Setting interface system, method, and computer program product for a multi-pressure selection touch screen

• US 10,222,891 B1
• Filed: 04/19/2018
• Issued: 03/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith Interface Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: P4tents1 LLC
• Inventors: Smith, Michael S
• Primary Examiner(s): Xavier, Antonio
• Application Number:
  US15/957,420
• Time in Patent Office: 320 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1643 the display being associated to a digitizer, e.g. laptops that can be used as penpads details related to the relative motion of the display enclosure with respect to the body enclosure, e.g. to move between laptop and tablet PC configuration G06F1/1615
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04104 Multi-touch detection in digitiser, i.e. details about the simultaneous detection of a plurality of touching locations, e.g. multiple fingers or pen and finger
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04105 Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04808 Several contacts: gestures triggering a specific function, e.g. scrolling, zooming, right-click, when the user establishes several contacts with the surface simultaneously; e.g. using several fingers or a combination of fingers and pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4843 : by program, e.g. task dispatcher, supervisor, operating system

Abstract

Apparatuses, methods, and a computer-readable media are provided to: present a particular object utilizing a touch screen; detect a pressure being applied to the touch screen on the particular object; in the event that a first magnitude of the pressure is applied to the touch screen on the particular object, perform an operation; and in the event that a second magnitude of the pressure is applied to the touch screen on the particular object where the second magnitude is greater than the first magnitude, perform another operation; wherein the apparatus is configured to present, utilizing the touch screen, a setting interface, where the one or more processors execute the instructions to also cause the apparatus to: present, utilizing the setting interface, a visual indication of a level of the second magnitude of the pressure, detect, utilizing the setting interface, a selection of the level of the second magnitude of the pressure, and in response to the detection of the selection of the level of the second magnitude of the pressure, present, utilizing the setting interface, a visual indication of a change in the level of the second magnitude of the pressure.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a non-transitory memory storing instructions and a plurality of applications;

a touch screen; and

one or more processors in communication with the non-transitory memory and the touch screen, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to;

present a particular object utilizing the touch screen;

detect a pressure being detected on the touch screen on the particular object;

in the event that a first magnitude of the pressure is detected on the touch screen on the particular object, perform an operation; and

in the event that a second magnitude of the pressure is detected on the touch screen on the particular object where the second magnitude is greater than the first magnitude, perform another operation;

wherein the apparatus is configured to present, utilizing the touch screen, a setting interface, where the one or more processors execute the instructions to also cause the apparatus to;

present, utilizing the setting interface, a visual indication of a level of the second magnitude of the pressure,

detect, utilizing the setting interface, a selection of the level of the second magnitude of the pressure,

in response to the detection of the selection of the level of the second magnitude of the pressure, present, utilizing the setting interface,

a visual indication of a change in the level of the second magnitude of the pressure,

present a test object including an image, and

detect different levels of pressure on the test object for providing feedback in connection with at least the level of the second magnitude of the pressure,

wherein the apparatus is configured such that at least a portion of the setting interface is blurred for making the at least portion of the setting interface appear to be at a greater depth as compared to the test object, in response to a change in detected pressure on the test object.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the visual indication includes a bar.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the visual indication includes a bar that is configured to be adjusted in response to the selection.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the feedback in connection with the level of the second magnitude of the pressure, includes vibrating the apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the operation includes at least one of:

presenting at least one option for performing at least one operation on the particular object, viewing the particular object, sharing the particular object, or transforming the particular object.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, in response to the detection of the selection of the level of the second magnitude of the pressure, a level of the first magnitude of the pressure is also changed.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, in response to the detection of the selection of the level of the second magnitude of the pressure, a level of a third magnitude of the pressure is also changed.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to present, utilizing the touch screen, a custom gesture interface, where the one or more processors execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to:

present a plurality of actions utilizing the custom gesture interface;

detect a first action selection on a first action of the plurality of actions;

in response to the detection of the first action selection on the first action of the plurality of actions, map the first action to a first gesture for a universal object;

detect a second action selection on a second action of the plurality of actions; and

in response to the detection of the second action selection on the second action of the plurality of actions, map the second action to a second gesture for the universal object.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to also cause the apparatus to:

present the universal object;

