Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Touch panel
Reexamination Certificate
1996-08-13
2001-03-27
Hofsass, Jeffery (Department: 2632)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Touch panel
Reexamination Certificate
active
06208329
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT UNDER 37 CFR 1.71(D) AND (E)
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention is generally related to coordinate based data input devices and more particularly related to a method and apparatus for emulating a supplemental mouse button, for example, a right mouse button or other non-primary feature selection button, in a touch-type coordinate based data input device.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Various methods and apparatuses are known in the art for facilitating the movement of a cursor to a point on the display of a computer or the like. Such methods and apparatuses are useful in assisting electronic device users (such as users of general purpose or dedicated computers) in selecting text, graphics, or menus for subsequent manipulation.
Coordinate based input devices include relative coordinate devices such as mice, track balls and absolute coordinate devices including digitizing tablets, touch screens, and touch pads. A mouse is a hand-held device which typically has between one and three feature buttons (physical electrical switches) for selecting different features related to or useful to a coordinate selected. The mouse buttons are typically arranged horizontally and referred to as left, right and middle mouse buttons. Digitizers and touch screens are utilized in a similar manner and most generally employ either an active or passive stylus. Where an active stylus is employed one or more buttons located on the stylus may be actuated so as to allow mouse button-type feature selection.
Features available for mouse selection can be broken down into the following categories: (a) primary features which are most commonly supported; (b) secondary features which are often supported yet are less common than primary features; and (c) tertiary features which are sometimes supported yet are less common than secondary features.
In the case of a single button mouse, primary features are the only available features. Single button mouse users typically select these features via the index finger pushing the single mouse button.
In the case of a two button mouse, both primary and secondary features are available. A typical right handed user makes primary feature selection via the index finger pushing the left mouse button. In addition, said user makes secondary feature selection via the long finger pushing the right mouse button.
In the case of a three button mouse, primary, secondary and tertiary features are available. A typical right handed user makes primary feature selection via the index finger pushing the left mouse button. In addition, said user makes secondary feature selection via the third finger pushing the right mouse button. Finally, said user makes tertiary feature selection via the long finger pushing the middle mouse button.
Note that users have the option of orienting mouse buttons differently than stated above. However, for the remainder of this document, left mouse button input will be associated with primary feature selection, right mouse button input will be associated with secondary feature selection and middle mouse button input will be associated with tertiary input selection.
Where a passive stylus is utilized other means for selecting mouse button-type features must be employed. Additionally, in absolute coordinate data input devices an initial contact is interpreted as primary mouse (e.g., left mouse button) activation. For example, Calder, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,531, teaches a coordinate processor capable of locking a cursor position and allowing differentiation between cursor movement from button click commands without requiring a manually operable push button. However, the Calder, et al., teaching does not disclose means for issuing relative coordinate device right mouse button commands.
Systems capable of emulating relative coordinate device right mouse button commands have been disclosed. For example, Ward, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,495, teaches a system for simulating a mouse by displaying a mouse icon overlay so as to allow a user to select a coordinate with a stylus and then select a mouse button by moving the stylus to the mouse icon overlay. However, the Ward, et al., system utilizes relative coordinate location of the stylus input based upon a graphical simulacrum of a mouse. Therefore, the Ward, et al., system requires (a) additional processor time to process the mouse icon display, (b) an icon which covers a viewable sized area of the display, and (c) a user to drag the icon into position rather than allowing a user to simply point and act on the coordinate desired.
It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide touch screen and touch pad users with full mouse-like input. Likewise, it is another object of the present invention to provide a system which allows right mouse emulation with touch screens and touch pads. Further, it is another object of the present invention to provide a system which performs without degrading computer performance. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a system which allows both point as well as drag-and-drop selection. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system which does not impede the viewable area of a display during operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides right mouse button emulation, in addition to cursor or pointer position data and left mouse button emulation, with an absolute coordinate touch-based input device. The present invention discloses a system for receiving input from fingers and a method for providing right mouse button emulation input to a program capable of receiving input from a mouse. The system includes a touch screen or touch pad adapted to receive input from a finger or fingers for generating coordinate data in response to a finger, a right mouse button selector in association with the touch screen for determining whether a user has selected a right mouse button feature.
Right or left mouse button selection input may be distinguished by one of two methods according to the present invention. In a first aspect of the present invention, the system determines whether the touch input generates right or left mouse button data according to the number of touch events on the touch screen. In this embodiment, for example, a single touch down event may be associated with left mouse button selection and two consecutive touch down events may be associated with right mouse button selection. Similarly, a third mouse button selection may be made by three consecutive touch down events.
In a second aspect of the present invention, the system determines whether the touch input generates right or left mouse button data according to the strength of the signal produced by the finger or fingers. The signal output by the touch screen surface will be greater when two fingers touch down simultaneously as compared to when one finger alone touches down. In this embodiment, for example, the Electrical signal produced by a single finger touch down may be associated with left mouse button selection and the electrical signal corresponding to two fingers touching down simultaneously may be associated with right mouse button selection. Similarly, a third mouse button selection may be made by the simultaneous touch down of three fingers.
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Hofsass Jeffery
LSI Logic Corporation
Tweel , Jr. John
LandOfFree
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