JPH07509575A - computer input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] computer input device Matari Nibon beans The present invention provides a pen and writing power for an electronic tablet or an electronic display device, and a pen, Text input devices that process by writing and keyboard, user identification and Software to control sales/treasury point-of-care devices and facilitate human resources Regarding.

1 ri Ω 1 vote The computer industry allows users to use computers as if they were putting a pen to paper. developed a number of writing tablets and light pens that interact with computers. Ta. These devices generally draw lines of a fixed width in response to user input. latest Some devices are pressure-sensitive, but they do not correspond to the very natural movement of a pen or brush. No rival device has yet been developed.

Many people have discovered natural ways to increase their typing speed, whether it's with a pen or with a keyboard. Not yet. Besides, maximum stroke recognition, sales and automatic cash point-in-time management In order to operate the device, it is necessary to identify the user.

Two standing 1 waves The present invention relates to the positioning of a writing instrument in conjunction with a display device incorporated into a writing tablet. It consists of a nodeware implementation that determines the location. The present invention provides point-of-sale management. Whole or partial stroke recognition, particularly useful for administrative or payment one-point information management tasks Software to identify the pen user, including kernel information for communication and communications. Contains ingredients. The preferred writing implement is in the form of a pen or brush, but here: I'll call them all pens.

The present invention provides a pen-based computer input device consisting of a pen and a tablet. Provide equipment. This writing tablet has a built-in person inside the writing tablet. a writing surface having a pixel array connected to a visible host processing device;

The pen includes an optical input device connected to a pen controller through an optical sensor. . The pen controller is then connected to an output device that couples directly or capacitively to the remote receiving device. has been done. A tablet is a receiver designed to receive information from a pen or brush. or connected to a receiving device. One type of receiving device is a transparent resistive sheet that essentially covers the pixel array. host processing equipment It is possible to control the pixel display device to light up the pixels near the pen. is, thereby communicating with the pen, and the pen is an output device and a remote receiving device. can communicate with a host processing device through. The user places the pen on the writing surface. When brought, the host processing unit can display the pixels under the pen and electronic It leaves a trail of ink, giving the impression that the user is actually writing. Press the pen hard When you do this, the width of the pixel path appears wider, creating the effect of writing with a thin fountain pen. . The process of stroke processing is illustrated in the flow diagram of FIG.

Optical means in the pen or brush determine the angle and pressure of the writing instrument, as well as the deflection of the bristles. and provide information on spread.

The logic-and-or microprocessor in the pen or brush body can be used alone or with a host computer. Along with the software in your computer, it processes the strokes and creates the touch of the pen tip or brush. It acts to estimate and refine the position on the bullet surface.

The host processing unit software also determines whether the keyboard or pen information Provide a way to omit commonly or frequently used words, phrases, or text from the source This speeds up your typing speed and eliminates all the unique strokes of frequently used words. Develop from the stroke transitions of parts, and develop abbreviations from the transitions of all words and phrases. This acts to recommend new abbreviations. The expansion process is shown in Figure 2. This is illustrated with a flowchart.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a new host device when a user uses it for the first time. memory in the pen for optimal stroke recognition within the host device. A unique set of strokes for user and associated personal identification that can be parameters.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pen positioning hardware in the tablet and host device. hardware costs are cut to the minimum, and a large number of electronic pen cartridges are available. To suit a variety of pen body shapes, diameters, and weights from different parts manufacturers. The goal is to provide equipment that can be manufactured.

Another object of the present invention is to use fountain pens, ballpoint pens, lead pens, etc., in addition to the writing instruments of the present invention. A conventional writing device, such as a brush or eraser, or the second writing instrument of the present invention. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a dual-function device including a dual-function device.

Picture's mouth FIG. 1 is an overview flow diagram of a pen and input accelerator.

FIG. 2 is a detailed flow diagram of the acceleration input software subsystem.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the pen and tablet.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the tablet and display device.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the tablet and writing surface.

FIG. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the nib and brush and its actuating elements.

FIG. 7 is a view of the pen body and an enlarged view of the pen tip and its electronic components.

Figure 8 shows the interaction of the host computer, tablet, and writing pen tip. FIG.

