Peel back user interface to show hidden functions
First Claim
1. A method for receiving input in a computing device having a graphical user interface presented on a display, comprising the steps of:
- (a) identifying at least one additional function of the computing device, the at least one additional function being accessible on at least a portion of an underlying image that is not currently visible to a user;
(b) presenting a current image to a user, the current image representing a current function and covering at least a portion of the underlying image such that access to the function is at least partially covered by the current image;
(c) establishing a predetermined user input for providing access to the underlying image and the function accessible thereon; and
(d) upon receiving the predetermined user input from the user, initiating a visual effect depicting the current image being at least partially removed from over the underlying image to visually expose and enable access by the user to the at least one additional function, which was previously visually hidden by the current image.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A user is able to access additional functions not represented in a current image displayed by a graphical user interface. At least one function not presented on the current image is represented by a symbol on an underlying image that is at least partially covered by the current image. When the user performs a predetermined user input (e.g., selecting a corner of the current image), the underlying image and the at least one function represented thereby become accessible. When the user input is performed, a visual effect depicts the current image being at least partially removed from over the underlying image, thereby revealing and permitting access to the at least one additional function. The user input is made by the user performing an action with the user'"'"'s hand or another object adjacent to a responsive display, or by using a pointing device to manipulate a displayed image.
341 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for receiving input in a computing device having a graphical user interface presented on a display, comprising the steps of:
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(a) identifying at least one additional function of the computing device, the at least one additional function being accessible on at least a portion of an underlying image that is not currently visible to a user;
(b) presenting a current image to a user, the current image representing a current function and covering at least a portion of the underlying image such that access to the function is at least partially covered by the current image;
(c) establishing a predetermined user input for providing access to the underlying image and the function accessible thereon; and
(d) upon receiving the predetermined user input from the user, initiating a visual effect depicting the current image being at least partially removed from over the underlying image to visually expose and enable access by the user to the at least one additional function, which was previously visually hidden by the current image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A memory medium having machine instructions for execution on a computing device having a graphical user interface presented on a display configured to be responsive to an input made by one of placing and moving external objects relative to a surface of the display, said machine instructions when executed by the computer device, carrying out a plurality of functions, including:
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(a) associating at least one additional function of the computing device with at least a portion of an underlying image, the at least one additional function being accessible being visually hidden;
(b) presenting a current image to a user, the current image covering at least a portion of the underlying image such that access to the at least one additional function is at least partially covered by the current image;
(c) detecting a predetermined user input made for accessing the additional function on the underlying image, the predetermined user input including at least one of;
(i) the user placing an external object adjacent to a surface of the display; and
(ii) the user performing a gesture with the external object adjacent to the surface of the display;
(d) upon detecting the predetermined user input, initiating a visual effect depicting the current image being at least partially removed from the underlying image, revealing the at least one additional function and enabling access of the at least one additional function by the user; and
(e) initiating the at least one additional function upon detecting one of;
(i) while the predetermined user input is being maintained, the user making an additional user input to trigger the at least one additional function;
(ii) after predetermined the user input has been made, the user making the additional user input to trigger the at least one additional function within a predetermined interval of time after the predetermined user input was made; and
(iii) after the predetermined user input was made, the user making the at least one additional user input before any other user input is made. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for providing an input to an application that is being executed, comprising:
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(a) an interactive display surface adjacent to which a plurality of physical objects are manipulated, said interactive display surface presenting visual entities;
(b) a sensor that detects a location of the physical objects that are adjacent to the interactive display surface;
(c) a processor in communication with the light sensor and the display device; and
(d) a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing data and machine instructions that cause the processor to carry out a plurality of functions, including;
(i) associating at least one additional function of the computing device with at least a portion of an underlying image that is initially at least partially hidden;
(ii) presenting a current image to a user, the current image being associated with a current function and covering at least a portion of the underlying image so that the at least one additional function is at least partially covered and obscured by the current image;
(iii) detecting a predetermined user input for providing access to the underlying image; and
(iv) upon detecting the predetermined user input, initiating a visual effect depicting the current image being at least partially removed from over the underlying image to visually expose and enable access by a user to the at least one additional function, which was previously at least partially hidden by the current image. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification