PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9513799-B2
Application Number: US-201113217654-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for providing control of a touch-based user interface absent physical touch capabilities

Abstract:
An electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface displays, on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch. The device receives a first input from an adaptive input device. In response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, the device displays a first menu on the display. The first menu includes a virtual touches selection icon. In response to detecting selection of the virtual touches selection icon, a menu of virtual multitouch contacts is displayed.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device, comprising:
 a display; 
 a touch-sensitive surface; 
 one or more processors; 
 memory; and 
 one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:
 displaying, on the display, a user interface; 
 while displaying the user interface, receiving a request to display options for interacting with the user interface using virtual multitouch contacts; 
 in response to receiving the request to display the options for interacting with the user interface using virtual multitouch contacts, displaying, on the display a menu of a plurality of virtual multitouch contacts; 
 after displaying the menu of the plurality of virtual multitouch contacts on the display, receiving a sequence of one or more inputs that includes selection of a respective virtual multitouch contact of the plurality of virtual multitouch contacts; and, 
 in response to receiving the sequence of one or more inputs, performing an operation in the user interface that corresponds to the respective virtual multitouch contact. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:
 in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual multitouch contact of the plurality of virtual multitouch contacts, displaying one or more visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contact. 
 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:
 in response to receiving the sequence of one or more inputs:
 moving the one or more visual indicators. 
 
 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:
 displaying a virtual gestures icon; 
 detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon; 
 in response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, displaying a menu of virtual gestures, the menu of virtual gestures including a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures; 
 detecting selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures; and, 
 in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, performing an action that corresponds to the respective virtual gesture. 
 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:
 displaying a virtual gestures icon; 
 detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon; 
 in response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, displaying a menu of virtual gestures, the menu of virtual gestures including a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures; 
 detecting selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures; 
 in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, displaying a number of visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual gesture icon; 
 receiving a second input from the adaptive input device; and, 
 in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, performing an operation in accordance with the respective virtual gesture. 
 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:
 displaying a pinch/depinch gesture icon; 
 detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon; 
 in response to detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon, displaying two visual indicators that correspond to contacts in the virtual pinch/depinch gesture; 
 receiving a second input from the adaptive input device; and, 
 in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, performing an operation in accordance with the virtual pinch/depinch gesture. 
 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:
 displaying a virtual device icon; 
 detecting selection of the virtual device icon; 
 in response to detecting selection of the virtual device icon, displaying a menu of virtual device operations, the menu of virtual device operations including a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device operations; 
 detecting selection of a respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations; and, 
 in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations, performing an action that corresponds to the respective virtual device operation. 
 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more programs include instructions for:
 displaying a virtual device rotation icon; 
 detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon; 
 in response to detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon, displaying a menu of virtual device orientations, the menu of virtual device orientations including a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device orientations; 
 detecting selection of a respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations; and, 
 in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations, orienting the display in accordance with the respective virtual device orientation. 
 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device includes a home button, and the one or more programs include instructions for:
 displaying a home button icon; 
 detecting selection of the home button icon; and, 
 in response to detecting selection of the home button icon, performing an action that corresponds to activation of the home button. 
 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the operation does not correspond to a multitouch contact actually detected on the touch-sensitive surface. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sequence of one or more inputs does not include a corresponding multitouch contact actually detected on the touch-sensitive surface. 
     
     
       12. A method, comprising:
 at an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface:
 displaying, on the display, a user interface; 
 while displaying the user interface, receiving a request to display options for interacting with the user interface using virtual multitouch contacts; 
 in response to receiving the request to display the options for interacting with the user interface using virtual multitouch contacts, 
 
 displaying, on the display a menu of a plurality of virtual multitouch contacts;
 after displaying the menu of the plurality of virtual multitouch contacts on the display, receiving a sequence of one or more inputs that includes selection of a respective virtual multitouch contact of the plurality of virtual multitouch contacts; and, 
 in response to receiving the sequence of one or more inputs, performing an operation in the user interface that corresponds to the respective virtual multitouch contact. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , including:
 in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual multitouch contact of the plurality of virtual multitouch contacts, displaying one or more visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contact. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , including:
 in response to receiving the sequence of one or more inputs:
 moving the one or more visual indicators. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 12 , including:
 displaying a virtual gestures icon; 
 detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon; 
 in response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, displaying a menu of virtual gestures, the menu of virtual gestures including a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures; 
 detecting selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures; and, 
 in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, performing an action that corresponds to the respective virtual gesture. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 12 , including:
 detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon; 
 in response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, displaying a menu of virtual gestures, the menu of virtual gestures including a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures; 
 detecting selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures; 
 in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, displaying a number of visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual gesture icon; 
 receiving a second input from the adaptive input device; and, 
 in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, performing an operation in accordance with the respective virtual gesture. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 12 , including:
 displaying a pinch/depinch gesture icon; 
 detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon; 
 in response to detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon, displaying two visual indicators that correspond to contacts in the virtual pinch/depinch gesture; 
 receiving a second input from the adaptive input device; and, 
 in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, performing an operation in accordance with the virtual pinch/depinch gesture. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 12 , including:
 displaying a virtual device icon; 
 detecting selection of the virtual device icon; 
 in response to detecting selection of the virtual device icon, displaying a menu of virtual device operations, the menu of virtual device operations including a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device operations; 
 detecting selection of a respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations; and, 
 in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations, performing an action that corresponds to the respective virtual device operation. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 12 , including:
 displaying a virtual device rotation icon; 
 detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon; 
 in response to detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon, displaying a menu of virtual device orientations, the menu of virtual device orientations including a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device orientations; 
 detecting selection of a respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations; and, 
 in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations, orienting the display in accordance with the respective virtual device orientation. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the device includes a home button, the method including:
 displaying a home button icon; 
 detecting selection of the home button icon; and, 
 in response to detecting selection of the home button icon, performing an action that corresponds to activation of the home button. 
 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the operation does not correspond to a multitouch contact actually detected on the touch-sensitive surface. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the sequence of one or more inputs does not include a corresponding multitouch contact actually detected on the touch-sensitive surface. 
     
     
       23. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to:
 display, on the display, a user interface; 
 while displaying the user interface, receive a request to display options for interacting with the user interface using virtual multitouch contacts; 
 in response to receiving the request to display the options for interacting with the user interface using virtual multitouch contacts, display, on the display, a menu of a plurality of virtual multitouch contacts; 
 after displaying the menu of the plurality of virtual multitouch contacts on the display, receive a sequence of one or more inputs that includes selection of a respective virtual multitouch contact of the plurality of virtual multitouch contacts; and, 
 in response to receiving the sequence of one or more inputs, perform an operation in the user interface that corresponds to the respective virtual multitouch contact. 
 
     
     
       24. The computer readable storage medium of  claim 23 , including instructions, which when executed by the electronic device with the display and the touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to:
 in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual multitouch contact of the plurality of virtual multitouch contacts, display one or more visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contact. 
 
     
     
       25. The computer readable storage medium of  claim 24 , including instructions, which when executed by the electronic device with the display and the touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to:
 in response to receiving the sequence of one or more inputs:
 move the one or more visual indicators. 
 
 
     
     
       26. The computer readable storage medium of  claim 23 , including instructions, which when executed by the electronic device with the display and the touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to for:
 display a virtual gestures icon; 
 detect selection of the virtual gestures icon; 
 in response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, display a menu of virtual gestures, the menu of virtual gestures including a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures; 
 detect selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures; and, 
 in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, perform an action that corresponds to the respective virtual gesture. 
 
     
     
       27. The computer readable storage medium of  claim 23 , including instructions, which when executed by the electronic device with the display and the touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to:
 display a virtual gestures icon; 
 detect selection of the virtual gestures icon; 
 in response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, display a menu of virtual gestures, the menu of virtual gestures including a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures; 
 detect selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures; 
 in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, display a number of visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual gesture icon; 
 receive a second input from the adaptive input device; and, 
 in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, perform an operation in accordance with the respective virtual gesture. 
 
     
     
       28. The computer readable storage medium of  claim 23 , including instructions, which when executed by the electronic device with the display and the touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to:
 display a pinch/depinch gesture icon; 
 detect selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon; 
 in response to detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon, display two visual indicators that correspond to contacts in the virtual pinch/depinch gesture; 
 receive a second input from the adaptive input device; and, 
 in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, perform an operation in accordance with the virtual pinch/depinch gesture. 
 
     
     
       29. The computer readable storage medium of  claim 23 , including instructions, which when executed by the electronic device with the display and the touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to:
 display a virtual device icon; 
 detect selection of the virtual device icon; 
 in response to detecting selection of the virtual device icon, display a menu of virtual device operations, the menu of virtual device operations including a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device operations; 
 detect selection of a respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations; and, 
 in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations, perform an action that corresponds to the respective virtual device operation. 
 
