Drop target gestures

• US 8,269,736 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2009
• Issued: 09/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zhigu Holdings Limited
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Wilairat, Weerapan
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengistu, Amare
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, PREMAL R
• Application Number:
  US12/470,558
• Publication Number:
  US 20100295795A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-178, 178 181- 1811, 715/769, 715/838, 715/846, 715/977
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

Embodiments of drop target gestures are described. In various embodiments, a first input on a touch-screen is detected and determined as a selection of an object displayed on the touch-screen. A second input on the touch-screen is detected and determined as a selection of a target position to move the object, the second input being detected while the first input remains in contact with the touch-screen. The first input is then detected as no longer being in contact with the touch-screen, and a display of the object is initiated at the target position on the touch-screen giving the appearance that the object moves from a location of the first input to the second input.

Claims

1. A method implemented by a portable computer device, the method comprising:

detecting a first input on a touch-screen that is determined as a selection of an object displayed on the touch-screen;

detecting a second input on the touch-screen that is determined as a selection of a target position to move the object, the second input being detected while the first input remains in contact with the touch-screen at a selection position of the first input;

detecting that the first input is no longer in contact with the touch-screen; and

initiating a display of the object at the target position on the touch-screen giving the appearance that the object moves from a location of the first input to the target position.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising receiving an activation input to a user-selectable control to activate a drop target mode to initiate said detecting the first input and the second input.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising detecting the first input on the touch-screen as a touch and gesture motion combination that is determined as the selection of the object.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising registering the object as a movable object that is configured for the selection and the display of the movable object at the target position.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising initiating a displayable indication to highlight the target position to move the object when said detecting the first input on the touch-screen.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising initiating a display of a selectable control that indicates the target position is located on a user interface that is different than a current user interface on which the object is displayed.

7. A method as recited in claim 6, further comprising

receiving a selection input of the selectable control;

and

initiating a display of the user interface that includes the target position and said initiating the display of the object at the target position on the user interface when said detecting that the first input is no longer in contact with the touch-screen.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

detecting subsequent inputs on the touch-screen while the second input remains in contact with the touch-screen at the target position, the subsequent inputs determined as additional selections to move additional objects proximate the target position; and

initiating a display of the additional objects at the target position on the touch-screen giving the appearance that the additional objects move from respective locations of the subsequent inputs to the target position.

9. A method implemented by a portable computer device, the method comprising:

detecting an initial input on a touch-screen that is determined as a selection of a target position to move objects displayed on the touch-screen;

detecting subsequent inputs on the touch-screen while the initial input remains in contact with the touch-screen at the target position, the subsequent inputs determined as object selections to move the objects proximate the target position; and

initiating a display of the objects at the target position on the touch-screen giving the appearance that the objects move from respective locations of the subsequent inputs to the target position.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the subsequent inputs are detected while the initial input remains in contact with the touch-screen.

11. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising receiving an activation input to a user-selectable control to activate a drop target mode to initiate said detecting the initial input and the subsequent inputs.

12. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising registering the objects as movable objects that are configured for the selection and the display of the movable objects at the target position.

13. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising initiating displayable indications to highlight the objects when said detecting the initial input on the touch-screen.

14. A portable computer device, comprising:

at least a memory and a processor configured to implement a drop target mode to give the appearance that objects move proximate a target position if selected on a touch-screen;

a touch-screen driver configured to;

detect a first input on the touch-screen that is determined as a selection of an object displayed on the touch-screen;

detect a second input on the touch-screen that is determined as a selection of the target position to move the object, the second input configured for detection while the first input remains in contact with the touch-screen at a selection position of the first input;

detect that the first input is no longer in contact with the touch-screen; and

an interface application configured to initiate a display of the object at the target position on the touch-screen.

15. A portable computer device as recited in claim 14, wherein the touch-screen driver is further configured to detect the first input on the touch-screen as a touch and gesture motion combination that is determined as the selection of the object.

16. A portable computer device as recited in claim 14, wherein the interface application is further configured to register the one or more objects as movable objects that are configured for the selection and the display of the movable objects proximate the target position.

17. A portable computer device as recited in claim 14, wherein the interface application is further configured to initiate a displayable indication to highlight the target position to move the object when the first input on the touch-screen is detected.

18. A portable computer device as recited in claim 14, wherein the interface application is further configured to initiate a display of a selectable control that indicates the target position is located on a user interface that is different than a current user interface on which the object is displayed.

19. A portable computer device as recited in claim 18, wherein:

the touch-screen driver is further configured to detect a selection input of the selectable control; and

the interface application is further configured to initiate a display of the user interface that includes the target position and initiate the display of the object at the target position on the user interface when the first input is detected as no longer being in contact with the touch-screen.

20. A portable computer device as recited in claim 14, wherein:

the touch-screen driver is further configured to detect subsequent inputs on the touch-screen while the second input remains in contact with the touch-screen at the target position, the subsequent inputs determined as additional selections to move the objects proximate the target position; and

the interface application is further configured to initiate a display of the objects at the target position on the touch-screen.