What is the details of Ming Dynasty? The invention consists of two main components: stroke entry and character processing. It has become. Stroke entry is a handwriting approaching a writing tablet Pixels in the tablet detect the presence of the tool and reflect the user's movements. This includes selectively lighting up and effectively applying "electronic ink." people Once a certain character is completed, it detects a special encoding and facilitates information entry. be analyzed in order to

The present invention preferably utilizes the tablet illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. tabulet Kits 50 can be called individually using addresses arranged in rows and columns. It includes a raster display of 100 pixels. This pixel is an LCD, ferroelectric liquid crystal , phosphors, or other types known in the industry. It can be of any kind. The tablet writing surface 51 is made of metal such as gold or metal. covered with a relatively transparent resistive sheet 53 of a metal oxide such as tin oxide. Ru. This resistive sheet may be the top layer of the display and is illustrated in Figure 5. It may be covered with a protective layer 54. The conductive sheet has conductive sensors at both ends of the writing surface. It is connected to 52A and 52B. The conductive sensors 52A, 52B then Connected to a circuit that calculates the relative strength of the signal generated by the pen that is picked up by the electric detector. and then connected to a host computer (not shown). Now the writing surface The approximate position of the healed pen in one direction can be measured proportionally. This signal is It also carries information from the pen.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the pen 30 includes a writing nib 31. It is made as a compatible insert to fit many manufacturers' pen bodies. It is. The writing pen tip 31 mainly consists of an indicator 40, which is a conductor. It carries an electric pen nib 36 and light guides 35A and 35B, and the guides are used for optical detection. outputs 34A, 34B, which in turn connect to controller 3 via conductors 42. Connected to 3. The pen tip 36 has a pleasant feel on the "writing" surface of the tablet 5o. conductive or semi-conductive, such as a brass pen, terminating in a tip 39 consisting of a substance that gives off It is the material. Either or both of photodetectors 34A and 34B independently The light is detected and the respective external signals are conveyed to the controller 33 in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.

For example, some methods for use in photo-optical isolation devices are described in the present invention. Available at The battery 32 powers all components of the writing nib 31. Ru. The controller 33, preferably an AsIC chip, is connected to the photodetectors 34A, 34B. receives and controls information from the Send it to the pen tip 36. Controller 33 connects to the host through a direct cable connection (not shown). information can be sent to a host computer, preferably via the pen tip 36. send the issue. If the pen tip 36 is sufficiently close to the resistive sheet 53, The signal generated by the controller 33 is transmitted to the resistive sheet 53 and the conductive sensors 52A, 52. B to a suitable circuit and a direct or capacitive connection from there to the host computer. is transmitted via the nib 36 using the same signal.

Referring to FIG. 6, another input device consists of an electronic pen 29. Brush 29 is circular in the form of a bundle of optical fibers 26 bundled at 27 and coupled to a photodetector array 28 Contains hair.

Each fiber 26 may be coated with a conductive film, or alternatively may be electrically conductive. interspersed with flexible wires (not shown). The ring 27 of the housing bundles the fibers. Yeah, and it's blocking the outside light. The photodetector array 28 is connected to the controller 33. The controller may be a line or area array with elements (not shown) that are Electrons are transmitted through the conductive fiber 26 in a manner very similar to the operation of the pen nib 31. Can send signals.

The apparatus and method of the present invention - generally using a writing nib 31 as an example. As will be explained, those skilled in the art will also know how to apply brush 29 as well.

Referring to FIG. 8, the host computer controls the operation of pixels 100 in tablet 50. It is possible to communicate with the controller 33 by repeating the on-off state. host computer pixel 100 and interacts with prior art light pens. To locate the pen using the technique of Comparing the lighting timing of the pixel with respect to the return signal from the controller 33 through 53 Can be done. The pen includes photodetectors 34A and 34B, so each photodetector is a separate light that can provide information regarding the angle of the nib 36 on the tablet 50. Signals can be extracted from pixels.

