as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication (0) Pub. No.: US 2012/0127098 Al
`
` Lazaridis etal. (43) Pub. Date: May24, 2012
`
`
`US 20120127098A1
`
`(54) PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND
`METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`MihalLazaridis, Waterloo (CA);
`Daniel Thomas Dodge, Ottawa
`(CA); Donald James Lindsay,
`Mountain View, CA (US)
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`GO6F 3/041
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) US. C0. ceesesssssssssesnsessssenssesnseecessseennee 345/173
`
`(73) Assignees:
`
`QNX SOFTWARE SYSTEMS
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`LIMITED,Ottawa (CA);
`A methodincludes displaying information associated with a
`RESEARCH IN MOTION
`sas
`wes
`:
`.
`LIMITED,Waterloo (CA)
`first application on a touch-sensitive display, detecting a
`touch on a touch-sensitive display and determining touch
`13/243,613
`(21) Appl. No.:
`; attributes, determining when the touchisafirst gesture type
`
`Filed:
`(22)
`Sep. 23, 2011
`based on the touch attributes, and when the touch is deter-
`+
`as
`mined to be the first gesture type, forwarding information
`Related U.S. Application Data
`related to the touch to a second application, otherwise for-
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/386,219,filed on Sep.
`warding the informationrelated to the touch to thefirst appli-
`cation.
`24, 2010.
`
`402
`
`DISPLAY INFORMATION
`ASSOCIATED WITH APPLICATION
`
`404
`
`
`
`UTILIZE TOUCH DATA WITH
`APPLICATION
`
`406
`
`META-NAVIGATION
`GESTURE?
`
`
`
`
`
`UTILIZE TOUCH DATA WITH
`FURTHER APPLICATION
`
`410
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1106
`
`APPLE 1106
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 24,2012 Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 2012/0127098 Al
`
`100
`
`134
`
`OTHER
`SUBSYSTEMS
`
`’
`
`132
`
`,
`
`SHORT RANGE
`COMMUNICATIONS
`
`3
`
`9
`
`SPEAKER
`
`|
`
`DATA PORT
`
`AUXILIARY I/O
`
`FORCE SENSOR
`
`1
`
`.
`128
`
`126
`
`124
`
`N N)
`
`i:s CONTROLLER
`
`146
`
`We
`
`OPERATING
`SYSTEM
`
`110
`
`PROGRAMS
`
`108
`
`ACCELEROMETERS
`
`i
`MEMORY
`
`-
`
`oy
`
`DECODER
`
`|(“7>
`
`106
`
`116!
`TI
`148
`
` OVERLAY 114)COMMUNICATION _) [OVERLAY_SUBSYSTEM
`
`
` DISPLAY
`t-P)
`04
`S 1112}
`102
`Nis
`
`150
`
`SIM/RUIM
`
`138
`
`POWER
`SOURCE
`
`142
`
`FIG. 1
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 24,2012 Sheet 2 of 5
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`US 2012/0127098 Al
`
`202
`
`204
`
`206
`
`212
`
`208
`
`210
`
`FIG. 2
`
`—
`
`iO
`
`3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 24,2012 Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 2012/0127098 Al
`
`202
`
`
`
`OO
`
`204
`
`N|\___9 PORSESS
` SLIDELLLLLLLLEMEELEELELEN\\NN
`
`304
`
`FIG. 3
`
`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 24,2012 Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 2012/0127098 Al
`
` 402
`
`ASSOCIATED WITH APPLICATION
`
`404
`
` DISPLAY INFORMATION
`
`UTILIZE TOUCH DATA WITH
`APPLICATION
`
`406
`
`META-NAVIGATION
`GESTURE?
