Pressure based selection

• US 20060132455A1
• Filed: 12/21/2004
• Published: 06/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Jarrett, Robert James, Rimas-Ribikauskas, Emily, Adolphson Anson, David Leininger
• Granted Patent: US 7,683,889 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

The use of pressure-sensitive selection tools in a graphical user interface is disclosed in which the amount of pressure during a selection operation may modify selection behavior. Upon receiving a selection input, the pressure applied is determined and the selection behavior modified. In some embodiments, the number of objects selected is increased when more pressure is applied and decreased when less pressure is applied.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for selecting displayed items, comprising the steps of:

(1) receiving an input upon a display surface of a display device, wherein the display device displays a plurality of selectable items;

(2) determining an amount of pressure applied by the input; and

(3) responsive to the amount of pressure being at a first level, selecting a first number of the selectable items;

(4) responsive to the amount of pressure being at a second level greater than the first level, selecting a second number of the selectable items, wherein the second number is larger than the first number.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of selectable items is a plurality of text items.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of selectable items is a plurality of objects.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (3) comprises selecting only a single item from the plurality of items, and wherein step (4) comprises selecting more than one item from the plurality of items.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein step (1) comprises receiving a selection path and wherein steps (3) and (4) each include selecting a number of the selectable items based on the selection path.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the selection path is a freeform selection path.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein steps (3) and (4) each includes selecting only those of the selectable items that are encountered by the selection path.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the selection path has a width that depends upon the amount of pressure.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of selectable items is a plurality of files.

10. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 1.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein step (1) comprises receiving a selection path and wherein step (3) includes selecting a number of the selectable items based on the selection path.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the selection path is a freeform selection path.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein step (3) includes selecting only those of the selectable items that are encountered by the selection path.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the selection path has a width that depends upon the amount of pressure.

11. A computer-implemented method for selecting displayed items, comprising the steps of:

(1) receiving a selection input from a pointing device directed to at least one of a plurality of displayed selectable items;

(2) displaying a selection tool in accordance with the selection input, the selection tool defining an area that depends upon an applied pressure of the selection input; and

(3) selecting those of the plurality of selectable items that are within the area encompassed by the selection tool.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of selectable items is a plurality of text items.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of selectable items is a plurality of objects.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of selectable items is a plurality of files.

19. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 11.