Multi-control point tool for computer drawing programs

Claim 2

In a computer system, a method of controlling movement and function of a tool on a graphical display depicting a plurality of graphical images, comprising: displaying said tool at a selected location on said display, said tool including a plurality of distinct areas; positioning a cursor at a desired location within one of said plurality of distinct areas on said tool on said display; generating a user input signal, such that one of said plurality of distinct areas is selected in dependence on said location of said cursor; moving said tool along a desired path of motion on said display with said cursor movement device while said user input signal is present; and modifying the graphical images on said graphical display along said desired path of motion of said tool, such that the modifying effect of the tool on the images is a function of the distinct area of the tool selected.

Claim 3

The method of claim 1, wherein the tool is an eraser, the number of distinct areas on said eraser is three, and whereby in dependence upon which of the distinct areas of the eraser is selected, one selects the erasing width with which one erases portions of said graphical images on said graphical display along said desired path of motion of said eraser.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2, wherein if said user input signal is present and said first distinct area is selected, said erasure width is zero.

Claim 5

The method of claim 3, wherein if said user input signal is present and said second distinct area is selected, said erasure width is set to a first value, and if said third distinct area is selected, said erasure width is set to a second value, such that said second value is greater than said first value.

Claim 6

The method of claim 4, wherein if said user input signal is present and said second distinct area is selected, said location and orientation of said eraser are modified according to a hypothetical viscous dragging of the eraser through an imaginary medium.

Claim 7

The method of claim 2, further comprising: displaying a shadow image of said eraser in close proximity to said eraser on said graphical display.

Claim 8

The method of claim 6, wherein if said user input signal is present and said second distinct area is selected, a portion of said shadow image in close proximity to said second distinct area is eradicated.

Claim 9

The method of claim 7, wherein if said user input signal is present and said third distinct area is selected, said shadow image is eradicated.

Claim 10

In a computer system, a method of controlling movement and erasing width of an eraser on a graphical display depicting a plurality of graphical images, comprising: displaying said eraser at a selected location on said display, said eraser including first and second distinct areas; positioning a cursor at a desired location within one of said first and second distinct areas on said eraser on said display; generating one of a first and second user input signals, such that if said first user input signal is generated, one of said first and second distinct areas is selected in dependence on said location of said cursor; moving said eraser along a desired path of motion on said display with said cursor movement device while one of said first and second user input signals is present; and erasing portions of said graphical images on said graphical display along said desired path of motion of said eraser while said first user input signal is present, such that an erasing width of said eraser depends from said selected distinct area on said eraser.

Claim 11

In a computer system, a method of controlling movement and erasing width of an eraser on a graphical display depicting a plurality of graphical images, comprising: displaying said eraser at a selected location on said display, said eraser including first and second distinct areas; positioning a cursor at a desired location within one of said first and second distinct areas on said eraser on said display; generating one of a first and second user input signals, such that if said first user input signal is generated, one of said first and second distinct areas is selected in dependence on said location of said cursor; moving said eraser along a desired path of motion on said display with said cursor movement device while one of said first and second user input signals is present; and erasing portions of said graphical images on said graphical display along said desired path of motion of said eraser while said first user input signal is present, such that an erasing width of said eraser depends from said selected distinct area on said eraser.

Claim 12

The method of claim 9, wherein if said first user input signal is present and said first distinct area is selected, said erasure width is set to a first value, and if said first user input signal is present and said second distinct area is selected, said erasure width is set to a second value, such that said second value is greater than said first value.

Claim 13

The method of claim 10, wherein if said first user input signal is present and said first distinct area is selected, said location and orientation of said eraser are modified according to a hypothetical viscous dragging of the eraser through an imaginary medium.

Claim 14

The method of claim 9, further comprising: displaying a shadow image of said eraser in close proximity to said eraser on said graphical display.

Claim 15

The method of claim 12, wherein if said first user input signal is present and said first distinct area is selected, a portion of said shadow image in close proximity to said first distinct area is eradicated.

