Abstract:
A method for a user interface is disclosed. The method comprises determining an orientation of a display of the user interface; adapting a display view of said display depending on said determined orientation; and assigning functions to input means of said user interface depending on said determined orientation. A user interface, an apparatus and a computer program for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a method for a user interface, a user interface, an apparatus, and a computer program. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Portable electronic devices becomes more and more advanced. This puts higher demands on making the apparatus user-friendly. WO 2005/052773 A2 discloses a method for changing an orientation of a user interface, comprising detecting a course of motion that is performed on the user interface, and changing the orientation of the user interface with respect to a device, in which the user interface is integrated, according to the detected course of motion. However, there are further possibilities for improving a user interface. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In view of the above, an objective of the invention is to solve or at least reduce the problems discussed above. In particular, an objective is to provide a user interface responsive to the physical orientation. 
         [0004]    According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for a user interface comprising determining an orientation of a display of the user interface; adapting a display view of said display depending on said determined orientation; and assigning functions to input means of said user interface depending on said determined orientation. 
         [0005]    The assignment of functions and adaption of the display view may be performed for adapting to either right hand use or left hand use. 
         [0006]    The method may further comprise receiving information on said orientation from a user. 
         [0007]    The method may further comprise receiving information on said orientation a sensor. 
         [0008]    The input means that is being assigned functions depending on said determined orientation may comprise dedicated function buttons. 
         [0009]    The input means that is being assigned functions depending on said determined orientation may comprise a rotatable dial. 
         [0010]    The method may further comprise launching an application depending on the determined orientation. 
         [0011]    According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a user interface comprising a display arranged to display a display view; input means arranged to receive user input; an orientation handler arranged to determine an orientation of said display; and a functionality handler arranged to adapt said display view and assigned functions of said input means depending on a determined orientation provided by said orientation handler. 
         [0012]    The assignment of functions and adaption of the display view may be performed for adapting to either right hand use or left hand use. 
         [0013]    Information on said orientation may be provided by the user, or by a sensor. 
         [0014]    The input means may comprise dedicated function buttons, wherein said dedicated function buttons may be assigned functions depending on said determined orientation. 
         [0015]    The input means may comprise a rotatable dial, wherein said rotatable dial may be assigned functions depending on said determined orientation. 
         [0016]    The user interface may be arranged to launch an application depending on the determined orientation. 
         [0017]    The user interface may further be arranged to provide a visual indicia for said input means depending on the assigned functions. The visual indicia may be a color coding. The visual indicia may comprise a light emitting diode. 
         [0018]    According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a user interface comprising a display arranged to display a display view; input means arranged to receive user input; a processor controlling said user interface and comprising an orientation handler arranged to determine an orientation of said display; and a functionality handler arranged to adapt said display view and assigned functions of said input means depending on a determined orientation provided by said orientation handler. 
         [0019]    The processor may be arranged to launch an application depending on the determined orientation. 
         [0020]    The apparatus may be a mobile communication apparatus, a portable digital assistant, a portable media player, a digital camera, or a cell phone. 
         [0021]    According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable medium having computer-executable components comprising instructions for determining an orientation of a display of the user interface; adapting a display view of said display depending on said determined orientation; and assigning functions to input means of said user interface depending on said determined orientation. 
         [0022]    The computer-readable medium may further comprise instructions for receiving information on said orientation from a user, instructions for receiving information on said orientation a sensor, and/or instructions for launching an application depending on the determined orientation. 
         [0023]    Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated. 
         [0024]    Other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached dependent claims as well as from the drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a flow char illustrating an example how the present invention can be used; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  schematically illustrates a user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  schematically shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  shows an apparatus in different orientations; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  shows corresponding display views for different orientations of a display; and 
           [0032]      FIGS. 7   a  to  7   c  illustrate how a determined orientation of an apparatus can be used. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]      FIG. 1  is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. An orientation of a display showing a display view is determined  100 . For example, in a monoblock apparatus with a single display, the orientation of the display will be the orientation of the apparatus. In an apparatus with more than one display, it has to be determined which display that shows the actual display view, and if the display is hingably or rotatable attached to the apparatus, this can be considered. 
         [0034]    Optionally, an application is launched  102  based on the determined orientation. For example, a camera application is launched when a certain orientation is determined, where this orientation preferably is when the apparatus and its display is particularly suitable for capturing images. 
