Patent Application
20100097322
1. Field
The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for controlling touch screen operation. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to switching between a first touch screen input function and a second touch screen input function.
2. Introduction
Presently, electronic devices can use touch screen displays for various input functions. Touch screen displays both display information and receive user input on the same display. While touch screen displays can be used on larger devices, such as desktop and laptop computers, they can also be used on hand held electronic devices that can be carried in a user's pocket and held in a user's hand. When using a touch screen display, a user can enter data, can move and manipulate icons and images, can scroll and zoom windows and images, and can perform other input functions using the touch screen display. Unfortunately, a user can only use certain touch screen display functions, such as move, zoom, and rotation functions, within certain applications by using relevant menus, by using dedicated touch screen buttons, or by using multiple finger motions. For example, when a user must use a relevant menu in a specific application for a desired function, it may be inconvenient to access the specific menu, the desired function may not be available in all applications, and it may be difficult for the user to accurately activate small menu buttons on a small touch screen display.
Furthermore, some devices, such as an iphone™, can allow a user to activate different functions by using multiple fingers at the same time on a touch screen display. Unfortunately, to activate different functions using multiple fingers, a user must hold the device in one hand while using multiple fingers on another hand to activate the function. Thus, a user cannot use one hand to conveniently switch between different input functions on such a device because the user must use two hands to activate different multiple finger functions.
Thus, there is a need for an apparatus and method for switching touch screen operation.
An apparatus and method for switching touch screen operation. The apparatus can include a hand held electronic device housing. The hand held electronic device housing can have a housing face and a housing side substantially orthogonal to the housing face. The apparatus can include a touch screen display located on the housing face. The touch screen display can be configured to display information and can be configured to receive user actuation. The apparatus can include a side user actuatable switch located on the housing side. The side user actuatable switch can be configured to switch an input function of the touch screen display from a first touch screen input function having a first set of functions corresponding to a first set of inputs to a second touch screen input function having a second set of functions corresponding to a second set of inputs, where the first set of functions is different than the second set of functions.
In order to describe the manner in which advantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description of the disclosure briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
The apparatus 100 can include a side user actuatable switch 130 located on the housing side 114. The side user actuatable switch 130 can be configured to switch an input function of the touch screen display 120 from a first touch screen input function having a first set of functions corresponding to a first set of inputs to a second touch screen input function having a second set of functions corresponding to a second set of inputs, where the first set of functions is different than the second set of functions. The sets of functions refer to a unique grouping of functions. For example, between sets, some of the functions may be the same. However, the overall set of functions in the first set of functions will include at least one different function from the overall set of functions in the second set of functions. The first set of inputs may be the same as the second set of inputs and the side user actuatable switch can switch functions associated with one, some, or all of the inputs. The first set of inputs may alternately include some different inputs from the second set of inputs.
Input functions can be functions for a picture viewer application, for a view finder application, for a web browser application, for a map application, for a media player application, for a phonebook application, for combinations of applications, or for any other applications. The input functions can be functions based on tap inputs on the touch screen display 120, based on gesture inputs on the touch screen display 120, based on combinations of inputs on the touch screen display 120, or based on other inputs on the touch screen display 120. For example a tap input can be a temporary press on the touch screen display 120 and a gesture can be a sliding input or multiple sliding inputs on the touch screen display. The gestures can be substantially linear gestures along a horizontal or vertical axis on the touch screen display 120, can be gestures at an angle to a horizontal or vertical axis on the touch screen display 120, can be arced gestures, or can be a combination of horizontal, vertical, angled, and/or arced gestures. For example, a combination of gestures can be made by pressing on the touch screen display 120 and chaining multiple gestures together as long as the touch screen display 120 is pressed. According to one embodiment, the apparatus 100 can wait until the completion of a gesture before operating based on the gesture. According to another embodiment, the apparatus 100 can operate based on a gesture as the gesture is being input. For example, the touch screen display 120 can move an object or scroll images on the touch screen display 120 based on a gesture while the gesture is being input. Alternately, the touch screen display 120 can await completion of the gesture before moving, scrolling, rotating or otherwise acting on the gesture.
