EP0591083A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for interacting with a user interface for a pen-based computing system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1993-09-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A stylus is provided for changing modes of operation in conjunction with an electronic tablet. The stylus has a depressible erase end similar to a mechanical pencil or ink pen. By depressing or "clicking" the erase end, the stylus signals the tablet which mode is to be selected. Once in a particular mode, the erase end may be clicked at a rate different from the mode selection rate to select various options within the mode. A line thickness visual display is provided which is also similar to the functioning of a mechanical pencil. By twisting the pencil and viewing the visual display, an operator can change the thickness of the line and obtain visual feedback of an approximation thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Greg P. Fitzpatrick
- 👤 Thomas R. Haynes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:14
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03545
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
A method of changing operating modes on an electronic tablet, comprising the step of: selecting one of a plurality of positions on a stylus associated with the tablet for one of a plurality of modes of operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of Claim 1, wherein said step of selecting comprises: selecting a first position for a first mode; and selecting a second position for a second mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of Claim 1, further comprising the step of: adjusting said stylus to provide a varying line thickness when said stylus contacts the tablet in a writing mode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of Claim 3, wherein said step of adjusting comprises the step of: turning a top portion of said stylus relative to a bottom portion of said stylus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of Claim 1, wherein the step of selecting one of a plurality of positions comprises the step of: depressing an erase end of said stylus at a first rate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of Claim 5, further comprising the step of: depressing said erase end of said stylus at a second rate different from said first rate to select one of a plurality of options within said mode of operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A stylus for changing modes of operation on an electronic tablet associated therewith, comprising: a first end for writing contact between the stylus and the tablet; and means for selecting one of a plurality of positions on the stylus for one of a plurality of modes of operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stylus of Claim 7, wherein said means for selecting comprises: a depressible erase end opposite said first end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The stylus of Claim 8, wherein said depressible erase end further comprises: means for selecting one of a plurality of options within each of said modes of operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The stylus of Claim 8, wherein said depressible erase end further comprises: means for indicating a color of a line drawn by said first end and erased by said erase end when the stylus is in a writing mode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stylus of Claim 10, wherein said means for indicating a color comprises: a liquid crystal diode within said erase end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The stylus of Claim 7, further comprising: means for adjusting said stylus to provide a varying line thickness when said stylus contacts the tablet in a writing mode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The stylus of Claim 12, wherein said means for adjusting comprises: means for rotating said first end of the stylus relative to a second end thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stylus of Claim 13, further comprising: an indicating window for visually displaying an approximation of said line thickness.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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