Method and apparatus for displaying graphical user interface depending on a user's contact pattern

• US 10,180,778 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2015
• Issued: 01/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Park, Yong Gook, Park, Min Kyu, Choo, Hee Jeong, Kim, Hyun Ki, Kim, Hyun Jin, Kwak, Ji Yeon, Lim, Eun Young
• Primary Examiner(s): Chow, Van N
• Application Number:
  US14/831,268
• Publication Number:
  US 20150355821A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,244 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

A graphical user interface (GUI) may be displayed on a display unit in an apparatus which may include a tactile sensor unit. When a contact by a user is detected at the tactile sensor unit, a control unit may receive a contact detection signal therefrom. Based on the contact detection signal, the control unit may determine a contact pattern and may then display the GUI corresponding to the contact pattern. The GUI may be displayed and modified depending on the location and pressure of contacts by a user'"'"'s manipulating fingers. Therefore, a user can manipulate the apparatus without any inconvenience or accidental touches.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

detecting a first input on a first surface of an apparatus;

determining a graphical user interface (GUI) element based on an application being executed in association with the apparatus;

displaying the GUI element at a first location through a display surface of the apparatus, the display surface being different from the first surface;

detecting, in association with detecting the first input, a second input on the first surface or a second surface of the apparatus different from the display surface;

displaying the GUI element moving from the first location towards a second location, the second location being associated with a location of the second input; and

executing, according to the second input, a function based on the GUI element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first location of the GUI element is determined according to a location of the first input.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second input is a pressure of the first input.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second input is a tap on a location of the first input.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein executing the function comprises executing an application corresponding to the GUI element.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein executing the function comprises changing at least one display characteristic of the GUI element.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first input is a contact to a tactile sensor located in association with at least one lateral side of the apparatus.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the GUI element comprises determining a GUI arranging pattern based on the executed application and a contact pattern of the first input.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the function is executed in response to the GUI element reaching the second location.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the GUI element is further determined based on a usage frequency of the GUI element relative to a plurality of GUI elements.

9. An apparatus, comprising:

a display comprising a display surface;

at least one sensor configured to;

detect a first input on a first surface of the apparatus, the first surface being different from the display surface; and

detect, in association with detection of the first input, a second input on the first surface or a second surface of the apparatus, the second surface being different from the display surface; and

at least one processor configured to;

determine a graphical user interface (GUI) element based on an application executed in association with the apparatus;

cause, at least in part, the display to display the GUI element at a first location through the display surface;

cause, at least in part, the display to display movement of the GUI element from the first location towards a second location associated with a location of the second input; and

execute, according to the second input, a function based on the GUI element.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first location of the GUI element is determined according to a location of the first input.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second input is a pressure of the first input.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second input is a tap on a location of the first input.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute an application corresponding to the GUI element.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause, at least in part, a change to at least one display characteristic of the GUI element.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the at least one sensor comprises one or more tactile sensors disposed in association with at least one lateral side of the apparatus; and

the first input is a contact to at least one of the one or more tactile sensors.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine a GUI arranging pattern based on the executed application and a contact pattern of the first input.

19. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory comprising one or more sequences of one or more instructions that, in response to being executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to;

detect a first input on a first surface of the apparatus;

determine a graphical user interface (GUI) element based on an application executed in association with the apparatus;

cause, at least in part, the GUI element to be displayed at a first location through a display surface of the apparatus, the display surface being different from the first surface;

detect, in association with detection of the first input, a second input on the first surface or a second surface of the apparatus different from the display surface;

cause, at least in part, displayed movement of the GUI element from the first location towards a second location, the second location being associated with a location of the second input; and

execute, according to the second input, a function based on the GUI element.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the function in response to the GUI element being at the second location.