Enhanced visual feedback for touch-sensitive input device

A touch-sensitive input device provides improved visual feedback at (or near) the point and time of contact. As the user touches a touch-sensitive screen or pad, a portion of the screen or pad changes in visual appearance to indicate that the input has been received. In one embodiment, the change in visual appearance is localized to an area proximate to the point of contact. In one embodiment, the change in visual appearance is accomplished by illuminating an area proximate to and centered around the point of contact. In another embodiment, the change in visual appearance is accomplished by illuminating one or more illuminable elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on the touch-sensitive pad.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/115,992, filed May 6, 2008 for “Extended Touch-Sensitive Control Area for Electronic Device”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/379,552, filed Apr. 20, 2006 for “Keypad and Sensor Combination to Provide Detection Region that Overlays Keys”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/948,885, filed Nov. 30, 2007 for “Computing Device that Determines and Uses Applied Pressure from User Interaction with an Input Interface”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/849,133, filed Aug. 31, 2007 for “Soft-User Interface Feature Provided in Combination with Pressable Display Surface”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,816,154, filed May 30, 2001, issued Nov. 9, 2004, for “Optical Sensor-Based User Interface for a Portable Device”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,992,659, filed May 22, 2001, issued Jan. 31, 2006, for “High Transparency Integrated Enclosure Touch Screen Assembly for a Portable Hand Held Device”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 7,006,080 filed Feb. 19, 2002, issued Feb. 28, 2006, for “Display System”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In various embodiments, the present invention relates to input mechanisms for controlling electronic devices, and more particularly to a touch-sensitive input device that provides enhanced visual feedback.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

It is well-known to provide touch-sensitive screens for electronic devices. Touch-sensitive screens allow an electronic display to function as an input device, thus providing great flexibility in the type of interactions that can be supported. In many devices, touch-sensitive screens are used to replace pointing devices such as trackballs, mice, five-way switches, and the like. In other devices, touch-sensitive screens can supplement, or be supplemented by, other input mechanisms.

Touch-sensitive screens provide several advantages over other input mechanisms. Touch-sensitive screens can replace physical buttons by providing on-screen buttons that can be touched by the user. The on-screen buttons can be arranged so that they resemble an alphabetic or numeric keyboard, or they can have specialized functions. This often simplifies input operations by providing only those options that are relevant at a given time.

Touch-sensitive screens can also help to provide customizability and globalization of input mechanisms. An on-screen keyboard can be easily adapted to any desired language, and extra keys can be provided as appropriate to the specific application. Certain buttons can be highlighted, moved, or otherwise modified in a dynamic way to suit the application.

In addition, touch-sensitive screens can be more reliable than physical keyboards, because they reduce the reliance on moving parts and physical switches.

One particular advantage of touch-sensitive screens is that they allow direct manipulation of on-screen objects, for example by facilitating control and/or activation of such objects by touching, tapping, and/or dragging. Thus, when a number of items are displayed on a screen, touch-sensitivity allows a user to perform such operations on specific items in a direct and intuitive way.

However, some operations in connection with control of an electronic device are not particularly well suited to direct manipulation. These include operations that affect the entire screen, application environment, or the device itself. On-screen buttons can be provided to allow access to such operations, but such buttons occupy screen space that can be extremely valuable, especially in compact, mobile devices. In addition, providing on-screen buttons for such functions allows only a limited set of operations to be available at any given time, since there is often insufficient screen space to provide buttons for all such functions.

In some cases, on-screen buttons or objects are relatively small, causing some users to have difficulty activating the correct command or object, or even causing them to inadvertently cause the wrong command or object to be activated or manipulated. This problem, which is particularly prevalent in devices having small screens, can cause touch-screens to be relatively unforgiving in their interpretation of user input. In addition, as a natural consequence of combining an output device with an input device in the same physical space, the use of a touch-screen often causes users to obscure part of the screen in order to interact with it. Screens layouts may be designed so that important elements tend not to be obscured; however, such design may not take into account right- or left-handedness.

Another disadvantage of touch-sensitive screens is that their dynamic nature makes it difficult for users to provide input without looking at the screen. A user cannot normally discern the current state of the device without looking at it, and therefore cannot be sure as to the current location or state of various on-screen buttons and controls at any given time. This makes it difficult to control the device while it is one's pocket, or while one is engaged in a task that inhibits one's ability to look at the device.

It is known to provide touch-sensitive input devices in the form of a flat input pad. The user touches the touch-sensitive pad, for example to control cursor movement on a display screen. Many laptop computers employ such an input device in lieu of a mouse or trackball, so as to provide a cursor control mechanism that is compact and easy to use with no moving parts. Touch-sensitive pads can also be used in connection with a stylus or finger to enter gestures that are interpreted as commands or other input by an electronic device. One well known system for such use of a touch-sensitive pad is the Graffiti text entry system offered in many personal digital assistants (PDAs) based on the Palm Operating System developed by Palm, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif.

Touch-sensitive screens and pads often do not provide users with sufficient feedback to assure the user that the user's input has been recognized. In particular, touch-sensitive pads often have no output mechanism to offer any visual feedback at the point of contact. The lack of visual feedback can lead to uncertainty as to whether the user's input has been received or recognized.

In addition, conventional touch-sensitive screens and pads often do not provide a mechanism to distinguish between different types of tactile input. For example, a touch on an on-screen object may signify the user's intention to select the object or to activate it; however, many conventional touch-sensitive screens provide no reliable mechanism for distinguishing between these two actions with respect to the on-screen object. Double-clicking is known in conventional computer-based graphical user interfaces to signify an activation action in certain contexts; however, double-clicking is often perceived as cumbersome in a touch-based interface for a handheld device, and/or is often reserved for other use.

