Speed/positional mode translations

• US 20080309626A1
• Filed: 06/13/2007
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: O'Connor, Sean Erik, Westerman, Wayne Carl
• Granted Patent: US 9,740,386 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04808 Several contacts: gestures triggering a specific function, e.g. scrolling, zooming, right-click, when the user establishes several contacts with the surface simultaneously; e.g. using several fingers or a combination of fingers and pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

Gestures for converting from a position control mode to a motion continuation mode are disclosed. A position control mode can be invoked when the user simultaneously places two or more fingers upon a sensor panel. The fingers can then be moved around to effect position control. A motion continuation mode can be invoked when one or more fingers are lifted off (but at least one finger remains in contact with the sensor panel). If the motion continuation mode is invoked, a virtual control ring can be generated, and scrolling of the viewable area or dragging of the cursor or object can continue in a particular direction specified by a velocity vector pointed in the direction of finger movement at the time the motion continuation mode is invoked, and having a magnitude proportional to the velocity of the finger at the time the motion continuation mode was invoked.

Claims

1. A method for converting from a position control mode to a motion continuation mode on a sensor panel to provide enhanced motion control capabilities, comprising:

entering the position control mode upon detecting a touchdown of two or more fingers on the sensor panel;

detecting a liftoff of one or more of the fingers from the sensor panel, with at least one of the fingers remaining in contact with the sensor panel, during movement of the two or more fingers along the sensor panel; and

entering the motion continuation mode upon the detection of the liftoff of the one or more fingers.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a virtual control ring upon entering the motion continuation mode, the virtual control ring for controlling a velocity and direction of motion being continued on a display device during the motion continuation mode.

3. The method of claim 2, the motion being continued including scrolling of a viewable area or dragging an object in a direction and at a velocity substantially similar to the direction and velocity of the two or more fingers being moved along the sensor panel when the motion continuation mode was entered.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising generating a velocity vector within the virtual control ring whose magnitude and direction is proportional to the velocity and direction of the motion being continued.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising generating a null within the virtual control ring for stopping the motion being continued.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising moving one of the fingers remaining in contact with the sensor panel within the virtual control ring to adjust the magnitude and direction of the velocity vector and control the velocity and direction of the motion being continued.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising pulling the virtual control ring along with one of the fingers remaining in contact with the sensor panel if the finger moves beyond an original location of the virtual control ring established when the motion continuation mode was invoked.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising scrolling a viewable area or dragging an object on a display device after entering the motion continuation mode and detecting that all fingers remaining in contact with the sensor panel have substantially ceased further movement.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising scrolling the viewable area or dragging the object on the display device in a direction and at a velocity substantially similar to the direction and velocity of the two or more fingers being moved along the sensor panel when the motion continuation mode was entered.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising terminating the motion continuation mode if one or more additional fingers are lifted off the sensor panel during the motion continuation mode.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising terminating the motion continuation mode and resuming position control mode if one or more additional fingers touch the sensor panel during the motion continuation mode.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising entering the motion continuation mode upon detecting a liftoff of one or more of the fingers from the sensor panel in an edge zone of the sensor panel.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising entering the position control mode upon detecting a substantially simultaneous touchdown of the two or more fingers on the sensor panel.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising entering the position control mode upon detecting a touchdown of the two or more fingers on the sensor panel within a predetermined distance from each other.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising entering the position control mode upon detecting a touchdown of the two or more fingers on the sensor panel near or over an object.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a cursor to be moved upon detecting the touchdown of the two or more fingers on the sensor panel.

17. A method for converting from a position control mode to a motion continuation mode on a sensor panel, comprising:

entering the position control mode upon detecting a touchdown of one or more initial fingers on the sensor panel;

detecting a touchdown of one or more additional fingers onto the sensor panel while the one or more initial fingers are being moved along the sensor panel; and

entering the motion continuation mode upon the detection of the touchdown of the one or more additional fingers.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising generating a virtual control ring upon entering the motion continuation mode, the virtual control ring for controlling a velocity and direction of motion being continued on a display device during the motion continuation mode.

19. The method of claim 18, the motion being continued including scrolling of a viewable area or dragging an object in a direction and at a velocity substantially similar to the direction and velocity of the one or more initial fingers being moved along the sensor panel when the motion continuation mode was entered.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising generating a velocity vector within the virtual control ring whose magnitude and direction is proportional to the velocity and direction of the motion being continued.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising generating a null within the virtual control ring for stopping the motion being continued.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising moving one of the fingers in contact with the sensor panel within the virtual control ring to adjust the magnitude and direction of the velocity vector and control the velocity and direction of the motion being continued.

23. The method of claim 17, further comprising pulling the virtual control ring along with one of the fingers in contact with the sensor panel if the finger moves beyond an original location of the virtual control ring established when the motion continuation mode was invoked.

