Gesture-equipped touch screen system, method, and computer program product

• US 10,534,474 B1
• Filed: 08/30/2019
• Issued: 01/14/2020
• 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:
  US16/558,016
• Time in Patent Office: 137 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

In one embodiment, an apparatus, method, and computer program product are provided involving a mobile device including a touch screen, a memory, and an actuator coupled to at least one processor; said memory configured to store a plurality of applications including an application; said touch screen configured to cooperate with the at least one processor to display indicia; said touch screen configured to cooperate with the at least one processor to receive a first touch signal indicative of a first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen, in connection with the indicia; said at least one processor configured to, in response to the first touch signal indicative of the first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen, identify a first state; said touch screen configured to cooperate with the at least one processor to, in response to the identification of the first state, perform an operation; said touch screen configured to cooperate with the at least one processor to receive a second touch signal indicative of a second duration of touch being applied to the touch screen that is greater than the first duration, in connection with the indicia; said at least one processor configured to, in response to the second touch signal indicative of the second duration of touch being applied to the touch screen that is greater than the first duration, identify a second state; said actuator configured to cooperate with the at least one processor to, in response to the identification of the second state, output feedback that is perceptible by touch; said touch screen configured to cooperate with the at least one processor to, in response to the identification of the second state, display at least one menu including a plurality of particular actions, and further display at least a portion of content associated with the indicia, while blurring or fogging at least a portion of an interface for making the at least portion of the interface appear to be at a greater depth as compared to the at least portion of the content; said touch screen configured to cooperate with the at least one processor to receive a third touch signal on the at least one menu; said at least one processor configured to, in response to the third touch signal, identify a third state; said touch screen configured to cooperate with the at least one processor to, in response to the identification of the third state, perform another operation.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one non-transitory memory storing instructions and a plurality of applications including a particular application;

a touch screen; and

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

display on the touch screen an application-specific icon associated with the particular application via a home screen, the home screen for choosing among the plurality of applications;

when a first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the application-specific icon and a subsequent cessation of the first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the application-specific icon are detected;

launch the particular application;

when a second duration of touch, that is greater than the first duration, being applied to the touch screen on the application-specific icon is detected;

cause display of at least one option on the touch screen; and

when a touch being applied to the touch screen on the at least one option is detected, perform at least one action corresponding to the at least one option;

wherein the apparatus is configured such that at least a portion of the home screen is faded in relation to the detection of the second duration of touch;

wherein the apparatus is configured such that at least one of;

the particular application includes a navigation application;

the application-specific icon includes a navigation application icon;

when the first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the navigation application icon and the subsequent cessation of the first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the navigation application icon are detected, the navigation application is launched; and

when the second duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the navigation application icon is detected, the displayed at least one option includes an option for access to navigation information utilizing the navigation application;

the particular application includes a browser application;

the application-specific icon includes a browser application icon;

when the first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the browser application icon and the subsequent cessation of the first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the browser application icon are detected, the browser application is launched; and

when the second duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the browser application icon is detected, the displayed at least one option includes an option for performing an operation utilizing the browser application;

the particular application includes a media application;

the application-specific icon includes a media application icon;

when the first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the media application icon and the subsequent cessation of the first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the media application icon are detected, the media application is launched; and

when the second duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the media application icon is detected, the displayed at least one option includes an option for accessing at least one track to be played utilizing the media application;

the particular application includes a communication application;

the application-specific icon includes a communication application icon;

when the first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the communication application icon and the subsequent cessation of the first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the communication application icon are detected, the communication application is launched; and

when the second duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the communication application icon is detected, the displayed at least one option includes an option for accessing at least one feature utilizing the communication application;

the particular application includes a calendar application;

the application-specific icon includes a calendar application icon;

when the first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the calendar application icon and the subsequent cessation of the first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the calendar application icon are detected, the calendar application is launched; and

when the second duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the calendar application icon is detected, the displayed at least one option includes an option for creating an event utilizing the calendar application;

the particular application includes a camera application;

the application-specific icon includes a camera application icon;

when the first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the camera application icon and the subsequent cessation of the first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the camera application icon are detected, the camera application is launched; and

when the second duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the camera application icon is detected, the displayed at least one option includes an option for setting a camera setting;

or

the particular application includes a phone application;

the application-specific icon includes a phone application icon;

when the first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the phone application icon and the subsequent cessation of the first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the phone application icon are detected, the phone application is launched; and

