus-based user input; and

responsive to receiving the continuous touch stylus-based user input, displaying a menu comprising multiple selectable items that are simultaneously displayed, the multiple selectable items to allow a user to select an item of the multiple selectable items, wherein;

selection of a first item of the multiple selectable items causes a first action comprising directing a computer system to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as hover cursor input or handwriting input; and

an alternate selection of a second item of the multiple selectable items causes a second action that is different from the first action, the second action comprising;

directing the computer system to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as hover cursor input or handwriting input,

wherein selection of a selectable item that directs the computer system to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as handwriting input allows the user to provide handwriting input without being confined to a window of an underlying program.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether an item of the selectable items has been selected within a predetermined amount of time since presenting the menu; and

responsive to determining that the item has not been selected within the predetermined amount, dismissing the menu.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the menu comprises an action area that is receptive to stylus-based input, and wherein the method further comprises:

identifying stylus input outside of the action area; and

responsive to identifying stylus input outside of the action area, dismissing the menu.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the method, responsive to receiving the input, further comprises:

detecting selection of an item of the selectable items; and

responsive to detection the selection;

(a) hiding the menu; and

(b) performing a task corresponding to the item.

5. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein the task comprises:

(a) generating right-mouse-button input;

(b) moving a cursor over a display screen;

(c) generating keyboard data;

or (d) generating handwritten data.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

detecting user selection of an item of the selectable items; and

responsive to detecting the user selection;

(a) hiding the menu;

(b) performing a task corresponding to the item, the task having a result; and

(c) communicating the result as input to a program.

7. A computing device comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising computer-executable instructions, the processor being configured to fetch and execute the computer-executable instructions for;

receiving a stylus-based user input; and

responsive to receiving the input, displaying a menu comprising multiple selectable items to allow a user to;

select a first item of the multiple selectable items to perform a first action comprising;

directing the computing device to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as hover cursor input or handwriting input; and

alternately, select a second item of the multiple selectable items to perform a second action that is different from the first action, the second action comprising;

directing the computing device to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as hover cursor input or handwriting input,

wherein the selection of handwriting input allows the user to provide handwriting input without being confined to a window of an underlying program.

8. A computing device as recited in claim 7, further comprising instructions for:

determining whether an item of the selectable items has been selected within a predetermined amount of time since presenting the menu; and

responsive to determining that the item has not been selected within the predetermined amount, dismissing the menu.

9. A computing device as recited in claim 7, wherein the menu comprises an action area that is receptive to stylus-based input, and wherein the computing device further comprises instructions for:

identifying stylus-based user input outside of the action area; and

responsive to identifying the stylus-based user input, dismissing the menu.

10. A computing device as recited in claim 7, further comprising instructions for:

detecting selection of an item of the selectable items; and

responsive to detection the selection;

(a) hiding the menu; and

(b) performing a task corresponding to the item.

11. A computing device as recited in claim 10, wherein the task comprises instructions for:

(a) communicating a right mouse click event to a computer program;

(b) moving a cursor over a display screen;

(c) generating keyboard data;

or (d) generating and interpreting handwritten data.

12. A computing device as recited in claim 7, wherein responsive to receiving the input, the instructions further comprise instructions for:

detecting selection of an item of the selectable items; and

responsive to detecting the selection;

(a) hiding the menu;

(b) performing a task that corresponds to the item, the task having a result; and

(c) communicating the result as input to an application.

13. A computing device comprising:

processing means for;

receiving a continuous touch stylus-based user input; and

responsive to receiving the continuous touch stylus-based user input, displaying a menu comprising multiple selectable items to allow a user to;

select a first item of the multiple selectable items to perform a first action comprising;

directing the computing device to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as hover cursor input or handwriting input; and

alternately, select a second item of the multiple selectable items to perform a second action that is different from the first action, the second action comprising;

directing the computing device to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as hover cursor input or handwriting input,

wherein selection of a selectable item that directs the computing device to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as handwriting input allows the user to provide handwriting input without being confined to a window of an underlying program.

14. A computing device as recited in claim 13, further comprising means for:

if one of the selectable items is selected;

(a) hiding the menu;

(b) performing a task corresponding to the one selected item, the task having a result; and

(c) communicating the result as input to a program.

15. A computing device as recited in claim 13, further comprising means for if an item of the selectable items has not been selected for a predetermined amount of time since displaying the menu, dismissing the menu.

16. A computing device as recited in claim 13, wherein the menu comprises an action area that is receptive to stylus-based input, and wherein the computing device further comprises means for if stylus input is identified outside of the action area, dismissing the control.

17. A computing device as recited in claim 13, further comprising means for:

if an item of the selectable items is selected;

(a) hiding the menu; and

(b) performing a task corresponding to the item.

18. A computing device as recited in claim 17, wherein the task comprises means for:

(a) communicating a right mouse click event to a computer program;

(b) moving a cursor over a display screen;

(c) generating keyboard data;

or (d) generating and interpreting handwritten data.