Automatic detection and switching between input modes

• US 20050179647A1
• Filed: 02/18/2004
• Published: 08/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Pratley, Christopher, Urata, Kentaro, Simmons, Alex
• Application Number:
  US10/781,489
• Publication Number:
  US 20050179647A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• 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 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

Automatic detection and switching between computer-enabled input modes is provided. An automatic switching input mode may be selected that allows input modes to be automatically switched from one mode to another based on user behavior. If a user'"'"'s computer system is in selection mode (keyboard or mousing device), the user may enter and manipulate data via mouse movement or keyboard selection. If the user moves an electronic pen to the user'"'"'s computer display screen, her computer system automatically switches to pen input mode without the requirement that the user manually switch to pen mode. Subsequently, if the user moves her mousing device or selects a key on her keyboard, her system automatically switches back to selection mode. Additionally, one input mode may be readily latched for operation as a different input mode. For example, a user may latch a pen input mode for operation as a mouse input mode. Conversely, a mouse input mode may be latched for operation as a pen input mode. Each input mode may be easily switched back to its natural state based on user behavior.

Claims

1. A method of automatically switching between computer-enabled input modes, comprising:

enabling a selection-based input mode whereby input is accepted via a selection-based input device;

initiating use of a pen-based input device; and

in response to initiating use of a pen-based input device, automatically switching from the selection-based input mode to a pen-based input mode without user input.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating use of a selection-based input device;

and

in response to initiating use of a selection-based input device, automatically switching from the pen-based input mode back to the selection-based input mode without user input.

3. The method of claim 2, prior to enabling a selection-based input mode, selecting an automatic input switching mode.

4. The method of claim 2, whereby the selection-based input device is a mousing device.

5. The method of claim 2, whereby the selection-based input device is a keyboard.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising latching the selection-based input device so that the selection-based input device behaves as a pen-based input device.

7. The method of claim 6, whereby while the selection-based input device is latched for behavior as a pen-based input device, using the selection-based input device as a pen-based input device.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising initiating use of the pen-based input device;

and

in response to initiating use of the pen-based input device, automatically unlatching the selection-based input device from behaving as a pen-based input device.

9. The method of claim 8, whereby initiating use of the pen-based input device includes movement of the pen-based input device whereby said pen-based input device is operative to input data when the pen-based input device is engaged with a computer-enabled display screen operative to receive input from the pen-based input device.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising latching the pen-based input device so that the pen-based input device behaves as a selection-based input device.

11. The method of claim 10, whereby while the pen-based input device is latched for behavior as a selection-based input device, using the pen-based input device as a selection-based input device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising initiating use of the selection-based input device;

and

in response to initiating use of the selection-based input device, automatically unlatching the pen-based input device from behaving as a selection-based input device.

13. The method of claim 12, whereby initiating use of the selection-based input device includes moving a mousing device.

14. The method of claim 12, whereby initiating use of the selection-based input device includes selecting a keyboard key.

15. A method of automatically switching between computer-enabled input modes, comprising:

enabling a selection-based input mode whereby input is accepted via a selection-based input device;

initiating use of a computer-enabled electronic pen operative to input data when the electronic pen is engaged with a computer-enabled display screen operative to receive input from the electronic pen;

in response to initiating use of the computer-enabled electronic pen, automatically switching from the selection-based input mode to a pen-based input mode;

initiating use of a mousing device; and

in response to initiating use of the mousing device, automatically switching from the pen-based input mode to the selection-based input mode.

16. The method of claim 15, whereby the selection-based input device is a mousing device.

17. The method of claim 15, whereby the selection-based input device is a keyboard.

18. A method of automatically switching between computer-enabled input modes, comprising:

enabling a selection-based input mode whereby input is accepted via a selection-based input device;

initiating use of a pen-based input device;

in response to initiating use of a pen-based input device, automatically switching from the selection-based input mode to a pen-based input mode;

initiating use of a selection-based input device;

in response to initiating use of a selection-based input device, automatically switching from the pen-based input mode back to the selection-based input mode;

latching the selection-based input device so that the selection-based input device behaves as a pen-based input device;

initiating use of the pen-based input device, and in response to initiating use of the pen-based input device, automatically unlatching the selection-based input device from behaving as a pen-based input device;

latching the pen-based input device so that the pen-based input device behaves as a selection-based input device;

initiating use of the selection-based input device; and

in response to initiating use of the selection-based input device, automatically unlatching the pen-based input device from behaving as a selection-based input device.

19. The method of claim 18, whereby initiating use of the selection-based input device includes moving a mousing device.

20. The method of claim 18, whereby initiating use of the selection-based input device includes selecting a keyboard key.