Method for providing a user interface based on touch pressure, and electronic device using same

• US 10,168,886 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2015
• Issued: 01/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Korea Electronics Technology Institute (Government of South Korea)
• Original Assignee: Korea Electronics Technology Institute (Government of South Korea)
• Inventors: Kim, Kun Nyun, Park, Kwang Bum, Kim, Won Hyo, Lee, Kang Ryeol, Seo, Kyeung Hak
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anh-Tuan V
• Application Number:
  US14/968,492
• Publication Number:
  US 20160098184A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,114 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04806 Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 using force sensing means to determine a position
• 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 3/04855 Interaction with scrollbars
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/10 Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D

Abstract

A method for providing a User Interface (UI) based on a touch pressure and an electronic device using the same are provided. The UI providing method of the electronic device detects a touch pressure of a single touch input through a touch screen of the electronic device, and controls the electronic device based on the touch pressure. Since various UIs can be provided based on the touch pressure applied by the user in the touch screen, user convenience and entertainment can be improved.

Claims

1. A method for providing a User Interface (UI), the method performed by an electronic device having a controller and a touch screen, the method comprising:

arranging a plurality of contents on the touch screen;

displaying a scroll bar adjacent to the plurality of contents on the touch screen;

when the scroll bar is touched by a first pressure, scrolling the plurality of contents on the touch screen at a first speed; and

when the scroll bar is touched by a second pressure which is greater than the first pressure while scrolling the plurality of contents, enlarging one of the plurality of contents which is scrolling,

wherein the enlarging operation scrolls the plurality of contents at a second speed which is slower than the first speed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second speed is in inverse proportion to the second pressure.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first speed is determined based on a point on the touched scroll bar.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the enlarging operation enlarges a content which is located at a center from among the plurality of contents.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the enlarging operation enlarges the one which is located at the center in proportion to the second pressure.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a plurality of blocks, each of the plurality block having a frame surrounding corresponding content among the plurality of contents;

when a first block of the plurality of blocks is touched by the first pressure, displaying an enlargement frame around borders of the first block; and

when the first block is touched by the second pressure, zooming in content in the enlargement frame.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

when a second block of the plurality of blocks is dragged after the second pressure is changed to the first pressure, moving the enlargement frame to borders of the second block; and

zooming in content in the enlargement frame.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a character key;

when the character key is touched by the first pressure, inputting a lower case; and

when the character key is touched by the second pressure, inputting a capital letter.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a character key;

when the character key is touched by the first pressure, inputting a single consonant; and

when the character key is touched by the second pressure, inputting a double consonant.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a music player;

when a controller of the player is touched by the first pressure, replaying music at a third speed; and

when the controller of the player is touched by the second pressure, replaying music at a fourth speed.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the fourth speed is in inverse proportion to the third pressure.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a continuous input of a touch with a variable pressure;

displaying a vibration waveform which is in proportion to the variable pressure; and

storing the vibration waveform as a vibration pattern.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the vibration pattern is used as a call notification vibration.

14. An electronic device comprising:

a touch screen for arranging and displaying a plurality of contents and displaying a scroll bar adjacent to the plurality of contents on the touch screen; and

a controller configured to,

when the scroll bar is touched by a first pressure, scroll the plurality of contents on the touch screen at a first speed, and,

when the scroll bar is touched by a second pressure which is greater than the first pressure while scrolling the plurality of contents, enlarge one of the plurality of contents which is scrolling,

wherein the enlarging operation scrolls the plurality of contents at a second speed which is slower than the first speed.