Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for manipulating user interface objects with visual and/or haptic feedback

• US 10,664,097 B1
• Filed: 10/06/2018
• Issued: 05/26/2020
• 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:
  US16/153,760
• Time in Patent Office: 598 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

An electronic device is provided for displaying a plurality of user interface elements on a display including a first user interface element and a second user interface element; detecting a first contact moving across the display; and, while the first contact is detected moving across the display: moving the first user interface element in a first direction on the display at a first speed; and moving the second user interface element in the first direction on the display at a second speed greater than the first speed.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a display;

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for;

displaying a plurality of user interface elements on the display including a first user interface element and a second user interface element;

detecting a first contact moving across the display; and

while the first contact is detected moving across the display;

moving the first user interface element in a first direction on the display at a first speed; and

moving the second user interface element in the first direction on the display at a second speed greater than the first speed.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the plurality of user interface elements are displayed in a stack on the display.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the electronic device is configured such that:

the second user interface element is disposed above the first user interface element in the stack;

the second user interface element is offset from the first user interface element in the first direction; and

the second user interface element only partially exposes the first user interface element.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first contact includes a drag gesture, and an order of the plurality of the user interface elements is not changed while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the user interface elements include representations of different tabs associated with a network browser application.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the second user interface element at least partially exposes the first user interface element.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first user interface element and the second user interface element are displayed to appear to at least partially rotate while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first user interface element and the second user interface element are displayed to appear to at least partially rotate about a single axis while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first user interface element and the second user interface element are displayed to appear to at least partially rotate about different axes while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first contact is detected moving across the display in the first direction, the first contact is detected on the second user interface element, and the first contact is detected moving at the first speed.

11. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the second speed increases relative to the first speed while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

12. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first contact is detected on the first user interface element, and the first contact is detected moving at the second speed.

13. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first contact is detected on the first user interface element, and the first contact is detected moving at the first speed.

14. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first contact is detected on the first user interface element, and the first user interface element is displayed so as to maintain a constant positional relationship with the first contact while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

15. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first contact is detected on the first user interface element, and the second user interface element is displayed to move farther away from the first contact while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

16. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first contact is detected on the first user interface element, and the first contact is detected moving at a particular speed that is different from the first speed.

17. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first contact is detected on the second user interface element.

18. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first contact is detected on the second user interface element, and the first contact is detected moving at the second speed.

19. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first contact is detected on the second user interface element, and the second user interface element is displayed so as to maintain a constant positional relationship with the first contact while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

20. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first contact is detected on a portion of a user interface that does not include the first user interface element nor the second user interface element.

21. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for:

detecting a second contact, including a press gesture without movement, on the first user interface element; and

based on detecting the second contact on the first user interface element and further based on a duration of the second contact, moving the first user interface element.

22. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for:

detecting a second contact, including a press gesture without movement, on the first user interface element; and

based on detecting the second contact on the first user interface element and further based on a duration of the second contact, moving the first user interface element to increase a visibility thereof, while reducing a size thereof.

23. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for:

detecting a second contact, including a press gesture without movement, on the first user interface element; and

based on detecting the second contact on the first user interface element and further based on a duration of the second contact, moving a single one of the plurality of the user interface elements other than the first user interface element to increase a visibility of the first user interface element.

24. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first user interface element and the second user interface element have different z-values that change while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

25. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first user interface element and the second user interface element have different z-values that remain constant while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

26. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that, while the first contact is detected moving across the display, at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of the user interface elements is transformed.

27. The electronic device of claim 26, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the at least portion of the at least one of the user interface elements is transformed by fading in.

28. The electronic device of claim 26, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the at least portion of the at least one of the user interface elements is transformed by fading out.

29. The electronic device of claim 26, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the at least portion of the at least one of the user interface elements includes a name.

30. The electronic device of claim 26, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the at least one of the user interface elements includes the first user interface element.

31. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first user interface element is part of a first layer and the second user interface element is part of a second layer that is above the first layer.

32. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the plurality of user interface elements includes a third user interface element, and while the first contact is detected moving across the display:

the third user interface element is moved in the first direction on the display at a third speed less than the first speed.

33. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first contact includes a first-orientation gesture detected on a particular user interface element including at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:

detecting a second-orientation gesture on the particular user interface element; and

in response to the detection of the second-orientation gesture on the particular user interface element, performing an operation.

34. The electronic device of claim 33, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first-orientation gesture includes a horizontal gesture, and the second-orientation gesture includes a vertical gesture.

35. The electronic device of claim 33, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first-orientation gesture includes a vertical gesture, and the second-orientation gesture includes a horizontal gesture.

36. The electronic device of claim 33, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the operation includes at least one of a delete operation or a close operation.

37. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the first contact is detected on a particular user interface element including at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:

detecting a second contact on the particular user interface element; and

based on detecting the second contact on the particular user interface element and further based on a duration of the second contact, performing at least one operation.

38. The electronic device of claim 37, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the at least one operation includes opening an active window associated with the particular user interface element.

39. The electronic device of claim 37, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the at least one operation includes opening a browser tab associated with the particular user interface element.

40. The electronic device of claim 37, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the at least one operation includes enlarging the particular user interface element.

41. The electronic device of claim 37, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the at least one operation includes enlarging the particular user interface element, such that the particular user interface element fits an entirety of a window of the display.

42. The electronic device of claim 37, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the at least one operation includes increasing a visibility of the particular user interface element.

43. The electronic device of claim 37, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the second contact includes at least one of a tap gesture or a press gesture.

44. The electronic device of claim 37, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:

in response to the detection of the second contact on the particular user interface element, performing the at least one operation that includes increasing a visibility of the particular user interface element.

45. The electronic device of claim 44, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the visibility of the particular user interface element is increased without fitting an entirety of a browser window of the display.

46. The electronic device of claim 44, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the at least one operation further includes a reversal of the increasing in response to detection of a cessation of the second contact.

47. The electronic device of claim 37, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the at least one operation includes resizing content associated with the particular user interface element to fit an entirety of a browser pane, and the resizing is in response to the duration the second contact being less than a threshold.

48. The electronic device of claim 47, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the resizing occurs after the second contact has ended.

49. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the movement of the second user interface element at the second speed greater than the first speed of the movement of the first user interface element, increases a speed with which the first user interface element is exposed.

50. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the movement of the second user interface element at the second speed greater than the first speed of the movement of the first user interface element, increases a speed with which the first user interface element is exposed for user inspection and selection, for decreasing an amount of time required for a user to inspect and select the first user interface element.

51. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the movement of the second user interface element at the second speed greater than the first speed of the movement of the first user interface element, increases a speed with which the first user interface element is exposed for user inspection and selection, for decreasing an amount of time required for a user to inspect and select the first user interface element, which reduces power consumption by the electronic device.

52. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the movement of the second user interface element at the second speed greater than the first speed of the movement of the first user interface element, solves a technical problem involving an amount of processing and power resources required during operation of the electronic device.

53. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the movement of the second user interface element at the second speed greater than the first speed of the movement of the first user interface element, decreases an amount of time required for a user to inspect and select the first user interface element, which reduces an amount of processing and power resources required during operation of the electronic device.

54. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the plurality of user interface elements are displayed in response to a detection of a selection of an option, where the option is displayed while only one of the user interface elements is displayed.

55. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that:

the second user interface element is offset from the first user interface element;

the first contact includes a first-orientation gesture detected on a particular user interface element including at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element;

wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for;

detecting a second-orientation gesture on the particular user interface element;

in response to the detection of the second-orientation gesture on the particular user interface element, performing an operation including a delete operation;

detecting a second contact on the particular user interface element; and

based on detecting the second contact on the particular user interface element and further based on a duration of the second contact, performing at least one operation that increases a visibility of the particular user interface element.

56. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that:

the user interface elements include representations of different network browser tabs;

the second user interface element is moved in the first direction on the display at the second speed without changing an order of the plurality of the user interface elements;

the second user interface element is offset from the first user interface element;

the first contact includes a first-orientation gesture detected on a particular user interface element including at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element;

wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for;

detecting a second-orientation gesture on the particular user interface element;

in response to the detection of the second-orientation gesture on the particular user interface element, performing a delete operation;

detecting a second contact on the particular user interface element; and

based on detecting the second contact on the particular user interface element and further based on a duration of the second contact, performing at least one of multiple different operations, such that a first one of the multiple different operations is performed if the duration of the second contact does not exceed a threshold and a second one of the multiple different operations is performed if the duration of the second contact exceeds the threshold;

wherein the electronic device is further configured such that;

the first one of the multiple different operations includes increasing a visibility of the particular user interface element by enlarging the particular user interface element so as display the particular user interface element without displaying any other user interface elements of the plurality of the user interface elements;

the second one of the multiple different operations includes increasing the visibility of at least a portion of the particular user interface element while displaying at least one other user interface element of the plurality of the user interface elements.

57. The electronic device of claim 56, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the second one of the multiple different operations includes increasing the visibility of the at least portion of the particular user interface element, by:

moving the particular user interface element with respect to the at least one other user interface element of the plurality of the user interface elements.

58. The electronic device of claim 56, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the second one of the multiple different operations includes increasing the visibility of the at least portion of the particular user interface element, by:

moving at least one of the plurality of the user interface elements, even though the second contact includes a press gesture without any movement.

59. The electronic device of claim 56, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the second one of the multiple different operations includes increasing the visibility of the at least portion of the particular user interface element while reducing a size of the particular user interface element.

60. The electronic device of claim 56, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the second one of the multiple different operations includes increasing the visibility of the at least portion of the particular user interface element, by:

moving the plurality of the user interface elements.

61. The electronic device of claim 60, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the second one of the multiple different operations further includes emphasizing the particular user interface element, by fading the at least one other user interface element of the plurality of the user interface elements while not fading the particular user interface element.

62. The electronic device of claim 61, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the second one of the multiple different operations is reversed in response detecting a cessation of the second contact.

63. The electronic device of claim 60, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for:

before detecting a cessation of the second contact, detecting a component of the second contact including movement;

in response to detecting the component of the second contact including the movement, changing an order of the particular user interface element with respect to the at least one other user interface element of the plurality of the user interface elements.

64. The electronic device of claim 56, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the second one of the multiple different operations includes increasing the visibility of the at least portion of the particular user interface element, by:

moving a single one of the at least one other user interface element of the plurality of the user interface elements.

65. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that:

the user interface elements include representations of different network browser tabs;

the first user interface element and the second user interface element are moved in the first direction on the display without changing an order of the plurality of the user interface elements;

the second user interface element is displayed to be offset from the first user interface element;

while the first contact is detected moving across the display, at least a portion of at least one of the user interface elements is transformed;

the first contact includes a first-orientation gesture detected on a particular user interface element including at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for;

detecting a second-orientation gesture on the particular user interface element;

in response to the detection of the second-orientation gesture on the particular user interface element, performing a delete operation;

detecting a second contact on the particular user interface element; and

based on detecting the second contact on the particular user interface element and further based on a duration of the second contact detected on the particular user interface element, performing at least one of multiple different operations, such that a first one of the multiple different operations is performed if the duration of the second contact does not exceed a threshold and a second one of the multiple different operations is performed if the duration of the second contact exceeds the threshold;

wherein the electronic device is further configured such that;

the first one of the multiple different operations includes increasing a visibility of the particular user interface element by enlarging the particular user interface element so as to display the particular user interface element without displaying any other user interface elements of the plurality of the user interface elements;

the second one of the multiple different operations includes increasing the visibility of at least a portion of the particular user interface element while reducing a size of the particular user interface element, by moving the particular user interface element with respect to one or more other user interface elements of the plurality of the user interface elements without changing the order of the plurality of the user interface elements, even though a first component of the second contact includes a press gesture without any movement;

the second one of the multiple different operations further includes emphasizing the particular user interface element, by transforming the one or more other user interface elements of the plurality of the user interface elements while not transforming the particular user interface element;

the second one of the multiple different operations is reversed in response to detecting a cessation of the second contact;

wherein the electronic device is further configured for;

before detecting the cessation of the second contact, detecting a second component of the second contact including a movement;

in response to detecting the second component of the second contact including the movement, changing an order of the particular user interface element with respect to the one or more other user interface elements of the plurality of the user interface elements.

66. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein at least one of:

the first user interface element includes a first user interface representation;

the first user interface element includes a first object;

the first user interface element includes a first layer;

the first user interface element includes a first window an adjacent object;

the second user interface element includes a second user interface representation;

the second user interface element includes a second object;

the second user interface element includes a second layer;

the second user interface element includes a second window an adjacent object;

the second user interface element appears to move faster than the first user interface element;

the second user interface element actually moves faster than the first user interface element;

the second user interface element moves faster than the first user interface element, by appearing to do so;

the first contact is detected moving across the display, using a touch-sensitive surface;

the first contact is detected moving across the display, using a touch screen that includes the display;

the first user interface element includes a representation of at least one of a web browser application interface, a messaging application interface, a calendar application interface, or a navigation application interface;

the first user interface element includes content of at least one of a web browser application interface, a messaging application interface, a calendar application interface, or a navigation application interface;

the second user interface element includes a representation of at least one of a web browser application interface, a messaging application interface, a calendar application interface, or a navigation application interface;

the second user interface element includes content of at least one of a web browser application interface, a messaging application interface, a calendar application interface, or a navigation application interface;

at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element includes a display element;

at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element includes a region of the display allotted to an identifiable visual object;

at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element includes a three-dimensional element;

at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element includes a three-dimensional display element;

at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element includes a virtual display layer;

at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element is part of a virtual display layer;

the first contact is part of a longer gesture;

the first contact is an entirety of a gesture;

the while includes an entirety of a duration when the first contact is detected moving across the display;

the while includes only a portion of a duration when the first contact is detected moving across the display;

the first user interface element and the second user interface element are manipulatable using separate interaction surfaces;

the first user interface element is manipulatable using a back interaction surface and the second user interface element is manipulatable using a front interaction surface;

the first user interface element and the second user interface element are manipulatable using the same interaction surface;

the first contact is at a location of the first user interface element on the display;

the first contact includes a swipe gesture;

the first contact is a swipe gesture;

the first contact is detected moving across an entirety of the display;

the first contact is detected moving across only a portion of the display;

the movement of at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element occurs during an entirety of the movement of the first contact;

the movement of at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element occurs during only a portion of the movement of the first contact;

the first user interface element includes a first screen of layered content, and the second user interface element includes a second screen of layered content;

the first user interface element is part of a first screen of layered content, and the second user interface element is part of a second screen of layered content;

the first speed is a depth-based apparent rate;

the second speed is a depth-based apparent rate;

the first speed is in accordance with a speed of the first contact on the display;

the first user interface element is moved at the first speed and the second user interface element is moved at the second speed, for providing a three-dimensional depth cue;

the first user interface element is moved at the first speed and the second user interface element is moved at the second speed, in order give an appearance of depth;

the first user interface element and the second user interface element are included in staggered layers;

or

the first user interface element and the second user interface element are included in staggered layers.

67. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured such that the plurality of user interface elements are displayed in response to a detection of a selection of a network browser option.

68. A method, comprising:

at an electronic device including a display and memory in communication with one or more processors;

displaying a plurality of user interface elements on the display including a first user interface element and a second user interface element;

detecting a first contact moving across the display; and

while the first contact is detected moving across the display;

moving the first user interface element in a first direction on the display at a first speed, and

moving the second user interface element in the first direction on the display at a second speed greater than the first speed.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the plurality of user interface elements are displayed in a stack on the display.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein:

the second user interface element is disposed above the first user interface element in the stack;

the second user interface element is offset from the first user interface element in the first direction; and

the second user interface element only partially exposes the first user interface element.