     
     
       30. The computer readable storage medium of  claim 23 , including instructions, which when executed by the electronic device with the display and the touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to:
 display a virtual device rotation icon; 
 detect selection of the virtual device rotation icon; 
 in response to detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon, display a menu of virtual device orientations, the menu of virtual device orientations including a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device orientations; 
 detect selection of a respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations; and, 
 in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations, orient the display in accordance with the respective virtual device orientation. 
 
     
     
       31. The computer readable storage medium of  claim 23 , including instructions, which when executed by the electronic device with the display and the touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to:
 display a home button icon; 
 detect selection of the home button icon; and, 
 in response to detecting selection of the home button icon, perform an action that corresponds to activation of the home button. 
 
     
     
       32. The computer readable storage medium of  claim 23 , wherein the operation does not correspond to a multitouch contact actually detected on the touch-sensitive surface. 
     
     
       33. The computer readable storage medium of  claim 23 , wherein the sequence of one or more inputs does not include a corresponding multitouch contact actually detected on the touch-sensitive surface.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/493,495, filed Jun. 5, 2011, entitled “Devices, Methods, and Graphical User Interfaces for Providing Control of a Touch-Based User Interface Absent Physical Touch Capabilities,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This relates generally to electronic devices with touch-sensitive surfaces, including but not limited to electronic devices with touch-sensitive surfaces that have touch-based user interfaces. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The use of electronic devices with touch-based user interfaces (e.g., devices such as the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.) has increased significantly in recent years. These devices use touch-sensitive surfaces, such as a touch screen display or a touch pad, as the main input for manipulating user interface objects on a display and/or controlling the device. 
     But people without fine motor skills in their hands, such as quadriplegics and those with severe cerebral palsy, find the use of devices with touch-based user interfaces difficult, if not impossible. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, there is a need to provide accessibility to devices with touch-based user interfaces to users without fine motor skills in their hands. In other words, there is a need to enable users who cannot effectively operate touch-sensitive surfaces to nevertheless operate electronic devices with touch-based user interfaces. 
     The above deficiencies and other problems associated with user interfaces for electronic devices with touch-sensitive surfaces are reduced or eliminated by the disclosed devices. In some embodiments, the device is a desktop computer. In some embodiments, the device is portable (e.g., a notebook computer, tablet computer, or handheld device). In some embodiments, the device has a touchpad. In some embodiments, the device has a touch-sensitive display (also known as a “touch screen” or “touch screen display”). In some embodiments, the device has a graphical user interface (GUI), one or more processors, memory and one or more modules, programs or sets of instructions stored in the memory for performing multiple functions. In some embodiments, the user interacts with the GUI primarily through finger contacts and gestures on the touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the functions may include image editing, drawing, presenting, word processing, website creating, disk authoring, spreadsheet making, game playing, telephoning, video conferencing, e-mailing, instant messaging, workout support, digital photographing, digital videoing, web browsing, digital music playing, and/or digital video playing. Executable instructions for performing these functions may be included in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium or other computer program product configured for execution by one or more processors. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. The method includes: displaying, on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; receiving a first input from an adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, displaying a first menu on the display. The first menu includes a virtual touches selection icon. In response to detecting selection of the virtual touches selection icon, a menu of virtual multitouch contacts is displayed. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display, a touch-sensitive surface, one or more processors, memory, and one or more programs. The one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors. The one or more programs include instructions for: displaying, on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; receiving a first input from an adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, displaying a first menu on the display. The first menu includes a virtual touches selection icon. The one or more programs include instructions for, in response to detecting selection of the virtual touches selection icon, displaying a menu of virtual multitouch contacts. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storage medium has stored therein instructions, which, when executed by an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to: display, on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; receive a first input from an adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, display a first menu on the display. The first menu includes a virtual touches selection icon. The instructions also cause the device to, in response to detecting selection of the virtual touches selection icon, display a menu of virtual multitouch contacts. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface on an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, a memory, and one or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in the memory includes a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch. In response to receiving a first input from an adaptive input device, a first menu is displayed on the display. The first menu includes a virtual touches selection icon. In response to detecting selection of the virtual touches selection icon, a menu of virtual multitouch contacts is displayed. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes: a display; a touch-sensitive surface; means for displaying, on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; means for receiving a first input from an adaptive input device; and means, enabled in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, for displaying a first menu on the display. The first menu includes a virtual touches selection icon. The electronic device also includes means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the virtual touches selection icon, for displaying a menu of virtual multitouch contacts. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an information processing apparatus for use in an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface includes: means for displaying, on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; means for receiving a first input from an adaptive input device; and means, enabled in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, for displaying a first menu on the display. The first menu includes a virtual touches selection icon. The information processing apparatus includes means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the virtual touches selection icon, for a menu of virtual multitouch contacts is displayed. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. The method includes: displaying, on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; receiving a first input from an adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, displaying a menu of virtual multitouch contacts. The menu of virtual multitouch contacts includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual multitouch contacts. The method also includes: detecting selection of a respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts; and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts, displaying one or more second visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display, a touch-sensitive surface, one or more processors, memory, and one or more programs. The one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors. The one or more programs include instructions for: displaying, on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; receiving a first input from an adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, displaying a menu of virtual multitouch contacts. The menu of virtual multitouch contacts includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual multitouch contacts. The one or more programs also include instructions for: detecting selection of a respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts; and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts, displaying one or more second visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storage medium has stored therein instructions, which, when executed by an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to: display, on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; receive a first input from an adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, display a menu of virtual multitouch contacts. The menu of virtual multitouch contacts includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual multitouch contacts. The instructions also cause the device to: detect selection of a respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts; and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts, display one or more second visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface on an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, a memory, and one or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in the memory includes a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch. In response to receiving a first input from an adaptive input device, a menu of virtual multitouch contacts is displayed. The menu of virtual multitouch contacts includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual multitouch contacts. In response to detecting selection of a respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts, one or more second visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon are displayed. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes: a display; a touch-sensitive surface; means for displaying, on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; means for receiving a first input from an adaptive input device; and means, enabled in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, for displaying a menu of virtual multitouch contacts. The menu of virtual multitouch contacts includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual multitouch contacts. The electronic device also includes: means for detecting selection of a respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts; and means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts, for displaying one or more second visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an information processing apparatus for use in an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface includes: means for displaying, on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; means for receiving a first input from an adaptive input device; and means, enabled in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, for displaying a menu of virtual multitouch contacts. The menu of virtual multitouch contacts includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual multitouch contacts. The information processing apparatus also includes: means for detecting selection of a respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts; and means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts, for displaying one or more second visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. The method includes: displaying, on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; receiving a first input from an adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, displaying a menu of virtual gestures. The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. The method includes: detecting selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures; and in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, displaying a number of visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual gesture icon. The method includes: receiving a second input from the adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, performing an operation in accordance with the respective virtual gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display, a touch-sensitive surface, one or more processors, memory, and one or more programs. The one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors. The one or more programs include instructions for: displaying, on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; receiving a first input from an adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, displaying a menu of virtual gestures. The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. The one or more programs include instructions for: detecting selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures; and in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, displaying a number of visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual gesture icon. The one or more programs include instructions for: receiving a second input from the adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, performing an operation in accordance with the respective virtual gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storage medium has stored therein instructions, which, when executed by an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to: display, on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; receive a first input from an adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, display a menu of virtual gestures. The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. The instructions cause the device to: detect selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures; and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, display a number of visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual gesture icon. The instructions cause the device to: receive a second input from the adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, perform an operation in accordance with the respective virtual gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface on an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, a memory, and one or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in the memory includes a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch. In response to receiving a first input from an adaptive input device, a menu of virtual gestures is displayed. The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. In response to detecting selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, a number of visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual gesture icon is displayed. In response to receiving a second input from the adaptive input device, an operation is performed in accordance with the respective virtual gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes: a display; a touch-sensitive surface; means for displaying, on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; means for receiving a first input from an adaptive input device; and means, enabled in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, for displaying a menu of virtual gestures. The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. The electronic device includes: means for detecting selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures; and means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, for displaying a number of visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual gesture icon. The electronic device includes: means for receiving a second input from the adaptive input device; and means, enabled in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, for performing an operation in accordance with the respective virtual gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an information processing apparatus for use in an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface includes: means for displaying, on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; means for receiving a first input from an adaptive input device; and means, enabled in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, for displaying a menu of virtual gestures, the menu of virtual gestures including a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. The information processing apparatus includes: means for detecting selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures; and means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, for displaying a number of visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual gesture icon. The information processing apparatus includes: means for receiving a second input from the adaptive input device; and means, enabled in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, for performing an operation in accordance with the respective virtual gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. The method includes: displaying a pinch/depinch gesture icon; detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon, displaying two visual indicators that correspond to contacts in the virtual pinch/depinch gesture. The method also includes: receiving an input from an adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the input from the adaptive input device, performing a zooming operation in accordance with the respective virtual pinch/depinch gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display, a touch-sensitive surface, one or more processors, memory, and one or more programs. The one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors. The one or more programs include instructions for: displaying a pinch/depinch gesture icon; detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon, displaying two visual indicators that correspond to contacts in the virtual pinch/depinch gesture. The one or more programs include instructions for: receiving an input from an adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the input from the adaptive input device, performing a zooming operation in accordance with the respective virtual pinch/depinch gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storage medium has stored therein instructions, which, when executed by an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to: display a pinch/depinch gesture icon; detect selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon, display two visual indicators that correspond to contacts in the virtual pinch/depinch gesture. The instructions also cause the device to: receive an input from an adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the input from the adaptive input device, perform a zooming operation in accordance with the respective virtual pinch/depinch gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface on an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, a memory, and one or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in the memory includes a pinch/depinch gesture icon. In response to detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon, two visual indicators that correspond to contacts in the virtual pinch/depinch gesture are displayed. In response to receiving an input from an adaptive input device, a zooming operation is performed in accordance with the respective virtual pinch/depinch gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes: a display; a touch-sensitive surface; means for displaying a pinch/depinch gesture icon; means for detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon; and means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon, for displaying two visual indicators that correspond to contacts in the virtual pinch/depinch gesture. The electronic device includes: means for receiving an input from an adaptive input device; and means, enabled in response to receiving the input from the adaptive input device, for performing a zooming operation in accordance with the respective virtual pinch/depinch gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an information processing apparatus for use in an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface includes: means for displaying a pinch/depinch gesture icon; means for detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon; and means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon, for displaying two visual indicators that correspond to contacts in the virtual pinch/depinch gesture. The information processing apparatus also includes: means for receiving an input from an adaptive input device; and means, enabled in response to receiving the input from the adaptive input device, for performing a zooming operation in accordance with the respective virtual pinch/depinch gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. The method includes: displaying a virtual gestures icon; detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, displaying a menu of virtual gestures. The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. The method also includes: detecting selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures; and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, performing an action that corresponds to the respective virtual gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display, a touch-sensitive surface, one or more processors, memory, and one or more programs. The one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors. The one or more programs include instructions for: displaying a virtual gestures icon; detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, displaying a menu of virtual gestures. The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. The one or more programs also include instructions for: detecting selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures; and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, performing an action that corresponds to the respective virtual gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storage medium has stored therein instructions, which, when executed by an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to: display a virtual gestures icon; detect selection of the virtual gestures icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, display a menu of virtual gestures. The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. The instructions also cause the device to: detect selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures; and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, perform an action that corresponds to the respective virtual gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface on an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, a memory, and one or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in the memory includes a virtual gestures icon. In response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, a menu of virtual gestures is displayed. The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. In response to detecting selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, an action that corresponds to the respective virtual gesture is performed. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes: a display; a touch-sensitive surface; means for displaying a virtual gestures icon; means for detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon; and means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, for displaying a menu of virtual gestures. The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. The electronic device includes: means for detecting selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures; and means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, for performing an action that corresponds to the respective virtual gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an information processing apparatus for use in an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface includes: means for displaying a virtual gestures icon; means for detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon; and means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, for displaying a menu of virtual gestures. The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. The information processing apparatus includes: means for detecting selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures; and means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, for performing an action that corresponds to the respective virtual gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. The method includes: displaying a virtual device icon; detecting selection of the virtual device icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual device icon, displaying a menu of virtual device operations. The menu of virtual device operations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device operations. The method also includes: detecting selection of a respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations; and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations, performing an action that corresponds to the respective virtual device operation. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display, a touch-sensitive surface, one or more processors, memory, and one or more programs. The one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors. The one or more programs include instructions for: displaying a virtual device icon; detecting selection of the virtual device icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual device icon, displaying a menu of virtual device operations. The menu of virtual device operations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device operations. The one or more programs also include instructions for: detecting selection of a respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations; and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations, performing an action that corresponds to the respective virtual device operation. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storage medium has stored therein instructions, which, when executed by an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to: display a virtual device icon; detect selection of the virtual device icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual device icon, display a menu of virtual device operations. The menu of virtual device operations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device operations. The instructions also cause the device to: detect selection of a respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations; and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations, perform an action that corresponds to the respective virtual device operation. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface on an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, a memory, and one or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in the memory includes a virtual device icon. In response to detecting selection of the virtual device icon, a menu of virtual device operations is displayed. The menu of virtual device operations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device operations. In response to detecting selection of a respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations, an action that corresponds to the respective virtual device operation is performed. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes: a display; a touch-sensitive surface; means for displaying a virtual device icon; means for detecting selection of the virtual device icon; and means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the virtual device icon, for displaying a menu of virtual device operations. The menu of virtual device operations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device operations. The electronic device also includes: means for detecting selection of a respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations; and means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations, for performing an action that corresponds to the respective virtual device operation. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an information processing apparatus for use in an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface includes: means for displaying a virtual device icon; means for detecting selection of the virtual device icon; means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the virtual device icon, for displaying a menu of virtual device operations. The menu of virtual device operations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device operations. The information processing apparatus also includes: means for detecting selection of a respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations; and means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations, for performing an action that corresponds to the respective virtual device operation. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. The method includes: displaying a virtual device rotation icon, detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon, and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon, displaying a menu of virtual device orientations. The menu of virtual device orientations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device orientations. The method also includes: detecting selection of a respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations, and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations, orienting the display in accordance with the respective virtual device orientation. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display, a touch-sensitive surface, one or more processors, memory, and one or more programs. The one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors. The one or more programs include instructions for: displaying a virtual device rotation icon; detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon, displaying a menu of virtual device orientations. The menu of virtual device orientations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device orientations. The one or more programs include instructions for: detecting selection of a respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations; and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations, orienting the display in accordance with the respective virtual device orientation. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storage medium has stored therein instructions, which, when executed by an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to: display a virtual device rotation icon; detect selection of the virtual device rotation icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon, display a menu of virtual device orientations. The menu of virtual device orientations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device orientations. The instructions also cause the device to: detect selection of a respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations; and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations, orient the display in accordance with the respective virtual device orientation. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface on an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, a memory, and one or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in the memory includes a virtual device rotation icon. In response to detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon, a menu of virtual device orientations is displayed. The menu of virtual device orientations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device orientations. In response to detecting selection of a respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations, the display is oriented in accordance with the respective virtual device orientation. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes: a display; a touch-sensitive surface; means for displaying a virtual device rotation icon; means for detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon; and means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon, for displaying a menu of virtual device orientations. The menu of virtual device orientations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device orientations. The electronic device also includes: means for detecting selection of a respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations; and means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations, for orienting the display in accordance with the respective virtual device orientation. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an information processing apparatus for use in an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface includes: means for displaying a virtual device rotation icon; means for detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon; and means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon, for displaying a menu of virtual device orientations. The menu of virtual device orientations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device orientations. The information processing apparatus also includes: means for detecting selection of a respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations; and means, enabled in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations, for orienting the display in accordance with the respective virtual device orientation. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. The method includes, while in a virtual-gesture recording mode, displaying a plurality of visual indicators on the display. The method includes, for each visual indicator in the plurality of visual indicators, receiving from an adaptive input device a respective user input for the respective visual indicator; moving the respective visual indicator in accordance with the respective user input; and concurrently displaying with the respective visual indicator a respective trail corresponding to movement of the respective visual indicator. The method also includes: creating a user-defined virtual gesture that corresponds to the plurality of visual indicators and the movements of the plurality of visual indicators; associating the user-defined virtual gesture with a predefined operation of the electronic device; and storing the user-defined virtual gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display, a touch-sensitive surface, one or more processors, memory, and one or more programs. The one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors. The one or more programs include instructions for, while in a virtual-gesture recording mode, displaying a plurality of visual indicators on the display. The one or more programs include instructions for, for each visual indicator in the plurality of visual indicators: receiving from an adaptive input device a respective user input for the respective visual indicator; moving the respective visual indicator in accordance with the respective user input; and concurrently displaying with the respective visual indicator a respective trail corresponding to movement of the respective visual indicator. The one or more programs also include instructions for: creating a user-defined virtual gesture that corresponds to the plurality of visual indicators and the movements of the plurality of visual indicators; associating the user-defined virtual gesture with a predefined operation of the electronic device; and storing the user-defined virtual gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storage medium has stored therein instructions, which, when executed by an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to, while in a virtual-gesture recording mode, display a plurality of visual indicators on the display. The instructions cause the device to, for each visual indicator in the plurality of visual indicators: receive from an adaptive input device a respective user input for the respective visual indicator; move the respective visual indicator in accordance with the respective user input; and concurrently display with the respective visual indicator a respective trail corresponding to movement of the respective visual indicator. The instructions also cause the device to: create a user-defined virtual gesture that corresponds to the plurality of visual indicators and the movements of the plurality of visual indicators; associate the user-defined virtual gesture with a predefined operation of the electronic device; and store the user-defined virtual gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface on an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, a memory, and one or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in the memory includes a plurality of visual indicators on the display while in a virtual-gesture recording mode. For each visual indicator in the plurality of visual indicators: a respective user input for the respective visual indicator is received from an adaptive input device; the respective visual indicator is moved in accordance with the respective user input; and a respective trail corresponding to movement of the respective visual indicator is concurrently displayed with the respective visual indicator. A user-defined virtual gesture that corresponds to the plurality of visual indicators and the movements of the plurality of visual indicators is created. The user-defined virtual gesture is associated with a predefined operation of the electronic device. The user-defined virtual gesture is stored. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes: a display; a touch-sensitive surface; means, enabled while in a virtual-gesture recording mode, for displaying a plurality of visual indicators on the display. The electronic device includes, for each visual indicator in the plurality of visual indicators: means for receiving from an adaptive input device a respective user input for the respective visual indicator; means for moving the respective visual indicator in accordance with the respective user input; and means for concurrently displaying with the respective visual indicator a respective trail corresponding to movement of the respective visual indicator. The electronic device also includes: means for creating a user-defined virtual gesture that corresponds to the plurality of visual indicators and the movements of the plurality of visual indicators; means for associating the user-defined virtual gesture with a predefined operation of the electronic device; and means for storing the user-defined virtual gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an information processing apparatus for use in an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface includes: means, enabled while in a virtual-gesture recording mode, for displaying a plurality of visual indicators on the display. The information processing apparatus includes, for each visual indicator in the plurality of visual indicators: means for receiving from an adaptive input device a respective user input for the respective visual indicator; means for moving the respective visual indicator in accordance with the respective user input; and means for concurrently displaying with the respective visual indicator a respective trail corresponding to movement of the respective visual indicator. The information processing apparatus also includes: means for creating a user-defined virtual gesture that corresponds to the plurality of visual indicators and the movements of the plurality of visual indicators; means for associating the user-defined virtual gesture with a predefined operation of the electronic device; and means for storing the user-defined virtual gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display unit configured to display a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; a touch-sensitive surface unit configured to receive finger contacts; and a processing unit coupled to the display unit and the touch-sensitive surface unit. The processing unit is configured to: receive a first input from an adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, enable display of a first menu on the display unit. The first menu includes a virtual touches selection icon. In response to detecting selection of the virtual touches selection icon, a menu of virtual multitouch contacts is displayed. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display unit configured to display a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; a touch-sensitive surface unit configured to receive finger contacts; and a processing unit coupled to the display unit and the touch-sensitive surface unit. The processing unit is configured to: receive a first input from an adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, enable display of a menu of virtual multitouch contacts. The menu of virtual multitouch contacts includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual multitouch contacts. The processing unit is configured to: detect selection of a respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts; and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts, enable display of one or more second visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display unit configured to display a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; a touch-sensitive surface unit configured to receive finger contacts; and a processing unit coupled to the display unit and the touch-sensitive surface unit. The processing unit is configured to: receive a first input from an adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, enable display of a menu of virtual gestures. The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. The processing unit is configured to: detect selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures; and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, enable display of a number of visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual gesture icon. The processing unit is configured to: receive a second input from the adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, perform an operation in accordance with the respective virtual gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display unit configured to display a pinch/depinch gesture icon; a touch-sensitive surface unit configured to receive finger contacts; and a processing unit coupled to the display unit and the touch-sensitive surface unit. The processing unit is configured to: detect selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon, enable display of two visual indicators that correspond to contacts in the virtual pinch/depinch gesture. The processing unit is configured to: receive an input from an adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the input from the adaptive input device, perform a zooming operation in accordance with the respective virtual pinch/depinch gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display unit configured to display a virtual gestures icon; a touch-sensitive surface unit configured to receive finger contacts; and a processing unit coupled to the display unit and the touch-sensitive surface unit. The processing unit is configured to: detect selection of the virtual gestures icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, enable display of a menu of virtual gestures. The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. The processing unit is configured to: detect selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures; and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, perform an action that corresponds to the respective virtual gesture. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display unit configured to display a virtual device icon; a touch-sensitive surface unit configured to receive finger contacts; and a processing unit coupled to the display unit and the touch-sensitive surface unit. The processing unit is configured to: detect selection of the virtual device icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual device icon, enable display of a menu of virtual device operations. The menu of virtual device operations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device operations. The processing unit is configured to: detect selection of a respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations; and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations, perform an action that corresponds to the respective virtual device operation. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display unit configured to display a virtual device rotation icon; a touch-sensitive surface unit configured to receive finger contacts; and a processing unit coupled to the display unit and the touch-sensitive surface unit. The processing unit is configured to: detect selection of the virtual device rotation icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon, enable display of a menu of virtual device orientations. The menu of virtual device orientations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device orientations. The processing unit is configured to: detect selection of a respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations; and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations, orient the display in accordance with the respective virtual device orientation. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes a display unit configured to display visual indicators; a touch-sensitive surface unit configured to receive finger contacts; and a processing unit coupled to the display unit and the touch-sensitive surface unit. The processing unit is configured to, while in a virtual-gesture recording mode, enable display of a plurality of visual indicators on the display unit. The processing unit is configured to, for each visual indicator in the plurality of visual indicators: receive from an adaptive input device a respective user input for the respective visual indicator; move the respective visual indicator in accordance with the respective user input; and enable concurrent display of the respective visual indicator and a respective trail corresponding to movement of the respective visual indicator. The processing unit is configured to: create a user-defined virtual gesture that corresponds to the plurality of visual indicators and the movements of the plurality of visual indicators; associate the user-defined virtual gesture with a predefined operation of the electronic device; and store the user-defined virtual gesture. 
     Thus, electronic devices with touch-based user interfaces are provided with methods and interfaces that make these devices accessible to users without fine motor skills in their hands. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the aforementioned embodiments of the invention as well as additional embodiments thereof, reference should be made to the Description of Embodiments below, in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the figures. 
         FIG. 1A  is a block diagram illustrating a portable multifunction device with a touch-sensitive display in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 1B  is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components for event handling in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a portable multifunction device having a touch screen in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an exemplary multifunction device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates an exemplary user interface for a menu of applications on a portable multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates an exemplary user interface for a multifunction device with a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from the display in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4C  illustrates an exemplary adaptive input device for a multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 5A-5AC  illustrate exemplary user interfaces for providing accessibility to a touch-based user interface in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 6A-6E  are flow diagrams illustrating a method of providing accessibility to a touch-based user interface in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a menu of virtual multitouch contacts icon in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a menu of virtual gestures in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 9  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of performing a virtual pinch gesture in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 10  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a menu of virtual gestures in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 11  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a menu of virtual device operations in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 12  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a menu of virtual device orientations in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 13  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of creating a user-defined virtual gesture in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 14  is a functional block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 15  is a functional block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 16  is a functional block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 17  is a functional block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 18  is a functional block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 19  is a functional block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Described below are devices and methods that enable users who cannot effectively operate touch-sensitive surfaces to nevertheless operate electronic devices with touch-based user interfaces. The methods described herein include:
         Using visual indicators that correspond to virtual touches to emulate actual touches;   Using a menu of virtual multitouch contacts in conjunction with input from an adaptive input device (e.g., a joystick) to select the type of multitouch contact being emulated;   Using a menu of virtual gestures in conjunction with input from an adaptive input device to select and emulate actual gestures on a touch-sensitive surface;   Using two visual indicators (which correspond to two virtual touches) in conjunction with input from an adaptive input device to emulate pinch/depinch gestures on a touch-sensitive surface;   Using a menu of virtual device operations in conjunction with input from an adaptive input device to select and emulate operations that are normally performed via activation of physical controls on the electronic device (e.g., mute switches, lock switches, volume buttons) or in response to activity detected by an accelerometer (e.g., device shaking or device rotation);   Using a menu of virtual device orientations in conjunction with input from an adaptive input device to control the display orientation; and   Using input from an adaptive input device to create user-defined, custom virtual gestures.       

