User interface for drawing with electronic devices

• US 9,323,431 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2012
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Multi Touch Oy
• Original Assignee: Multi Touch Oy
• Inventors: Farshi, Oliver, Ilmonen, Tommi
• Primary Examiner(s): Tan, Alvin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yi, Rinna
• Application Number:
  US14/348,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20140258898A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,426 Days
• Field of Search: 715/232, 715/255, 715/764, 715/769, 715/801, 715/800, 715/863, 345/441, 345/442, 345/443, 345/440, 345/467, 345/773, 345/661
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/001 Texturing; Colouring; Generation of texture or colour inpainting G06T5/77
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/203 Drawing of straight lines or curves
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/60 Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer program for forming graphics in a drawing area based on user instructions. In response to addition or changing of a first graphical object, an interaction zone is formed around the first graphical object for a given continuation period. It is detected if a second graphical object is drawn starting from the interaction zone during the continuation period and if yes, the first graphical object is changed by merging the second graphical object with the first graphical object.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an input module configured to receive user instructions for forming graphics in a drawing area based on the user instructions;

a processor configured to cause;

in response to addition or changing of a first graphical object, forming an interaction zone around the first graphical object and activating a timer for a predetermined continuation period;

detecting if a second graphical object is drawn starting from within the interaction zone during the continuation period and merging the second graphical object with the first graphical object, in response to positive detection; and

,

upon expiration of the timer, disabling the interaction zone.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to form the interaction zone dynamically during the addition or changing of the first graphical object.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to form the interaction zone dynamically on drawing a line as if using a pen or a brush.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to form the interaction zone when the first graphical object is completely added or changed.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the processor is configured to determine the completion of the adding or changing of the first graphical object in response to a pause signal being received from a user.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause displaying of the interaction zone.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to form again the interaction zone around the first graphical object in response to detecting a user pointing at the first graphical object.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to require a further command for the forming again of the interaction zone.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to operate in parallel with a plurality of first graphical objects.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to again invoke the interaction zone in response to detecting a re-invoking command and erasing a portion of the first graphical object in response to detecting drawing of a scribble over the first graphical object.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the timer is restarted in response to positive detection that the second graphical object is drawn starting from the interaction zone during the continuation period.

12. A method for forming graphics in a drawing area based on user instructions, comprising:

in response to addition or changing of a first graphical object, forming an interaction zone around the first graphical object and activating a timer for a predetermined continuation period; and

detecting if a second graphical object is drawn starting from the interaction zone during the continuation period and merging the second graphical object with the first graphical object, in response to positive detection; and

,

upon expiration of the timer, disabling the interaction zone.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising causing drawing of a new second graphical object starting from the interaction zone.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the interaction zone is formed dynamically during the addition or changing of the first graphical object.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the interaction zone is formed when the first graphical object is completely added or changed.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising causing displaying of the interaction zone.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises forming again the interaction zone around the first graphical object in response to detecting a user pointing at the first graphical object.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the method is applied in parallel for a plurality of first graphical objects.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising subsequently again invoking the interaction zone in response to detecting a re-invoking command and erasing a portion of the first graphical object in response to detecting drawing of a scribble over the first graphical object.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the detecting of the drawing of the scribble comprises determining at least two lines being drawn in opposing directions over the first graphical object.

21. A method as claimed in claim 12 further comprising restarting the timer in response to the positive detection the second graphical object is drawn starting from the interaction zone during the continuation period.

22. A computer program stored in a non-transitory computer readable memory medium, comprising computer executable program code which when executed by at least one processor causes an apparatus to perform:

in response to addition or changing of a first graphical object, forming an interaction zone around the first graphical object and activating a timer for a predetermined continuation period;

detecting if a second graphical object is drawn starting from the interaction zone during the continuation period and if yes, merging the second graphical object with the first graphical object; and

,

upon expiration of the timer, disabling the interaction zone.

23. The computer program as claimed in claim 22, wherein upon detection that the second graphical object is drawn starting from the interaction zone during the continuation period, the timer is restarted.