Video out interface for electronic device

An electronic device is provided having a video out mode for providing output to an external display coupled to the electronic device. The electronic device may automatically detect connection of the external display and select a display mode from a list of display modes based on selection criteria. The video out mode may include a user interface for controlling a presentation displayed on the external display. The user interface may include controls, including touch-sensitive controls, for advancing the presentation, moving back in the presentation, navigating the presentation, exiting the video out mode, and displaying of a pointer on the external display.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and, more particularly to display and control of presentations and other viewable data from the electronic devices.

The graphical user interface (“GUI”) of an electronic device may accomplish a variety of tasks and present a variety of information to a user. The user sees and interacts with the GUI, so it is beneficial if the GUI presents information and choices to a user in a way that is not only pleasing and natural to the eye but conducive to efficient use of the underlying application and hardware.

Some electronic devices include the capability to display presentations and other graphic data on a display of the device. Additionally, some electronic devices may output data for display on an external device. Existing electronic devices may not provide an intuitive and efficient interface for displaying and controlling presentations and other graphics, on the display of the electronic devices or on external displays.

SUMMARY

Devices and methods are provided that include an electronic device capable of detecting an external display and providing output to the external display in a video out mode. The electronic device may detect the list of modes of the external display and select a display mode from the list of modes. The video out mode may include a user interface displayed on the electronic device and having controls for controlling a presentation or other output displayed on the external display. For example, the controls may include advancing the presentation, moving back in the presentation, displaying a navigator pane, and exiting the video out mode. A pointer may be displayed on the external display based on detection of a touch on the user interface of the video out mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

With these foregoing features in mind, a general description of suitable electronic devices for performing these functions is provided below. InFIG. 1, a block diagram depicting various components that may be present in electronic devices suitable for use with the present techniques is provided. InFIG. 2, one example of a suitable electronic device, here provided as a computer system, is depicted. InFIG. 3, another example of a suitable electronic device, here provided as a tablet-style device, is depicted. These types of electronic devices, and other electronic devices providing comparable display capabilities, may be used in conjunction with the present techniques.

The present disclosure is directed to a video out mode of an electronic device for providing output to an external display coupled to the electronic device. The electronic device may automatically detect connection of the external display and select a display mode from a list of display modes based on selection criteria. The video out mode may include a user interface for controlling a presentation displayed on the external display. The user interface may include controls, including touch-sensitive controls, for advancing the presentation, moving back in the presentation, navigating the presentation, and exiting the video out mode. Additionally, the user interface may enable display of a pointer on the external display.

An example of a suitable electronic device may include various internal and/or external components that contribute to the function of the device.FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating the components that may be present in such an electronic device10and which may allow the device10to function in accordance with the techniques discussed herein. As will be appreciated, various components of electronic device10may be provided as internal or integral components of the electronic device10or may be provided as external or connectable components. It should further be noted thatFIG. 1is merely one example of a particular implementation and is intended to illustrate the types of components and/or functionalities that may be present in electronic device10.

In various embodiments, the electronic device10may be a media player, a cellular telephone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a personal data organizer, an e-book reader (e-reader), a workstation, or the like. For example, in certain embodiments, the electronic device10may be a portable electronic device, such as a tablet device or a model of an iPod® or iPhone® available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. In other embodiments, electronic device10may be a desktop, tablet, or laptop computer, including a MacBook®, MacBook® Pro, MacBook Air®, iMac®, Mac® Mini, or Mac Pro®, also available from Apple Inc. In further embodiments, electronic device10may include other models and/or types of electronic devices suitable for implementing the features disclosed herein.

As discussed herein, the electronic device10may be used to store and/or execute a variety of applications. Such applications may include, but are not limited to: drawing applications, presentation applications, a word processing applications, website creation applications, disk authoring applications, spreadsheet applications, gaming applications, telephone applications, video conferencing applications, e-mail applications, instant messaging applications workout support applications, photo management applications, digital camera applications digital video camera applications, web browsing applications, e-book reader applications, digital music player applications, and/or digital video player applications. Further, the electronic device10may be used to store, access, and/or modify data, routines, and/or drivers used in conjunction with such applications.

Various applications that may be executed on the electronic device10may utilize or share the same user interface devices, such as a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touch screen or touch pad), a mouse, a keyboard, and so forth. One or more functions of such interface devices, as well as corresponding information displayed on the electronic device10, may be adjusted and/or varied from one application to the next and/or within a respective application. In this way, a common physical architecture (such as the interface devices provided by the electronic device10) may support a variety of applications with user interfaces that are intuitive and transparent.

The depicted electronic device includes a display12. In one embodiment, the display12may be based on liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology, or light emitting polymer display (LPD) technology, although other display technologies may be used in other embodiments. In accordance with certain embodiments, the display12may include or be provided in conjunction with touch sensitive elements. Such a touch-sensitive display may be referred to as a “touch screen” and may also be known as or called a touch-sensitive display system.

In addition, the electronic device10may include one or more storage/memory components14(which may include one or more computer readable storage mediums), a memory controller16, one or more processing units (CPUs, GPUs, and so forth)18, a peripherals interface20, RF circuitry22, audio circuitry24, a speaker26, a microphone28, an input/output (I/O) subsystem30, input and/or control devices32, and an external port34. Further, in certain embodiments, the electronic device10may include one or more optical sensors36. These components may communicate over one or more communication buses or signal lines38.

It should be appreciated that the depicted electronic device10is only one example of a suitable device, and that the electronic device10may have more or fewer components than shown, may combine the functionality of two or more of the depicted components into a single component, or a may have a different configuration or arrangement of the components. Further, the various components shown inFIG. 1may be implemented in hardware (including circuitry), software (including computer code stored on a computer-readable medium), or a combination of both hardware and software, including one or more signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits.

