Intuitive Grouping and Viewing of Grouped Objects Using Touch

• US 20110193785A1
• Filed: 02/08/2010
• Published: 08/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Brebner, David, Grapes, Robert, Russell, Deborah C.
• Application Number:
  US12/701,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20110193785A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

A system for providing intuitive grouping and viewing of grouped objects using touch. The system enables a touch screen interaction with simple gestural inputs. The system allows simple grouping and ungrouping of objects in a touch screen environment. Specifically, a user can tap on an object and drag it on top of another object. The first object is associated with (e.g., sticks to) the second object, thereby forming a pile. The pile can continue to be used to “stick” to other single objects and/or formed piles. The pile can then be used to organize and/or send objects to another desired location. When a user selects objects and creates piles, the interface may elicit feedback to provide an affordance to the user'"'"'s behavior. In various embodiments, the feedback may include visual, tactile and/or auditory feedback.

Claims

1. A method for providing intuitive grouping and viewing of grouped objects using touch comprising:

providing a touch sensitive display device;

presenting a first object on the touch sensitive display device;

sensing when the first object is touched;

enabling the first object to be dragged based upon a user dwelling on the first object; and

, associating the first object with a second object when the first object is dragged in proximity to the second object, the associating creating a pile containing the first object and the second object.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

enabling the pile to be dragged based upon a user dwelling on the pile; and

,

associating the first object and the second object with a third object when the pile is dragged in proximity to the third object.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

using the pile to move the first and second objects to a desired location, the desired location being represented on the touch sensitive display device.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating feedback to provide an affordance to behavior of the user.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein:

the feedback comprises at least one of visual, tactile and auditory feedback.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

unassociating the first object and the second object in response to gestural input of the user.

7. An information handling system comprising

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a system for providing intuitive grouping and viewing of grouped objects using touch, the system comprising instructions executable by the processor for;

providing a touch sensitive display device;

presenting a first object on the touch sensitive display device;

sensing when the first object is touched;

enabling the first object to be dragged based upon a user dwelling on the first object; and

,

associating the first object with a second object when the first object is dragged in proximity to the second object, the associating creating a pile containing the first object and the second object.

8. The information handling system of claim 7 wherein the system further comprises instructions for:

enabling the pile to be dragged based upon a user dwelling on the pile; and

,

associating the first object and the second object with a third object when the pile is dragged in proximity to the third object.

9. The information handling system of claim 7 wherein the system further comprises instructions for:

using the pile to move the first and second objects to a desired location, the desired location being represented on the touch sensitive display device.

10. The information handling system of claim 7 wherein the system further comprises instructions for:

generating feedback to provide an affordance to behavior of the user.

11. The information handling system of claim 10 wherein:

the feedback comprises at least one of visual, tactile and auditory feedback.

12. The information handling system of claim 7 wherein the system further comprises instructions for:

unassociating the first object and the second object in response to gestural input of the user.