71. The method of claim 68, wherein the first contact includes a drag gesture, and an order of the plurality of the user interface elements is not changed while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

72. The method of claim 68, wherein the user interface elements include representations of different tabs associated with a network browser application.

73. The method of claim 68, wherein the second user interface element at least partially exposes the first user interface element.

74. The method of claim 68, wherein the first user interface element and the second user interface element are displayed to appear to at least partially rotate while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

75. The method of claim 68, wherein the first user interface element and the second user interface element are displayed to appear to at least partially rotate about a single axis while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

76. The method of claim 68, wherein the first user interface element and the second user interface element are displayed to appear to at least partially rotate about different axes while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

77. The method of claim 68, wherein the first contact is detected moving across the display in the first direction, the first contact is detected on the second user interface element, and the first contact is detected moving at the first speed.

78. The method of claim 68, wherein the second speed increases relative to the first speed while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

79. The method of claim 68, wherein the first contact is detected on the first user interface element, and the first contact is detected moving at the second speed.

80. The method of claim 68, wherein the first contact is detected on the first user interface element, and the first contact is detected moving at the first speed.

81. The method of claim 68, wherein the first contact is detected on the first user interface element, and the first user interface element is displayed so as to maintain a constant positional relationship with the first contact while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

82. The method of claim 68, wherein the first contact is detected on the first user interface element, and the second user interface element is displayed to move farther away from the first contact while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

83. The method of claim 68, wherein the first contact is detected on the first user interface element, and the first contact is detected moving at a particular speed that is different from the first speed.

84. The method of claim 68, wherein the first contact is detected on the second user interface element.

85. The method of claim 68, wherein the first contact is detected on the second user interface element, and the first contact is detected moving at the second speed.

86. The method of claim 68, wherein the first contact is detected on the second user interface element, and the second user interface element is displayed so as to maintain a constant positional relationship with the first contact while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

87. The method of claim 68, wherein the first contact is detected on a portion of a user interface that does not include the first user interface element nor the second user interface element.

88. The method of claim 68, and further comprising:

detecting a second contact, including a press gesture without movement, on the first user interface element; and

based on detecting the second contact on the first user interface element and further based on a duration of the second contact, moving the first user interface element.

89. The method of claim 68, and further comprising:

detecting a second contact, including a press gesture without movement, on the first user interface element; and

based on detecting the second contact on the first user interface element and further based on a duration of the second contact, moving the first user interface element to increase a visibility thereof, while reducing a size thereof.

90. The method of claim 68, and further comprising:

detecting a second contact, including a press gesture without movement, on the first user interface element; and

based on detecting the second contact on the first user interface element and further based on a duration of the second contact, moving a single one of the plurality of the user interface elements other than the first user interface element to increase a visibility of the first user interface element.

91. The method of claim 68, wherein the first user interface element and the second user interface element have different z-values that change while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

92. The method of claim 68, wherein the first user interface element and the second user interface element have different z-values that remain constant while the first contact is detected moving across the display.

93. The method of claim 68, wherein, while the first contact is detected moving across the display, at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of the user interface elements is transformed.

94. The method of claim 93, wherein the at least portion of the at least one of the user interface elements is transformed by fading in.

95. The method of claim 93, wherein the at least portion of the at least one of the user interface elements is transformed by fading out.

96. The method of claim 93, wherein the at least portion of the at least one of the user interface elements includes a name.

97. The method of claim 93, wherein the at least one of the user interface elements includes the first user interface element.

98. The method of claim 68, wherein the first user interface element is part of a first layer and the second user interface element is part of a second layer that is above the first layer.

99. The method of claim 68, wherein the plurality of user interface elements includes a third user interface element, and while the first contact is detected moving across the display:

the third user interface element is moved in the first direction on the display at a third speed less than the first speed.