With respect to the specific depicted components, the storage/memory component(s)14may include high-speed random access memory and/or may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memory devices. Access to storage/memory components14by other components of the device10, such as the processor18and the peripherals interface20, may be controlled by one or more respective controllers16, such as a memory controller, disk controller, and so forth.

The peripherals interface20couples various input and output peripherals of the electronic device10to the processor18and storage/memory components14. The one or more processors18run or execute various software programs and/or sets of instructions stored in storage/memory components14(such as routines or instructions to implement the features discussed herein) to perform various functions on the electronic device10and/or to process data. In some embodiments, the peripherals interface20, the processor18, and the memory controller16may be implemented on a single chip, such as a chip40. In other embodiments, these components and/or their functionalities may be implemented on separate chips.

The RF (radio frequency) circuitry22receives and sends RF signals, also called electromagnetic signals. The RF circuitry22converts electrical signals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates with communications networks and other communications devices via the electromagnetic signals. The RF circuitry22may include known circuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited to an antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. The RF circuitry22may communicate with networks, such as the Internet, also referred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranet and/or a wireless network, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local area network (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), and/or other devices by wireless communication. The wireless communication may use any suitable communications standard, protocol and/or technology, including but not limited to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), a 3G network (e.g., based upon the IMT-2000 standard), high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), a 4G network (e.g., based upon the IMT Advanced standard), Long-Term Evolution Advanced (LTE Advanced), Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/or IEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocol for email (e.g., Internet message access protocol (IMAP) and/or post office protocol (POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensible messaging and presence protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol for Instant Messaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messaging and Presence Service (IMPS)), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), and/or Short Message Service (SMS), or any other suitable existing or later developed communication protocol.

The audio circuitry24, the speaker26, and the microphone28provide an audio interface between a user and the electronic device10. In one embodiment, the audio circuitry24receives audio data from the peripherals interface20, converts the audio data to an electrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to the speaker26. The speaker26converts the electrical signal to audible sound waves. The audio circuitry24also receives electrical signals converted by the microphone28from sound waves. The audio circuitry24converts the electrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data to the peripherals interface20for processing. Audio data may be retrieved from and/or transmitted to the storage/memory components14and/or the RF circuitry22by the peripherals interface20. In some embodiments, the audio circuitry24may include an output jack (e.g., an audio out jack or a headset jack). The output jack provides an interface between the audio circuitry24and removable audio input/output peripherals, such as output-only speakers, headphones or a headset with both output (e.g., a headphone for one or both ears) and input (e.g., a microphone).

The I/O subsystem30couples input/output peripherals on the electronic device10, such as a display12, and other input/control devices32, to the peripherals interface20. The I/O subsystem30may include a display controller44and one or more input controllers46for other input or control devices. The one or more input controllers46receive/send electrical signals from/to other input or control devices32. The other input/control devices32may include physical buttons (e.g., push buttons, rocker buttons, etc.), dials, slider switches, joysticks, click wheels, a touch pad, and so forth. In some alternate embodiments, the input controller(s)46may be coupled to any (or none) of the following: a keyboard, infrared port, USB port, and/or a pointer device such as a mouse. Examples of input/control devices32in the form of buttons may include an up/down button for volume control of the speaker26and/or the microphone28, on/off buttons, and/or buttons used to invoke a home screen on the display12of the electronic device10.

When present, a display12implemented as a touch screen provides an input interface and an output interface between the electronic device10and a user. In one such embodiment, the display controller44receives and/or sends electrical signals from/to the display12and the corresponding touch sensitive elements. The display12displays visual output to the user. The visual output may include graphics, alphanumeric characters, icons, video, and so forth (collectively termed “graphics”). In some embodiments, some or all of the visual output may correspond to user-interface objects.

In embodiments employing a touch screen, the display12has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set of sensors that accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactile contact. The touch screen and the display controller44generate signals in response to contact (and any movement or breaking of the contact) on the display12, and the signals may be received and processed in accordance with routines executing on the processor18such that the signals (and the contact they represent) are recognized as interactions with user-interface objects that are displayed on the display12. In an exemplary embodiment, a point of contact between a touch screen12and the user corresponds to an appendage, e.g., a finger, of the user, and/or a stylus wielded by the user.

In embodiments where a touch screen is employed, the display12and the display controller44may detect contact and/or movement (or breaks in such movement) using a suitable touch sensing technologies, including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensor arrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contact with the display12. The user may make contact with such a touch sensitive display12using any suitable object or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger, and so forth. In some embodiments, a touch-sensitive display may be multi-touch sensitive, i.e., sensitive to multiple concurrent contacts. In an exemplary embodiment, projected mutual capacitance sensing technology is used, such as that found in the iPhone® and iPod Touch® from Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.

The electronic device10also includes a power system50for powering the various components. The power system50may include a power management system, one or more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current (AC)), a recharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converter or inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED)) and any other components associated with the generation, management and distribution of power in electronic devices.

The electronic device10may also include one or more optical sensors36.FIG. 1shows an optical sensor36coupled to an optical sensor controller52in the I/O subsystem30. The optical sensor36may include a charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) phototransistors. The optical sensor36receives light from the environment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the light to data representing an image. In conjunction with appropriate code executing on the processor18, the optical sensor36may capture still images and/or video.

The electronic device10may also include one or more accelerometers54.FIG. 1shows an accelerometer54coupled to the peripherals interface20. Alternately, the accelerometer54may be coupled to an input controller46in the I/O subsystem30. In some embodiments, information is displayed on the display12in a portrait view or a landscape view based on an analysis of data received from the one or more accelerometers (e.g., based upon a position in which the electronic device10is presently oriented).

In some embodiments, the software components stored in storage/memory14may include an operating system, a communication module (or set of instructions), a contact/motion module (or set of instructions), a graphics module (or set of instructions), as well as any other suitable modules or instructions used in the operation of the device10or by interfaces or applications executing on the device10. By way of example, an operating system may be based upon various software platforms, such as Darwin, RTXC, LINUX®, UNIX®, OS X, WINDOWS®, or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks, and may include various software components and/or drivers for controlling and managing general system tasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control, power management, etc.) and facilitates communication between various hardware and software components.

In addition, the software components stored in storage/memory14may include various applications and media (e.g., music, videos, e-books) loaded or purchased by a user of the device10to provide additional functionality to the device10. By way of example only, the storage/memory14may be configured to store applications and media purchased and/or downloaded from the App Store® or from iTunes®, both of which are online services offered and maintained by Apple Inc.

The communication module facilitates communication with other devices over one or more external ports34and also includes various software components for handling data received by the RF circuitry22and/or the external port34. The external port34(e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB), FIREWIRE, Ethernet port, etc.) is adapted for coupling directly to other devices or indirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.). In some embodiments, the external port34is a multi-pin (e.g., 30-pin) connector that is the same as, or similar to and/or compatible with the 30-pin connector used on iPod® devices.

The contact/motion module may facilitate the detection and/or interpretation of contact with a touch sensitive input device, such as a touch screen, click wheel or touch pad. The contact/motion module includes various software components for performing various operations related to detection of contact, such as determining if contact has occurred (e.g., detecting a finger-down event), determining if there is movement of the contact and tracking the movement across the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., detecting one or more finger-dragging events), and determining if the contact has ceased (e.g., detecting a finger-up event or a break in contact). Determining movement of the point of contact, which is represented by a series of contact data, may include determining speed (magnitude), velocity (magnitude and direction), and/or an acceleration (a change in magnitude and/or direction) of the point of contact. These operations may be applied to single contacts (e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiple simultaneous contacts (e.g., “multitouch”/multiple finger contacts).

The graphics module includes various known software components for rendering and displaying graphics on the display12or other connected displays or projectors, including components for changing the intensity of graphics that are displayed. As used herein, the term “graphics” includes any object that can be displayed to a user. In some embodiments, the graphics module stores data representing graphics to be used. Each graphic may be assigned a corresponding code. The graphics module receives, from applications etc., one or more codes specifying graphics to be displayed along with, if necessary, coordinate data and other graphic property data, and then generates screen image data to output to the display controller44.

Examples of applications that may be stored in storage/memory14may include work productivity applications as well as other applications. Examples of such applications may include word processing applications, image editing applications, drawing applications, presentation applications, JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voice recognition, and voice replication.

With the foregoing discussion of the functional and structural components of an electronic device10in mind,FIGS. 2 and 3depict examples of how such a device10may be implemented in practice. For example,FIG. 2depicts an electronic device10in the form of a laptop computer60. As shown inFIG. 2, the electronic device10in the form of a laptop computer60includes a housing62that supports and protects interior components, such as processors, circuitry, and controllers, among others. The housing62also allows access to user input devices32, such as a keypad, touchpad, and buttons, which may be used to interact with the laptop computer60. For example, the user input devices32may be manipulated by a user to operate a GUI and/or applications running on the laptop computer60.

The electronic device10in the form of the laptop computer60also may include various external ports34that allow connection of the laptop computer60to various external devices, such as a power source, printer, network, or other electronic device. For example, the laptop computer60may be connected to an external projector through a cable connected to a respective external port34of the laptop computer60.

In addition to computers, such as the depicted laptop computer60ofFIG. 2, an electronic device10may take other forms, such as a portable multi-function device70(e.g., a cellular telephone or a tablet computing device) as depicted inFIG. 3. It should be noted that while the depicted multi-function device70is provided in the context of a tablet computing device, other types of portable or handheld devices (such as cellular telephones, media players for playing music and/or video, a camera or video recorder, personal data organizers, handheld game platforms, and/or combinations of such devices) may also be suitably provided as the electronic device10. Further, a suitable multi-function device70may incorporate the functionality of more than one of these types of devices, such as a device that incorporates the functionality of two or more of a media player, a cellular phone, a gaming platform, a personal data organizer, and so forth. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the multi-function device70is in the form of a tablet computer that may provide various additional functionalities (such as the ability to take pictures, record audio and/or video, listen to music, play games, and so forth).

In the depicted embodiment, the handheld device70includes an enclosure or body72that protects the interior components from physical damage and shields them from electromagnetic interference. The enclosure may be formed from any suitable material such as plastic, metal or a composite material and may allow certain frequencies of electromagnetic radiation to pass through to wireless communication circuitry within the handheld device70to facilitate wireless communication.

In the depicted embodiment, the enclosure72includes user input structures32(such as the depicted button74and touch sensitive elements76incorporated into display12to form a touch screen) through which a user may interface with the device70. Each user input structure32may be configured to help control a device function when actuated. For example, the button74may be configured to invoke a “home” screen or menu to be displayed. Other buttons, switches, rockers, and so forth may be provided to toggle between a sleep and a wake mode, to silence a ringer or alarm, to increase or decrease a volume output, and so forth.

In the depicted embodiment, the multi-function device70includes a display12that may be used to display a graphical user interface (GUI)80that allows a user to interact with the multi-function device70. The GUI80may include various layers, windows, screens, templates, or other graphical elements that may be displayed in all, or a portion, of the display12. The graphical elements may include icons82and other images representing buttons, sliders, menu bars, and the like. The icons82may be selected and/or activated via touching their locations on the display12in embodiments in which the display12is provided as a touch screen.

