GB2351215A

GB2351215A - Scroll assisting apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2351215A
Application number: GB9927028A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rika Kusuda; Eisuke Kanzaki; Shinji Iizuka
Original assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Current assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Priority date: 1998-11-27
Filing date: 1999-11-17
Publication date: 2000-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 2019-11-17
Also published as: TWI233038B; GB9927028D0; CN1255664A; JP2000172439A; GB2351215B; CA2289403A1

Abstract

A device for assisting scrolling on a display screen 130 comprising a guides means for guiding the direction of user's input into the device. The means include a guiding gutters 410, 420 which runs horizontally and vertically over the scroll bars on the screen in which the user can insert a stylus 105 to scroll in either direction, the device being a touch screen type device. A sliding device (620, fig 10) may be positioned on the gutter 410 with a finger block (630, fig 10) to enable to user to scroll information by sliding the block with their finger (612, fig 11).

Description

2351215 SCROLL ASSISTING APPARATUS FOR A COMPUTER The present invention

relates to an apparatus for assisting a user,s input operation into an input device such as a touch screen on a computer system such as a personal digital assistant.

With the recent technical evolution, it has been possible to incorporate high-level functions into small space or volume, which has resulted in prevalence of portable type computer related equipment such as PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) or a notebook computer. In order to view contents using a conventional portable terminal such as PDA with a smaller display screen, it is required to frequently perform scroll operations at a much higher rate than that of a desk top computer with a larger screen. However, a user interface of portable terminal such as PDA has not been always good enough for this purpose. Normally, a pen (stylus pen) or a button pertaining to PDA is used for scrolling contents, whereas "Page up/Page Down" icons or buttons are used for scrolling a screen in a desired direction. However, in doing so, dexterity or adroitness is required to point at a narrow portion.

Further, because of a narrow area. to be pointed by a pen, it is difficult to stop a scroll operation at an intended position.

In addition to said touch panel, a similar problem occurs in a situation where a portable type information processing apparatus is provided with a pointing device such as an input pad or a digitizer.

Prior Japanese patent application (Applicant: Sony Corp.) discloses a technique for assisting scale changing in a car navigation system in such a way that if a point C on a map displayed on a screen is touched with a finger for a fixed time period, then a pop-up menu is displayed to select a scale level, thereby displaying a map to be centered at a point D that has the same latitude and longitude as the point C. While this technique makes it possible to easily change a scale, it cannot solve the difficulties of the conventional scrolling.

In accordance with the present invention, there is now provided an apparatus for assisting a user's input operation into an input device, comprising: guide means for guiding a direction of a user's input operation into said input device.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus that facilitates a user's scroll operation within a computer, which uses a pointing device such as a touch screen or an input pad.

2 In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus that facilitates scrolling of contents by means of a pen (stylus pen) pertaining to PDA or a button, and scrolling of a screen in a desired direction by means of a "Page Up/Page Down" icon or button.

The present invention advantageously allows a user to easily stop a scroll operation at an intended position.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an apparatus that enables a scroll operation to be performed along a scroll guide (gutter/opening), whereby a user who is not accustomed to use PDA or has a physical handicap at hand/eye is allowed to scroll a screen in an easy manner.

The present invention also advantageously enables a scroll operation to be easily performed even in a shaky onboard environment.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise means for assisting a user's vertical or horizontal scroll operation.

The means for assisting a user's vertical or horizontal scroll operation preferably includes a guiding gutter. Alternatively, the means for assisting a user's vertical or horizontal scroll operation may include a slider.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an external view of a computer system, which is adapted for embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a computer's system unit, which is adapted for embodying this invention.

Fig. 3 is a drawing schematically showing a browser, which is adapted for embodying this invention.

Fig. 4 is perspective view of a first embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the first embodiment of this invention. 45 3 Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken across A-B, of the first embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view, taken across A-B, of the second embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view, taken across A-B, of the third embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view, taken across A-B, of the fourth embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of a material portion in the fourth embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 15 is a detail drawing of a guiding opening or gutter (1) of this invention.

Fig. 16 is a detail drawing of a guiding opening or gutter (2) of this invention.