`
`
`
`
`
`UTILIZE TOUCH DATA WITH
`FURTHER APPLICATION
`
`410
`
`FIG. 4
`
`5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`May24, 2012 Sheet 5 of 5
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`US 2012/0127098 Al
`
`512
`
`NOTIFICATIONS
`
`APPLICATION
`SETTINGS
`504
`
`10
`
`08
`
`PREVIOUS
`APPLICATION
`
`506
`
`306
`
`4
`
`CURRENT
`APPLICATION
`502
`
`512
`
`NOTIFICATIONS
`
`312
`
`508
`
`NEXT APPLICATION
`
`316
`
` Sat 1:12pm
`
`514
`
`510
`
`314
`
`302
`
`ROOT NAVIGATOR
`
`FIG. 5
`
`
`
`(00(JOU(JOU(JOU
`
`514
`
`
`
`
`Sat 1:12pm
`
`
`
`
`6
`
`

`

`US 2012/0127098 Al
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`May24, 2012
`
`PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND
`METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provi-
`sional Patent Application 61/386,219, filed Sep. 24, 2010, the
`entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
`
`FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
`
`[0002] The present disclosure relates to electronic devices
`including,but not limitedto, portable electronic devices hav-
`ing touch-sensitive displays.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`including portable electronic
`[0003] Electronic devices,
`devices, have gained widespread use and may providea vari-
`ety offunctions including,for example, telephonic, electronic
`messaging and other personal information manager (PIM)
`application functions. Portable electronic devices include
`several types of devices including mobile stations such as
`simple cellular telephones, smart telephones, Personal Digi-
`tal Assistants (PDAs), tablet computers, and laptop comput-
`ers, with wireless network communications or near-field
`communications connectivity such as Bluetooth® capabili-
`ties.
`
`Portable electronic devices such as PDAs, ortablet
`[0004]
`computers are generally intended for handheld use and ease
`of portability. Smaller devices are generally desirable for
`portability. A touch-sensitive display, also knownas a touch-
`screen display, is particularly useful on handheld devices,
`which are small and have limited space for user input and
`output. The information displayed on the touch-sensitive dis-
`play may be modified depending on the functions and opera-
`tions being performed.
`[0005]
`Improvementsin electronic devices with touch-sen-
`sitive displays are desirable.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be
`described, by way of example only, with reference to the
`attached Figures, wherein:
`[0007]
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable electronic
`device in accordance with an example embodiment;
`[0008]
`FIG. 2 is a front view of an example of a portable
`electronic device;
`[0009]
`FIG. 3 illustrates examples of touches on the por-
`table electronic device of FIG.2;
`[0010]
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of con-
`trolling the portable electronic device in accordance with the
`disclosure; and
`[0011]
`FIG.5 illustrates examples of associations between
`meta-navigation gestures and information from applications.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0012] The following describes an electronic device and a
`methodthat includes displaying information associated with
`a first application on a touch-sensitive display, detecting a
`touch on a touch-sensitive display and determining touch
`attributes, determining whenthe touchis a first gesture type
`based on the touch attributes, and when the touch is deter-
`mined to be the first gesture type, forwarding information
`
`related to the touch to a second application, otherwise for-
`warding the informationrelated to the touchto the first appli-
`cation.
`
`For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference
`[0013]
`numerals may be repeated amongthe figures to indicate cor-
`responding or analogous elements. Numerousdetails are set
`forth to provide an understanding of the embodiments
`described herein. The embodiments may be practiced without
`these details. In other instances, well-known methods, proce-
`dures, and components have not been described in detail to
`avoid obscuring the embodiments described. The description
`is not to be consideredaslimited to the scope of the embodi-
`ments described herein.
`
`[0014] The disclosure generally relates to an electronic
`device, such as a portable electronic device. Examples of
`portable electronic devices include wireless communication
`devices such as pagers, mobile or cellular phones, smart-
`phones, wireless organizers, PDAs, notebook computers, net-
`book computers, tablet computers, and so forth. The portable
`electronic device may also be a portable clectronic device
`without wireless communication capabilities. Examples
`include handheld electronic game device, digital photograph
`album, digital camera, notebook computers, netbook com-
`puters, tablet computers, or other device.
`[0015] A block diagram of an example of a portable elec-
`tronic device 100 is shown in FIG.1. The portable electronic
`device 100 includes multiple components, suchas a processor
`102 that controls the overall operation of the portable elec-
`tronic device 100. The portable electronic device 100 pres-
`ently described optionally includes a communication sub-
`system 104 and a short-range communications 132 module to
`perform various communication functions, including data
`and voice communications. Data received by the portable
`electronic device 100 is decompressed and decrypted by a
`decoder 106. The communication subsystem 104 receives
`messages from and sends messages to a wireless network
`150. The wireless network 150 may be any type of wireless
`network,including, butnot limited to, data wireless networks,
`voice wireless networks, and networks that support both
`voice and data communications. A power source 142, such as
`one or more rechargeable batteries or a port to an external
`power supply, powers the portable electronic device 100.