24. The method of claim 17, further comprising scrolling a viewable area or dragging an object on a display device after entering the motion continuation mode and detecting that all fingers remaining in contact with the sensor panel have substantially ceased further movement.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising scrolling the viewable area or dragging the object on the display device in a direction and at a velocity substantially similar to the direction and velocity of the one or more fingers being moved along the sensor panel when the motion continuation mode was entered.

26. The method of claim 17, further comprising entering the motion continuation mode upon detecting the touchdown of the one or more additional fingers on the sensor panel within a predetermined distance from at least one initial finger already touching the sensor panel.

27. The method of claim 17, further comprising entering the motion continuation mode upon detecting the touchdown of the one or more additional fingers on the sensor panel near or over an object.

28. The method of claim 17, further comprising generating an object to be moved upon detecting the touchdown of the one or more fingers on the sensor panel.

29. A method for converting from a position control mode to a motion continuation mode on a sensor panel, comprising:

entering the position control mode upon detecting a touchdown of one or more fingers on the sensor panel;

detecting an application of increased force from at least one of the one or more fingers upon the sensor panel while the one or more fingers are being moved along the sensor panel; and

entering the motion continuation mode upon the detection of the application of increased force.

30. A method for converting from a position control mode to a motion continuation mode on a sensor panel, comprising:

entering the position control mode upon detecting a touchdown of one or more fingers on the sensor panel;

detecting a flattening of at least one of the one or more fingers on the sensor panel while the one or more fingers are being moved along the sensor panel; and

entering the motion continuation mode upon the detection of the flattening finger.

31. A computer-readable medium comprising program code for converting from a position control mode to a motion continuation mode on a sensor panel to provide enhanced motion control capabilities, the program code for causing performance of a method comprising:

entering the position control mode upon detecting a touchdown of two or more fingers on the sensor panel;

detecting a liftoff of one or more of the fingers from the sensor panel, with at least one of the fingers remaining in contact with the sensor panel, during movement of the two or more fingers along the sensor panel; and

entering the motion continuation mode upon the detection of the liftoff of the one or more fingers.

32. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising generating a virtual control ring upon entering the motion continuation mode, the virtual control ring for controlling a velocity and direction of motion being continued on a display device during the motion continuation mode.

33. The computer-readable medium of claim 32, the motion being continued including scrolling of a viewable area or dragging an object in a direction and at a velocity substantially similar to the direction and velocity of the two or more fingers being moved along the sensor panel when the motion continuation mode was entered.

34. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising generating a velocity vector within the virtual control ring whose magnitude and direction is proportional to the velocity and direction of the motion being continued.

35. The computer-readable medium of claim 34, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising generating a null within the virtual control ring for stopping the motion being continued.

36. The computer-readable medium of claim 34, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising moving one of the fingers remaining in contact with the sensor panel within the virtual control ring to adjust the magnitude and direction of the velocity vector and control the velocity and direction of the motion being continued.

37. The computer-readable medium of claim 32, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising pulling the virtual control ring along with one of the fingers remaining in contact with the sensor panel if the finger moves beyond an original location of the virtual control ring established when the motion continuation mode was invoked.

38. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising scrolling a viewable area or dragging an object on a display device after entering the motion continuation mode and detecting that all fingers remaining in contact with the sensor panel have substantially ceased further movement.

39. The computer-readable medium of claim 38, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising scrolling the viewable area or dragging the object on the display device in a direction and at a velocity substantially similar to the direction and velocity of the two or more fingers being moved along the sensor panel when the motion continuation mode was entered.

40. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising terminating the motion continuation mode if one or more additional fingers are lifted off the sensor panel during the motion continuation mode.

41. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising terminating the motion continuation mode, and resuming position control mode, if one or more additional fingers touch the sensor panel during the motion continuation mode.

42. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising entering the motion continuation mode upon detecting a liftoff of one or more of the fingers from the sensor panel in an edge zone of the sensor panel.

43. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising entering the position control mode upon detecting a substantially simultaneous touchdown of the two or more fingers on the sensor panel.

44. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising entering the position control mode upon detecting a touchdown of the two or more fingers on the sensor panel within a predetermined distance from each other.

45. The computer-readable medium of claim 42, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising entering the position control mode upon detecting a touchdown of the two or more fingers on the sensor panel near or over an object.

46. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising generating a cursor to be moved upon detecting the touchdown of the two or more fingers on the sensor panel.