Fig. 1 is an external view of PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) as an exemplary computer with a touch panel, which is adapted for incorporating this invention. While Fig. 1 shows portable type PDA of a pocket size as a computer system that is currently available in the marketplace on a large scale, application of this invention is not limited to PDA alone in that it may be applied to any form of computers including a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a tower computer, etc.

Also, if a user is allowed to use a graphic input device such as a touch screen, an input pad, a digitizer or the like, along with a pointing device or the like, application of this invention is not limited to a client computer in that it may be applied to a server computer, a host computer or the like.

In case of a touch panel, an input device and a display device are integrated with each other. However, this invention may be also applied 4 to an input pad, wherein an input device and a display device are separately formed.

Exemplary PDA products include "WorkPad" that has been commercially available mainly in the United States from IBM Corp., "Cassiopeia,, series of Casio Computer Co. Ltd., "NINO" of N.V. Phillips, etc.

An upper surface 120 of the present PDA is shown at the top of Fig.

1, whereas a rear surface 122 of the present PDA is shown at the bottom of Fig. 1. At the upper surface 120 and sides of the present PDA, there are a handwritten input area 130 formed by a touch screen (a touch panel) or the like, a stylus pen 105 for inputting into this touch screen 130, various areas 107, 108, 111 and 112 on the touch screen for invoking a specific application, a menu, functions such as calculator, search function and the like, various buttons 109, 110, 113 and 114 for invoking frequently used functions such as agenda, address book, To-Do list, memo pad and the like, a rotary switch 104 for adjusting contrast of the screen, a modem port 102 for connecting a modem, etc.

At the rear surface 122 and sides of the present PDA, there are an IR port 103 for infrared communication, an internal battery 101, and the like. The handwritten input area 130 provides information of characters, graphics and the like onto a mono/color display for its visual presentation to a user. It also accepts a user's input by means of the stylus pen 105 or a finger.

In Fig. 2, there is schematically shown a hardware configuration of a typical computer 100, which is adapted for embodying this invention.

More particularly, those components on its internal mother board are illustrated for each subsystem.

An exemplary computer for implementing this invention includes a computer that incorporates "Windows CE11 of Microsoft Corp. as an operating system (OS), a certain type of computer that incorporates a unique OS and yet another type of computer that uses a dedicated CPU rather than a general purpose CPU.

CPU (processor) 210, acting as a brain of the entire computer 100, executes a variety of programs under the control of OS. CPU 210 may be a CPU chip called "Pentium", "Pentium with MMX Technology", "Pentium Pro" made by Intel Corp., a CPU of another company such as AMD, Inc. or nPowerPC11 of IBM Corp.

CPU 210 interconnects with each hardware component (to be described below) through a hierarchical bus structure of three levels, which comprises an FSB (Front Side Bus) 211 directly coupled to its own external pins, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus 235 as a bus for high speed 1/0 devices and an 1/0 bus 270 such as an ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) bus for low speed 1/0 devices.

FSB 211 and PCI bus 235, each being directly coupled to the processor, are interconnected by a bridge circuit (host-PCI bridge) that may be alternatively called "memory/PCI controller chip" 220. The memory/PCI controller chip 220 of the present embodiment comprises a memory controller for controlling access operations to an main memory 215, a data buffer for absorbing a speed difference between the buses 211 and 235, etc. By way of example, this chip 220 corresponds to 11440EXII or 11440GX" of Intel Corp.

The main memory 215 is a writable memory used as read-in areas or working areas of executed programs. In general, the main memory 215 comprises a plurality of DRAM (dynamic RAM) chips such that its basic capacity is typically 32MB and extendable up to 256MB. Recently, in order to meet a requirement for higher speed, a type of DRAM is gradually shifting to fast-page DRAM, EDO DRAM, synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), burst EDO DRAM, RDRAM, etc.

The executed programs referred to herein include an OS such as 1, Windows98n, a variety of device drivers for operating peripheral devices under hardware control, application programs adapted for use in specific jobs and firmware such as BIOS or the like stored in a Rom 290.