`[0016] The processor 102 interacts with other components,
`such as Random Access Memory (RAM) 108, memory 110,
`a display 112 with a touch-sensitive overlay 114 operably
`connected to an electronic controller 116 that together com-
`prise a touch-sensitive display 118, one or more actuators
`120, one or more force sensors 122, an auxiliary input/output
`(I/O) subsystem 124, a data port 126, a speaker 128, a micro-
`phone 130, short-range communications 132, and other
`device subsystems 134. User-interaction with a graphical
`user interface is performed through the touch-sensitive over-
`lay 114. The processor 102 interacts with the touch-sensitive
`overlay 114 via the electronic controller 116. Information,
`such as text, characters, symbols, images, icons, and other
`items that may be displayed or rendered on a portable elec-
`tronic device, is displayed on the touch-sensitive display 118
`via the processor 102. The processor 102 mayinteract with an
`orientation sensor such as an accelerometer 136 to detect
`direction of gravitational forces or gravity-induced reaction
`forces so as to determine, for example, the orientation of the
`portable electronic device 100.
`[0017]
`‘To identify a subscriber for network access, the por-
`table electronic device 100 uses a Subscriber Identity Module
`
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`US 2012/0127098 Al
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`
`or a Removable User Identity Module (SIM/RUIM)card 138
`for communication with a network, such as the wireless net-
`work 150. Alternatively, user identification information may
`be programmed into memory 110.
`[0018] The portable electronic device 100 includes an oper-
`ating system 146 and software programs or components 148
`that are executed by the processor 102 andare typically stored
`in a persistent, updatable store such as the memory 110.
`Additional applications or programs may be loaded onto the
`portable electronic device 100 through the wireless network
`150, the auxiliary I/O subsystem 124, the data port 126, the
`short-range communications subsystem 132, or any other
`suitable subsystem 134.
`[0019] A received signal, such as a text message, an e-mail
`message, or web page download,is processed by the commu-
`nication subsystem 104 andinput to the processor 102. The
`processor 102 processes the received signal for outputto the
`display 112 and/or to the auxiliary I/O subsystem 124. A
`subscriber may generate data items, for example e-mail mes-
`sages, which may be transmitted over the wireless network
`150 through the communication subsystem 104, for example.
`[0020] The touch-sensitive display 118 may be anysuitable
`touch-sensitive display, such as a capacitive,resistive, infra-
`red, surface acoustic wave (SAW) touch-sensitive display,
`strain gauge, optical imaging, dispersive signal technology,
`acoustic pulse recognition, and so forth, as known intheart.
`In the presently described example embodiment, the, the
`touch-sensitive display 118 is a capacitive touch-sensitive
`display which includes a capacitive touch-sensitive overlay
`114. The overlay 114 may be an assembly of multiple layers
`in a stack which may include, for example, a substrate, a
`ground shield layer, a barrier layer, one or more capacitive
`touch sensor layers separated by a substrate or other barrier,
`and a cover. The capacitive touch sensor layers may be any
`suitable material, such as patterned indium tin oxide (ITO).
`[0021] The display 112 of the touch-sensitive display 118
`includes a display area in which information may be dis-
`played, and a non-display area extending around the periph-
`ery of the display area. Information is not displayed in the
`non-display area, which is utilized to accommodate, for
`example, electronic traces or electrical connections, adhe-
`sives or other sealants, and/or protective coatings around the
`edges of the display area.
`[0022] One or more touches, also known as touch contacts
`or touch events, may be detected by the touch-sensitive dis-
`play 118. The processor 102 may determineattributes of the
`touch, including a location of a touch. Touch location data
`may include an area of contact or a single point of contact,
`such as a pointat or near a center ofthe area of contact, known
`as the centroid. A signal is provided to the controller 116 in
`response to detection of a touch. A touch may be detected
`from any suitable object, such as a finger, thumb, appendage,
`or other items, for example, a stylus, pen, or other pointer,
`depending on the nature of the touch-sensitive display 118.
`Thelocation of the touch movesas the detected object moves
`during a touch. The controller 116 and/or the processor 102
`may detect a touch by any suitable contact member on the
`touch-sensitive display 118. Similarly, multiple simultaneous
`touches, are detected.