The side user actuatable switch 130 can be configured to switch an input function of the touch screen display 120 from a first touch screen input function while the side user actuatable switch 130 is not actuated to a second touch screen input function while the side user actuatable switch 130 is actuated. For example, the second touch screen input function can be activated as long as the side user actuatable switch 130 is held by a user and the first touch screen input function can be activated as long as the side user actuatable switch 130 is released or not held. Thus, the side user actuatable switch 130 can determine which touch screen input function is activated depending on whether the side user actuatable switch 130 is held or released. Alternately, the side user actuatable switch 130 can switch touch screen input functions each time the side user actuatable switch 130 is either engaged or engaged and released. As a further example, a first touch screen input function can be a default input function and a second touch screen input function can be enabled as long as the side user actuatable switch is engaged.
The side user actuatable switch 130 can be a side button located 130 on the housing side. The side button 130 can be configured to receive input from a digit 212 of a hand 210 of a user. The side button 130 can also be configured to switch an input function of the touch screen display 120 from a first touch screen input function while the side button 130 is not pressed to a second touch screen input function while the side button 130 is pressed. The side user actuatable switch 130 can also be a touch sensitive strip, a slidable switch, a touch sensor, or any other user actuatable switch.
The side user actuatable switch 130 can be configured to switch between at least two of a move input function of the touch screen display 120, a rotate input function of the touch screen display 120, a data input function of the touch screen display 120, a cursor control input function of the touch screen display 120, a mouse control input function of the touch screen display 120, a selection input function of the touch screen display 120, a drag input function of the touch screen display 120, a control input function of the touch screen display 120, a media player control input function of the touch screen display 120, a phone book entry search input function of the touch screen display 120, a handwriting recognition input function of the touch screen display 120, a zoom input function of the touch screen display 120, or other input functions of the touch screen display 120.
To elaborate further on examples of switchable touch screen input functions, a sliding gesture input on the touch screen display 120 can move an image on the touch screen display 120 in a corresponding direction of the sliding gesture. Also, a sliding gesture in one direction can zoom in on an image and a sliding gesture in an opposite direction can zoom out from an image. Additionally, tapping on a virtual keypad on the touch screen display 120 can provide for data input on the touch screen display 120. Furthermore, tapping the touch screen display 120 can place a cursor or a mouse at the tapped location of the touch screen display 120 and sliding along the touch screen display 120 can move the cursor or mouse on the touch screen display 120. Also, pressing or double pressing on a location of the touch screen display 120 can select an object on the touch screen display 120 and sliding on the touch screen display 120 can move the object on the touch screen display 120. Additionally, properties of the touch screen display 120, such as brightness, contrast, the size of objects, and other properties can be controlled using inputs on the touch screen display 120. Furthermore, sliding gestures 220 on the touch screen display 120 can rotate images or objects on the touch screen display 120. Also, other inputs on the touch screen display 120 can control other operations on the touch screen display 120. The side user actuatable switch 130 can be used to switch between these and other different input functions.
As a further example, the apparatus 100 can have a camera function and the touch screen display 120 can act as a viewfinder. The side user actuatable switch 130 can activate a second touch screen input function to allow a user to move, zoom in, zoom out, rotate, and otherwise manipulate an image to be captured in the viewfinder. Thus, a user can preview different views of the image before capturing the image. Different digits can be used on a user's single hand 210 when using the camera function or two hands can be used when using the camera function. The manipulated preview image can be maintained when the side user actuatable switch 130 is released or the preview image can revert to the original image when the side user actuatable switch 130 is released. A soft key on the touch screen display 120, an alternate key on the hand held electronic device housing 110, or the side user actuatable switch 130 can then be used to capture the image. As one example, the user can briefly actuate and release the side user actuatable switch 130 to capture the image without activating the second touch screen input function. The image can be captured while the manipulated image is on the touch screen display 120 or when the original image is returned to the touch screen display 120.
