Device, method, and graphical user interface for navigating user interface hierarchies

• US 9,996,233 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2015
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Bernstein, Jeffrey Traer, Missig, Julian, Cieplinski, Avi E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Theriault, Steven B
• Application Number:
  US14/856,522
• Publication Number:
  US 20160004429A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04105 Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position
• 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 3/0483 Interaction with page-structured environments, e.g. book metaphor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• 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: G06F 9/445 Program loading or initiating bootstrapping G06F9/4401; security arrangements for program loading or initiating G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

An electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface, a display, and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts displaying a lower-level user interface that is part of a user interface hierarchy, where the hierarchy includes at least three levels, including the lower-level user interface, an intermediate-level user interface and a higher-level user interface. The device also, while displaying the lower-level user interface, detects an input on a portion of the device that is associated with user interface hierarchy navigation and, in response to detecting the input, in accordance with a determination that the input meets first transition criteria, the device replaces display of the lower-level user interface with display of the intermediate-level user interface and in accordance with a determination that the input meets second transition criteria, the device replaces display of the lower-level user interface with display of the higher-level user interface.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

at an electronic device with a touch-sensitive surface and a display, wherein the device includes one or more sensors to detect intensities of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface;

displaying, on the display, a lower-level user interface that is part of a user interface hierarchy, wherein;

the hierarchy includes at least three levels, including the lower-level user interface, an intermediate-level user interface and a higher-level user interface;

the intermediate-level user interface is above the lower-level user interface in the hierarchy; and

the higher-level user interface is above both the intermediate-level user interface and the lower-level user interface in the hierarchy;

while displaying the lower-level user interface without concurrently displaying other user interfaces in the hierarchy, detecting an input on a portion of the device that is associated with user interface hierarchy navigation;

in response to detecting the input;

in accordance with a determination that the input has a duration shorter than a respective time threshold, replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the higher-level user interface; and

in accordance with a determination that the input has a duration longer than the respective time threshold, replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of a respective user interface in the user interface hierarchy selected in accordance with an intensity of the input.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the device on which the input is detected is a physical button.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the device on which the input is detected is a portion of the touch-sensitive surface that is associated with hierarchy navigation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the device on which the input is detected is a portion of a touch screen display that includes an icon associated with hierarchy navigation.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the input is a contact on the touch-sensitive surface.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the input includes a contact detected on the touch-sensitive surface; and

the input is a stationary gesture that does not include lateral movement of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the hierarchy includes exactly three levels in order from highest to lowest:

the higher-level user interface;

the intermediate-level user interface; and

the lower-level user interface.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the higher-level user interface is adjacent to the intermediate-level user interface in the hierarchy; and

the intermediate-level user interface is adjacent to the lower-level user interface in the hierarchy.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the hierarchy includes more than three levels.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the lower-level and intermediate-level user interfaces are user interfaces in a single application; and

the higher-level user interface is an application launch user interface.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the lower-level, intermediate-level and higher-level user interfaces are user interfaces in a single application.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the lower-level user interface is a media presentation interface;

the intermediate-level user interface is a media collection display interface of a media player application; and

the higher-level user interface is an application launch user interface that includes an icon representing the media player application.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the lower-level user interface is a subfolder;

the intermediate-level user interface is a folder containing the subfolder; and

the higher-level user interface is an application launch interface that includes an icon representing the folder.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the respective user interface selected in accordance with the intensity of the input includes displaying an animated transition between the lower-level user interface and the respective user interface where the animated transition progresses at a rate that corresponds to the intensity of the input.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the respective user interface selected in accordance with the intensity of the input includes displaying an animated transition between the lower-level user interface and the respective user interface where the animated transition progresses in accordance with the intensity of the input.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the respective user interface selected in accordance with the intensity of the input, such that the respective user interface is the higher level user interface, includes displaying an animated transition between the lower-level user interface and the higher-level user interface that includes displaying a representation of the intermediate-level user interface.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the respective user interface selected in accordance with the intensity of the input includes:

in accordance with a determination that the input has an intensity above a first intensity threshold and below a second intensity threshold higher than the first intensity threshold, replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the intermediate-level user interface; and

in accordance with a determination that the input has an intensity above the second intensity threshold, replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the higher-level user interface.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, when the input has a duration longer than the respective time threshold, and replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of a respective user interface includes replacing display of the lower-level user interface with the higher-level user interface, the method includes displaying a transition between the lower-level user interface and the higher-level user interface that includes displaying a representation of the intermediate-level user interface.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein, when the input has a duration longer than the respective time threshold and replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of a respective user interface includes replacing display of the lower-level user interface with the higher-level user interface, the method comprises displaying a transition between the lower-level user interface and the higher-level user interface that does not include displaying a representation of the intermediate-level user interface.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein, when the input has a duration shorter than the respective time threshold, the method comprises displaying a transition between the lower-level user interface and the higher-level user interface that does not include displaying a representation of the intermediate-level user interface.