An L2-cache, which is now contained in CPU 210, is a high speed memory for absorbing access time of CPU 210 to the main memory 215 and is used for temporarily storing limited code and data to be frequently accessed by CPU 210. In general, the L2-cache comprises SRAM (static RAM) chips and its typical capacity is 512KB or more.

PCI bus 235 is a type of bus that enables to transfer data at a relatively higher rate (bus width: 32/64 bits, maximum operating frequency: 33/66/10OMHz, maximum data transfer rate: 132/264MBps), and is used for connecting relatively fast PCI devices such as a card bus controller 230. As well known in the art, the PCI architecture is based on the proposal of Intel Corp. and implements the so-called 11PnP11 (Plug and Play) function. 40 The video subsystem 225 includes a video controller, which actually processes drawing instructions from CPU 210, temporarily stores the processed drawing information into a video memory (VRAM), reads the drawing information from the VRAM and provides the same as a video output to a liquid crystal display (LCD) 85. Also, the video controller is 6 capable of converting a video signal into an analog form by means of its associated digital-analog converter (DAC).

An analog signal is displayed on the touch panel (touch screen) 130 via a signal line. The touch panel 130 has a function as a pointing device for inputting a coordinate value, along with a function for displaying a video image. A user's input to the touch panel 130 entered by the stylus pen 105 is normally transferred to OS or the like via the serial port 281, a keyboard/mouse port, USB 237 or 1/0 bus 270.

Also, the video subsystem 225 is connected to the memory/PCI controller chip 220 via an AGP (Accelerated Graphic Port) bus 221.

The card bus controller 230 is a dedicated controller for directly coupling bus signals on PCI bus 235 to an interface connector (card bus) in a PCI card slot 231. This card slot 231 may be provided at a wall surface of the computer 100's system unit for accepting a PC card (not shown), which conforms to the industry standard (e.g., "PC Card Standard 9511) defined by PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association)/JEIDA (Japan Electronic Industry Development Association).

PCI bus 235 and 1/0 bus 270 are interconnected by a bridge circuit (PCI-I/O bridge) 240. The bridge circuit 240 of the present embodiment is constructed to contain a DMA controller, a programmable interrupt controller (PIC) and a programmable interval timer (PIT). As well known in the art, the DMA controller is a dedicated controller for executing a data transfer between a peripheral device (e.g., FDD) and the main memory 215 without an intervention of CPU 210. Also, the PIC is a dedicated controller that is responsive to an interruption request (IRQ) from a peripheral device for causing a predetermined program (interrupt handier) to be executed. Finally, the PIT is a device for generating timer signals at predetermined frequencies that are programmable.

Further, the bridge circuit 240 of the present embodiment is provided with an IDE interface 245, which conforms to the IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics), for connecting external storage devices. To this IDE interface 245, an IDE hard disk drive (HDD) 246 and an IDE CD-ROM drive can be ATAPI (AT Attachment Packet Interface) connected. Also, in place of IDE CD-ROM drive 26, another type of IDE device such as a DVD (Digital video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) drive may be connected. An external storage device such as HDD 246 and/or CD-ROM drive is accommodated in the so-called "media bay" or "device bay" within the computer 100's system unit. These standard external storage devices may be mounted interchangeably with another equipment such as an FDD and/or a battery pack, or they may be mounted exclusively of such equipment.

7 Further, the bridge circuit 240 of the present embodiment contains therein a USB (Universal Serial BUS) route controller for connecting a USB 237 as a general purpose bus, and has a USB port 238. This USB port 238 is provided, for example, at a wall surface of the computer 100's system unit. USB 237 supports the "hot plug function" that allows a new peripheral device (USB device) to be attached/detached without shutting down its power, as well as the "Plug and Play function" that allows a newly connected peripheral device to be automatically recognized and a system configuration to be set up again accordingly. To a single USB port, up to 63 USB devices can be connected in a daisy-chain manner.

Exemplary USB devices include a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a scanner, a printer, a modem, a display monitor, a tablet, etc.