In some cases, different commands can be initiated depending upon how long a user maintains contact with the touch-sensitive screen or pad before releasing or moving. One command can be initiated by a tap action, while a different command can be initiated by a tap-and-hold, where the user maintains contact for some period of time. However, without adequate feedback a user may be unsure as to whether he or she has held the point of contact long enough to activate a tap-and-hold action rather than a tap action.

What is needed is a system and method that provides the advantages of touch-sensitive screens and touch-sensitive pads while avoiding their limitations. What is further needed is a system and method for providing instantaneous visual feedback at the point of contact with a touch-sensitive pad. What is further needed is a system and method for distinguishing between different types of input actions on a touch-sensitive screen and a touch-sensitive pad, in an intuitive manner and with minimal burden imposed on the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to various embodiments of the present invention, a touch-sensitive input device provides improved visual feedback at (or near) the point and time of contact. As the user touches a touch-sensitive screen or pad, a portion of the screen or pad changes in visual appearance to indicate that the input has been received. In one embodiment, the change in visual appearance is localized to an area proximate to the point of contact. In one embodiment, the change in visual appearance is accomplished by illuminating an area proximate to and centered around the point of contact. In another embodiment, the change in visual appearance is accomplished by illuminating one or more illuminable elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on the touch-sensitive pad.

In various embodiments, the present invention thus provides visual feedback to the user in response to user input provided on a touch-sensitive screen and/or pad. On a touch-sensitive screen, feedback can be provided by redrawing the screen area appropriately to indicate that the input has been received, even though there may be latency (either inherent to the system or introduced through visual transitions or transformations) before executing the action associated with the user's input. On a touch-sensitive pad (also referred to as a gesture area) that does not include a display screen, feedback is provided by illuminating elements such as LEDs which are aesthetically incorporated into the product design. By sequentially modulating individual LED brightnesses in distinct sequences, feedback for different user input gestures may be provided in visually recognizable ways.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, a touch-sensitive input device distinguishes between different types of touch input, so as to perform different operations depending on the type of input received. In one embodiment, force sensitivity is incorporated so as to distinguish between a light touch and a firmer amount of pressure. In another embodiment, duration, area of contact, degree of force, or other characteristics of touch input are assessed and interpreted so as to initiate different operations depending on the particulars of the received input. For example, in one embodiment, a light touch can be interpreted as a selection of an on-screen object, while firmer pressure can be interpreted as an activation command. In another embodiment, a touch gesture consisting of two or more points of contact (such as two fingers) can be interpreted differently than a touch gesture consisting of a single point of contact (such as one finger). Appropriate visual feedback is provided to inform the user as to how the input action is being interpreted. For example, a higher degree of pressure or force can cause a greater degree of illumination (for example, by activation of a greater number of LEDs, or by increasing the intensity of illuminated LEDs).

According to other embodiments of the present invention, a touch-sensitive input device accepts commands via a touch-sensitive screen. In one embodiment, the touch-sensitive display screen is enhanced by a touch-sensitive control area that extends beyond the edges of the display screen. The touch-sensitive area outside the display screen, referred to as a “gesture area,” allows a user to activate commands using a gesture vocabulary. Commands entered in the gesture area can be independent of the current contents of the display screen. Certain commands can therefore be made available at all times without taking up valuable screen space, an advantage that is of particular benefit for small mobile devices. The gesture area can provide feedback in the form of a change in visual appearance accomplished by, for example, illuminating an area proximate to and centered around the point of contact.

In other embodiments, a gesture area can be implemented as a touch-sensitive pad without the use of a touch-sensitive display screen. The feedback techniques described herein can be implemented accordingly.

In one embodiment, the present invention allows some commands to be activated by inputting a gesture within the gesture area. Other commands can be activated by directly manipulating on-screen objects, as in a conventional touch-sensitive screen. Yet other commands can be activated via a combination of these two input mechanisms. Specifically, the user can begin a gesture within the gesture area, and finish it on the screen (or vice versa), or can perform input that involves contemporaneous contact with both the gesture area and the screen. Since both the gesture area and the screen are touch-sensitive, the device is able to interpret input that includes one or both of these areas, and can perform whatever action is appropriate to such input. A gesture vocabulary can thereby be implemented, including commands for a) a gesture area implemented as a touch-sensitive pad, b) a touch-sensitive screen facilitating direct manipulation of on-screen objects; and/ or c) a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the gesture area can provide appropriate visual feedback to acknowledge input provided thereon, and thereby confirm that a subsequent or contemporaneous input on the touch-sensitive screen may be modified based on the input provided via the gesture area.

In one embodiment, LEDs or other illuminable elements within the gesture area are used to provide user notification of pending events (such as IM, SMS, Missed call, low battery, and the like). Such notification is particularly useful when the device is in a sleep (power saving, screen off) mode so that the display screen may be off. When the device is in active use, such pending events can be displayed on-screen in the notification banner area. During sleep mode, when the screen is off, an indication of new pending messages or other events can be shown, in one embodiment, by illuminating LEDs in a recognizable pulse or other pattern.

Accordingly, the present invention provides improved feedback and flexibility, allowing for an enhanced user experience with minimal learning curve and confusion.