     These methods make operations that are designed for users interacting with touch-sensitive surfaces (e.g., single touch and multitouch gestures) accessible to users who do not use touch-sensitive surfaces. 
     Below,  FIGS. 1A-1B, 2, and 3  provide a description of exemplary devices.  FIG. 4C  provides a description of an exemplary device coupled with an adaptive input device.  FIGS. 4A-4B and 5A-5AC  illustrate exemplary user interfaces for providing accessibility to a touch-based user interface.  FIGS. 6A-6E and 7-13  are flow diagrams illustrating methods of providing accessibility to a touch-based user interface. The user interfaces in  FIGS. 5A-5AC  are used to illustrate the processes in  FIGS. 6A-6E and 7-13 . 
     Exemplary Devices 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. 
     It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a first contact, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The first contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contact. 
     The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context. 
     Embodiments of electronic devices, user interfaces for such devices, and associated processes for using such devices are described. In some embodiments, the device is a portable communications device, such as a mobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such as PDA and/or music player functions. Exemplary embodiments of portable multifunction devices include, without limitation, the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Other portable electronic devices, such as laptops or tablet computers with touch-sensitive surfaces (e.g., touch screen displays and/or touch pads), may also be used. It should also be understood that, in some embodiments, the device is not a portable communications device, but is a desktop computer with a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touch screen display and/or a touch pad). 
     In the discussion that follows, an electronic device that includes a display and a touch-sensitive surface is described. It should be understood, however, that the electronic device may include or be connected to (e.g., by wired or wireless communication channel  484 ,  FIG. 4C ) one or more other physical user-interface devices, such as a physical keyboard, a mouse and/or a joystick. 
     The device typically supports a variety of applications, such as one or more of the following: a drawing application, a presentation application, a word processing application, a website creation application, a disk authoring application, a spreadsheet application, a gaming application, a telephone application, a video conferencing application, an e-mail application, an instant messaging application, a workout support application, a photo management application, a digital camera application, a digital video camera application, a web browsing application, a digital music player application, and/or a digital video player application. 
     The various applications that may be executed on the device may use at least one common physical user-interface device, such as the touch-sensitive surface. One or more functions of the touch-sensitive surface as well as corresponding information displayed on the device may be adjusted and/or varied from one application to the next and/or within a respective application. In this way, a common physical architecture (such as the touch-sensitive surface) of the device may support the variety of applications with user interfaces that are intuitive and transparent to the user. 
     Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable devices with touch-sensitive displays.  FIG. 1A  is a block diagram illustrating portable multifunction device  100  with touch-sensitive displays  112  in accordance with some embodiments. Touch-sensitive display  112  is sometimes called a “touch screen” for convenience, and may also be known as or called a touch-sensitive display system. Device  100  may include memory  102  (which may include one or more non-transitory computer readable storage mediums), memory controller  122 , one or more processing units (CPU&#39;s)  120 , peripherals interface  118 , RF circuitry  108 , audio circuitry  110 , speaker  111 , microphone  113 , input/output (I/O) subsystem  106 , other input or control devices  116 , and external port  124 . Device  100  may include one or more optical sensors  164 . These components may communicate over one or more communication buses or signal lines  103 . 
     It should be appreciated that device  100  is only one example of a portable multifunction device, and that device  100  may have more or fewer components than shown, may combine two or more components, or may have a different configuration or arrangement of the components. The various components shown in  FIG. 1A  may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both hardware and software, including one or more signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits. 
     Memory  102  may include high-speed random access memory and may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memory devices. Access to memory  102  by other components of device  100 , such as CPU  120  and the peripherals interface  118 , may be controlled by memory controller  122 . 
     Peripherals interface  118  can be used to couple input and output peripherals of the device to CPU  120  and memory  102 . The one or more processors  120  run or execute various software programs and/or sets of instructions stored in memory  102  to perform various functions for device  100  and to process data. 
     In some embodiments, peripherals interface  118 , CPU  120 , and memory controller  122  may be implemented on a single chip, such as chip  104 . In some other embodiments, they may be implemented on separate chips. 
     RF (radio frequency) circuitry  108  receives and sends RF signals, also called electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry  108  converts electrical signals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates with communications networks and other communications devices via the electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry  108  may include well-known circuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited to an antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. RF circuitry  108  may communicate with networks, such as the Internet, also referred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranet and/or a wireless network, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local area network (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), and other devices by wireless communication. The wireless communication may use any of a plurality of communications standards, protocols and technologies, including but not limited to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA), wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/or IEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocol for e-mail (e.g., Internet message access protocol (IMAP) and/or post office protocol (POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensible messaging and presence protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol for Instant Messaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messaging and Presence Service (IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS), or any other suitable communication protocol, including communication protocols not yet developed as of the filing date of this document. 
     Audio circuitry  110 , speaker  111 , and microphone  113  provide an audio interface between a user and device  100 . Audio circuitry  110  receives audio data from peripherals interface  118 , converts the audio data to an electrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to speaker  111 . Speaker  111  converts the electrical signal to human-audible sound waves. Audio circuitry  110  also receives electrical signals converted by microphone  113  from sound waves. Audio circuitry  110  converts the electrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data to peripherals interface  118  for processing. Audio data may be retrieved from and/or transmitted to memory  102  and/or RF circuitry  108  by peripherals interface  118 . In some embodiments, audio circuitry  110  also includes a headset jack (e.g.,  212 ,  FIG. 2 ). The headset jack provides an interface between audio circuitry  110  and removable audio input/output peripherals, such as output-only headphones or a headset with both output (e.g., a headphone for one or both ears) and input (e.g., a microphone). 
     I/O subsystem  106  couples input/output peripherals on device  100 , such as touch screen  112  and other input control devices  116 , to peripherals interface  118 . I/O subsystem  106  may include display controller  156  and one or more input controllers  160  for other input or control devices. The one or more input controllers  160  receive/send electrical signals from/to other input or control devices  116 . The other input control devices  116  may include physical buttons (e.g., push buttons, rocker buttons, etc.), dials, slider switches, joysticks, click wheels, and so forth. In some alternate embodiments, input controller(s)  160  may be coupled to any (or none) of the following: a keyboard, infrared port, USB port, and a pointer device such as a mouse. The one or more buttons (e.g.,  208 ,  FIG. 2 ) may include an up/down button for volume control of speaker  111  and/or microphone  113 . The one or more buttons may include a push button (e.g.,  206 ,  FIG. 2 ). 
     Touch-sensitive display  112  provides an input interface and an output interface between the device and a user. Display controller  156  receives and/or sends electrical signals from/to touch screen  112 . Touch screen  112  displays visual output to the user. The visual output may include graphics, text, icons, video, and any combination thereof (collectively termed “graphics”). In some embodiments, some or all of the visual output may correspond to user-interface objects. 
     Touch screen  112  has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set of sensors that accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactile contact. Touch screen  112  and display controller  156  (along with any associated modules and/or sets of instructions in memory  102 ) detect contact (and any movement or breaking of the contact) on touch screen  112  and converts the detected contact into interaction with user-interface objects (e.g., one or more soft keys, icons, web pages or images) that are displayed on touch screen  112 . In an exemplary embodiment, a point of contact between touch screen  112  and the user corresponds to a finger of the user. 
     Touch screen  112  may use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, LPD (light emitting polymer display) technology, or LED (light emitting diode) technology, although other display technologies may be used in other embodiments. Touch screen  112  and display controller  156  may detect contact and any movement or breaking thereof using any of a plurality of touch sensing technologies now known or later developed, including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensor arrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contact with touch screen  112 . In an exemplary embodiment, projected mutual capacitance sensing technology is used, such as that found in the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. 
     Touch screen  112  may have a video resolution in excess of 100 dpi. In some embodiments, the touch screen has a video resolution of approximately 160 dpi. The user may make contact with touch screen  112  using any suitable object or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger, and so forth. In some embodiments, the user interface is designed to work primarily with finger-based contacts and gestures, which can be less precise than stylus-based input due to the larger area of contact of a finger on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the device translates the rough finger-based input into a precise pointer/cursor position or command for performing the actions desired by the user. 
     In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device  100  may include a touchpad (not shown) for activating or deactivating particular functions. In some embodiments, the touchpad is a touch-sensitive area of the device that, unlike the touch screen, does not display visual output. The touchpad may be a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from touch screen  112  or an extension of the touch-sensitive surface formed by the touch screen. 
     Device  100  also includes power system  162  for powering the various components. Power system  162  may include a power management system, one or more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current (AC)), a recharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converter or inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED)) and any other components associated with the generation, management and distribution of power in portable devices. 
     Device  100  may also include one or more optical sensors  164 .  FIG. 1A  shows an optical sensor coupled to optical sensor controller  158  in I/O subsystem  106 . Optical sensor  164  may include charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) phototransistors. Optical sensor  164  receives light from the environment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the light to data representing an image. In conjunction with imaging module  143  (also called a camera module), optical sensor  164  may capture still images or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is located on the back of device  100 , opposite touch screen display  112  on the front of the device, so that the touch screen display may be used as a viewfinder for still and/or video image acquisition. In some embodiments, another optical sensor is located on the front of the device so that the user&#39;s image may be obtained for videoconferencing while the user views the other video conference participants on the touch screen display. 
     Device  100  may also include one or more proximity sensors  166 .  FIG. 1A  shows proximity sensor  166  coupled to peripherals interface  118 . Alternately, proximity sensor  166  may be coupled to input controller  160  in I/O subsystem  106 . In some embodiments, the proximity sensor turns off and disables touch screen  112  when the multifunction device is placed near the user&#39;s ear (e.g., when the user is making a phone call). 
     Device  100  may also include one or more accelerometers  168 .  FIG. 1A  shows accelerometer  168  coupled to peripherals interface  118 . Alternately, accelerometer  168  may be coupled to an input controller  160  in I/O subsystem  106 . In some embodiments, information is displayed on the touch screen display in a portrait view or a landscape view based on an analysis of data received from the one or more accelerometers. Device  100  optionally includes, in addition to accelerometer(s)  168 , a magnetometer (not shown) and a GPS (or GLONASS or other global navigation system) receiver (not shown) for obtaining information concerning the location and orientation (e.g., portrait or landscape) of device  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory  102  include operating system  126 , communication module (or set of instructions)  128 , contact/motion module (or set of instructions)  130 , graphics module (or set of instructions)  132 , text input module (or set of instructions)  134 , Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set of instructions)  135 , and applications (or sets of instructions)  136 . Furthermore, in some embodiments memory  102  stores device/global internal state  157 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 3 . Device/global internal state  157  includes one or more of: active application state, indicating which applications, if any, are currently active; display state, indicating what applications, views or other information occupy various regions of touch screen display  112 ; sensor state, including information obtained from the device&#39;s various sensors and input control devices  116 ; and location information concerning the device&#39;s location and/or attitude. 
     Operating system  126  (e.g., Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks) includes various software components and/or drivers for controlling and managing general system tasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control, power management, etc.) and facilitates communication between various hardware and software components. 
     Communication module  128  facilitates communication with other devices (e.g., an adaptive input device  482 ,  FIG. 4C ) over one or more external ports  124  and also includes various software components for handling data received by RF circuitry  108  and/or external port  124 . External port  124  (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB), FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for coupling directly to other devices (e.g., an adaptive input device  482 ,  FIG. 4C ) or indirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.). In some embodiments, the external port is a multi-pin (e.g., 30-pin) connector that is the same as, or similar to and/or compatible with the 30-pin connector used on iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.) devices. 
     Contact/motion module  130  may detect contact with touch screen  112  (in conjunction with display controller  156 ) and other touch sensitive devices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel). Contact/motion module  130  includes various software components for performing various operations related to detection of contact, such as determining if contact has occurred (e.g., detecting a finger-down event), determining if there is movement of the contact and tracking the movement across the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., detecting one or more finger-dragging events), and determining if the contact has ceased (e.g., detecting a finger-up event or a break in contact). Contact/motion module  130  receives contact data from the touch-sensitive surface. Determining movement of the point of contact, which is represented by a series of contact data, may include determining speed (magnitude), velocity (magnitude and direction), and/or an acceleration (a change in magnitude and/or direction) of the point of contact. These operations may be applied to single contacts (e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiple simultaneous contacts (e.g., “multitouch”/multiple finger contacts). In some embodiments, contact/motion module  130  and display controller  156  detect contact on a touchpad. 
     Contact/motion module  130  may detect a gesture input by a user. Different gestures on the touch-sensitive surface have different contact patterns. Thus, a gesture may be detected by detecting a particular contact pattern. For example, detecting a finger tap gesture includes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting a finger-up (lift off) event at the same position (or substantially the same position) as the finger-down event (e.g., at the position of an icon). As another example, detecting a finger swipe gesture on the touch-sensitive surface includes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting one or more finger-dragging events, and subsequently followed by detecting a finger-up (lift off) event. 
     Graphics module  132  includes various known software components for rendering and displaying graphics on touch screen  112  or other display, including components for changing the intensity of graphics that are displayed. As used herein, the term “graphics” includes any object that can be displayed to a user, including without limitation text, web pages, icons (such as user-interface objects including soft keys), digital images, videos, animations and the like. 
     In some embodiments, graphics module  132  stores data representing graphics to be used. Each graphic may be assigned a corresponding code. Graphics module  132  receives, from applications etc., one or more codes specifying graphics to be displayed along with, if necessary, coordinate data and other graphic property data, and then generates screen image data to output to display controller  156 . 
     Text input module  134 , which may be a component of graphics module  132 , provides soft keyboards for entering text in various applications (e.g., contacts  137 , e-mail  140 , IM  141 , browser  147 , and any other application that needs text input). 
     GPS module  135  determines the location of the device and provides this information for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone  138  for use in location-based dialing, to camera  143  as picture/video metadata, and to applications that provide location-based services such as weather widgets, local yellow page widgets, and map/navigation widgets). 
     Applications  136  may include the following modules (or sets of instructions), or a subset or superset thereof:
         contacts module  137  (sometimes called an address book or contact list);   telephone module  138 ;   video conferencing module  139 ;   e-mail client module  140 ;   instant messaging (IM) module  141 ;   workout support module  142 ;   camera module  143  for still and/or video images;   image management module  144 ;   browser module  147 ;   calendar module  148 ;   widget modules  149 , which may include one or more of: weather widget  149 - 1 , stocks widget  149 - 2 , calculator widget  149 - 3 , alarm clock widget  149 - 4 , dictionary widget  149 - 5 , and other widgets obtained by the user, as well as user-created widgets  149 - 6 ;   widget creator module  150  for making user-created widgets  149 - 6 ;   search module  151 ;   video and music player module  152 , which may be made up of a video player module and a music player module;   notes module  153 ;   map module  154 ; and/or   online video module  155 .       

