User interface for stylus-based user input

• US 8,707,217 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2010
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Nguyen, Vu
• Primary Examiner(s): HAILU, TADESSE
• Application Number:
  US12/728,705
• Publication Number:
  US 20100171721A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,492 Days
• Field of Search: 715760-764, 715/863, 715/864, 345/163, 345/173, 345/179
• 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 user touch input; and

responsive to receiving the user touch input at a touch screen of a device, displaying a menu on the touch screen comprising multiple selectable items to allow a user to select an item of the multiple selectable items, the menu including a border, the multiple selectable items at least partially contained within the border, the multiple selectable items that are at least partially contained with the border including at least;

a first item of the multiple selectable items configured to cause a first action comprising directing a computer system to interpret one or more subsequent user touch inputs as hover cursor input; and

a second item of the multiple selectable items configured to cause a second action that is different from the first action, the second action comprising directing the computer system to interpret one or more subsequent user touch inputs as keyboard input or right-mouse button input.

2. A computer-implemented 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 of time, dismissing the menu.

3. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the menu comprises an action area defined by the border, the action area receptive to user touch input, and wherein the method further comprises:

identifying user touch input outside of the action area; and

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

4. A computer-implemented 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 detecting the selection;

(a) hiding the menu; and

(b) performing a task corresponding to the item.

5. A computer-implemented 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.

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

re-routing user touch input to a first application that is executing under an operating system (OS), the user touch input being re-routed such that the user touch input is not received by the operating system for distribution to any second application that is executing under the OS.

7. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein responsive to detecting selection of the first item configured to cause a first action comprising directing a computer system to interpret one or more subsequent user touch inputs as hover cursor input, causing a cursor element displayed on the touch screen to be moved from a first location of the touch screen to a second location of the touch screen based on the one or more subsequent user touch inputs.

8. A computing device comprising:

one more processors;

a memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory comprising computer-executable instructions that are executable by the one or more processors to;

receive a user touch input; and

responsive to receiving the user touch input, display a menu comprising multiple selectable items that are at least partially included within a border that visually defines the menu, the multiple selectable items including;

a first item of the multiple selectable items to perform a first action comprising directing the computing device to interpret one or more subsequent user touch inputs as hover cursor input; and

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 user touch inputs keyboard input or right-mouse button input.

9. A computing device as recited in claim 8, wherein the computer-executable instructions are further executable by the one or more processors to:

determine 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 of time, dismiss the menu.

10. A computing device as recited in claim 8, wherein the menu comprises an action area within the border, the action area receptive to user touch input, and wherein the computer-executable instructions are further executable by the one or more processors to:

identify user touch input outside of the action area; and

responsive to identifying the user touch input outside the action area, dismiss the menu.

11. A computing device as recited in claim 8, wherein the computer-executable instructions are further executable by the one or more processors to:

detect selection of an item of the selectable items; and

responsive to detecting the selection;

(a) hide the menu; and

(b) perform a task corresponding to the item.

12. A computing device as recited in claim 11, wherein the task comprises (a) communicating a right mouse click event to a computer program;

(b) moving a cursor over a display screen;

or (c) generating keyboard data.

13. A computing device as recited in claim 8, wherein responsive to receiving the input, the instructions are further executable to:

detect selection of an item of the selectable items; and

responsive to detecting the selection;

(a) hide the menu;

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

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

14. One or more computer-readable storage media comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, perform acts comprising:

receiving a user touch input; and

responsive to receiving the user touch input at a touch screen of a device, displaying a menu on the touch screen comprising multiple selectable items within an action area of the menu, touch input within the action area enabling selection of an item of the multiple selectable items, the selectable items including;

a first item of the multiple selectable items configured to cause a first action comprising directing a computer system to interpret one or more subsequent user touch inputs as hover cursor input; and

a second item of the multiple selectable items configured to cause a second action that is different from the first action, the second action comprising directing the computer system to interpret one or more subsequent user touch inputs as keyboard input or right-mouse button input.

15. One or more computer-readable storage media of claim 14, wherein the acts further comprise:

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

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

16. One or more computer-readable storage media of claim 14, wherein the acts further comprises:

identifying user touch input outside of the action area; and

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

17. One or more computer-readable storage media of claim 14, wherein the acts, responsive to receiving the input, further comprise:

detecting selection of an item of the selectable items; and

responsive to detecting the selection;

(a) hiding the menu; and

(b) performing a task corresponding to the item.

18. One or more computer-readable storage media of claim 17, wherein the task comprises:

(a) generating right-mouse-button input;

(b) moving a cursor over a display screen;

or (c) generating keyboard data.

19. One or more computer-readable storage media of claim 14, wherein the acts further comprise:

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.

20. One or more computer-readable storage media of claim 14, wherein the acts further comprise:

re-routing user touch input to a first application that is executing under an operating system (OS), the user touch input being re-routed such that the user touch input is not received by the operating system for distribution to any second application that is executing under the OS.