`[0023] One or moregestures are also detected by the touch-
`sensitive display 118. A gesture is a particular type of touch
`on a touch-sensitive display 118 that beginsat an origin point
`and continues to an end point. A gesture may be identified by
`attributes of the gesture, including the origin point, the end
`
`point, the distance travelled, the duration,the velocity, and the
`direction, for example. A gesture may be long or short in
`distance and/or duration. Two points of the gesture may be
`utilized to determine a direction of the gesture.
`[0024] An example ofa gesture is a swipe (also known as a
`flick). A swipe has a single direction. The touch-sensitive
`overlay 114 may evaluate swipes with respect to the origin
`point at which contact is initially made with the touch-sensi-
`tive overlay 114 and the end point at which contact with the
`touch-sensitive overlay 114 ends rather than using each of
`location or pointof contact over the duration of the gesture to
`resolve a direction.
`
`[0025] Examples of swipes include a horizontal swipe, a
`vertical swipe, and a diagonal swipe. A horizontal swipe
`typically comprises an origin point towards the left or right
`side of the touch-sensitive overlay 114 to initialize the ges-
`ture, a horizontal movementof the detected object from the
`origin point to an end point towards the rightorleft side ofthe
`touch-sensitive overlay 114 while maintaining continuous
`contact with the touch-sensitive overlay 114, and a breaking
`of contact with the touch-sensitive overlay 114. Similarly, a
`vertical swipe typically comprises an origin point towards the
`top or bottom of the touch-sensitive overlay 114 to initialize
`the gesture, a horizontal movement of the detected object
`from the origin point to an end point towards the bottom or top
`ofthe touch-sensitive overlay 114 while maintaining continu-
`ous contact with the touch-sensitive overlay 114, and a break-
`ing of contact with the touch-sensitive overlay 114.
`[0026]
`Swipes can be of various lengths, can be initiated in
`various places on the touch-sensitive overlay 114, and need
`not span the full dimension of the touch-sensitive overlay
`114. Inaddition, breaking contact ofa swipe can be gradualin
`that contact with the touch-sensitive overlay 114is gradually
`reduced while the swipe is still underway.
`[0027] Meta-navigation gestures may also be detected by
`the touch-sensitive overlay 114. A meta-navigation gestureis
`a gesture that has an origin point that is outside the display
`area of the touch-sensitive overlay 114and that moves to a
`position on the display area of the touch-sensitive display.
`Otherattributes ofthe gesture may be detected and be utilized
`to detect the meta-navigation gesture. Meta-navigation ges-
`tures may also include multi-touch gestures in which gestures
`are simultaneous or overlap in time and at least one of the
`toucheshas an origin pointthat is outside the display area and
`movesto a position on the display area of the touch-sensitive
`overlay 114. Thus, two fingers may be utilized for meta-
`navigation gestures. Further, multi-touch meta-navigation
`gestures may be distinguished from single touch meta-navi-
`gation gestures and mayprovide additional or further func-
`tionality.
`In some example embodiments, an optional force
`[0028]
`sensor 122 or force sensors is disposed in any suitable loca-
`tion, for example, between the touch-sensitive display 118
`and a back of the portable electronic device 100 to detect a
`force imparted by a touch on the touch-sensitive display 118.
`The force sensor 122 maybe a force-sensitive resistor, strain
`gauge, piezoelectric or piezoresistive device, pressure sensor,
`or other suitable device. Force as utilized throughout the
`specification refers to force measurements, estimates, and/or
`calculations, such as pressure, deformation, stress, strain,
`force density, force-area relationships, thrust, torque, and
`other effects that include force or related quantities.
`[0029]
`Force information related to a detected touch may
`be utilized to select information, such as information associ-
`
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`
`ated with a location of a touch. For example, a touch that does
`not meet a force threshold may highlight a selection option,
`whereas a touch that meets a force threshold may select or
`input that selection option. Selection options include, for
`example, displayed or virtual keys of a keyboard; selection
`boxes or windows,e.g., “cancel,” “delete,” or “unlock”; func-
`tion buttons, such as play or stop on a music player; and so
`forth. Different magnitudes of force may be associated with
`different functions or input. For example, a lesser force may
`result in panning, and a higher force mayresult in zooming.