21. An electronic device, comprising:

a display;

a touch-sensitive surface;

one or more sensors to detect intensities of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface;

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for;

displaying, on the display, a lower-level user interface that is part of a user interface hierarchy, wherein;

the hierarchy includes at least three levels, including the lower-level user interface, an intermediate-level user interface and a higher-level user interface;

the intermediate-level user interface is above the lower-level user interface in the hierarchy; and

the higher-level user interface is above both the intermediate-level user interface and the lower-level user interface in the hierarchy;

while displaying the lower-level user interface without concurrently displaying other user interfaces in the hierarchy, detecting an input on a portion of the device that is associated with user interface hierarchy navigation;

in response to detecting the input;

in accordance with a determination that the input has a duration shorter than a respective time threshold, replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the higher-level user interface; and

in accordance with a determination that the input has a duration longer than the respective time threshold, replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of a respective user interface in the user interface hierarchy selected in accordance with an intensity of the input.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the portion of the device on which the input is detected is a physical button.

24. The device of claim 21, wherein the portion of the device on which the input is detected is a portion of the touch-sensitive surface that is associated with hierarchy navigation.

25. The device of claim 21, wherein the portion of the device on which the input is detected is a portion of a touch screen display that includes an icon associated with hierarchy navigation.

26. The device of claim 21, wherein the input is a contact on the touch-sensitive surface.

27. The device of claim 21, wherein:

the input includes a contact detected on the touch-sensitive surface; and

the input is a stationary gesture that does not include lateral movement of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface.

28. The device of claim 21, wherein the hierarchy includes exactly three levels in order from highest to lowest:

the higher-level user interface;

the intermediate-level user interface; and

the lower-level user interface.

29. The device of claim 21, wherein:

the higher-level user interface is adjacent to the intermediate-level user interface in the hierarchy; and

the intermediate-level user interface is adjacent to the lower-level user interface in the hierarchy.

30. The device of claim 21, wherein the hierarchy includes more than three levels.

31. The device of claim 21, wherein:

the lower-level and intermediate-level user interfaces are user interfaces in a single application; and

the higher-level user interface is an application launch user interface.

32. The device of claim 21, wherein the lower-level, intermediate-level and higher-level user interfaces are user interfaces in a single application.

33. The device of claim 21, wherein:

the lower-level user interface is a media presentation interface;

the intermediate-level user interface is a media collection display interface of a media player application; and

the higher-level user interface is an application launch user interface that includes an icon representing the media player application.

34. The device of claim 21, wherein:

the lower-level user interface is a subfolder;

the intermediate-level user interface is a folder containing the subfolder; and

the higher-level user interface is an application launch interface that includes an icon representing the folder.

35. The device of claim 21, wherein replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the respective user interface selected in accordance with the intensity of the input includes displaying an animated transition between the lower-level user interface and the respective user interface where the animated transition progresses at a rate that corresponds to the intensity of the input.

36. The device of claim 21, wherein replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the respective user interface selected in accordance with the intensity of the input includes displaying an animated transition between the lower-level user interface and the respective user interface where the animated transition progresses in accordance with the intensity of the input.

37. The device of claim 21, wherein replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the respective user interface selected in accordance with the intensity of the input, such that the respective user interface is the higher level user interface, includes displaying an animated transition between the lower-level user interface and the higher-level user interface that includes displaying a representation of the intermediate-level user interface.

38. The device of claim 21, wherein replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the respective user interface selected in accordance with the intensity of the input includes:

in accordance with a determination that the input has an intensity above a first intensity threshold and below a second intensity threshold higher than the first intensity threshold, replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the intermediate-level user interface; and

in accordance with a determination that the input has an intensity above the second intensity threshold, replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the higher-level user interface.

39. The device of claim 38, wherein, when the input has a duration longer than the respective time threshold, and replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of a respective user interface includes replacing display of the lower-level user interface with the higher-level user interface, the device includes instructions for displaying a transition between the lower-level user interface and the higher-level user interface that includes displaying a representation of the intermediate-level user interface.

40. The device of claim 38, wherein, when the input has a duration longer than the respective time threshold and replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of a respective user interface includes replacing display of the lower-level user interface with the higher-level user interface, the device includes instructions for displaying a transition between the lower-level user interface and the higher-level user interface that does not include displaying a representation of the intermediate-level user interface.