     Examples of other applications  136  that may be stored in memory  102  include other word processing applications, other image editing applications, drawing applications, presentation applications, JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voice recognition, and voice replication. 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , contacts module  137  may be used to manage an address book or contact list (e.g., stored in application internal state  192  of contacts module  137  in memory  102  or memory  370 ), including: adding name(s) to the address book; deleting name(s) from the address book; associating telephone number(s), e-mail address(es), physical address(es) or other information with a name; associating an image with a name; categorizing and sorting names; providing telephone numbers or e-mail addresses to initiate and/or facilitate communications by telephone  138 , video conference  139 , e-mail  140 , or IM  141 ; and so forth. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , audio circuitry  110 , speaker  111 , microphone  113 , touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , telephone module  138  may be used to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to a telephone number, access one or more telephone numbers in address book  137 , modify a telephone number that has been entered, dial a respective telephone number, conduct a conversation and disconnect or hang up when the conversation is completed. As noted above, the wireless communication may use any of a plurality of communications standards, protocols and technologies. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , audio circuitry  110 , speaker  111 , microphone  113 , touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , optical sensor  164 , optical sensor controller  158 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , contact list  137 , and telephone module  138 , videoconferencing module  139  includes executable instructions to initiate, conduct, and terminate a video conference between a user and one or more other participants in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , e-mail client module  140  includes executable instructions to create, send, receive, and manage e-mail in response to user instructions. In conjunction with image management module  144 , e-mail client module  140  makes it very easy to create and send e-mails with still or video images taken with camera module  143 . 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , the instant messaging module  141  includes executable instructions to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to an instant message, to modify previously entered characters, to transmit a respective instant message (for example, using a Short Message Service (SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol for telephony-based instant messages or using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS for Internet-based instant messages), to receive instant messages and to view received instant messages. In some embodiments, transmitted and/or received instant messages may include graphics, photos, audio files, video files and/or other attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or an Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS). As used herein, “instant messaging” refers to both telephony-based messages (e.g., messages sent using SMS or MMS) and Internet-based messages (e.g., messages sent using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS). 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , GPS module  135 , map module  154 , and music player module  146 , workout support module  142  includes executable instructions to create workouts (e.g., with time, distance, and/or calorie burning goals); communicate with workout sensors (sports devices); receive workout sensor data; calibrate sensors used to monitor a workout; select and play music for a workout; and display, store and transmit workout data. 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , optical sensor(s)  164 , optical sensor controller  158 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and image management module  144 , camera module  143  includes executable instructions to capture still images or video (including a video stream) and store them into memory  102 , modify characteristics of a still image or video, or delete a still image or video from memory  102 . 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , and camera module  143 , image management module  144  includes executable instructions to arrange, modify (e.g., edit), or otherwise manipulate, label, delete, present (e.g., in a digital slide show or album), and store still and/or video images. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , browser module  147  includes executable instructions to browse the Internet in accordance with user instructions, including searching, linking to, receiving, and displaying web pages or portions thereof, as well as attachments and other files linked to web pages. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , e-mail client module  140 , and browser module  147 , calendar module  148  includes executable instructions to create, display, modify, and store calendars and data associated with calendars (e.g., calendar entries, to do lists, etc.) in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , and browser module  147 , widget modules  149  are mini-applications that may be downloaded and used by a user (e.g., weather widget  149 - 1 , stocks widget  149 - 2 , calculator widget  149 - 3 , alarm clock widget  149 - 4 , and dictionary widget  149 - 5 ) or created by the user (e.g., user-created widget  149 - 6 ). In some embodiments, a widget includes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file, a CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In some embodiments, a widget includes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file and a JavaScript file (e.g., Yahoo! Widgets). 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , and browser module  147 , the widget creator module  150  may be used by a user to create widgets (e.g., turning a user-specified portion of a web page into a widget). 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , search module  151  includes executable instructions to search for text, music, sound, image, video, and/or other files in memory  102  that match one or more search criteria (e.g., one or more user-specified search terms) in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , audio circuitry  110 , speaker  111 , RF circuitry  108 , and browser module  147 , video and music player module  152  includes executable instructions that allow the user to download and play back recorded music and other sound files stored in one or more file formats, such as MP3 or AAC files, and executable instructions to display, present or otherwise play back videos (e.g., on touch screen  112  or on an external, connected display via external port  124 ). In some embodiments, device  100  may include the functionality of an MP3 player, such as an iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.). 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , notes module  153  includes executable instructions to create and manage notes, to do lists, and the like in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , GPS module  135 , and browser module  147 , map module  154  may be used to receive, display, modify, and store maps and data associated with maps (e.g., driving directions; data on stores and other points of interest at or near a particular location; and other location-based data) in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , audio circuitry  110 , speaker  111 , RF circuitry  108 , text input module  134 , e-mail client module  140 , and browser module  147 , online video module  155  includes instructions that allow the user to access, browse, receive (e.g., by streaming and/or download), play back (e.g., on the touch screen or on an external, connected display via external port  124 ), send an e-mail with a link to a particular online video, and otherwise manage online videos in one or more file formats, such as H.264. In some embodiments, instant messaging module  141 , rather than e-mail client module  140 , is used to send a link to a particular online video. 
     Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to a set of executable instructions for performing one or more functions described above and the methods described in this application (e.g., the computer-implemented methods and other information processing methods described herein). These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory  102  may store a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, memory  102  may store additional modules and data structures not described above. 
     In some embodiments, device  100  is a device where operation of a predefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusively through a touch screen and/or a touchpad. By using a touch screen and/or a touchpad as the primary input control device for operation of device  100 , the number of physical input control devices (such as push buttons, dials, and the like) on device  100  may be reduced. 
     The predefined set of functions that may be performed exclusively through a touch screen and/or a touchpad include navigation between user interfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by the user, navigates device  100  to a main, home, or root menu from any user interface that may be displayed on device  100 . In such embodiments, the touchpad may be referred to as a “menu button.” In some other embodiments, the menu button may be a physical push button or other physical input control device instead of a touchpad. 
       FIG. 1B  is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components for event handling in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, memory  102  (in  FIG. 1A ) or  370  ( FIG. 3 ) includes event sorter  170  (e.g., in operating system  126 ) and a respective application  136 - 1  (e.g., any of the aforementioned applications  137 - 151 ,  155 ,  380 - 390 ). 
     Event sorter  170  receives event information and determines the application  136 - 1  and application view  191  of application  136 - 1  to which to deliver the event information. Event sorter  170  includes event monitor  171  and event dispatcher module  174 . In some embodiments, application  136 - 1  includes application internal state  192 , which indicates the current application view(s) displayed on touch sensitive display  112  when the application is active or executing. In some embodiments, device/global internal state  157  is used by event sorter  170  to determine which application(s) is (are) currently active, and application internal state  192  is used by event sorter  170  to determine application views  191  to which to deliver event information. 
     In some embodiments, application internal state  192  includes additional information, such as one or more of: resume information to be used when application  136 - 1  resumes execution, user interface state information that indicates information being displayed or that is ready for display by application  136 - 1 , a state queue for enabling the user to go back to a prior state or view of application  136 - 1 , and a redo/undo queue of previous actions taken by the user. 
     Event monitor  171  receives event information from peripherals interface  118 . Event information includes information about a sub-event (e.g., a user touch on touch-sensitive display  112 , as part of a multi-touch gesture). Peripherals interface  118  transmits information it receives from I/O subsystem  106  or a sensor, such as proximity sensor  166 , accelerometer(s)  168 , and/or microphone  113  (through audio circuitry  110 ). Information that peripherals interface  118  receives from I/O subsystem  106  includes information from touch-sensitive display  112  or a touch-sensitive surface. 
     In some embodiments, event monitor  171  sends requests to the peripherals interface  118  at predetermined intervals. In response, peripherals interface  118  transmits event information. In other embodiments, peripheral interface  118  transmits event information only when there is a significant event (e.g., receiving an input above a predetermined noise threshold and/or for more than a predetermined duration). 
     In some embodiments, event sorter  170  also includes a hit view determination module  172  and/or an active event recognizer determination module  173 . 
     Hit view determination module  172  provides software procedures for determining where a sub-event has taken place within one or more views, when touch sensitive display  112  displays more than one view. Views are made up of controls and other elements that a user can see on the display. 
     Another aspect of the user interface associated with an application is a set of views, sometimes herein called application views or user interface windows, in which information is displayed and touch-based gestures occur. The application views (of a respective application) in which a touch is detected may correspond to programmatic levels within a programmatic or view hierarchy of the application. For example, the lowest level view in which a touch is detected may be called the hit view, and the set of events that are recognized as proper inputs may be determined based, at least in part, on the hit view of the initial touch that begins a touch-based gesture. 
     Hit view determination module  172  receives information related to sub-events of a touch-based gesture. When an application has multiple views organized in a hierarchy, hit view determination module  172  identifies a hit view as the lowest view in the hierarchy which should handle the sub-event. In most circumstances, the hit view is the lowest level view in which an initiating sub-event occurs (i.e., the first sub-event in the sequence of sub-events that form an event or potential event). Once the hit view is identified by the hit view determination module, the hit view typically receives all sub-events related to the same touch or input source for which it was identified as the hit view. 
     Active event recognizer determination module  173  determines which view or views within a view hierarchy should receive a particular sequence of sub-events. In some embodiments, active event recognizer determination module  173  determines that only the hit view should receive a particular sequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, active event recognizer determination module  173  determines that all views that include the physical location of a sub-event are actively involved views, and therefore determines that all actively involved views should receive a particular sequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, even if touch sub-events were entirely confined to the area associated with one particular view, views higher in the hierarchy would still remain as actively involved views. 