when the second duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the phone application icon is detected, the displayed at least one option includes an option for accessing phone-related information, utilizing the phone application.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one option is displayed, without necessitating prior launch of the particular application where the prior launch of the particular application is performed when the first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the application-specific icon and the subsequent cessation of the first duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the application-specific icon are detected.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the particular application includes the navigation application.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the particular application includes the browser application.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the displayed at least one option further includes an option for opening a new tab utilizing the browser application.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the particular application includes the communication application, and the displayed at least one option includes an option for creating a new message utilizing the communication application.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the particular application includes the navigation application, the browser application, the media application, the communication application, the calendar application, the camera application, and the phone application.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the particular application includes the camera application, and the displayed at least one option, when selected, results in the camera application being launched in a manner that reflects the camera setting.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the particular application includes the camera application, and the displayed at least one option, when selected, results in the camera application being launched in a manner that reflects the camera setting, including a video camera setting.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least portion of the home screen is faded, in response to the second duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the application-specific icon being detected, for making the at least portion of the home screen appear to be at a greater depth as compared to the at least one option.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least portion of the home screen is faded, by a transparency of the at least one option being reduced.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least portion of the home screen that is faded only includes a part of the home screen Whose location coincides with that of the at least one option, and the fading includes being displayed to be faded out while the at least one option is displayed to be faded in, in response to the detection of the second duration of touch being applied to the touch screen.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least portion of the home screen that is faded appears underneath the at least one option that is part of a menu, and the at least portion of the home screen is faded by the menu being translucent.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one option is part of a menu that is displayed in a different virtual display layer in relation to the at least portion of the home screen, and the fading includes a fading out which is performed simultaneously with the menu being faded in, in response to the second duration of touch being applied to the touch screen.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the virtual display layer is also different in relation to the application-specific icon.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the menu is staggered with respect to the application-specific icon.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least portion of the home screen that is faded includes only a part of the home screen that appears beneath the menu.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least one option is part of a menu that is displayed in a different virtual display layer in relation to the at least portion of the home screen, and the fading includes a continuous fading out over a period of time which is performed simultaneously with the menu being continuously faded in over the period of time, in response to the second duration of touch being applied to the touch screen.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least portion of the home screen that is faded appears situated under the at least one option.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the at least portion of the home screen that is faded includes only a part of the home screen Whose location on the touch screen coincides with that of the at least one option.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, when the second duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the application-specific icon is detected:

at least one aspect of the application-specific icon is caused to be animated.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, when the second duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the application-specific icon is detected:

at least one aspect of the application-specific icon is caused to be pulsed while the at least one option is displayed on the touch screen.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, when the second duration of touch being applied to the touch screen on the application-specific icon is detected:

a location of the application-specific icon is caused to be pulsed until the touch being applied to the touch screen on the at least one option is detected.

24. An apparatus, comprising:

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

a touch screen; and

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

before a navigation application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a navigation application-specific icon associated with the navigation application via a home screen, the home screen for choosing among the plurality of applications;

detect a first gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the navigation application-specific icon and that is capable of causing a plurality of touch states in connection with the navigation application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of a cessation of a first touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the first gesture on the navigation application-specific icon, launch the navigation application;

during at least a portion of the detection of the first gesture, fade at least a portion of the home screen, for providing a first gesture-touch duration feedback in connection with the navigation application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of a second touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the first gesture on the navigation application-specific icon, display a menu associated with the navigation application-specific icon to permit access to navigation information utilizing the menu associated with the navigation application-specific icon;

before a browser application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a browser application-specific icon associated with the browser application via the home screen;

detect a second gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the browser application-specific icon and that is capable of causing the plurality of touch states in connection with the browser application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of a cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the second gesture on the browser application-specific icon, launch the browser application;

during at least a portion of the detection of the second gesture, fade at least a portion of the home screen, for providing a second gesture-touch duration feedback in connection with the browser application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of the second touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the second gesture on the browser application-specific icon, display a menu associated with the browser application-specific icon to permit access to an operation utilizing the menu associated with the browser application-specific icon;

before a media application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a media application-specific icon associated with the media application via the home screen;

detect a third gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the media application-specific icon and that is capable of causing the plurality of touch states in connection with the media application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of a cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the third gesture on the media application-specific icon, launch the media application;

