ISO/IEC 14754:1999

Information technology - Pen-Based Interfaces - Common gestures for Text Editing with Pen-Based Systems

This International Standard defines the basic gesture commands for text editing with pen-based systems and defines the user actions required to have the system execute these commands. The feedback to the user when a gesture command has been correctly recognized is also defined. This International Standard does not define the user actions necessary for the input of characters.

Technologies de l'information — Interfaces basées sur une plume — Mouvements courants en édition de texte avec les systèmes basés sur une plume

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 26-May-1999
• ICS: 35.240.20 - IT applications in office work
• Technical Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 35 - User interfaces
• Drafting Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 35/WG 4 - User interfaces for mobile devices
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 16-Dec-2024
• Completion Date: 30-Oct-2025

ISO/IEC 14754:1999 - Overview

ISO/IEC 14754:1999, “Information technology - Pen-Based Interfaces - Common gestures for Text Editing with Pen-Based Systems,” defines a common set of gesture commands and the user actions required for text editing on pen-based systems. The standard specifies how users indicate editing commands (for example, select, delete, insert space) using a pen and digitizer, and it defines the feedback the system should provide when a gesture is recognized. It explicitly does not define character input (handwriting recognition) methods.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Scope & conformance: Systems conform if they implement the functions and gesture commands described in clauses 6, 7 and 8.
• Defined gestures: The document standardizes gestures for core text-editing functions, including:
  • Select (touchdown → pause → continuation stroke → lift-off)
  • Delete (zigzag stroke or specific “V” shape gestures)
  • Insert space, Split line
  • Conditional/clipboard-related commands: Move, Copy, Cut, Copy to buffer, Paste
  • Conditionally required functions: Scroll, Undo
• Feedback requirements:
  • Visible feedback is required when a select or other gesture command is recognized and while the selection extent changes.
  • Audible feedback is recommended where possible (especially at the “pause” point for select).
• Terminology & conventions: The standard defines key terms (stroke, touchdown, lift-off, action point, visible trail, pause) and diagram conventions used to describe gestures.
• Implementation notes: Some gestures may optionally have no visible trail; systems may offer options to enable/disable alternative gestures (e.g., multiple delete gestures).

Practical Applications

• Who uses this standard:
  • User interface designers working on pen/ stylus-driven apps
  • Device manufacturers (tablets, digitizers, PDAs) implementing pen-based editing
  • Software developers of note-taking, annotation, and mobile text-editing applications
  • Accessibility specialists standardizing pen interaction for diverse users
  • Testers and compliance engineers verifying gesture behaviors
• Why it matters:
  • Promotes consistent, cross-device pen-based text editing experiences
  • Reduces user learning time by standardizing common gestures
  • Improves interoperability of pen-based input across applications and manufacturers

Related Standards

• The standard was prepared by ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 35 (User interfaces). ISO/IEC 14754:1999 lists no normative references. For broader context, consult other ISO/IEC standards on human–computer interaction and device interfaces when integrating pen-based gesture support.

