United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`5,821,930
`Hansen
`[45] Date of Patent:
`*Oct. 13, 1998
`
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`US005821930A
`
`[54] METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING
`A WORKING WINDOWIN A COMPUTER
`SYSTEM
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Benjamin Enoch Hansen, Westminster,
`Colo.
`
`5,305,435
`5,347,295
`
`4/1994 Bronson sesessessecsscescesseeseescnsonees 345/351
`9/1994 Agulnick et al. oo. 345/156
`
`[73] Assignee: U S West, Inc., Englewood, Colo.
`.
`.
`[*] Notice:
`The term of this patent shall not extend
`beyond the expiration date of Pat. No.
`5,568,604.
`
`Primary Examiner—Huynh Ba
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Peter J. Kinsella; Brooks &
`Kushman PC.
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`.
`[21] Appl. No.: 655,516
`[22]
`Filed:
`May 30, 1996
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 294,268, Aug. 23, 1992, Pat. No.
`5,568,604, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 999,
`489, Dec. 31, 1992, abandoned.
`
`[51] Unt, Cdcc ecccecsssseecsssecssseeesssneeeees G06F 15/00
`
`[52] U.S. CL....
`. 345/340; 345/173; 345/348
`[58] Field of Search 2... 345/156, 157,
`345/163, 173, 179, 180, 9, 16; 395/334,
`339, 340, 341, 342, 348, 349, 350, 351,
`358
`
`A method and system for generating a working window on
`a video monitor in a computer system is provided. The
`method comprises the steps of determining if a user has
`performeda first predetermined input stroke along at least a
`portion of a display screen. Upon determining that the user
`has drawn the predetermined input stroke, a plurality of
`icons are displayed. A user selects one of the plurality of
`icons via a second predeterminedinput stroke and a working
`:
`:
`:
`:
`window is scrolled onto the video monitor. A computer
`program that corresponds to the selected icon is then
`executed in the working window. The user can remove the
`Working window from the screen by clicking and perform-
`ing a third predetermined inputstroke.
`
`32 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1029
`
`APPLE 1029
`
`1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 13, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`5,821,930
`
`oS
`190)
`
`35
`
`FIG.1
`
`34
`
` MEMORY KEYBOARD
`
`©—
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 13, 1998
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
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`5,821,930
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`
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 13, 1998
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`5,821,930
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`FIG.3B
`oo
`
`2
`
`LO
`
`FIG.3C
`
`Oo28Q
`SZ
`=s
`
`OOOFI
`
`FIG.3A
`
`pM
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 13, 1998
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`5,821,930
`
`102
`
`FIG. 4A
`
`READ X1, Y1 POSITION
`
`ia
`
`108
`
`YES
`
`106
`
`
`~>(A)
`
`
`
`
`
`IS
`
`X1, Y1 POSITION
`
`WITHIN PREDETERMINED
`
`
`AREA
` READ NEW X2, Y2
`2
`
`POSITION ON
`TOUCH SCREEN
`
`110
`
`DISPLAY
`
`120
`
`?
`
`
`
`
`NO
`
`112
`
`
`NO
`
`
`POSITION MOVED
`TOWARDS CENTER OF
`TOUCH SCREEN
`?
`
`USER SELECTED
`AN ICON
`?
`
`122
`
`126
`
` YES
`POSITION EXCEEDED
`
` HAS
`
`PREDETERMINED
`
`AMOUNT
`
`
`
` 124
`
`
`
`MONITOR
`
`
`SCROLL WORKING
`
`
`
`WINDOW ONTO
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`EXECUTE PROGRAM
`CORRESPONDING
`
`TO SELECTED ICON
`
`
`
`HAS
`
`
`X POSITION
`NO
`
`
`VARIED BY MORE THAN
`PREDETERMINED
`LENGTH
`?
`
`
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 13, 1998
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`5,821,930
`
` 130
`
`
`IS
`
`
`X1, Y1 POSITION
`NO
`WITHIN A WORKING
`
`WINDOW
`?
`
` READ NEW X2, Y2
`
`POSITION ON
`TOUCH SCREEN
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 4B
`
`
`HAS Y
`
`
`POSITION EXCEEDED
`
`PREDETERMINED
`
`AMOUNT
`?