during at least a portion of the detection of the third gesture, fade at least a portion of the home screen, for providing a third gesture-touch duration feedback in connection with the media application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of the second touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the third gesture on the media application-specific icon, display a menu associated with the media application-specific icon to permit access to at least one track utilizing the menu associated with the media application-specific icon;

before a communication application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a communication application-specific icon associated with the communication application via the home screen;

detect a fourth gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the communication application-specific icon and that is capable of causing the plurality of touch states in connection with the communication application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of a cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the fourth gesture on the communication application-specific icon, launch the communication application;

during at least a portion of the detection of the fourth gesture, fade at least a portion of the home screen, for providing a fourth gesture-touch touch duration feedback in connection with the communication application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of the second touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the fourth gesture on the communication application-specific icon, display a menu associated with the communication application-specific icon to permit access to at least one feature utilizing the communication application;

before a calendar application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a calendar application-specific icon associated with the calendar application via the home screen;

detect a fifth gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the calendar application-specific icon and that is capable of causing the plurality of touch states in connection with the calendar application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of a cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the fifth gesture on the calendar application-specific icon, launch the calendar application;

during at least a portion of the detection of the fifth gesture, fade at least a portion of the home screen, for providing a fifth gesture-touch duration feedback in connection with the calendar application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of the second touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the fifth gesture on the calendar application-specific icon, a display a menu associated with the calendar application-specific icon to permit access to an operation for creation of an event utilizing the menu associated with the calendar application-specific icon;

before a camera application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a camera application-specific icon associated with the camera application via the home screen;

detect a sixth gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the camera application-specific icon and that is capable of causing the plurality of touch states in connection with the camera application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of a cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the sixth gesture on the camera application-specific icon, launch the camera application;

during at least a portion of the detection of the sixth gesture, fade at least a portion of the home screen, for providing a sixth gesture-touch duration feedback in connection with the camera application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of the second touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the sixth gesture on the camera application-specific icon, display a menu associated with the camera application-specific icon to permit access to an operation for setting a camera setting utilizing the menu associated with the camera application-specific icon;

before a phone application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a phone application-specific icon associated with the phone application via the home screen;

detect a seventh gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the phone application-specific icon and that is capable of causing the plurality of touch states in connection with the phone application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of a cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the seventh gesture on the phone application-specific icon, launch the phone application; and

during at least a portion of the detection of the seventh gesture, fade at least a portion of the home screen, for providing a seventh gesture-touch duration feedback in connection with the phone application-specific icon; and

in the event of detection of the second touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the seventh gesture on the phone application-specific icon, display a menu associated with the phone application-specific icon to permit access to phone-related information utilizing the menu associated with the phone application-specific icon.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the apparatus is configured such that:

for each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh gestures, the fading occurs during at least a portion of the second touch state;

the first touch state is caused by a gesture touch duration being below a threshold, and the second touch state is caused by the gesture touch duration surpassing the threshold; and

during the at least portion of the detection of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh gestures, different portions of the home screen are faded.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, in the event of detection of the second touch state of the plurality of touch states, the respective application-specific icon is animated while the respective menu is displayed.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, in the event of detection of the second touch state of the plurality of touch states, a location of the respective application-specific icon is pulsed only while the respective menu is displayed.

28. An apparatus, comprising:

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

a touch screen; and

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

before a navigation application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a navigation application-specific icon associated with the navigation application via a home screen, the home screen for choosing among the plurality of applications;

detect a first gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the navigation application-specific icon and that is capable of causing a plurality of touch states in connection with the navigation application-specific icon;

when a cessation of a first touch state of the plurality of touch states is detected in connection with the navigation application-specific icon, launch the navigation application;

without requiring the navigation application to be launched beforehand and when a second touch state of the plurality of touch states is detected in connection with the navigation application-specific icon, display at least one navigation application-specific option of a navigation application-specific menu such that at least a portion of the home screen thereunder is faded to appear to be at a greater depth as compared to the navigation application-specific menu;

before a browser application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a browser application-specific icon associated with the browser application via the home screen;

detect a second gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the browser application-specific icon and that is capable of causing the plurality of touch states in connection with the browser application-specific icon;

when a cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states is detected in connection with the browser application-specific icon, launch the browser application;

without requiring the browser application to be launched beforehand and when the second touch state of the plurality of touch states is detected in connection with the browser application-specific icon, display at least one browser application-specific option of a browser application-specific menu such that at least a portion of the home screen thereunder is faded to appear to be at a greater depth as compared to the browser application-specific menu, the displayed at least one browser application-specific option including an option for performing an operation utilizing the browser application;

