Method and system for interacting with a touch screen

Disclosed is a system, method, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium for monitoring a user interface for a gesture, determining whether the gesture is exerting pressure on a screen of a computing device, when the gesture is exerting pressure on the screen, determining whether the pressure is above a threshold amount of pressure, when the pressure is above the threshold, previewing a content item in a series of content items, monitoring the user interface for a second gesture, determining whether the second gesture is traversing pixels in a predetermined direction on the screen, upon determining that the second gesture is traversing pixels, further determining whether the traversal meets a threshold number of traversed pixels, and when the traversal meets the threshold, displaying a subsequent content item in the series.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a method and system for interacting with content on a touch screen, and more specifically to a method and system for interacting with content after exerting pressure on the touch screen.

BACKGROUND

Mobile devices, web sites and applications (“apps”) have evolved over the years. For example, mobile devices such as laptops and phones may now be able to detect when pressure is exerted on their screens. The user's exertion of pressure on the screen while viewing an app or web site can change the functionality of the app or web site that the user is interacting with.

For example, some mobile devices (e.g., iPhone® 6s, developed by Apple Inc.®) enable a user to exert pressure on the touch screen of the mobile device to change the user interaction with the app or web site being viewed or interacted with. On the iPhone® 6s, this functionality is referred to as 3D Touch™. 3D Touch™ enables functionality such as “Peek and Pop”, which let the user preview content without having to open the content. For example, with a light press on the touch screen, a user can preview each email in the user's inbox (i.e., “Peek” at an email). The preview is displayed until the user no longer exerts pressure on the screen. Thus, if the user does not want to do more than preview the message, the user stops exerting pressure on the touch screen and is back in the user's inbox. When the user wants to open an email that the user previewed, the user exerts additional pressure (i.e., presses a little “deeper”) to open the email in full view (similar to if the user tapped to open the email from the user's inbox) (i.e., “Pop into it”).

Similarly, a user can view digital photographs (or web pages) with Peek and Pop. For example, if the user presses lightly on a thumbnail image, the thumbnail image appears as a preview. If the user decides he wants to open or view the photograph, the user presses his or her touch screen by exerting additional pressure to display the photograph (i.e., “Pop into it”).

SUMMARY

Using 3D Touch™ functionality, when a user previews a photograph (or other content items), the user can preview the photograph (or other content items) on a one-by-one basis. When the user moves his finger left and right, there is no effect (e.g., in the native iOS photos app). While pressure sensing interaction such as 3D Touch is useful in instances, users interacting with content on a device typically want to see more than a single item during interaction applications, and will wish to scroll through a photo stream, content timeline, or inbox items, or message conversations (as non-limiting examples) to see a number of items in a sequence sequentially in a direction, or go back and forward in a stream, or even jump forward or back in a stream or grouping quickly. The present disclosure presents a solution that improves touch screen interactions with device content by not only utilizing pressure to initiate content viewing but also pressure plus movement (e.g. by detecting pixel traversal) to initiate a directional scroll function. This speeds user interaction and selection of content in applications that use or can use the pressure sensing functionality of touch screen devices.

In one aspect, a method and computing device (i.e., processor) monitor, by the processor, a user interface for a gesture; determine, by the processor, whether the gesture is exerting pressure on a screen of the computing device; when the gesture is exerting pressure on the screen, determine, by the processor, whether the pressure is above a threshold amount of pressure; when the pressure is above the threshold, preview, by the processor, a content item in a series of content items; monitor, by the processor, the user interface for a second gesture; determine, by the processor, whether the second gesture is traversing pixels in a predetermined direction (e.g., left or right, up or down, at angles, or other directions recognized in accordance with the disclosure herein) on the screen; upon determining that the second gesture is traversing pixels, further determine whether the traversal meets a threshold number of traversed pixels; and when the traversal meets the threshold, displaying a subsequent content item in the series.

In one embodiment, the computing device monitors, by the processor, the user interface for a subsequent gesture; determines, by the processor, whether the subsequent gesture is traversing pixels in a predetermined direction on the screen; when the subsequent gesture is traversing, determines, by the processor, whether the traversal of pixels meets a subsequent threshold number of pixels; and when the traversal meets the subsequent threshold, displays, by the processor, a subsequent content item in the series.

In one embodiment, the threshold can change. For example, when the traversal meets a further traversal threshold, a further subsequent content item can be displayed. In one embodiment, a speed of traversal is determined and, in response to the speed, the speed of display of the subsequent display is controlled. The content items may be photographs, images, email strings, text messages, tweets, videos, notes, web pages, blog entries, screens, online comments, a feed, event timelines, and/or media items.

The subsequent threshold may be greater than or less than the threshold.

In one embodiment, a third gesture on the user interface is determined, where the third gesture is traversing pixels in a direction at an angle to the predetermined direction (e.g. perpendicular to the predetermined direction). The processor can determine that the traversing of the pixels at an angle to the predetermined direction is greater than an angular traversal threshold, and when the traversing is above the angular direction threshold, the processor can increase the value of the threshold so that it takes additional traversal in the predetermined direction to trigger the display of the subsequent content item. Thus, for example, when the user is trying to move his or her finger out of the way by moving his or her finger in an upwards direction or at an angle, the threshold to move to the next content item may increase.

In another aspect, a processor determines that an app is in a selection mode. The processor can display in a user interface of the app a preview of a content item in a series of content items. The processor can monitor the user interface for a gesture, and can determine whether the gesture is exerting pressure on a screen of the computing device. When the gesture is exerting pressure on the screen, the processor can determine whether the pressure is above a selection threshold amount of pressure. When the pressure is above the selection threshold, the processor can select the content item in the series. In one embodiment, an animation is played to denote selection of the content item.

