Handheld device with reconfiguring touch controls

• US 9,350,841 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2014
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charles J. Kulas
• Original Assignee: Charles J. Kulas
• Inventors: Kulas, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): TITCOMB, WILLIAM D
• Application Number:
  US14/479,712
• Publication Number:
  US 20140380185A1
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 715/864, 715/745, 345/173, 345/633
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0425 using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected tracking a projected light spot to determine a position on a display surface G06F3/0386
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/00 Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers subscriber services or facilities provided at exchanges H04M3/00; prepayment telephone coin boxes H04M17/00; current supply arrangements H04M19/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2477 for selecting a function from a menu display H04M1/2474 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera constructional features concerning the integration of cameras in portable phones H04M1/0264

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a system for reconfiguring touch controls on a device, such as a cell phone, in reaction to a user'"'"'s changing mode of operation. For example, a standard display of icons that works well in two-handed operation may not work as well for one-handed operation where the user tries to operate the controls with a thumb of the holding hand. In such a case, a device can detect that the user is trying to operate the controls with a thumb of the holding hand and the controls can be reconfigured to be more suitable for thumb operation. Reconfiguration can also occur in other modes of operation, such as when the user is using a stylus, multiple fingers of a second (non-holding hand), fingers on both hands, etc. In some embodiments, detection of the mode of operation can be automatic such as where a camera takes an image to determine the mode.

Claims

1. A method for reconfiguring controls shown on a touch screen display, wherein the touch screen display is included in a device, wherein the reconfiguring allows one or more of the controls to be more accessible for operation of a thumb of a hand holding the device, the method comprising:

displaying a plurality of controls on the touch screen display;

accepting a signal to indicate that reconfiguring for a thumb mode of operation is desired; and

changing the display in response to the signal so that at least one of the plurality of controls is moved to a thumb access area and wherein at least one other control of the plurality of controls is not moved, wherein the at least one control is more accessible for operation by the thumb than when the at least one control was not in the thumb access area.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the thumb access area is substantially defined by an area on the touch screen display that is easily contacted by the thumb and includes top and bottom edges, a retracted curve edge nearer to the thumb and an extended curve edge farther from the thumb.

3. A method for reconfiguring controls shown on a touch screen display, wherein the touch screen display is included in a device, wherein the reconfiguring allows one or more of the controls to be more accessible for operation of a thumb of a hand holding the device, the method comprising:

displaying a plurality of controls on the touch screen display;

displaying at least one graphic on the touch screen display;

accepting a signal to indicate that reconfiguring for a thumb mode of operation is desired; and

changing the display in response to the signal so that at least one of the plurality of controls is moved to a thumb access area and wherein the graphic is not moved, wherein the at least one control is more accessible for operation by the thumb than when the at least one control was not in the thumb access area.