100. The method of claim 68, wherein the first contact includes a first-orientation gesture detected on a particular user interface element including at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element, and further comprising:

detecting a second-orientation gesture on the particular user interface element; and

in response to the detection of the second-orientation gesture on the particular user interface element, performing an operation.

101. The method of claim 100, wherein the first-orientation gesture includes a horizontal gesture, and the second-orientation gesture includes a vertical gesture.

102. The method of claim 100, wherein the first-orientation gesture includes a vertical gesture, and the second-orientation gesture includes a horizontal gesture.

103. The method of claim 100, wherein the operation includes at least one of a delete operation or a close operation.

104. The method of claim 68, wherein the first contact is detected on a particular user interface element including at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element, and further comprising:

detecting a second contact on the particular user interface element; and

based on detecting the second contact on the particular user interface element and further based on a duration of the second contact, performing at least one operation.

105. The method of claim 104, wherein the at least one operation includes opening an active window associated with the particular user interface element.

106. The method of claim 104, wherein the at least one operation includes opening a browser tab associated with the particular user interface element.

107. The method of claim 104, wherein the at least one operation includes enlarging the particular user interface element.

108. The method of claim 104, wherein the at least one operation includes enlarging the particular user interface element, such that the particular user interface element fits an entirety of a window of the display.

109. The method of claim 104, wherein the at least one operation includes increasing a visibility of the particular user interface element.

110. The method of claim 104, wherein the second contact includes at least one of a tap gesture or a press gesture.

111. The method of claim 104, and further comprising:

in response to the detection of the second contact on the particular user interface element, performing the at least one operation that includes increasing a visibility of the particular user interface element.

112. The method of claim 111, wherein the visibility of the particular user interface element is increased without fitting an entirety of a browser window of the display.

113. The method of claim 111, wherein the at least one operation further includes a reversal of the increasing in response to detection of a cessation of the second contact.

114. The method of claim 111, wherein the at least one operation includes resizing content associated with the particular user interface element to fit an entirety of a browser pane, and the resizing is in response to the duration the second contact being less than a threshold.

115. The method of claim 114, wherein the resizing occurs after the second contact has ended.

116. The method of claim 68, wherein the movement of the second user interface element at the second speed greater than the first speed of the movement of the first user interface element, increases a speed with which the first user interface element is exposed.

117. The method of claim 68, wherein the movement of the second user interface element at the second speed greater than the first speed of the movement of the first user interface element, increases a speed with which the first user interface element is exposed for user inspection and selection, for decreasing an amount of time required for a user to inspect and select the first user interface element.

118. The method of claim 68, wherein the movement of the second user interface element at the second speed greater than the first speed of the movement of the first user interface element, increases a speed with which the first user interface element is exposed for user inspection and selection, for decreasing an amount of time required for a user to inspect and select the first user interface element, which reduces power consumption by the electronic device.

119. The method of claim 68, wherein the movement of the second user interface element at the second speed greater than the first speed of the movement of the first user interface element, solves a technical problem involving an amount of processing and power resources required during operation of the electronic device.

120. The method of claim 68, wherein the movement of the second user interface element at the second speed greater than the first speed of the movement of the first user interface element, decreases an amount of time required for a user to inspect and select the first user interface element, which reduces an amount of processing and power resources required during operation of the electronic device.

121. The method of claim 68, wherein the plurality of user interface elements are displayed in response to a detection of a selection of an option, where the option is displayed while only one of the user interface elements is displayed.

122. The method of claim 68, wherein:

the second user interface element is offset from the first user interface element;

the first contact includes a first-orientation gesture detected on a particular user interface element including at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element, and further comprising;

detecting a second-orientation gesture on the particular user interface element;

in response to the detection of the second-orientation gesture on the particular user interface element, performing an operation including a delete operation;

detecting a second contact on the particular user interface element; and

based on detecting the second contact on the particular user interface element and further based on a duration of the second contact, performing at least one operation that increases a visibility of the particular user interface element.