1/0 bus 270 comprises, for example, an ISA bus that has a slower data transfer rate than PCI bus 235 (bus width: 16 bits, maximum data transfer rate: 4mbps) and, thus, it is used for connecting relatively slower peripheral devices such as ROM 290, a real time clock (RTC), a super 1/0 controller 280 and a keyboard/mouse controller.

ROM 290 is a non-volatile memory, which permanently stores code groups (BIOS: Basic Input/Output System) for controlling respective hardware components such as a keyboard, a floppy disk drive (FDD) or the like, in addition to a POST (Power On Self Test) program or the like.

The super 1/0 controller 280 is a peripheral controller for controlling operations of a floppy disk drive (FDD), 1/0 operations of parallel data (PIO) via a parallel port, and 1/0 operations of serial data (SIO) via a serial port.

While additional electronic circuits or the like other than those shown in Fig. 2 are required to construct the present PDA 100. However, these components are not described in the present specification, since they are well known in the art and yet they do not pertain to the gist of this invention. Further, it should be understood that for brevity of the drawings, only a portion of the connections between the illustrated hardware blocks is shown. Further, with respect to PDA in particular that is consciously designed to have a much smaller size and a much lighter weight than other types of computer related equipment, those functional components of Fig. 2 other than the minimum requisite components such as CPU and memories may be omitted herein.

In Fig. 3, there is shown a relative positional relationship between an entire document 310 to be viewed by a user in a computer and a screen area 306 to be displayable by a computer at a time. In particular, in case of PDA, its screen 306 to be displayed by a computer at a time is small or narrow.

8 In an environment where an OS such as "Windows 981, uses a window, when a content to be displayed in the window is larger than its client area and hence cannot be displayed at a time, scroll bars 322, 332 are displayed on edges of the window.

Also, scroll boxes 320, 330 displayed in the scroll bars 322, 332 indicate a relative position of a currently displayed portion to its associated entire content. Drugging the scroll boxes (tabs) 320, 330 by means of a mouse or the like, it is possible to move the portion to be displayed in the window.

Further, the scroll bars 322, 332 include scroll arrows (arrow buttons) 340, 342, 344, 346 at edges thereof. Placing a mouse pointer on either one of the scroll arrows 340, 342, 344, 346 and depressing a mouse button, it is possible to scroll the display screen in a direction of the arrow.

A browser 305 running on a computer includes, in addition to the document/graphics or the like, maximization/minimization buttons 307 for the window, a menu bar 308, a horizontal scroll bar 332, a left scroll arrow 340, a right scroll arrow 342, an upward scroll arrow 346, a downward scroll arrow 344, etc.

when a user desires to change the current display area for viewing another unseen area, it is required to move the right-and-left or up-and-down scroll box 330, 320 in a horizontal or vertical direction by a fixed width while the scroll box is being clicked, or to depress the right-and-left/up-and-down scroll arrow 346, 344 for required times.

with said operations, it is possible to move the display area of a computer. In case of PDA, however, a substantial number of the scroll operations are required for viewing the associated entire document because its screen area 306 to be displayable by a computer at a time is narrow due to its smaller size. Also, in case of portable type equipment such as PDA, there are many occasions where a user manipulates the equipment in an offhand or unstable condition and, thus, the user may encounter with much manipulative difficulties than a stable condition.

in those touch panels used in the commercially available current products, the following basic principles are exploited: (1) a pressure-sensitive type; (2) a non pressure-sensitive type; and (3) a finger-sensitive type. In the following, PDAS will be exemplified as embodiments of this invention that conform to the principles of touch panels used by computers.

In Fig. 4, there is shown a perspective view of a first embodiment of this invention, wherein the touch panel is of the pressure-sensitive 9 type. In this pressure-sensitive type, there are a resistance (pressure) scheme, a supersonic scheme, and the like.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the display screen of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the PDA in accordance with this invention as seen from direction C of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken across A-B in Fig. 4, of the PDA in accordance with this invention.

In Fig. 4, there is shown PDA 120 and an input guide apparatus (guide) 400 as the first embodiment of this invention. Referring to Fig.

