Inventors:
Eric Robert Berman - Redmond WA
Edward Low Mills - Bellevue WA
Michael Hinkley Van Kleeck - Duvall WA
Vinayak A. Bhalerao - Redmond WA
Assignee:
Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA
International Classification:
G06F 300
Abstract:
A central processing unit (CPU) is coupled to a computer display for displaying graphic and other information. The CPU is further coupled to a pointer control device such as a pen, stylus or mouse that permits the user to selectively position a pointer and activate an action handle on the display associated with a data object. Activation of the action handle signals the CPU of selections associated with the data object. Tapping or clicking on the action handle causes display of a context menu containing at least one command that may be invoked with respect to the data object. Dragging the action handle indicates movement or dragging of the action handle and the corresponding data object for an operation associated with dragging such as drag-and-drop. The use of action handles in association with data objects eliminates ambiguity between actions intended to create digital ink with respect to a pen-based computer system and actions intended to invoke a command or other interaction with the computer system.