Patent ID: 12204706

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various features of the invention will now be described in connection with a number of exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures, in which like parts are identified with the same reference characters.

To facilitate an understanding of the invention, many aspects of the invention are described in terms of sequences of actions to be performed by elements of a computer system or other hardware capable of executing programmed instructions. It will be recognized that in each of the embodiments, the various actions could be performed by specialized circuits (e.g., analog and/or discrete logic gates interconnected to perform a specialized function), by one or more processors programmed with a suitable set of instructions, or by a combination of both. The term “circuitry configured to” perform one or more described actions is used herein to refer to any such embodiment (i.e., one or more specialized circuits alone, one or more programmed processors, or any combination of these). Moreover, the invention can additionally be considered to be embodied entirely within any form of non-transitory computer readable carrier, such as solid-state memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk containing an appropriate set of computer instructions that would cause a processor to carry out the techniques described herein. Thus, the various aspects of the invention may be embodied in many different forms, and all such forms are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention. For each of the various aspects of the invention, any such form of embodiments as described above may be referred to herein as “logic configured to” perform a described action, or alternatively as “logic that” performs a described action.

In one aspect of embodiments consistent with the invention, the technology involves the ability to supply two types of touch input on the back of a handheld device (hereinafter simply referred to as “device”) such as a smartphone: in one type, the touch indicates a particular area of the frontside touchscreen that is to be mapped to a backside input area of the device; and in a second type, the touch selects a particular point within the indicated, mapped frontside touchscreen area. In this manner, an improved ability to perform one-handed operation of, for example, a large smartphone without the user losing his/her grip is provided.

In an aspect of some but not necessarily all embodiments, a touch input area on the backside of the device has one portion (herein referred to as “adjustment touch area”) that is used to move an area within the frontside touchscreen that is mapped to another portion of the backside touch input area (herein referred to as “mapped touch area”). The mapped touch area of the backside touch input area is mapped to the adjusted location.

In yet another aspect of some but not necessarily all inventive embodiments, the mapped area of the frontside touchscreen can present some form of highlighting on the display screen to indicate to the user the location of the mapped area.

With the above-described arrangement, the active part on the frontside touchscreen display is easily moved around by moving the finger into the adjustment touch area on the backside of the device.

In still another aspect of some but not necessarily all inventive embodiments, the farther to the edge the finger is moved, the faster the active mapped area is moved.

In yet another aspect of some but not necessarily all inventive embodiments, the area of the frontside touchscreen that is mapped to the backside mapped touch area can dynamically change to fit a certain application. In one example, the mapped touch area can be automatically mapped to a keyboard layout on the frontside touchscreen whenever the active application calls for a keyboard input action. In another example, the mapped touch area can be automatically mapped to a certain button or buttons displayed on the frontside touchscreen whenever an application expects input from any of these areas (e.g., for navigation or other usage).

In still another aspect of some but not necessarily all inventive embodiments, an IMU or other motion sensors provide sensor data that is interpreted as an indication of a particular area to be mapped or of an adjustment to the mapped area of the frontside touchscreen display, so that by tilting the device the area-of-interest is moved.

In yet another aspect of some but not necessarily all inventive embodiments, the user provides input to the device by directly touching the area of the display, hovering over it, or using an external input (e.g., smartwatch) to select such area. One could also use the physical buttons (e.g., volume buttons) to scroll through available areas or fields.

In still another aspect of some but not necessarily all inventive embodiments, the area of interest (i.e., the mapped frontside touchscreen area) is highlighted in some way, such as by lighting up and/or by having a pointer or cursor displayed to indicate the area. This could be activated by tapping on the rear touch pad or a special gesture on the rear touch pad.

In yet another aspect of some but not necessarily all inventive embodiments, when text input is required, a certain trigger brings a virtual keyboard up on the frontside touchscreen and keys are selected by the finger on the back on the device (e.g., as in known technology involving the user drawing a pattern covering the letters in the word and then having the system predict, from the pattern, which word is intended).

In still another aspect of some but not necessarily all inventive embodiments, the touch area on the back of the device can be much larger than what is easily reached by one finger holding the device, but by detecting where the hand/fingers are placed with respect to the device, the input is normalized to an area around that finger rather than using the complete touch-area. That detection can either be based on the first tap of the index finger, or by using radar, proximity, or other sensor that detects the finger above that backside touch area. That also simplifies the task of avoiding involuntary touch input by other parts of the hand/fingers holding the device. The finger position can be indicated on the frontside touchscreen as a marker. The marker can have different attributes depending on whether the finger is touching, just hovering in the air, or if an action is taking place.

In yet another aspect of some but not necessarily all inventive embodiments, the position of, and reachability of the index finger on the backside is predicted by the detection of which hand is holding the phone and where the other fingers are placed. Technology for detecting the grip is known in the art, (see, e.g., WO 2015/112405 A1), and a complete description of such technology is beyond the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein.

A nonlimiting exemplary embodiment consistent with the invention involves a device having a display and a touch-area on the back of the device. These elements have one or more of the following characteristics:The display:In some embodiments, this can be a touchscreen that is responsive to predefined finger (or pen) movements having a meaning such as navigating in an application or menu. This type of user interface is typical in devices such as an Android Smartphone, iPhone, Apple Watch, tablet, or similar device.In other embodiments, the device has a display but not a touchscreen, and the user interface described below is the primary touch user interface for such devices. This class of embodiments is suitable for use in devices such as a camera (e.g. DSLR).The touch-area on the back of the device is configured to detect finger movements and taps.In some embodiments, also sensor(s) detecting movements and gestures of finger(s) above the back-side touch area.

In some but not necessarily all exemplary embodiments, the device is further configured with an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that is used to move an activation area.

In another aspect of some but not necessarily all embodiments consistent with the invention the device is further configured with a touch area configured to enable a user to move an activation area. This aspect and others are discussed in greater detail in the following.

FIGS.1A,1B, and1Cdepict aspects of a device101such as, but not limited to, a smart phone. The device101has a first side103(e.g., a front of a device housing) and a second side105(e.g., a back of the device housing). The first side103has an output display device107. In devices such as a smart phone, the output display device107is often configured coincident with a related touch input device. However, the presence of a related touch input device is not an essential aspect of inventive embodiments, and the functionality of any such related touch input device is not discussed here with relation toFIG.1Aand one press B. The second side105has two touch input areas, one of which is denoted a mapped touch area109, and the other of which is denoted an adjustment touch area111. The size of the mapped touch area109and the adjustment touch area111in combination is advantageously configured to be smaller than the size of the output display device107and is preferentially dimensioned so as to be reachable at any point by a finger of the user as the user holds the device101. Suitable dimensions can be determined in a number of different ways. For example, they can be determined by activating a setup/calibration mode that the user participates in. Alternatively, the system can track the user's fingers as the user uses the device, and from information derived from the tracking estimate suitable dimensions. In another alternative, suitable dimensions can be based on a selected user profile (e.g., based on age so that, for example, a younger person might have smaller hands.)

Touch points of the mapped touch area109are mapped to corresponding output display points located within a mapped area of the output display device113. To facilitate use of the mapped touch area109, in some embodiments the mapped area of the output display device113is made visually distinguishable from a remaining portion of the output display device107so that the user can readily ascertain what portion of the output display device107is mapped to the mapped touch area109. Such a visual distinction can be, for example, a visually semi-transparent highlighting of the mapped area of the output display device113.

In some but not necessarily all embodiments, tactile feedback is given to the user to help the user identify the location of the mapped touch area109on the back of the device. As illustrated inFIG.1C, this can be by configuring one or both of the mapped touch area109and the adjustment touch area111as raised areas on the back of the device101. In embodiments in which both the mapped touch area109and adjustment touch area111are raised, their heights can be equal to one another, or can alternatively be different in order to provide the user more tactile feedback to distinguish between the two. In some embodiments each raised area can be a permanent fixture of the device101. But in alternative embodiments, and as shown inFIG.1C, the presence and/or location of the mapped touch area109and/or adjustment touch area111can be dynamically controlled by forming the mapped touch area109from an electro-active polymer (EAP) or other material that can be deformed under the control of electronic means. As shown in the figure, the height115and/or position117of the mapped touch area109can therefore be made adjustable to best suit a user's hand size and other characteristics.

The adjustment touch area111is, in some but not necessarily all inventive embodiments, configured as a perimeter area around the mapped touch area109. Both the mapped touch area109and the adjustment touch area111are reachable by a user's finger as the user holds the device101. By moving the finger into the adjustment touch area111, the mapped area of the output display device113will start to move in a direction in correspondence with a direction of movement of the finger. For example, if the finger moves to the left (from the point of view of a person looking at the second side105) within the adjustment touch area111, the mapped area of the output display device113correspondingly moves to the right (from the point of view of a person looking at the first side103). In an aspect of some but not necessarily all embodiments, the further out into the adjustment touch area111the finger is moved, the faster the movement of the mapped area of the output display device113will be.