`
`
`
`
`HAS X
`
`
`POSITION MOVED
`
`
`TOWARDS PREDETERMINED
`
`AREA OF TOUCH
`SCREEN
`
`?
`
`HAS
`
`
`X POSITION
`
`
`VARIED BY MORE THAN
`
`PREDETERMINED
`LENGTH
` REMOVE WORKING
`?
`
`WINDOW FROM
`MONITOR
`
`6
`
`

`

`5,821,930
`
`1
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING
`A WORKING WINDOWIN A COMPUTER
`SYSTEM
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application is a continuation of pending application
`Ser. No. 08/294,268, filed on Aug. 23, 1994 now U.S. Pat.
`No. 5,568,604, which is a continuation-in-part of application
`Ser. No. 07/999,489, filed on Dec. 31, 1992, now aban-
`doned.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This invention relates to computer systems in general, and
`more particularly to a method and system for generating a
`working window in a computer system.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`Since the introduction of personal computers in the early
`1980s,
`there has been a continuing effort to make them
`easier and more intuitive to use. Early computer operating
`systems were entirely text-based and required a user to type
`in the individual commandsthat made the computer perform
`such tasks as opening a document, storing a document,
`deleting a document, etc. The text-based operating systems
`required a user to have a high degree of computerliteracy in
`order to use the system properly. The operating system
`commands were generally non-intuitive and the systems
`were unforgiving in that each command had to be typed
`according to the proper syntax without a mistake before the
`command would be executed by the computer.
`The popular systems produced in the second generation of
`personal computer operating systems were graphics based.
`For example,
`the Apple MacIntosh™ and the Microsoft
`Windows™systems were a vast improvement over previous
`text-based operating systems. In a typical graphics-based
`operating system, a numberof icons, 1.e., graphical repre-
`sentations of various computer programs,are displayed on a
`computer screen. A user performs a task, such as executing
`a computer program,by selecting the icon that corresponds
`to the computer program with an input device,
`like a
`computer mouse. After selecting the icon with the mouse, a
`specific area in which the program appears on the screen,
`called a window,
`is displayed. The user then uses the
`program by typing in or using the mouse within the window.
`If the user wishes to execute another computer is program,
`another icon is selected, which in turn opens another win-
`dow on the screen. Often a computer screen may have
`numerous windows open and overlapping each other,
`thereby making the screen appear cluttered and disorga-
`nized.
`
`While the graphics-based operating systems and opera-
`tions represent an improvement overthe text-based operat-
`ing systems, a user is still required to use a mouse or a
`keyboard to perform what would be a natural task in the real
`word. For example, many graphics-based operating systems
`are designed to simulate a desk top. On a real desk top, if a
`user wanted to work on a new project, he or she would
`simply pick up the document and moveit into the work area
`of their desk. With current graphics-based operating
`systems,for a user to do the samething on a computer, a user
`would have to use a mouse or keyboard to select an icon,
`open a new window,and adjust the size of the new window
`to occupy the desired area on the computer screen.
`Therefore, the user is required by the operating system to
`
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`perform extra steps using a mousethat are not normally done
`by hand in the real world.
`In the next generation of personal computers,it is desir-
`able to remove barriers that exist between the user and the
`computer system itself. It is desirable that the user not be
`required to input commands using a keyboard or computer
`mouse so that the user becomes more interactive with the
`computer system. Also,
`it is desirable that an operating
`system be provided that allows the user to perform a task in
`a waythat is intuitive to the user and in a way that is more
`analogous to the way in which the task is done in the real
`world. Finally, it is desirable to have an operating system
`where the user can easily eliminate extra windows that
`appear on a computer so that the screen does not become
`cluttered.
`
`DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is thus a general object of the present invention to
`provide a method and system for generating a working
`window in a computer system.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`method and system for generating a working window in a
`computer system upon recognizing a predetermined move-
`ment by the user of the computer system along at least a
`portion of the computer screen.
`In carrying out the above objects and other objects of the
`present invention, a method is provided for generating a
`working window in a computer system having a video
`monitor with a touch-sensitive screen operable to generate
`electrical signals corresponding to user input strokes
`thereon.