41. The device of claim 21, wherein, when the input has a duration shorter than the respective time threshold, the device includes instructions for displaying a transition between the lower-level user interface and the higher-level user interface that does not include displaying a representation of the intermediate-level user interface.

22. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions which, when executed by an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface and one or more sensors to detect intensities of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to:

display, on the display, a lower-level user interface that is part of a user interface hierarchy, wherein;

the hierarchy includes at least three levels, including the lower-level user interface, an intermediate-level user interface and a higher-level user interface;

the intermediate-level user interface is above the lower-level user interface in the hierarchy; and

the higher-level user interface is above both the intermediate-level user interface and the lower-level user interface in the hierarchy;

while displaying the lower-level user interface without concurrently displaying other user interfaces in the hierarchy, detect an input on a portion of the device that is associated with user interface hierarchy navigation;

in response to detecting the input;

in accordance with a determination that the input has a duration shorter than a respective time threshold, replace display of the lower-level user interface with display of the higher-level user interface; and

in accordance with a determination that the input has a duration longer than the respective time threshold, replace display of the lower-level user interface with display of a respective user interface in the user interface hierarchy selected in accordance with an intensity of the input.

42. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the portion of the device on which the input is detected is a physical button.

43. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the portion of the device on which the input is detected is a portion of the touch-sensitive surface that is associated with hierarchy navigation.

44. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the portion of the device on which the input is detected is a portion of a touch screen display that includes an icon associated with hierarchy navigation.

45. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the input is a contact on the touch-sensitive surface.

46. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein:

the input includes a contact detected on the touch-sensitive surface; and

the input is a stationary gesture that does not include lateral movement of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface.

47. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the hierarchy includes exactly three levels in order from highest to lowest:

the higher-level user interface;

the intermediate-level user interface; and

the lower-level user interface.

48. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein:

the higher-level user interface is adjacent to the intermediate-level user interface in the hierarchy; and

the intermediate-level user interface is adjacent to the lower-level user interface in the hierarchy.

49. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the hierarchy includes more than three levels.

50. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein:

the lower-level and intermediate-level user interfaces are user interfaces in a single application; and

the higher-level user interface is an application launch user interface.

51. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the lower-level, intermediate-level and higher-level user interfaces are user interfaces in a single application.

52. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein:

the lower-level user interface is a media presentation interface;

the intermediate-level user interface is a media collection display interface of a media player application; and

the higher-level user interface is an application launch user interface that includes an icon representing the media player application.

53. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein:

the lower-level user interface is a subfolder;

the intermediate-level user interface is a folder containing the subfolder; and

the higher-level user interface is an application launch interface that includes an icon representing the folder.

54. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the respective user interface selected in accordance with the intensity of the input includes displaying an animated transition between the lower-level user interface and the respective user interface where the animated transition progresses at a rate that corresponds to the intensity of the input.

55. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the respective user interface selected in accordance with the intensity of the input includes displaying an animated transition between the lower-level user interface and the respective user interface where the animated transition progresses in accordance with the intensity of the input.

56. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the respective user interface selected in accordance with the intensity of the input, such that the respective user interface is the higher level user interface, includes displaying an animated transition between the lower-level user interface and the higher-level user interface that includes displaying a representation of the intermediate-level user interface.

57. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the respective user interface selected in accordance with the intensity of the input includes:

in accordance with a determination that the input has an intensity above a first intensity threshold and below a second intensity threshold higher than the first intensity threshold, replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the intermediate-level user interface; and

in accordance with a determination that the input has an intensity above the second intensity threshold, replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of the higher-level user interface.

58. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, wherein, when the input has a duration longer than the respective time threshold, and replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of a respective user interface includes replacing display of the lower-level user interface with the higher-level user interface, the one or more programs include instructions which, when executed by the device, cause the device to display a transition between the lower-level user interface and the higher-level user interface that includes displaying a representation of the intermediate-level user interface.

59. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, wherein, when the input has a duration longer than the respective time threshold and replacing display of the lower-level user interface with display of a respective user interface includes replacing display of the lower-level user interface with the higher-level user interface, the one or more programs include instructions which, when executed by the device, cause the device to display a transition between the lower-level user interface and the higher-level user interface that does not include displaying a representation of the intermediate-level user interface.

60. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein, when the input has a duration shorter than the respective time threshold, the one or more programs include instructions which, when executed by the device, cause the device to display a transition between the lower-level user interface and the higher-level user interface that does not include displaying a representation of the intermediate-level user interface.