Additional advantages will become apparent in the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Definitions

For purposes of the following description, the following terms are defined:Touch-sensitive surface: a surface of a device that is capable of detecting contact;Touch-sensitive screen: a touch-sensitive surface that also functions as a display screen;Touch command: any command that is entered by the user by touching a touch-sensitive surface;Direct manipulation: a touch command whose target is specified by contact with a element displayed on a touch-sensitive screen;Gesture: a touch command that includes a distinctive motion that can be interpreted to specify which command is to be performed;Gesture area (or touch-sensitive pad): a touch-sensitive surface that does not function as a display screen.

These terms are not intended to be limiting of the scope of the invention. For example, although the invention is described in the context of an embodiment wherein commands are detected by touching a surface, one skilled in the art will recognize that alternative embodiments are possible. For example, a user can make gestures above, next to, or proximate to a detection surface or device; such gestures can be detected and interpreted according to known techniques. Accordingly, the feedback mechanisms of the present invention can be implemented in any embodiment where user gestures are detected and interpreted, including non-touch architectures. Terms relating to touch input are used herein for clarity and are not intended to exclude non-touch embodiments.

System Architecture

In various embodiments, the present invention can be implemented on any electronic device, such as a handheld computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer, kiosk, cellular telephone, remote control, data entry device, and the like. For example, the invention can be implemented as a feedback mechanism for a software application or operating system running on such a device. Accordingly, the present invention can be implemented as part of a graphical user interface for controlling software on such a device.

In various embodiments, the invention is particularly well-suited to devices such as smartphones, handheld computers, and PDAs, which have limited screen space and in which a large number of commands may be available at any given time. One skilled in the art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced in many other contexts, including any environment in which it is useful to provide access to commands via a gesture-based input paradigm, while also allowing direct manipulation of on-screen objects where appropriate. Accordingly, the following description is intended to illustrate the invention by way of example, rather than to limit the scope of the claimed invention.

Referring now toFIG. 1, there is shown an example of an example of a device100having a touch-sensitive screen101and a gesture area102, according to one embodiment. Device100is also equipped with light-emitting diodes (LEDs)201that illuminate to provide visual feedback indicating a current state of device100and/or indicating detection of user input, as described in more detail below.

For illustrative purposes, device100as shown inFIG. 1is a personal digital assistant or smartphone. Such devices commonly have telephone, email, and text messaging capability, and may perform other functions including, for example, playing music and/or video, surfing the web, running productivity applications, and the like. The present invention can be implemented in any type of device having a touch-sensitive pad, and is not limited to devices having the listed functionality. In addition, the particular layout shown inFIG. 1is merely exemplary and is not intended to be restrictive of the scope of the claimed invention. For example, any number of LEDs201can be used, and LEDs201can be arranged in any configuration and can have any shape; the linear configuration shown inFIG. 1is merely one example. Other light sources or visual indicators can be used in place of LEDs.

In various embodiments, touch-sensitive screen101and gesture area102can be implemented using any technology that is capable of detecting a location of contact. One skilled in the art will recognize that many types of touch-sensitive screens and surfaces exist and are well-known in the art, including for example:capacitive screens/surfaces, which detect changes in a capacitance field resulting from user contact;resistive screens/surfaces, where electrically conductive layers are brought into contact as a result of user contact with the screen or surface;surface acoustic wave screens/surfaces, which detect changes in ultrasonic waves resulting from user contact with the screen or surface;infrared screens/surfaces, which detect interruption of a modulated light beam or which detect thermal induced changes in surface resistance;strain gauge screens/surfaces, in which the screen or surface is spring-mounted, and strain gauges are used to measure deflection occurring as a result of contact;optical imaging screens/surfaces, which use image sensors to locate contact;dispersive signal screens/surfaces, which detect mechanical energy in the screen or surface that occurs as a result of contact;acoustic pulse recognition screens/surfaces, which turn the mechanical energy of a touch into an electronic signal that is converted to an audio file for analysis to determine position of the contact; andfrustrated total internal reflection screens, which detect interruptions in the total internal reflection light path.

Any of the above techniques, or any other known touch detection technique, can be used in connection with the device of the present invention, to detect user contact with screen101, gesture area102, or both.

In one embodiment, the present invention can be implemented using a screen101and/or gesture area102capable of detecting two or more simultaneous touch points, according to techniques that are well known in the art. The touch points can all be located on screen101or on gesture area102, or some can be located on each.

In one embodiment, the present invention can be implemented using other gesture recognition technologies that do not necessarily require contact with the device. For example, a gesture may be performed over the surface of a device (either over screen101or gesture area102), or it may begin over the surface of a device and terminate with a touch on the device (either on screen101or gesture area102). It will be recognized by one with skill in the art that the techniques described herein can be applied to such non-touch-based gesture recognition techniques.

In one embodiment, device100as shown inFIG. 1also has a physical button103. In one embodiment, physical button103can be used to perform some common function, such as to return to a home screen or to activate a selected on-screen item. Physical button103is not needed for the present invention, and is shown for illustrative purposes only. In one embodiment, physical button103is touch sensitive, so that the user's gestures as entered in gesture area102and/or on screen101can be initiated on button103and/or can pass over button103as well. For purposes of the following description, gesture area102will be considered to include button103for embodiments where button103is touch-sensitive. In one embodiment, such functionality is implemented using techniques described in the above-cited related patent application. One skilled in the art will recognize that any number of such buttons103, or no buttons103, can be included, and that the number of physical buttons103, if any, is not important to the operation of the present invention.

In one embodiment, physical button103can illuminate when appropriate, or can be overlaid or backlit with another LED (or other illumination technology) so as to provide additional feedback as to state and/or confirmation that user input has been detected. As described in more detail below, illumination of physical button103can be performed in conjunction with illumination of LEDs201to generate patterns indicative of various states and input conditions.

