Distinguishing between impulses and continuous drag operations on a touch-sensitive surface
AssigneeDreamWorks Animation LLC
InventorAlexander P. POWELL
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A touch-sensitive surface for a computer animator to create or modify a computer-generated image includes processes for differentiating between click and drag operations. The included processes also beneficially reduce input errors. When a touch object (e.g., finger or stylus) touches the drawing table, information regarding the duration of the touch and the movement of the touch are used to determine whether the touch input represents a (graphical user interface) click or a drag operation.
Claims29
A drawing table for a computer animator to create or to modify a computer-generated image, comprising:
- a touch-sensitive surface adapted to receive touch input from a touch object, wherein the computer-generated image is visible to the computer animator when the computer animator views the touch-sensitive surface;
- and
- a processor connected to the touch-sensitive surface, wherein:
- the processor is adapted to create a human-unperceivable circle in response to an initial touch between the touch object and the touch-sensitive surface, the human-unperceivable circle, is centered at the location of the initial touch, the human-unperceivable circle has a radius of an initial value, and the radius decreases over time, and
- the processor is further adapted to, based on a movement of the touch object, produce an output signal based on the touch object movement and a perimeter of the human-unperceivable circle.
A touchscreen device for displaying a computer-generated image and receiving input from a touch object, comprising:
- (a) a touch-sensitive surface adapted to detect contact with the touch object;
- (b) a display screen adapted to display the computer-generated image, wherein:
- the display screen is visually aligned with the touch-sensitive surface such that the computer-generated image displayed on the display screen is visible to a user when the user views the touch-sensitive surface;
- and
- (c) a processor connected to the touch-sensitive surface and the display screen, wherein the processor is adapted to:
- create a human-unpeceivable circle in response to an initial touch between the touch object and the touch-sensitive surface, the human-unperceivable circle is centered at the location of the initial touch, the human-unperceivable circle has a radius of an initial value, and the radius decreases over time,
- produce an output signal representing a graphical user interface drag operation, if the touch object is touching the touch-sensitive surface, and if any portion of the touch object movement is outside the perimeter of the human-unperceivable circle at the time of touch object movement,
- produce an output signal representing no operation, if the touch object is touching the touch-sensitive surface:, and if no portion of the touch object movement is outside the perimeter of the human-unperceivahle circle at the time of the movement, and
- produce an output signal representing a mouse click operation, if the touch object is removed from the touch-sensitive surface, and if no portion of the touch object movement is outside the perimeter of the human-unperceivable circle at the time of removal.
A computer-implemented method for distinguishing touch input representing a graphical user interface drag operation and a graphical user interface click operation, the method comprising:
- obtaining touch input from a touch-sensitive surface,
- determining a human-unperceivable circle in response to the touch input,
- wherein the human-unperceivable circle is centered at the location of the initial touch, and
- the human-unperceivable circle has a radius of an initial value, and
- wherein the radius decreases over time;
- distinguishing whether the touch input represents a graphical user interface drag operation or a graphical user interface click operation, based on the touch object movement and a perimeter of the human-unperceivable circle;
- and
- producing an output signal, Wherein the output signal represents the distinguished graphical user interface operation.
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions for distinguishing between touch input representing a graphical user interface drag operation and a graphical user interface click operation, the computer-executable instructions comprising instructions for:
- obtaining touch input from a touch-sensitive surface,
- determining a human-unperceivable circle in response to the touch input,
- wherein the human-unperceivable circle is centered at the location of the initial touch, and
- the human-unperceivable circle has a radius of an initial value, and
- wherein the radius decreases over time;
- and
- distinguishing whether the touch input represents a graphical user interface drag operation or a graphical user interface click operation, based on the touch object movement and a perimeter of the human-unperceivable circle;
- and
- producing an output signal, wherein the output signal represents the distinguished graphical user interface operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.