User interface with independent drawer control

• US 9,405,444 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2010
• Issued: 08/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Z124 LLC (Flexis)
• Original Assignee: Z124 LLC (Flexis)
• Inventors: Reeves, Paul E.
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, TOAN H
• Application Number:
  US12/948,701
• Publication Number:
  US 20120084697A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,085 Days
• Field of Search: 715/772, 715/863, 715/704, 715/810, 715/765, 345/173
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1641 the display being formed by a plurality of foldable display components G06F1/1647 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• 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 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0483 Interaction with page-structured environments, e.g. book metaphor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• 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: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for controlling the display of one or more drawers of a user interface provide a new user interface interaction. The drawers may be opened in response to a gesture input to display notification data, application data, contact data, calendar data, weather data, etc. The drawers may be opened and/or closed individually or collectively. For instance, a characteristic of the gesture (e.g., a location of the gesture) may determine which of the drawers are opened in response to the gesture input.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a handheld computing device, comprising:

displaying a first screen on a first display and a second screen on a second display, wherein the first display has a first hardware display and a first gesture sensor, which is separate from the first hardware display, and wherein the second display has a second hardware display and a second gesture sensor, which is separate from the second hardware display, wherein the first display is positioned adjacent to the second display along an interface, wherein a hinge is provided between the first hardware display and the second hardware display, and wherein the first hardware display is positionable between a first position and a second position with respect to the second hardware display, wherein in the second position the first hardware display and the second hardware display are concurrently visible, and wherein in the first position only one of the first hardware display and the second hardware display are viewable from the perspective of a user;

maintaining a first drawer that is selectively displayable on the first display and a second drawer that is selectively displayable on the second display, wherein the first drawer and second drawer are operable to contain data comprising notification data, application data, contact data, calendar data, weather data, or a combination thereof, wherein the first drawer and the second drawer contain different data;

receiving a gesture input at one or more of the first gesture sensor and the second gesture sensor of the handheld computing device, wherein a characteristic of the gesture comprises at least a first location at which the gesture is received and a second location at which the gesture is received, and a direction of the gesture, wherein the first location includes at least a portion of the first display and the second location includes at least a portion of the second display;

if the gesture is at the first gesture sensor, opening the first drawer;

if the gesture is at the second gesture sensor, opening the second drawer;

if the gesture is received at a third location, opening both the first and second drawers, wherein the third location is between the first and second locations, wherein the third location is a predetermined distance from the interface;

if the gesture is received only on the first hardware display or the second hardware display, a different function is executed;

wherein a graphical portion is provided with at least the first, second, and third locations, wherein the graphical portion is manipulatable by the user to open one or more corresponding drawers, wherein the graphical portion comprises at least a portion of a status bar, wherein a handle is provided with the one or more corresponding drawers when displayed, and wherein the handle is manipulatable by the user to close the one or more corresponding drawers.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein additional data is added to one or more of the first and second drawers in the second position.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein when in the second position, one or more of the first drawer and the second drawer comprises a unitary drawer extending between the first and second displays.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the first and second gesture sensors comprises one or more of a keypad, a trackball, a touch-sensitive device and/or an optical sensor.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein when in the second position, the first and second displays are used as a unitary display.

6. A system for controlling a handheld computing device, comprising:

a processor;

a first display in operative communication with the processor, wherein the first display has a first hardware display and a first gesture sensor, and wherein the first display is operable to selectively display;

a second display in operative communication with the processor, wherein the second display has a second hardware display and a second gesture sensor, which is separate from the first hardware display, and wherein the second display is operable to selectively display a second drawer containing second data therein, wherein the first display is positioned adjacent to the second display along an interface, wherein a hinge is provided between the first hardware display and the second hardware display, and wherein the first hardware display is positionable between a first position and a second position with respect to the second hardware display, wherein in the second position the first hardware display and the second hardware display are concurrently visible, and wherein in the first position only one of the first hardware display and the second hardware display are viewable from the perspective of a user;

wherein one or more of the first gesture sensor and the second gesture sensor is operable to receive a gesture input from the user, wherein a characteristic of the gesture comprises at least a first location at which the gesture is received and a second location at which the gesture is received, and a direction of the gesture, wherein the first location includes at least a portion of the first display and the second location includes at least a portion of the second display, wherein upon receipt of said gesture input from the user, the processor is operable to;

if the gesture is at the first location, open the first drawer;

if the gesture is at the second location, open the second drawer;

if the gesture is received at a third location, opening both the first and second drawers, wherein the third location is between the first and second locations, wherein the third location is a predetermined distance from the interface;

if the gesture is received only on the first hardware display or the second hardware display, a different function is executed;

wherein the first drawer and second drawer are operable to contain data comprising notification data, application data, contact data, calendar data, weather data, or a combination thereof, wherein the first drawer and the second drawer contain different data; and

wherein a graphical portion is provided with at least the first, second, and third locations, wherein the graphical portion is manipulatable by the user to open one or more corresponding drawers, wherein the graphical portion comprises at least a portion of a status bar, wherein a handle is provided with the one or more corresponding drawers when displayed, and wherein the handle is manipulatable by the user to close the one or more corresponding drawers.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein additional data is added to one or more of the first and second drawers in the second position.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein when in the second position, one or more of the first drawer and the second drawer comprises a unitary drawer extending between the first and second displays.

