United States Patent (19)
`Hirayama et al.
`
`US0054.06307A
`11) Patent Number:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`5,406,307
`Apr. 11, 1995
`
`54. DATA PROCESSINGAPPARATUS HAVING
`SIMPLIFED CON DISPLAY
`75 Inventors: Tomoshi Hirayama; Hiroshi
`Yasuhara, both of Tokyo, Japan
`73 Assignee: Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
`(21) Appl. No.: 621,898
`22 Filed:
`Dec. 4, 1990
`30
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Dec. 5, 1989 JP
`Japan .................................. 1-36109
`511 Int. Cl. ............................................... G09G 1/06
`52 U.S. C. ..................................... 345/120; 34.5/179
`58) Field of Search ............... 340/706, 707, 709, 710,
`340/712,721, 723, 724; 178/18, 19; 34.5/119,
`120, 163, 179, 182; 395/155, 157, 159
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,686,522 8/1987 Hernandez et al. ................ 340/721
`4,720,703 1/1988 Schnarel et al......
`... 340/721
`4,763,356 8/1988 Day et al. .........
`... 178/18
`4,764,885 8/1988 Greanias et al. .
`... 340/708
`4,899,136 2/1990 Beard et al. ......
`... 340/706
`4,987,411 1/1991 Ishigami ...
`... 340/709
`5,040,131 8/1991 Torres ................................. 345/156
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2193827 2/1988 United Kingdom.
`
`56)
`
`
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Macintosh System Software User's Guide, Version
`6.0-Apple, 1988.
`Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 12, No. 138, Apr. 27,
`1988, Shigeki Iguchi, "Data Managing Device'.
`IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, vol. 8, No.
`5, Sep. 1988, pp. 65-84; Brad A. Myers, "A Taxonomy
`of Window Manager User Interfaces”.
`Primary Examiner-Alvin E. Oberley
`Assistant Examiner-Chanh Nguyen
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hill, Steadman & Simpson
`57
`ABSTRACT
`A data processing apparatus is provided, in which an
`information is inputted by using a pen from a display
`portion in which an input device (tablet) is stuck to a
`display device (display panel). If the user touches an
`icon displayed on this display portion for indicating
`various functions with a point of the pen and drags the
`pen along the surface of the display portion to a display
`position and releases the point of the pen from the panel
`surface of the display portion, an enlarged processing
`display form (i.e. window) is automatically displayed at
`a desired position of the display portion. Further, if the
`user touches the window with the point of the pen and
`drags the pen along the panel surface of the display
`portion up to the position of a desired icon, the enlarged
`window is automatically reduced and is stored in a
`vacant icon.
`
`7 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 11, 1995
`Apr. 11, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`Sheet 1 of 6
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`5,406,307
`5,406,307
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`FIG. 1
`_ FIG. I
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`2
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 11, 1995
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
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`5,406,307
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`F/G 2
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`CPU
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 11, 1995
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`Sheet 3 of 6
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`5,406,307
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 11, 1995
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`Sheet 4 of 6
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`5,406,307
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 11, 1995
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`Sheet 5 of 6
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`5,406,307
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`F1 G. 4A
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`
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`
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`Enforge icon ond Octivate
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`X Pen Coordinote outside of
`designoted oreo?
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`6
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 11, 1995
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
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`5,406,307
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`F1 G. 4B
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`
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`User holds
`up the point of pen3
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`up the point of pen3
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`Move the reduced icon
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`Reduce icon
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`designoted ored
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`7
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`1.
`
`DATA PROCESSINGAPPARATUS HAVING
`SIMPLEED CON DISPLAY
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`portion. A circuit is provided for detecting whether or
`not coordinate data indicative of the position in which
`the electronic pen touches the display device exists at a
`coordinate position in which a desired icon is displayed.
`A circuit controls the icon display coordinate position
`such that the icon display coordinate position is moved
`in accordance with the movement of the position coor
`dinate of the point of the pen. A circuit detects whether
`or not the position coordinate of the point of the pen is
`moved to a predetermined area and a circuit converts
`the icon into a window when it is detected that the point
`of the pen is apart from the display device within the
`predetermined area.
`In accordance with a second aspect of the present
`invention, a data processing apparatus is provided in
`which an input device and a display device are stuck
`one upon the other and which utilizes an electronic pen.
