Input device and user interface interactions

Inventors

van Os, Marcel • Bachman, William M. • Chen, Elbert D. • Robbin, Jeffrey L. • Howard, Joe • McGlinn, Joshua • Lochhead, Jonathan • Keighran, Benjamin W. • FOLSE, Jennifer L. C. • KRESS, Lynne • Missig, Julian • Chaudhri, Imran • Sabatelli, Alessandro • Zambetti, Nicholas

Assignees

Apple Inc

Abstract

In some embodiments, a device displays functionality information in response to receiving an indication of a first input for which a contact meets functionality display criteria. In some embodiments, a device generates a user interface that includes a navigation bar including images from different positions in a respective content item, and a representation of an adjacent content item. In some embodiments, a device moves a selection-indicator in a user interface by a predefined amount in response to receiving an indication of a first input that meets unitary movement criteria. In some embodiments, a device interprets movement of a contact of an input based at least in part on a grip of a user. In some embodiments, a device displays a plurality of character selection options when a text entry field is not tolerant of character ambiguity and a first input corresponds to a plurality of candidate characters.

Core Innovation

The invention generates a user interface for display on a display device, and while the user interface is displayed, receives an indication of a first input that includes a contact detected on a touch-sensitive surface of a device separate from the display device. The touch-sensitive surface includes a plurality of predefined regions, each selectable to perform an associated functionality, and the invention determines in which of the plurality of predefined regions the contact is detected.

In response to the contact being detected in a first predefined region, the invention displays, via the display device, a first visual indication of a first functionality associated with the first predefined region without displaying a second visual indication associated with a second predefined region, and vice versa for the second predefined region. The first visual indication indicates that further selection of the first predefined region will cause performance of the first functionality, and the second visual indication indicates that further selection of the second predefined region will cause performance of the second functionality.

The further selection of the first or second predefined region comprises detecting an increase in an intensity of the contact above a first predetermined intensity threshold. Additional refinements include determining whether the contact moved less than a first movement threshold during a first time period and detecting continued selection based on a time period after the intensity exceeds the threshold. The invention also supports context-based selection of region-associated functionalities by determining a current context of the user interface and selecting the corresponding functionality from a region-associated set.

Claims Coverage

This consolidated set includes three independent claims: a method, an electronic device, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. Across these claims, the inventive coverage centers on region-based touch contact detection on a touch-sensitive surface separate from the display, selective display of a single visual indication for the detected region, and further selection gated by contact intensity above a predetermined threshold.

The independent claims collectively cover region-based detection on a touch-sensitive surface separate from the display, display of a single visual indication corresponding to the detected predefined region without displaying the other, and triggering further selection by detecting an increase in contact intensity above a first predetermined intensity threshold, with the same logic implemented as a method, an electronic device with stored programs, and a non-transitory storage medium.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications