Abstract:
Computer-implemented methods and systems are disclosed for managing content items on a touch-enabled computer device operated by a user. The method includes the steps of: presenting a content item on the display of the computer device; receiving a swipe gesture input on the device from the user; determining a direction and a length of the swipe gesture input; and taking a given action from a set of possible actions on the content item based on the direction and the length of the swipe gesture input.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/915,610 filed on Dec. 13, 2013 entitled METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INPUTTING RATINGS ON TOUCH-BASED DEVICES, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present application relates generally to touch-based computer devices and, more particularly, to methods and systems for inputting user ratings and otherwise managing displayed content items on such devices. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    In accordance with one or more embodiments, a computer-implemented method is provided for managing content items on a touch-enabled computer device operated by a user. The method includes the steps of presenting a content item on the display of the computer device; receiving a swipe gesture input on the device from the user; determining a direction and a length of the swipe gesture input; and taking a given action from a set of possible actions on the content item based on the direction and the length of the swipe gesture input. 
         [0004]    In accordance with one or more embodiments, a touch-enabled computer device is provided for operation by a user. The device includes at least one processor; memory associated with the at least one processor; a display; and a program supported in the memory for managing content items on the touch-enabled computer device. The program contains a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: present a content item on the display of the computer device; receive a swipe gesture input on the device from the user; determine a direction and a length of the swipe gesture input; and take a given action from a set of possible actions on the content item based on the direction and the length of the swipe gesture input. 
         [0005]    In accordance with one or more further embodiments, a computer-implemented method is provided for managing content items on a touch-enabled computer device operated by a user. The method includes the steps of: presenting a content item on the display of the computer device; receiving a down swipe gesture input on the device from the user; and deleting the content item in response to the down swipe gesture input. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram illustrating select components of a touch-based computer device in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary screenshot illustrating archiving a displayed content item using a swipe down touch gesture in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary screenshot illustrating deleting a displayed content item using a swipe down touch gesture in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 4-6  are exemplary screenshots illustrating rating a displayed item using different swipe up touch gestures in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    The present application is directed to methods and systems for inputting user ratings on touch-based computer devices. Such devices can include, without limitation, smart phones (e.g., the Apple iPhone and Android-based smart phones), wearable smart devices (e.g., smart watches), tablet computers (e.g., the Apple iPad tablet), personal computers, smart TVs, game devices, cell phones, and personal digital assistants equipped with a touch interface. The devices include operating systems (e.g., Android, Apple iOS, and Windows Phone OS, among others) on which applications run. The operating systems allow programmers to create applications (often called “Apps”) to provide particular functionality to the devices. 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a representative user computer device  100  in accordance with one or more embodiments. The device  100  includes at least one computer processor  102 , a storage medium  104  readable by the processor  102  for storing applications and data. The device  100  also includes input/output devices  106 ,  108  such as, e.g., a camera, one or more speakers for acoustic output, a microphone for acoustic input, and a display for visual output, e.g., an LCD or LED display, which has touch screen input capabilities. Alternately, the device may include a trackpad or other touch interface. The device also includes a graphics module for generating graphical objects. The device may also include a communication module or network interface  112  to communicate with a computer server  116  or other devices via telecommunications and other networks  114 . 
         [0012]    Touch-enabled devices typically allow users to browse displayed content items (e.g., pictures in an album, images, documents, videos, texts, articles, web pages, profiles) using left and right swipe touch gestures. 
         [0013]    The present application is directed to methods and systems enabling users to input information and to archive, delete, or hide displayed content items by using up and down swipe gestures, while keeping the capability to browse items through left and right swipe gestures. 
         [0014]    In one exemplary embodiment, users can use up swipe gestures to input user ratings for the item displayed on the touch device screen. The higher the user swipes up, the higher the rating applied to the item. The user releases the swipe to validate the rating. A confirmation message may optionally be shown to the user to confirm the rating. Once the user releases the swipe, he or she can be automatically moved to the next item to rate. The user can swipe left and right if he or she does not want to rate the item displayed and to be moved to the next item. Down swipes may be used to move an item to trash, archive, or hide, or to give a negative rating to the item. 
         [0015]    The system thereby allows a user to rate or otherwise manage any type of item displayed very quickly and conveniently. 
       EXAMPLES 
       [0016]    The exemplary screenshot of  FIG. 2  illustrates how a user can swipe down to archive the item displayed on the screen  130  of a device  100 . In this example, if the user swipes down across a given portion  132  of the screen (e.g., 0% to 25% of the screen) and releases, the item displayed will be archived. The user will also automatically be moved to the next item to be displayed (equivalent to a left swipe). 
         [0017]    As shown in the exemplary screenshot of  FIG. 3 , if the user swipes down across more than a given portion  134  of the screen (e.g., more than 25% of the screen), the item displayed will be deleted. The user may be prompted with a message (e.g., “Are you sure you want to delete this picture?”) to confirm the user&#39;s intent to delete. The user can avoid seeing the message again by selecting “Do not display this message again.” 
         [0018]    In accordance with one or more embodiments, the user may also hide a content item by swiping down a specified portion of the screen. 
         [0019]    The exemplary screenshots of  FIGS. 4-6  illustrate how a user can input a rating with a swipe up gesture. 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , if the user swipes up across a small portion  140  of the screen (e.g., 0% to 25% of the screen) and releases, a low rating  142  (in this example, one star) is added to the item. The user will also automatically be moved to the next item (equivalent to a swipe left) to consider. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , if the user swipes up across a larger portion  144  of the screen (e.g., 25% to 50% of the screen) and releases, a higher rating  146  (in this example, two stars) is added to the item. The user will also automatically be moved to the next item (equivalent to a swipe left). 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , if the user swipes up across an even larger portion  148  of the screen (e.g., more than 50% of the screen) and releases, an even higher rating  150  (in this example, three stars) is added to the item. The user will also automatically be moved to the next item (equivalent to a swipe left). 
         [0023]    In one or more alternate embodiments, the user swiping direction is reversed. For instance, users can apply a downward swipe to input user ratings, and apply an upward swipe to archive, hide, or delete a content item. 
         [0024]    The processes of the ratings input and content item management system described above may be implemented in software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. The processes are preferably implemented in one or more computer programs executing on the computer device, which includes one or more computer processors, a storage medium readable by the one or more processors (including, e.g., volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), and input and output devices. Each computer program can be a set of instructions (program code) in a code module resident in a random access memory of the device. Until required, the set of instructions may be on a remote computer system and downloaded via the Internet or other network. 
         [0025]    Having thus described several illustrative embodiments, it is to be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to form a part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. While some examples presented herein involve specific combinations of functions or structural elements, it should be understood that those functions and elements may be combined in other ways according to the present disclosure to accomplish the same or different objectives. In particular, acts, elements, and features discussed in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from similar or other roles in other embodiments. 
         [0026]    Additionally, elements and components described herein may be further divided into additional elements or components or joined together to form fewer elements or components for performing the same functions. 
         [0027]    Accordingly, the foregoing description and attached drawings are by way of example only, and are not intended to be limiting.