Patent Application
20170131803
Embodiments generally relate to accepting plural user input. More particularly, embodiments relate to methods, apparatuses, and systems that may accept input from two or more concurrent users.
Current portable device systems may typically be configured for one user and primarily one task. For example, if a user is watching a video, the video may typically consume the entire screen. If a user is browsing the Internet, the user interface updates to accommodate browsing. Currently, only a single individual may use a portable device for a given task.
The various advantages of the embodiments will become apparent to one skilled in the art by reading the following specification and appended claims, and by referencing the following drawings, in which:
Turning now to
When the display 100 is selected from foldable, flexible materials, these materials may include any display material that is flexible and foldable and accepts touch input. Exemplary display materials include flexible liquid crystal displays, flexible OLED (organic light-emitting diode/LED) displays, flexible electronic paper, flexible LED displays or any other flexible material capable of being folded that may function as a display. When the display 100 is segmented or separate displays, rigid materials such as rigid liquid crystal displays, rigid LED displays, rigid OLED displays or any other rigid material or flexible material in a rigid housing may be selected. In the embodiments of
Optionally, the region 120 may include region 130 that may be a user interface such as a keypad, game controller, or any other user interface device to facilitate user input. Similarly, the region 140 may include a user interface region 150. Depending upon the use determined by the user, user touch input may be limited to the regions 130 or 150 or it may be accepted throughout the regions 120 and 140.
Turning to
Typically, a user or application may configure the display 210 to include the regions 220, 240, and any additional regions desired. Alternatively, in a case where the display 210 is to be folded (as described with respect to display 100 of
In use, the system 200 of
Advantageously, using the system of the above embodiments permits two users to accomplish separate, independent tasks on the same portable device using a configurable display(s). Alternatively, the users may interact with each other, such as gaming applications, using the same display and processor. Users may configure a device for convenient viewing and interaction and may set up and customize the display regions independent of one another. Two or more users may separately watch streamed or downloaded content at convenient viewing angles such as facing one another or side-by-side.
Example 1 may include a system configured for concurrent interaction with plural users comprising a configurable touch input display, the configurable display being capable of being configured for viewing by two or more users, at least a first region accepting first user input on the display, at least a second region accepting concurrent second user input on the display, and a processor accepting first user input from the first region as a first data stream and accepting second user input from the second region as a second data stream.
Example 2 may include the system of example 1, wherein the processor returns first user-specific output to the first region and returns second user-specific output to the second region.
Example 3 may include the system of examples 1 or 2, wherein the display is a flexible, foldable display configurable for viewing from a first user viewpoint and from a second user viewpoint at a different viewing angle from the first user viewpoint.
Example 4 may include the system of examples 1 or 2, wherein the first region is configured to accept ten finger touch input and the second region is configured to simultaneously accept ten finger touch input.
Example 5 may include the system of examples 1 or 2, further comprising a first user interface positioned within the first region and a second user interface positioned within the second region.
Example 6 may include the system of examples 1 or 2, further comprising an angle sensor to determine an angular orientation of the first region or the second region or an angle between the first region and the second region.
Example 7 may include an apparatus for concurrent interaction with plural users comprising a processor configured to accept first user input from a first region of a configurable touch input display as a first data stream and to separately accept concurrent second user input from a second region of the configurable touch input display as a second data stream.
Example 8 may include the apparatus of example 7, wherein the processor returns first user-specific output to the first region and returns second user-specific output to the second region.
Example 9 may include the apparatus of examples 7 or 8, wherein the processor is configured to accept ten finger touch input from the first region and to concurrently accept ten finger touch input from the second region.
Example 10 may include a method for input by plural users comprising inputting a first user data stream from a first region of a configurable touch input display to a processor; and separately inputting a second user data stream from a second region of the configurable touch input display to the processor.
Example 11 may include the method of example 10, wherein the same processor returns first user-specific output to the first region and returns second user-specific output to the second region.
Example 12 may include the method of examples 10 or 11, further comprising configuring the display for viewing from a first user viewpoint and from a second user viewpoint at a different viewing angle from the first user viewpoint.
Example 13 may include the method of examples 10 or 11, further comprising accepting ten finger touch input from the first region and concurrently accepting ten finger touch input from the second region.
Example 14 may include the method of examples 10 or 11, further comprising positioning a first user interface within the first region and positioning a second user interface within the second region.