47. A computing system comprising the computer-readable medium of claim 31.

48. A mobile telephone comprising the computing system of claim 47.

49. A digital audio player comprising the computing system of claim 47.

50. A mobile telephone including a computer-readable medium comprising program code for converting from a position control mode to a motion continuation mode on a sensor panel to provide enhanced motion control capabilities, the program code for causing performance of a method comprising:

entering the position control mode upon detecting a touchdown of two or more fingers on the sensor panel;

detecting a liftoff of one or more of the fingers from the sensor panel, with at least one of the fingers remaining in contact with the sensor panel, during movement of the two or more fingers along the sensor panel; and

entering the motion continuation mode upon the detection of the liftoff of the one or more fingers.

51. A digital audio player including a computer-readable medium comprising program code for converting from a position control mode to a motion continuation mode on a sensor panel to provide enhanced motion control capabilities, the program code for causing performance of a method comprising:

entering the position control mode upon detecting a touchdown of two or more fingers on the sensor panel;

detecting a liftoff of one or more of the fingers from the sensor panel, with at least one of the fingers remaining in contact with the sensor panel, during movement of the two or more fingers along the sensor panel; and

entering the motion continuation mode upon the detection of the liftoff of the one or more fingers.

52. An apparatus for converting from a position control mode to a motion continuation mode on a sensor panel to provide enhanced motion control capabilities, the apparatus comprising:

means for entering the position control mode upon detecting a touchdown of two or more fingers on the sensor panel;

means for detecting a liftoff of one or more of the fingers from the sensor panel, with at least one of the fingers remaining in contact with the sensor panel, during movement of the two or more fingers along the sensor panel; and

means for entering the motion continuation mode upon the detection of the liftoff of the one or more fingers.

53. A computer-readable medium comprising program code for converting from a position control mode to a motion continuation mode on a sensor panel, the program code for causing performance of a method comprising:

entering the position control mode upon detecting a touchdown of one or more initial fingers on the sensor panel;

detecting a touchdown of one or more additional fingers onto the sensor panel while the one or more initial fingers are being moved along the sensor panel; and

entering the motion continuation mode upon the detection of the touchdown of the one or more additional fingers.

54. The computer-readable medium of claim 53, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising generating a virtual control ring upon entering the motion continuation mode, the virtual control ring for controlling a velocity and direction of motion being continued on a display device during the motion continuation mode.

55. The computer-readable medium of claim 54, the motion being continued including scrolling of a viewable area or dragging an object in a direction and at a velocity substantially similar to the direction and velocity of the one or more initial fingers being moved along the sensor panel when the motion continuation mode was entered.

56. The computer-readable medium of claim 55, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising generating a velocity vector within the virtual control ring whose magnitude and direction is proportional to the velocity and direction of the motion being continued.

57. The computer-readable medium of claim 56, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising generating a null within the virtual control ring for stopping the motion being continued.

58. The computer-readable medium of claim 56, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising moving one of the fingers in contact with the sensor panel within the virtual control ring to adjust the magnitude and direction of the velocity vector and control the velocity and direction of the motion being continued.

59. The computer-readable medium of claim 53, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising pulling the virtual control ring along with one of the fingers in contact with the sensor panel if the finger moves beyond an original location of the virtual control ring established when the motion continuation mode was invoked.

60. The computer-readable medium of claim 53, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising scrolling a viewable area or dragging an object on a display device after entering the motion continuation mode and detecting that all fingers remaining in contact with the sensor panel have substantially ceased further movement.

61. The computer-readable medium of claim 60, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising scrolling the viewable area or dragging the object on the display device in a direction and at a velocity substantially similar to the direction and velocity of the one or more fingers being moved along the sensor panel when the motion continuation mode was entered.

62. The computer-readable medium of claim 53, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising entering the motion continuation mode upon detecting the touchdown of the one or more additional fingers on the sensor panel within a predetermined distance from at least one initial finger already touching the sensor panel.

63. The computer-readable medium of claim 53, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising entering the position control mode upon detecting the touchdown of the one or more fingers on the sensor panel near or over an object.

64. The computer-readable medium of claim 53, the program code further for causing performance of a method comprising generating an object to be moved upon detecting the touchdown of the one or more fingers on the sensor panel.

65. A computer-readable medium comprising program code for converting from a position control mode to a motion continuation mode on a sensor panel, the program code for causing performance of a method comprising:

entering the position control mode upon detecting a touchdown of one or more fingers on the sensor panel;

detecting an application of increased force from at least one of the one or more fingers upon the sensor panel while the one or more fingers are being moved along the sensor panel; and

entering the motion continuation mode upon the detection of the application of increased force.

66. A computer-readable medium comprising program code for converting from a position control mode to a motion continuation mode on a sensor panel, the program code for causing performance of a method comprising:

entering the position control mode upon detecting a touchdown of one or more fingers on the sensor panel;

detecting a flattening of at least one of the one or more fingers on the sensor panel while the one or more fingers are being moved along the sensor panel; and

entering the motion continuation mode upon the detection of the flattening finger.