Claim 16

The method of claim 13, wherein if said first user input signal is present and said second distinct area is selected, said shadow image is eradicated.

Claim 17

The method of claim 9, wherein if the second user input is present, said erasure width is zero.

Claim 18

A computer system, comprising: a central processing unit; a cursor movement device coupled to said central processing unit, said cursor movement device capable of controlling positioning of a cursor on a display; a graphical display coupled to said central processing unit, said graphical display capable of displaying graphical images, said graphical display capable of displaying an eraser at a desired location having first, second, and third distinct areas, such that said cursor movement device is capable of positioning said cursor at a desired location within one of said first, second, and third distinct areas on said eraser on said graphical display; and said cursor movement device is capable of generating a user input signal, such that one of said first, second, and third distinct areas is selected in dependence on said location of said cursor, said cursor movement device is capable of moving said eraser along a desired path of motion on said graphical display while said user input signal is present and erasing portions of said graphical images on said graphical display along said desired path of motion of said eraser, such that an erasing width of said eraser depends from said selected distinct area on said eraser.

Claim 19

A computer system, comprising: a central processing unit; a cursor movement device coupled to said central processing unit, said cursor movement device capable of controlling positioning of a cursor on a display; a graphical display coupled to said central processing unit, said graphical display capable of displaying graphical images, said graphical display capable of displaying an eraser at a desired location having first, second, and third distinct areas, such that said cursor movement device is capable of positioning said cursor at a desired location within one of said first, second, and third distinct areas on said eraser on said graphical display; and said cursor movement device is capable of generating a user input signal, such that one of said first, second, and third distinct areas is selected in dependence on said location of said cursor, said cursor movement device is capable of moving said eraser along a desired path of motion on said graphical display while said user input signal is present and erasing portions of said graphical images on said graphical display along said desired path of motion of said eraser, such that an erasing width of said eraser depends from said selected distinct area on said eraser.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said cursor movement device is a mouse device.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 17, wherein if said user input signal is present and said first distinct area is selected, said erasure width is zero.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein if said user input signal is present and said second distinct area is selected, said erasure width is set to a first value, and if said third distinct area is selected, said erasure width is set to a second value, such that said second value is greater than said first value.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 17, wherein if said user input signal is present and said second distinct area is selected, said location and orientation of said eraser are modified according to a hypothetical viscous dragging of the eraser through an imaginary medium.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said graphical display displays a shadow image of said eraser in close proximity to said eraser on said graphical display.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein if said user input signal is present and said second distinct area is selected, a portion of said shadow image in close proximity to said second distinct area is eradicated.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 22, wherein if said user input signal is present and said third distinct area is selected, said shadow image is eradicated.

Claim 27

A computer system, comprising: a central processing unit; a cursor movement device coupled to said central processing unit, said cursor movement device capable of controlling positioning of a cursor on a display; a graphical display coupled to said central processing unit, said graphical display capable of displaying graphical images, said graphical display capable of displaying an eraser at a desired location having first and second distinct areas, such that said cursor movement device is capable of positioning said cursor at a desired location within one of said first and second distinct areas on said eraser on said graphical display; and said cursor movement device is capable of generating first and second user input signals, such that when said first user input signal is generated one of said first and second distinct areas is selected in dependence on said location of said cursor, said cursor movement device is capable of moving said eraser along a desired path of motion on said graphical display while one of said first and second user input signals is present and while said first user input signal is present, said eraser erases portions of said graphical images on said graphical display along said desired path of motion of said eraser, such that an erasing width of said eraser depends from said selected distinct area on said eraser.