`It is comprised of a circuit for detecting whether or not
`the electronic pen touches the display portion. A circuit
`detects whether or not coordinate data indicative of the
`position at which the electronic pen touches the display
`device exists at a coordinate position in which a desired
`window is displayed. A further circuit controls the
`window display coordinate position such that the win
`dow display coordinate position is moved in accor
`dance with the movement of the position coordinate of
`the point of the pen. Another circuit detects whether or
`not the position coordinate of the point of the pen is
`moved to a predetermined area. A further circuit con
`verts the window into an icon when it is detected that
`the point of the pen is apart from the display device
`within the predetermined area.
`The preceding, and other objects, features and advan
`tages of the present invention will be apparent in the
`following detailed description of an illustrative embodi
`ment when read in conjunction with the accompanying
`drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to
`identify the same or similar parts in the several views.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a data
`processing apparatus according to the present inven
`tion;
`FIG. 2 is a systematic block diagram showing a hard
`ware of the data processing apparatus according to the
`present invention;
`FIGS. 3A and 3B are front views illustrating a dis
`play screen of a display portion of the data processing
`apparatus according to the present invention, respec
`tively; and
`FIGS. 4A and 4B are flow charts to which reference
`will be made in explaining an operation of the data
`processing apparatus according to the present inven
`tion.
`
`50
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention generally relates to an informa
`tion input control apparatus and, more particularly, is
`directed to a data processing apparatus in which infor
`mation is input by using a pen from a display portion in
`which an input apparatus and a display apparatus are
`mounted one upon the other.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`Conventionally, a keyboard, a mouse and the like are
`15
`generally used as an information input control appara
`tus of a computer (hereinafter referred to as a CPU
`(central processing unit)). For example, if the user
`wants to enlarge a window of an icon on a picture
`screen of a display portion by using a mouse, the mouse
`is made operable on a tablet and a cross-shaped position
`designation cursor is moved on the picture screen of a
`display portion such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or the
`like by moving the mouse. When a button on the mouse
`or a predetermined button on a keyboard is depressed
`once in order to specify a desired icon after the position
`25
`designation cursor is matched with the desired icon
`displayed on the picture screen of the CRT, a trigger
`operation for taking in the icon is executed at the CPU
`side. Further, when the user wants to enlarge the win
`dow of the desired icon, the button on the mouse is
`30
`depressed one more time, or the mouse is moved to the
`position at which the window is enlarged on the tablet
`and the button on the mouse is depressed one more time
`at that position, the window of the icon being thus
`enlarged as is instructed by the user.
`According to the information input control apparatus
`thus arranged, the user must carry out two operations,
`that is, the trigger operation for designating the desired
`icon and the operation for displaying the window of the
`icon at the predetermined position in the enlarged scale,
`40
`which is very cumbersome for the user. Also, the mouse
`is too large to move the cursor to the exact position of
`the desired icon properly.
`OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention
`to provide an improved data processing apparatus
`which can substantially eliminate the aforenoted short
`comings and disadvantages encountered with the prior
`art.
`- More specifically, it is an object of the present inven
`tion to provide a data processing apparatus in which the
`user can activate or deactivate a designated function by
`the user when the user drags a pen.
`55
`It is another object of the present invention to pro
`vide a data processing apparatus in which a starting or
`ending position of a dragging operation can be desig
`nated in natural fashion.
`It is still another object of the present invention to
`provide a data processing apparatus in which a position
`of a window, i.e. a position of an enlarged icon, can be
`determined with ease.
`As a first aspect of the present invention, a data pro
`cessing apparatus in which an input device and a display
`65
`device are stuck one upon the other and which utilizes
`an electronic pen is comprised of a circuit for detecting
`whether or not the electronic pen touches the display
`
`35
`
`45
`
`DETALED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`An embodiment of a data processing apparatus ac
`cording to the present invention will hereinafter be
`described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.
`1 is a front view of the data processing apparatus ac
`cording to the present invention. In this case, the data
`processing apparatus of the present invention is applied
`to, for example, a so-called portable computer of a very
`small type.
`Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a display appara
`tus formed of a liquid crystal display device (LCD) or
`
`8
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`the like, that is, a display portion 1. The display portion
`dictionary data, a recognition program for recognizing
`1 is adapted to display thereon video image data from
`hand-written input and dictionary data and so on.