Moreover, the combination of controlled pixel lighting and detection mechanism in the writing nib 31 provides information regarding the approach of the writing pen tip 31 to the tablet 50. Can be done. This information is determined by the stroke of the pixel lighting up according to the pressure applied by the user. Can be used to change the width of The brush has many sensors, as illustrated in Figure 6. can receive signals through the brush and give out information regarding the position of each brush bristle. How? Even for a sharp writing instrument, all pixels that are close enough to the writing instrument are in the "on" state. can be maintained in the same state. The end result is the angle and pressure of the user's writing motion. It is the application of electronic ink that reflects the

The personal device determines which pixel is closest to all components of the pen and writing tab, including which pixels near the pen interact weakly with the pen. The position of the writing instrument can be detected with respect to the letter. This will apply each stroke. The timing, pressure, and angle of each stroke can be calculated. This information is Stored stroke kernel information or other information to identify the user Can be used to derive comparable stroke kernel information. This is a personal To select a certain stroke recognition sequence for identification, otherwise the user Can be used to facilitate interaction with stroke recognition devices. recorded strike Loan information may be, for example, a computer coupled to a series of ATMs or point-of-sale devices. in a central host computer such as a computer, or in a host controller in a tablet. or in a local controller in the pen. Many for a single user There may be memory patterns for example, and certain groups that can share a single pen. There may be multiple storage patterns for users of the group. Alternatively the controller is , the user's signature information can also be transmitted to the host computer. The controller is Confirm transactions from the host computer and check the host computer for each transaction. Contains stored information about the user's loan limit or payment amount that is updated. It can be operated as if

When using the brush 29, the fiber 26 is in optical contact with the changing pixel and is detected by photodetector array 28.

In this way, the brush 29 has individual bristles that can be used like a regular paint brush. has the ability to sense contact and contact angle.

The writing instrument of the present invention provides user identification as well as information regarding the user's preferences and writing habits. Can be personalized to include additional information. This information can be used with pen 30 or brush 29. However, the controller 3 is designed to be compatible and effective with multiple tablets 50. 3, for example in an EFROM.

Referring to FIG. 6, pixels 100 are known to the host computer and cycle from time to time.

Nib 36 connects light guides 35A and 35 below the tip (not shown in Figure 6). ``See'' a series of pixels with B. As the pixels cycle, the position of the pen tip relative to the paper The direction and angle are determined by matching the change in pixels to the light sensed through the pen. Ru. Moreover, as the pressure of the pen tip increases, the light guide will have stronger (contact) with more pixels. , provides pressure information to the pen device.

When the writing nib 31 is activated, for example by being held by the user, it , repeatedly transmitting the stored user identification and key parameters. writing page If you bring the computer head 31 close enough to the tablet 50, the host computer will "Wake up" and start input processing. The host computer has user identification and key information. Able to read and memorize parameters. Host computer tab Pixel 100 on let 50 may be activated. From writing pen tip 31 The signal is picked up through the resistive sheet 53 by conductive sensors 52A and 52B. distances 20 and 2 between pen 30 and conductivity sensors 52A and 52B According to No. 1, signals of two amplitudes are generated. The ratio of the amplitudes of these signals is provides accurate positioning of the pen 30 along the surface. The host computer is It collects the detected changes while continuing to point pixels across the tablet surface. Use this information to light up. Once the position, angle, and pressure of the pen tip are Once determined, that information can be used to direct the display device to indicate the correct flow of electronic "ink". Sent to the updating subroutine.

Stroke recognition is used to identify and convert characters entered by the user. be done. Conventional character recognition programs can perform basic character conversions. However, new Stroke information about angle, pressure, and other information produced by new pen input devices. Mark information can facilitate character recognition.

One means of proportional distance positioning in one direction is described in more detail below. Ta. Other proportional distance means preferably simultaneously or nearly simultaneously Input the resistance value, capacitance value, or appropriate electromagnetic value in the Y-axis direction, Y-axis direction, or both axes directions. Contains. Acoustic position estimation methods can also be used as well as active optical position estimation methods. Ru.

Alternative embodiments involving sufficiently fast display devices such as ferroelectric liquid crystals, gas plasmas, etc. In some cases, the position of the pen or brush is only controlled while monitoring the response of the pen or brush. To make pixels blink continuously (switch on and off, completely XOR) can be more fully determined. In this embodiment, a transparent resistive film 18 (Figure 4) is not required, it is still the main communication channel of the device. It's useful.

This device first performs a rough search and then searches for specific pixels or pixels immediately next to the writing instrument. By searching in detail until the prime group is identified, the location of the writing instrument can be quickly determined. It can be stopped.