4, the input guide apparatus 400 is mounted on the upper surface of PDA 120. Beneath the input guide apparatus 400, there is the touch panel 130 of pressure-sensitive type. The browser 305 of Fig. 3 is displayed on a screen of this touch panel 130, whereas a guiding gutter 410 of the input guide apparatus 400 for assisting (guiding/regulating) a vertical scroll operation is provided over the vertical scroll box 320. when a user puts the stylus pen 105 on the vertical scroll box 320 and moves it along this vertical scroll guiding gutter 410, it is possible to implement a vertical (up-and-down) scroll operation in an easier manner. In case of the arrangement shown in Fig. 4, when the stylus pen 105 contacts with the touch panel 130 of pressure-sensitive type, the touch panel 130 senses a movement of the stylus pen 105 and transfers its data to an OS.

Referring to Fig. 5, contents of the browser 305 (described above with reference to Fig. 3) are shown on the touch panel 130. As shown, a movable area of the up-and-down scroll box 320 is in accord with the opening 410 of the guide apparatus 400, an opening 1520 corresponds with the upward scroll arrow 346, and an opening 1530 corresponds with the downward scroll arrow 344. Further, a movable area of the left-and-right scroll box 330 is in accord with an opening 420 of the input guide apparatus 400, an opening 1550 corresponds with the left scroll arrow 340, and an opening 1560 corresponds with the right scroll arrow 342.

Accordingly, in comparison with another arrangement having no such guide apparatus 400, a user is allowed to easily perform an input operation with a touch panel by means of moving or manipulating a pen within these openings of the present guide apparatus 400. In Fig. 6, there is shown a side view of PDA 120 and the input guide apparatus 400 as seen from direction C of Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 6, the input guide apparatus 400 is so mounted as to cover PDA 120. The input guide apparatus 400 is not limited to have the external form as shown in Fig. 6, since it is sufficient that this apparatus 400 may be fixed to its associated PDA by any means. The input guide apparatus 400 comprises a transparent or semitransparent material so that the display screen is visible to a user. It is also desirable that this apparatus 400 has some flexibility for easier mounting. While an opening is shown in Fig. 6 at a bottom surface of the input guide apparatus 400, this opening may be eliminated such that the guide apparatus 400 is formed to entirely cover the bottom surface.

Referring to Fig. 7, there is shown a positional relationship between the touch panel 130 and pen 105. when PDA 120 uses the touch panel 130 of pressure-sensitive type as shown in Figs. 4 to 6, it is necessary that the pen 105 penetrates through the guide apparatus 400 and directly contacts with a surface of the touch panel 130, as shown in Fig.

7. Returning to Fig. 4, in the same manner as the just described vertical scroll operation, a horizontal scroll operation may be implemented by the horizontal scroll guide 420.

In Fig. 8, there is shown a second embodiment of this invention, wherein the touch panel is of non pressure-sensitive type. In this non pressure-sensitive type, there are an electromagnetic induction scheme, an analog capacitive scheme and the like.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view, taken across A-B in Fig. 8, of the PDA in accordance with this invention.

In Fig. 8, there is shown PDA 120 and input guides 510, 520 as the second embodiment of this invention. An input guide apparatus 530 is implemented at a portion of a protective layer, which is formed on the upper surface of PDA 120. Beneath the input guide apparatus 530, there is the touch panel 130 of non pressure-sensitive type.

The browser 305 of Fig. 3 is displayed on a screen of this touch panel 130, whereas a guiding gutter 510 of the input guide apparatus 530 for assisting a vertical scroll operation is provided over the vertical scroll box 320 and scroll arrows 346, 342. when a user moves the stylus pen 105 along this vertical scroll guiding gutter 510, it is possible to implement a vertical scroll operation in an easier manner.

In case of the arrangement shown in Fig. 8, the stylus pen 105 does not directly contact with the touch panel 130. Rather, the touch panel senses a movement of the stylus pen 105 through the protective layer.

The input guide apparatus 530, which has substantially the same size as an opening of the touch panel 130, is so mounted as to cover a surface of the touch panel section 130 of PDA 120. The input guide apparatus 530 comprises a transparent or semitransparent materiall and it may have some elasticity.

