Electronic device and method for implementing user interfaces associated with touch screens

• US 9,600,139 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2009
• Issued: 03/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Hyun Jin, Kwak, Ji Yeon, Park, Yong Gook, Yoon, Soo Yeoun
• Primary Examiner(s): Chow, Doon
• Assistant Examiner(s): PACK, CONRAD R
• Application Number:
  US12/641,296
• Publication Number:
  US 20100153876A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,651 Days
• Field of Search: 715/800
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• 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 3/04886 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

An electronic device and a user interface implementing method therein are disclosed. The method includes displaying at least one content, displaying a shortcut key corresponding to the at least one content if close contact is detected, and executing a function corresponding to the at least one content if the shortcut key is selected. The shortcut key can invoke a function corresponding to the at least one content if an input tool closely approaches the at least one content in an area on the touch screen and is located within a distance from the surface of the touch screen.

Claims

1. A method for implementing user interfaces in an electronic device having a touch screen, the method comprising:

displaying a plurality of contents on the touch screen of the electronic device, the plurality of contents corresponding to contacts stored in a phonebook;

detecting a proximity input in close proximity to a content of the displayed contents;

enlarging, in response to detecting the proximity input, the content while another of the displayed contents is displayed;

displaying a shortcut key at a location adjacent to the enlarged content, the shortcut key being configured to execute a communication function associated with a contact corresponding to the enlarged content;

executing, in response to a touch on the displayed shortcut key, the communication function to communicate with the contact; and

executing, directly in response to a touch on the enlarged content, a modification function to enable modification of at least some data associated with the contact corresponding to the enlarged content,

wherein displaying the shortcut key comprises;

displaying, in response to the proximity input being detected in close proximity to the content of the displayed contents, information associated with the contact corresponding to the enlarged content; and

displaying, in response to the proximity input being maintained for a threshold time period, the shortcut key associated with the enlarged content after displaying the enlarged content and the associated information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining an execution frequency corresponding to a number of times the function corresponding to the plurality of contents has been executed; and

setting the shortcut key to invoke the function according to the execution frequency.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of contents further comprises a menu.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the detected proximity input is retained for a time period; and

displaying the shortcut key in response to the detected proximity input being retained for at least the time period, and not displaying the shortcut key in response to the detected proximity input being retained for less time than the time period.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the information corresponds to address information; and

the communication function is configured to utilize at least some of the address information.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the function is a telephony function.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the function is a messaging function.

4. A device comprising a touch screen, the device comprising:

at least one sensor configured to detect a proximity input, the proximity input being detected in response to an input tool being located within a distance of an area of the touch screen;

a display configured to display a plurality of contents corresponding to contacts stored in a phonebook; and

at least one processor configured to;

control the display to display the plurality of contents,

detect the proximity input in close proximity to a content of the displayed contents,

enlarge, in response to the detection of the proximity input, the content while another of the displayed contents is displayed,

control, in response to detection of the proximity input, information corresponding to the enlarged content,

control, in response to retention of the proximity input for at least a threshold period of time, the display to display a shortcut key at a location adjacent to the enlarged content after display of the enlarged content and the corresponding information, the shortcut key being configured to execute a communication function associated with a contact corresponding to the enlarged content,

execute, in response to a touch input on the displayed shortcut key, the communication function with the contact, and

execute, directly in response to a touch input on the enlarged content, a modification function to enable modification of at least some data associated with the contact corresponding to the enlarged content.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

determine an execution frequency corresponding to a number of times the function corresponding to the plurality of contents is executed; and

invoke the function according to the execution frequency.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the plurality of contents further comprises a menu.

11. The device of claim 4, wherein:

the at least one processor is further configured to determine whether the detected proximity input is retained for a time period; and

the display is configured to display the shortcut key in response to the detected proximity input being retained for at least the time period, and not to display the shortcut key in response to the detected proximity input being retained for less time than the time period.

7. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory comprising computer code, the at least one memory and the computer code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to;

display a plurality of contents corresponding to contacts;

detect a proximity input in close proximity to a content of the displayed contents;

enlarge, in response to detection of the proximity input, the content while another of the displayed contents is displayed;

display, in response to detection of the proximity input, information corresponding to the enlarged content;

display, in response to retention of the proximity input for at least a threshold period of time, a shortcut key at a location adjacent to the enlarged content after display of the enlarged content and the corresponding information, the shortcut key being configured to execute a communication function associated a contact of the contacts corresponding to the enlarged content;

execute, in response to a touch on the displayed shortcut key, the communication function to communicate with the contact; and

execute, directly in response to a touch on the enlarged content, a modification function to enable modification of at least some data associated with the contact corresponding to the enlarged content.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one memory and the computer code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

detect interaction with the shortcut key; and

execute, in response to detection of the interaction, the communication function corresponding to the enlarged content in association with information.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one memory and the computer code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

determine an execution frequency corresponding to a number of times the communication function corresponding to the plurality of contents has been executed; and

configure the shortcut key to, when interacted with, invoke the communication function based on the execution frequency.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one memory and the computer code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

determine whether the detected proximity input is retained for a time period; and

display the shortcut key in response to the detected proximity input being retained for at least the time period, and not displaying the shortcut key in response to the detected proximity input being retained for less time than the time period.