123. The method of claim 68, wherein:

the user interface elements include representations of different network browser tabs;

the second user interface element is moved in the first direction on the display at the second speed without changing an order of the plurality of the user interface elements;

the second user interface element is offset from the first user interface element;

the first contact includes a first-orientation gesture detected on a particular user interface element including at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element, and further comprising;

detecting a second-orientation gesture on the particular user interface element;

in response to the detection of the second-orientation gesture on the particular user interface element, performing a delete operation;

detecting a second contact on the particular user interface element; and

based on detecting the second contact on the particular user interface element and further based on a duration of the second contact, performing at least one of multiple different operations, such that a first one of the multiple different operations is performed if the duration of the second contact does not exceed a threshold and a second one of the multiple different operations is performed if the duration of the second contact exceeds the threshold;

wherein;

the first one of the multiple different operations includes increasing a visibility of the particular user interface element by enlarging the particular user interface element so as display the particular user interface element without displaying any other user interface elements of the plurality of the user interface elements;

the second one of the multiple different operations includes increasing the visibility of at least a portion of the particular user interface element while displaying at least one other user interface element of the plurality of the user interface elements.

124. The method of claim 123, wherein the second one of the multiple different operations includes increasing the visibility of the at least portion of the particular user interface element, by:

moving the particular user interface element with respect to the at least one other user interface element of the plurality of the user interface elements.

125. The method of claim 123, wherein the second one of the multiple different operations includes increasing the visibility of the at least portion of the particular user interface element, by:

moving at least one of the plurality of the user interface elements, even though the second contact includes a press gesture without any movement.

126. The method of claim 123, wherein the second one of the multiple different operations includes increasing the visibility of the at least portion of the particular user interface element while reducing a size of the particular user interface element.

127. The method of claim 123, wherein the second one of the multiple different operations includes increasing the visibility of the at least portion of the particular user interface element, by:

moving the plurality of the user interface elements.

128. The method of claim 127, wherein the second one of the multiple different operations further includes emphasizing the particular user interface element, by fading the at least one other user interface element of the plurality of the user interface elements while not fading the particular user interface element.

129. The method of claim 128, wherein the second one of the multiple different operations is reversed in response detecting a cessation of the second contact.

130. The method of claim 123, and further comprising:

before detecting a cessation of the second contact, detecting a component of the second contact including movement;

in response to detecting the component of the second contact including the movement, changing an order of the particular user interface element with respect to the at least one other user interface element of the plurality of the user interface elements.

131. The method of claim 123, wherein the second one of the multiple different operations includes increasing the visibility of the at least portion of the particular user interface element, by:

moving a single one of the at least one other user interface element of the plurality of the user interface elements.

132. The method of claim 68, wherein:

the user interface elements include representations of different network browser tabs;

the first user interface element and the second user interface element are moved in the first direction on the display without changing an order of the plurality of the user interface elements;

the second user interface element is displayed to be offset from the first user interface element;

while the first contact is detected moving across the display, at least a portion of at least one of the user interface elements is transformed;

the first contact includes a first-orientation gesture detected on a particular user interface element including at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element, and further comprising;

detecting a second-orientation gesture on the particular user interface element;

in response to the detection of the second-orientation gesture on the particular user interface element, performing a delete operation;

detecting a second contact on the particular user interface element; and

based on detecting the second contact on the particular user interface element and further based on a duration of the second contact detected on the particular user interface element, performing at least one of multiple different operations, such that a first one of the multiple different operations is performed if the duration of the second contact does not exceed a threshold and a second one of the multiple different operations is performed if the duration of the second contact exceeds the threshold;

wherein;

the first one of the multiple different operations includes increasing a visibility of the particular user interface element by enlarging the particular user interface element so as to display the particular user interface element without displaying any other user interface elements of the plurality of the user interface elements;