11 Referring to Fig. 9, there is shown a relative positional relationship between the touch panel 130 and pen 105. When PDA 120 uses the touch panel 130 as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the pen 105 falls in the gutter 510 (or 520) of the input guide apparatus 530, and it does not directly contact with a surface of the touch panel 130, as shown in Fig.

9. Preferably, a depth of the gutter 510is not only smaller than a thickness of the protective layer 530 but also so deep as to guide the pen. Returning to Fig. 8, in the same manner as the just described vertical scroll operation, a horizontal scroll operation may be implemented by the horizontal scroll guide 520.

In Fig. 10, there is shown a third embodiment of this invention, wherein the touch panel is of finger-sensitive type. In this finger-sensitive type, there are an analog resistive film scheme (pressure-sensitive type), an analog capacitive scheme (non pressure-sensitive type), and the like. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view, taken across A-B in Fig. 10, of the PDA in accordance with this invention.

In Fig. 10, there is shown PDA 120 and an input guide apparatus 610 as the third embodiment of this invention. The input guide apparatus 610 is mounted on the touch panel 130 that is placed on the upper surface of PDA 120. Beneath the input guide apparatus 610, there is the touch panel of finger-sensitive type adapted for sensing a finger 612.

The browser 305 of Fig. 3 is displayed on a screen of this touch panel 130, whereas a guiding gutter's slider (sliding section) 620 and a finger block 630 of the input guide apparatus 610 for assisting a vertical scroll operation is provided over the vertical scroll box 320 and scroll buttons 346, 342. when a user moves a finger 612 along this vertical scroll guiding gutter's slider 620, it is possible to implement a vertical scroll operation in an easier manner. In case of the arrangement shown in Fig. 10, the finger 612 does not directly contact with the touch panel 130, and the touch panel 130 senses a movement of the guiding gutter's slider 620. when the analog capacitive scheme is exploited, the guiding gutter's slider 620 and finger block 630 must be comprised of an electrically conductive material. on the other hand, it is desirable for the pressure-sensitive type to use such a material that is adapted for applying some pressure to the touch panel 130 at the time of contact therewith.

The input guide apparatus 610 is so mounted as to cover a surface of the touch panel section 130 of PDA 120. The input guide apparatus 610 comprises a transparent or semitransparent material, and it may have some elasticity.

12 Referring to Fig. 11, there is shown a positional relationship between the touch panel 130 and finger 612. when PDA 120 uses the touch panel 130 as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the finger 612 is fixed to the gutter's slider 620 of the guide apparatus 610 through the finger block 630, and the finger 612 does not directly contact with a surface of the touch panel 130, as shown in Fig. 11. Returning to Fig. 10, in the same manner as the just described vertical scroll operation, a horizontal scroll operation may be implemented by the horizontal scroll guide gutter's slider 620 and finger block 630.

in Fig. 12, there is shown PDA 120 and an input guide apparatus 1110 as a fourth embodiment of this invention. The input guide apparatus 1110 is mounted on the upper surface of PDA 120. Beneath the input guide apparatus 1110, there is the touch panel 130 of pressure-sensitive type in the same manner as Fig. 4. The browser 305 of Fig. 3 is displayed on a screen of this touch panel 130, whereas a guiding gutter 1120 of the input guideapparatus 1110 for assisting a vertical scroll operation is provided over the vertical scroll box 320 and scroll arrows 346, 342.

When a user moves the stylus pen 105 along this vertical scroll guiding gutter 1120, it is possible to implement a vertical scroll operation in an easier manner. In case of the arrangement shown in Fig.

12, the stylus pen 105 contact with the touch panel 130 of pressure-sensitive type, and the touch panel 130 senses a movement of the stylus pen 105.

The input guide apparatus 1110 is so affixed as to cover a portion of the touch panel of PDA 120. Accordingly, it is possible to easily and subsequently affix the guide 1110 to PDA 120, which is advantageous in that a high cost is not required.

The input guide apparatus 1110 comprises a transparent or semitransparent material, and it is better that this apparatus 1110 has some flexibility.