`
`The method begins with the step of generating a first
`electrical signal corresponding to a first user input stroke.
`The method continues with the step of comparingthefirst
`electrical signal to a first predetermined electrical signal.
`The first predetermined electrical signal corresponds to a
`first predetermined user input stroke along at least a portion
`of the surface of the touch-sensitive screen. The first pre-
`determined user input stroke is defined as a continuous
`movement on the touch-sensitive screen by the user from a
`predetermined area of the touch-sensitive screen to a pre-
`determined interior portion of the touch-sensitive screen.
`The methodalso includesthe step of displaying a plurality
`of icons on the touch-sensitive screen if the first electrical
`signal matchesthe first predetermined electrical signal. The
`plurality of icons correspond to a plurality of computer
`programs.
`The method further includes the step of generating a
`second electrical signal corresponding to a second user input
`stroke.
`
`the method includes the step of comparing the
`Next,
`second electrical signal to a second predetermined electrical
`signal. The second predetermined electrical signal corre-
`sponds to a second predetermined user input stroke in which
`the user selects one ofthe plurality of icons displayed on the
`touch-sensitive screen. The second predetermined user input
`stroke is defined as momentarily touching one of the plu-
`rality of icons displayed on the screen.
`Finally, the method concludes with the step of displaying
`a working window on the touch-sensitive screen if the
`second electrical signal matches the second predetermined
`electrical signal and executing the computer program cor-
`responding to the icon selected by the second user input
`stroke.
`
`In further carrying out the above objects and other objects
`of the present
`invention, a system is also provided for
`carrying out the steps of the above described method.
`7
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`7
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`

`

`5,821,930
`
`3
`4
`The system of the present invention includes a means for
`input stroke, a control means, or comparator, for comparing
`
`generating a first electrical signal corresponding toafirst the first electrical signal to a first predetermined electrical
`user input stroke. The system also includes a means for
`signal, and control means for executing the computer pro-
`
`comparingafirst electrical signal to a first predetermined gram corresponding to the icon selected by the user.
`electrical signal which correspondsto a first predetermined
`The memory unit 14 is used to store the predetermined
`user input stroke along at least a portion of the surface of a
`electrical signals corresponding to the predetermined user
`touch-sensitive screen.
`input strokes.
`In the preferred embodimentof the present invention, the
`video monitor 30 is equipped with a touch-sensitive screen
`35, which overlays the video monitor. The video monitor 30
`is coupled to the video controller 18 by a lead 32. The lead
`32 carries the video information that is displayed on the
`video monitor 30. A lead 34 couples the touch-sensitive
`screen 35 to the input/output port 16. The lead 34 carries an
`electrical signal
`that
`is based upon a sensed change in
`capacitance on the touch-sensitive screen 35. The electrical
`signal is read by the CPU 12 to produce an X,Y signal that
`indicates where a user has touched the touch-sensitive
`screen 35.
`
`The system further includes a means for displaying a
`plurality of icons on the touch-sensitive screen so that the
`first electrical signal matches the first predetermined elec-
`trical signal.
`In addition, the system includes a meansfor generating a
`second electrical signal corresponding to a second user input
`stroke. The system further includes a means for comparing
`the second electrical signal
`to a second predetermined
`electrical signal which corresponds to a second predeter-
`mined user input stroke selecting one of the plurality of
`icons on the touch-sensitive screen.
`
`Still further, the system includes a meansfor displaying a
`working window onthe touch-sensitive screen if the second
`electrical signal matches the second predeterminedelectrical
`signal.
`The above objects, features and advantagesof the present
`invention, as well as others, are readily apparent from the
`following detailed description of the best mode for carrying
`out the invention when taken in connection with the accom-
`
`panying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention will be apparent from the detailed
`description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
`drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system in which
`the method according to the present invention is performed;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a user performing an
`input stroke on a computer screen in order to bring out a
`working window according to the method of the present
`invention;
`FIGS. 3A-3C are schematic diagrams illustrating how a
`working windowis displayed on a computer screen accord-
`ing to the method of the present invention; and
`FIGS. 4A-4Bare a flow chart illustrating the method of
`the present invention.