As another example, the apparatus 100 can have an Internet browser application. The side user actuatable switch 130 can activate a second touch screen input function to allow a user to move, zoom in, zoom out, rotate, and otherwise manipulate a data, images, and other aspects of a web site in a browser window on the touch screen display 120. As another example, the hand held electronic device can have a map application. The side user actuatable switch 130 can activate a second touch screen input function to allow a user to move, zoom in, zoom out, rotate, and otherwise manipulate a map or related images and data on the touch screen display 120.
The transceiver 1050 may include a transmitter and/or a receiver. The audio input and output circuitry 1030 can include a microphone, a speaker, a transducer, or any other audio input and output circuitry. The user interface 1060 can include a keypad, buttons, a touch pad, a joystick, an additional display, or any other device useful for providing an interface between a user and an electronic device. The memory 1070 may include a random access memory, a read only memory, an optical memory, a subscriber identity module memory, or any other memory that can be coupled to a wireless communication device.
Similar to apparatus 100, the hand held electronic device housing 1010 can have a housing face and a housing side substantially orthogonal to the housing face. The touch screen display 1040 can be located on the housing face. The touch screen display 1040 can be configured to display information and can be configured to receive input from at least a digit of a hand of a user. The side button 1045 can be located on the housing side and the side button 1045 can be configured to receive input from at least a digit of a hand of a user. The side button 1045 can be configured to be activated by a finger of a hand of a user. The touch screen display 1040 can be configured to be activated by a thumb of the same hand of the user while the side button 1045 is activated by the finger of the user.
The controller 1020 can be configured to control operations of the wireless communication device 1000. The touch screen detection module 1090 can be configured to detect a location on the touch screen display 1040 touched by a digit of a hand of a user. The side button detection module 1092 can be configured to detect actuation of the side button 1045 by a digit of a hand of a user. The input function switch module 1094 can be configured to switch an input function of the touch screen display 1040 from a first touch screen input function while the side button 1045 is not actuated to a second touch screen input function while the side button 1045 is actuated. The touch screen display 1040 can be configured to display an original image and the second touch screen input function can manipulate the original image to display a manipulated image on the touch screen display 1040. The second touch screen input function can also be a handwriting recognition input function that provides for data entry using handwriting recognition on the touch screen display 1040. The handwriting recognition input function can also provide for searching for entries in a phonebook application based on a character entered using handwriting recognition.
Embodiments can provide for a single hand shortcut touch method for touch screen display control. According to some embodiments, a user can experience a more convenient shortcut touch method to control the touch screen display. A push button can be added at the side of a touch input device. When a user presses and holds the push button at any time, the user can use a thumb motion for display control. Embodiments can provide for a single hand shortcut touch method for touch screen display control that allows a user to control the touch screen display in any screen scene. Embodiments can reduce the need to activate small menus or touch screen buttons accurately. Furthermore, unlike a multiple finger motion control method, only one hand can be enough to control desired functions on the touch screen display.
The methods of this disclosure are preferably implemented on a programmed processor. However, the operations of the embodiments may also be implemented on a general purpose or special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit elements, an integrated circuit, a hardware electronic or logic circuit such as a discrete element circuit, a programmable logic device, or the like. In general, any device on which resides a finite state machine capable of implementing the operations of the embodiments may be used to implement the processor functions of this disclosure.
While this disclosure has been described with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, various components of the embodiments may be interchanged, added, or substituted in the other embodiments. Also, all of the elements of each figure are not necessary for operation of the disclosed embodiments. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art of the disclosed embodiments would be enabled to make and use the teachings of the disclosure by simply employing the elements of the independent claims. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the disclosure as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
In this document, relational terms such as “first,” “second,” and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Also, relational terms, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and the like may be used solely to distinguish a spatial orientation of elements relative to each other and without necessarily implying a spatial orientation relative to any other physical coordinate system. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “a,” “an,” or the like does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. Also, the term “another” is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including,” “having,” and the like, as used herein, are defined as “comprising.”
