Multifunction activation methods and related devices

• US 20070211039A1
• Filed: 12/20/2006
• Published: 09/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Original Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Inventors: Wang, John C., Wang, Yi-Shen, Chen, Hsi-Kun
• Application Number:
  US11/641,698
• Publication Number:
  US 20070211039A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

Multifunction activation methods. A touch-sensitive mechanism comprising a first zone and a second zone is provided. The first zone has a first input definition. Upon contact with the second zone, maintained contact with the touch-sensitive mechanism and movement from the second zone to the first zone, a function is activated. If the contact moves within the first zone, the function is executed according to the first input definition.

Claims

1. A multifunction activation method, comprising:

providing a touch-sensitive mechanism comprising a first zone and a second zone, wherein upon contact with the first zone and movement thereof within the first zone, a first function is activated;

detecting contact with the second zone;

determining whether the contact still contacts the touch-sensitive mechanism; and

if so, and the contact moves from the second zone to the first zone, a second function is activated.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising defining an input definition corresponding to the second function for the second zone after the second function is activated.

3. A multifunction activation method, comprising:

providing a touch-sensitive mechanism comprising a first zone and a second zone, where the first zone has a first input definition;

detecting contact with the second zone;

determining whether the contact still contacts the touch-sensitive mechanism;

if so, and the contact moves from the second zone to the first zone, activating a function; and

operating the function according to the first input definition if the contact moves within the first zone.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising defining a second input definition corresponding to the function for the second zone after the function is activated.

5. A multifunction activation method, comprising:

providing a touch-sensitive mechanism comprising a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone;

detecting contact with the second zone;

if the contact still contacts the touch-sensitive mechanism and moves from the second zone to the first zone, activating a first function;

detecting a contact of the contact on the third zone;

if the contact still contacts the touch-sensitive mechanism and moves from the third zone to the first zone, activating a second function.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising defining a second input definition corresponding to the first function for the third zone after the first function is activated.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the first zone has a first input definition, and the method further comprises executing the first function according to the first input definition if the contact moves within the first zone.

8. A multifunction activation method, comprising:

providing a touch-sensitive mechanism comprising a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone;

detecting contact with the third zone;

determining whether the contact still contacts the touch-sensitive mechanism; and

if so, and the contact moves from the second zone and passes through the second zone to the first zone, a first function is activated.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising defining a second input definition corresponding to the first function for the second zone after the first function is activated.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the first zone has a first input definition, and the method further comprises executing the first function according to the first input definition if the contact moves within the first zone.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

detecting contact with the second zone; and

if the contact still contacts the touch-sensitive mechanism, and moves from the second zone to the first zone, activating a second function.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising defining a third input definition corresponding to the second function for the third zone after the second function is activated.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the first zone has a first input definition, and the method further comprises a executing the second function according to the first input definition if the contact moves within the first zone.

14. A multifunction activation method, comprising:

providing a touch-sensitive mechanism comprising a first zone and a second zone;

detecting contact with the second zone; and

if the contact moves from the second zone to the first zone, a first function is activated.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

detecting contact with a third zone of the touch-sensitive mechanism; and

if the contact moves from the third zone to the first zone, a second function is activated.

16. A device, comprising:

a touch-sensitive mechanism comprising a first zone and a second zone,

wherein upon contact with the first zone, and movement thereof within the first zone, a first function is activated, and upon contact with the second zone and continuous contact with the touch-sensitive mechanism and movement from the second zone to the first zone, a second function is activated.

17. A device, comprising:

a touch-sensitive mechanism comprising a first zone and a second zone, where the first zone has a first input definition,

wherein upon contact with the second zone, maintained contact with the touch-sensitive mechanism and movement from the second zone to the first zone, a function is activated, and the function is operated according to the first input definition if the contact moves within the first zone.

18. A device, comprising:

a touch-sensitive mechanism comprising a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone,

wherein upon contact with the second zone, maintained contact with the touch-sensitive mechanism and movement from the second zone to the first zone, a first function is activated, and upon contact with the third zone, maintained contact with the touch-sensitive mechanism and movement from the third zone to the first zone, a second function is activated.

19. A device, comprising:

a touch-sensitive mechanism comprising a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone,

wherein upon contact with the third zone, maintained contact with the touch-sensitive mechanism and movement from the second zone and passes through the second zone to the first zone, a first function is activated.

20. A device, comprising:

a touch-sensitive mechanism comprising a first zone and a second zone, wherein the first zone and the second zone are logically or physically divided,

wherein upon contact with the second zone, and movement from the second zone to the first zone, a first function is activated.

21. A multifunction activation method, comprising:

providing a touch-sensitive mechanism comprising a plurality of zones;

detecting contact with the zones of the touch-sensitive mechanism to obtain a combination of contacted zones; and

activating a specific function according to the contacted zone combination.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising defining input definitions corresponding to the specific function for respective zones.

23. A device, comprising:

a touch-sensitive mechanism comprising a plurality of zones, wherein the zones are logically or physically divided on the touch-sensitive mechanism,

wherein upon contact with the zones, a specific function is activated according to a combination of the contacted zones.