`the CPU, which will be described later. An input appa
`A RAM 24 is used as a RAM for work area and a
`ratus, i.e. an input tablet 2 formed of a so-called trans
`backup RAM 25 is connected with a power source 26.
`parent touch sensor or the like, is mounted on the sur
`A timer IC 27 is driven by the power source 26, and
`face of the display portion 1.
`this timer IC 27 counts a clock from a quartz oscillator
`A pen 3 is adapted to input desired data or the like in
`28 and always outputs data of date and time at each
`timing point.
`cooperation with the input tablet 2. The pen 3 incorpo
`rates therein a sensing or detecting means for detecting
`The hardware of this data processing apparatus will
`the change of electrostatic capacity between the input
`be described in association with the connection rela
`tablet 2 and the point of the pen 3, though not shown.
`tions of the respective portions shown in the front view
`Coordinate data of the pen 3 can be detected even when
`of FIG. 1.
`the point of the pen 3 is not brought in contact with the
`A display controller 29 is adapted to control the dis
`surface of the input tablet 2 and, a marker (not shown)
`play portion 1. The display controller 29 is controlled
`is displayed on the display portion 1 at its position in
`by the CPU 21 and display data formed by the CPU 21
`which the point of the pen 3 is opposed to the input
`is written in a V-RAM (video RAM) 30. The data writ
`tablet 2. When the user holds this pen 3 and touches the
`ten in the V-RAM 30 is supplied to the display portion
`input tablet 2 with the point of the pen 3, information
`1 through the display controller 29.
`such as a contacted condition, contacted position and so
`A tablet interface circuit 31 is formed as one body
`on are supplied through a cord 4 or the like to the CPU.
`with the display portion 1 for the input tablet 2 and the
`20
`Accordingly, desired data or the like is input. Signals
`pen 3. Data written in the input tablet 2 or the like is
`from predetermined key switches 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and 6a,
`supplied to the CPU21 by means of the tablet interface
`6b, 6c, 6d are also supplied to the CPU.
`circuit 31.
`A speaker 7 is provided on the upper portion of this
`A solid state recording processing circuit 32 is
`data processing apparatus and a battery accommodating
`adapted to process the audio signal from the micro
`25
`portion 8 is adapted to accommodate a power source
`phone 11 in a predetermined processing manner such as
`battery in the inside of a lid which is opened and closed
`an analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion or the like and
`by a locking mechanism 9. In FIG. 1, reference numeral
`the thus processed signal is written in the backup RAM
`10 designates a power switch which powers this data
`25 via the CPU 21. Audio signal data stored in the
`processing apparatus when depressed.
`backup RAM25 is supplied to the processing circuit 32,
`Dashed lines on the upper and lower portion of FIG.
`in which it is processed in a predetermined processing
`1 represent positions of mechanisms and the like pro
`manner, such as a digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion
`vided at the side of this data processing apparatus.
`or the like. The thus processed signal is supplied to the
`Referring to FIG. 1, a dashed line block 11 represents
`speaker 7 via a mixer 33.
`a microphone and dashed line blocks 12 represent oper
`A dialler circuit 34 is adapted to generate an acoustic
`35
`ation keys that are used to effect the solid state record
`signal corresponding to a dual tone signal of a so-called
`ing which will be described later. When the operation
`push-phone when receiving data of a desired telephone
`key 12 is operated, an audio signal fed to the micro
`number or the like from the CPU 21. This signal is
`phone 11 is recorded and emanated from the above
`supplied through the mixer 33 to the speaker 7.
`described speaker 7. A dashed line block 13 depicts a
`A key interface circuit 35 is supplied with a signal
`socket into which an IC card such as a read only mem
`from the key switch group such as the above-described
`ory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM) or the
`key switches 5a to 5d, 6a to 6d, 10 and 12 or the like
`like is inserted and connected. A dashed line block 14
`directly or by way of a power source circuit 36. The
`depicts a position of a socket which is used to connect
`signal converted in the predetermined manner is sup
`this data processing apparatus with an external appara
`plied from this key interface circuit 35 to the CPU 21.
`45
`tus when the user wants to expand the system of this
`The signals of the power switch 10, the key switches 6a
`data processing apparatus.