`[0030] A front view of an example of the portable elec-
`tronic device 100 is shown in FIG.2. The portable electronic
`device 100 includes a housing 202 that encloses components
`such as shown in FIG.1. The housing 202 mayinclude a back,
`sidewalls, and a front 204 that frames the touch-sensitive
`display 118.
`[0031]
`Inthe shown example of FIG.2, the touch-sensitive
`display 118 is generally centered in the housing 202 suchthat
`a display area 206 of the touch-sensitive overlay 114 is gen-
`erally centered with respect to the front 204 of the housing
`202. The non-displayarea 208 of the touch-sensitive overlay
`114 extends around the display area 206. In the presently
`described embodiment, the width of the non-display area is 4
`mm.
`
`[0035] Gestures that have an origin point in the buffer
`region 212, for example, may be identified as non-meta navi-
`gation gestures. Optionally, data from such gestures may be
`utilized by an application as a non-meta navigation gesture.
`Alternatively, data from such gestures may be discarded such
`that touchesthat havean origin point onthe buffer region 212
`are not utilized as input at the portable electronic device 100.
`[0036]
`FIG.3 illustrates examples of touches on the touch-
`sensitive display 118. The buffer region 212 is illustrated in
`FIG. 3 by hash markings for the purpose of explanation. As
`indicated, the buffer region 212 maynotbevisible to the user.
`For the purpose of explanation, touches are illustrated by
`circles at their points of origin. Arrows extending from the
`circles illustrate the paths of the touches that are gestures.
`[0037] The touch 302 begins at the origin point outside the
`boundary 210 andthe outside the buffer region 212. The path
`of the touch 302 crosses the buffer region 212 and the bound-
`ary 210 andis therefore identified as a meta-navigation ges-
`ture. Similarly, the touches 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316
`each have origin points outside the boundary 210 and the
`buffer region 212 and their paths cross the buffer region 212
`and the boundary 210. Each ofthe touches 304, 306, 308, 310,
`312, 314, 316 is therefore identified as a meta-navigation
`gesture. The touch 318, however, has an origin pointthatfalls
`within the buffer region 212 and the touch 318 is therefore not
`identified as a meta-navigation gesture. The touch 320 begins
`at an origin point outside the boundary 210 and the buffer
`region 212. The path ofthe touch 320, however, does not cross
`the boundary 210 andis therefore not identified as a meta-
`navigation gesture. The touch 322 also has an origin point
`outside the boundary 210 and the buffer region 212 but is not
`a gesture and therefore does notcross the boundary 210 andis
`not identified as a meta-navigation gesture.
`[0038] A flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an
`electronic device, such as the portable electronic device 100,
`is shown in FIG. 4. The method maybecarried out by com-
`puter-readable code executed, for example, by the processor
`102. Coding of software for carrying out such a method is
`within the scope of a person of ordinary skill in the art given
`the present description. The method may contain additional
`or fewer processes than shown and/or described, and may be
`performed in a different order. Computer-readable code
`executable by at least one processor ofthe portable electronic
`device to perform the method may be stored in a computer-
`readable medium, such as a non-transitory computer-read-
`able medium.
`
`For the purpose of the present example, the touch-
`[0032]
`sensitive overlay 114 extends to cover the display area 206
`and the non-display area 208. Toucheson the display area 206
`may be detected and, for example, may be associated with
`displayed selectable features. Touches on the non-display
`area 208 may be detected, for example, to detect a meta-
`navigation gesture. Alternatively, meta-navigation gestures
`may be determined by both the non-display area 208 and the
`display area 206. The density of touch sensors may differ
`from the display area 206 to the non-display area 208. For
`example, the density of nodes in a mutual capacitive touch-
`sensitive display, or density of locations at which electrodes
`ofone layer cross over electrodes of anotherlayer, may differ
`between the display area 206 and the non-display area 208.
`[0033] Gestures received on the touch-sensitive display
`118 maybe analyzed based ontheattributes to discriminate
`between meta-navigation gestures and other touches, or non-
`meta navigation gestures. Meta-navigation gestures may be
`identified when the gesture crosses over a boundary near a
`periphery ofthe display 112, such as a boundary 210 between
`the display area 206 and the non-display area 208. In the
`example of FIG. 2, the origin point of a meta-navigation
`[0039] Theprocess maybe carried out in any suitable appli-
`gesture may be determined utilizing the area of the touch-
`cation, such as, a homescreen application, an email applica-
`sensitive overlay 114 that covers the non-display area 208.
