Input system, program, and recording medium

• US 7,777,720 B2
• Filed: 12/26/2006
• Issued: 08/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wacom Co Limited (Wacom)
• Original Assignee: Wacom Co Limited (Wacom)
• Inventors: Kawasome, Toshiki
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Nitin
• Application Number:
  US11/644,963
• Publication Number:
  US 20070103435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,330 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-173, 715/842, 178 1801- 1807, 178 1901- 1907
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0382 Plural input, i.e. interface arrangements in which a plurality of input device of the same type are in communication with a PC
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04806 Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning

Abstract

An input system for a computer includes a first input device, such as a mouse or a tablet, and a second input device differing from the first input device. The first input device specifies a position on a display screen, which is connected to a computer for executing an application program and for displaying a processing object area of the application program on the display screen. An instruction set instructs a change in a display state of the processing object area on the display screen in response to an operation of the second input device. The first input device is operated with the operator'"'"'s favored hand, while the second input device is operated with the operator'"'"'s non-favored hand. Therefore, both hands are effectively used to improve operation efficiency.

Claims

1. A method for instructing a change in a display state of a processing object area on a display screen connected to a computer, to which a first input device for specifying a position on the display screen and a second input device differing from the first input device, are connected, comprising the steps of:

executing a plug-in emulator configured to create emulation information based at least in part on a first operation signal from the first input device and a second operation signal from the second input device;

executing an application program in accordance with the emulation information,

displaying the processing object area of the application program on the display screen; and

executing a display state changing process for changing the display state of the processing object area on the display screen in response to an operation of the second input device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

instructing a change of a relative position of the processing object area with respect to the display screen in response to an operation of the second input device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

instructing a change of a display magnification ratio of the processing object area displayed on the display screen in response to an operation of the second input device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

instructing a change of a display size of an object contained within the processing object area displayed on the display screen in response to an operation of the second input device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

instructing an editing process for the processing object area displayed on the display screen in response to an operation of the second input device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating an instruction signal compatible with the application program executed by the computer, wherein the instruction signal corresponds to an operation of the second input device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein

the first input device comprises a digitizer and an associated stylus, and

the second input device comprises a common housing including a first input component, a second input component, and a third input component,

the first input component comprising a wheel;

the second input component comprising an input ball; and

the third input component comprising a key input portion.

7. A computer system, comprising:

a computer;

a display screen connected to the computer, wherein a processing object area of an application program usable by the computer is displayed on the display screen;

a first input device connected to the computer, the first input device for specifying a position on the display screen;

a second input device connected to the computer, the second input device differing from the first input device; and

an instruction set comprising a plug-in emulator for instructing a change in a display state of the processing object area of the application program on the display screen in response to an operation of the second input device.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein

the first input device comprises a digitizer and an associated stylus, and

the second input device comprises a common housing including a first input component, a second input component, and a third input component,

the first input component comprising a wheel;

the second input component comprising an input ball; and

the third input component comprising a key input portion.