Pen operated processing system with speed-responsive switching

• US 5,166,666 A
• Filed: 06/14/1991
• Issued: 11/24/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Tanaka, Hidekazu
• Primary Examiner(s): Brier, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Au, A.
• Application Number:
  US07/715,927
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• Field of Search: 340/706, 382/13, 382/14, 382/16, 382/48, 382/61, 382/3, 382/706, 382/707, 382/709, 382/721, 382/723
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance

Abstract

In an information processing system in which predetermined information is processed on the basis of coordinate data x, y, the coordinate data x, y is inputted through a coordinate inputting means such as a pen and tablet arrangement. Inputted loci are detected by sequentially accepting the coordinate data x, y. The processing mode of the information processing system is switched according to the configuration of the inputted loci. By switching the processing mode in response to the configuration of the inputted loci, the operation mode can be switched. For example, by moving the pen on the tablet in a jumped or reversed direction manner, the processing mode such as storing of a window can be effected.

Claims

1. A hand-written information processing apparatus comprising:

a) coordinate information input means for inputting coordinate data;

b) processing means for processing said coordinate data;

c) detecting means for detecting a trace pattern of said input coordinate data in a sequential manner;

d) travel speed judging means responsive to said detecting means for judging whether or not the travel speed of said trace pattern satisfies a predetermined condition; and

e) switching means for switching a mode of said apparatus in response to detection of said trace pattern by said detecting means and to the judgment of said travel speed by said travel speed judging means.

2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, in which said detecting means is operable to detect a middle portion of trace information of said trace pattern.

3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, in which said middle portion of said trace pattern is a turning point of said trace pattern.

4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, in which said coordinate information input means comprises pen means and a tablet.

5. A hand-written information processing apparatus comprising:

a) pen means for inputting coordinate information;

b) tablet means for generating coordinate data based on said coordinate information input by said pen means on said tablet means;

c) display means displaying a trace pattern according to said coordinate data, said display means being placed under said tablet means such that an image displayed on said display means is visible through said tablet means; and

d) control means for receiving said coordinate data sequentially and processing said coordinate data;

wherein when said control means detects a predetermined trace pattern according to said coordinate data and judges that the travel speed of said trace pattern satisfies a predetermined condition, in response to which the mode of operation of said control means is changed from a first condition to a second condition.

6. An information processing apparatus according to claim 5, in which said mode of said first condition is opening a window on said display means, and said mode of said second condition is closing said window thereon.

7. An information processing apparatus according to claim 6, in which, when said pen means is penned down to a predetermined area of said window, and after that trace pattern of said pen means which is made by tracing said pen means on said tablet means is detected as having a returning point, said control means is operable to close said window.