in the event that the first gesture is detected on the touch screen on the universal object, perform the first action; and

in the event that the second gesture is detected on the touch screen on the universal object, perform the second action.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the universal object is universally presented.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the universal object is presented at all times.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the plurality of actions include an open action, an action for presenting a particular application, an action for opening a menu, and an action for setting a volume.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the plurality of actions include an open action, an action for presenting a particular application, an action for opening a menu, and an action for setting a volume;

such that different gestures on the universal object prompt different ones of the actions.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the first gesture and the second gesture include static gestures that differ only in pressure level.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the first gesture includes a first pressure level and the second gesture includes a second pressure level that is greater than the first pressure level.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, in response to a level of pressure being detected that is greater than the first pressure and less than the second pressure level, the universal object is magnified.

17. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the first gesture is a single tap.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to also cause the apparatus to:

detect a third action selection on a third action of the plurality of actions;

in response to the detection of the third action selection on the third action of the plurality of actions, map the third action to a third gesture including a double tap on the universal object; and

in the event that the third gesture including the double tap is detected on the touch screen on the universal object, perform the third action.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to also cause the apparatus to:

detect a fourth action selection on a fourth action of the plurality of actions;

in response to the detection of the fourth action selection on the fourth action of the plurality of actions, map the fourth action to a fourth gesture including a long press on the universal object; and

in the event that the fourth gesture including the long press is detected on the touch screen on the universal object, perform the fourth action.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the pressure is detected on the setting interface.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the pressure is detected on a particular interface separate from the setting interface.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least portion of the setting interface is blurred for cueing a user in connection with at least the level of the second magnitude of the pressure.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least portion of the setting interface is blurred in response to the different levels of pressure.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least portion of the setting interface is blurred continuously as a function of a continuous change in the different levels of pressure.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the feedback includes the blurring.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that at least one of:

said touch screen includes a touch interface and a display;

said touch screen is a combination of a touch interface and a display;

said touch screen is on a front face of the apparatus;

said touch screen is on a back face of the apparatus;

said non-transitory memory includes a single memory for storing the instructions and the plurality of applications;

said non-transitory memory includes a first memory for storing the instructions and a second memory for storing the plurality of applications;

said one or more processors is in direct communication with the non-transitory memory, and the touch screen;

said one or more processors is in indirect communication with the non-transitory memory, and the touch screen;

said one or more processors is in communication, via at least one bus, with the non-transitory memory, and the touch screen;

said level of the second magnitude of the pressure is detected utilizing the setting interface, by displaying the setting interface while detecting a touch via the touch screen;

said level of the second magnitude of the pressure includes an amount of pressure associated with the second magnitude of the pressure;

said level of the second magnitude of the pressure includes a threshold level;

said pressure results from at least one of a touch gesture and/or a press gesture;

said pressure results from a combination of a touch gesture and a press gesture;

said pressure is detected utilizing one or more of a plurality of contact-sensing technologies including a capacitive-based contact sensing technology, a resistive-based contact sensing technology, an optical-based contact sensing technology, or a surface acoustic wave-based contact sensing technology;

said pressure generates a touch signal that, during a first component of an associated gesture, is not pressure magnitude-dependent, and, during a second component of the associated gesture, is pressure magnitude-dependent;

said pressure generates a touch signal that, during a first component of an associated gesture, is not pressure magnitude-dependent and thus results in a touch signal, and, during a second component of the associated gesture, is pressure magnitude-dependent and thus results in a pressure signal;

said operation in the event that the magnitude of the pressure being detected on the touch screen on the particular object is less than the first magnitude, results from the pressure taking the form of a touch gesture that generates a touch signal that is detected utilizing a first sensing technology, and said another operation in the event that the magnitude of the pressure being detected on the touch screen on the particular object is greater than the first magnitude and is less than the second magnitude, results from the pressure taking the form of a pressure gesture that generates a pressure signal that is detected utilizing a second sensing technology;

said operation in the event that the magnitude of the pressure being detected on the touch screen on the particular object is less than the first magnitude, results from the pressure taking the form of a touch gesture that generates a touch signal;

said another operation in the event that the magnitude of the pressure being detected on the touch screen on the particular object is greater than the first magnitude and is less than the second magnitude, results from the pressure taking the form of a pressure gesture that generates a pressure signal;

