Method and apparatus for selecting link entities in touch screen based web browser environment

• US 9,619,136 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2012
• Issued: 04/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kwon, Won-Seok
• Primary Examiner(s): Bashore, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOWDHURY, RAYEEZ R
• Application Number:
  US13/356,704
• Publication Number:
  US 20120192107A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,904 Days
• Field of Search: 715801
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04805 Virtual magnifying lens, i.e. window or frame movable on top of displayed information to enlarge it for better reading or selection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04806 Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
• 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 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for more easily selecting a desired one of a plurality of corresponding link entities displayed on a touch screen. The method includes verifying the number of link entities which exist within a touch region of a predetermined size around a touch point, and if the number of the link entities which exist within the touch region of the predetermined size is greater than or equal to a threshold value, displaying a window which enlarges and displays contents displayed on the touch region of the predetermined size by a certain magnification, and then waiting for touch and selection of one of the corresponding link entities enlarged and displayed on the window.

Claims

1. A method for displaying contents in electronic device having a touch screen, the method comprising:

detecting a touch contact area defined by sensed points of a touch contact on the touch screen while displaying a current picture including a plurality of link entities on the touch screen;

determining whether different link entities are concurrently touched or a single link entity is touched by the touch contact;

in response to a determination that the different link entities are concurrently touched by the touch contact;

setting a region of a size including the touch contact area;

displaying, on the touch screen, a window which enlarges and displays contents displayed in the region by a certain magnification, the contents including the different link entities that were concurrently touched;

if one of the enlarged different link entities is touched within the window, changing the current picture on the touch screen to a picture corresponding to the one of the link entities touched within the window; and

if a request for closing the window is detected by detecting a subsequent user touch outside the window, closing the window; and

in response to a determination that the single link entity is touched by the touch contact, changing the current picture on the touch screen to a picture corresponding to the touched single link entity without displaying a window which enlarges and displays contents within the touch contact area.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

waiting for touch and selection of one of a plurality of link entities enlarged and displayed in the window.

2. An electronic device comprising:

a touch screen; and

a controller configured to;

detect a touch contact area defined by sensed points of a touch contact on the touch screen while displaying a current picture including a plurality of link entities on the touch screen;

determine whether different link entities are concurrently touched or a single link entity is touched by the touch contact;

in response to a determination that different link entities are concurrently touched by the touch contact;

set a region of a size including the touch contact area;

display, on the touch screen, a window which enlarges and displays contents displayed in the region by a certain magnification, the contents including the different link entities that were concurrently touched;

if one of the different link entities is touched within the window, changing the current picture on the touch screen to a picture corresponding to the one of the link entities touched within the window; and

close the window if a request for closing the window is detected by detecting a subsequent user touch outside the window; and

in response to a determination that the single link entity is touched by the touch contact, change the current picture to a picture corresponding to the touched single link entity without displaying a window which enlarges and displays contents within the touch contact area.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, further comprising a communication unit for transmitting and receiving a wire or wireless signal.

5. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to wait for touch and selection of one of a plurality of link entities enlarged and displayed in the window.

6. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having stored therein program instructions, which when executed by a processor of an electronic device having a touch screen, causes the electronic device to perform a method for displaying contents comprising:

detecting a touch contact area defined by sensed points of a touch contact on the touch screen while displaying a current picture including a plurality of link entities on the touch screen;

determining whether different link entities are concurrently touched or a single link entity is touched by the touch contact;

in response to a determination that the different link entities are concurrently touched by the touch contact;

setting a region of a size including the touch contact area;

displaying, on the touch screen, a window which enlarges and displays contents displayed in the region by a certain magnification, the contents including the different link entities that were concurrently touched;

if one of the enlarged different link entities is touched within the window, changing the current picture on the touch screen to a picture corresponding to the one of the link entities touched within the window; and

if a request for closing the window is detected by detecting a subsequent user touch outside the window, closing the window; and

in response to a determination that the single link entity is touched by the touch contact, changing the current picture on the touch screen to a picture corresponding to the touched single link entity without displaying a window which enlarges and displays contents within the touch contact area.