         [0035]    The display view is adapted  104  with regard to the determined orientation, as will be further discussed in a few examples with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 7 . Further, functions of input means are assigned  106  depending on the determined orientation. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  is a flow char illustrating an example how the present invention can be used. It can be assumed that an application is running on an apparatus being used by a user. An orientation of the display is determined  200 , and the display view is adapted  202  accordingly for the running application, for example a camera application. Further, functions of certain input means are assigned  204  in a suitable manner according to the running application and the determined orientation. To continue with the example with the camera application, a key suitably placed in the current orientation for releasing the shutter can be assigned as a shutter release. When a picture is shot, the user intends to use the captured image, and turns e.g. the entire apparatus to a position such that the display gets another orientation. Thus is a change in orientation determined  206 , and another application is launched  208  based on the new determined orientation. This can for example be a messaging application, where the user is enabled to send a message comprising the captured image. The display view is adapted  210  to the new determined orientation, and functions of some input means can also be re-assigned  212  in accordance with the new determined orientation. An example of this can be that the display view is turned with regard to selectable options, that the input means are re-assigned to be easily maneuvered in the current position, e.g. using only one hand. In the messaging example, input means for scrolling and selecting can be re-assigned for easier selecting options and for selecting a recipient from e.g. a contact list. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  schematically illustrates a user interface UI according to an embodiment of the present invention. The user interface UI comprises a display  300  and input means  302 . The input means  302  can comprise a keypad, a touch screen, a rotating dial, one or more soft keys working in conjunction with presented options on the display, certain function specific keys or buttons, navigation keys, a joystick, etc. The user interface further comprises an orientation handler  304  arranged to determine the current orientation on the display and provide necessary information on this to e.g. a function handler  306  assigning functions to input means depending on the current orientation provided by the orientation handler. The orientation handler  304 , as well as the function handler  306 , are suitable to implement as software modules in a processor, but can also be hard-wired, or implemented as a combination between software and hardware. Optionally, the orientation handler  304  receives a signal from a sensor  308 , from which signal the orientation handler  304  can determine the orientation. The sensor  308  can comprise an accelerometer, a gyro, one or more switches at a hinged connection between the display and a main body of an apparatus having the display, or any other means for providing a signal indicating the orientation. Alternatively, the orientation can be determined by enabling a user to input the current orientation, or by predicting the most possible orientation depending on e.g. the used application. The functions and operation of the user interface UI will become more clear from the examples discussed with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 7 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  schematically shows an apparatus  400  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus comprises a display  402  and input means  404 . Examples on these elements  402 ,  404  are similar to those demonstrated for the user interface discussed with reference to  FIG. 3 , and can be considered to be at least a part of the user interface of the apparatus  400 . Not to obscure the invention, other parts of the apparatus  400 , which parts can comprise image capturing means, transmitter, receiver, memory, casing, antenna, etc., are not discussed in this disclosure. However, the apparatus  400  comprises a processor  406  implementing, among other things which are neither discussed here to avoid obscuring the invention, an orientation handler  408  and a function handler  410 . The orientation handler  408  is arranged to determine the current orientation on the display  402  and provide necessary information on this to e.g. the function handler  410  assigning functions to at least certain of the input means  404  depending on the current orientation provided by the orientation handler  408 . The orientation handler  408 , as well as the function handler  410 , are implemented by the processor as software modules in a processor, but can also be hard-wired as in an ASIC, or implemented as a combination between software and hardware as in an FPGA. Optionally, the orientation handler  408  receives a signal from a sensor  412  of the apparatus  400 , from which signal the orientation handler  408  can determine the orientation. The sensor  412  can comprise an accelerometer, a gyro, one or more switches at a hinged connection between the display and a main body of an apparatus having the display, or any other means for providing a signal indicating the orientation. The sensor  412  can comprise one or more of these elements, of a sole type or several types in combination. Alternatively, the orientation can be determined by enabling a user to input the current orientation, or by predicting the most possible orientation depending on e.g. the used application. The functions and operation will become more clear from the examples discussed with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 7 . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  shows an apparatus  500  comprising a display  502  and input means  504 . Note the exaggerated size of keys  505 ,  506 , which size is only for illustrative purposes. 
         [0040]    A use case is a right-handed user using the apparatus  500  as a camera, and thus preferring to use the apparatus  500  in the orientation illustrated in  FIG. 5   a  to be able to operate the input means  504 ,  505 ,  506  without obscuring the display  502  with the hand. During similar use, a left-handed user would use the apparatus  500  in the orientation illustrated in  FIG. 5   b . The most natural way to release a shutter of the camera would for the right-handed person be to use key  505  being on top of the apparatus  500  in the right-handed orientation illustrated in  FIG. 5   a , while the left-handed person would use key  506  being on top of the camera in the left-handed orientation illustrated in  FIG. 5   b . Thus is the assignment of the functions of keys  505 ,  506  made dependent on the determined operation. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  shows corresponding display views for different orientations of a display, cf. the orientation of the apparatus in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b . Not only that the display view is arranged not to present the displayed information upside down, but for example selectable options are moved in the display view to facilitate association with e.g. soft keys. In  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , we also see that the options are arranged such that the user experience them to be in the same order to be able to easily recognize the selectable items. Thus, functions of any corresponding soft keys will have to be assigned accordingly. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 7   a  to  7   c  illustrate how a determined orientation of an apparatus  700  can be used for further improving user-friendliness. A first application is run on the apparatus  700  when in the orientation illustrated in  FIG. 7   a , e.g. capturing an image. The user turns the apparatus  700  as illustrated in  FIG. 7   b , where a sensor (not shown) in the apparatus enables determination on a change in orientation to the orientation illustrated in  FIG. 7   c . Upon the determination on a new orientation, the apparatus launches a new application, preferably linking available information from the application run in the first orientation, such as importing a captured image in  FIG. 7   a  to the new launched application in  FIG. 7   c , which can be a messaging application, an image editor, a photo album, etc. The user can then easily and intuitively use the apparatus  700 . 
         [0043]    The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.