In the example ofFIG. 1, gesture area102surrounds touch-sensitive screen101, with no gap between screen101and gesture area102. This allows the user to enter touch commands such as gestures in gesture area102and/or touch-sensitive screen101, as well as to enter touch commands that cross over from gesture area102to touch-sensitive screen101, and vice versa. Specific examples of such touch commands are described in related U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/115,992, filed May 6, 2008 for “Extended Touch-Sensitive Control Area for Electronic Device”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

One skilled in the art will recognize that, in various embodiments, gesture area102can be provided in any location with respect to screen101and need not be placed immediately below screen101as shown inFIG. 1. In addition, there may be a gap between gesture area102and screen101, without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Where a gap is present, device100may simply ignore the gap when interpreting touch commands that cross over from gesture area102to touch-sensitive screen101, and vice versa. In some embodiments, the techniques described herein can be implemented on a device having no touch-sensitive screen101, wherein gesture area102receives touch-based input.

In various embodiments, gesture area102can be visibly delineated on the surface of device100, if desired, for example by an outline around gesture area102, or by providing a different surface texture, color, and/or finish for gesture area102as compared with other surfaces of device100. Such delineation is not necessary for operation of the present invention.

Referring now toFIGS. 2A through 3, there are shown other examples of device100having various configurations.

In the examples ofFIGS. 2A through 2D, gesture area102is located immediately below touch-sensitive screen101, but does not surround screen101.FIG. 2Adepicts an example having six LEDs201, arranged so that three LEDs201are positioned on each side of button103.FIG. 2Bdepicts an example having four LEDs201, arranged so that two LEDs201are positioned on each side of button103.FIG. 2Cdepicts an example having two LEDs201, arranged so that one LED201is positioned on each side of button103. These configurations are merely exemplary.

FIG. 2Ddepicts an example having two arc-shaped LEDs201, arranged so that one LED201is positioned on each side of button103. One skilled in the art will recognize that any shape can be used for LEDs201and/or button103.

Referring now toFIG. 3, there is shown another example of an embodiment of device100, wherein gesture area102surrounds touch-sensitive screen101and extends across the entire front surface of device100. Here, the user to enter a touch command at any location on the front surface of device100, whether within or outside screen101. As with the arrangements described above, the touch command can cross over from gesture area102to touch-sensitive screen101, and vice versa; since gesture area102surrounds touch-sensitive screen101, the cross-over can take place at any edge of screen101, and is not limited to the bottom edge only.

In general, in various embodiments, the user can input a touch command on device100by any of several methods, such as:directly manipulate or activate an object displayed on screen101;directly manipulate or activate an object displayed on screen101, and modify the manipulation or activation by contact within gesture area102;perform a gesture within gesture area102and/or screen101;perform a gesture within gesture area102and/or screen101and indicate a target for the command by direct manipulation or activation on screen101; orperform a gesture within gesture area102and/or screen101, wherein the gesture inherently indicates a target for the command, by for example, starting or ending on an object displayed on screen101.

In other embodiments, the feedback mechanism described herein can be implemented for any gesture area102(or touch-sensitive surface), regardless of the presence or absence of screen101or any other display device. One skilled in the art will recognize that the feedback mechanism described herein can be used in any context where it is helpful to provide the user with reassurance that his or her input has been received.

In one embodiment, device100includes a microcontroller (not shown) for controlling the operation of LEDs201, so as to provide a mechanism for implementing any desired pattern of LED flashing, modulation and cyclical patterns without the assistance of a host CPU or other component, thereby facilitating conservation of battery power.

Visual Feedback by Illumination of Gesture Area

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a mechanism for displaying visual feedback by selective illumination of LEDs201or other illuminating elements within gesture area102. This visual feedback can be used, for example, to indicate a state of device100and/or to acknowledge user input. Optionally, button103can also illuminate in conjunction with LEDs201to reinforce the visual feedback.

In one embodiment, certain illumination patterns are presented in order to indicate various states of device100. For example, some patterns may be displayed when screen101and/or device100is in sleep mode, so that the user can be informed of events and/or status without having to activate or waken device100. Examples of states that can be indicated by illumination patterns include:When the device is in standby mode but there is no immediate attention required: No LightWhen the device is in standby mode and a message has arrived (such as IM, SMS, Missed call, and the like): breathe pattern, as described below in connection withFIG. 6BWhen the device is in active or standby mode and an alert occurs requiring the user's attention (such as low battery, system problem, and the like): ripple pattern, as described below in connection withFIG. 6AWhen the device is in active or standby mode and a telephone call comes in: a distinctive pattern synchronized with a ringtone or vibration alert

In one embodiment, certain illumination patterns are presented to acknowledge user input, particularly when user input is provided as gestures on gesture area102. Examples of gestures that can be acknowledged by illumination patters include:Half-swipe, as described below in connection withFIGS. 4A through 4EFull-swipe, as described below in connection withFIGS. 5A through 5ETap-and-hold, as described below in connection withFIGS. 7A and 7BHorizontal scratch, as described below in connection withFIGS. 8A and 8BClockwise orbit, as described below in connection withFIGS. 9A and 9B

Thus, for example, an illumination pattern can be presented in response to input entered via gesture area102, and/or in response to an event.

Visual Feedback to Indicate Device State

In one embodiment, illumination sequences for LEDs201and/or button102are used to indicate various states of device100. These states can indicate an “on” condition, a “waiting for input” condition, a “sleep” condition, or any other state or condition. For example, in one embodiment a “ripple” effect is used to indicate an alert condition while device100is in standby (or sleep) mode, while a “breathe” effect is used to indicate an incoming message while device100is in standby (or sleep) mode.

Breathe

In one embodiment, the breathe ripple pattern is used to inform the user that a message has arrived.

Referring now toFIG. 6B, there is shown an example of the breathe pattern, according to an embodiment of the invention. Illumination of button103turns on and off, while LEDs201remain off. In one embodiment, button103turns on and off virtually instantaneously. In another embodiment, button103turns on and off gradually, to present a smoother transition resembling breathing.

In one embodiment, visual feedback is presented via LEDs201when device100is in a standby or sleep mode. When device100is in active use, pending events can be displayed on-screen in the notification banner area, either in addition to or instead of the LED201illumination pattern.

Accordingly, the visual feedback mechanism of the present invention provides a way for a user to check the status of device100without activating screen101or otherwise “waking up” the unit.

Ripple

In one embodiment, the ripple pattern is used to inform the user of an alert requiring the user's attention (such as low battery, system problem, and the like).

Referring now toFIG. 6A, there is shown an example of a ripple pattern to indicate a state of device100, according to an embodiment of the invention.

In alternative embodiments, LEDs201can illuminate and turn off in a non-simultaneous manner; for example, those LEDs201closest to button103can illuminate and turn off first, with the remaining LEDs201illuminating and turning off in a sequence that resembles a wave of illumination emanating from the centrally located button103.

In one embodiment, LEDs201turn on and off virtually instantaneously. In another embodiment, LEDs201turn on and off gradually, to present a smoother transition.

In some embodiments, the ripple pattern can be performed repeatedly while the state is active. Accordingly, the visual feedback mechanism of the present invention provides a way for a user to check the status of device100without activating screen101or otherwise “waking up” the unit.

Visual Feedback for User-Entered Commands

In one embodiment, input takes the form of one or more gestures representing user-entered commands, and the visual feedback provided by the system of the present invention includes illumination of one or more LEDs201in a pattern or arrangement that signifies the received command.

In various embodiments, different illumination sequence can be used to signify different gestures. For example, feedback for a full-swipe gesture can include a different illumination sequence than feedback for a half-swipe gesture, as described below.

In some embodiments, gesture area102is able to distinguish between different types of touch input, so as to perform different operations depending on the type of input received. For example, gesture area102may be adapted to detect different levels of force or pressure, thereby distinguishing between gestures using a light touch and those using a firmer amount of pressure. In another embodiment, duration, area of contact, degree of force, or other characteristics of touch input are assessed and interpreted so as to initiate different operations depending on the particulars of the received input. For example, in one embodiment, a light touch can be interpreted as a selection of an on-screen object, while firmer pressure can be interpreted as an activation command. In another embodiment, a touch gesture consisting of two or more points of contact (such as two fingers) can be interpreted differently than a touch gesture consisting of a single point of contact (such as one finger).

In some embodiments, the visual feedback is displayed in a manner that reflects the degree of force, pressure, or other distinctive characteristic of the input gesture. In this manner, appropriate visual feedback is provided to inform the user as to how the input action is being interpreted. For example, a higher degree of pressure or force can cause a greater degree of illumination (for example, by activation of a greater number of LEDs, or by increasing the intensity of illuminated LEDs).

The detection of different levels of force or pressure can be accomplished, for example, using techniques described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/948,885, filed Nov. 30, 2007 for “Computing Device that Determines and Uses Applied Pressure from User Interaction with an Input Interface”, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/849,133, filed Aug. 31, 2007 for “Soft-User Interface Feature Provided in Combination with Pressable Display Surface”, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, illumination of LEDs201and/or other elements within gesture area102can provide visual feedback for non-touch input as well. For example, a user can make gestures above, next to, or proximate to gesture area102; such gestures can be detected and interpreted according to known techniques, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,816,154, filed May 30, 2001, issued Nov. 9, 2004, for “Optical Sensor-Based User Interface for a Portable Device”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,992,659, filed May 22, 2001, issued Jan. 31, 2006, for “High Transparency Integrated Enclosure Touch Screen Assembly for a Portable Hand Held Device”, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,006,080 filed Feb. 19, 2002, issued Feb. 28, 2006, for “Display System”, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein.

Referring now toFIGS. 4A through 9B, there are shown various examples of visual feedback to indicate detection of various gestures. One skilled in the art will recognize that these examples are intended to illustrate the principles of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The examples depict illumination sequences for a configuration including six LEDs201arranged so that a row of three LEDs201appears on each side of button103. One skilled in the art will recognize that, for other configurations of LEDs or other illumination sources, other illumination sequences may be implemented without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention.

Referring now toFIG. 4A, there is shown an example of a half-swipe gesture402A that can be entered according to an embodiment of the invention. This gesture402A is indicated by an arrow inFIG. 4A, showing that the user has swiped across a portion of gesture area102without crossing over physical button103. In one embodiment, such a gesture402A returns the user to a previous view within an application. The user can perform the half-swipe left gesture402A anywhere within gesture area102; the associated function does not require identification of any particular target on screen101.

Referring now toFIG. 4B, there is shown an example of visual feedback for a half-swipe gesture, according to an embodiment of the invention. The example ofFIG. 4Bdepicts an illumination sequence for LEDs201, wherein three of the six LEDs201momentarily illuminate and then turn off again. The other three LEDs201remain off during the illumination sequence, thus emphasizing that the gesture is a half-swipe rather than a full-swipe.