Further aspects of exemplary embodiments consistent with the invention are now discussed with reference toFIGS.2A and2B, which again illustrate aspects of the device101. In this example, a user's hand can be seen gripping the second side105of the device101. As mentioned earlier, touch points within the mapped touch area109are mapped to corresponding points within the mapped area of the output display device113. Consequently, when the user touches a point201in the mapped touch area201as shown inFIG.2B, the device responds as though the user had touched a mapped point203of the output display as shown inFIG.2A. To assist the user in this respect, in accordance with some but not necessarily all embodiments, a current position marker205is presented by the display device107to indicate to the user the current position that the user is touching. And in accordance with some but not necessarily all embodiments, the display device107is caused to display some sort of mapped area border indicator207that informs the user about the range of points that are presently mapped to the mapped touch area109. In this way, the user can grip the phone in a natural way with one hand and at the same time with that same hand interact with the mapped area of the output display device113. The mapped area border indicator207can, for example, be embodied as a highlighted area within the display device107by means of an alpha blending channel with semi-transparent color. This color can be set to the users liking.

If the user wishes to interact with a presently unmapped portion of the output display device107, the user can adjust the location of the mapped area of the output display device113to make it coincide with the desired presently unmapped portion. Location adjustment of the mapped area of the output display device113is made by the user extending the finger into a portion of the adjustment touch area111that will cause the mapped area of the output display device113to move in a desired direction towards the desired presently unmapped portion. For example, if a display point209at the lower left corner of the mapped area113is presently at a current position of the mapped area, the user may cause that display point (and the entire mapped area113with it) to move to the left (indicated by the dashed line arrow) by extending the finger to a touch point211on a right side of the adjustment touch area111.

More particularly,FIG.3is, in one respect, a flowchart of actions taken by the device101to bring about adjustment of the mapped touch area109over a corresponding mapped area of the output display device113. In other respects, the blocks depicted inFIG.3can also be considered to represent means300(e.g., hardwired or programmable circuitry or other processing means) for carrying out the described actions.

At step301, it is detected that finger of the user has touched a point in the adjustment touch area111. In response, it is determined where in the adjustment touch area111that touch was detected (decision block303). The mapped area is then moved in correspondence with the location of the detected touch. In the non-limiting exemplary embodiment, if the location of the detected touch is to the right as viewed from the back, then the mapped area of the output display device113is moved to the left as seen from the front (step305); if it is to the left as seen from the back, then the mapped area of the output display device113is moved to the right as seen from the front (step307); if it is upward as seen from the back, then the mapped area of the output display device113is moved upward as seen from the front (step309); and if it is to the downward as seen from the back, then the mapped area of the output display device113is moved downward as seen from the front (step311). In alternative embodiments, mapping can be modified. For example, if the location of the detected touch has moved to the right as viewed from the back, then the mapped area of the output display can be moved to the right as seen from the front; and similarly, if the location of the detected touch has moved to the left as viewed from the back, then the mapped area of the output display can be moved to the left as seen from the front.

After adjusting the mapped area, a test is performed to determine whether the user is continuing to touch the adjustment touch area111(decision block313). If so (“Yes” path out of decision block313) then actions back at decision block303and the process continues as described above.

However, if it is detected that the user is no longer touching the adjustment touch area111(“No” path out of decision block313) then adjustment of the mapped area is concluded and a finger touch to the mapped touch area109operates as described earlier, but now with respect to an adjusted placement of the mapped area of the output display device113.

In other aspects of some but not necessarily all embodiments of the invention, adjustment of the mapped area of the output display device113further includes an operation in which the farther into the adjustment touch area111the user reaches, the faster the mapped area113moves within the area of the output display device107.