Generally, the GUI80may include graphical elements that represent applications and functions of the multi-function device70. For instance, in the depicted embodiment, an operating system GUI80may include various graphical icons82, each of which may correspond to various applications that may be opened or executed upon detecting a user selection (e.g., via keyboard, mouse, touchscreen input, voice input, etc.). The icons82may be displayed in a graphical dock86or within one or more graphical window elements84displayed on the screen of the display12. By way of example only, the depicted icons82may represent a presentation application88, such as Keynote® from Apple Inc., an application90for accessing the App Store® service from Apple Inc., an application92for accessing the iTunes® service from Apple Inc., as well as an e-reader/e-book application94.

In some embodiments, the selection of a particular icon82may lead to a hierarchical navigation process, such that selection of an icon82leads to a screen or opens another graphical window that includes one or more additional icons82or other GUI elements. By way of example only, the operating system GUI52displayed inFIG. 4may be from a version of the Mac OS® operating system, available from Apple Inc.

The multi-function device70also may include various external ports34that allow connection of the multi-function device70to external devices, such as computers, projectors, modems, telephones, external storage devices, and so forth. For example, one external port may be a port that allows the transmission and reception of data or commands between the multi-function device70and another electronic device, such as a computer. One or more of external ports34may be a proprietary port from Apple Inc. or may be an open standard I/O port.

With the foregoing discussion in mind, various techniques and algorithms for implementing aspects of the present disclosure on electronic devices10and associated hardware and/or memory devices are discussed below. For example, in certain implementations, an electronic device10may be employed to store and/or run a work productivity application or suite of applications. One example of such applications includes the Pages® word processing application, the Numbers® spreadsheet application, and the Keynote® presentation application, which are all provided within the iWork® application suite available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. In certain embodiments, such applications, or aspects of such applications, may be encoded using a suitable object-oriented programming language, such as Objective-C, C++, C#, and so forth.

By way of example, a presentation application, such as Keynote® may be employed to generate and present slideshows, typically consisting of a sequential display of prepared slides. For example, turning toFIG. 4, an illustrative screen120of a presentation application is depicted in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure. Such a presentation application may be stored as one or more executable routines in storage/memory14(FIG. 1) and, when executed, may cause the display of screens, such as screen120, on a display12, such as a display configured for use as a touch screen.

Prior to discussing the use or features of a presentation application in accordance with the present disclosure, it should be appreciated that, as used herein, a “slide” should be understood to refer to a discrete unit on which one or more objects may be placed and arranged. Such slides should also be understood to be discrete units or elements of an ordered or sequential presentation, i.e., the slides are the pieces or units that are assembled and ordered to generate the presentation. Such a slide, may be understood to function as a container or receptacle for a set of objects (as discussed below) that together convey information about a particular concept or topic of the presentation. A slide may contain or include different types of objects (e.g., text, numbers, images, videos, charts, graphs, and/or audio, and so forth) that explain or describe a concept or topic to which the slide is directed and which may be handled or manipulated as a unit due to their being associated with or contained on the slide unit.

The order or sequence of the slides in a presentation or slideshow is typically relevant in that the information on the slides (which may include both alphanumeric (text and numbers) and graphical components) is meant to be presented or discussed in order or sequence and may build upon itself, such that the information on later slides is understandable in the context of information provided on preceding slides and would not be understood or meaningful in the absence of such context. That is, there is a narrative or explanatory flow associated with the ordering or sequence of the slides. As a result, if presented out of order, the information on the slides may be unintelligible or may otherwise fail to properly convey the information contained in the presentation. This should be understood to be in contrast to more simplistic or earlier usages of the term “slide” and “slideshow” where what was typically shown was not a series of multimedia slides containing sequentially ordered content, but projected photos or images which could typically be displayed in any order without loss of information or content.

As used herein, the term “object” refers to any individually editable component on a slide of a presentation. That is, something that can be added to a slide and/or be altered or edited on the slide, such as to change its location, orientation, size, opacity, color, or to change its content, may be described as an object. For example, a graphic, such as an image, photo, line drawing, clip-art, chart, table, which may be provided on a slide, may constitute an object. Likewise, a character or string of characters may constitute an object. Likewise, an embedded video or audio clip may also constitute an object that is a component of a slide. Therefore, in certain embodiments, characters and/or character strings (alphabetic, numeric, and/or symbolic), image files (.jpg, .bmp, .gif, .tif, .png, .cgm, .svg, .pdf, .wmf, and so forth), video files (.avi, .mov, .mp4, .mpg, .qt, .rm, .swf, .wmv, and so forth) and other multimedia files or other files in general may constitute “objects” as used herein. In certain graphics processing contexts, the term “object” may be used interchangeably with terms such as “bitmap” or texture”.

Further, because a slide may contain multiple objects, the objects on a slide may have an associated z-ordering (i.e., depth) characterizing how the objects are displayed on the slide. That is, to the extent that objects on the slide may overlap or interact with one another, they may be ordered, layered or stacked in the z-dimension with respect to a viewer (i.e., to convey depth) such that each object is ordered as being above or beneath the other objects as they appear on the slide. As a result, in the event of an overlap of objects, a higher object can be depicted as overlying or obscuring a lower object. In this way, a slide may not only have a width and length associated with it, but also a depth (i.e., a z-axis).

Thus, as used herein, the term “slide” should be understood to represent a discrete unit of a slideshow presentation on which objects may be placed or manipulated. Likewise, an “object” as used herein should be understood to be any individually editable component that may be placed on such a slide. Further, as used herein, the term “transition” describes the act of moving from one slide to the next slide in a presentation. Such transitions may be accompanied by animations or effects applied to one or both of the incoming and outgoing slide. Likewise, the term “build” as used herein should be understood as describing effects or animations applied to one or more objects provided on a slide or, in some instances to an object or objects that are present on both an outgoing and incoming slide. For example, an animation build applied to an object on a slide may cause the object to be moved and rotated on the slide when the slide is displayed. Likewise, an opacity build applied to an object on a slide may cause the object to fade in and/or fade out on the slide when the slide is displayed.