Claim 28

A computer system, comprising: a central processing unit; a cursor movement device coupled to said central processing unit, said cursor movement device capable of controlling positioning of a cursor on a display; a graphical display coupled to said central processing unit, said graphical display capable of displaying graphical images, said graphical display capable of displaying an eraser at a desired location having first and second distinct areas, such that said cursor movement device is capable of positioning said cursor at a desired location within one of said first and second distinct areas on said eraser on said graphical display; and said cursor movement device is capable of generating first and second user input signals, such that when said first user input signal is generated one of said first and second distinct areas is selected in dependence on said location of said cursor, said cursor movement device is capable of moving said eraser along a desired path of motion on said graphical display while one of said first and second user input signals is present and while said first user input signal is present, said eraser erases portions of said graphical images on said graphical display along said desired path of motion of said eraser, such that an erasing width of said eraser depends from said selected distinct area on said eraser.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said cursor movement device is a mouse device.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 25, wherein if said first user input signal is present and said first distinct area is selected, said erasure width is set to a first value, and if said first user input signal is present and said second distinct area is selected, said erasure width is set to a second value, such that said second value is greater than said first value.

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 26, wherein if said first user input signal is present and said first distinct area is selected, said location and orientation of said eraser are modified according to a hypothetical viscous dragging of the eraser through an imaginary medium.

Claim 32

The method of claim 25 wherein said graphical display displays a shadow image of said eraser in close proximity to said eraser on said graphical display.

Claim 33

The method of claim 28, wherein if said first user input signal is present and said first distinct area is selected, a portion of said shadow image in close proximity to said first distinct area is eradicated.

Claim 34

The method of claim 29, wherein if said first user input signal is present and said second distinct area is selected, said shadow image is eradicated.

Claim 35

The method of claim 24, wherein if the second user input is present, said erasure width is zero.

Claim 36

A computer system, comprising: a central processing unit; a stylus coupled to said central processing unit; a graphical display including an electronic tablet coupled to said central processing unit, said graphical display capable of displaying graphical images, said graphical display capable of displaying an eraser at a desired location having first, second, and third distinct areas, such that said stylus is capable of selecting within one of said first, second, and third distinct areas on said eraser on said graphical display; and said stylus is capable of generating a user input signal, such that one of said first, second, and third distinct areas is selected in dependence on said location of said stylus, said stylus is capable of moving said eraser along a desired path of motion on said graphical display while said user input signal is present and erasing portions of said graphical images on said graphical display along said desired path of motion of said eraser, such that an erasing width of said eraser depends from said selected distinct area on said eraser.

Claim 37

A computer system, comprising: a central processing unit; a stylus coupled to said central processing unit; a graphical display including an electronic tablet coupled to said central processing unit, said graphical display capable of displaying graphical images, said graphical display capable of displaying an eraser at a desired location having first, second, and third distinct areas, such that said stylus is capable of selecting within one of said first, second, and third distinct areas on said eraser on said graphical display; and said stylus is capable of generating a user input signal, such that one of said first, second, and third distinct areas is selected in dependence on said location of said stylus, said stylus is capable of moving said eraser along a desired path of motion on said graphical display while said user input signal is present and erasing portions of said graphical images on said graphical display along said desired path of motion of said eraser, such that an erasing width of said eraser depends from said selected distinct area on said eraser.

Claim 38

The apparatus of claim 32, wherein if said user input signal is present and said first distinct area is selected, said erasure width is zero.

Claim 39

The apparatus of claim 33, wherein if said user input signal is present and said second distinct area is selected, said erasure width is set to a first value, and if said third distinct area is selected, said erasure width is set to a second value, such that said second value is greater than said first value.

Claim 40

The method of claim 34, wherein if said user input signal is present and said second distinct area is selected, said location and orientation of said eraser are modified according to a hypothetical viscous dragging of the eraser through an imaginary medium.

Claim 41

The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said graphical display displays a shadow image of said eraser in close proximity to said eraser on said graphical display.

Claim 42

The apparatus of claim 36, wherein if said user input signal is present and said second distinct area is selected, a portion of said shadow image in close proximity to said second distinct area is eradicated.

Claim 43

The apparatus of claim 35, wherein if said user input signal is present and said third distinct area is selected, said shadow image is eradicated.

