US6938221B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
User interface for stylus-based user input
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 2001-11-30
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Granted: 2005-08-30
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Expires: 2021-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A stylus user interface for a computer system having a display is disclosed. The user interface receives stylus-based user input. Responsive to receiving the user input, the user interface displays a menu that includes selectable items. By selecting one of the selectable items, the user directs the computer system to generate right-mouse button input or to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as hover cursor input, keyboard-like input, or handwriting input.
Inventors
- 👤 Vu Nguyen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0488; G06F3/04883; A; A63; A63F; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/10; A63F2300/1068; A63F2300/1075; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/048; G06F2203/04807
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for providing a user interface for use with a stylus, the computer-executable instructions comprising instructions for: re-routing stylus-based user input to a first application that is executing under an operating system (OS), the input being re-routed such that the input is not received by the operating system for distribution to any second application that is executing under the OS; analyzing the input to determine whether the input should be treated as mouse input; and responsive to determining that the input should not be treated as a mouse input, displaying a menu comprising selectable items to allow a user to direct the computer system to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as right-mouse button input, hover cursor input, keyboard input, or handwriting input by selecting one of the selectable items.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for providing a user interface for use with a stylus, the computer-executable instructions comprising instructions for: re-routing stylus-based user input to a first application that is executing under an operating system (OS), the input being re-routed such that the input is not received by the operating system for distribution to any second application that is executing under the OS; analyzing the input to determine whether the input should be treated as mouse input; and responsive to determining that the input should not be treated as a mouse input, displaying a menu comprising selectable items to allow a user to direct the computer system to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as right-mouse button input, hover cursor input, keyboard input, or handwriting input by selecting one of the selectable items.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second application is designed to receive user input from the operating system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1 , wherein the instructions for analyzing the input further comprise instructions for determining that the input should be treated as a mouse event when the event is a single quick touch or a double quick touch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1 , wherein analyzing the input further comprise instructions for determining that the input should not be treated as a mouse event when the input is a continuous touch input.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1 , further comprising instructions responsive to determining that the event should be treated as a mouse event, the instructions communicating the input to the operating system for subsequent distribution to any other applications such as the second application.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1 , further comprising instructions for: determining whether an item of the selectable items has been selected within a predetermined amount of time since presenting the menu; and responsive to determining that the item has not been selected within the predetermined amount, dismissing the menu.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1 , wherein the selectable items are displayed in an action area, and wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions for: identifying stylus-based user input outside of the action area; and responsive to identifying the stylus-based user input, dismissing the menu.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1 , further comprising instructions for: detecting selection of an item of the selectable items; and responsive to detection the selection: (a) hiding the menu; and (b) performing a task corresponding to the item.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 8 , wherein the task comprises: (a) communicating right mouse click input the second application; (b) moving a cursor over a display screen; (c) generating keyboard input; or (d) generating and interpreting handwritten data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
94 words
A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1 , wherein the instructions for allowing a user to specify that the computer system is to interpret a subsequent stylus-based user input event as a mouse-right-button click event, a hover cursor event, keyboard event, or a handwriting event further comprise instructions for: detecting selection of an item of the selectable items; and responsive to detecting the selection: (a) hiding the menu; (b) performing a task that corresponds to the item, the task having a result; and (c) communicating the result as input to the second application.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
137 words
A computing device comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising computer-program instructions executable by the processor for: re-routing stylus-based user input to a first application that is executing under an operating system (OS), the input being re-routed such that the input is not received by the operating system for distribution to any second application that is executing under the OS; analyzing the input to determine whether the input should be treated as mouse input; and responsive to determining that the input should not be treated as a mouse input, displaying a menu comprising selectable items to allow a user to direct the computer system to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as right-mouse button input, hover cursor input, keyboard input, or handwriting input by selecting one of the selectable items.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
137 words
A computing device comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising computer-program instructions executable by the processor for: re-routing stylus-based user input to a first application that is executing under an operating system (OS), the input being re-routed such that the input is not received by the operating system for distribution to any second application that is executing under the OS; analyzing the input to determine whether the input should be treated as mouse input; and responsive to determining that the input should not be treated as a mouse input, displaying a menu comprising selectable items to allow a user to direct the computer system to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as right-mouse button input, hover cursor input, keyboard input, or handwriting input by selecting one of the selectable items.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computing device as recited in claim 11 , wherein the second application is designed to receive user input from the operating system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
