The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 28, 2020
Filed:
Feb. 20, 2017
Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc, Redmond, WA (US);
Kenneth P. Hinckley, Redmond, WA (US);
Michel Pahud, Kirkland, WA (US);
William Arthur Stewart Buxton, Toronto, CA;
Ken Pfeuffer, Lancaster, GB;
MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
Thumb+pen inputs are described herein, to improve the functionality of touch enabled devices for accepting bimanual input in situations where the device is gripped or supported by one of the user's hands, leaving only one hand free. The thumb of an engaging hand is identified and controls are placed within its range of motion to enhance the functionality provided by the free hand. The actions of the thumb can be used to determine how pen actions made using the other hand are interpreted. Alternatively, the pen can indicate an object through pointing, while the thumb indirectly manipulates one or more of its parameters through touch controls. Marking menus, spring-loaded modes, indirect input, and conventional multi-touch interfaces are applied with respect to the bimanual input mode in which one hand is positioned to hold or support the device, and the other hand is free to improve device operability and accessibility.