Object execution method using an input pressure and apparatus executing the same

• US 10,409,373 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2016
• Issued: 09/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Jung, Han Chul, Kwon, O Jae, Shin, Chang Beom
• Primary Examiner(s): Bycer, Eric J.
• Application Number:
  US15/218,779
• Publication Number:
  US 20160334873A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• 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 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• 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

Abstract

An object execution method and apparatus is provided for executing an object based on an input pressure level with a haptic feedback indicative of an attribute of the object. An object execution apparatus may include a display unit, an input unit, and a control unit. The display unit may display at least one object. The input unit may detect a selection of an object and/or a pressure level input for executing the object. The control unit may check a reference pressure value preset for the selected object. The reference pressure value may be indicative of attribute information of the object. The control unit may compare an input pressure value of the pressure level input with the reference pressure value, and may determine whether to execute the object based on the comparison result. The input unit comprising a vibration generator may generate a vibration mapped to the reference pressure value.

Claims

1. A method of executing a function performed by an electronic device, the method, comprising:

displaying a first object on a touch screen of the electronic device;

receiving, through the touch screen of the electronic device, a first user touch input on the displayed first object;

based on determining that a pressure of the first user touch input on the displayed first object is greater than or equal to a first reference pressure, executing a first function associated with the displayed first object while the first touch input is maintained on the touch screen of the electronic device;

while executing the first function associated with the displayed first object, based on determining that the first user touch input is not maintained on the touch screen of the electronic device, stopping the executing of the first function associated with the displayed first object;

displaying a second object on the touch screen of the electronic device;

receiving, through the touch screen of the electronic device, a second user touch input on the displayed second object; and

based on determining that a pressure of the second user touch input is greater than or equal to a second reference pressure, executing a second function associated with the displayed second object,

wherein the first reference pressure is different from the second reference pressure.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to receiving the first user touch input, providing a first vibration feedback corresponding to the displayed first object.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

in response to receiving the second user touch input, providing a second vibration feedback corresponding to the displayed second object,

wherein the first vibration feedback is different from the second vibration feedback.

4. The method of claim 3,

wherein a strength of the first vibration feedback is different from a strength of the second vibration feedback.

5. The method of claim 1,

wherein the first reference pressure is stored in attribute information of the displayed first object, and

wherein the attribute information of the displayed first object further comprises at least one of a size of the displayed first object, a first priority level of the displayed first object, a number of files contained in the displayed first object, or an execution time of the displayed first object.

6. An electronic device, comprising:

a touch screen;

at least one processor coupled to the touch screen of the electronic device; and

a memory, coupled to the at least one processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to control for;

displaying a first object on a touch screen of the electronic device,

receiving, through the touch screen of the electronic device, a first user touch input on the displayed first object,

based on determining that a pressure of the first user touch input on the displayed first object is greater than or equal to a first reference pressure, executing a first function associated with the displayed first object while the first touch input is maintained on the touch screen of the electronic device,

while executing the first function associated with the displayed first object, based on determining that the first user touch input is not maintained on the touch screen of the electronic device, stopping the executing of the first function associated with the object,

displaying a second object on the touch screen of the electronic device,

receiving, through the touch screen of the electronic device, a second user touch input on the displayed second object, and

based on determining that a pressure of the second user touch input is greater than or equal to a second reference pressure, executing a second function associated with the displayed second object,

wherein the first reference pressure is different from the second reference pressure.

7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one processor to control for:

in response to receiving the first user touch input, providing a first vibration feedback corresponding to the displayed first object.

8. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one processor to control for:

in response to receiving the second user touch input, providing a second vibration feedback corresponding to the displayed second object,

wherein the first vibration feedback is different from the second vibration feedback.

9. The electronic device of claim 8,

wherein a strength of the first vibration feedback is different from a strength of the second vibration feedback.

10. The electronic device of claim 6,

wherein the memory further stores attribute information of the displayed first object, and

wherein the attribute information of the displayed first object comprises the first reference pressure and at least one of a size of the displayed first object, a first priority level of the displayed first object, a number of files contained in the displayed first object, or an execution time of the displayed first object.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store one or more computer programs including instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to control for:

displaying a first object on a touch screen of an electronic device;

receiving, through the touch screen of the electronic device, a first user touch input on the displayed first object;

based on determining that a pressure of the first user touch input on the displayed first object is greater than or equal to a first reference pressure, executing a first function associated with the displayed first object while the first touch input is maintained on the touch screen of the electronic device;

while executing the first function associated with the displayed first object, based on determining that the first user touch input is not maintained on the touch screen of the electronic device, stopping the executing of the first function associated with the displayed first object;

displaying a second object on the touch screen of the electronic device;

receiving, through the touch screen of the electronic device, a second user touch input on the displayed second object; and

based on determining whether a pressure of the second user touch input is greater than or equal to a second reference pressure, executing a second function associated with the displayed second object,

wherein the first reference pressure is different from the second reference pressure.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the one or more computer programs further include instructions for:

in response to receiving the first user touch input, providing a first vibration feedback corresponding to the displayed first object.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the one or more computer programs further include instructions for:

in response to receiving the second user touch input, providing a second vibration feedback corresponding to the displayed second object,

wherein the first vibration feedback is different from the second vibration feedback.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13,

wherein a strength of the first vibration feedback is different from a strength of the second vibration feedback.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, further comprising:

storing attribute information of the displayed first object in a memory,

wherein the attribute information of the displayed first object comprises the first reference pressure and at least one of a size of the displayed first object, a first priority level of the displayed first object, a number of files contained in the displayed first object, or an execution time of the displayed first object.