Method and apparatus for changing numeric values on a display device

• US 6,310,613 B1
• Filed: 05/17/1999
• Issued: 10/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yamatake Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yamatake Corporation
• Inventors: Tanaka, Masato, Kato, Seiji
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang, Regina
• Application Number:
  US09/312,063
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 345/145, 345/156, 345/157, 345/173, 345/174, 345/159, 345/160, 345/25, 345/33, 345/34, 178/18.05
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

A method for changing a numeric value displayed on a display device is adapted to select a numeric display area by pointing means and change the numeric value in accordance with a pointing signal that is provided from the pointing means in response to its sliding movement after the selection of the numeric display area.

Claims

1. A method of changing numeric values displayed on a display device, comprising the steps of:

providing a pointing device that outputs an instantaneous position signal when a user points to a position in a display area of said display device, said instantaneous position signal indicating an instantaneous position selected by said pointing by said user;

detecting a change in value of said instantaneous position signal as said user changes the position of pointing in said display area; and

changing said numeric values displayed on said display device when a change in value of said instantaneous position signal is detected.

2. The numeric value changing method according to claim 1, wherein said numeric values are updated in accordance with the distance of movement of said instantaneous position as indicated by said change in value.

3. The numeric value changing method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of change of said numeric values changes with the speed of movement of said pointing device over said display area.

4. The numeric value changing method according to claim 1, wherein a direction of change of said numeric values is determined by the direction of movement of said pointing device over said display area.

5. The numeric value changing method according to claim 1, wherein a direction of change of said numeric values is determined by a change in the direction of movement of said pointing device over said display area.

6. The numeric value changing method according to claim 1, wherein said numeric values are changed with a change of said instantaneous position signal until said display area is deselected.

7. The numeric value changing method according to claim 1, wherein said numeric values have a plurality of digits, and are selectable by said pointing device for each digit.

8. The numeric value changing method according to claim 7, wherein said instantaneous position signal changes with sliding movement of said pointing device over a desired area on said display area after said user points to a position corresponding to a desired one of said display elements by using said pointing device.

9. A numeric value changing apparatus, comprising:

a display device having a display area on which are displayed numeric values;

a pointing device for outputting an instantaneous position signal that indicates an instantaneous position selected by said pointing device in said display area; and

a numeric changing section supplied with said instantaneous position signal, for changing said displayed numeric values as a function of a change of said instantaneous position signal within said display area.