`tion, a text messaging application, a calendar application, a
`tasks application, an address book application, a web browser
`[0034] A buffer region 212 or band that extends aroundthe
`application, or any other suitable application. Information
`boundary 210 between the display area 206 and the non-
`from the application, referred to as the first application, is
`display area 208 maybeutilized such that a meta-navigation
`displayed on the touch-sensitive display 118 of the portable
`gesture is identified when a touch hasan origin point outside
`electronic device 100 at 402. Whenatouchis detected at 404,
`the boundary 210 and the buffer region 212 and crosses
`through the buffer region 212 and over the boundary 210 to a
`the process continues at 406 and a determination is made
`point inside the boundary 210. Although illustrated in FIG.2,
`whether or not the touch is a meta-navigation gesture. The
`determination is made basedonthe attributes of the touch as
`the buffer region 212 may notbe visible. Instead, the buffer
`region 212 may be a region around the boundary 210 that
`described above. In response to determiningthat the touch is
`extends a width that is equivalent to a predetermined number
`not a meta-navigation gesture, which may be a tap on the
`of pixels, for example. Alternatively, the boundary 210 may
`touch-sensitive display 118 or may be a non-meta navigation
`extend a predetermined number of touch sensors or may
`gesture, the touch data is utilized in association with the first
`extend a predetermined distance from the display area 206.
`application for which informationis displayed on the touch-
`The boundary 210 maybe a touch-sensitive region or may be
`sensitive display 118 at the time the gesture is received, at
`a region in which touchesare not detected.
`408. In responseto identifying the touch as a meta-navigation
`
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`
`portion of the information of the previous application 506
`gesture at 406, the touch data is utilized in a second applica-
`tion and information associated with the second, or with a
`may be displayedinathin sliver adjacent the edge or edges of
`further application, is displayed on the touch-sensitive dis-
`the display area 206 during the gesture andpriorto replace-
`play 118 at 410. The information associated with the second
`mentof the information associated with the current applica-
`application may be overlaid on the information associated
`tion 502. The information associated with the current appli-
`with the first application, for example,to facilitate navigation
`cation 502 may be replaced with the previous or next
`back to the information associated with the first application.
`application 508 as the gesture continues. In an alternative
`Alternatively, the information associated with the second
`example, a portion of the information of the previous appli-
`application may include, for example, information from a
`cation 506 or a portion of the information for the next appli-
`system level navigation interface, a configuration interface, a
`cation 508 may be displayedin a thinsliver adjacent the edges
`notification interface, a status interface, a menu interface, or
`ofthe display area 206 in responseto a receipt ofa first lateral
`information associated with any otherinterface.
`gesture. In this example, a swipe within the thin sliver may
`cause scrolling of the next and last applications in a list. A
`[0040] Referring again to FIG.3, the touches 302, 304, 306,
`second lateral meta-navigation gesture such as the gestures
`308, 310, 312, 314, 316 identified as meta-navigation ges-
`304, 306 may beutilized to cause the information associated
`tures may each be associated with information from an appli-
`with the current application 502, which information is
`cation suchthatattributes ofthe meta-navigation gesture such
`reduced in size, to be replaced.
`as the origin point, maybe utilized to determine whichappli-
`[0044] The meta-navigation gesture 308, which originates
`cation the meta-navigation gesture is associated with. FIG. 5
`near a top, center of the touch-sensitive display 118 and
`illustrates examples of associations between meta-navigation
`follows a generally vertical path, causes the information asso-
`gestures and information from applications, other than the
`ciated with the current application 502 to be replaced with
`application associated with the information displayed on the
`information associated with an applications settings applica-
`touch-sensitive display 118 at the timethe gestureis received.
`tion 504.
`The relationships shown in FIG. 5 are shownforillustrative
`purposes only andare interchangeable. Further applications
`and alternative associations may beutilized. Further applica-
`tions and alternative associations may be utilized. The terms
`top, bottom,right, andleft are utilized herein for the purpose
`of providing a reference and refer to an area of the portable
`electronic device 100 relative to the orientation in which the
`information associated with the application is displayed.