With the foregoing in mind, and turning toFIG. 4, it will be appreciated that, in certain embodiments a presentation application may provide multiple modes of operation, such as an edit mode, an animation mode, a presentation or play mode, and so forth. When in the edit mode, the presentation application may provide an interface for a user to add, edit, remove, or otherwise modify the slides of a slide show, such as by adding text, numeric, graphic, or video objects to a slide. Likewise, when in the animation mode, the presentation application may provide an interface for a user to apply and/or modify animation or effects applied to slide transitions between slides or to builds (e.g., animations, effects, and so forth) applied to objects on a slide. To display a created slide or a sequence of slides in a format suitable for audience viewing, a presentation mode of the presentation application may be employed which displays the slides, slide transitions, and object builds in a specified sequence. In some embodiments, the presentation application may provide a full-screen presentation of the slides in the presentation mode, including any animations, transitions, builds or other properties defined for each slide and/or object within the slides.

The screen120ofFIG. 4represents a screen that may be displayed when one embodiment of a presentation application is in an edit mode, such as for slide creation or modification. In the depicted example, the screen120includes three panes: a slide organizer or navigator pane124, a slide canvas128, and a toolbar132for creating and editing various aspects of a slide140of a presentation. By using these panes, a user may select a slide140of a presentation, add objects142to and/or edit objects142on the slide140(such as the depicted graphic objects and character objects), and animate or add effects related to the slide or the objects142on the slide140.

The navigator pane124may display a representation150of each slide140of a presentation that is being generated or edited. The slide representations150may take on a variety of forms, such as an outline of the text in the slide140or a thumbnail image of the slide140. Navigator pane124may allow the user to organize the slides140prepared using the application. For example, the user may determine or manipulate the order in which the slides140are presented by dragging a slide representation150from one relative position to another. In certain embodiments, the slides representations150in the navigator pane124may be indented or otherwise visually set apart for further organizational clarity. In addition, in certain embodiments, the navigator pane124may include an option152which, when selected, adds a new slide to the presentation. After being added, the slide representation150for such a new slide may be selected in the navigator pane124to display the slide140on the canvas128where objects142may be added to the new slide140and/or the properties of the new slide140may be manipulated.

In certain implementations, selection of a slide representation150in the navigator pane124results in the presentation application displaying the corresponding slide information on the slide canvas128. For example, for a selected slide representation (here depicted as slide3, identified by highlight region154) the corresponding slide140may be displayed on the slide canvas128. The displayed slide140may include one or more suitable objects142such as, for example, text, images, graphics, video, or any other suitable object. In some embodiments, a user may add or edit features or properties of a slide140when displayed on the slide canvas128, such as slide transitions, slide background, and so forth. In addition, in some embodiments a user may add objects142to or remove objects142from the slide140or may manipulate an object142on the slide140, such as to change the location or appearance of the object142or to add or edit animations or builds to the object142. The user may select a different slide140to be displayed for editing on slide canvas124by selecting a different slide representation150from the navigator pane124, such as by touching the displayed slide representation150in a touch screen embodiment of the device10.

In the depicted implementation a user may customize objects142associated with the slide140or the properties of the slide140using various tools provided by the presentation application. For example, in certain embodiments, when in the edit mode, selection of a slide140, object142, and/or toolbar option158may cause the display of an interface presenting one or more selectable options for the selected slide140or object142, which a user may then select, deselect, or otherwise manipulate to modify the slide140or object142as desired. For example, selection of certain toolbar options158, such as an inspector or information icon160, may cause properties of the selected object142or slide140to be displayed for review and/or modification. Likewise, selection of an animation mode icon162from among the toolbar options158may cause the presentation application to enter an animation mode from which builds or animations applied to objects and/or transitions assigned to slides may be reviewed, edited, and/or manipulated. Similarly, selection of a play mode icon164from among the toolbar options158may cause the presentation application to enter a presentation mode in which the slides140of the presentation are sequentially displayed on the display12or an attached display device.

In some embodiments, the electronic device10may be coupled to an external display to display slides from the presentation. For example, the external display may be a projector used to project the presentation on a screen for viewing by an audience or may be one or more connectable monitors, displays, televisions, and so forth suitable for receiving and playing and video, and possibly audio, content. In such embodiments, the electronic device10may include the ability to automatically detect connection of the external display and provide the appropriate output to the external display. The electronic device10may also display a video out mode having controls for controlling the presentation when the external display is connected. Further, the video out mode may include controls and provide for use of a pointer to highlight regions of interest on the presentation.FIGS. 5-13below depict these features in greater detail. Although the description and figures below are discussed with reference to the multi-function electronic device70, the features described below may be operable on different embodiments of the electronic device10, e.g., the laptop40or the multi-function electronic device70. For example, in some embodiments interface of the video out mode may be activated by a touchscreen, e.g., display12, to provide faster and easier control though, in other embodiments, no touch-sensitive input device is employed.

For example, in certain embodiments a user may interact with touch sensitive elements76of the multi-function device70to implement some or all of the features discussed below. It should be appreciated that such interactions with the touchscreen, e.g., display12, may be referred to as “gestures.” Thus, as used below, the terms “select,” “hold,” and “move” with reference to the various image viewing or playing functions may include any suitable action involving an embodiment of the electronic device10, whether including a touch-sensitive input structure or not, such that “select” may include touching a touchscreen with an appendage or stylus, or clicking a cursor location on a display with a mouse button or pressing a key on a keyboard. Similarly, “hold” may include maintaining contact between a touchscreen and an appendage or stylus, or maintaining depression of a mouse button or a key on a keyboard. In like manner, “move” may include moving an appendage or stylus over a touchscreen, or moving a cursor on a display by moving a mouse or depressing keys on a keyboard.

