Patent ID: 7489307
Filing Date: 2009-02-10
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
1. A handwritten information input apparatus, comprising: a display unit having a screen; a data processing unit that processes data to be displayed on the screen; a coordinate input unit that acquires coordinate data of a position on the screen designated by an operator with a pointing device; a menu display unit that allows the screen to display a menu image; a handwritten input detection unit that makes a judgment whether the operator is inputting a handwritten pattern or is pointing at a menu based on the coordinate data acquired by the coordinate input unit and predetermined judgment criteria; a menu display changing unit that changes a transparency of the menu image displayed on the screen in accordance with a result of the judgment by the handwritten input detection unit; a menu operation unit that performs a process associated with a menu item in the menu image in accordance with the coordinate data acquired by the coordinate input unit; and a menu operation switching unit that, in the case where the handwritten input detection unit judges that the operator is inputting a handwritten pattern, disables the process by the menu operation unit and in the case where the handwritten input detection unit judges that the operator is pointing at the menu, enables the process by the menu operation unit.