Method for assisting user to operate pointer
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsHaruhiko Nakai, Yohsuke Kinoe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for assisting the user to operate a pointer so as to move the pointer onto a desired object by the pointing device. A pointer movement direction in which the user wants to move the pointer is detected in accordance with a movement of the pointer by the pointing device (Step S2). Candidate objects located within a predetermined range of the pointer movement direction are displayed (Step S3). The object is selected from the displayed candidate objects (Step S4). The pointer is moved onto the selected object (Step S5).
Claims15
A method for assisting a user to operate a pointer so as to move said pointer onto a desired object by a pointing device, said method comprising the steps of:
- detecting a pointer movement direction in which the user wants to move said pointer, in accordance with a movement of said pointer by said pointing device;
- displaying candidate objects located within a predetermined range of said pointer movement direction;
- and
- selecting the object from said displayed candidate objects;
- wherein said method is used by switching between an active state in which a system for implementing the assisting method is on and an inactive state in which said system for implementing the assisting method is off;
- and
- wherein said pointer movement direction is detected by use of a direction indicator comprising two large and small concentric circles around a reference point which is a position of said pointer when said system for implementing the assisting method enters said active state.
Apparatus for providing a method for assisting a user to operate a pointer so as to move said pointer onto a desired object, wherein said method is used by switching between an active state in which a system for implementing the assisting method is on and an inactive state in which said system for implementing the assisting method is off, comprising:
- a pointing device;
- a component for detecting a pointer movement direction of said pointing device wherein said pointer movement direction is detected by use of a direction indicator comprising two large and small concentric circles around a reference point which is a position of said pointer when said system for implementing the assisting method enters said active state;
- a display generating component for displaying candidate objects located within a predetermined range of said pointer movement direction;
- and
- user input device for receiving selection input from said user of at least one of said candidate objects.
A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for assisting a user to operate a pointer so as to move said pointer onto a desired object by a pointing device, said method steps comprising:
- detecting a pointer movement direction in which the user wants to move said pointer, in accordance with a movement of said pointer by said pointing device;
- displaying candidate objects located within a predetermined range of said pointer movement direction;
- and
- selecting the object from said displayed candidate objects;
- wherein said method is used by switching between an active state in which a system for implementing the assisting method is on and an inactive state in which said system for implementing the assisting method is off;
- and
- wherein said pointer movement direction is detected by use of a direction indicator comprising two large and small concentric circles around a reference point which is a position of said pointer when said system for implementing the assisting method enters said active state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.