Conventional means of identifying the location of a light ben or similar indicating device are usually ordinary lasers. Continuously activates all pixels in the display device by scanning the The indicating device sends a signal to the host computer whether it detects an activated pixel. It's a method. This timing information is used as a raster to derive the position of the pointing device. Combined with information about the driver. The conventional indicating device is the same as the writing instrument of the present invention. Although it is unfinished, I was able to pinpoint the exact location using an old indicating device and a new writing instrument. The principle of stopping is the same. The coarse search of the present invention locates the general location of the writing instrument. Then, in order to locate the exact location of the writing instrument, only the pixels near the writing instrument are selected. We are improving on this old method in that we only need to test it.

A new means of approaching the location of a writing instrument is pattern searching.

Selected areas of the writing tablet are selectively activated, and the writing instrument is Responses can be monitored. When a response is detected, the corresponding region is further refined into a finer pattern. The test was conducted again, and then the exact location of the writing instrument was determined. It can be further divided as necessary. One set of possible patterns is Inary tree search, where half of the displays are activated and then the remaining half of the cells are activated. The half with writing instruments was then divided into two parts. , and repeat this procedure until the location is sufficiently known. this pattern Alignment can be done without resorting to raster scanning and by rasterizing pixels individually or in groups. This is best done on devices that can be addressed randomly.

This method of coarse positioning is also useful for modern devices such as digital tablets. It is also useful for precision positioning devices. Replace current equipment with hardware or software With minimal modifications to the wearer's driver, you can now use coarse positioning and benefit from it. It can be renovated.

Once you know the approximate location of the writing instrument, write down a specific pixel of the band around it. Try activating it while monitoring the response from the tool. writing instrument writing tablet While in contact with, or in close contact with, the device tests pixels in the vicinity of the This allows the device to track which pixels will approach the writing instrument in the future. if , when the writing instrument is moved away from the writing surface, such as between words or between strokes. When the writing instrument moves, the device detects the area surrounding the stroke just before the writing instrument leaves the writing surface. The area will continue to be monitored. Inflates or touches according to the condition of this device It is convenient to think about the approximate location of the writing instrument, like a bubble J. inside the foam at a frequency sufficient to track the changing condition of the writing instrument with respect to the writing surface. pixels must be tested.

There is no writing instrument near the writing tablet, or the writing instrument is in contact with the writing tablet. The writing instrument is moving slowly or quickly.The writing instrument has not been used for writing until recently. various conditions, including contact with the tablet and other possible conditions. The frequency with which pixels are tested during various operating conditions and the testing range of pixel locations are determined by those skilled in the art. Anyone can easily set it up. For example, when a writing instrument is moving slowly, However, it may be somewhat small, and the sampling frequency may be relatively slow.

When the writing instrument moves away from the writing tablet, the bubbles in the expanded bubbles can be removed. At first, check the area near the stroke just before the writing instrument leaves the writing surface. It is likely that some of them may return, but as time goes on, certain , or the possibility of returning to the approximate location seems to be decreasing. . At a certain point, the device determines when the writing instrument is to be returned and determines the position of the writing instrument. In order to search for the location, general pattern testing will be resumed.

Once a character is entered, it is processed through the following steps. each sentence The characters are placed into a character buffer.

The shorthand software then performs the input acceleration and shorthand functions illustrated in Figure 2. Take this character (either from a pen, brush, or keyboard source). input characters first, whether it is some kind of special character, including an ideograph or an evolved stroke set. will be tested to find out. If not, the character is and the next character is tested. If the input characters are spaces, Common characters such as comma, period (followed by a space), or other punctuation marks. If it is a regular word terminator, the text contents of the word buffer are considered. this word The full stop is combined with the text, and that text is e.g. check whether it matches any of the ellipsis lists stored in the table. It will be tested to confirm. If you find that it matches with either one, The corresponding expanded text replaces the abbreviated text and is output, and processing continues with the next character in the input stream.

If text does not match well with a known ellipsis, use the prefix Or research suffix abbreviations. the first two or three letters as a known prefix Try comparing it with the lexical abbreviation robe. and if a prefix ellipsis is found, it The corresponding prefix is replaced in the text. In the same way, the text Either the suffix algorithm or the suffix ellipsis user updates the last character of or both, and the first part of the word is omitted. Replaces the corresponding suffix in the text, regardless of the suffix. certain suitability In some embodiments, the last letter of a word or entry can be changed using the traditional shift key or Use the character lock to change to uppercase letters and allow the user to use the available algorithms or , an entry table is used to inform the control that suffix expansion is desired.