FIG. 5depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the electronic device10, e.g., multi-function device70, coupled to an external display, e.g., projector170, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The projector170may include a lens172, one or more external ports174, and a may be powered by a battery or a power cable176coupled to a power source. In one embodiment, the multi-function device70may be coupled to the external projector170through an interface cable178coupled to the external port34of the multi-function electronic device70and an external port176of the projector. In some embodiments, the projector170may receive power from the interface cable178. The interface cable178may couple the multi-function device70the projector170by any suitable interface, such as USB, Firewire, DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, DVI, VGA, HDMI, component video, composite video, S-video, etc. In some embodiments, the interface cable178may convert from a first interface to a second interface, such as by including processing circuitry in the interface cable178. In other embodiments, the multi-function electronic device70may be wirelessly coupled to the external projector170by any suitable wireless interface, such as Wi-Fi, WirelessHD, etc.

As shown inFIG. 5, the multi-function device70may display a slide140from a presentation application (and the user interface described above) executing on the multi-function device70, as described above. As described in detail below, the multi-function device70may automatically detect connection to the projector170and the presentation application may provide an indication on the display12. As shown inFIG. 5, for example, a “play video out” icon180may appear in the toolbar options158shown on the display12, indicating that the external projector170is connected. The play video out icon180may be added as a new icon to the toolbar options158or may replace or transition from an existing icon on the toolbar options158. A user may output (e.g., play) a presentation to the projector170by selecting (e.g., touching with an appendage or stylus, clicking with a mouse, etc.) the play video out icon180.

FIG. 6depicts the multi-function device70operating in a video out mode in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As mentioned above, the video out mode may be activated through selection of the play video out icon180. In the video out mode depicted inFIG. 6, the multi-function device70outputs the presentation to the projector170via the interface cable178, and the projector170may project a slide180from the presentation application onto a projector screen182. As explained further below, the slides of the presentation application may be cropped and/or resized to fit the projector's output resolution.

As also shown inFIG. 6, the video out mode of the multi-function electronic device170may include display of a video out user interface183The user interface183may include may include controls184on the display12of the multi-function electronic device70. The controls184, illustrated further below inFIGS. 7-9, may provide for control of the presentation via interaction with the user interface183through the touchscreen display12of the multi-function device140. For example, the controls may include moving to the next slide, build or transition, moving to the previous slide, displaying the slide organizer or navigator pane124, and/or exiting the video out mode.

FIGS. 7-9depict screens of the user interface183of the video out mode of the multi-function electronic device70in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Turning now toFIGS. 7 and 8, screens188and190of the display12of the multi-electronic device70are depicted during progression of a presentation. As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the screens188and190may include a status bar192, a slide number indicator194, and the controls184that may include an advance arrow196, a previous arrow198, a “Show/Hide Nav” icon200, and an exit (“X”) icon202.

The status bar192includes a title204that may identify the current mode (e.g., “Video Out”), and the “Show/Hide Nav” icon200, and the exit (“X”) icon202. As described below inFIG. 9, the navigator pane icon200may be selected to display the navigator pane124on the display12. The exit icon202may be selected to exit the video out mode and stop output of the presentation to the projector170. In some embodiments, exiting the video out mode may be performed by “double tapping” any region of the user interface183, e.g., anywhere on screens188or190.

The slide number indicator194indicates the number of the currently displayed slide (e.g., “1”) and the total number of slides in the presentation (e.g., “N” number of slides). The currently displayed slide indicates the slide currently output to the projector170(and displayed on the projector screen182). The presentation may be advanced to the next slide, build, or transition by selecting the advance arrow196. As shown inFIG. 8, after selection of the advance arrow196, the presentation advances to the next slide, build, or transition, (e.g., currently displayed slide “2”), and the projector170displays the current slide on the projector screen182. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the multi-function electronic device70may receive gestures on the touchscreen display12to advance to the next slide, build, or transition. For example, as shown inFIG. 7, a user may select (e.g., touch) a region206on the display and “swipe” the region to the left, i.e., the direction indicated by arrow208, to advance to the next slide, build, or transition. Any region on the display12may be selected and “swiped” to the left to advance the presentation. Further, in some embodiments, the presentation may be advanced by “tapping” any region on the display12.

The presentation may be moved back to the previous slide, build, or transition by selecting the previous arrow198. For example, to transition from slide “2” selected inFIG. 8to slide “1” selected inFIG. 7, the previous arrow198may be selected (e.g., touched), and the projector170displays the previous slide, build, or transition on the projector screen182. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the multi-function electronic device70may receive gestures on the touchscreen display12to move to the previous slide, build, or transition. For example, as shown inFIG. 8, a user may select a region210on the display and “swipe” the region to the right, i.e., the direction indicated by arrow212, to advance the presentation to the previous slide, build, or transition. Any region on the display12may be selected and “swiped” to the right to move the presentation to the previous slide, build, or transition.

A user may also display the navigator pane124in the video out mode of the multi-function electronic device70. As shown inFIG. 9, a user may select (e.g., touch) the “Show/Hide Nav” icon200to display the navigator pane on the display12. The navigator pane124may transition into the display12by sliding, fading, or any other transition. In some embodiments, a user may display the navigator pane124by performing a gesture, e.g., “swiping” from the left edge of the display12to the right edge of the display12. The navigator pane124displays the slide representations150and may operate in the manner described above inFIG. 4. In other embodiments, the navigator pane124may have reduced or limited functionality, such that only the functionality necessary to navigate the presentation is included. A user may move to any slide in the presentation by selecting (e.g., touching) the respective slide representation150displayed in the navigator pane124. For example, as shown inFIG. 4, the navigator pane124depicts a selected slide representation (here depicted as slide4, identified by highlighted region214), that corresponds to the currently displayed slide (e.g., “4”) in the slide number indicator194. The selected slide representation changes to reflect the currently displayed slide as a user advances or moves backward in the presentation.