It is advantageous to not have the mapped functionality (as described above) active all the time in order to avoid having the device's conventional user interface behave in an uncontrolled manner during normal two-handed operation, and also to avoid having the mapped area border indicator207being displayed all of the time. Therefore, in some but not necessarily all embodiments of the invention, a mechanism is provided that enables activation and deactivation of the mapping functionality. In some embodiments, activation is triggered by a predefined sense input, such as a double tap on the back of the device, or within the mapped touch area109and/or the adjustment touch area111. Alternatively a predefined gesture (e.g., a swipe gesture, or a finger-drawn shape such as a circle) can be detected and used to activate the one-handed operation as described above. In yet another alternative, the device can be configured to be responsive to a predefined button operation, such as holding a button while interacting with1of the touch-areas, or clicking a button that activates or deactivates interaction with the mapped and adjustment touch-areas109,111.

As to deactivation, in some but not necessarily all embodiments consistent with the invention, the one-handed user interface mode is stopped by a certain gesture, such as but not limited to double-tapping or swiping a certain pattern on the mapped touch area109and/or adjustment touch area111, or by means of a button press, or a voice command. A person having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that different stop gestures or stop commands are possible, and that the gesture or command chosen for this purpose should not also be used to indicate a conflicting command, such as selecting an icon for starting an application.

Upon activation, an initial mapping can be applied using a predefined position and a predefined size. In some embodiments the users are able to set these predefined values themselves. Once activated, mapping can be adjusted using the adjustment touch area111as discussed above.

Once the backside touch is activated by any of the means described above, the device101needs to determine a suitable way of mapping it to the output display device107on the first side103of the device101. This can be done in any of a number of ways. The following are nonlimiting examples:1. Where the output display device107is associated with a touch input device (e.g., on the first side103of the device101) points within the mapped touch area109are mapped to an active application and more specifically to where the application has the most interaction points. This information is known by the application since it sets what parts of the touch screen will provide an input to the application. For example, if the application is keypad interface for establishing a phone connection, then the mapped touch area109on the second side105of the device101is initially mapped to the keypad being displayed on the output display device107.2. Map points within the mapped touch area109to corresponding points centered within the output display device107.3. Map points within the mapped touch area109to a mapped area113having a suitably oriented corner placed at any of the corners of the output display device107.4. Map points within the mapped touch area109to the latest location used by the mapped touch.109.

In an alternative class of embodiments, the operation of an application running on the device101is aligned with the one-handed operation using the mapped touch area109as described above, so that the interaction area would be re-arranged to fit the reachable area of the mapped touch area109.

FIG.4is, in one respect, a flowchart of some actions taken by the device101in a typical back-handed operation session with the user. In other respects, the blocks depicted inFIG.4can also be considered to represent means400(e.g., hardwired or programmable circuitry or other processing means) for carrying out the described actions.

The mapping function associated with the mapped touch area109is, in this example, initially deactivated. Accordingly, an initial step involves the user taking some predefined action to activate the system (step401). As described earlier, this can be in a nonlimiting example the user double-tapping on the back of the device101. The system responds by transitioning into an active state.

In this example, an application is assumed to be already running in the device101. Accordingly, an optional step involves setting an initial mapping of the mapped touch area109to points of an area within the output display device107(i.e., an initial positioning of the mapped area of the output display device113within the output display device107) such that it will include a likely input area that the user will want to access (step405). Alternatively, a predefined default positioning of the mapped area of the output display device113can be applied.

To facilitate the user's interactions with the device101in this mode of operation, the mapped area of the output display device113is in some way highlighted on the output display device107(step407).

When the user touches a point within the mapped touch area109, a current position marker205is caused to be displayed and a corresponding mapped point of the output display device107to indicate to the user where the touch is happening (step409). In some but not necessarily all embodiments consistent with the invention, the current position marker205changes characteristics depending on whether the user's finger is hovering, touching or tapping.

The user can then move (e.g., slide) there finger over the mapped touch area109to cause a corresponding movement of the current position marker205on the output display device113(step411).

If the user wishes to activate a function that the current position marker205is pointing to, the user can tap the mapped touch area109, and the device101will respond as though the user had tapped the mapped point203on the output display device107(step413).

At some point the user will want to deactivate the system, and accordingly performs a predefined action as described earlier to cause this to happen (step415).

It will be appreciated that a typical operation will not follow exactly in sequence as shown inFIG.4. For example, the user may move the current position marker205a number of times before (if ever) activating a function indicated on the output display device113. Accordingly, the flow from one indicated step to another may deviate from the above-described flow, and this is indicated by the dashed line flow indicators inFIG.4.