Referring to Fig. 13, there is shown a positional relationship between the touch panel 130 and pen 105. when PDA 120 uses the touch panel of pressure-sensitive type as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, it is necessary that the pen 150 penetrates through the guide apparatus 1110 and directly contacts with a surface of the touch panel 130, as shown in Fig. 12.

Returning to Fig. 12, in the same manner as the just described vertical scroll operation, a horizontal scroll operation may be implemented by the horizontal scroll guide 1130.

As can be seen from Figs. 13 and 14, the present guide apparatus 1110 comprises an L-shaped transparent or semitransparent material, and it is desirable that a rear surface of this apparatus 1110 has glue applied thereon for affixing it to the touch panel 130. Also, a thickness of the present guide apparatus 1110 is normally within the range from several hundred microns to several millimeters, thereby enabling to guide the pen.

Referring to Figs. 13 and 14, a positional relationship with contents of the browser 305 of Fig. 3 is now described. A movable area of the up-and-down scroll bar 320 is in accord with the opening 1120 of the guide apparatus 1110, an opening 1610 corresponds with the upward scroll button 346, and an opening 1630 corresponds with the downward scroll button 344. Further, a movable area of the left-and-right scroll bar 330 is in accord with the opening 1130 of the guide apparatus 1110, an opening 1650 corresponds with the left scroll button 340, and an opening 1640 corresponds with the right scroll button 342.

Accordingly, in comparison with another arrangement having no such guide apparatus 1110, a user is allowed to easily perform an input operation by means of moving or manipulating a pen within these openings of the guide apparatus 1110. The present embodiment 1110 has the advantage that this invention can be implemented in a very easy and inexpensive manner.

In Figs. 15 and 16, there are shown two different forms of the actual guiding gutters in detail. The guide shown in Fig. 15 is applicable in the four embodiments shown in Figs. 4, 8, 10 and 12. For example, with respect to the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, a guiding gutter 810 of Fig. 15 corresponds with the guiding gutter 410, 420 of Fig. 6.

The guiding gutter shown in Fig. 15 has small protrusions 812, each of which is formed at a fixed distance (e.g., 5 millimeters) from its neighbors respectively. In case of performing a horizontal or vertical scroll operation, it is normally difficult to stop such a scroll operation at a desired position. However, if each of the protrusions 812 is formed in the guiding gutter at a fixed distance respectively, a user is enabled to stop a scroll operation as near as the desired position by causing the penpoint or the like to bump against one of the protrusions 812 that is nearest to the desired position.

The guide shown in Fig. 16 is applicable in the four embodiments shown in Figs. 4, 8, 10 and 12. For example, with respect to the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, a guiding gutter 820 of Fig. 16 corresponds with the guiding gutter 410, 420 of Fig. 4.

14 The guiding gutter of Fig. 16 has a narrower distance between the protrusions 822 than that of the guiding gutter shown in Fig. 15.

Accordingly, in comparison with another arrangement having no such protrusion in a guiding gutter and hence being substantially nonresistant, a user is allowed to easily stop a scroll operation at a desired position by causing the penpoint or the like to bump along such protrusions 822 for performing a scroll operation with its accompanied some resistance. The guiding gutter 810, 820 should be designed in consideration of optical properties thereof.

In accordance with this invention having said configurations, it is possible to provide an apparatus that facilitates a user's scroll operation within a computer using a touch screen. Another advantage of this invention is to provide an apparatus that enables to easily stop a scroll operation at an intended position. Yet another advantage of this invention to provide an apparatus that enables to perform a scroll operation along a scroll guide (gutter/opening), whereby a user who is not accustomed to use PDA or has a physical handicap at hand/eye is allowed to scroll a screen in an easy manner. Further advantage of this invention to provide an apparatus that enables to easily perform a scroll operation even in a shaky onboard environment.

is

Claims

1. An apparatus for assisting a user's input operation into an input device, comprising:

guide means for guiding a direction of a user's input operation into said input device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said guide means comprises a guiding gutter for assisting a user's input operation.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said guide means comprises a slider for assisting a user's input operation.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said input operation includes at least one of user's vertical and horizontal scroll operations.

5. A computer system including a touch screen, a processor and a memory and apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim for assisting a 20 user's input operation on said touch screen.