In some embodiments, the video out mode of the multi-function electronic device70may include a “mirror” mode such that the display12of the multi-function electronic device70displays the same image displayed by projector170on the projector screen182.FIG. 10depicts a screen220of the multi-function electronic device70displaying a slide222of a presentation mirrored on the projector screen182. The projector170displays a slide224, corresponding to slide222displayed on the multi-function electronic device70, from output received from the multi-function electronic device70, such as over the interface cable178. The slide222displayed on the multi-function electronic device70“mirrors” the slide224displayed by the projector170. A user may then monitor the presentation by viewing the currently displayed slide222on the multi-function device70. A user may control the presentation by moving to the next slide, build, or transition, or the previous slide, build, or transition, by using the gestures described above and illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8. A user may also use gestures, e.g., swiping from the left edge of the display12to the right edge, to display the navigator pane124in the “mirror” mode.

In some embodiments, the slide222displayed on the multi-function device70may be modified, e.g., cropped and/or resized, for display by the projector170. The modification of the slide may be based on the dimensions of the slide222, the display resolution of the projector170, the resolution of the display12of the multi-function device170, the display aspect ratio of the projector170, the aspect ratio of the display12of the multi-function device70, the contents of the slide222, or any combination thereof. Additionally, as described further below, the projector170may include multiple display modes which may be selected to minimize modification of the slide170. Further, the modification may ensure that any objects on the slide222are viewable on the slide224displayed by the projector170. For example, as shown inFIG. 10, the slide222displayed on the multifunction device70may be cropped, based on the dashed region226, and resized to fit the display resolution of the projector170. Thus, in some embodiments, the slide224displayed by the projector170may correspond to the dashed region226, and not the entire slide222.

In some embodiments, the video out mode may enable activation of a pointer, e.g., a simulated laser pointer, on the image displayed by the projector170.FIG. 11depicts a screen230of the display12of the multi-function electronic device70and a slide232displayed on the projector screen182illustrating the pointer function of the video out mode.FIG. 11depicts the screen230of the user interface183of the video out mode discussed above inFIGS. 7-9. However, it should be appreciated that the pointer function may also be used in the “mirror” mode discussed above and illustrated inFIG. 10, or in any other video out mode of the multi-function electronic device70.

In some embodiments, a user may activate the pointer by selecting (e.g., touching with an appendage or stylus, clicking and holding with a mouse button) any region of the display12, such as region234, for a threshold duration (e.g., 1 second, 2 seconds, 3, seconds, and so forth). After the user has selected the region232for the threshold duration, a pointer236corresponding to the contact on the display12appears on the image (e.g., slide232) displayed by the projector170. The pointer236maintains visibility on the slide232until the user deselects (e.g., removes a finger or stylus from the display, releases a mouse button, etc.) the display12. The pointer236may be moved around the slide232displayed by the projector170, as shown by arrows238, by moving the selected region234on the display12(such as by moving an appendage or stylus over the display), as shown by arrows240.

In some embodiments, the pointer on the image displayed by the projector170may simulate the look (e.g., brightness, color, size, shape, sharpness, etc.) of a laser pointer. For example, the pointer may be a red circle of a specific diameter similar to a emitting from a laser pointer pointed at the projection screen182. The look (e.g., brightness, color, size, shape, sharpness, etc,) of the pointer may be customizable via options in the presentation application of the multi-function device70.

In other embodiments, the video out mode may include a drawing function to enable drawing static lines on the image displayed by the projector170.FIG. 12depicts a screen241of the display12of the multi-function electronic device70and a slide242displayed on the projector screen182illustrating the drawing function of the video out mode.FIG. 12depicts the screen241of the user interface183of the video out mode discussed above inFIGS. 7-9. However, it should be appreciated that the drawing function may also be used in the “mirror” mode discussed above and illustrated inFIG. 10, or in any other video out mode of the multi-function electronic device70.

The drawing mode depicted in screen241includes a color palette243and a tool palette244. Activation of the drawing mode may create a drawing cursor245visible on the slide242displayed by the projector170. The drawing cursor246may be moved on the slide242by moving a selected region, e.g., region248, on the screen241of the multi-function electronic device70. A user may activate the drawing function by selecting one of the toolbar options158. In some embodiments, a user may activate the drawing function and display the color palette243and the tool palette244by performing a gesture or other action. For example, a user may activate the drawing function by “swiping” upward from the bottom edge of the display12to the top edge of the display edge12. Similarly, a user may exit the drawing function by “swiping” downward from the top edge of the display12to the bottom edge of the display12.

A user may select a color249, or combination of colors, from the color palette243, and may select a drawing tool250from the tool palette244. For example, the drawing tools250may include attributes of the drawing cursor245such as shapes, line widths, brush strokes, brush types, etc. Additionally, the drawing tools250may include different pens, brushes, pencils, or any other suitable tool. After selecting a color and tool, a user may draw lines, e.g., lines251and252, shapes, and other graphics, on the slide242. The lines may be used to highlight text, images, or regions of interest on the slide242. Additionally, the lines may remain on the slide242until erased by the user. In other embodiments, the lines may remain on the slide244until the presentation is moved to the next slide, build, or transition or previous slide, build, or transition. The tool palette244may also include an eraser253. The eraser253may be selected (e.g., touched, clicked, etc.) to select the eraser and erase any regions of the slide242covered by the cursor246. Alternatively, a user may “double-tap” (or double-click) the eraser253to erase every drawing, e.g., lines251and252and other drawings, on the slide242.

