Launcher for context based menus
First Claim
1. A method executed in a computing device for providing a launch mechanism for context based menus, the method comprising:
- in response to detecting a selection of a portion of displayed area on a user interface or a user action on the user interface, presenting a launcher indicator associated with an underlying context based menu, wherein a location of the launcher indicator is selected based on the selected portion of the displayed area;
adjusting the location of the launcher indicator automatically based on a direction of writing associated with the selected portion of the displayed area and one or more user attributes, wherein the one or more user attributes include at least one of a left or right handedness of a user, a size of fingers or a pointing device, or a user positioning preference;
detecting another user action associated with the displayed launcher indicator; and
in response to the other user action,executing a command and displaying a tool tip as an indication of the executed command ordisplaying the underlying context based menu and displaying another tool tip as a reminder that the launcher has been activated, but no action has been received.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A launching mechanism for context based menus is provided. A launcher indicator may be provided at a fixed or dynamic location on a user interface enabling a user to activate a context based menu through a variety of touch or gesture actions, as well as keyboard, mouse, or similar device inputs, directly related to the indicator or through inference from an action on the displayed content such as selection of a portion of the content. The launcher indicator may provide contextual information such as a type of available context based menu and appear/disappear in an animated fashion. Location of the indicator may also be dynamically adjusted based on selected content, user action location (i.e., location of a touch), available display area, and so on. Upon activation of the menu, the launcher indicator may disappear or be displayed at a center of the context based menu.
52 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method executed in a computing device for providing a launch mechanism for context based menus, the method comprising:
-
in response to detecting a selection of a portion of displayed area on a user interface or a user action on the user interface, presenting a launcher indicator associated with an underlying context based menu, wherein a location of the launcher indicator is selected based on the selected portion of the displayed area; adjusting the location of the launcher indicator automatically based on a direction of writing associated with the selected portion of the displayed area and one or more user attributes, wherein the one or more user attributes include at least one of a left or right handedness of a user, a size of fingers or a pointing device, or a user positioning preference; detecting another user action associated with the displayed launcher indicator; and in response to the other user action, executing a command and displaying a tool tip as an indication of the executed command or displaying the underlying context based menu and displaying another tool tip as a reminder that the launcher has been activated, but no action has been received. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A computing device for providing a launch mechanism for context based menus, the computing device comprising:
-
an input device; a memory; a processor coupled to the memory and the input device, the processor executing an application and causing a user interface associated with the application to be displayed on a screen, wherein the processor is configured to; in response to detecting a selection of a portion of displayed area on the user interface or a first user action on the user interface, present a launcher indicator associated with an underlying context based menu at a fixed location on the user interface or a dynamically selected location based on at least one from a set of;
the selected portion of the displayed area, a displayed content type, available display area, user interface borders, and a device type, wherein a location of the launcher indicator is selected based on the selected portion of the displayed area;adjust the location of the launcher indicator automatically based on a direction of writing associated with the selected portion of the displayed areaand one or more user attributes, wherein the one or more user attributes include at least one of a left or right handedness of a user, a size of fingers or a pointing device, or a user positioning preference; if no other user action is detected within a predefined time, hide the launcher indicator; detect a second user action associated with the displayed launcher indicator; and in response to the second user action, hide the launcher indicator and execute a command and display a tool tip as an indication of the executed command or display the underlying context based menu and display another tool lip as a reminder that the launcher indicator has been activated, but no action has been received. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A computer-readable memory device with instructions stored thereon for providing a launch mechanism for touch and gesture enabled menus, the instructions containing:
-
in response to detecting a selection of a portion of displayed area on the user interface or a touch action or a gesture action on the user interface, presenting a launcher indicator associated with an underlying context based menu at a fixed location on the user interface or a dynamically selected location based on at least one from a set of;
the selected portion of the displayed area, a displayed content type, available display area, user interface borders, and a device type, wherein a location of the launcher indicator is selected based on the selected portion of the displayed area;adjusting the location of the launcher indicator automatically based on a direction of writing associated with the selected portion of the displayed area, and one or more user attributes, wherein the one or more user attributes include at least one of a left or right handedness of a user, a size of fingers or a pointing device, or a user positioning preference; if no other user action is detected within a predefined time, hiding the launcher indicator; detecting another one of a touch action or a gesture action associated with the displayed launcher indicator; and in response to the other one of the touch action or the gesture action, hiding the launcher indicator and executing a command and displaying a tool tip as an indication of the executed command or displaying the underlying context based menu and displaying another tool tip as a reminder that the launcher indicator has been activated, but no action has been received. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
Specification