`[0041] The meta-navigation gesture 302, which originates
`near a bottom, center of the touch-sensitive display 118 and
`follows a generally vertical path in the orientation in which
`the information from a current application 502 is displayed,
`causes a homescreen associated with a root-navigation appli-
`cation 510 to replace the information associated with the
`current application 502. The homescreen includesa carousel
`showing the currently active applications indicated in a top
`portion of the display. Accordingly, currently active apps are
`shown in a browsable carousel in the top portion of the Home
`Screen. The carousel is located at a top portion of the home-
`screen. In the present example, the top portion utilizes only
`about 4 of the home screen, and application icons for non-
`active applications are provided at the bottom portion of the
`homescreen for ease of selection.
`
`[0045] The meta-navigation gesture 310, which originates
`near a top, left corner of the touch-sensitive display 118,
`causes information associated with a notification application
`512 to be tiled over the information associated with the cur-
`rent application 502. Similarly, the meta-navigation gesture
`312, which originates near a top, right corner of the touch-
`sensitive display 118, causes information associated with the
`notification application 512 to be tiled over the information
`associated with the current application 502.
`[0046] The meta-navigation gesture 314, which originates
`near a bottom, left corner of the touch-sensitive display 118,
`causes information associated with a status application 514 to
`be tiled over the information associated with the current
`
`[0042] The meta-navigation gesture 304, which originates
`near a left, center of the touch-sensitive display 118 and
`follows a generally lateral path, causes the information asso-
`ciated with the current application 502 to be replaced with
`information associated with a previous application 506,
`which maybe a previous application in a grouping or may be
`an application associated with information previously dis-
`played. The meta-navigation gesture 306, which originates
`near a right, center of the touch-sensitive display 118 and
`follows a generally lateral path, causes the information asso-
`ciated with the current application 502 to be replaced with
`information associated with a next application 508, which
`may be a next application in a grouping.
`[0043] The lateral gesture from either the left side or the
`right side of the touch-sensitive display 118 may cause the
`information associated with the current application 502 to be
`reducedin size to provide a visual cue of other active appli-
`cations prior to replacing the information with the previous
`application 506 or the next application 508. For example, a
`
`application 502. Similarly, the meta-navigation gesture 316,
`which originates near a bottom, right corner of the touch-
`sensitive display 118, causes information associated with the
`status application 514 to be tiled over the information asso-
`ciated with the current application 502.
`[0047] The present disclosureis not limited to identifying
`meta-navigation gestures utilizing a touch-sensitive overlay
`that extends over the non-display area. Meta-navigation ges-
`tures may be detected based on, for example,the first detected
`touch location at a margin of the touch-sensitive overlay,
`which maybe at amargin ofthe displayable area, and, option-
`ally, based on the gesture speedor direction whenthe touchis
`detected or path traversed by the gesture. Identification of
`meta-navigation gestures mayalso be carried out utilizing a
`heuristic algorithm based on touchattributes and responsive
`to touch attributes such as one or more of the origin point,
`speed, direction, distance and path of the gesture.
`[0048] Optionally,
`the electronic device may include a
`touch-sensitive frame of the housing or a touch-sensitive
`bezel circumscribing the touch-sensitive overlay. Meta-navi-
`gation gestures may be identified based on an origin point
`detected on the touch-sensitive frame or bezel.
`
`Further, the boundary that is crossed by a meta-
`[0049]
`navigation gesture is not limited to the boundary between the
`display area and the non-display area of the touch-sensitive
`display. Other suitable boundaries may be utilized and may
`include a region or band along a margin ofthe touch-sensitive
`overlay, a predeterminedline, or lines on the touch-sensitive
`
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`US 2012/0127098 Al
`
`May24, 2012
`
`5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the boundary
`display 118, or the boundary wherethe bezel or frame of the
`
`electronic device meets the touch-sensitive display. comprises a boundary betweenadisplay area and non-display
`[0050] Thus, identification of meta-navigation gestures is
`area of the touch-sensitive display.
`notlimitedto electronic devices with touch-sensitive displays
`6. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining
`that include a touch-sensitive overlay that covers the non-
`comprises determining that the touch is a meta-navigation
`display area of the display. Identification of meta-navigation
`gesture based on gesture speed whenthe touchis detected.
`gestures maybecarried out utilizing other electronic devices.
`7