Thumb access area for one-handed touchscreen use

• US 9,626,104 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2016
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles J. Kulas
• Original Assignee: Charles J. Kulas
• Inventors: Kulas, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): TITCOMB, WILLIAM D
• Application Number:
  US15/146,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20160246499A1
• Time in Patent Office: 349 Days
• Field of Search: 345168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0425 using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected tracking a projected light spot to determine a position on a display surface G06F3/0386
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• 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 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• 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: H04M 1/00 Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers subscriber services or facilities provided at exchanges H04M3/00; prepayment telephone coin boxes H04M17/00; current supply arrangements H04M19/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2477 for selecting a function from a menu display H04M1/2474 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera constructional features concerning the integration of cameras in portable phones H04M1/0264

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a system for reconfiguring touch controls on a device, such as a cell phone, in reaction to a user'"'"'s changing mode of operation. For example, a standard display of icons that works well in two-handed operation may not work as well for one-handed operation where the user tries to operate the controls with a thumb of the holding hand. In such a case, a device can detect that the user is trying to operate the controls with a thumb of the holding hand and the controls can be reconfigured to be more suitable for thumb operation. Reconfiguration can also occur in other modes of operation, such as when the user is using a stylus, multiple fingers of a second (non-holding hand), fingers on both hands, etc. In some embodiments, detection of the mode of operation can be automatic such as where a camera takes an image to determine the mode.

Claims

1. A method for processing a user input from a touch screen coupled to a computing device, the method comprising:

generating a display of a plurality of controls within a predefined thumb access area on the touch screen, wherein at least one dimension of the thumb access area is based on a user'"'"'s anatomical hand shape;

accepting a signal from the touch screen to indicate a user activation of one of the plurality of controls within the thumb access area; and

performing an action associated with the activated control.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the thumb access area is an area within which a user'"'"'s thumb can act to more easily operate a control within the thumb access area than outside of the thumb access area.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the thumb access area is a default shape.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one dimension of the thumb access area is based on a user'"'"'s hand size.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one dimension of the thumb access area includes a user'"'"'s hand skeletal shape.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one dimension of the thumb access area includes a user'"'"'s hand muscular shape.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accepting a signal from a user input device to change the thumb area.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the thumb area is defined at least in part by a retracted curve.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the thumb area is defined at least in part by an extended curve.

10. An apparatus for processing a user input, the apparatus comprising:

a touch screen for displaying images and for generating a signal in response to a touch from a user;

a digital processor coupled to the touch screen;

one or more tangible media coupled to the digital processor and including instructions executable by the digital processor for;

generating a display of a plurality of controls within a predefined thumb access area on the touch screen, wherein at least one dimension of the thumb access area is based on a user'"'"'s anatomical hand shape;

accepting a signal from the touch screen to indicate a user activation of one of the plurality of controls within the thumb access area; and

performing an action associated with the activated control.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one dimension of the thumb access area includes a user'"'"'s hand skeletal shape.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one dimension of the thumb access area includes a user'"'"'s hand muscular shape.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

accepting a signal from a user input device to change the thumb area.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the thumb area is defined at least in part by a retracted curve.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the thumb area is defined at least in part by an extended curve.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one dimension of the thumb access area includes a user'"'"'s hand skeletal shape.

17. One or more tangible media including instructions executable by one or more digital processors for:

generating a display of a plurality of controls within a predefined thumb access area on a touch screen, wherein at least one dimension of the thumb access area is based on a user'"'"'s anatomical hand shape;

accepting a signal from the touch screen to indicate a user activation of one of the plurality of controls within the thumb access area; and

performing an action associated with the activated control.

18. The one or more tangible media of claim 17, wherein at least one dimension of the thumb access area includes a user'"'"'s hand muscular shape.

19. The one or more tangible media of claim 17, further comprising:

accepting a signal from a user input device to change the thumb area.

20. The one or more tangible media of claim 17, wherein the thumb area is defined at least in part by a retracted curve.