Claim 44

A computer system, comprising: a central processing unit; a stylus coupled to said central processing unit; a graphical display including an electronic tablet coupled to said central processing unit, said graphical display capable of displaying graphical images, said graphical display capable of displaying an eraser at a desired location having first and second distinct areas, such that said stylus is capable of selecting one of said first and second distinct areas on said eraser on said graphical display; and said stylus is capable of generating first and second user input signals, such that when said first user input signal is generated one of said first and second distinct areas is selected in dependence on said location of said stylus, said stylus is capable of moving said eraser along a desired path of motion on said graphical display while one of said first and second user input signals is present and while said first user input signal is present, said eraser erases portions of said graphical images on said graphical display along said desired path of motion of said eraser, such that an erasing width of said eraser depends from said selected distinct area on said eraser.

Claim 45

A computer system, comprising: a central processing unit; a stylus coupled to said central processing unit; a graphical display including an electronic tablet coupled to said central processing unit, said graphical display capable of displaying graphical images, said graphical display capable of displaying an eraser at a desired location having first and second distinct areas, such that said stylus is capable of selecting one of said first and second distinct areas on said eraser on said graphical display; and said stylus is capable of generating first and second user input signals, such that when said first user input signal is generated one of said first and second distinct areas is selected in dependence on said location of said stylus, said stylus is capable of moving said eraser along a desired path of motion on said graphical display while one of said first and second user input signals is present and while said first user input signal is present, said eraser erases portions of said graphical images on said graphical display along said desired path of motion of said eraser, such that an erasing width of said eraser depends from said selected distinct area on said eraser.

Claim 46

The apparatus of claim 39, wherein if said first user input signal is present and said first distinct area is selected, said erasure width is set to a first value, and if said first user input signal is present and said second distinct area is selected, said erasure width is set to a second value, such that said second value is greater than said first value.

Claim 47

The apparatus of claim 40, wherein if said first user input signal is present and said first distinct area is selected, said location and orientation of said eraser are modified according to a hypothetical viscous dragging of the eraser through an imaginary medium.

Claim 48

The method of claim 40 wherein said graphical display displays a shadow image of said eraser in close proximity to said eraser on said graphical display.

Claim 49

The method of claim 42, wherein if said first user input signal is present and said first distinct area is selected, a portion of said shadow image in close proximity to said first distinct area is eradicated.

Claim 50

The method of claim 43, wherein if said first user input signal is present and said second distinct area is selected, said shadow image is eradicated.

Claim 51

The method of claim 39, wherein if the second user input is present, said erasure width is zero.

Claim 52

In a computer system, a method of controlling movement and function of a tool on a graphical display depicting a plurality of graphical images, comprising: displaying said tool at a selected location on said display, said tool including a plurality of distinct areas; positioning a cursor at a desired location within one of said plurality of distinct areas on said tool on said display; generating one of a first and second user input signals, such that if said first user input signal is generated, one of said plurality of distinct areas is selected in dependence on said location of said cursor; moving said tool along a desired path of motion on said display with said cursor movement device while one of said first and second user input signals is present; and modifying the graphical images on said graphical display along said desired path of motion of said tool, such that the modifying effect of the tool on the images is a function of the distinct area of the tool selected.

Claim 53

In a computer system, a method of controlling movement and function of a tool on a graphical display depicting a plurality of graphical images, comprising: displaying said tool at a selected location on said display, said tool including a plurality of distinct areas; positioning a cursor at a desired location within one of said plurality of distinct areas on said tool on said display; generating one of a first and second user input signals, such that if said first user input signal is generated, one of said plurality of distinct areas is selected in dependence on said location of said cursor; moving said tool along a desired path of motion on said display with said cursor movement device while one of said first and second user input signals is present; and modifying the graphical images on said graphical display along said desired path of motion of said tool, such that the modifying effect of the tool on the images is a function of the distinct area of the tool selected.

Claim 54

The method of claim 46, wherein the tool is a painting tool whereby in dependance upon the selection of the location on the tool, one selects the painting width of the tool.

Claim 55

The method of claim 46, wherein the tool is a painting tool whereby in dependance upon the selection of location on the tool, one selects the color with which the tool paints.