Managing inputs from a plurality of user input device actuators

#With larger monitors and more powerful processors becoming available in recent computing devices, computer users increasingly engage in concurrent use of multiple application programs. Further, each application program may include multiple windows to which user input may be directed. It is therefore a challenge for the user to switch between these multiple windows and efficiently enter user input to the appropriate application window. Before manipulating a scroll wheel of a mouse, for example, it can be laborious for a user with many windows open to bring a desired window into focus to receive a first scroll input, and then bring another desired window into focus to receive a second scroll input. This can result in wasted time and frustration for the user.

#A computing device and method for managing inputs from a plurality of user input device actuators are provided. The computing device may include code stored in memory for implementing, via a processor, an actuator input module configured to receive a first actuator input from a first user input device actuator, and a second actuator input from a second user input device actuator. The computing device may further execute code to implement a window selection module configured to select a first selected window to which the first actuator input is sent according to predetermined selection rules, to select a second selected window to which the second actuator input is sent according to the predetermined selection rules, and to send the first actuator input to the first selected window and to send the second actuator input to the second selected window.

#This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of one embodiment of a computing device for managing inputs from a plurality of user input device actuators.

#FIG. 2 illustrates an implementation of spatial selection rules based on horizontal position, by the window selection module of the device of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 illustrates an implementation of spatial selection rules based on vertical position, by the window selection module of the device of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a computing device 10 for managing inputs from a plurality of user input device actuators. Computing device 10 may include code stored in memory 11 for implementing routines to achieve the functionality described herein via a processor 13. Computing device 10 may, for example, be a personal computer, laptop computer, smart phone, portable data assistant, personal media player, or other suitable computing device.

#Computing device 10 may be configured to associate user inputs from a plurality of user input device actuators 15 with one or more windows selected from a plurality of windows 17 displayed in a graphical user interface 46 on a display 12. To achieve this functionality, computing device 10 may include an actuator input module 14 configured to receive a first actuator input 16 from a first user input device actuator 18, and a second actuator input 20 from a second user input device actuator 22. The first user input device actuator 18 and the second user input device actuator 22 may be, for example, scroll wheels, touch sensors, or other user input device actuators configured to receive haptic input from a user. The haptic input may be processed by the actuator input module 14, for example, to be in the form of a scrolling input, which in turn may be sent to a window of an application program for interpretation. The actuator input module 14 may be configured to receive and process the first actuator input 16 and the second actuator input 20 inputs substantially concurrently, so that the first user input device actuator 18 and the second user input device actuator 22 may be concurrently used by a user. While the first and second user input device actuators are discussed herein by way of example, it will be appreciated that a larger number actuators may be provided, as illustrated in FIG. 1 by the Nth user input device actuator, and that corresponding actuator inputs may be processed in parallel.

#In some examples, the first user input device actuator 18 and/or the second user input device actuator 22 may be mounted in a housing of the computing device 10, as indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 1. In other examples, the first user input device actuator 18 and/or the second user input device actuator 22 may not be mounted in a housing of computing device 10, but rather may be incorporated into the housings of one or more external user input devices, such as an external mouse, keyboard, touch pad, graphics tablet, game controller, etc.