A computing device as recited in claim 11 , wherein the instructions for analyzing the input further comprise instructions for determining that the input should be treated as a mouse event when the event is a single quick touch or a double quick touch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A computing device as recited in claim 11 , wherein analyzing the input further comprise instructions for determining that the input should not be treated as a mouse event when the input is a continuous touch input.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
A computing device as recited in claim 11 , further comprising instructions responsive to determining that the event should be treated as a mouse event, the instructions communicating the input to the operating system for subsequent distribution to any other applications such as the second application.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
A computing device as recited in claim 11 , further comprising instructions for: determining whether an item of the selectable items has been selected within a predetermined amount of time since presenting the menu; and responsive to determining that the item has not been selected within the predetermined amount, dismissing the menu.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
A computing device as recited in claim 11 , wherein the selectable items are displayed in an action area, and wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions for: identifying stylus-based user input outside of the action area; and responsive to identifying the stylus-based user input, dismissing the menu.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
A computing device as recited in claim 11 , further comprising instructions for: detecting selection of an item of the selectable items; and responsive to detection the selection: (a) hiding the menu; and (b) performing a task corresponding to the item.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
A computing device recited in claim 18 , wherein the task comprises: (a) communicating right mouse click input to the second application; (b) moving a cursor over a display screen; (c) generating keyboard input; or (d) generating and interpreting handwritten data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
94 words
A computing device as recited in claim 11 , wherein the instructions for allowing a user to specify that the computer system is to interpret a subsequent stylus-based user input event as a mouse-right-button click event, a hover cursor event, keyboard event, or a handwriting event further comprise instructions for: detecting selection of an item of the selectable items; and responsive to detecting the selection: (a) hiding the menu; (b) performing a task that corresponds to the item, the task having a result; and (c) communicating the result as input to the second application.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
118 words
A method comprising: re-routing stylus-based user input to a first application that is executing under an operating system (OS), the input being re-routed such that the input is not received by the operating system for distribution to any second application that is executing under the OS; analyzing the input to determine whether the input should be treated as mouse input; and responsive to determining that the input should not be treated as a mouse input, displaying a menu comprising selectable items to allow a user to direct the computer system to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as right-mouse button input, hover cursor input, keyboard input, or handwriting input by selecting one of the selectable items.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
118 words
A method comprising: re-routing stylus-based user input to a first application that is executing under an operating system (OS), the input being re-routed such that the input is not received by the operating system for distribution to any second application that is executing under the OS; analyzing the input to determine whether the input should be treated as mouse input; and responsive to determining that the input should not be treated as a mouse input, displaying a menu comprising selectable items to allow a user to direct the computer system to interpret one or more subsequent stylus-based user inputs as right-mouse button input, hover cursor input, keyboard input, or handwriting input by selecting one of the selectable items.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , wherein the second application is designed to receive user input from the operating system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , wherein analyzing the input further comprises determining that the input should be treated as a mouse event when the event is a single quick touch or a double quick touch.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , wherein analyzing the input further comprises determining that the input should not be treated as a mouse event when the input is a continuous touch input.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , further comprising, responsive to determining that the event should be treated as a mouse event, communicating the input to the operating system for subsequent distribution to any other applications such as the second application.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , further comprising: determining whether an item of the selectable items has been selected within a predetermined amount of time since presenting the menu; and responsive to determining that the item has not been selected within the predetermined amount, dismissing the menu.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , wherein the selectable items are displayed in an action area, and further comprising: identifying stylus-based user input outside of the action area; and responsive to identifying the stylus-based user input, dismissing the menu.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , further comprising: detecting selection of an item of the selectable items; and responsive to detection the selection: (a) hiding the menu; and (b) performing a task corresponding to the item.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as recited in claim 28 , wherein the task comprises: (a) communicating right mouse click input to the second application; (b) moving a cursor over a display screen; (c) generating keyboard input; or (d) generating and interpreting handwritten data.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
88 words
A method as recited in claim 21 , wherein allowing a user to specify that the computer system is to interpret a subsequent stylus-based user input event as a mouse-right-button click event, a hover cursor event, keyboard event, or a handwriting event further comprises: detecting selection of an item of the selectable items; and responsive to detecting the selection: (a) hiding the menu; (b) performing a task that corresponds to the item, the task having a result; and (c) communicating the result as input to the second application.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-08-29 | 2009-02-28 | 2009-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-08-29 | 2013-02-28 | 2013-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-08-29 | 2017-02-28 | 2017-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |