Portable Multifunction Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface Supporting User Navigations of Graphical Objects on a Touch Screen Display

• US 20080165153A1
• Filed: 01/04/2008
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Chaudhri, Imran, Christie, Greg, Lemay, Stephen O., Van Os, Marcel, Forstall, Scott, Jobs, Steven P., Pisula, Charles J., Matas, Michael, Novick, Gregory, Platzer, Andrew Emilio
• Granted Patent: US 8,519,964 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• 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 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1614 Image rotation following screen orientation, e.g. switching from landscape to portrait mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• 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 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• 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 1/67 by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• 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

A portable multifunction device displays a first user interface object and a second user interface object on a touch screen display. Upon detecting a finger-down event at the first user interface object and one or more finger-dragging events on the touch screen display, the device moves the first user interface object on the touch screen display along a path determined by the finger-dragging events until the first user interface object at least in part overlaps the second user interface object. Upon detecting a finger-up event at the second user interface object, the device visually replaces the second user interface object with the first user interface object.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

at a portable multifunction device with a touch screen display,

detecting a finger-down event on the touch screen display;

identifying a first user interface object at which the finger-down event occurs;

detecting one or more finger-dragging events on the touch screen display;

moving the first user interface object on the touch screen display in accordance with the finger-dragging events;

detecting a finger-up event on the touch screen display;

identifying a second user interface object at which the finger-up event occurs; and

visually replacing the second user interface object with the first user interface object.

2. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

at a portable multifunction device with a touch screen display with a plurality of user interface objects,

displaying a first user interface object and a second user interface object on the touch screen display;

detecting a finger-down event at the first user interface object;

detecting one or more finger-dragging events on the touch screen display;

moving the first user interface object on the touch screen display along a path determined by the finger-dragging events until the first user interface object at least in part overlaps the second user interface object;

detecting a finger-up event at the second user interface object; and

visually replacing the second user interface object with the first user interface object.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising:

while moving the first user interface object on the touch screen display,

displaying the first user interface object in a manner visually distinguishable from other user interface objects on the touch screen display.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising:

upon detecting the finger-up event,

displaying the first user interface object at a location formerly occupied by the second user interface object; and

animating a movement of the second user interface object to a location formerly occupied by the first user interface object.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the first user interface object is displayed in a first form before the finger-down event and in a second form after the finger-down event, and the second form is visually different from the first form.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the first form is a row including characters and at least one control icon and the second form is an image.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the second user interface object is displayed in a first form before the finger-up event and in a second form after the finger-up event, and the second form is visually different from the first form.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the first form is an image and the second form is a row including characters associated with at least one control icon.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the first user interface object includes a control icon and the finger-down event occurs at or near the control icon.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the first user interface object is one of a group of candidate icons and the second user interface object is one of a group of user favorite icons.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising:

re-arranging the remaining group of candidate icons after moving the first user interface object away from its original location;

upon detecting the finger-up event,

displaying the first user interface object at a location formerly occupied by the second user interface object; and

animating a movement of the second user interface object to a location formerly occupied by one of the remaining group of candidate icons.

12. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a touch screen display with a plurality of user interface objects;

one or more processors;

memory; and

a program, wherein the program is stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the program including;

instructions for displaying a first user interface object and a second user interface object on the touch screen display;

instructions for detecting a finger-down event at the first user interface object;

instructions for detecting one or more finger-dragging events on the touch screen display;

instructions for moving the first user interface object on the touch screen display along a path determined by the finger-dragging events until the first user interface object at least in part overlaps the second user interface object;

instructions for detecting a finger-up event at the second user interface object; and

instructions for visually replacing the second user interface object with the first user interface object.

13. A computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by a portable electronic device with a touch screen display with a plurality of user interface objects, cause the device to:

display a first user interface object and a second user interface object on the touch screen display;

detect a finger-down event at the first user interface object;

detect one or more finger-dragging events on the touch screen display;

move the first user interface object on the touch screen display along a path determined by the finger-dragging events until the first user interface object at least in part overlaps the second user interface object;

detect a finger-up event at the second user interface object; and

visually replace the second user interface object with the first user interface object.

14. A portable electronic device with a touch screen display with a plurality of user interface objects, comprising:

means for displaying a first user interface object and a second user interface object on the touch screen display;

means for detecting a finger-down event at the first user interface object;

means for detecting one or more finger-dragging events on the touch screen display;

means for moving the first user interface object on the touch screen display along a path determined by the finger-dragging events until the first user interface object at least in part overlaps the second user interface object;

means for detecting a finger-up event at the second user interface object; and

means for visually replacing the second user interface object with the first user interface object.

15. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

at a portable multifunction device with a touch screen display,

displaying a series of ratings indicia on the touch screen display, wherein the ratings indicia comprise a lowest rating indicia and one or more progressively higher rating indicia;

detecting a finger gesture by a user on one or more of the ratings indicia, wherein the finger gesture contacts a last rating indicia immediately prior to breaking contact with the touch screen display; and

using a rating corresponding to the last rating indicia contacted by the finger gesture as input to a function or application in the device.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the finger gesture contacts the lowest rating indicia prior to contacting one or more of the progressively higher rating indicia.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the ratings indicia are stars.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the series of ratings indicia consists of five stars.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the finger gesture is a swipe gesture.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the rating corresponding to the last rating indicia contacted by the finger gesture is used to give a rating for an item of content that is playable with a content player application on the device.

21. The computer-implemented method of claim 20, wherein the item of content is an item of music and the content player application is a music player application.

22. The computer-implemented method of claim 20, wherein the item of content is a video and the content player application is a video player application.

23. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the rating corresponding to the last rating indicia contacted by the finger gesture is used to give a rating for content on a web page that is viewable with a browser application on the device.

24. A graphical user interface on a portable multifunction device with a touch screen display, comprising:

a series of ratings indicia on the touch screen display,

wherein;

the ratings indicia comprise a lowest rating indicia and one or more progressively higher rating indicia; and

in response to detecting a finger gesture by a user on one or more of the ratings indicia, wherein the finger gesture contacts a last rating indicia immediately prior to breaking contact with the touch screen display, a rating corresponding to the last rating indicia contacted by the finger gesture is used as input to a function or an application in the device.

25. A portable multifunction device, comprising:

a touch screen display;

one or more processors;

memory; and

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

instructions for displaying a series of ratings indicia on the touch screen display, wherein the ratings indicia comprise a lowest rating indicia and one or more progressively higher rating indicia;

instructions for detecting a finger gesture by a user on one or more of the ratings indicia, wherein the finger gesture contacts a last rating indicia immediately prior to breaking contact with the touch screen display; and

instructions for using a rating corresponding to the last rating indicia contacted by the finger gesture as input to a function or application in the device.

26. A computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by a portable electronic device with a touch screen display, cause the device to:

display a series of ratings indicia on the touch screen display, wherein the ratings indicia comprise a lowest rating indicia and one or more progressively higher rating indicia;

detect a finger gesture by a user on one or more of the ratings indicia, wherein the finger gesture contacts a last rating indicia immediately prior to breaking contact with the touch screen display; and

use a rating corresponding to the last rating indicia contacted by the finger gesture as input to a function or application in the device.

27. A portable multifunction device with a touch screen display, comprising:

means for displaying a series of ratings indicia on the touch screen display, wherein the ratings indicia comprise a lowest rating indicia and one or more progressively higher rating indicia;

means for detecting a finger gesture by a user on one or more of the ratings indicia, wherein the finger gesture contacts a last rating indicia immediately prior to breaking contact with the touch screen display; and

means for using a rating corresponding to the last rating indicia contacted by the finger gesture as input to a function or application in the device.