Intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface

• US 5,745,116 A
• Filed: 09/09/1996
• Issued: 04/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Pisutha-Arnond, Suthirug Num
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Matthew M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUYNH, BA
• Application Number:
  US08/711,236
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 345/326, 345/327, 345/328, 345/335, 345/337, 345/338, 345/339, 345/340, 345/347, 345/348, 345/349, 345/352, 345/353, 345/358, 345/354
• US Class Current: 715/863
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04807 Pen manipulated menu
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041

Abstract

A user performs a manual selection or a gesture selection of a screen object (210, 220, 230) on a screen (150) of an electronic device (100) using a pointing device (190). After a manual selection, such as a single tap, the electronic device (100) automatically presents a temporary directional palette (450) having palette buttons (451, 452, 453, 454, 455) that explicitly state functions of the electronic device (100). Each palette button has a unique compass direction relative to the original tap area. By making a second tap on a desired palette button, a novice user learns available functions of the electronic device (100) and their corresponding directional gestures. Alternately, the user may perform a gesture selection of both a screen object and a function, such as making a double tap or drawing a line in the appropriate direction, before the directional palette appears on the screen (150).

Claims

1. A method for providing a microprocessor-controlled intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface for an electronic device having a screen comprising the steps of:

A) displaying a screen object on the screen;

B) receiving a user input corresponding to a selection of the screen object and evaluating the user input as either corresponding to a manual selection or corresponding to a gesture selection;

C) if the user input corresponds to a manual selection, performing the steps of;

1) automatically presenting on the screen a directional palette, the directional palette having at least one palette button, each at least one palette button each having a unique compass direction and a unique function identifier; and

2) receiving a next user input corresponding to a selection of the at least one palette button; and

D) if the user input corresponds to a gesture selection, performing the steps of;

1) providing a user feedback acknowledging the gesture selection;

2) determining if the user input is a function call;

3) if the user input is a function call, performing a function; and

4) if the user input is not a function call, returning to the step of automatically presenting on the screen a directional palette (step C)

     1)).

2. A method for providing a microprocessor-controlled intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface for an electronic device having a screen according to claim 1 wherein the user feedback is a visual feedback.

3. A method for providing a microprocessor-controlled intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface for an electronic device having a screen according to claim 2 wherein the user feedback is a temporary palette button.

4. A method for providing a microprocessor-controlled intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface for an electronic device having a screen according to claim 1 wherein the user feedback is an audio feedback.

5. A method for providing a microprocessor-controlled intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface for an electronic device having a screen according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:

waiting for a variable time period before the step of automatically presenting on the screen a directional palette (step C)

     1)).

6. A method for providing a microprocessor-controlled intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface for an electronic device having a screen according to claim 1 wherein the user input corresponding to a manual selection is a drawing of a point.

7. A method for providing a microprocessor-controlled intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface for an electronic device having a screen according to claim 1 wherein the user input corresponding to a gesture selection is a drawing of a line.

8. A method for providing a microprocessor-controlled intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface for an electronic device having a screen according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:

providing visual feedback after the step of receiving a user input (step B)).

9. A method for providing a microprocessor-controlled intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface for an electronic device having a screen according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:

providing audio feedback after the step of receiving a user input (step B)).

10. A method for providing a microprocessor-controlled intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface for an electronic device having a screen according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

C)

3) evaluating the next user input as either corresponding to a manual selection or corresponding to a gesture selection;

4) if the next user input corresponds to manual selection, performing the steps of;

5) determining if the next user input is a function call;

6) if the next user input is a function call, performing a function; and

7) if the next user input is not a function call, returning to the step of automatically presenting on the screen a directional palette (step C)

     1)).

11. A method for providing a microprocessor-controlled intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface for an electronic device having a screen according to claim 10 further comprising the steps of:

D) if the user input corresponds to a gesture selection, performing the steps of;

1) providing a user feedback acknowledging the gesture selection;

2) determining if the user input is a function call;

3) if the user input is a function call, performing a function; and

4) if the user input is not a function call, returning to the step of automatically presenting on the screen a directional palette (step C)

     1)).

12. A method for providing a microprocessor-controlled intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface for an electronic device having a screen according to claim 11 wherein the user feedback is a visual feedback.

13. A method for providing a microprocessor-controlled intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface for an electronic device having a screen according to claim 12 wherein the user feedback is a first temporary palette button.

14. A method for providing a microprocessor-controlled intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface for an electronic device having a screen according to claim 11 wherein the user feedback is an audio feedback.

15. A method for providing a microprocessor-controlled intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface for a radiotelephone having a screen comprising the steps of:

A) displaying a screen object on the screen;

B) receiving a user input corresponding to a selection of the screen object and evaluating the user input as either corresponding to a manual selection or corresponding to a gesture selection;

C) if the user input corresponds to a manual selection, performing the steps of;

1) automatically presenting on the screen a directional palette, the directional palette having at least one palette button, each at least one palette button each having a unique compass direction and a unique function identifier;

2) receiving a next user input corresponding to a selection of the at least one palette button and evaluating the next user input as either corresponding to a manual selection or corresponding to a gesture selection;

3) if the next user input corresponds to a manual selection, performing the steps of;

4) determining if the next user input is a function call;

5) if the next user input is a function call, performing a function;

6) if the next user input is not a function call, returning to the step of automatically presenting on the screen a directional palette (step C)

     1));

D) if the user input corresponds to a gesture selection, performing the steps of;

1) providing a user feedback acknowledging the gesture selection;

2) determining if the user input is a function call;

3) if the user input is a function call, performing a function; and

4) if the user input is not a function call, returning to the step of automatically presenting on the screen a directional palette (step C)

     1)).

16. A method for providing a microprocessor-controlled intuitive gesture-based graphical user interface for a radiotelephone having a screen according to claim 15 further comprising the steps of:

C)

7) if the next user input corresponds to a gesture selection, performing the steps of;

1) providing a user feedback acknowledging the gesture selection;

2) determining if the next user input is a function call;

3) if the next user input is a function call, performing a function; and

4) if the next user input is not a function call, returning to the step of automatically presenting on the screen a directional palette (step C)

     1)).