That text is then output, and processing begins with the next character in the input stream. I can go on about this.

One or more special characters are interpreted as commands. In the preferred embodiment and the equal symbol is used to insert a new ellipsis within an ellipsis. be done. It is the same as a whole, with no spaces in between and an equal sign at the end. All text consisting of a series of characters is treated as a new ellipsis, and Spaces or spaces up to the next equal sign after a character with no spaces. All text with an equal sign that contains other punctuation marks is treated as text. These new ellipsis and corresponding extensions are Stored along with other known abbreviations for subsequent interpretation.

Another useful command is to stop interpreting the following word or series of words. work on the physical equipment. Performing various control and interpretation functions makes special symbols more elaborate. It is also possible to develop a new language. Each of these command mechanisms All within the scope of the following claims.

Another useful command is Use the directional arrow (′″) to make all subsequent text uppercase. The same thing can be done by using the uppercase lock directly as a cent.

An unexpanded word, that is, a word without an abbreviation, is subject to potential abbreviations in whole or in part. will be considered. Each unabbreviated word is placed in a transition table and the frequency file for that word is Set the lag or increase the counter for that word. That count is Once high enough, an advisory ellipsis is shown to the user via pump-up. vinegar Construct letters and/or ideograms in words instead of stroke-based letters. The collection of strokes that make up is categorized and recommended as a new valid form. reduced to a unique relevant subset that is submitted to the user. spelled it all out Words are used as a teaching tool and as advice. Pull out the pull-up window.

Bunch programs regularly analyze transition tables, create prescriptions, and more. Create text ellipsis from sources or from ellipsis you have previously created. Recommend.

The source code for one implementation of this process is included as Example 1. . This source code implements novel features of the software, but with respect to the basic functionality or unrelated prior art software used in the process and methods. It does not include all the code included.

A general description of the apparatus and method for using the invention includes a preferred implementation of the invention. Similar to the embodiments described above. Those skilled in the art will understand the scope of the teachings of the present invention. Additional variations within the described method and described apparatus included within It may be possible to recognize and implement changes in this regard.

Example) char ’5hortWords [MAX 5HORTSI; PTR5uff ixaslhI8X5UFFIXESI;FTRSufAbbrcvsiM人X -5UFFIXESI;nodeptr->abbrev =nodeptr ->word + 5trlen (Word) + I; 5trcpy (n odeptr->abbrev, Abbrev); FILE”FPtr; Nodel’tr = NULL; if (0==stricmp(Shon, 5honWords[il )) /””If a match””/Rcsult=5hort Wordslil;Fr’R”WordList; in+ Word Count; pr ■ [-atσop+ I, Lcft+ I, -Display Wor ds", NORMAL); Idenne WORD-PROCESSOR"W P, EXE"for (Ptr = Word; "T%HPu +) if ( strlen　(Abbreviation)　　　Node-＞8bbrev Length) MaskedKey = Key &Qxff; fprint f(s+derr, "ERROR+%S(%d", msg, errno ) ;if (errno > O & & errno < sys nerr )fprimr(5(derr, ”;%s)’a+”, sys errl isierrnol) ;lse Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure “7c Figure 7D front page continuation