These and other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of: a general purpose computer to alter its function to a special purpose; a special purpose computer; ASIC; or other programmable digital data processing apparatus, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams or operational block or blocks, thereby transforming their functionality in accordance with embodiments herein.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “server” should be understood to refer to a service point which provides processing, database, and communication facilities. By way of example, and not limitation, the term “server” can refer to a single, physical processor with associated communications and data storage and database facilities, or it can refer to a networked or clustered complex of processors and associated network and storage devices, as well as operating software and one or more database systems and application software that support the services provided by the server. Servers may vary widely in configuration or capabilities, but generally a server may include one or more central processing units and memory. A server may also include one or more mass storage devices, one or more power supplies, one or more wired or wireless network interfaces, one or more input/output interfaces, or one or more operating systems, such as Windows Server, Mac OS X, Unix, Linux, FreeBSD, or the like.

A communication link or channel may include, for example, analog telephone lines, such as a twisted wire pair, a coaxial cable, full or fractional digital lines including T1, T2, T3, or T4 type lines, Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDNs), Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs), wireless links including satellite links, or other communication links or channels, such as may be known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, a computing device or other related electronic devices may be remotely coupled to a network, such as via a wired or wireless line or link, for example.

For purposes of this disclosure, a “wireless network” should be understood to couple client devices with a network. A wireless network may employ stand-alone ad-hoc networks, mesh networks, Wireless LAN (WLAN) networks, cellular networks, or the like. A wireless network may further include a system of terminals, gateways, routers, or the like coupled by wireless radio links, or the like, which may move freely, randomly or organize themselves arbitrarily, such that network topology may change, at times even rapidly.

A wireless network may further employ a plurality of network access technologies, including Wi-Fi, Long Term Evolution (LTE), WLAN, Wireless Router (WR) mesh, or 2nd, 3rd, or 4th generation (2G, 3G, or 4G) cellular technology, or the like. Network access technologies may enable wide area coverage for devices, such as client devices with varying degrees of mobility, for example.

For example, a network may enable RF or wireless type communication via one or more network access technologies, such as Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Bluetooth, 802.11b/g/n, or the like. A wireless network may include virtually any type of wireless communication mechanism by which signals may be communicated between devices, such as a client device or a computing device, between or within a network, or the like.

A client device may vary in terms of capabilities or features. Disclosed subject matter is intended to cover a wide range of potential variations. For example, a simple smart phone, phablet or tablet may include a numeric keypad or a display. In contrast, however, as another example, a web-enabled client device may include a high resolution screen, one or more physical or virtual keyboards, mass storage, one or more accelerometers, one or more gyroscopes, global positioning system (GPS) or other location-identifying type capability, or a display with a high degree of functionality, such as a touch-sensitive color 2D or 3D display, for example.

A client device may include or may execute a variety of operating systems, including a personal computer operating system, such as a Windows, iOS or Linux, or a mobile operating system, such as iOS, Android, or Windows Mobile, or the like.

A client device may include or may execute a variety of possible applications, such as a client software application enabling communication with other devices, such as communicating one or more messages, such as via email, for example Yahoo! ® Mail, short message service (SMS), or multimedia message service (MMS), for example Yahoo! Messenger®, including via a network, such as a social network, including, for example, Tumblr®, Facebook®, LinkedIn®, Twitter®, Flickr®, or Google+®, Instagram™, to provide only a few possible examples. A client device may also include or execute an application to communicate content, such as, for example, textual content, multimedia content, or the like. A client device may also include or execute an application to perform a variety of possible tasks, such as browsing, searching, playing various forms of content, including locally stored or streamed video, or games (such as fantasy sports leagues). The foregoing is provided to illustrate that disclosed subject matter is intended to include a wide range of possible features or capabilities.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating an example system100including a client device105in communication with a server110. The communications between the server110and the client device105can occur over a wireless network115connected to a local area network (LAN)/wide area network (WAN)120, such as the Internet.

The client device105may be any computing device with a touch screen that can recognize the exertion of pressure on the screen. Other embodiments that may vary, for example, in terms of arrangement or in terms of type of components, are also intended to be included within disclosed subject matter. Although shown as a wireless network115(and WAN/LAN120), the client device105can communicate with server110via any type of network. The server110is in communication with a database140.

In one embodiment, the server110provides an app145which includes Peek and Pan functionality, as described below. The app145can be downloaded by the client device105from the server110or from an app store, such as Apple®'s App Store® or Google® Play®. The app145may be, for example, a messaging app, an email app, a social networking app (e.g., Twitter®, Facebook®, LinkedIn®, Flickr®, Google+®, Instagram™, etc.), a photo app (e.g., Flickr®, Instagram™), etc. The client device105downloads the app145and the user of the client device105launches the app145. When the user launches the app145, the user can display a photo on the client device display160.

The description below may focus on a photo app, such as Flickr®. Nonetheless, as described in more detail below, the content can be other content besides digital photographs such as email strings, messaging conversations, event timelines, video frames, or other media items, and the app145can be other photo, messaging or mail applications or “apps” or may be included as part of an operating system (e.g., iOS 9 or Windows or the Android mobile operating system).

Normally, by pressing firmly on a photo (for example), the user can preview photos on a one-by-one basis (e.g., using 3D Touch™ functionality). When the user moves his finger (or other pointing device, such as a stylus) on the screen horizontally (left or right), there is no effect.

As used herein the terms horizontal or vertical are intended to indicate a user moving a finger or stylus up or down or side to side on a device screen, as viewed or experienced by the user during interaction, and is not intended to indicate that any particular physical device orientation is required for operation. The disclosure herein is intended to cover interfaces that can auto-rotate as a user turns a device, and also to cover variations in directions of detected movement, and not be limited to any precise orientation relative to the actual physical earth horizon or vertical direction normal thereto. The present disclosure, while using terms of convenience like horizontal or vertical or side-to-side or up and down, is intended to cover the detection of movement in predetermined directions on a device screen, regardless of the screen's absolute orientation in physical space or the axes of such directional movement.

In one embodiment, as disclosed herein, when the user previews a photo (e.g., Peek) and moves his finger170or other pointing device in a predetermined direction (e.g., horizontally left or right) (e.g., Pan), the app145changes the photo to a subsequent photo (e.g., left or right adjacent photo, depending on the movement of the user's pointing device or finger) to allow the user to efficiently scan the series of photos and determine the “best” photo from the series. The “best” photo may be based on one or more user preferences, may be a photo liked by the user, may be the clearest or sharpest photo in the series, or any other subjective or objective criteria that can be used to single out a photo in a series.

One embodiment of client device105is described in more detail below. Generally, however, client device105may include virtually any portable computing device capable of receiving and sending a message over a network, such as network115,120, wireless network115, or the like. Thus, client device105may include virtually any portable computing device capable of connecting to another computing device and receiving information. Such devices include multi-touch and portable devices such as, cellular telephones, smart phones, display pagers, radio frequency (RF) devices, infrared (IR) devices, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), handheld computers, laptop computers, wearable computers, smart watch, tablet computers, phablets, integrated devices combining one or more of the preceding devices, and the like.

A web-enabled client device may include a browser application that is configured to receive and to send web pages, web-based messages, and the like. The browser application may be configured to receive and display graphics, text, multimedia, and the like, employing virtually any web based language, including a wireless application protocol messages (WAP), and the like. In one embodiment, the browser application is enabled to employ Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML), Wireless Markup Language (WML), WMLScript, JavaScript, Standard Generalized Markup Language (SMGL), HyperText Markup Language (HTML), eXtensible Markup Language (XML), and the like, to display and send a message.

Client device105also may include at least one client application that is configured to receive content from another computing device. The client application, or “app”, may include a capability to provide and receive textual content, graphical content, audio content, and the like. The client application may further provide information that identifies itself, including a type, capability, name, and the like. In one embodiment, client device105may uniquely identify itself through any of a variety of mechanisms, including a phone number, Mobile Identification Number (MIN), an electronic serial number (ESN), or other mobile device identifier.

In some embodiments, client device105may also communicate with non-mobile devices, such as server110or another client device, or the like. In one embodiment, such communications may include sending and/or receiving messages, searching for, viewing and/or sharing photographs, audio clips, video clips, or any of a variety of other forms of communications.

Wireless network115is configured to couple client device105and its components with network120. Wireless network115may include any of a variety of wireless sub-networks that may further overlay stand-alone ad-hoc networks, and the like, to provide an infrastructure-oriented connection for client device105. Such sub-networks may include mesh networks, Wireless LAN (WLAN) networks, cellular networks, and the like.

Network120is configured to couple server110, or the like, with other computing devices, including, through wireless network115, client device105. Network120is enabled to employ any form of computer readable media for communicating information from one electronic device to another. Also, network120can include the Internet in addition to local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), direct connections, such as through a universal serial bus (USB) port, other forms of computer-readable media, or any combination thereof. On an interconnected set of LANs, including those based on differing architectures and protocols, a router acts as a link between LANs, enabling messages to be sent from one to another, and/or other computing devices.

Within the communications networks utilized or understood to be applicable to the present disclosure, such networks will employ various protocols that are used for communication over the network. Signal packets communicated via a network, such as a network of participating digital communication networks, may be compatible with or compliant with one or more protocols. Signaling formats or protocols employed may include, for example, TCP/IP, UDP, QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connection), DECnet, NetBEUI, IPX, APPLETALK™, or the like. Versions of the Internet Protocol (IP) may include IPv4 or IPv6. The Internet refers to a decentralized global network of networks. The Internet includes local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), wireless networks, or long haul public networks that, for example, allow signal packets to be communicated between LANs. Signal packets may be communicated between nodes of a network, such as, for example, to one or more sites employing a local network address. A signal packet may, for example, be communicated over the Internet from a user site via an access node coupled to the Internet. Likewise, a signal packet may be forwarded via network nodes to a target site coupled to the network via a network access node, for example. A signal packet communicated via the Internet may, for example, be routed via a path of gateways, servers, etc. that may route the signal packet in accordance with a target address and availability of a network path to the target address.

According to some embodiments, the present disclosure may also be utilized within or accessible to an electronic social networking site. A social network refers generally to an electronic network of individuals, such as acquaintances, friends, family, colleagues, or co-workers, that are coupled via a communications network or via a variety of sub-networks. Potentially, additional relationships may subsequently be formed as a result of social interaction via the communications network or sub-networks. In some embodiments, multi-modal communications may occur between members of the social network. Individuals within one or more social networks may interact or communicate with other members of a social network via a variety of devices. Multi-modal communication technologies refers to a set of technologies that permit interoperable communication across multiple devices or platforms, such as cell phones, smart phones, tablet computing devices, phablets, personal computers, televisions, set-top boxes, SMS/MMS, email, instant messenger clients, forums, social networking sites, or the like.

In some embodiments, the disclosed networks115and/or120may comprise a content distribution network(s). A “content delivery network” or “content distribution network” (CDN) generally refers to a distributed content delivery system that comprises a collection of computers or computing devices linked by a network or networks. A CDN may employ software, systems, protocols or techniques to facilitate various services, such as storage, caching, communication of content, or streaming media or applications. A CDN may also enable an entity to operate or manage another's site infrastructure, in whole or in part.

The server110may be a content server and include a device that includes a configuration to provide content via a network to another device. A content server110may, for example, host a site or service, such as streaming media site/service (e.g., Netflix®), an email platform or social networking site, or a personal user site (such as a blog, vlog, online dating site, and the like). A content server110may also host a variety of other sites, including, but not limited to business sites, educational sites, dictionary sites, encyclopedia sites, wikis, financial sites, government sites, and the like. Devices that may operate as content server110include personal computers, desktop computers, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, servers, and the like.

Content server110can further provide a variety of services that include, but are not limited to, streaming and/or downloading media services, search services, email services, photo services, web services, social networking services, news services, third-party services, audio services, video services, instant messaging (IM) services, SMS services, MMS services, FTP services, voice over IP (VOIP) services, or the like. Such services, for example a video application and/or video platform, can be provided via an application server, whereby a user is able to utilize such service upon the user being authenticated, verified or identified by the service. Examples of content may include images, text, audio, video, or the like, which may be processed in the form of physical signals, such as electrical signals, for example, or may be stored in memory, as physical states, for example.

Further, server110may include or be in communication with an ad server to facilitate displaying of one or more advertisements (e.g., during the use of or downloading of the app145). An ad server comprises a server that stores online advertisements for presentation to users. “Ad serving” refers to methods used to place online advertisements on websites, in applications, or other places where users are more likely to see them, such as during an online session or during computing platform use, for example. Various monetization techniques or models may be used in connection with sponsored advertising, including advertising associated with user. Such sponsored advertising includes monetization techniques including sponsored search advertising, non-sponsored search advertising, guaranteed and non-guaranteed delivery advertising, ad networks/exchanges, ad targeting, ad serving and ad analytics. Such systems can incorporate near instantaneous auctions of ad placement opportunities during web page creation, (in some cases in less than 500 milliseconds) with higher quality ad placement opportunities resulting in higher revenues per ad. That is, advertisers will pay higher advertising rates when they believe their ads are being placed in or along with highly relevant content that is being presented to users. Reductions in the time needed to quantify a high quality ad placement offers ad platforms competitive advantages. Thus higher speeds and more relevant context detection improve these technological fields.

For example, a process of buying or selling online advertisements may involve a number of different entities, including advertisers, publishers, agencies, networks, or developers. To simplify this process, organization systems called “ad exchanges” may associate advertisers or publishers, such as via a platform to facilitate buying or selling of online advertisement inventory from multiple ad networks. “Ad networks” refers to aggregation of ad space supply from publishers, such as for provision en masse to advertisers. For web portals like Yahoo! ®, advertisements may be displayed on web pages or in apps resulting from a user-defined search based at least in part upon one or more search terms. Advertising may be beneficial to users, advertisers or web portals if displayed advertisements are relevant to interests of one or more users. Thus, a variety of techniques have been developed to infer user interest, user intent or to subsequently target relevant advertising to users. One approach to presenting targeted advertisements includes employing demographic characteristics (e.g., age, income, sex, occupation, etc.) for predicting user behavior, such as by group. Advertisements may be presented to users in a targeted audience based at least in part upon predicted user behavior(s).

Another approach includes profile-type ad targeting. In this approach, user profiles specific to a user may be generated to model user behavior, for example, by tracking a user's path through a web site or network of sites, and compiling a profile based at least in part on pages or advertisements ultimately delivered. A correlation may be identified, such as for user purchases, for example. An identified correlation may be used to target potential purchasers by targeting content or advertisements to particular users. During presentation of advertisements, a presentation system may collect descriptive content about types of advertisements presented to users. A broad range of descriptive content may be gathered, including content specific to an advertising presentation system. Advertising analytics gathered may be transmitted to locations remote to an advertising presentation system for storage or for further evaluation. Where advertising analytics transmittal is not immediately available, gathered advertising analytics may be stored by an advertising presentation system until transmittal of those advertising analytics becomes available.

In some embodiments, users are able to access services provided by server110. This may include, in a non-limiting example, authentication servers, search servers, email servers, social networking services servers, SMS servers, IM servers, MMS servers, exchange servers, photo-sharing services servers, and travel services servers, via the network120using their various devices (e.g., client device105). In some embodiments, applications, such as a streaming video application (e.g., Netflix®, Hulu®, iTunes®, Amazon Prime®, HBO Go®, and the like), blog, photo storage/sharing application or social networking application (e.g., Flickr®, Tumblr®, and the like), can be hosted by the server110. Thus, the server110can store various types of applications and application related information including application data and user profile information (e.g., identifying and behavioral information associated with a user). It should also be understood that server110can also store various types of data related to the content and services provided by server110in an associated database140. Embodiments exist where the network120is also coupled with/connected to a Trusted Search Server (TSS) which can be utilized to render content in accordance with the embodiments discussed herein. Embodiments exist where the TSS functionality can be embodied within server110.

Moreover, althoughFIG. 1illustrates server110as a single computing device, respectively, the disclosure is not so limited. For example, one or more functions of server110may be distributed across one or more distinct computing devices. Moreover, in one embodiment, the functions of server110may be integrated into a single computing device, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2Ais a flow diagram of an embodiment of steps performed by the client device105to facilitate this Peek and Pan functionality of the app145. As stated above, the client device105launches the app145and, in one embodiment, displays thumbnails of one or more photos. The client device105monitors a user interface displayed by the app145for a gesture (Step205). When the client device105determines that a gesture has been performed on the user interface, the client device105determines whether the gesture is exerting pressure on the screen160of the client device105(Step210).

The client device105then determines, in one embodiment, whether the pressure meets a predetermined threshold (Step215). If the pressure does not meet the threshold in Step215, the app145continues to display the thumbnails and returns to Step205. If the pressure does meet the threshold in Step215, the app145previews the content item (e.g., the photo in the thumbnail) (Step220). The content item (photo) is one content item in a series of content items (e.g., a plurality of digital photographs).

Once the preview is displayed, the client device105then, in one embodiment, monitors the user interface for a second gesture (Step225). The client device105then detects a second gesture and determines whether the second gesture is traversing a number of pixels in a predetermined direction (e.g., in a horizontal direction) on the screen160(Step230). If so, the client device105determines whether the traversal of pixels meets a threshold number of traversed pixels (Step235). If not, the app145continues to display the preview and returns to Step225. If so, then the client device displays a subsequent content item (e.g., adjacent content item corresponding to the direction of the traversal) in the series, stream or timeline. Thus, in one embodiment, if the traversal was to the left, then the app145displays a subsequent content item (e.g., next photograph) in the series to the left. In one embodiment, if the traversal was to the right, then the app145displays the subsequent content item (e.g., next photograph to the right) in the series. In embodiments the speed of traversal can be determined (e.g. number of pixels over time) and the traversal speed can be used to control or influence the speed of the display of subsequent content items.

Continuing withFIG. 2B, in one embodiment the client device105then monitors the user interface for a subsequent gesture (Step245). If the client device105detects a subsequent gesture, the client device105determines whether the subsequent gesture is a traversing of pixels (e.g., by the user's finger170) in a predetermined direction (e.g., left or right) on the screen160(Step250). In one embodiment, the client device105then determines whether the traversal of pixels meets a subsequent threshold number of pixels (Step255). In one embodiment, the subsequent threshold number of pixels is less than the threshold number of pixels. In another embodiment, the subsequent threshold number of pixels is greater than the threshold number of pixels. In yet another embodiment, the threshold and the subsequent threshold are the same threshold.

In one embodiment, the threshold and/or the subsequent threshold are set or configured by the user. In another embodiment, the threshold and/or the subsequent threshold are set by the app145, the client device105, or the server110.

If the traversal of the pixels does not meet the subsequent threshold, in one embodiment the app145continues to display the currently displayed content item and returns to Step245. Alternatively, the app145can return to a preview of a content item and return to Step205.

If the traversal of pixels meets the subsequent threshold number of pixels, the client device105displays a subsequent content item in the series (e.g., depending on the traversal) (Step260). Therefore, in one embodiment, when the user is in Peek mode, the user can pan horizontally to subsequent content items by moving his or her finger170or other pointing device in a predetermined direction (e.g., left or right, or up or down) a predetermined number of pixels. In one embodiment, the app145then returns to Step245and continues monitoring.

As described in more detail below, in one embodiment, the app145waits until the user's finger or pointing device has moved a certain number of pixels X-FIRST before the app145switches to the first-next photograph left/right, and then uses a smaller number X-SUBSEQUENT to switch to each subsequent photo. If the user's finger or pointing device has moved a significant number of pixels Y up/down before moving X-FIRST left/right, it determines that the user may just be moving his or her finger (or pointing device) out of the way of the photo. In one embodiment, the app145increases the value of X-FIRST so that it takes more left/right movement to trigger the initial pan.

Although the predetermined direction is described in this disclosure as being left or right, the predetermined direction can be any direction (e.g., up or down, diagonal left up or diagonal right down, etc.). Further, although an embodiment describes the displaying of the subsequent content item, the displayed content item can be any content item in the series. For example, if the user sets the app145to display every other photo upon a swipe, then in one embodiment every other photo is displayed when the predetermined threshold has been met.

In one embodiment, the app145or client device105further determines a speed of traversal. In one embodiment, in response to the speed, the app145or client device105controls a speed of display of the subsequent display.

Therefore, the Peek and Pan behavior is indirectly comparable to paging between pieces of full-screen content, except in this embodiment performed by moving one's finger (or pointing device) in a predetermined direction while exerting the required pressure on the screen.

FIG. 3Ais an embodiment of a screen shot300showing a user's camera roll with many photographs displayed as thumbnails (e.g., thumbnail305). Referring toFIG. 3B, in one embodiment, the user uses his finger170to press on a thumbnail305and exert pressure on the screen160, thereby meeting the required threshold and triggering the “Peek and Pop” functionality. The user's original touch position or touch origin is shown with digital finger310.FIG. 3Cshows an embodiment of a preview315of thumbnail305. As shown, the original touch position or touch origin is still at the same location (or approximately the same location) on the screen160.

FIG. 3Dshows an embodiment of the item320the user has chosen to preview. With the user's finger170still held on the screen160, the user moves their finger170over xinitialunits (also referred to below as Xi). This is shown inFIG. 3Eby the digital finger310moving to the right (shown with arrow325). The preview changes to the next item, allowing the user to browse nearby items. Once Xiunits are traversed in either direction from the original touch position, the preview changes to the first corresponding item left or right of the current item315.

As shown in the embodiment displayed inFIG. 3F, this moves the preview over one item to item330corresponding to the direction of the finger's movement325. The user can continue browsing by moving another Xnextunits in the same direction, also referred to below as Xn. As the user's finger continues moving and traverses (Xi+Xn) units from the touch origin, the preview changes to the next subsequent item, and the next subsequent item after that for each subsequent Xnunits traversed. This is shown in the embodiment displayed inFIG. 3G, with the digital finger310moving the direction shown with arrow335.

FIG. 3Hshows an embodiment of moving the finger into zone +2, thereby changing the preview340to +2 items from the original item previewed. Reversing the movement reverses the results of the action (returning the finger to the origin plus/minus Xireturns the preview to the original item).

The user releases his finger from the screen160. The user is returned to the screen they were at before beginning the action, per standard iOS “Peek and Pop” behavior. In one embodiment, and as shown inFIG. 3I, screen350is in the identical state they left it. In another embodiment, the screen350may have scrolled to ensure the content last in the preview is on-screen.

In one embodiment, the user presses harder on the screen, invoking the “Pop” action (also referred to as the “commit” action) of the “Peek and Pop” functionality. Referring toFIG. 3J, per iOS's “Peek and Pop” functionality, the item360currently being previewed becomes full-screen. In one embodiment, when the user moves his finger left/right, the user continues to change the item in the full-screen view until the finger is lifted. In other words, in one embodiment, the touch zones and tracking are still active. In another embodiment, moving the finger left/right has no further effect until the user lifts their finger, at which point the gesture is over and typical behavior resumes. In another embodiment, the user may move their finger up/down to trigger an action after committing to full-screen, such as share, like, or favorite.

In one embodiment, if Ythresholdunits (also referred to below as Yt) are traversed in the Y coordinate before Xiunits are traversed in the X coordinate, then the value of Xican be changed to a higher value Xi2, to increase the threshold for the initial item change. In one embodiment, this occurs because, during “Peek and Pop”, the user's finger may be directly over the preview of the item that they are trying to see, and it is foreseeable that the user just wants to move their finger out of the way to see the preview and not change the item being previewed. In this embodiment, the touch zones may be as shown in screen shot370ofFIG. 3K. In one embodiment, the user's finger has traversed Ytunits from the origin in the Y coordinate before reaching Xiunits in the X coordinate, and therefore, a traversal of Xi2units in the X coordinate must be reached for the initial change.

As described above, although this disclosure is described with respect to digital photographs, this disclosure can apply to any content item in a series of content items. For example, the Peek and Pan functionality can apply to, e.g., emails, Tweets, text messages, videos, notes, web pages in a web site, blog entries, screens, online comments, a feed, or any thread of communications or content. For instance, if there are several emails in a thread, the user can Peek an email to preview the contents of the email. If the user wants to Pop into the email, the user can press more firmly to view the email. When the user is previewing the email (Peek), the user can swipe left or right to preview the next or previous email in the thread or in the user's inbox or folder.

As another example, suppose a first user sends a link to a website to a second user. The second user can use his client device105to Peek at the web site without leaving the screen the second user is on. The app145will detect the pressure exerted on the link, and when it reaches the threshold pressure, the top of the web page will be displayed as a preview. The second user can swipe in a predetermined direction to view a subsequent page of the web site (as a preview). If the second user wants to open the full page in a web browser, the second user can press the link a little more “deeply” to Pop into it.

Other examples include paging between stocks in a stock app, or emails in an email app. In another embodiment, this functionality can be used to page more deeply through a single item of content, such as a book in an e-book reading application, a web article in a news-reading app, etc. The user can move his or her finger in a predetermined direction (e.g., right) to “thumb through” the book in the preview or in a table of contents, or scroll down through pages of an email or web article (whether page-at-a-time or in an analog mode). In analog mode, the control would be continuous for every pixel or small group of pixels the finger moves. Thus, by way of non-limiting example, moving 1 pixel would scroll 10% of the screen, moving 5 pixels would scroll 50%, and moving 12 pixels would scroll 1.2 pages down. Further examples of uses could be, e.g., to browse episodes of the pressed TV show in a program guide or TV app, etc. As another example, the functionality herein could be used to explore content in ways tangential to the content itself. For example, in an e-commerce application such as Amazon®, panning right could reveal customer reviews. In a stock market application, pressing and panning could reveal recent company news or graphs, etc.

In one embodiment, this functionality can apply to a photo editing app where the user can tap a filter on and off, or deep press to preview the image with the filter. While the preview is displayed, the user can move his or her finger left or right or any direction to tune the filter in a continuous manner (e.g., after an initial threshold is met), seeing the results live in the preview.

FIG. 4shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of additional functionality relating to selection mode of a photo in the app145. As stated above, the app145can preview the content item (e.g., photo). When in a selection mode (Step405), the app145can monitor the user interface for a gesture (Step410). The client device105determines whether the gesture is exerting pressure on the screen160(Step415). If so, the client device105(the app145) determines whether the pressure meets a selection threshold (Step420). If not, the app145returns to Step410.

If so, the app145can select the currently displayed photo (e.g., places a check mark next to the photo) (Step425) instead of displaying the previewed content full-screen. In one embodiment, the photo may be brought on to the screen160if it is off-screen.

Thus, in selection-mode, “popping” (i.e., pressing firmly while the preview is displayed) will, in one embodiment, select the currently displayed photo instead of the typical behavior of making the preview-content be displayed full-screen. At the time of the deep press, in one embodiment the preview will disappear, but when returned to the main screen the user will discover the item has been selected, and in one embodiment an animation (e.g., a bounce animation) will play on the selected item to call attention to the action that has been performed on it.

The selection threshold can be set, similar to the thresholds described above, by the user, by the client device, by the server, etc.

In the existing “Peek and Pop” behavior, when a preview is further deep pressed and committed to the screen, the available options are typically 1) “Pop”ing the preview to full-screen or 2) dismissing the preview with no other effects.

FIG. 5Ashows a screen shot500in which the user is in selection mode. In one embodiment, the user begins iOS “Peek and Pop” operation by “3D Pressing” deeply on an item of interest (see an embodiment as shown in screen shot510ofFIG. 5B). The client device105requests a preview for the touched content to display in a preview.

In one embodiment, the preview is displayed on screen160. The user then presses harder on the screen160, invoking the “Pop” or “commit” action of iOS's “Peek and Pop” functionality (shown in screen shot520ofFIG. 5C). The preview is dismissed, and the user is returned to the original screen, with the item currently displayed in the preview now selected (as shown inFIG. 5D, screen shot530). An animation may be played on the item to indicate an action that has been performed on to the item. If the item currently displayed is off-screen on the original screen, the original screen may be scrolled to bring the item on screen.