Referring now toFIG. 4C, there is shown an example of visual feedback for a half-swipe gesture, according to another embodiment of the invention. In the illumination sequence ofFIG. 4C, three of the six LEDs201illuminate in a sequence mimicking the direction of the half-swipe gesture. Thus, as shown, the three LEDs201to the right of button102illuminate in a right-to-left sequence. Once all three LEDs201to the right of button102have illuminated, they turn off in the same right-to-left sequence. The other three LEDs201to the left of button102remain off during the illumination sequence, thus emphasizing that the gesture is a half-swipe rather than a full-swipe. One skilled in the art will recognize that other timing arrangements and sequences can be implemented.

In some embodiments, button103is capable of being illuminated (and/or overlaid with an illuminating element) to provide further feedback. For example, button103may be constructed of a transparent material with one or more embedded LED(s) within. In such embodiments, button103can be illuminated in conjunction with LEDs201as part of the illumination sequence. In embodiments where button103includes more than one embedded LED, the embedded LEDs may operate in concert with one another, or they may operate separately, depending on the nature of the visual feedback desired.

Referring now toFIG. 4D, there is shown an example of visual feedback for a half-swipe gesture, according to an embodiment of the invention where button103is illuminated as part of an illumination sequence. In the illumination sequence ofFIG. 4D, three of the six LEDs201momentarily illuminate and then turn off again. As LEDs201turn off, button103illuminates. Then button103turns off. The other three LEDs201remain off during the illumination sequence, thus emphasizing that the gesture is a half-swipe rather than a full-swipe. In other variations, button103can illuminate before LEDs201illuminate, so that the sequence is reversed.

Referring now toFIG. 4E, there is shown an example of visual feedback for a half-swipe gesture, according to another embodiment of the invention where button103is illuminated as part of an illumination sequence. In the illumination sequence ofFIG. 4E, three of the six LEDs201illuminate in a sequence mimicking the direction of the half-swipe gesture. Thus, as shown, the three LEDs201to the right of button102illuminate in a right-to-left sequence. Once all three LEDs201to the right of button102have illuminated, they turn off in the same right-to-left sequence. Button103illuminates while some of LEDs201remain illuminated. After all LEDs201have been turned off, the illumination of button103is turned off as well. The other three LEDs201to the left of button102remain off during the illumination sequence, thus emphasizing that the gesture is a half-swipe rather than a full-swipe.

Various alternatives are possible. For example, button102can be illuminated before any of LEDs201are turned off, rather than after one or more LEDs201has been turned off.

In one embodiment, the particular selection of which LEDs201to illuminate depends upon where the gesture was entered within gesture area102. For example, a half-swipe gesture entered on the right-hand side of gesture area102would cause the right-most LEDs201to illuminate, while a half-swipe gesture entered on the left-hand side of gesture area102would cause the left-most LEDs201to illuminate.

In one embodiment, the illumination sequence depends upon the direction of the gesture. Thus, a right-to-left gesture causes LEDs201to illuminate in a right-to-left sequence, as described above, while a left-to-right gesture causes LEDs201to illuminate in a left-to-right sequence.

Referring now toFIG. 5A, there is shown an example of a full-swipe gesture402B that can be entered according to an embodiment of the invention. This gesture102A is indicated by an arrow inFIG. 5Aextending across button103, showing that the user has swiped directly over physical button103. In one embodiment, such a gesture402B returns the user to a previously viewed application. The user can perform full-swipe gesture402B anywhere within gesture area102; the associated function does not require identification of any particular target on screen101.

Referring now toFIG. 5B, there is shown an example of visual feedback for a full -swipe gesture, according to an embodiment of the invention. The example ofFIG. 5Bdepicts an illumination sequence for LEDs201, wherein all six LEDs201illuminate in a sequence: specifically, the three LEDs201on one side of button103illuminate first, followed by the three LEDs201on the other side of button103. In the displayed embodiment, the first set of LEDs201turns off as the second set illuminates. After the second set of LEDs201has illuminated, all LEDs are turned off. By using all six LEDs201, the illumination sequence emphasizes that the gesture is a full-swipe. One skilled in the art will recognize that other timing arrangements and sequences can be implemented.

Referring now toFIG. 5C, there is shown an example of visual feedback for a full-swipe gesture, according to another embodiment of the invention. In the illumination sequence ofFIG. 5C, the six LEDs201illuminate in a sequence mimicking the direction of the full-swipe gesture. Thus, as shown, the six LEDs201illuminate in a left-to-right sequence. Once all six LEDs201have illuminated, they turn off in the same left-to-right sequence. One skilled in the art will recognize that other timing arrangements and sequences can be implemented; for example, some LEDs201may start turning off before all LEDs201have been illuminated.

Referring now toFIG. 5D, there is shown an example of visual feedback for a full-swipe gesture, according to an embodiment of the invention where button103is illuminated as part of an illumination sequence. In the illumination sequence ofFIG. 5D, the left-most three of the six LEDs201momentarily illuminate and then turn off again. As the left-most three LEDs201turn off, button103illuminates. Then, as button103turns off, the right-most three LEDs201illuminate and then turn off again. In one embodiment, for a right-to-left full-swipe gesture, this sequence would be reversed.

