Touch screen user interface with multi-text field display

• US 20070143703A1
• Filed: 12/16/2005
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Griffith, Jeremy
• Granted Patent: US 7,631,271 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/780
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5016 User-machine interface; Display panels; Control console
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a way of handling multiple text fields on user interfaces that are associated with relatively small screens, such as touch screen displays. Multiple text fields are presented in the same horizontal line. Contents of the currently selected text field are displayed in the horizontal line. The other text fields are indicated by a label or flag. Alternatively, the text fields may be presented in a tabbed format or with the use of pop-up windows.

Claims

1. A method of interfacing with a touch screen comprising:

providing a set of text fields that may selectively occupy a horizontal space on a touch screen;

sensing contact with the touch screen;

determining a position of the probe in contact with the touch screen;

if the position of the probe is at one of the set of text fields, selecting the one text field; and

upon selection of the one text field, expanding the one text field in the horizontal space on the touch screen for receiving information and providing indicators for other text fields in the set of text fields in the same horizontal space.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying a touch keypad for inputting information into the set of text fields;

3. The method of claim 4 further comprising upon selection of another one text field, expanding the another one text field, contracting the one text field, and expanding the another one text field for receiving information.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying an identifier associated with each one of the set of text fields.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the information is an e-mail address.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising displaying a signal to indicate that a text field includes information.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the signal is an ellipses.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the signal is a color.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein the one text field is contracted gradually and the another one text field is expanded gradually such that a user can see the one text field contracting and the another one text field expanding.

10. A touch screen user interface comprising:

a touch screen configured to display a set of text fields in a horizontal space on a touch screen; and

a user interface controller configured to determine a position of contact with the touch screen, determine if one of the set of text fields has been selected, and upon selection of the one text field, expanding the one text field in the horizontal space, and providing identifiers for other text fields in the set of text fields in the horizontal space.

11. The touch screen user interface of claim 10 wherein the touch screen displays a touch keypad for inputting information into the set of text fields.

12. The touch screen user interface of claim 10 wherein, upon selection of the another one text field, the user interface controller expands the another one text field, contracts the one text field, and expands the another text field in the horizontal space.

13. The touch screen user interface of claim 10 wherein the information is an e-mail address.

14. The touch screen user interface of claim 10 wherein the touch screen displays a signal to indicate that a text field includes information.

15. The touch screen user interface of claim 14 wherein the signal is an ellipses.

16. The touch screen user interface of claim 10 wherein the one text field is contracted gradually and the another one text field is expanded gradually such that a user can see the one text field contracting and the another one text field expanding.

17. A multi-function reprographic digital machine comprising:

a printer;

a scanner;

a touch screen configured to display a set of selectable objects in a horizontal space; and

a user interface controller configured to determine a position of contact with the touch screen, determine if one of the set of objects has been selected based on the position of contact, upon selection of one object, and expand the one object in the horizontal space for receiving information.

18. The machine of claim 17 wherein the user interface controller is configured to expand another object in the horizontal space when selected, and contract the one object previously selected.

19. The machine of claim 17 wherein the user interface controller is configured to display an identifier for each object in the horizontal space on the touch screen.

20. The machine of claim 19 wherein the user interface controller is configured to modify the identifier for each object when information has been received for that object.