Thumb touch interface
First Claim
1. A portable electronic device comprising:
- a display panel having a display surface;
a touch location sensor associated with the display panel;
one or more processors;
one or more computer-readable media; and
one or more components maintained on the one or more computer-readable media that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations that include;
determining, based at least in part on first data from the touch location sensor, a location of a first touch input by an object on the display surface;
determining, based at least in part on the first data, a content-free buffer area on the display surface around at least a portion of the display surface obstructed by the object;
determining, based at least in part on second data, that a first force associated with the first touch input exceeds a force threshold;
based at least in part on a determination that the first force exceeds the force threshold and based at least in part on the location of the first touch input, presenting a user interface via the display surface, the user interface presenting one or more selectable items outside of the content-free buffer area of the display surface;
determining, based at least in part on third data representing a second touch input within the content-free buffer area, that the object moved within the content-free buffer area while maintaining contact with the display surface;
based at least in part on the object maintaining contact with the display surface, continuing to present the user interface;
determining, based at least in part on fourth data, that a second force associated with the second touch input is greater than the force threshold; and
determining, based at least in part on the second force being greater than the force threshold, a selection of a selectable item of the one or more selectable items.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In some examples, an electronic device may present a user interface that is configured to be controlled using a thumb of a single hand that is holding the device. For instance, the interface may present a plurality of selectable items, each of which may correspond to a respective one of a plurality of touch input areas on the display. In some cases, the touch input areas are within reach of the thumb, while the selectable items may be displayed on an area of the display that is not within reach of the thumb. The thumb may be pressed against the display surface with a force greater than a force threshold to select one of the selectable items. Thus, the thumb may be used to interact with the interface while remaining in contact with the display surface, enabling the user to maintain a grip on the device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A portable electronic device comprising:
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a display panel having a display surface; a touch location sensor associated with the display panel; one or more processors; one or more computer-readable media; and one or more components maintained on the one or more computer-readable media that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations that include; determining, based at least in part on first data from the touch location sensor, a location of a first touch input by an object on the display surface; determining, based at least in part on the first data, a content-free buffer area on the display surface around at least a portion of the display surface obstructed by the object; determining, based at least in part on second data, that a first force associated with the first touch input exceeds a force threshold; based at least in part on a determination that the first force exceeds the force threshold and based at least in part on the location of the first touch input, presenting a user interface via the display surface, the user interface presenting one or more selectable items outside of the content-free buffer area of the display surface; determining, based at least in part on third data representing a second touch input within the content-free buffer area, that the object moved within the content-free buffer area while maintaining contact with the display surface; based at least in part on the object maintaining contact with the display surface, continuing to present the user interface; determining, based at least in part on fourth data, that a second force associated with the second touch input is greater than the force threshold; and determining, based at least in part on the second force being greater than the force threshold, a selection of a selectable item of the one or more selectable items. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method comprising:
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receiving a touch input via a display surface of a display panel of a device; determining, based at least in part on the touch input, a content-free buffer area on the display surface; receiving, by a processor of the device, sensor data indicating that a force associated with the touch input in the content-free buffer area exceeds a force threshold, the force being detected by a touch force sensor that is positioned on a side of the display panel that is opposite the display surface; and causing, based at least in part on the force exceeding the force threshold, presentation of one or more selectable items via the display surface outside of the content-free buffer area of the display surface. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A device comprising:
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a display panel comprising a display surface; one or more sensors; one or more processors; one or more computer-readable media; and one or more components maintained on the one or more computer-readable media and executed by the one or more processors to perform operations comprising; determining, based at least in part on first data from the one or more sensors, a location of a touch input on the display surface; determining, based at least in part on the first data, a content-free buffer area on the display surface; causing presentation of one or more selectable items via the display surface outside of the content-free buffer area of the display surface; determining that the location of the touch input is associated with a selectable item of the one or more selectable items; determining, based at least in part on second data from the one or more sensors, that a force associated with the touch input within the content-free buffer area exceeds a force threshold; and determining, based at least in part on the force being greater than the force threshold, a selection of the selectable item. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification