DYNAMIC INTERPRETATION OF USER INPUT IN A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20110125929A1
• Filed: 11/20/2009
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: James, Bryan J., Lee, Jeffery T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,364,855 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

The embodiments describe both the interpreting and modifying the interpretation of an input event to an electronic device having limited user input resources. The input event interpretation can be based in part on a connection state of the device. In some cases, the interpretation of the input event can also be based upon an indication of a current operating state of the device in addition to or exclusive of the connection state. Furthermore, in some embodiments, an operating state of the portable electronic device can be resolved based in part on the connection state of the portable electronic device.

Claims

1. In an electronic device, a method of dynamically interpreting a user input at a user interface by a processor included in the electronic device, the method comprising:

determining a connection state of the electronic device based upon whether or not the electronic device is connected to an external circuit;

receiving an indication of the user input event from the user input interface;

interpreting the user input event in accordance with the connection state; and

causing the electronic device to respond in accordance with the interpreted user input event, wherein the interpretation of the user input event changes in accordance with a change in the connection state of the electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

setting an operating state of the electronic device based on the connection state.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein if the connection state is a null connection state, then the operating state of the electronic device is automatically set to a default state.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the default state of the electronic device is an inactive state.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

wherein when the electronic device is connected to the external circuit, then

determining a nature of the external circuit; and

interpreting the user input event in accordance with both the connection state and the nature of the external circuit.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the nature of the external circuit is a passive external circuit or an active external circuit.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the passive external circuit is a headphone wherein the active external circuit is a computer.

8. A consumer electronic product, comprising:

a user interface, the user interface configured to receive a user input event; and

a processor coupled to the user interface, the processor configured to;

receive an indication of the user input event from the user interface,

determine a first connection state of the consumer electronic product,

generate a first interpretation of the user input event in accordance with the first connection state of the electronic device, and

cause the consumer electronic product to respond in accordance with the first interpretation of the user input event, wherein when the connection state changes from the first connection state to a second connection state, then the processor interprets the user input event in accordance with the second connection state.

9. The consumer electronic product as recited in claim 8, wherein if the connection state is a null connection state, then the operating state of the consumer electronic product is automatically set to a default state.

10. The consumer electronic product as recited in claim 9, wherein the default state of the electronic device is an inactive state.

11. The consumer electronic product as recited in claim 8, wherein the consumer electronic product is a portable media player.

12. A computer readable medium configured for storing computer code executed by a processor used for interpreting a user input event received at a user interface of an electronic device, the computer readable medium comprising:

computer code for receiving an indication of the user input event from the user input interface;

computer code for determining a connection state of the electronic device;

computer code for interpreting a user input event consistent with the connection state such that when the connection state changes the interpretation of the user input event correspondingly changes; and

computer code for causing the electronic device to respond in accordance with the interpreted user input event.

13. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 12, further comprising:

computer code for setting an operating state of the electronic device based on the connection state.

14. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 13, wherein if the connection state is a null connection state, then the operating state of the electronic device is automatically set to a default state.

15. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 14, wherein the default state of the electronic device is an inactive state.

16. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 12, further comprising:

computer code for determining a nature of the external circuit when the electronic device is connected to the external circuit; and

computer code for interpreting the user input event in accordance with both the connection state and the nature of the external circuit.

17. In an electronic device, a method of dynamically interpreting a user input at a user interface by a processor included in the electronic device, the method comprising:

determining a connection state of the electronic device based upon whether or not the electronic device is connected to an external circuit;

receiving an indication of the user input event from the user input interface;

setting an operating state of the electronic device based on the connection state;

interpreting the user input event in accordance with the connection state and the operating state; and

causing the electronic device to respond in accordance with the interpreted user input event, wherein the interpretation of the user input event changes in accordance with a change in the connection state of the electronic device or a change in the operating state.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein if the connection state is a null connection state, then the operating state of the electronic device is automatically set to a default state.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the default state of the electronic device is an inactive state.

20. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

wherein when the electronic device is connected to the external circuit, then

determining a nature of the external circuit; and

interpreting the user input event and the operating state in accordance with both the connection state and the nature of the external circuit.