`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`
`Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a block diagram
`of a computer system in which the method according to the
`present invention is performed. The computer system com-
`prises a computer board 10, which includes a Central
`Processing Unit (CPU) 12, a memory unit 14, an input/
`output port 16 and a video controller 18. The computer
`system also includes a keyboard 20, a mouse 22, and a video
`monitor 30. The keyboard 20 and the mouse 22 are both
`coupled to the input/output port 16.
`The CPU 12is in electrical communication with the video
`controller 18, the memory 14, and the input/output port 16.
`The CPU 12 includes electronic componentry, including a
`commercially available microprocessor, and executes
`software, permitting the CPU 12 to control the computer
`system. In general,
`the CPU 12 operates to display the
`working windowsand variousicons in the computer system
`and to activate the corresponding computer programs. For
`example, the CPU 12 functions as control means for gen-
`erating a first electrical signal corresponding to a first user
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`An example of a touch-sensitive screen 35 is a Mac-n-
`Touch™ model made by the Micro-Touch company. This
`screen has a resolution of 480 vertical gradations by 640
`horizontal gradations. The details of the computer system
`shown in FIG. 1 are well known to those skilled in the art
`and therefore will not be discussed further.
`
`As described above, the present invention is a method of
`generating a working windowon the video monitor 30 in a
`waythat is intuitive for a user of the computer system and
`does not require the use of a mouse or a keyboard. FIG. 2
`shows how a user of the computer system touches the
`touch-sensitive screen 35 to bring out the working window
`according to the present invention.
`According to a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention,
`the user touches the touch-sensitive screen 35
`with his/her hand 40 near a predetermined area of the
`touch-sensitive screen 35, for example, the left-hand edge of
`the screen 35. The user then drawshis/her finger across the
`touch-sensitive screen 35 using a first predefined input
`stroke. The first predefined input stroke is defined as a
`continuous movementon the touch-sensitive screen 35 from
`
`the predetermined area to a predeterminedinterior portion of
`the touch-sensitive screen 35. That is, the user performs a
`short horizontal stroke along at
`least a portion of the
`touch-sensitive screen 35 with his/her finger in the direction
`of arrow 45. The arrow 45 does not appear on the video
`monitor but is shown merely for purposesofillustrating the
`first predetermined user input stroke.
`The arrow 45 is substantially parallel to an X-axis of the
`display screen 35 where, for the purposes of the present
`description, the X-axis is the horizontal axis of the touch-
`sensitive screen 35 while a Y-axis denotes the vertical axis
`of the touch-sensitive screen 35.
`
`By touching the touch-sensitive screen 35, the CPU 12
`detects the first user input stroke and generates a first
`electrical signal corresponding thereto. The CPU 12 then
`comparesthe first electrical signal to a first predetermined
`electrical signal. The first predetermined electrical signal
`correspondsto a first predetermined user input stroke along
`at least a portion of the surface of the touch-sensitive screen
`35.
`
`In the preferred embodiment illustrated above, the first
`predetermined user input stroke is defined as a continuous
`horizontal movement by the user’s finger on the touch-
`sensitive screen 35 from a point sufficiently near (e.g.,
`within 2 cm of) the left-hand side of the touch-sensitive
`screen 35 towards the center of the screen 35. Alternatively,
`8
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`

`5,821,930
`
`5
`the first predetermined user input stroke may be defined as
`a continuous vertical movement by the user’s finger on the
`touch-sensitive screen 35 from a point sufficiently near the
`upper edge of the screen 35 towards the center of the screen
`35.
`FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate the outcome on the video monitor
`30 when the user performs the first predetermined input
`stroke on the touch-sensitive screen 35 as described above.
`FIG. 3A illustrates the video monitor 30 before the user has
`drawnthefirst predetermined input stroke to bring forth the
`working window. The video monitor 30 is showing any of a
`number of windows w1, w2 as are commonly displayed by
`a computer system.
`The CPU 12 displays a plurality of icons 50 on the
`touch-sensitive screen 35 if the first electrical signal matches
`the first predetermined electrical signal, or first predeter-
`mined user input stroke, as shown in FIG. 3B. Each icon
`A-H corresponds to a computer program that can be run in
`the working window that appears on the screen 35 as a result
`of the user performing the first predetermined inputstroke.