Referring now toFIG. 5E, there is shown an example of visual feedback for a full-swipe gesture, according to another embodiment of the invention where button103is illuminated as part of an illumination sequence. In the illumination sequence ofFIG. 5E, three of the six LEDs201illuminate in a sequence mimicking the direction of the full-swipe gesture. Thus, as shown, the three LEDs201to the left of button102illuminate in a left-to-right sequence. Once all three LEDs201to the left of button102have illuminated, button103illuminates. The left-most LEDs201remain illuminated. Then, the three LEDs201to the right of button102illuminate in a left-to-right sequence, until all LEDs201and button102are all illuminated. LEDs201and button102then turn off in the same sequence, with the three LEDs201to the left of button102being turned off first, followed by button102illumination, followed by the three LEDs201to the right of button102in a left-to-right sequence.

In one embodiment, device100recognizes commands that are activated by combining gestures402in gesture area102within input on touch-sensitive screen101. Such commands may be activated by, for example:Beginning a gesture in gesture area102and completing it on touch-sensitive screen101;Beginning a gesture on touch-sensitive screen101and completing it in gesture area102;Performing a multi-part gesture that involves at least one contact with gesture area102followed by at least one contact with touch-sensitive screen101;Performing a multi-part gesture that involves at least one contact with touch-sensitive screen101followed by at least one contact with gesture area102; andPerforming a gesture that involves substantially simultaneous or contemporaneous contact with touch-sensitive screen101and gesture area102(for example, a component of the gesture is performed on screen101while another component of the gesture is performed on gesture area102).

One example of such a gesture402is to perform a gesture on screen101while also touching gesture area102. Thus, the contact with gesture area102serves as a modifier for the gesture402being performed on screen101.

Another example is to perform a gesture in gesture area102, while also touching an object401on screen101. Thus, the contact with the object401serves as a modifier for the gesture402being performed in gesture area102.

In some embodiments, some or all of the LEDs201illuminate while a user is in the process of performing a first part of a command in gesture area102. In this manner, when a user begins a gesture in gesture area102, he or she is presented with positive feedback that the gesture is recognized; this feedback can also inform the user that a second part of the command is awaited.

Referring now toFIG. 7A, there is shown an example of visual feedback to indicate detection of an initial tap-and-hold portion of a two-part command, according to an embodiment of the invention. The user holds one finger at location402QA in gesture area102; while the finger is held at location402QA, the user drags another finger on screen101, performing gesture402QB. This causes object401A, (or a cursor or other on-screen item) to be dragged along with the second finger. When the second finger is removed from screen101, object401A or the other on-screen item is dropped, as shown in the right side ofFIG. 7. Thus, the finger in gesture area102acts as a modifier, obviating the need for the user to hold the second finger on the on-screen item in order to initiate a drag operation. In other embodiments, holding a finger in gesture area102while performing a gesture on screen101causes the screen gesture to be modified from its normal function in some other way.

As shown inFIG. 7A, an LED201is illuminated while the user holds his or her finger at location402QA, to indicate that the input has been received and that additional input (such as gesture402QB) is awaited. In one embodiment, any number of LEDs201can be so illuminated. In one embodiment, device100illuminates those LEDs201that are located at or near the point of contact.

As discussed above, in some embodiments, gesture area102is able to detect different degrees of pressure, force, and/or duration. Appropriate visual feedback is provided to indicate the detected degree of pressure, force, and/or duration. Referring now toFIG. 7B, there is shown an example of visual feedback for a tap-and-hold input operation performed with greater force than that ofFIG. 7A. Accordingly, rather than illuminating a single LED201, three LEDs201are illuminated. Thus, the higher degree of pressure, force, and/or duration is indicated by a greater number of LEDs201being illuminated. In other embodiments, other configurations can be used.

Once the command is completed, the LEDs201are turned off.

Referring now toFIG. 8A, there is shown another example of a gesture sequence having gesture components that can be performed sequentially or simultaneously. In the example ofFIG. 8A, the user performs a horizontal scratch gesture402RB within gesture area102and a tap gesture402RA on an on-screen object401. In one embodiment, gesture402RB indicates a delete command and gesture402RA identifies the target401of the command. In one embodiment, the user can perform the horizontal scratch gesture402RB anywhere within gesture area102; in another embodiment, the gesture may have different meaning depending on where it is performed. In one embodiment, the sequence can be performed in either order, so that the target401can be specified by gesture402RA either before or after the scratch gesture402RB is performed. In yet another embodiment, the gestures402RA and402RB can be performed contemporaneously (for example, the user might hold a finger at location402RA while performing scratch gesture402RB).

Referring also toFIG. 8B, there is shown an example of visual feedback to indicate detection of a horizontal scratch portion of a two-part command, according to an embodiment of the invention. Once the user has entered horizontal scratch gesture402RB, LEDs201and button103illuminate to indicate that the input has been received and that additional input (such as gesture402RB) is awaited. In one embodiment, any number of LEDs201can be so illuminated. In one embodiment, device100illuminates those LEDs201that are located at or near the point of contact.

Once the command is completed, the LEDs201are turned off. Two-part command: orbit

Referring now toFIG. 9A, there is shown an example of a clockwise orbit gesture402S starting within gesture area102and ending on an on-screen object401. Thus, on-screen object401is identified as the target of the command. In one embodiment, such a gesture402S can perform a scale or zoom object function. In one embodiment, the user can begin the orbit gesture402S anywhere within gesture area102; in another embodiment, the gesture may have different meaning depending on whether it circles button103or is performed in some other part of gesture area102. In one embodiment, an orbit gesture may have a different meaning if performed in a counterclockwise direction.

