Adaptive user interface input device

• US 20050154798A1
• Filed: 01/09/2004
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Nurmi, Mikko
• Granted Patent: US 7,401,300 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1694 the I/O peripheral being a single or a set of motion sensors for pointer control or gesture input obtained by sensing movements of the portable computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1637 Sensing arrangement for detection of housing movement or orientation, e.g. for controlling scrolling or cursor movement on the display of an handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 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: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adaptable user interface. The adaptable user interface provides a more error free input function as well as greater ease of use when being used during certain events such as while moving. A user interface in accordance with the principles of the present invention comprises a user input, at least one sensor, and a display unit functionally in communication with the at least one sensor and adapted to change its user interface input mode. The user interface is capable of adapting its user interface input in response to a stimulus sensed by the sensor.

Claims

1. A adaptable user interface input comprising:

at least one sensor capable of sensing motion; and

a user interface input device in communication with the at least one sensor, the user interface input device being configured to adapt to motion sensed by the at least one sensor.

2. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a mode of operation and the mode of operation being configured to switch from a normal mode of operation to a mobile mode of operation in response to motion sensed by the at least one sensor.

3. The user interface of claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor is further capable of sensing a lack of motion and the user interface is and the mode of operation of the user interface is configured to switch from the mobile mode of operation to the normal mode of operation in response to a sensed lack of motion by the at least one sensor.

4. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the user interface input device further comprises a display device and an input device, the display device being configured to display input metaphors and the input device being configured to provide input by selecting an input metaphor.

5. The user interface of claim 4, wherein the display device and the input device comprise a touch screen.

6. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the user interface input device further comprises a handwriting recognition user input area.

7. The user interface of claim 4, wherein the input metaphors comprise icons, menus, response buttons, lists, display control tools, and/or a virtual keyboard.

8. The user interface of claim 4, wherein size of the input metaphors can be adjusted based on motion sensed by the at least one sensor.

9. The user interface of claim 4, wherein the sensitivity of the input device can be adjusted based on motion sensed by the at least one sensor.

10. The user interface of claim 4, wherein the certain input metaphors can be rearranged, removed, or added based on motion sensed by the at least one sensor.

11. The user interface of claim 6, wherein the size and/or the sensitivity of the handwriting recognition user input area can be adjusted based on motion sensed by the at least one sensor.

12. The user interface of claim 1, further comprising a timer for tracking a predetermined minimum amount of time between user interface input device adaptation such that the user interface input device is adapted only after the minimum amount of time has elapsed since the last time the user interface input device was adapted.

13. The user interface of claim 2, wherein the mobile mode of operation includes a preset user interface.

14. The user interface of claim 2, wherein the mobile mode of operation is configurable by a user.

15. A mobile device comprising:

at least one sensor capable of sensing motion;

an adaptable user interface, the user interface including a user interface input device in communication with the at least one sensor, the user interface input device being configured to adapt to motion sensed by the at least one sensor.

16. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the device comprises a mobile communications device.

17. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the device comprises a mobile telephone.

18. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the device comprises a mobile media device.

19. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the device comprises a personal digital assistant.

20. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the user interface input device further comprises a display device and an input device, the display device being configured to display input metaphors and the input device being configured to provide input by selecting an input metaphor, wherein the size of the input metaphors, the sensitivity of the input device, and/or the arrangement and types of metaphors can be adjusted based on motion sensed by the at least one sensor.

21. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the user interface input device further comprises a touch screen.

22. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the user interface input device further comprises a handwriting recognition user input area.

23. The mobile device of claim 15 further comprising a timer for tracking a predetermined minimum amount of time between user interface input device adaptation such that the user interface input device is adapted only after the minimum amount of time has elapsed since the last time the user interface input device was adapted.

24. The mobile device of claim 15 wherein the at least one sensor is a sensor selected from the group consisting of:

an accelerometer, a motion detector, a vibration detector, a conductive sphere, or a global positioning system.

25. A method for adapting a user interface to motion comprising the steps of:

sensing a change in motion of the user interface;

determining if the user interface should be adapted in response to the sensed change; and

if required, adapting the user interface in response to the sensed change.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the user interface includes a mode of operation and wherein the step of adapting the user interface further comprises changing between either a normal mode of operation and a mobile mode of operation in response to the sensed change.

27. The method of claim 25 further comprising the steps of:

starting a timer after adapting the user interface;

sensing a second change in motion;

determining if a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the user interface has been adapted; and

if the predetermined amount of time has elapsed;

determining if the user interface should be adapted in response to the second change; and

if required, adapting the user interface in response to the second change.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of adapting the user interface further comprises adjusting the size of input metaphors displayed on the user interface.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of adapting the user interface further comprises adjusting the sensitivity of the user interface to input commands.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of adapting the user interface further comprises rearranging, removing, and/or adding input metaphors to the user interface.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein the mobile mode of operation is preset.

32. The method of claim 26, wherein the mobile mode of operation is configurable by a user.

33. A computer program product comprising:

computer code configured to;

sense a change in motion of the user interface;

determine if the user interface should be adapted in response to the sensed change; and

if required, adapt the user interface in response to the sensed change.

34. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein the comprising computer code further comprises a normal mode of operation and a mobile mode of operation.

35. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein the computer code to adapt the user interface further comprises computer code to start a timer after adapting the user interface;

wherein the computer code to sense a change in motion further comprises computer code to sense a second change in motion;

wherein the computer code to determine if the user interface should be adapted further comprises computer code to determine if a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the user interface has been adapted and if the predetermined amount of time has elapsed to determine if the user interface should be adapted in response to the second change; and

wherein the computer code to adapt the user interface further comprises computer code to adapt the user interface in response to the second change.

36. The computer code product of claim 33, wherein the computer code to adapt the user interface further comprises computer code to adjust the size of input metaphors displayed on the user interface.

37. The computer code product of claim 33, wherein the computer code to adapt the user interface further comprises computer code to adjust the sensitivity of the user interface to input commands.

38. The computer code product of claim 33, wherein the computer code to adapt the user interface further comprises computer code to rearrange, remove, and/or add input metaphors to the user interface.

39. The computer code product of claim 34, wherein the mobile mode of operation is preset.

40. The computer code product of claim 34, further comprising computer code to allow the user to configure the mobile mode of operation.