Thus, this functionality can be utilized with the functionality described above, as without the functionality described with respect toFIGS. 4 and 5A-5C, it would be difficult to select an item in selection mode after identifying it with the description identified above (e.g., with respect toFIGS. 1-3K). For example, one may have panned to an arbitrary item which is not the item originally touched (i.e., the item whose position is known to the user). If the user were to release their finger, or if they were to press more firmly and the preview were to just dismiss, they would need to re-locate the item they were previewing to perform the typical selection action. This item, however, may even be off the screen or look very similar at a small size (e.g., thumbnail) to other items, creating a significant challenge to the user. With this embodiment, the user can easily select any item panned to in the Peek and Pan functionality.

Further, this selection mode functionality can function independently. In this embodiment, the item being previewed becomes selected upon pressing more firmly per the “Pop” part of the Peek and Pop. This is different than the typical behavior in the typical iOS Photos app, where “Pop”ing while in select mode dismisses the preview and has no effect.

In some versions of iOS, moving the finger significantly upward in the Y coordinate can trigger a menu to be pulled up from the bottom of the screen160. This menu can contain any items as defined by an application, such as “Share” and “Delete”. This is shown inFIG. 6with menu605.

In this embodiment, all panning activity described above (Peek and Pan) may be suspended while the menu is currently active. The activation of this menu can be detected by a notification from the app (e.g., from the operating system), by observing the state of the underlying view structure on the screen160, or by detecting movement beyond a certain Y coordinate threshold above the original touch position.

Upon the menu hiding (or returning below the threshold, etc.), so long as the user's finger or pointing device is still pressed on the screen, normal panning should resume as described above. The preview may stay at the current item until a new X threshold is passed since the revoking of the menu. In another embodiment, the new X threshold can be0, in which case the Peek and Pan functionality would immediately resume, and the preview would change to the item indicated by the corresponding zone the user's finger is in, as described above.

Exemplary pseudocode for the above Peek and Pan functionality (including the expansion of the original-item touch zone) and the selection mode functionality is shown below:

FIG. 7is a schematic diagram illustrating a client device showing an example embodiment of a client device that may be used within the present disclosure. Client device700may include many more or less components than those shown inFIG. 7. However, the components shown are sufficient to disclose an illustrative embodiment for implementing the present disclosure. Client device700may represent, for example, client device discussed above in relation toFIG. 1.

As shown in the figure, Client device700includes a processing unit (CPU)722in communication with a mass memory730via a bus725. Client device700also includes a power supply726, one or more network interfaces750, an audio interface752, a display754, a keypad756, an illuminator758, an input/output interface760, a haptic interface762, an optional global positioning systems (GPS) receiver764and a camera(s) or other optical, thermal or electromagnetic sensors766. Device700can include one camera/sensor766, or a plurality of cameras/sensors766, as understood by those of skill in the art. The positioning of the camera(s)/sensor(s)766on device700can change per device700model, per device700capabilities, and the like, or some combination thereof.

Power supply726provides power to Client device700. A rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery may be used to provide power. The power may also be provided by an external power source, such as an AC adapter or a powered docking cradle that supplements and/or recharges a battery.

Client device700may optionally communicate with a base station (not shown), or directly with another computing device. Network interface750includes circuitry for coupling Client device700to one or more networks, and is constructed for use with one or more communication protocols and technologies as discussed above. Network interface750is sometimes known as a transceiver, transceiving device, or network interface card (NIC).

Audio interface752is arranged to produce and receive audio signals such as the sound of a human voice. For example, audio interface752may be coupled to a speaker and microphone (not shown) to enable telecommunication with others and/or generate an audio acknowledgement for some action. Display754may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), gas plasma, light emitting diode (LED), or any other type of display used with a computing device. Display754may also include a touch sensitive screen arranged to receive input from an object such as a stylus or a digit from a human hand.

Keypad756may comprise any input device arranged to receive input from a user. For example, keypad756may include a push button numeric dial, or a keyboard. Keypad756may also include command buttons that are associated with selecting and sending images. Illuminator758may provide a status indication and/or provide light. Illuminator758may remain active for specific periods of time or in response to events. For example, when illuminator758is active, it may backlight the buttons on keypad756and stay on while the client device is powered. Also, illuminator758may backlight these buttons in various patterns when particular actions are performed, such as dialing another client device. Illuminator758may also cause light sources positioned within a transparent or translucent case of the client device to illuminate in response to actions.

Client device700also comprises input/output interface760for communicating with external devices, such as a headset, or other input or output devices not shown inFIG. 7. Input/output interface760can utilize one or more communication technologies, such as USB, infrared, Bluetooth™, or the like. Haptic interface762is arranged to provide tactile feedback to a user of the client device. For example, the haptic interface may be employed to vibrate client device700in a particular way when the Client device700receives a communication from another user.

Optional GPS transceiver764can determine the physical coordinates of Client device700on the surface of the Earth, which typically outputs a location as latitude and longitude values. GPS transceiver764can also employ other geo-positioning mechanisms, including, but not limited to, triangulation, assisted GPS (AGPS), E-OTD, CI, SAI, ETA, BSS or the like, to further determine the physical location of Client device700on the surface of the Earth. It is understood that under different conditions, GPS transceiver764can determine a physical location within millimeters for Client device700; and in other cases, the determined physical location may be less precise, such as within a meter or significantly greater distances. In one embodiment, however, Client device may through other components, provide other information that may be employed to determine a physical location of the device, including for example, a MAC address, Internet Protocol (IP) address, or the like.