the second one of the multiple different operations includes increasing the visibility of at least a portion of the particular user interface element while reducing a size of the particular user interface element, by moving the particular user interface element with respect to one or more other user interface elements of the plurality of the user interface elements without changing the order of the plurality of the user interface elements, even though a first component of the second contact includes a press gesture without any movement;

the second one of the multiple different operations further includes emphasizing the particular user interface element, by transforming the one or more other user interface elements of the plurality of the user interface elements while not transforming the particular user interface element;

the second one of the multiple different operations is reversed in response to detecting a cessation of the second contact, and further comprising;

before detecting the cessation of the second contact, detecting a second component of the second contact including a movement; and

in response to detecting the second component of the second contact including the movement, changing an order of the particular user interface element with respect to the one or more other user interface elements of the plurality of the user interface elements.

133. The method of claim 68, wherein at least one of:

the first user interface element includes a first user interface representation;

the first user interface element includes a first object;

the first user interface element includes a first layer;

the first user interface element includes a first window an adjacent object;

the second user interface element includes a second user interface representation;

the second user interface element includes a second object;

the second user interface element includes a second layer;

the second user interface element includes a second window an adjacent object;

the second user interface element appears to move faster than the first user interface element;

the second user interface element actually moves faster than the first user interface element;

the second user interface element moves faster than the first user interface element, by appearing to do so;

the display and the memory are in direct communication with the one or more processors;

the display and the memory are in indirect communication with the one or more processors;

the display and the memory are in communication with the one or more processors with at least one intermediate component therebetween;

the display and the memory are in communication with the one or more processors without an intermediate component therebetween;

the first contact is detected moving across the display, using a touch-sensitive surface;

the first contact is detected moving across the display, using a touch screen that includes the display;

the first user interface element includes a representation of at least one of a web browser application interface, a messaging application interface, a calendar application interface, or a navigation application interface;

the first user interface element includes content of at least one of a web browser application interface, a messaging application interface, a calendar application interface, or a navigation application interface;

the second user interface element includes a representation of at least one of a web browser application interface, a messaging application interface, a calendar application interface, or a navigation application interface;

the second user interface element includes content of at least one of a web browser application interface, a messaging application interface, a calendar application interface, or a navigation application interface;

at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element includes a display element;

at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element includes a region of the display allotted to an identifiable visual object;

at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element includes a three-dimensional element;

at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element includes a three-dimensional display element;

at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element includes a virtual display layer;

at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element is part of a virtual display layer;

the first contact is part of a longer gesture;

the first contact is an entirety of a gesture;

the while includes an entirety of a duration when the first contact is detected moving across the display;

the while includes only a portion of a duration when the first contact is detected moving across the display;

the first user interface element and the second user interface element are manipulatable using separate interaction surfaces;

the first user interface element is manipulatable using a back interaction surface and the second user interface element is manipulatable using a front interaction surface;

the first user interface element and the second user interface element are manipulatable using the same interaction surface;

the first contact is at a location of the first user interface element on the display;

the first contact includes a swipe gesture;

the first contact is a swipe gesture;

the first contact is detected moving across an entirety of the display;

the first contact is detected moving across only a portion of the display;

the movement of at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element occurs during an entirety of the movement of the first contact;

the movement of at least one of the first user interface element or the second user interface element occurs during only a portion of the movement of the first contact;

the first user interface element includes a first screen of layered content, and the second user interface element includes a second screen of layered content;

the first user interface element is part of a first screen of layered content, and the second user interface element is part of a second screen of layered content;

the first speed is a depth-based apparent rate;

the second speed is a depth-based apparent rate;

the first speed is in accordance with a speed of the first contact on the display;

the first user interface element is moved at the first speed and the second user interface element is moved at the second speed, for providing a three-dimensional depth cue;

the first user interface element is moved at the first speed and the second user interface element is moved at the second speed, in order give an appearance of depth;

the first user interface element and the second user interface element are included in staggered layers;

or the first user interface element and the second user interface element are included in staggered layers.

134. The method of claim 68, wherein the plurality of user interface elements are displayed in response to a detection of a selection of a network browser option.