Keywords: ISO/IEC 14754:1999, pen-based interfaces, gesture commands, text editing, select gesture, delete gesture, digitizer, pen-based system, visible feedback, clipboard gestures.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC
STANDARD 14754
First edition
1999-06-01
Information technology — Pen-Based
Interfaces — Common gestures for Text
Editing with Pen-Based Systems
Technologies de l'information — Interfaces basées sur une plume —
Mouvements courants en édition de texte avec les systèmes basés sur
une plume
Reference number
Contents Page
1 Scope .1
2 Conformance.1
3 Normative references .1
4 Terms and definitions.1
5 Conventions .3
6 Required gesture commands .4
6.1 Select .4
6.1.1 Function .4
6.1.2 Gesture .4
6.1.3 Feedback .4
6.2 Delete .5
6.2.1 Function.5
6.2.2 Gesture.5
6.2.3 Feedback.6
6.3 Insert space .7
6.3.1 Function.7
6.3.2 Gesture.7
6.3.3 Feedback.7
6.4 Split line .8
6.4.1 Function.8
6.4.2 Gesture.8
6.4.3 Feedback.8
7 Required gesture commands for conditional functions.9
7.1 Gesture commands not requiring a buffer.9
© ISO/IEC 1999
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic
or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from the publisher.
ISO/IEC Copyright Office � Case postale 56 � CH-1211 Genève 20 � Switzerland
Printed in Switzerland
ii
© ISO/IEC
7.1.1 Move.9
7.1.1.1 Function.9
7.1.1.2 Gesture .9
7.1.1.3 Feedback .9
7.1.2 Copy .10
7.1.2.1 Function.10
7.1.2.2 Gesture .10
7.1.2.3 Feedback .10
7.2 Gesture commands requiring a buffer .11
7.2.1 Cut .11
7.2.1.1 Function.11
7.2.1.2 Gesture .11
7.2.1.3 Feedback .11
7.2.2 Copy to buffer .12
7.2.2.1 Function.12
7.2.2.2 Gesture .12
7.2.2.3 Feedback .12
7.2.3 Paste .13
7.2.3.1 Function.13
7.2.3.2 Gesture .13
7.2.3.3 Feedback .13
8 Conditionally required gesture commands for required functions.14
8.1 Scroll .14
8.1.1 Function.14
8.1.2 Gesture .14
8.1.3 Feedback .14
8.2 Undo.15
8.2.1 Function.15
8.2.2 Gesture .15
8.2.3 Feedback .15
iii
© ISO/IEC
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical Commission) form the
specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are members of ISO or IEC participate in the
development of International Standards through technical committees established by the respective organization to deal with
particular fields of technical activity. ISO and IEC technical committees collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other
international organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the work.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 3.
In the field of information technology, ISO and IEC have established a joint technical committee, ISO/IEC JTC 1. Draft
International Standards adopted by the joint technical committee are circulated to national bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the national bodies casting a vote.
International Standard ISO/IEC 14754 was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology,
Subcommittee SC 35, User interfaces.
iv
© ISO/IEC
Introduction
Many systems using pen input mode have been produced. These systems recognize gestures as commands, unfortunately these
gestures vary from one system to another. In particular, the gestures conventionally used to make changes to the layout and
content of text differ across systems.
This International Standard specifies a set of basic gestures which will enable the user to operate a system regardless of its
country of origin or specific manufacturer. The advantage of these gestures lies in the fact that the indication of a location and
the indication of an action to be performed on the object at that location can both be carried out simultaneously. The gestures
chosen to indicate such functions are the most commonly used. These are essentially the kind of gestures covered by this
International Standard. This International Standard consists of 8 clauses and covers commands for two types of required
functions and also some optional functions.
v
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD © ISO/IEC ISO/IEC 14754:1999(E)
Information technology — Pen-Based Interfaces —
Common gestures for Text Editing with Pen-Based Systems
1 Scope
This International Standard defines the basic gesture commands for text editing with pen-based systems and defines the user
actions required to have the system execute these commands. The feedback to the user when a gesture command has been
correctly recognized is also defined. This International Standard does not define the user actions necessary for the input of
characters.
2 Conformance
A system conforms to this International Standard if it conforms to clauses 6, 7 and 8.
3 Normative references
There are no International Standards referenced.
4 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this International Standard, the following definitions apply.
4.1
action point
point on the digitizer display where a gesture command will be executed
4.2
digitizer
device which can detect the position touched by the pen
4.3
end point
final point of the stroke drawn by the pen
© ISO/IEC
4.4
gesture
one or a sequence of actions and strokes made by a user upon the digitizer that invokes a gesture command
4.5
gesture command
instruction to the system resulting from a gesture input by the user, e.g. Select, Move, Delete
4.6
lift-off
action in which the user lifts the pen off the active digitizer surface
4.7
pause
action where the user keeps the pen stationary for a certain time after touchdown
4.8
pen-based system
system consisting of a pen and digitizer which can detect the position touched by the pen and with which the user can input the
data or commands using the pen
4.9
segment
part of a stroke made by moving the pen in a straight line without changing direction
4.10
selected text
continuous character string that the user has selected
4.11
start point
first point of a stroke drawn by the pen
4.12
stroke
continuous movement of the pen across the digitizer surface starting with a touchdownandendingat a lift-off
© ISO/IEC
4.13
tap
to touch the digitizer briefly, typically less than one second, with the pen and then lift-off in approximately the same position
4.14
text area
area where the text is displayed and the user can input gestures
4.15
touchdown
action in which the user touches the active surface of the digitizer with a pen
4.16
visible trail
path of the pen temporarily displayed by the digitizer until completion of the stroke
5 Conventions
For the purposes of this International Standard, the following conventions apply to the diagrams in clauses 6, 7 and 8.
Start point
Touchdown and pause
Tap and touchdown
Stroke with a visible trail on the screen
Stroke without a visible trail on the screen
Direction of the stroke
Area of selection
© ISO/IEC
6 Required gesture commands
Systems
...