Referring also toFIG. 9B, there is shown an example of visual feedback to indicate detection of a clockwise orbit gesture402S, according to an embodiment of the invention. Once the user has begun to enter clockwise orbit gesture402S, some of LEDs201and button103illuminate to indicate that the input has been received and that additional input (such as the completion of clockwise orbit gesture402S on an on-screen object401) is awaited. In one embodiment, any number of LEDs201can be so illuminated. In one embodiment, device100illuminates those LEDs201that are located at or near the point where gesture402S is started.

Method

Referring now toFIG. 10, there is shown a flowchart depicting a method of providing visual feedback according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In one embodiment, device100detects1001contact with gesture area102. In alternative embodiments, the method of the present invention can include any detection of a gesture, either by contact, proximity, or any other mechanism.

A command associated with the detected gesture is identified1002. Device100then illuminates the appropriate LEDs201(optionally including illumination of button103and/or other components) according to the identified command. In this manner, the user is given feedback appropriate to the input he or she has provided.

Device100then determines1004whether additional input is expected, depending on the nature of the input. If additional input is expected, device100awaits the input. Optionally, while waiting for additional input, device100can illuminate appropriate LEDs201to indicate a wait state. The additional input is detected1006. If the additional input indicates1007that the command should be completed, the command is executed1008and LEDs201are turned off. If the additional input indicates1007that the command should be dismissed, LEDs201are turned off without executing the command.

If, in1004, it is determined that no additional input is expected, the command is executed1008and LEDs201are turned off1009.

In one embodiment, LEDs201are used as illuminable elements to implement the above-described illumination patterns. One skilled in the art will recognize that any other illuminable elements can be used. Accordingly, the following described characteristics of LEDs201that can be used in one embodiment are merely intended to be exemplary.

In one embodiment, the illumination patterns are specified as linearly interpolated segments having predetermined length (such as 0 to 60 seconds), with each segment having a specified power level selected from a plurality of available power levels. In one embodiment, 16 power levels are available. Power levels can be specified, for example in terms of a percentage of peak available power.

In one embodiment, changes from one illumination level to another are performed smoothly, so that a transition from one level to another takes place over some period of time. In one embodiment, in order to provide a smooth effect, transitions in illumination levels are performed at a minimum 100 Hz.

If a transition between two brightness levels occurs over a sufficiently long interval, staircasing (time aliasing/step quantization) can be seen due to a limited number of power levels available. This may cause the user to perceive discrete brightness changes instead of a smooth change. In one embodiment, dithering is used, whereby the various intensity steps are mixed with one another to create a smooth dissolve.

In order to further improve the smoothness with which light intensity changes, in one embodiment each segment indicating a lighting level is measured in increments of 50 microseconds. In general, LED201intensity is interpolated over the interval from the previous intensity level to the new intensity level.

In one embodiment, the present invention avoids load on the host CPU or other components, by providing a separate microcontroller (not shown) for controlling LEDs201while device100is in sleep mode. The microcontroller implements the illumination patterns described herein without waking the host CPU.

In one embodiment, illumination patterns are specified as follows. For a given illumination pattern, the intensity of each LED201varies according to a timeline having a number of segments. For each segment, a time period and an intensity level are specified. The microcontroller implements the illumination pattern by illuminating each LED201according to the specified intensity level for each specified time period in the pattern. If appropriate, the pattern repeats. In some embodiments, the microcontroller causes the LED201to gradually move from one brightness level to the next. This may be accomplished, for example, using a fixed-point interpolation algorithm or the use of an algorithm (such as the well-known Bresenham's line algorithm) to establish intermediate values between the start and end points.

In one embodiment, the timelines are also applied to an internal vibrational motor (not shown) to provide vibration feedback that is timed with the visual feedback.

In one embodiment a timeline for a left-to-right half-swipe pattern for a device having two LEDs201and button103that can be illuminated might be specified as follows:

Referring now toFIG. 11, there is shown a sequence graph1101depicting the left-to-right half-swipe pattern, according to an embodiment of the invention.

In one embodiment a timeline for a left-to-right full-swipe pattern for a device having two LEDs201and button103that can be illuminated might be specified as follows:

Referring now toFIG. 12, there is shown a sequence graph1201depicting the left-to-right half-swipe pattern, according to an embodiment of the invention.

In one embodiment a timeline for a ripple pattern for a device having two LEDs201and button103that can be illuminated might be specified as follows:

Referring now toFIG. 13, there is shown a sequence graph1301depicting the ripple pattern, according to an embodiment of the invention.

In one embodiment a timeline for a breathe pattern for button103might be specified as follows:

Referring now toFIG. 14, there is shown a sequence graph1401depicting the breathe pattern, according to an embodiment of the invention.

In one embodiment a timeline for an arbitrary light pattern for a device having two LEDs201and button103that can be illuminated might be specified as follows:

Referring now toFIG. 15, there is shown a sequence graph1401depicting an arbitrary light pattern, according to an embodiment of the invention.

In any of the above-described embodiments, LEDs201can turn on and off instantaneously or gradually, or any combination thereof.

Reference herein to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or to “one or more embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Further, it is noted that instances of the phrase “in one embodiment” herein are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Certain aspects of the present invention include process steps and instructions described herein in the form of an algorithm. It should be noted that the process steps and instructions of the present invention can be embodied in software, firmware or hardware, and when embodied in software, can be downloaded to reside on and be operated from different platforms used by a variety of operating systems.

The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer, virtualized system, or other apparatus. Various general-purpose systems may also be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems will be apparent from the description above. In addition, the present invention is not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the present invention as described herein, and any references above to specific languages are provided for disclosure of enablement and best mode of the present invention.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of the above description, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scope of the present invention as described herein. In addition, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the claims.