Electronic device and method of displaying information in response to a gesture

• US 9,690,476 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 06/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Edgar, Robbie Donald, Shirzadi, Farhoud
• Primary Examiner(s): Ulrich, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US13/828,082
• Publication Number:
  US 20140282214A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,566 Days
• Field of Search: 715781, 715782, 715792, 715794-796, 715863, 715864
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• 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 3/0484 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 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons

Abstract

A method includes displaying information on a display of an electronic device and detecting a gesture requesting display of information associated with an application. In response to detecting the gesture and while the gesture continues, displaying the requested information and, when a touch location of the gesture is associated with the first selection option, performing a function associated with the first selection option.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

presenting information in an area of a display of an electronic device, the information being associated with a first application;

detecting a gesture being performed on the display contemporaneously with the information, the gesture comprising an origination location and continuous movement along a path;

determining that the origination location of the gesture corresponds to a location of an icon being presented on the display;

determining, based on at least the origination location, that the gesture represents a request for display of information accessible from within a second application corresponding to the icon, wherein the second application is separate and distinct from the first application; and

based on determining that the gesture represents a request for display of information and while the gesture continues along the path;

displaying at least a portion of the requested information and at least a first selection option after the gesture moves from the icon being maintained at the location, the first selection option being displayed contemporaneously with the portion of the requested information, wherein the first selection option is associated with a first information type, and the portion of the requested information is associated with a second information type that is different from the first information type, wherein an amount of the requested information being displayed varies as a function of a distance travelled by the gesture and a direction of travel of the gesture, and wherein the first selection option is independent of the portion of the requested information; and

when the gesture terminates at a location comprising the first selection option along the path, executing the second application associated with the icon, the second application performing a function of the second application associated with the first selection option.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the area of the display progressively increases in size or decreases in size along with movement of the gesture.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the function of the second application comprises dialing a phone number.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the function of the second application comprises displaying contact information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the function of the second application comprises initiating access to voice mail.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the function of the second application comprises displaying email.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the function of the second application comprises displaying at least one photographic image.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the function of the second application comprises displaying a dial pad for dialing a phone number.

9. An electronic device comprising:

a display;

a processor configured to;

present, in an area of the display, information in a window, the information being associated with a first application;

detect a gesture being performed on the display contemporaneously with the information, the gesture comprising an origination location and continuous movement along a path;

determine that the origination location of the gesture corresponds to a location of an icon being presented on the display;

determine, based on at least the origination location, that the gesture represents a request for display of information accessible from within a second application corresponding to the icon, wherein the second application is separate and distinct from the first application; and

based on determining that the gesture represents a request for display of information, and while the gesture continues along the path;

display at least a portion of the requested information and at least a first selection option after the gesture moves from the icon being maintained at the location, the first selection option being displayed contemporaneously with the portion of the requested information, wherein the first selection option is associated with a first information type, and the requested portion of the information is associated with a second information type that is different from the first information type, wherein an amount of the requested information being displayed varies as a function of a distance travelled by the gesture and a direction of travel, and wherein the first selection option is independent of the portion of the requested information; and

when the gesture terminates at a location comprising the first selection option along the path, execute the second application associated with the icon, the second application performing a function of the second application associated with the first selection option.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the area of the display progressively increases in size or decreases in size along with movement of the gesture.

11. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to dial a phone number when the gesture selects the first selection option.

12. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein performing the function of the second application comprises displaying contact information.

13. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein performing the function of the second application comprises imitating access to voice mail.

14. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein performing the function of the second application comprises displaying email.

15. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein performing the function of the second application comprises displaying at least one photographic image.

16. A method comprising:

presenting information in an area of a display of an electronic device, wherein the information is associated with an application;

detecting a gesture being performed on the display contemporaneously with the information, the gesture comprising an origination location and continuous movement along a path;

determining that the origination location of the gesture corresponds to a location of an icon being presented on the display;

determining, based on at least the origination location, that the gesture represents a request for display of information accessible from within a phone application corresponding to the icon, wherein the phone application is separate and distinct from the application associated with the information; and

based on determining that the gesture represents a request for display of information and while the gesture continues along the path;

displaying at least a portion of the requested information and at least a first selection option associated with at least one of a contact, a recent call, a frequently-called phone number, and a favorite contact, the portion of the requested information being displayed after the gesture moves from the icon being maintained at the location, the first selection option being displayed contemporaneously with the portion of the requested information, wherein the first selection option is associated with a first information type, and the portion of the requested information is associated with a second information type that is different from the first information type, wherein an amount of the requested information being displayed varies as a function of a distance travelled by the gesture and a direction of travel where a hierarchical level of the requested information remains constant as an amount of the requested information being displayed increases, and wherein the first selection option is independent of the portion of the requested information; and

when the gesture terminates at a location comprising the first selection option along the path, calling a phone number associated with the first selection option.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the area of the display progressively increases in size or decreases in size along with movement of the gesture.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising displaying a personal image near the phone number.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising ordering a list of most frequently-called phone numbers.