In another aspect of some but not necessarily all embodiments consistent with the invention, wherein the back-finger touches the mapped touch-area109, the set of touch points that make up the mapped touch area109is normalized to that point of the finger. This means that the touched spot will correspond to the selected spot on the output display device107, and relative movements of the finger will correspond to relative movements on the display. The position of the activated part of the mapped touch area109is defined by the position of the activation trigger.

In yet another aspect of some but not necessarily all embodiments consistent with the invention, the mapped touch area109is not activated in its entirety. Instead, the size of the activated part of the mapped touch area109is, in some but not necessarily all embodiments, defined by the user based on the size of the user's hand.

In other embodiments, it is recognized that not all hands are made the same size, and for this reason the reachable portions of the mapped touch area109are predicted by detecting the user's grip position (as well as which hand is holding the device). In yet another aspect of some but not necessarily all embodiments and initial prediction can be improved over time by learning or adapting based on the user's previous grips and reachability.

In some embodiments, even the initial prediction can be made more accurate by engaging the user in a short training phase in which they are asked to hold the device101in various one-handed positions and to move their index finger on the second side105(e.g., back) of the device101as much as is comfortable. This would not be more time-consuming than the training that typically takes place to identify fingerprints.

In another aspect of some but not necessarily all embodiments consistent with the invention, a specific touch gesture applied to the mapped touch area109and/or adjustment touch area111brings up a virtual keyboard on the output display device107that can be used from the mapped touch area109.

Further aspects of embodiments consistent with the invention are now described with reference toFIG.5which is, in one respect, a flowchart of actions performed by a device101that is configured with one-handed operation as described above. In other respects, the blocks depicted inFIG.5can also be considered to represent means500(e.g., hardwired or programmable circuitry or other processing means) for carrying out the described actions.

Consistent with the description set out so far, the actions are performed by a device101that comprises a first side103; a second side105; a display107configured to display any of a plurality of images on the first side103; and a touch-sensitive input device disposed on the second side, wherein the touch-sensitive input device comprises a mapped touch area109and an adjustment touch area111. It is noted that in alternative embodiments, the mapped touch area109and adjustment touch area111could be embodied as separate touch sensitive input devices.

The actions performed by the device101include obtaining (step501) an initial mapping that relates touch points of the mapped touch area109to corresponding display points of a mapped area113of the display107, wherein the mapped area113of the display107is smaller than a total area of the display107and has an initial position209with respect to the display.

First touch input data is received (step503) when the user touches a point211within the adjustment touch area111, and this is used as a basis for producing (step505) a current (adjusted) position209′ of the mapped area of the display by adjusting the initial position209of the mapped area of the display based on the first touch input data.

A current mapping201,203is produced (step507) by adjusting the initial mapping based on the current position209′ of the mapped area113.

When the user touches a point201within the mapped touch area109, second touch input data is received (step509) from the mapped touch area109.

The second touch input data is translated (step511), according to the current mapping, into a derived display position203, and an action that is associated with the derived display position203is performed (step513).

The various inventive aspects illustrated in the above-described exemplary embodiments can be applied in alternative embodiments as well. For example, activation of the system can be triggered in response to a double-tap on the side of the device101instead of on the back, and the deactivation of the one-handed operation can also be a double-tap on the side. In these embodiments, a double tap on the back of the device101can then be used for other purposes, such as but not limited to selecting items indicated by, for example, the current position marker205.

In another class of alternative embodiments, motion sensors are provided and employed to detect when the device101is tilted. The tilting can be interpreted as an adjustment of the location of the mapped area113(which means also an adjustment of the mapping between the mapped touch area109and the mapped area113of the output display device107.

In another class of alternative embodiments, physical buttons are used to select how touch points within the mapped touch area109will be mapped to display points within the mapped area113of the output display device107. For example, a one button mode can be configured in which each button depression scrolls through the different possible selected areas in one direction. Alternatively, a two-button mode can be configured in which one button is used to control selection scrolling in one direction from among different possible selected areas, and another button used to control selection scrolling in the other direction.

Another class of alternative embodiments applies to the case in which certain applications have certain, set areas of the output display device107(e.g., when the output display device107is part of a touchscreen that also accepts input) where input from the user is expected (e.g., a virtual keyboard); these set areas are always the same whenever the application is launched. In such cases, moving the mapped area113of the output display device107by certain touches on the adjustment touch area111causes the mapped area113(and hence also the mapping function) to move to a next expected input area rather than linearly according to the finger movements within the adjustment touch area111—in essence the active area snaps to expected input areas.