`In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of icons 50 are
`displayed in a line along a predetermined edge of the
`monitor 30. The display shown in FIG. 3B remains on the
`video monitor until the CPU 12 detects a second predeter-
`mined user input stroke.
`Upon touching the touch-sensitive screen 35, the CPU
`generates a second electrical signal corresponding to a
`second user input stroke. The CPU 12 then compares the
`second electrical signal to a second predeterminedelectrical
`signal. The second predetermined electrical signal corre-
`sponds to the second predetermineduser input stroke select-
`ing one of the plurality of icons 50 displayed on the screen
`35. The second predetermined user inputstroke is defined as
`momentarily touching one of the plurality of icons 50
`displayed on the screen 35.
`The CPU 12 then displays a working window on the
`screen 35, as shown in FIG. 3C, if the second electrical
`signal matches the second predeterminedelectrical signal, or
`second predetermined user input stroke, indicating the user
`has selected one of the plurality of icons 50. The working
`window associated with the icon selected by the user is
`scrolled onto the video monitor 30 from theleft-handside of
`
`the video monitor. The size of the working window is
`variable and depends upon whichiconthe user hasselected.
`For example, some programs represented by the different
`icons may require more monitor area than others.
`After generating the working window onthe screen 35,
`the CPU 12 then executes the computer program corre-
`sponding to the icon selected by the second predetermined
`user input stroke.
`After the useris finished with the program that is running
`in the working window,
`the user must perform a third
`predetermined input stroke in order to remove the window
`from the monitor. The third predetermined user input stroke
`is substantially the reverse of the first predetermined user
`input stroke. The third predetermined user input stroke may
`be defined as a substantially continuous horizontal move-
`ment by the user’s finger from an interior portion of the
`screen 35 to the predetermined area or edgeof the screen 35.
`Alternatively, the third predetermined user input stroke may
`be defined as a substantially continuous vertical movement
`by the user’s finger from an interior portion of the screen 35
`to the predetermined area or edge of the screen 35.
`Upon touching the screen 35, the CPU 12 generates a
`third electrical signal corresponding to a third user input
`stroke. The CPU 12 then comparesthe third electrical signal
`
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`to a third predetermined electrical signal. The third prede-
`termined electrical signal corresponds to the third predeter-
`mined user input stroke along at
`least a portion of the
`touch-sensitive screen 35.
`
`Finally, the CPU 12 removes the working window from
`the screen 35 if the third electrical signal matches the third
`predetermined electrical signal, thereby scrolling the work-
`ing window off the video monitor to the left to return the
`screen to that shown in FIG. 3A.
`
`Consequently, the user always has access to a working
`window that appears to the user to be disposed adjacent a
`left-hand side of the video monitor. The user can pull the
`working window onto the video monitor at any time by
`performingthe first predetermined user input stroke and can
`remove the window by performing the third predetermined
`user input stroke as described above. It should be noted,
`however, that the working window of the above described
`method and system can be designed to be displayed and
`removed from any edge of the video monitor or even from
`the center of the monitor.
`
`The present method of generating a working window on
`a video monitor makes the computer system appear more
`like a real world desk where the user can get a clean sheet
`of paper by simply dragging a clean sheet of paper from the
`left-hand side of the desk and placing it into the working
`area of the desk. The user does not have to enter the
`
`commandto bring out the working window through a mouse
`or a keyboard. Furthermore,
`the method of the present
`invention doesnot clutter the screen by producing numerous
`haphazardly placed windows on the screen. Byrestricting
`the video monitor to a working window that overlaps most
`of the monitor, the user is allowed to more easily concentrate
`on the application program that is being run. Once the user
`has finished with the working window,it is moved off the
`monitor without cluttering the previously displayed win-
`dows. Finally, the present method of generating a working
`windowis as intuitive to the user as getting a clean sheet of
`paper and placing it on the desk top. The user does not have
`to remember any special commandsthat have to be typed in
`or remember how to move the mouse to generate the
`working window.