9. The system according to claim 6, wherein one or more of the first and second gesture sensors comprises one or more of a keypad, a trackball, a touch-sensitive device and/or an optical sensor.

10. The system according to claim 6, wherein when in the second position, the first and second displays are used as a unitary display.

11. A method for controlling a handheld computing device, comprising:

providing the handheld computing device with a first hardware display, a second hardware display, a first gesture sensor, and a second gesture sensor, wherein the first hardware display is positioned adjacent to the second hardware display along an interface, wherein a hinge is provided between the first hardware display and the second hardware display, and wherein the first hardware display is positionable between a first position and a second position with respect to the second hardware display, wherein in the second position the first hardware display and the second hardware display are concurrently visible, and wherein in the first position only one of the first hardware display and the second hardware display are viewable from the perspective of a user;

operating the handheld computing device in the first position,

disposing the handheld computing device in the second position,

wherein at least one of the first and second gesture sensors is operable to receive a gesture input from the user, wherein a characteristic of the gesture comprises at least a first location at which the gesture is received and a second location at which the gesture is received, and a direction of the gesture, wherein the first location includes at least a portion of the first hardware display and the second hardware location includes at least a portion of the second display;

wherein, when in the second position;

if the gesture is at the first location, open a first status portion;

if the gesture is at the second location, open a second status portion;

if the gesture is received at a third location, opening both the first and second status portions, wherein the third location is between the first and second locations, wherein the third location is a predetermined distance from the interface;

if the gesture is received only on the first hardware display or the second hardware display, a different function is executed;

wherein the first status portion and the second status portion are operable to contain data comprising notification data, application data, contact data, calendar data, weather data, or a combination thereof, wherein the first status portion and the second status portion contain different data; and

wherein a graphical portion is provided with at least the first, second, and third locations, wherein the graphical portion is manipulatable by the user to open one or more corresponding status portions, wherein the graphical portion comprises at least a portion of a status bar, wherein a handle is provided with the one or more corresponding status portions when displayed, and wherein the handle is manipulatable by the user to close the one or more corresponding status portions.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein additional content is added to one or more of the first status portion and the second status portion in the second position.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein when in the second position, one or more of the first status portion and the second status portion comprises a unitary portion extending between the first and second hardware displays.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein one or more of the first and second gesture sensors comprises one or more of a keypad, a trackball, a touch-sensitive device and/or an optical sensor.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein when in the second position, the first and second hardware displays are used as a unitary display.

16. A handheld computing device, comprising:

a processor;

a first display in operative communication with the processor, wherein the first display has a first hardware display and a first gesture sensor, which is separate from the first hardware display;

a second display, wherein the second display has a second hardware display and a second gesture sensor, which is separate from the second hardware display, wherein the first display is positioned adjacent to the second display along an interface;

a hinge between the first and second hardware displays, wherein the first hardware display is positionable between a first position and a second position with respect to the second hardware display, wherein, when in the first position, only one of the first display and the second display are viewable from the perspective of a user, and, when in the second position, the first and the second display are both viewable from the perspective of the user;

wherein in response to a change in position from the first position to the second position, a status bar displayed on the first display is modified to be displayed on the first display and the second display;

wherein at least one of the first and second gesture sensors is operable to receive a gesture input from the user, wherein a characteristic of the gesture comprises at least a first location at which the gesture is received and a second location at which the gesture is received, and a direction of the gesture, wherein the first location includes at least a portion of the first hardware display and the second hardware location includes at least a portion of the second display;

wherein, when in the second position;

if the gesture is at the first location, open a first status portion;

if the gesture is at the second location, open a second status portion;

if the gesture is received at a third location, opening both the first and second status portions, wherein the third location is between the first and second locations, wherein the third location is a predetermined distance from the interface;

if the gesture is received only on the first hardware display or the second hardware display, a different function is executed;

wherein the first status portion and the second status portion are operable to contain data comprising notification data, application data, contact data, calendar data, weather data, or a combination thereof, wherein the first status portion and the second status portion contain different data; and

wherein a graphical portion is provided with at least the first, second, and third locations, wherein the graphical portion is manipulatable by the user to open one or more corresponding status portions, wherein the graphical portion comprises at least a portion of a status bar, wherein a handle is provided with the one or more corresponding status portions when displayed, and wherein the handle is manipulatable by the user to close the one or more corresponding status portions.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein more information is displayed on the status bar when in the second position than when in the first position.

18. The device according to claim 16, wherein when in the second position, one or more of the first status portion and the second status portion comprises a unitary portion extending between the first and second displays.

19. The device according to claim 16, wherein one or more of the first and second gesture sensors comprises one or more of a keypad, a trackball, a touch-sensitive device and/or an optical sensor.

20. The device according to claim 16, wherein when in the second position, the first and second displays are used as a unitary display.