before a media application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a media application-specific icon associated with the media application via the home screen;

detect a third gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the media application-specific icon and that is capable of causing the plurality of touch states in connection with the media application-specific icon;

when a cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states is detected in connection with the media application-specific icon, launch the media application;

without requiring the media application to be launched beforehand and when the second touch state of the plurality of touch states is detected in connection with the media application-specific icon, display at least one media application-specific option of a media application-specific menu such that at least a portion of the home screen thereunder is faded to appear to be at a greater depth as compared to the media application-specific menu, the displayed at least one media application-specific option including an option for accessing at least one track utilizing the media application;

before a communication application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a communication application-specific icon associated with the communication application via the home screen;

detect a fourth gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the communication application-specific icon and that is capable of causing the plurality of touch states in connection with the communication application-specific icon;

when a cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states is detected in connection with the communication application-specific icon, launch the communication application;

without requiring the communication application to be launched beforehand and when the second touch state of the plurality of touch states is detected in connection with the communication application-specific icon, display at least one communication application-specific option of a communication application-specific menu such that at least a portion of the home screen thereunder is faded to appear to be at a greater depth as compared to the communication application-specific menu, the displayed at least one communication application-specific option including an option for access to at least one feature utilizing the communication application;

before a calendar application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a calendar application-specific icon associated with the calendar application via the home screen;

detect a fifth gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the calendar application-specific icon and that is capable of causing the plurality of touch states in connection with the calendar application-specific icon;

when a cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states is detected in connection with the calendar application-specific icon, launch the calendar application;

without requiring the calendar application to be launched beforehand and when the second touch state of the plurality of touch states is detected in connection with the calendar application-specific icon, display at least one calendar application-specific option of a calendar application-specific menu such that at least a portion of the hoine screen thereunder is faded to appear to be at a greater depth as compared to the calendar application-specific menu, the displayed at least one calendar application-specific option including an option for creating an event utilizing the calendar application;

before a camera application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a camera application-specific icon associated with the camera application via the home screen;

detect a sixth gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the camera application-specific icon and that is capable of causing the plurality of touch states in connection with the camera application-specific icon;

when a cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states is detected in connection with the camera application-specific icon, launch the camera application;

without requiring the camera application to be launched beforehand and when the second touch state of the plurality of touch states is detected in connection with the camera application-specific icon, display at least one camera application-specific option of a camera application-specific menu such that at least a portion of the home screen thereunder is faded to appear to be at a greater depth as compared to the camera application-specific menu, the displayed at least one camera application-specific option including an option for setting a camera setting;

before a phone application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a phone application-specific icon associated with the phone application via the home screen;

detect a seventh gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the phone application-specific icon and that is capable of causing the plurality of touch states in connection with the phone application-specific icon;

when a cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states is detected in connection with the phone application-specific icon, launch the phone application; and

without requiring the phone application to be launched beforehand and when the second touch state of the plurality of touch states is detected in connection with the phone application-specific icon, display at least one phone application-specific option of a phone application-specific menu such that at least a portion of the home screen thereunder is faded to appear to be at a greater depth as compared to the phone application-specific menu, the displayed at least one phone application-specific option including an option for accessing phone-related information utilizing the phone application.

29. An apparatus, comprising:

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

a touch screen; and

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

before a navigation application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a navigation application-specific icon associated with the navigation application via a home screen, the home screen for choosing among the plurality of applications;

detect a first gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the navigation application-specific icon and that is capable of causing a plurality of touch states in connection with the navigation application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of a cessation of a first touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the first gesture on the navigation application-specific icon, launch the navigation application;

during at least a portion of the detection of the first gesture, fade at least a portion of the home screen under a navigation application-specific menu, for providing a first gesture-touch duration feedback in connection with the navigation application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of a second touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the first gesture on the navigation application-specific icon, display at least one navigation application-specific option of the navigation application-specific menu, the displayed at least one navigation application-specific option including an option for access to navigation information utilizing the navigation application;

before a browser application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a browser application-specific icon associated with the browser application via the home screen;

detect a second gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the browser application-specific icon and that is capable of causing the plurality of touch states in connection with the browser application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of a cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the second gesture on the browser application-specific icon, launch the browser application;