In another class of alternative embodiments, one or more predefined swipe movements/gestures are recognized when input via the mapped touch area109and/or adjustment touch area111, and because all active applications to be brought up on the output display device107in order to allow the user to switch the focus from one application to another. This kind of application switching is otherwise very difficult to perform in one-handed operation on a conventional device.

In yet another class of alternative embodiments, a swipe-from-bottom-of-screen-up (which is a typical gesture applied to a front side touchscreen) is represented by a backside swipe that starts at the bottom edge of the adjustment touch area111and moves upward. Similarly, a conventional front side swipe-from-top-of-screen-down gesture is represented by a backside swipe that starts at the top edge of the adjustment touch area111and moves downward.

In still another class of alternative embodiments that apply when an application has multiple input text fields, the active input field (determined by a current mapping) is changed by a touch on the top, bottom, right, or left part of the adjustment touch area111, and movements within the selected field are made by touching the mapped touch area109.

In yet another alternative embodiment, if the finger is moved to the right side into the adjustment touch area111(as viewed from the back) and the mapped area113on the output display device107is already in its, for example, leftmost position (as viewed from the front), the gesture triggers an operation that switches a currently active page (i.e., presented on the output display device107) to the next display page in order (if any). Similarly, a finger swipe to the left in the adjustment touch area111(as viewed from the back) when the mapped area113is already in its, for example, rightmost position on the output display device107(as viewed from the front) switches a currently active page to a next display page in order (if any) to the right (as viewed from the front). Top and bottom gestures could similarly map to relevant actions such as extending a top settings menu or bringing up a bottom all applications menu (as in Android devices) and/or credit card access page.

The technology involving a touch panel on the second side (e.g., backside) of a device101as described above can also be applied when the device101is to be enclosed by a protective case. An exemplary embodiment of this class of alternative embodiments will now be described with reference toFIG.6. Here, a device601is schematically depicted with an accompanying protective case603. It will be appreciated that in practice, the device601will somehow be enclosed by the protective case603.

The device601comprises a display619that corresponds to the output display device107shown inFIG.1. The protective case603comprises a touch system615that corresponds to a combination of the mapped touch area109and the adjustment touch area111. In operation, these elements interact in the same way as was described above with respect toFIGS.1through5. That description will therefore not be repeated here.

The device601and protective case603together form a system. To enable them to work together, each includes a corresponding communication part605,607that are communicatively linked (schematically illustrated by the double arrowed line609). Communication between the device601and the protective case603can be embodied in a number of different ways. One embodiment employs radiofrequency (RF) communications technology, for example using any of the Bluetooth (BT) standards or other type of radio solutions or near-field communication (NFC) technology.

In an alternative embodiment, the protective case603has a connector that attaches to the device601. Such a connector can be, for example, a USB connector or other proprietary communication connection. It can alternatively be a physical direct connection between the device601and the protective case603that uses conductive pads, pogo pins, springs or similar elements. Any suitable interface can be used for this communication connection, including standardized interfaces such as I2C, Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), and the like.

As mentioned above, the protective case603includes a touch system615. The touch system615contains a touch sensor at a position on the casing603that is suitable for being reached by a finger of the user when the user is holding the device in their hand, facing the display619. The touch sensor is controlled by a touch integrated circuit (IC) that receives the signal from the touch sensor and forwards it to the device601.

The communication from the protective case603to the device601is used to forward the touch sensor information from the protective case603to the device601, and can be handled directly from the IC associated with the touch pad on the protective case603(e.g., using SPI, I2C or other supported interfaces in the touch IC) or alternatively by a separate IC that transfers the data from the touch IC using any suitable interface as is known by those of ordinary skill in the art.

The device601also includes an application617that handles input tactile data provided by the touch system615in the way described earlier with respect to the mapped touch area109and adjustment touch area111. The application617receives the touch input from the touch system615in the protective case603and forwards this input data to the device system to work in the same way as in the embodiments described above (i.e., those that do not involve a protective case603).

The protective case603requires a source of power in order to enable it to function. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG.6, power is transferred from the device601to the protective case603. The power transfer is, in some embodiments, via the communication interface609(e.g., when a USB cable or similar technology is utilized). Alternatively, NFC can be used for both power transfer and communication. In yet another alternative, if the protective case603has stand-alone power management, there is no need for power transfer from the smartphone.

