Focus management using in-air points

Abstract

Stylus 'focus' designates or establishes an element or area of a computer interface to receive input (e.g., such as electronic ink). Focus may be used, for example, to prepare the associated element to receive input by 'waking' the system from a “stand-by” mode; by triggering increased digitizer polling frequency; by setting up data structures or allocating memory resources to receive input; retrieving data relating to the input or characteristics thereof, etc. Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for managing stylus focus may include: (a) receiving input indicating that a stylus is located proximate a digitizer; and (b) providing focus to a control element corresponding to the stylus location, e.g., when the stylus is located proximate to and/or in contact with the digitizer. If desired, stylus focus may be maintained separate from and/or concurrent with mouse and/or keyboard focus. Additionally, such systems and methods may accept input from multiple styli and independently and concurrently provide stylus focus with respect to control elements corresponding to the location of each stylus.