said operation is performed in the event that the first magnitude of the pressure is detected on the touch screen on the particular object, by being performed in response to a cessation of the first magnitude of the pressure being detected on the touch screen on the particular object;

said particular object is displayed on another interface that is separate from the setting interface;

said particular object is displayed on a browser interface that is separate from the setting interface;

said particular object is displayed on a home interface that is separate from the setting interface;

said touch screen is a two-dimensional layered user interface;

said touch screen is a single layer user interface that simulates a three-dimensional layered user interface through use of virtual display layers;

each instance of;

in the event that, includes;

in response to;

the operation is the same as the another operation;

the operation is different from the another operation;

said pressure is detected on the setting interface;

said pressure is detected on an interface separate from the setting interface;

said test object is presented by being displayed;

said test object is presented simultaneously with the visual indication of the level of the second magnitude of the pressure;

said feedback in connection with at least the level of the second magnitude of the pressure providing feedback before the level of the second magnitude of the pressure is detected;

said feedback in connection with at least the level of the second magnitude of the pressure providing feedback after the level of the second magnitude of the pressure is detected;

said selection of the level of the second magnitude is detected utilizing the visual indication;

said selection of the level of the second magnitude is detected on the visual indication;

said at least portion of the setting interface is blurred before the level of the second magnitude of the pressure is detected, for making the at least portion of the setting interface appear to be at the greater depth as compared to the test object;

said at least portion of the setting interface is blurred after the level of the second magnitude of the pressure is detected, for making the at least portion of the setting interface appear to be at the greater depth as compared to the test object;

said visual indication of the level of the second magnitude and the visual indication of the change in the level of the second magnitude are provided utilizing the same object;

said visual indication of the level of the second magnitude and the visual indication of the change in the level of the second magnitude are provided utilizing different objects;

said visual indication of the level of the second magnitude and the visual indication of the change in the level of the second magnitude are provided by displaying a bar and a change in the bar, respectively;

or

said visual indication of the level of the second magnitude and the visual indication of the change in the level of the second magnitude are provided utilizing a bar.

27. A non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a mobile device, cause the mobile device to:

present a particular object;

detect a gesture being applied to a touch screen on the particular object, the gesture varying in pressure between a plurality of discrete touch states;

perform a first pressure-dependent function in the event of a first change in the discrete touch states;

perform a second pressure-dependent function in the event of a second change in the discrete touch states;

present, utilizing a setting interface, a visual indication of a level of the pressure that causes the second change in the discrete touch states;

detect, utilizing the setting interface, a selection of the level of the pressure that causes the second change in the discrete touch states;

in response to the detection of the selection of the level of the pressure that causes the second change in the discrete touch states, present, utilizing the setting interface, another visual indication of the level of the pressure that causes the second change in the discrete touch states;

present a test object including an image; and

detect different levels of pressure on the test object for providing feedback in connection with at least the level of the pressure that causes the second change in the discrete touch states;

where at least a portion of the setting interface is blurred for making the at least portion of the setting interface appear to be at a greater depth as compared to the test object, in response to a change in detected pressure on the test object.

28. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

presenting a particular object;

detecting a gesture being applied to a touch screen on the particular object, the gesture varying in pressure between a plurality of discrete touch states;

performing a first pressure-dependent function in response to a first change in the discrete touch states;

performing a second pressure-dependent function in response to a second change in the discrete touch states;

presenting, utilizing a setting interface, a visual indication of a level of the pressure that causes the second change in the discrete touch states;

detecting, utilizing the setting interface, a selection of the level of the pressure that causes the second change in the discrete touch states;

in response to the detection of the selection of the level of the pressure that causes the second change in the discrete touch states, presenting, utilizing the setting interface, another visual indication of the level of the pressure that causes the second change in the discrete touch states;

presenting a test object including an image; and

detecting different levels of pressure on the test object for providing feedback in connection with at least the level of the pressure that causes the second change in the discrete touch states;

where at least a portion of the setting interface is blurred for making the at least portion of the setting interface appear to be at a greater depth as compared to the test object, in response to a change in detected pressure on the test object.

29. The computer-implemented of claim 28, wherein the visual indication includes a bar.