`to 6d and the operation keys 12 except the stop button
`A hinge 15 incorporates therein a flexible substrate or
`are supplied to the key interface circuit 35 through the
`the like by which a signal is transmitted. By means of
`power source circuit 36 so that, when these key
`the hinge 15, the data processing apparatus of the inven
`switches are operated, the power source circuit 36 is
`50
`tion can be folded into two portions without being af
`actuated first and then the information of the key opera
`fected by troubles from an electrical standpoint. When
`tion is supplied to the key interface circuit 35.
`this data processing apparatus is in use, the data process
`An interface circuit 37 and an interface circuit 38 are
`ing apparatus is about 29 cm long and about 20.5 cm
`adapted to couple the IC cards to the external apparatus
`wide in its unfolded state and is about 4 cm thick in its
`upon expansion. The interface circuits 37 and 38 are
`55
`folded state. The display portion 1 is about 15 cm wide
`coupled to the sockets 13 and 14, respectively.
`and about 10 cm long.
`In the above-described data processing apparatus of
`In this data processing apparatus, the hardware incor
`this embodiment, when the power switch 10 shown in
`porated therein is arranged as shown in a block diagram
`FIG. 1 is depressed, icon groups 40 which make various
`forming FIG. 2.
`processings possible are displayed on the display por
`60
`Referring to FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 designates
`tion 1 as shown in FIG. 3A. When a desired processing,
`the central processing unit (CPU) which is connected
`for example, a dialler processing, from a plurality of
`with various function ICs by way of a bus line 22. That
`these icon groups 40 is executed, the user touches an
`is, a ROM 23 is connected to the CPU21 and this ROM
`icon 41 on which a picture of a telephone is drawn in
`23 stores therein, in addition to a system program for
`various icon groups 40 with the point of the pen3. Since
`65
`the entire system of this data processing apparatus a,
`as the point of the pen 3 approaches the panel surface of
`Japanese syllabary-Japanese character conversion pro
`the display portion 1 serving as the input tablet 2 a.
`gram for a word processor for Japanese language and
`cross-shaped position designating cursor 42 is displayed
`
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`on the picture screen of the display portion 1, the user
`touches respective menus displayed on the window 43,
`can visually confirm the exact position of the point of
`the CPU 21 can be inhibited from being operated.
`pen 3 on the input tablet 2 very clearly. Then, if the user
`Then, the processing of the CPU 21 proceeds to the
`moves (i.e. drags) the point of the pen 3 to the display
`next decision step S7 whereat it is determined whether
`or not the user holds up the pen 3 from the panel surface
`position on the surface of the input tablet 2 without
`of the input tablet 2. If a NO is output at step S7, then
`being separated therefrom after having touched the
`the routine proceeds to step S8. In step S8, when the
`desired icon 41 with the point of the pen 3, and takes the
`user wants to move the window 43 shown, for example,
`point of the pen 3 off from the surface of the input tablet
`in FIG. 3B to the central position of the display portion
`2, an icon (hereinafter be referred to as a window) en
`1 as shown by an arrow B in FIG. 3B, the user moves
`larged in the form of the processing display mode of the
`the point of the pen 3 in the arrow B direction and drags
`desired icon 41 is automatically displayed on the display
`the pen 3 to the position shown by the broken line, then
`portion 1 as shown in FIG. 3B.
`the large display icon, i.e. the window 43 is moved to
`This operation is carried out by the CPU21 shown in
`the position shown by the broken line in FIG. 3B. At
`FIG. 2. Let us explain this operation more fully with
`the completion of step S8, the routine, of course, returns
`reference to a flow chart forming FIG. 4A.
`to step S7. If it is determined that the user holds up the
`Referring to FIG. 4A, following the Start of opera
`pen 3 from the panel surface of the input tablet 2 as
`tion, it is determined in decision step S1 by the CPU21
`represented by a YES at step S7, then the processing
`whether or not the user touches the surface of the input
`proceeds to step S9 whereat the icon is activated so that
`tablet 2 with the point of the pen 3. When the input
`various processing menus within the window 43 can be
`20
`tablet 2 is touched with the point of the pen 3, a switch
`executed. Then, the routine is ended.
