System and method for generating place holders to temporarily suspend execution of a selected command
US5564112A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 1993 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/04807
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A graphical editing system is provided which creates a "place-holder" that holds or suspends a complex gesture or complex menu selection before committing to the command. Such a place-holder acts as a virtual stylus, i.e. as if the user was actually holding the stylus to the screen just prior to committing to the command. The virtual stylus thus allows the user to execute other arbitrary drawings or menu commands or gestures while the original complex command is suspended. The user can then return to the complex command he/she chooses and remove the place-holder to commit to the command or cancel the command if desired. The virtual stylus can take on many forms, e.g., a hand with a pointed finger, an icon or any other desired indicator, and the virtual stylus can be created by any user action, e.g., an actuated stylus button, pressure sensitive display surface or by sensing the time during which the stylus remains stationary on the display screen. The virtual stylus can be removed in basically the same way.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.