User interface for stylus-based user input

• US 20050120312A1
• Filed: 12/29/2004
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Nguyen, Vu
• Granted Patent: US 7,577,924 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 user interface is provided that includes an action area. The action area includes at least one helper icon that is selectable to allow a user to specify one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs are to me interpreted as mouse-right-button input, hover cursor input, keyboard-like input, or handwriting input. The action area is for display responsive to receiving a stylus-based user input.

Claims

1. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-program instructions executable by a processor for:

providing a user interface comprising an action area, the action area including at least one helper icon, the at least one helper icon being selectable to allow a user to specify that a computer system is to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as mouse-right-button input, hover cursor input, keyboard-like input, or handwriting input; and

wherein the action area is for display responsive to receiving a stylus-based user input.

2. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the input is not a single quick touch or a double quick touch input.

3. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the event is a continuous touch event.

4. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1 wherein the computer-program instructions, responsive to selection of the at least one helper icon, comprise instructions for:

(a) hiding the action area;

(b) implementing a task that corresponds to the at least one helper icon; and

(c) communicating the result as input to another computer program.

5. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein if the at least one helper icon has not been selected for a predetermined amount of time since displaying the action area, the computer-program instructions include instructions for dismissing the control.

6. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer-program instructions further comprise instructions for:

responsive to determining if the user has moved a stylus beyond a perimeter of the action area, dismissing the action area and the at least one helper icon.

7. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer-program instructions further comprise instructions for:

responsive to selection of the at least one helper icon;

hiding the action area; and

performing a task that corresponds to the at least one helper icon.

8. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 7, wherein the task comprises:

(a) communicating right mouse click input to another program;

(b) moving a cursor over a display screen;

(c) generating keyboard-like data;

or (d) generating and interpreting handwritten data.

9. A computer-implemented method comprising:

providing a user interface for use with a stylus in a computing device having a display;

receiving stylus-based user input at a location on the display, the location corresponding to a previously displayed user interface object with a corresponding context of operation; and

responsive to receiving the user input, presenting a menu on the display, the menu being independent of the corresponding context of operation.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the menu further comprises one or more selectable items, wherein the stylus based user input is a first user input, and wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a second stylus-based user input that indicates user selection of an item of the selectable items; and

responsive to receiving the second user input, generating a mouse-right-button input event.

11. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the menu further comprises one or more selectable items, wherein the stylus based user input is a first user input, and wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a second stylus-based user input that indicates user selection of an item of the selectable items; and

responsive to receiving the second user input, directing the computing device to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as hover cursor input, keyboard-like input, or handwriting input.

12. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the menu further comprises one or more selectable items, and wherein if an item of the selectable items has not been selected for a predetermined amount of time since presenting the menu, the method further comprises dismissing the menu.

13. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the menu further comprises one or more selectable items in an action area, 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 control.

14. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the menu further comprises one or more selectable items, wherein the stylus based user input is a first user input, and wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a second stylus-based user input that indicates user selection of an item of the selectable items; and

responsive to receiving the second user input,

(a) hiding the menu; and

(b) performing a task corresponding to the item.

15. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the menu further comprises one or more selectable items, wherein the stylus based user input is a first user input, and wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a second stylus-based user input that indicates user selection of an item of the selectable items; and

responsive to receiving the second user input,

(a) hiding the menu; and

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

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

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the task comprises:

(a) generating right-mouse-button data;

(b) moving a cursor over the display;

(c) generating keyboard-like data;

or (d) generating handwriting data.

17. A computing device having a display, the computing device for providing a user interface for use with a stylus, the computing device comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising computer-program instructions executable by the processor for;

receiving stylus-based user input at a location on the display, the location corresponding to a previously displayed user interface object with a corresponding context of operation; and

responsive to receiving the user input, presenting a menu on the display, the menu being independent of the corresponding context of operation.

18. A computing device as recited in claim 17, wherein the menu further comprises one or more selectable items, wherein the stylus based user input is a first user input, and wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for:

receiving a second stylus-based user input that indicates user selection of an item of the selectable items; and

responsive to receiving the second user input, generating a mouse-right-button input event.

19. A computing device as recited in claim 17, wherein the menu further comprises one or more selectable items, wherein the stylus based user input is a first user input, and wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for:

receiving a second stylus-based user input that indicates user selection of an item of the selectable items; and

responsive to receiving the second user input, directing the computing device to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as hover cursor input, keyboard-like input, or handwriting input.

20. A computing device as recited in claim 17, wherein the menu further comprises one or more selectable items in an action area, wherein the stylus based user input is a first user input, and wherein the instructions further comprise instructions for one or more of the following operations:

responsive to determining that the item has not been selected within a predetermined amount of time since presenting the menu, dismissing the menu;

responsive to identifying stylus input outside of the action area, dismissing the control;

responsive to receiving a second stylus-based user input that indicates user selection of an item of the selectable items, hiding the menu and performing a task corresponding to the item; and

wherein the task comprises;

(a) generating right-mouse-button data;

(b) moving a cursor over the display;

(c) generating keyboard-like data;

or (d) generating handwriting data.