Device, method, and graphical user interface for selecting object within a group of objects

• US 10,884,591 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2019
• Issued: 01/05/2021
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Missig, Julian
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tuan S
• Application Number:
  US16/240,669
• Publication Number:
  US 20190138189A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• 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 3/04842 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 3/04847 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 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• 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

Abstract

An electronic device having a touch-sensitive surface displays a plurality of user interface objects, detects selection of a first user interface object, detects a gesture that includes movement of a contact across the touch-sensitive surface, and in response, moves the first user interface object on the display within a predefined distance of a second user interface object. If the gesture meets predefined intensity criteria, the device performs a first device-generated alignment operation, including moving the second user interface object into alignment with the first user interface object, and if the gesture does not meet the predefined intensity criteria, the device performs a second device-generated alignment operation, includes moving the first user interface object into alignment with the second user interface object by adjusting a position of the first user interface object with respect to a current position of the second user interface object on the display.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

at an electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface and a display, wherein the electronic device includes one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface;

displaying a plurality of user interface objects on the display;

detecting selection of a first user interface object;

detecting a gesture that includes movement of a contact across the touch-sensitive surface;

moving the first user interface object on the display within a predefined distance of a second user interface object in accordance with movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface; and

in response to movement of the first user interface object within the predefined distance of the second user interface object;

in accordance with a determination that the gesture meets predefined intensity criteria, performing a first device-generated alignment operation, wherein the first device-generated alignment operation includes moving the second user interface object into alignment with the first user interface object by adjusting a position of the second user interface object with respect to a current position of the first user interface object on the display; and

in accordance with a determination that the gesture does not meet the predefined intensity criteria, performing a second device-generated alignment operation, wherein the second device-generated alignment operation includes moving the first user interface object into alignment with the second user interface object by adjusting a position of the first user interface object with respect to a current position of the second user interface object on the display.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined intensity criteria include that the contact on the touch-sensitive surface has an intensity above a respective intensity threshold when the first user interface object is moved within the predefined distance of the second user interface object.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined intensity criteria include that the contact on the touch-sensitive surface has an intensity above a respective intensity threshold when movement of the contact begins.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined intensity criteria include that the contact on the touch-sensitive surface has an intensity above a respective intensity threshold when movement of the first user interface object begins.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device-generated alignment operation includes movement of the second user interface object that is independent of movement of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second device-generated alignment operation includes movement of the first user interface object that is independent of movement of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface.

7. The method of claim 1, including:

in accordance with the determination that the gesture meets the predefined intensity criteria;

after performing the first device-generated alignment operation, detecting subsequent movement of the contact corresponding to movement of the first user interface object within the predefined distance of a third user interface object; and

in response to detecting the subsequent movement of the contact, performing a third device-generated alignment operation, wherein the third device-generated alignment operation includes moving the third user interface object into alignment with the first user interface object by adjusting a position of the third user interface object with respect to a current position of the first user interface object on the display.

8. The method of claim 1, including:

in accordance with the determination that the gesture meets the predefined intensity criteria;

performing the first device-generated alignment operation includes moving the second user interface object into alignment with an alignment axis determined in accordance with a position of the first user interface object on the display; and

after performing the first device-generated alignment operation, constraining the movement of the first user interface object to the alignment axis.

9. The method of claim 8, including:

after performing the first device-generated alignment operation, detecting subsequent movement of the contact corresponding to movement of the first user interface object along the alignment axis to a position that is within the predefined distance of a third user interface object; and

in response to detecting the subsequent movement of the contact, performing a third device-generated alignment operation, wherein the third device-generated alignment operation includes moving the third user interface object into alignment with the alignment axis.

10. The method of claim 1, including:

while detecting the gesture and prior to movement of the first user interface object within the predefined distance of the second user interface object, in accordance with a determination that the gesture meets the predefined intensity criteria, displaying a visual indication that the first device-generated alignment operation will be performed instead of the second device-generated alignment operation when the first user interface object is moved within the predefined distance of the second user interface object.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein displaying the visual indication includes changing an appearance of the first user interface object.

12. An electronic device, comprising:

a display;

a touch-sensitive surface;

one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface;

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for;

displaying a plurality of user interface objects on the display;

detecting selection of a first user interface object;

detecting a gesture that includes movement of a contact across the touch-sensitive surface;

moving the first user interface object on the display within a predefined distance of a second user interface object in accordance with movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface; and

in response to movement of the first user interface object within the predefined distance of the second user interface object;

in accordance with a determination that the gesture meets predefined intensity criteria, performing a first device-generated alignment operation, wherein the first device-generated alignment operation includes moving the second user interface object into alignment with the first user interface object by adjusting a position of the second user interface object with respect to a current position of the first user interface object on the display; and

in accordance with a determination that the gesture does not meet the predefined intensity criteria, performing a second device-generated alignment operation, wherein the second device-generated alignment operation includes moving the first user interface object into alignment with the second user interface object by adjusting a position of the first user interface object with respect to a current position of the second user interface object on the display.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the predefined intensity criteria include that the contact on the touch-sensitive surface has an intensity above a respective intensity threshold when the first user interface object is moved within the predefined distance of the second user interface object.

14. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the predefined intensity criteria include that the contact on the touch-sensitive surface has an intensity above a respective intensity threshold when movement of the contact begins.

15. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the predefined intensity criteria include that the contact on the touch-sensitive surface has an intensity above a respective intensity threshold when movement of the first user interface object begins.

16. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the first device-generated alignment operation includes movement of the second user interface object that is independent of movement of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface.

17. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the second device-generated alignment operation includes movement of the first user interface object that is independent of movement of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface.

18. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for, in accordance with the determination that the gesture meets the predefined intensity criteria:

after performing the first device-generated alignment operation, detecting subsequent movement of the contact corresponding to movement of the first user interface object within the predefined distance of a third user interface object; and

in response to detecting the subsequent movement of the contact, performing a third device-generated alignment operation, wherein the third device-generated alignment operation includes moving the third user interface object into alignment with the first user interface object by adjusting a position of the third user interface object with respect to a current position of the first user interface object on the display.

19. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for, in accordance with the determination that the gesture meets the predefined intensity criteria:

performing the first device-generated alignment operation includes moving the second user interface object into alignment with an alignment axis determined in accordance with a position of the first user interface object on the display; and

after performing the first device-generated alignment operation, constraining the movement of the first user interface object to the alignment axis.

20. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:

after performing the first device-generated alignment operation, detecting subsequent movement of the contact corresponding to movement of the first user interface object along the alignment axis to a position that is within the predefined distance of a third user interface object; and

in response to detecting the subsequent movement of the contact, performing a third device-generated alignment operation, wherein the third device-generated alignment operation includes moving the third user interface object into alignment with the alignment axis.

21. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:

while detecting the gesture and prior to movement of the first user interface object within the predefined distance of the second user interface object, in accordance with a determination that the gesture meets the predefined intensity criteria, displaying a visual indication that the first device-generated alignment operation will be performed instead of the second device-generated alignment operation when the first user interface object is moved within the predefined distance of the second user interface object.

22. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein displaying the visual indication includes changing an appearance of the first user interface object.

23. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface, cause the electronic device to:

display a plurality of user interface objects on the display;

detect selection of a first user interface object;

detect a gesture that includes movement of a contact across the touch-sensitive surface;

move the first user interface object on the display within a predefined distance of a second user interface object in accordance with movement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface; and

in response to movement of the first user interface object within the predefined distance of the second user interface object;

in accordance with a determination that the gesture meets predefined intensity criteria, perform a first device-generated alignment operation, wherein the first device-generated alignment operation includes moving the second user interface object into alignment with the first user interface object by adjusting a position of the second user interface object with respect to a current position of the first user interface object on the display; and

in accordance with a determination that the gesture does not meet the predefined intensity criteria, perform a second device-generated alignment operation, wherein the second device-generated alignment operation includes moving the first user interface object into alignment with the second user interface object by adjusting a position of the first user interface object with respect to a current position of the second user interface object on the display.

24. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 23, wherein the predefined intensity criteria include that the contact on the touch-sensitive surface has an intensity above a respective intensity threshold when the first user interface object is moved within the predefined distance of the second user interface object.

25. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 23, wherein the predefined intensity criteria include that the contact on the touch-sensitive surface has an intensity above a respective intensity threshold when movement of the contact begins.

26. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 23, wherein the predefined intensity criteria include that the contact on the touch-sensitive surface has an intensity above a respective intensity threshold when movement of the first user interface object begins.

27. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 23, wherein the first device-generated alignment operation includes movement of the second user interface object that is independent of movement of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface.

28. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 23, wherein the second device-generated alignment operation includes movement of the first user interface object that is independent of movement of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface.

29. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 23, wherein the one or more programs include instructions, which when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device, in accordance with the determination that the gesture meets the predefined intensity criteria, to:

after performing the first device-generated alignment operation, detect subsequent movement of the contact corresponding to movement of the first user interface object within the predefined distance of a third user interface object; and

in response to detecting the subsequent movement of the contact, perform a third device-generated alignment operation, wherein the third device-generated alignment operation includes moving the third user interface object into alignment with the first user interface object by adjusting a position of the third user interface object with respect to a current position of the first user interface object on the display.

30. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 23, wherein the one or more programs include instructions, which when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device, in accordance with the determination that the gesture meets the predefined intensity criteria, to:

perform the first device-generated alignment operation includes moving the second user interface object into alignment with an alignment axis determined in accordance with a position of the first user interface object on the display; and

after performing the first device-generated alignment operation, constrain the movement of the first user interface object to the alignment axis.

31. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the one or more programs include instructions, which when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to:

after performing the first device-generated alignment operation, detect subsequent movement of the contact corresponding to movement of the first user interface object along the alignment axis to a position that is within the predefined distance of a third user interface object; and

in response to detecting the subsequent movement of the contact, perform a third device-generated alignment operation, wherein the third device-generated alignment operation includes moving the third user interface object into alignment with the alignment axis.

32. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 23, wherein the one or more programs include instructions, which when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to:

while detecting the gesture and prior to movement of the first user interface object within the predefined distance of the second user interface object, in accordance with a determination that the gesture meets the predefined intensity criteria, display a visual indication that the first device-generated alignment operation will be performed instead of the second device-generated alignment operation when the first user interface object is moved within the predefined distance of the second user interface object.

33. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32, wherein displaying the visual indication includes changing an appearance of the first user interface object.