TECHNIQUES FOR INTERACTIVE INPUT TO PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES

• US 20120105348A1
• Filed: 10/31/2011
• Published: 05/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lampell, Michael D., Bertrand, Francois-Yves, Berfield, Alan, Lee, Leo, Snider, Eric
• Application Number:
  US13/285,824
• Publication Number:
  US 20120105348A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1075 using a touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• 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 3/04886 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

Abstract

Techniques for providing touch input to interactive and multitasking applications are disclosed. An input surface area receives input for multiple applications including interactive applications. The input received is directed to the appropriate application based on one or more locations of the input area effectively identified when input is received. In addition, the manner in which input is received can be used to determine which application should receive the input. Input can be provided in a simple and more intuitive manner by effectively allowing the user to interact with the input area in a way that mimics or approximates a desired action. Examples of such interaction include positional, directional (e.g., rotational), press or pressure input (or movement) which can easily be provided by a thumb or a finger, for example, on a touch screen.

Claims

1. An input device for receiving input associated with multiple applications, wherein said input device effectively provides an input surface (or area) for entering input when said input device is operatively connected to a computing system, and wherein when said input device is operatively connected to a computing system:

at least one point, position, portion, and/or region of said input surface can be designated to receive input for a first application when said input is provided in a first manner, and

said at least one point, portion, and/or region of said input surface can be designated to receive input for a second application when said input is provided in a second manner that is different and/or distinguishable from said first manner.