In those embodiments in which the device601supplies power to the protective case603, the device601includes a power transfer circuit611to manage the device's transfer of power, and the protective case603includes a power management circuit613to manage its storage and utilization of power. It will be noted that even when the device601is the source of power to the protective case603, it is advantageous for the protective case603to nonetheless include some type of power storage mechanism (e.g., capacitor were small battery) in order to be able to flatten out any current spikes in the system.

In another class of alternative embodiments, the protective case603does not received power from the device601at all, but instead includes a battery that is preferably chargeable. In such embodiments, the protective case603should also include a mechanism for charging the included battery. Charging can be performed wirelessly using similar technology is that which is commonly used to charge smart phones and the like. Advantageously, wireless charging is applied to the device601and the protective case603simultaneously.

Aspects of an exemplary controller701that may be included in the device101,601to cause any and/or all of the above-described actions to be performed as discussed in the various embodiments are shown inFIG.7, which illustrates an exemplary controller701of a device101,601in accordance with some but not necessarily all exemplary embodiments consistent with the invention. In particular, the controller701includes circuitry configured to carry out any one or any combination of the various functions described above. Such circuitry could, for example, be entirely hard-wired circuitry (e.g., one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits—“ASICs”). Depicted in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG.7, however, is programmable circuitry, comprising a processor703coupled to one or more memory devices705(e.g., Random Access Memory, Magnetic Disc Drives, Optical Disk Drives, Read Only Memory, etc.) and to an interface707that enables bidirectional communication with other elements of the device101,601. The memory device(s)705store program means709(e.g., a set of processor instructions) configured to cause the processor703to control other system elements so as to carry out any of the aspects described above. The memory device(s)705may also store data (not shown) representing various constant and variable parameters as may be needed by the processor703and/or as may be generated when carrying out its functions such as those specified by the program means709.

It will be understood that various embodiments consistent with the invention include a combination of a mechanism to indicate an area on a display of the device and another mechanism that enables touch-control on another side of the device (e.g., on the back of the device) with these mechanisms being reachable by a finger of a user as that same hand is holding the device in order to enable a one-handed operation of, for example, a large smartphone with one hand without losing grip of the phone.

Some noteworthy aspects of the disclosed technology include:The addition of an adjustment area on a touch panel positioned on, for example, the backside of a device.The use of the adjustment area to orient a mapping between touch points of the backside touch panel and a sub-portion of a main display (e.g., on the front of the device). In some embodiments, this mapping can be considered to be between touch points of the backside touch panel and a sub-portion of an input touchpad on another side of the device (e.g., coincident with the output display of the device).An adjustable speed of movement of the mapped touch panel's active area within the main output display, with the speed being dependent on position of the touch in the perimeter area.Incorporating a backside touch input area with a protective casing of the device, and controlling the backside touch input area of the protective case in the manner described herein.

It will be appreciated that the herein-described technology provides a number of advantages over conventional technology. For example, it enables one-handed operation of a large smartphone while being held by the same hand of the user. In practice, such operation is typically not possible with conventional technology unless the user has very large hands, and even then an awkward operation and substantial risk of dropping the device are inherent.

The disclosed technology enables a device to have a touch area on the backside of the device having a good resolution with respect to a sub-portion of the full screen on the front of the device with touch input mapping being on a 1:1 basis and with the ability to move the mapped area around on the main screen in an easily understood way. The mapping can be zoomed in or zoomed out as well.

The invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that it is possible to embody the invention in specific forms other than those of the embodiment described above.

For example, the technology can also be relevant and therefore applied to other types of devices having a display, that the user wants to use with the same hand that holds the device. Such devices include, without limitation, tablet devices and cameras.

It is also noted that the exemplary embodiments involved front and back sides of devices. However, the illustrated first and second sides103,105, are not limited to being the front and back sides of the device. They can instead be any 2 different sides of the device. Further, the device itself can be in more than one part, such as a hinged device (e.g., flip phone). In such cases, it is possible (although not required) that the device comprises a first device part and a second device part connected to the first device part by a hinge. In such cases, the display can be disposed on a side of the first device part; and the touch-sensitive input device is disposed on a side of the second device part.

Thus, the described embodiments are merely illustrative and should not be considered restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention is further illustrated by the appended claims, rather than only by the preceding description, and all variations and equivalents which fall within the range of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.