Input object selector and method therefor

A handy information device comprising:

• an input object selector, said input object selector further comprises:
• a linear contact portion, which is linearly extended within a predetermined range, that a user can contact with a finger and along which said user can slide said finger, in the direction in which said linear contact portion is extended, to an arbitrary location;
• a contact detector, for detecting the contact of said linear contact portion by said finger and identifying said location that is contacted;
• first correlation unit, for correlating, in a predetermined order, multiple input objects with locations arranged at first intervals in said direction in which said linear contact portion is extended;
• range detector for detecting an order range wherein an input object, which is correlated by said first correlation with a start location whereat said finger first contacted said linear contact portion, is included, and in accordance with said predetermined order multiple input objects are included;
• second correlation unit for correlating, in accordance with said predetermined order, said input objects within said order range with locations along said linear contact portion that are arranged at second intervals that are greater than said first intervals;
• correlated input object detection unit for detecting, when said location whereat said finger contacts said linear contact portion is changed during a period extending from when said finger first contacted said linear contact portion until said contact was removed, an input object that is correlated by said second correlation with a location along said linear contact portion currently contacted
• by said finger;
• and input determination unit for determining as current user input said input object that is detected at a contact end location by said input object detection unit.

A wrist information device comprising:

• an input object selector, said input object selector further comprises:
• a linear contact portion, which is linearly extended within a predetermined range, that a user can contact with a finger and along which said user can slide said finger, in the direction in which said linear contact portion is extended, to an arbitrary location;
• a contact detector, for detecting the contact of said linear contact portion by said finger and identifying said location that is contacted;
• first correlation unit, for correlating, in a predetermined order, multiple input objects with locations arranged at first intervals in said direction in which said linear contact portion is extended;
• range detector for detecting an order range wherein an input object, which is correlated by said first correlation with a start location whereat said finger first contacted said linear contact portion, is included, and in accordance with said predetermined order multiple input objects are included;
• second correlation unit for correlating, in accordance with said predetermined order, said input objects within said order range with locations along said linear contact portion that are arranged at second intervals that are greater than said first intervals;
• correlated input object detection unit for detecting, when said location whereat said finger contacts said linear contact portion is changed during a period extending from when said finger first contacted said linear contact portion until said contact was removed, an input object that is correlated by said second correlation with a location along said linear contact portion currently contacted by said finger;
• and
• input determination unit for determining as current user input said input object that is detected at a contact end location by said input object detection unit.

An input object selection method comprising the steps of:

• preparing a linear contact portion, which is linearly extended within a predetermined range, that a user can contact with a finger and along which said user can slide said finger, in the direction in which said linear contact portion is extended, to an arbitrary location, and a contact detector, for detecting the contact of said linear contact portion by said finger and identifying said location that is contacted;
• correlating, in a predetermined order, multiple input objects with locations arranged at first intervals in said direction in which said linear contact portion is extended;
• detecting an order range wherein an input object, which is correlated by said first correlation with a start location whereat said finger first contacted said linear contact portion, is included, and in accordance with said predetermined order multiple input objects are included;
• for correlating, in accordance with said predetermined order, said input objects within said order range with locations along said linear contact portion that are arranged at second intervals that are greater than said first intervals;
• detecting, when said location whereat said finger contacts said linear contact portion is changed during a period extending from when said finger first contacted said linear contact portion until said contact was removed, an input object that is correlated by said second correlation with a location along said linear contact portion currently contacted by said finger;
• and
• determining as current user input said input object that is detected at a contact end location by said input object detecting.