during at least a portion of the detection of the second gesture, fade at least a portion of the home screen under a browser application-specific menu, for providing a second gesture-touch duration feedback in connection with the browser application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of the second touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the second gesture on the browser application-specific icon, display at least one browser application-specific option of the browser application-specific menu, the displayed at least one browser application-specific option including an option for performing an operation utilizing the browser application;

before a media application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a media application-specific icon associated with the media application via the home screen;

detect a third gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the media application-specific icon and that is capable of causing the plurality of touch states in connection with the media application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of a cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the third gesture on the media application-specific icon, launch the media application;

during at least a portion of the detection of the third gesture, fade at least a portion of the home screen under a media application-specific menu, for providing a third gesture-touch duration feedback in connection with the media application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of the second touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the third gesture on the media application-specific icon, display at least one media application-specific option of the media application-specific menu, the displayed at least one media application-specific option including an option for accessing at least one track utilizing the media application;

before a communication application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a communication application-specific icon associated with the communication application via the home screen;

detect a fourth gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the communication application-specific icon and that is capable of causing the plurality of touch states in connection with the communication application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of a cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the fourth gesture on the communication application-specific icon, launch the communication application;

during at least a portion of the detection of the fourth gesture, fade at least a portion of the home screen under a communication application-specific menu, for providing a fourth gesture-touch touch duration feedback in connection with the communication application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of the second touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the fourth gesture on the communication application-specific icon, display at least one communication application-specific option of the communication application-specific menu, the displayed at least one communication application-specific option including an option for access to at least one feature utilizing the communication application;

before a calendar application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a calendar application-specific icon associated with the calendar application via the home screen;

detect a fifth gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the calendar application-specific icon and that is capable of causing the plurality of touch states in connection with the calendar application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of a cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the fifth gesture on the calendar application-specific icon, launch the calendar application;

during at least a portion of the detection of the fifth gesture, fade at least a portion of the home screen under a calendar application-specific menu, for providing a fifth gesture-touch duration feedback in connection with the calendar application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of the second touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the fifth gesture on the calendar application-specific icon, display at least one calendar application-specific option of the calendar application-specific menu, the displayed at least one calendar application-specific option including an option for creating an event utilizing the calendar application;

before a camera application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a camera application-specific icon associated with the camera application via the home screen;

detect a sixth gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the camera application-specific icon and that is capable of causing the plurality of touch states in connection with the camera application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of a cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the sixth gesture on the camera application-specific icon, launch the camera application;

during at least a portion of the detection of the sixth gesture, fade at least a portion of the home screen under a camera application-specific menu, for providing a sixth gesture-touch duration feedback in connection with the camera application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of the second touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the sixth gesture on the camera application-specific icon, display at least one camera application-specific option of the camera application-specific menu, the displayed at least one camera application-specific option including an option for setting a camera setting;

before a phone application is launched, display, on the touch screen, a phone application-specific icon associated with the phone application via the home screen;

detect a seventh gesture that is applied to the touch screen on the phone application-specific icon and that is capable of causing the plurality of touch states in connection with the phone application-specific icon;

in the event of detection of a cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the seventh gesture on the phone application-specific icon, launch the phone application;

during at least a portion of the detection of the seventh gesture, fade at least a portion of the home screen under a phone application-specific menu, for providing a seventh gesture-touch duration feedback in connection with the phone application-specific icon; and

in the event of detection of the second touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the seventh gesture on the phone application-specific icon, display at least one phone application-specific option of the phone application-specific menu, the displayed at least one phone application-specific option including an option for accessing phone related information utilizing the phone application.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, for each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh gestures, the at least portion of the home screen includes only a part of the home screen under the respective application-specific menu.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, for each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh gestures, the first touch state is caused by a gesture touch duration remaining below a threshold, and the second touch state is caused by the gesture touch duration surpassing the threshold.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, for each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh gestures, the fading is performed to emphasize the display of a respective option in a different virtual display layer.

33. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, for each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh gestures, the fading includes a fading out which is performed simultaneously with the respective option being faded in, in the event of the detection of the second touch state.

34. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, for each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh gestures, the fading is performed simultaneously with the display of the respective option both in response to the detection of the second touch state, and only in an absence of the cessation of the first touch state.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, 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 one or more processors is in direct communication with the at least one non-transitory memory, and the touch screen;

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

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

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

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

each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh gestures includes at least one of a touch gesture and/or a press gesture;

each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh gestures includes a combination of a touch gesture and a press gesture;

each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh gestures 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;

each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh gestures results in a touch signal being generated that, during a first component of the respective gesture, is not touch duration-dependent, and, during a second component of the respective gesture, is touch duration-dependent;

each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh gestures are also pressure-dependent;

each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh gestures are not pressure-dependent;

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;

said launch of each of the applications is associated with the first touch state, by a user;

said launch of each of the applications is associated with the first touch state, by a developer;

said launch of each of the applications is associated with the first touch state, via system learning;

said display of each of the at least one options is associated with the second touch state, by a user;

said display of each of the at least one options is associated with the second touch state, by a developer;

said display of each of the at least one options is associated with the second touch state, via system learning;

each of said at least one options and the home screen are each part of different layers with different three-dimensional depth queues;

said at least one navigation application-specific option and the home screen are each part of different layers that are accessible via different inputs of different touch durations;

said at least one navigation application-specific option and the home screen are each part of different layers that are accessible via different inputs of different touch durations;

each instance of said fading occurs during at least a portion of the second touch state;

each instance of said fading occurs after detection of the second touch state;

said fading indicates a movement through the different layers;

said fading includes a reduction in visibility;

said fading includes a reduction in freshness;

said fading includes a reduction in brilliance;

said fading includes a reduction in color;

said fading includes a partial vanishing;

said fading includes displaying as to sink away;

said fading includes an adjustment of transparency of an overlying user interface element;

said fading includes an adjustment of translucency of an overlying user interface element;

said fading includes a decrease of transparency of an overlying user interface element;

said fading includes a decrease of translucency of an overlying user interface element;

said fading includes fading out;

said at least one navigation application-specific option and the home screen are part of a three-dimensional layered user interface that can be operated upon via a back interaction surface;

said camera setting includes a video setting;

said camera setting includes a photograph setting;

said navigation application-specific icon includes an iconic representation of the navigation application;

said navigation application-specific icon includes text specific to the navigation application;

said navigation information includes route information;

said navigation information includes a location;

said navigation information includes a map;

said navigation information includes an address;

said option for accessing phone-related information includes accessing at least one of a voicemail or a favorite utilizing the phone application;

said option for accessing the at least one track to be played utilizing the media application, includes an option for displaying the at least one track for being played in response to a selection thereof;

said first gesture-touch duration feedback in connection with the browser application-specific icon includes a visual indication, via the fading of the at least portion of the home screen, of a current touch duration of the first gesture;

said communication application includes a contacts application;

said communication application includes a messaging application;

the at least one feature includes creating a new message utilizing the communication application;

the at least one feature includes at least one communication technique utilizing the communication application;

said navigation application-specific icon is displayed before the navigation application is launched, by being displayed before the navigation application is launched for an initial time;

said navigation application-specific icon is displayed before the navigation application is launched, by being displayed before the navigation application is launched a second time after being launched a first time and subsequently being closed;

each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh gestures is capable of causing the first touch state by including different touch durations that are below a threshold;

each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh gestures is capable of causing the first touch state by including different touch durations that remain below a threshold;

each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh gestures is capable of causing the second touch state by including different touch durations that surpass a threshold;

each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh gestures is capable of causing the second touch state by including different touch durations that surpass, at least once, a threshold;

said cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the first gesture on the navigation application-specific icon, includes a stopping of the first gesture;

said cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the first gesture on the navigation application-specific icon, includes a removal of all touch in connection with the first gesture;

said first touch state is capable of existing in a first usage scenario without the second touch state existing during the first usage scenario, and the second touch state is capable of existing in a second usage scenario without the first touch state existing during the second usage scenario;

the event includes an appointment;

or

where, in the event of detection of the second touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the fifth gesture on the calendar application-specific icon, the at least one calendar application-specific option including creating the event is displayed by at least partially launching the calendar application, but without launching the calendar application in the event the cessation of the first touch state of the plurality of touch states caused by the detection of the first gesture on the calendar application-specific icon.

36. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, in the event of detection of the second touch state of the plurality of touch states, a location of the respective application-specific icon is pulsed only during the fading.

37. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, in the event of detection of the second touch state of the plurality of touch states, the respective application-specific icon is animated for emphasizing the respective menu.

38. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, in the event of detection of the second touch state of the plurality of touch states, a location of a corresponding application-specific icon is animated for an emphasis thereof in connection with a corresponding menu.