`FIGS. 4A-4B are a flow chart illustrating the general
`sequence of steps executed by the CPU 12 to generate the
`working window according to the present invention. Briefly
`summarized, the CPU 12 determines where the user has
`touched the touch-sensitive screen 35 and monitors the
`movementby the user to determineif the user has performed
`the first or third predetermined user input
`is stroke as
`described above. If the CPU 12 detects the first predeter-
`mined user input stroke, the plurality of icons are displayed
`on the screen 35 for selection by the user via a second
`predetermined user input stroke. Upon detecting the second
`predetermined user input stroke indicating an icon has been
`selected,
`the working window is displayed on the video
`monitor. Upon detecting the third predetermined user input
`stroke,
`the working window is removed from the video
`monitor.
`
`The method begins at block 102 whenthe user touches the
`touch-sensitive screen 35. Touching the touch-sensitive
`screen 35 causes an interrupt which in turn causes the CPU
`12 to read the X,Y position corresponding to where the user
`has touched the touch-sensitive screen 35, as shown by
`block 104.
`
`the method
`Next, as shown by conditional block 106,
`includes the step of determining if the initial starting posi-
`tion X1, Y1 is within a predetermined area or edge of the
`9
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`

`5,821,930
`
`7
`touch-sensitive screen 35. The predetermined area or edge
`may bedefined as the left-hand edge of the screen 35. The
`predetermined area or edge is user definable, but is prefer-
`ably set to two centimeters along the left-hand edge of the
`screen 35.
`If the user has touched the touch-sensitive screen 35
`
`within the predetermined area, the method proceedsto block
`108 that begins a loop tracking the user’s finger on the
`touch-sensitive screen 35 by reading a new ending position
`X2, Y2. Unless exited in one of the manners described
`below, the loop repeats at some predetermined interval of
`time, tl, equal to, for example, 10 milliseconds.
`After the second position, X2, Y2, is determined at block
`108 the first time through the loop, the method proceeds to
`block 110 to begin determining whether the user has per-
`formed the first predetermined user input stroke. At block
`110, the method determinesif the changein the starting and
`ending position of Y has exceeded a predetermined amount,
`e.g., Y2-Y1<21.5 cm. As described above,
`the predeter-
`mined user input strokes that generate and remove a working
`window are defined as substantially continuous horizontal
`movements along at least a portion of the touch-sensitive
`screen 35. Therefore, if the user moveshis/her finger in the
`Y direction by more than the predetermined amount, the
`method determinesthat the user has not performedeither the
`first or third predetermined user input strokes. If the Y2-Y1
`has changed by more than the maximum allowed amount,
`the method endsat block 160.
`
`If the user has not moved his/her finger by more than the
`maximum allowed amount in the Y direction, the method
`proceeds to block 112 to determine if the user has moved
`his/her finger in the X direction, i.e., X2—X1>0 cm, towards
`the center of the screen 35. If the user has not movedhis/her
`finger towards the center of the screen, the method endsat
`block 160.
`
`If the user has movedhis/her finger towards the center of
`the screen 35, the method proceeds to block 114 to deter-
`mine if the user has movedhis/her finger in the X direction
`by more than a predetermined length.
`In the preferred
`embodiment, the input strokes are at least three centimeters
`long. Therefore, if the user has not moved his/herfinger at
`least three centimeters in the X direction towards the center
`of the screen 35, the method returns to block 108 and a new
`X,Y position on the touch-sensitive screen 35 is read. If the
`user has moved his/her finger three centimeters towards the
`center of the screen 35, the method proceeds to block 120
`wherein the plurality of icons are displayed as is shown in
`FIG. 3B.
`
`the method determines if a user has
`After block 120,
`performed a second predetermined user input stroke, as
`shown byblock 122. The second predetermined user input
`stroke is defined as momentarily touching one of the plu-
`rality of icons displayed on the screen 35. The method
`determines if the user has performed the second predeter-
`mined user input stroke by reading the X,Y coordinates
`corresponding to where the user has touched the touch-
`sensitive screen 35 and comparing those coordinates to a list
`of X,Y coordinates for each icon. If the user has touched the
`touch-sensitive screen 35 at a point that is occupied by one
`of the icons displayed on the video monitor 30, the CPU 12
`determinesthat the userhas selectedthat icon. If the user has
`not touched the touch-sensitive screen 35 at a point that is
`occupied by one of the icons, the method returns to block
`120 until an icon is selected.