`(not shown) provided within the pen 3 is operated, and
`When the user wants to bring the large icon, i.e. the
`this operation signal is transmitted to the CPU 21
`window 43 displayed on the display portion 1 as shown
`through the tablet interface circuit 31. If the input tablet
`in FIG. 3B back to the original position, if the user
`2 is not touched with the point of the pen 3 as repre
`touches the portion other than the function operation
`25
`sented by a NO at step S1, the routine returns to first
`portion, for example, a hatched upper edge portion 44
`step S1. If on the other hand the input tablet 2 is
`within the window 43 with the point of the pen 3 and
`touched with the point of the pen 3 as represented by a
`drags the point of the pen 3 back to the telephone icon
`YES at step S1, then the routine proceeds to the next
`41 of the original icon group 40 without being apart
`decision step S2. It is determined in step S2 whether or
`from the tablet, then the icon of large size can be re
`30
`not the point of the pen 3 is placed down within a prede
`turned to and stored in that position. In this operation,
`termined area of the icon groups 40. If a NO is output at
`the pen 3 need not be always returned to the telephone
`step S2, then the routine proceeds to decision step S3. It
`icon 41, but if the pen 3 is returned to a predetermined
`is determined at step S3 whether or not the user holds
`icon in the icon group 40, then the window can auto
`up the pen 3 from the surface of the input tablet 2. If a
`matically be stored in the vacant icon position. The
`35
`YES is output at step S3, the routine returns to first step
`abovementioned operation will be explained more fully
`S1. If a NO is output at step S3, then the routine returns
`with reference to the flow chart forming FIG. 4B.
`to step S3. During this period, other operations except
`Referring to FIG. 4B, following the Start of opera
`the operation in which the icon is enlarged (icon is
`tion, it is determined by the CPU 21 in decision step
`enlarged in the form of window) are executed. If the
`ST1 whether or not the user touches the input tablet 2
`pen 3 is placed down within the area of the icon group
`with the point of the pen 3. If a NO is output at step
`40 as represented by a YES at step S2, then the routine
`ST1, then the routine returns to decision step ST1. If on
`proceeds to the next decision step S4 whereat it is deter
`the other hand a YES is output at step ST1, the routine
`mined whether or not the pen coordinate is shifted from
`proceeds to the next decision step ST2. It is determined
`a designated value by a large amount. This decision is
`in decision step ST2 whether or not the point of the pen
`45
`made by comparing the shifted amount of the pen coor
`3 touches the large icon, i.e. the upper edge portion 44
`dinate with a reference shift amount stored in the mem
`of, for example, the window 43 shown in FIG. 3B and
`ory, such as the ROM 23 or the like. Alternatively, it
`the point of the pen 3 is located within the predeter
`may be determined in step S4 whether or not the pen
`mined area, except for the function button group of the
`coordinate is out of the designated area as shown by an
`window 43. If a NO is output at step ST2, the routine
`50
`asterisk. In that case, the decision is made by comparing
`proceeds to step ST3 wherein the processing similar to
`the shifted amount with the designated area stored in
`that of step S3 of FIG. 4A is performed. If the point of
`the memory.
`the pen 3 is located within the window 43 as repre
`If a NO is output at step S4, then the routine proceeds
`sented by a YES at step ST2, then the routine proceeds
`to the next decision step S5 whereat it is determined
`to steps ST4 and ST5. These steps ST4 and ST5 are
`55
`whether or not the user holds up the pen 3 from the
`similar to steps S4 and S5 of FIG. 4A. If a YES is output
`surface of the input tablet 2. If a NO is output at step S5,
`at step ST4, or if the pen coordinate is shifted from the
`the routine returns to step S4. If a YES is output at step
`designated value by a very large amount, or if the point
`S5, the routine returns to first step S1. If the pen coordi
`of the pen 3 is outside of the designated area, then the
`nate is considerably shifted from the reference moving
`routine proceeds to step ST6 wherein the icon (the
`amount, or if the pen coordinate is outside of the prede
`window in this case) is reduced in size under the control
`termined designated area (e.g., the hatched area in this
`of the CPU 21.
`embodiment) as represented by a YES at step S4, then
`In the next decision step ST7, it is determined
`the routine proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the process
`whether or not the user holds the pen 3 up from the
`ing display form of the icon 41 designated is enlarged as
`panel surface of the input tablet 2. If a NO is output at
`65
`a window 43 shown in FIG. 3B. It is needless to say that
`step ST7, the routine proceeds to step ST8 wherein the
`under this state the point of the pen 3 touches the panel
`icon displayed as the reduced icon is moved, and the
`surface of the input tablet 2 so that, even when the user
`routine returns to step ST7. If it is determined in step
`
`10
`
`

`

`15
`
`35
`
`5,406,307
`7
`8
`ST7 that the user holds the pen 3 up from the panel
`portion so that it is not necessary that the pen means
`surface of the input tablet 2, then the routine proceeds
`always actually touch the display portion when en
`to step ST9 wherein the icon is deactivated, and the
`abling the icon processing display mode window.
