Touch screen accuracy

• US 20060132460A1
• Filed: 12/22/2004
• Published: 06/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Jarrett, Robert J., Lerner, Matt, Dodge, Steven P., Kolmykov-Zotov, Alexander J., Townsend, Reed, Rimas-Ribikauskas, Emily K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,489,306 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04812 Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

A user interface is provided allowing a user to simulate mouse hovering with the user'"'"'s finger on a touch-sensitive display. When a finger or other stylus touches the touch-sensitive display adjacent to a display cursor, a control appears that enables the user to drag the cursor about the display by dragging the control. Manipulation of the control instead of the cursor allows the user to see the cursor while it moves, making it easier to accurately target small objects that were previously difficult to target directly. In addition, a tap or other user touch input is funneled from the control to the location of the cursor itself. For example, if the user taps on the control, the tap causes an event such as a left mouse button down event to be generated at the location of the cursor as opposed to the location of the tap, thereby improving accuracy.

Claims

1. In a computer coupled to a touch-sensitive display, a method for controlling input using a cursor, comprising:

displaying the cursor on the touch-sensitive display;

receiving a dragging touch input to the touch-sensitive display beginning at a first location adjacent to the cursor; and

responsive to receiving the dragging touch input, moving the displayed cursor to follow and remain adjacent to the dragging touch input.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first location is at least a quarter inch away from the displayed cursor.

4. The method of claim 1, further including determining whether the first location is within a predetermined distance of the cursor, wherein the step of moving is performed responsive to a determination that the first location is within the predetermined distance.

5. The method of claim 1, further including displaying a control adjacent to the cursor, wherein the step of moving includes moving the control to follow the dragging touch input.

10. The method of claim 1, further including:

receiving a tap input on the touch-sensitive display at a second location adjacent to the displayed cursor; and

in response to the tap input, sending a mouse button down event to a location of the displayed cursor.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second location is at least a quarter inch away from the displayed cursor.

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

3. (canceled)

6-9. -9. (canceled)

12-14. -14. (canceled)

16. In a computer coupled to a touch-sensitive display, a method for controlling input using a cursor, comprising:

displaying the cursor on the touch-sensitive display;

receiving a touch input on the touch-sensitive display adjacent to the cursor;

determining whether the touch input is within a region surrounding the cursor; and

responsive to the touch input being within the region, sending a mouse button down event to a location of the displayed cursor.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the touch input is a tap input made at a location at least a quarter inch away from the cursor.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the mouse button down event is a left mouse button down event or a right mouse button down event depending upon a location of the touch input.

21. The method of claim 16, further including displaying a representation of the control boundary.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the region is a circle centered around the displayed cursor having a radius of at least a quarter inch.

24. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 16.

18. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

25. In a computer coupled to a touch-sensitive device, a method for controlling input using a cursor, comprising:

displaying the cursor;

receiving a first touch input on the touch-sensitive device;

responsive to the first touch input, displaying a cursor handle adjacent to the cursor;

receiving a second touch input on the touch-sensitive device adjacent to the cursor and directed to the displayed cursor handle; and

controlling movement of the cursor in accordance with the second touch input, wherein the cursor handle moves with the cursor.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the displayed cursor handle does not touch the cursor.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the cursor handle is displayed so as to surround the cursor.

28. The method of claim 25, further including:

receiving a third touch input at the touch-sensitive device adjacent to the cursor;

determining whether the third touch input is directed to the cursor handle, and responsive to the third touch input, sending a mouse down button down event to a location of the displayed cursor.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the second touch input is received at a location at least a quarter inch away from the displayed cursor.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the cursor handle includes a magnifying region that magnifies an area of a graphical user interface within the region.

31. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 25.