Example 15 may include the method of examples 10 or 11, further comprising determining an angular orientation of the first region or the second region or an angle between the first region and the second region.
Example 16 may include a computer readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions, which, if executed by a processor, cause a computer to accept a first user data stream from a first region of a configurable touch input display; and separately accept a second user data stream from a second region of the configurable touch input display.
Example 17 may include the medium of example 16, wherein, if executed, the instructions cause a computer to: return first user-specific output to the first region and return second user-specific output to the second region.
Example 18 may include the medium of examples 16 or 17, wherein, if executed, the instructions cause a computer to: configure the display for viewing from a first user viewpoint and from a second user viewpoint at a different viewing angle from the first user viewpoint.
Example 19 may include the medium of examples 16 or 17, wherein, if executed, the instructions cause a computer to: accept ten finger touch input from the first region and concurrently accept ten finger touch input from the second region.
Example 20 may include the medium of examples 16 or 17, wherein, if executed, the instructions cause a computer to: position a first user interface within the first region and position a second user interface within the second region.
Example 21 may include the medium of examples 16 or 17, wherein, if executed, the instructions cause a computer to: determine an angular orientation of the first region or the second region or an angle between the first region and the second region.
Example 22 may include an apparatus for concurrent interaction with plural users comprising means for inputting a first user data stream from a first region of a foldable, flexible, touch input display to a processor; and means for separately inputting a second user data stream from a second region of the foldable, flexible, touch input display to the processor.
Example 23 may include the apparatus of example 22, wherein the processor returns first user-specific output to the first region and returns second user-specific output to the second region.
Example 24 may include the apparatus of examples 22 or 23, further comprising configuring the display for viewing from a first user viewpoint and from a second user viewpoint at a different viewing angle from the first user viewpoint.
Example 25 may include the apparatus of examples 22 or 23, further comprising accepting ten finger touch input from the first region and concurrently accepting ten finger touch input from the second region.
Example 26 may include the apparatus of examples 22 or 23, further comprising positioning a first user interface within the first region and positioning a second user interface within the second region.
Example 27 may include the apparatus of examples 22 or 23, further comprising determining an angular orientation of the first region or the second region or an angle between the first region and the second region.
Embodiments are applicable for use with all types of semiconductor integrated circuit (“IC”) chips. Examples of these IC chips include but are not limited to processors, controllers, chipset components, programmable logic arrays (PLAs), memory chips, network chips, systems on chip (SoCs), SSD/NAND controller ASICs, and the like. In addition, in some of the drawings, signal conductor lines are represented with lines. Some may be different, to indicate more constituent signal paths, have a number label, to indicate a number of constituent signal paths, and/or have arrows at one or more ends, to indicate primary information flow direction. This, however, should not be construed in a limiting manner. Rather, such added detail may be used in connection with one or more exemplary embodiments to facilitate easier understanding of a circuit. Any represented signal lines, whether or not having additional information, may actually comprise one or more signals that may travel in multiple directions and may be implemented with any suitable type of signal scheme, e.g., digital or analog lines implemented with differential pairs, optical fiber lines, and/or single-ended lines.
Example sizes/models/values/ranges may have been given, although embodiments are not limited to the same. As manufacturing techniques (e.g., photolithography) mature over time, it is expected that devices of smaller size could be manufactured. In addition, well known power/ground connections to IC chips and other components may or may not be shown within the figures, for simplicity of illustration and discussion, and so as not to obscure certain aspects of the embodiments. Further, arrangements may be shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring embodiments, and also in view of the fact that specifics with respect to implementation of such block diagram arrangements are highly dependent upon the platform within which the embodiment is to be implemented, i.e., such specifics should be well within purview of one skilled in the art. Where specific details (e.g., circuits) are set forth in order to describe example embodiments, it should be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments can be practiced without, or with variation of, these specific details. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.
The term “coupled” may be used herein to refer to any type of relationship, direct or indirect, between the components in question, and may apply to electrical, mechanical, fluid, optical, electromagnetic, electromechanical or other connections. In addition, the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein only to facilitate discussion, and carry no particular temporal or chronological significance unless otherwise indicated.
As used in this application and in the claims, a list of items joined by the term “one or more of” may mean any combination of the listed terms. For example, the phrases “one or more of A, B or C” may mean A, B, C; A and B; A and C; B and C; or A, B and C.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad techniques of the embodiments can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while the embodiments have been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the embodiments should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, specification, and following claims.