Mass memory730includes a RAM732, a ROM734, and other storage means. Mass memory730illustrates another example of computer storage media for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Mass memory730stores a basic input/output system (“BIOS”)740for controlling low-level operation of Client device700. The mass memory also stores an operating system741for controlling the operation of Client device700. It will be appreciated that this component may include a general purpose operating system such as a version of UNIX, or LINUX™, or a specialized client communication operating system such as Windows Client™, or the Symbian® operating system. The operating system may include, or interface with a Java virtual machine module that enables control of hardware components and/or operating system operations via Java application programs.

Memory730further includes one or more data stores, which can be utilized by Client device700to store, among other things, applications742and/or other data. For example, data stores may be employed to store information that describes various capabilities of Client device700. The information may then be provided to another device based on any of a variety of events, including being sent as part of a header during a communication, sent upon request, or the like. At least a portion of the capability information may also be stored on a disk drive or other storage medium (not shown) within Client device700.

Applications742may include computer executable instructions which, when executed by Client device700, transmit, receive, and/or otherwise process audio, video, images, and enable telecommunication with a server and/or another user of another client device. Other examples of application programs or “apps” in some embodiments include browsers, calendars, contact managers, task managers, transcoders, photo management, database programs, word processing programs, security applications, spreadsheet programs, games, search programs, and so forth. Applications742may further include search client745that is configured to send, to receive, and/or to otherwise process a search query and/or search result using any known or to be known communication protocols. Although a single search client745is illustrated it should be clear that multiple search clients may be employed. For example, one search client may be configured to enter a search query message, where another search client manages search results, and yet another search client is configured to manage serving advertisements, IMs, emails, and other types of known messages, or the like.

As shown inFIG. 8, internal architecture800of a computing device(s), computing system, computing platform and the like includes one or more processing units, processors, or processing cores, (also referred to herein as CPUs)812, which interface with at least one computer bus802. Also interfacing with computer bus802are computer-readable medium, or media,806, network interface814, memory804, e.g., random access memory (RAM), run-time transient memory, read only memory (ROM), media disk drive interface820as an interface for a drive that can read and/or write to media including removable media such as floppy, CD-ROM, DVD, media, display interface810as interface for a monitor or other display device, keyboard interface816as interface for a keyboard, pointing device interface818as an interface for a mouse or other pointing device, and miscellaneous other interfaces822not shown individually, such as parallel and serial port interfaces and a universal serial bus (USB) interface.

Memory804interfaces with computer bus802so as to provide information stored in memory804to CPU812during execution of software programs such as an operating system, application programs, device drivers, and software modules that comprise program code, and/or computer executable process steps, incorporating functionality described herein, e.g., one or more of process flows described herein. CPU812first loads computer executable process steps from storage, e.g., memory804, computer readable storage medium/media806, removable media drive, and/or other storage device. CPU812can then execute the stored process steps in order to execute the loaded computer-executable process steps. Stored data, e.g., data stored by a storage device, can be accessed by CPU812during the execution of computer-executable process steps.

Persistent storage, e.g., medium/media806, can be used to store an operating system and one or more application programs. Persistent storage can also be used to store device drivers, such as one or more of a digital camera driver, monitor driver, printer driver, scanner driver, or other device drivers, web pages, content files, playlists and other files. Persistent storage can further include program modules and data files used to implement one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

A network link typically provides information communication using transmission media through one or more networks to other devices that use or process the information. For example, the network link may provide a connection through a local network to a host computer or to equipment operated by a Network or Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISP equipment in turn provides data communication services through the public, worldwide packet-switching communication network of networks now commonly referred to as the Internet.

A computer called a server host connected to the Internet hosts a process that provides a service in response to information received over the Internet. For example, server host hosts a process that provides information representing video data for presentation at display810. It is contemplated that the components of system800can be deployed in various configurations within other computer systems, e.g., host and server.

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure are related to the use of computer system800for implementing some or all of the techniques described herein. According to one embodiment, those techniques are performed by computer system800in response to processing unit812executing one or more sequences of one or more processor instructions contained in memory804. Such instructions, also called computer instructions, software and program code, may be read into memory804from another computer-readable medium806such as storage device or network link. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in memory804causes processing unit812to perform one or more of the method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware, such as ASIC, may be used in place of or in combination with software. Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software, unless otherwise explicitly stated herein.

The signals transmitted over network link and other networks through communications interface, carry information to and from computer system800. Computer system800can send and receive information, including program code, through the networks, among others, through network link and communications interface. In an example using the Internet, a server host transmits program code for a particular application, requested by a message sent from computer, through Internet, ISP equipment, local network and communications interface. The received code may be executed by processor802as it is received, or may be stored in memory804or in storage device or other non-volatile storage for later execution, or both.

For the purposes of this disclosure the term “user”, “subscriber” “consumer” or “customer” should be understood to refer to a user of an application or applications as described herein and/or a consumer of data supplied by a data provider. By way of example, and not limitation, the term “user” or “subscriber” can refer to a person who receives data provided by the data or service provider over the Internet in a browser session, or can refer to an automated software application which receives the data and stores or processes the data.

FIGS. 9A-9Eare screen shots illustrating the Peek and Pan functionality of the client device ofFIG. 1in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. These figures show a display screen with a grid of 24 content items of any type described herein. InFIG. 9A, the user's finger presses on content item6.FIG. 9Bshows the Peek functionality, where the user previews the content item6. The user then “Pans” or traverses pixels to preview, e.g., adjacent content, such as content item7(FIG. 9C), content item8(FIG. 9D), and content item9(FIG. 9E). In another embodiment, at the end of the traversal, the user can continue to preview the content item (e.g., content item9) or can transition back to the grid of content items.