`
`After the user has selected one of the plurality of icons,
`the method proceeds to block 124 and displays a working
`
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`window on the video monitor 30 in the manner shown in
`FIG. 3C. After the working windowis displayed, the method
`continues with the step of executing the computer program
`corresponding to the icon selected by the second user input
`stroke, as shown by block 126. The method then concludes
`at block 160.
`
`If the user does not initially touch the touch-sensitive
`screen 35 within the predetermined distance from the left-
`hand edge, as determinedat block 106, the method proceeds,
`as shownbyblock 130, to determineif the user has touched
`the touch-sensitive screen 35 within the working window.If
`the userhas not touched the touch-sensitive screen 35 within
`
`the working window, the method concludes at block 160.
`If the user has touched the touch-sensitive screen 35
`within the working window, the method begins a loop that
`tracks the position of the user’s finger to determine if the
`user has performedthe third predetermined user input stroke
`in order to remove the working window. The loop begins at
`block 140 where the ending position of the user’s finger is
`determined by reading the ending position X2, Y2.
`The method proceeds to block 142 to determine if the
`change in the Y position has exceeded a predetermined
`amount, i.e., Y2-Y1>1.5 cm. As described above at block
`110, if the user has moved his/her finger in the Y direction
`by more than the maximum allowed amount, the method
`determines that the user is not performing the third prede-
`termined user input stroke in order to remove the working
`window. Consequently, the method concludesat block 160.
`If the user has not moved his/her finger by more than the
`maximum allowed amount in the Y direction, the method
`proceeds to block 144 to determine if the user’s finger has
`moved in the X direction towardsthe left-hand edge of the
`touch-sensitive screen 35, i.e., X2—-X1>0. If the user has not
`movedhis/her finger from the working window towards the
`left-hand edge of the touch-sensitive screen 35, the method
`concludesat block 160.
`
`If the user has movedhis/her finger towards the left-hand
`edge of the touch screen, the method proceeds to block 146
`to determine if the user has moved his/her finger in the X
`direction by more than a predetermined length, e.g.,
`X2-X1<-3 cm. If the user has not moved his/her finger in
`the X direction by more than the predetermined length, the
`method returns to block 140 to read a new X,Y position.
`If the user has movedhis/her finger in the X direction by
`more than the predetermined length, the method proceeds to
`block 150 and removes the working window from the screen
`35 before ending at block 160.
`While the best modes for carrying out the invention have
`been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which
`this invention relates will recognize various alternative
`designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as
`defined by the following claims.
`Whatis claimedis:
`1. For use in a computer system that includes a memory,
`a method for displaying a working window,
`the method
`comprising:
`providing a touch-sensitive surface for providing user
`input thereon;
`providing a display screen for displaying none, one, or
`more windowsand/or icons;
`defining in the memory an inputstroke, said input stroke
`corresponding to the touching of the touch-sensitive
`surface at a first location and continuing in a first
`direction to a second location, wherein said input stroke
`is not related to a displayed window and/or icon;
`
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`5,821,930
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`9
`defining in the memory a plurality of icons each icon
`representing a working window;
`providing a first user input stroke;
`comparingthe first user input stroke with the input stroke
`defined in memory;
`displaying the plurality of icons on the display screen in
`response to the comparing step;
`selecting a displayed icon; and
`displaying a working window corresponding to the
`selected icon, wherein the working window is dis-
`played on the display screen.
`2. The method of claim 1 further including executing a
`computer program corresponding to the selected icon.
`3. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of icons
`are displayed in a line along an edge of the display screen.
`4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first user input
`stroke is a continuous movement on the touch-sensitive
`
`surface from an exterior portion of the touch-sensitive
`surface to an interior portion of the touch-sensitive surface.
`5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first user input
`stroke is a continuous movement on the touch-sensitive
`
`surface corresponding to a point on the exterior portion of
`the display screen to an interior portion of the display screen.
`6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first user input
`stroke is a substantially horizontal movement.
`7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first user input
`stroke is a substantially vertical movement.
`8. The method of claim 1 wherein thefirst location is an
`
`edge of the touch-sensitive surfac