`routine proceeds to step ST10. In step ST10, the icon is
`3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein means
`moved to the predetermined vacant position and the
`is provided for moving the icon processing display
`processing is ended.
`mode window after it has been displayed on the display
`Since the data processing apparatus of the present
`portion by touching the pen means onto the icon pro
`invention is constructed and operated as described
`cessing display mode window and then dragging the
`above, the user can activate or deactivate the desig
`pen means across the display portion until a final posi
`nated function only by dragging the pen 3. Further,
`10
`tion is reached for the icon processing display mode
`according to the data processing apparatus of this em
`window and then lifting the pen means away from the
`bodiment, the starting and ending positions of the drag
`display portion, said icon processing display window
`ging of the pen 3 can be designated naturally, and the
`being repositioned in accordance with a new lift away
`window position or the icon position to be enlarged can
`position of the pen means.
`be determined with ease.
`4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein a por
`As set out above, according to the data processing
`tion of the icon processing display mode window is
`apparatus of the present invention, the icon and the
`designated as a function operating portion and another
`window can be designated by one operation in which
`predetermined area is designated for touching by the
`the user touches the panel surface of the input tablet 2
`pen means when moving the icon processing display
`with the point of the pen 3 and drags the same along the
`20
`mode window.
`panel surface of the input tablet 2 so that the cumber
`5. A data processing apparatus with improved icon
`some operation can be removed, and the starting and
`display, comprising:
`ending of the dragging operation of the pen 3 can be
`a display portion with an input device arranged
`carried out very clearly. Furthermore, the present in
`thereon;
`vention can achieve various effects, such as when the
`25
`a pen means for touching the display portion to input
`window can be easily designated, and so on.
`information;
`Having described a preferred embodiment of the
`means for detecting when and where said pen means
`invention with reference to the accompanying draw
`touches said display portion;
`ings, it is to be understood that the invention is not
`means for displaying at least one icon on the display
`limited to that precise embodiment and that various
`30
`portion;
`changes and modifications thereof could be effected by
`means for providing an icon processing display mode
`one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit
`window corresponding to said icon displayed on
`or scope of the novel concepts of the invention as de
`said display portion; and
`fined in the appended claims.
`means for removing the icon processing display mode
`We claim as our invention:
`window displayed on the display portion by first
`1. A data processing apparatus with improved icon
`touching said icon processing display mode win
`display, comprising:
`dow on said display portion with said pen means,
`a display portion with an input device arranged
`then dragging the pen means across the display
`thereon;
`portion to a location at which the icon is being
`a pen means for touching the display portion to input
`displayed on the display portion, and then lifting
`information;
`the pen means away from the display portion, at
`means for detecting when and where said pen means
`touches said display portion;
`which time the icon processing display mode win
`dow is no longer displayed on said display portion
`means for displaying at least one icon on the display
`portion;
`and is converted into said icon.
`45
`means for providing an icon processing display mode
`6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein means
`is provided such that when said pen means approaches
`window corresponding to said icon displayed on
`said display portion; and
`within a certain distance of said display portion, it is
`means for displaying the icon processing display
`considered that the pen means has touched the display
`portion so that it is not necessary that the pen means
`mode window by first touching said icon on said
`display portion with said pen means, then dragging
`always actually touch the display portion when con
`the pen means across the display portion to a loca
`verting the icon processing display mode window into
`tion at which the icon processing display mode
`the icon.
`window is to be displayed, and then lifting the pen
`7. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein a por
`means away from the display portion at which time
`tion of the icon processing display mode window is
`55
`the window is then displayed.
`designated as a function operating portion and another
`2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein means
`predetermined area is designated for touching by the
`is provided such that when said pen means approaches
`pen means when converting the icon processing display
`within a certain distance of said display portion, it is
`mode window into the icon.
`considered that the pen means has touched the display
`xk
`k
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`50
`
`k
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`65
`
`11
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`