In some embodiments, the drawing mode may provide for selection of multiple tools250, e.g., pens, each having different colors and attributes. Additionally, each tool, e.g., pen, may be controlled by a different touch input. For example, a first pen having a first color and first set of attributes may be selected and controlled by a first touch input (e.g., gesture, appendage, stylus, etc.), and a second pen having a second color and second set of attributes may be controlled by a second touch input (e.g., gesture, appendage, stylus, etc.). In this manner, each pen may used to draw different colored lines on the slide using different touch inputs. For example, line251may be drawn by the first pen and line252may be drawn by the second pen.

As mentioned above, the electronic device10may automatically detect the projector170when the projector170is coupled to the device10, such as by the interface cable178.FIG. 13depicts a process254of the electronic device10for detecting the projector170and outputting video to the projector170in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The process254may be implemented as routines executable by a processor and stored as a computer program product on tangible computer-readable media, such as storage memory components14. The process254may be initiated by coupling the projector170to the electronic device10(block256), such as by the interface cable178. The operating system of the electronic device10may detect connection of the projector170through hot plug functionality or any suitable functionally. Additionally, the operating system of the electronic device10may detect or receive the parameters of the projector170, such as a list of the available display modes, e.g., resolutions, aspect ratios, etc. It should be appreciated that some display modes may be limited by the type of the interface cable178, as lower bandwidth cables (e.g., component cables) may support lower resolutions.

After coupling the projector170, the presentation application of the electronic device10may receive a message that the connection is received (block258). For example, the message may be received from the operating system of the electronic device10, or may be received by the presentation application monitoring a memory location, e.g., a register, or the electronic device10. The presentation application may query the operating system for a list of display modes available for output on the projector170(block260). The list of the display modes available may be identical or different than the list of display modes detected or received by the OS from the projector170.

After obtaining the list of modes, the presentation application may select an appropriate display mode for output on the projector170(block262). As mentioned, the criteria for selection of the display mode may include the dimensions of the slides of a presentation, the resolution of the display mode, the aspect ratio of the display, any other suitable criteria, or any combination thereof. The presentation application may make the selection based on the best “fit” of the slides of a presentation to a respective display mode, so as to minimize any modification of the slides as discussed above inFIG. 10.

After the selection, the presentation application may provide a selected mode (e.g., resolution, aspect ratio, and so forth), or an indication thereof, to the operating system of the electronic device10(block264). A user may then switch to video out mode, such as by selecting the play video out icon180, and the presentation application then receives the selection (block266). The electronic device10then switches to output video to the projector170(block268), such as by using the display mode selected by the presentation application and provided to the operating system.

FIG. 14depicts a process270for progression through a presentation using the video out mode described above. Additionally, in some embodiments, each of the controls184of the presentation application may have or be associated with different states. These states may be detected by the presentation application to determine if the control has been selected. For example, the states may include a “normal” state in which the control184is displayed and selectable, a “pressed” state in which the control184is selected, and a “disabled” state in which the control184is displayed but not selectable. Accordingly,FIG. 14also includes the states272of the advance arrow196, previous arrow198, and other controls184displayed in the video out mode. The “Show/Hide Nav” icon200and the exit icon202may be assumed to be in a “normal” state except where indicated.

As described above, the electronic device10may output video to the projector170(block274), such as in response to selection of the play video out icon180, and the electronic device10may switch to the video out mode (block276) depicted inFIGS. 7-9. As shown inFIG. 7, the initial display of the video out mode may correspond to display of the first slide of a presentation (e.g., slide “1” of “N”). Accordingly, the advance arrow196may be in or detected as a “normal” state and the previous arrow198may be in or detected as a “disabled” state as there is no previous slide, build or transition (block278).

A user may select the next arrow196to advance to the next slide, build, or transition (block280). Accordingly, the advance arrow196may be in or detected as a “pressed” state and the previous arrow198may remain in the “disabled” state (block282). Alternatively, a user may advance to the next slide, build, or transition by performing a “swipe” gesture in the appropriate direction. After the next arrow196is selected, the presentation advances to the next slide, build, or transition (block284). As there is a previous slide, build, or transition, both the advance arrow196and the previous arrow198may be in or detected as a “normal” state (block286).

During the presentation, a user may select the “Show/Hide Nav” icon200to display the navigator pane124in the video out mode (block288). After selecting the “Show/Hide Nav” icon200, the “Show/Hide Nav” icon may be in or be detected as a “pressed” state (block290) indicating to the presentation application that the icon is selected. After selection, the navigator pane124may be displayed on the display12of the electronic device10.

As the user progresses through the presentation, the presentation application may advance to the last slide, build or transition of the presentation (block294). After displaying the last slide, build, transition, the slide number indicator124may indicate that there are no more slides, builds, or transitions remaining in the presentation. Accordingly, the advance arrow196may be in or detected as a “disabled” state, as the advance arrow196is disabled and not selectable. The previous arrow198may be in or be detected as a “normal” state (block296), so a user may move to the previous slide, build, or transition.

The presentation application may then receive a user's selection of the previous arrow198(block298). Accordingly, the previous arrow198may be in or detected as a “pressed” state and the advance arrow198may remain in the “disabled” state (block300), until the previous slide, build, or transition is displayed. Alternatively, a user may move to the previous slide, build, or transition by performing a “swipe” gesture in the appropriate direction (as shown inFIG. 8). After the previous arrow198is selected, the presentation moves to the previous slide, build, or transition (block302). After returning to the previous slide, build, or transition (such that there is at least one slide, build, or transition remaining in the presentation), both the next arrow196and the advance arrow198may be in or detected as a “normal” state (block304).

To exit the presentation, the user may select the exit icon202(block306). Accordingly, after this selection the exit icon may be in or detected as a “pressed” state (block308). After selecting the exit icon, the electronic device10may exit the video out mode (block310) and stop providing output to the projector170.