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. an input device, the input device having an input terminal connected to an optical sensor; a writing instrument connected to the optical sensor; a host processing device; a writing surface having an array of pixels connected to the host processing device; a receiving means connected to the host processing device; a receiving means connected to the controller; an output device coupled to the device so that the device outputs information at the input terminal. an input device capable of sensing and transmitting that information to a receiving means. 2. The input of claim 1, wherein the writing instrument includes a plurality of optical sensors. Device. 3. The writing instrument further includes a plurality of light guides, each of which is connected to one of the optical sensors. The input device according to claim 2, which is connected to the input device. 4. The writing instrument includes a ben having two light guides and two optical sensors. The input device according to claim 1. 5. The writing instrument includes a plurality of optical sensor elements, each of which has a plurality of optical sensor elements. a brush having a plurality of light guides connected to at least one of the vessel elements; The input device according to claim 1. 6. One of the light guides is a fiber-optic element coated with a conductive material. 6. The input device according to claim 5, comprising: 7. further comprising a conductive strand intermixed with the plurality of light guides. The input device according to claim 5. 8. The receiving means includes a relatively transparent flat conductive surface and a sensor connected to the conductive surface. a signal sent from the output device to the receiver; and a signal sent from the output device to the receiver. and means for proportional distance measurement of the signal. Input device. 9. Claims further comprising means for identifying a pixel closest to the writing instrument. The input device according to item 1. 10. a position, an angle, and a pressure of the writing instrument relative to the writing surface; means for transmitting information regarding the writing instrument selected from among the writing instruments to the host processing device; The input device according to claim 1, further comprising:. 11. Information and graphs by using abbreviated strokes of input devices A method for accelerating the input of a graphical element, the method comprising: Keyboard input, menu items identified as characters or arbitrary stroke patterns. input characters in the form of menu selection characters or stroke patterns from the input device; retrieving and testing the input character; and If the input character is not a special character, put the character into the word buffer process and If the input characters are special characters, such as spaces, commas, or other punctuation, If it is a word terminator, such as a dot, add the special character to the word buffer; retrieving the contents of said word buffer as text; A process of testing against a list of known abbreviations and, if the abbreviation is found, For example, expanding the omitted text and outputting the expanded text; , and if said text is in all caps, said expanded text The process of outputting the text in all uppercase letters, However, if the ellipsis is not found, then the characters in the first part of said text and comparing the characters of said first part with a known prefix table; If a prefix ellipsis is found, expand said prefix ellipsis to The process of checking the last character of If so, comparing said characters with a table of available routines in order to expand the suffix. and, if said last character is not capitalized, know said last character. suffix table and if a known suffix ellipsis is found, expanding a suffix ellipsis and outputting said expanded text; , if the last character is capitalized, expanding the ellipsis; If the input character is a special character and is an instruction code, according to the nature of the instruction using an abbreviated stroke of the input device, including a continuing step; How to accelerate input of information and graphic elements. 12. The special character is a command to read the preceding character as an ellipsis. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: storing the preceding character as an entry into a list of known ellipses; Word terminators and Retrieves the following character as extended text, regardless of punctuation, and replaces the preceding character with the known abbreviations of the expanded text in relation to each other with the entry of characters; Claim 11 further comprising the step of: entering said list of symbols. The method described in section. 13. The special characters shall not extend the following or preceding input text. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the method is an instruction to: 14. It further includes the step of storing each word that is output without expansion in a transition table. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein: 15. A ministry that searches for a word from the transition table and makes recommendations regarding the searched word. further comprising the step of deriving an abbreviation, said abbreviation being equal to said known abbreviation. In the number list, select a unique character that is no longer in use or a signature with a unique stroke. 15. The method of claim 14, comprising any of the following. 16. The writing instrument includes multiple point light detection means for ascertaining the position of the writing instrument. , writing instrument input device. 17. The claimed writing instrument further includes a hand drum for checking the angle of the writing instrument. The writing instrument input device according to scope 16. 18. The claimed writing instrument further comprises means for ascertaining the pressure of the writing instrument. The writing instrument input device according to scope 16. 19. a writing instrument, the personal identification data being encoded within the writing instrument means; Note input system. 20. Claim 19, wherein the personal identification data includes debit/credit information. The method described in section. 21. The personal identification data may include the individual's name, address, work address, telephone number, and taxpayer identification data. Alternate number, passport number, blood type, bank account number, emergency contact name, and other information. Claim 19 contains personal information selected from the group consisting of personal information. The method described in section. 22. further comprising a method for a host computer to retrieve said personal identification data. and it is not possible for typical users to modify or access said personal identification data. However, the host computer may not be able to call, read, or under certain conditions. 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein modification is possible. 23. A method for identifying the approximate position of a pointing device in two directions, comprising: The method includes providing a substantially planar surface partitioned into a plurality of subregions that can be substantially each activated. a step of detecting whether the first one of said small regions is activated or not; providing an indicating device, the indicating device indicating the subregion in which it is activated. The method can further be tested to determine whether the selected activating a plurality of the small regions, and activating the first small region in the selected region; testing the indicating device to determine whether it is within a plurality of sub-regions; A method for identifying the approximate location of a pointing device in two directions, the method comprising: 24. providing a substantially flat surface; providing an indicating device; providing a proportional distance detection means for sensing the position of the indicating device; evaluating said proportional distance detection means to ascertain the approximate location of said indicating device; and identifying the approximate location of the pointing device in two directions. how to.