     Event dispatcher module  174  dispatches the event information to an event recognizer (e.g., event recognizer  180 ). In embodiments including active event recognizer determination module  173 , event dispatcher module  174  delivers the event information to an event recognizer determined by active event recognizer determination module  173 . In some embodiments, event dispatcher module  174  stores in an event queue the event information, which is retrieved by a respective event receiver module  182 . 
     In some embodiments, operating system  126  includes event sorter  170 . Alternatively, application  136 - 1  includes event sorter  170 . In yet other embodiments, event sorter  170  is a stand-alone module, or a part of another module stored in memory  102 , such as contact/motion module  130 . 
     In some embodiments, application  136 - 1  includes a plurality of event handlers  190  and one or more application views  191 , each of which includes instructions for handling touch events that occur within a respective view of the application&#39;s user interface. Each application view  191  of the application  136 - 1  includes one or more event recognizers  180 . Typically, a respective application view  191  includes a plurality of event recognizers  180 . In other embodiments, one or more of event recognizers  180  are part of a separate module, such as a user interface kit (not shown) or a higher level object from which application  136 - 1  inherits methods and other properties. In some embodiments, a respective event handler  190  includes one or more of: data updater  176 , object updater  177 , GUI updater  178 , and/or event data  179  received from event sorter  170 . Event handler  190  may utilize or call data updater  176 , object updater  177  or GUI updater  178  to update the application internal state  192 . Alternatively, one or more of the application views  191  includes one or more respective event handlers  190 . Also, in some embodiments, one or more of data updater  176 , object updater  177 , and GUI updater  178  are included in a respective application view  191 . 
     A respective event recognizer  180  receives event information (e.g., event data  179 ) from event sorter  170 , and identifies an event from the event information. Event recognizer  180  includes event receiver  182  and event comparator  184 . In some embodiments, event recognizer  180  also includes at least a subset of: metadata  183 , and event delivery instructions  188  (which may include sub-event delivery instructions). 
     Event receiver  182  receives event information from event sorter  170 . The event information includes information about a sub-event, for example, a touch or a touch movement. Depending on the sub-event, the event information also includes additional information, such as location of the sub-event. When the sub-event concerns motion of a touch the event information may also include speed and direction of the sub-event. In some embodiments, events include rotation of the device from one orientation to another (e.g., from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation, or vice versa), and the event information includes corresponding information about the current orientation (also called device attitude) of the device. 
     Event comparator  184  compares the event information to predefined event or sub-event definitions and, based on the comparison, determines an event or sub-event, or determines or updates the state of an event or sub-event. In some embodiments, event comparator  184  includes event definitions  186 . Event definitions  186  contain definitions of events (e.g., predefined sequences of sub-events), for example, event  1  ( 187 - 1 ), event  2  ( 187 - 2 ), and others. In some embodiments, sub-events in an event  187  include, for example, touch begin, touch end, touch movement, touch cancellation, and multiple touching. In one example, the definition for event  1  ( 187 - 1 ) is a double tap on a displayed object. The double tap, for example, comprises a first touch (touch begin) on the displayed object for a predetermined phase, a first lift-off (touch end) for a predetermined phase, a second touch (touch begin) on the displayed object for a predetermined phase, and a second lift-off (touch end) for a predetermined phase. In another example, the definition for event  2  ( 187 - 2 ) is a dragging on a displayed object. The dragging, for example, comprises a touch (or contact) on the displayed object for a predetermined phase, a movement of the touch across touch-sensitive display  112 , and lift-off of the touch (touch end). In some embodiments, the event also includes information for one or more associated event handlers  190 . 
     In some embodiments, event definition  187  includes a definition of an event for a respective user-interface object. In some embodiments, event comparator  184  performs a hit test to determine which user-interface object is associated with a sub-event. For example, in an application view in which three user-interface objects are displayed on touch-sensitive display  112 , when a touch is detected on touch-sensitive display  112 , event comparator  184  performs a hit test to determine which of the three user-interface objects is associated with the touch (sub-event). If each displayed object is associated with a respective event handler  190 , the event comparator uses the result of the hit test to determine which event handler  190  should be activated. For example, event comparator  184  selects an event handler associated with the sub-event and the object triggering the hit test. 
     In some embodiments, the definition for a respective event  187  also includes delayed actions that delay delivery of the event information until after it has been determined whether the sequence of sub-events does or does not correspond to the event recognizer&#39;s event type. 
     When a respective event recognizer  180  determines that the series of sub-events do not match any of the events in event definitions  186 , the respective event recognizer  180  enters an event impossible, event failed, or event ended state, after which it disregards subsequent sub-events of the touch-based gesture. In this situation, other event recognizers, if any, that remain active for the hit view continue to track and process sub-events of an ongoing touch-based gesture. 
     In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer  180  includes metadata  183  with configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate how the event delivery system should perform sub-event delivery to actively involved event recognizers. In some embodiments, metadata  183  includes configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate how event recognizers may interact with one another. In some embodiments, metadata  183  includes configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate whether sub-events are delivered to varying levels in the view or programmatic hierarchy. 
     In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer  180  activates event handler  190  associated with an event when one or more particular sub-events of an event are recognized. In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer  180  delivers event information associated with the event to event handler  190 . Activating an event handler  190  is distinct from sending (and deferred sending) sub-events to a respective hit view. In some embodiments, event recognizer  180  throws a flag associated with the recognized event, and event handler  190  associated with the flag catches the flag and performs a predefined process. 
     In some embodiments, event delivery instructions  188  include sub-event delivery instructions that deliver event information about a sub-event without activating an event handler. Instead, the sub-event delivery instructions deliver event information to event handlers associated with the series of sub-events or to actively involved views. Event handlers associated with the series of sub-events or with actively involved views receive the event information and perform a predetermined process. 
     In some embodiments, data updater  176  creates and updates data used in application  136 - 1 . For example, data updater  176  updates the telephone number used in contacts module  137 , or stores a video file used in video player module  145 . In some embodiments, object updater  177  creates and updates objects used in application  136 - 1 . For example, object updater  176  creates a new user-interface object or updates the position of a user-interface object. GUI updater  178  updates the GUI. For example, GUI updater  178  prepares display information and sends it to graphics module  132  for display on a touch-sensitive display. 
     In some embodiments, event handler(s)  190  includes or has access to data updater  176 , object updater  177 , and GUI updater  178 . In some embodiments, data updater  176 , object updater  177 , and GUI updater  178  are included in a single module of a respective application  136 - 1  or application view  191 . In other embodiments, they are included in two or more software modules. 
     It shall be understood that the foregoing discussion regarding event handling of user touches on touch-sensitive displays also applies to other forms of user inputs to operate multifunction devices  100  with input-devices, not all of which are initiated on touch screens, e.g., coordinating joystick or mouse movement and button presses, single or multiple keyboard presses or holds, user movements taps, drags, scrolls, etc., on touch-pads, pen stylus inputs, movement of the device, oral instructions, detected eye movements, biometric inputs, and/or any combination thereof, which may be utilized as inputs corresponding to sub-events which define an event to be recognized. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a portable multifunction device  100  having a touch screen  112  in accordance with some embodiments. The touch screen may display one or more graphics within user interface (UI)  200 . In this embodiment, as well as others described below, a user may select one or more of the graphics by making a gesture on the graphics, for example, with one or more fingers  202  (not drawn to scale in the figure) or one or more styluses  203  (not drawn to scale in the figure). In some embodiments, selection of one or more graphics occurs when the user breaks contact with the one or more graphics. In some embodiments, the gesture may include one or more taps, one or more swipes (from left to right, right to left, upward and/or downward) and/or a rolling of a finger (from right to left, left to right, upward and/or downward) that has made contact with device  100 . In some embodiments, inadvertent contact with a graphic may not select the graphic. For example, a swipe gesture that sweeps over an application icon may not select the corresponding application when the gesture corresponding to selection is a tap. 
     Device  100  may also include one or more physical buttons, such as “home” or menu button  204 . As described previously, menu button  204  may be used to navigate to any application  136  in a set of applications that may be executed on device  100 . Alternatively, in some embodiments, the menu button is implemented as a soft key in a GUI displayed on touch screen  112 . 
     In one embodiment, device  100  includes touch screen  112 , menu button  204 , push button  206  for powering the device on/off and locking the device, volume adjustment button(s)  208 , Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card slot  210 , head set jack  212 , and docking/charging external port  124 . Push button  206  may be used to turn the power on/off on the device by depressing the button and holding the button in the depressed state for a predefined time interval; to lock the device by depressing the button and releasing the button before the predefined time interval has elapsed; and/or to unlock the device or initiate an unlock process. In an alternative embodiment, device  100  also may accept verbal input for activation or deactivation of some functions through microphone  113 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an exemplary multifunction device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance with some embodiments. Device  300  need not be portable. In some embodiments, device  300  is a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a multimedia player device, a navigation device, an educational device (such as a child&#39;s learning toy), a gaming system, or a control device (e.g., a home or industrial controller). Device  300  typically includes one or more processing units (CPU&#39;s)  310 , one or more network or other communications interfaces  360 , memory  370 , and one or more communication buses  320  for interconnecting these components. Communication buses  320  may include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) that interconnects and controls communications between system components. Device  300  includes input/output (I/O) interface  330  comprising display  340 , which is typically a touch screen display. I/O interface  330  also may include a keyboard and/or mouse (or other pointing device)  350  and touchpad  355 . Memory  370  includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM or other random access solid state memory devices; and may include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid state storage devices. Memory  370  may optionally include one or more storage devices remotely located from CPU(s)  310 . In some embodiments, memory  370  stores programs, modules, and data structures analogous to the programs, modules, and data structures stored in memory  102  of portable multifunction device  100  ( FIG. 1 ), or a subset thereof. Furthermore, memory  370  may store additional programs, modules, and data structures not present in memory  102  of portable multifunction device  100 . For example, memory  370  of device  300  may store drawing module  380 , presentation module  382 , word processing module  384 , website creation module  386 , disk authoring module  388 , and/or spreadsheet module  390 , while memory  102  of portable multifunction device  100  ( FIG. 1 ) may not store these modules. 
     Each of the above identified elements in  FIG. 3  may be stored in one or more of the previously mentioned memory devices. Each of the above identified modules corresponds to a set of instructions for performing a function described above. The above identified modules or programs (i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory  370  may store a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, memory  370  may store additional modules and data structures not described above. 
     Attention is now directed towards embodiments of user interfaces (“UI”) that may be implemented on portable multifunction device  100 . 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates an exemplary user interface for a menu of applications on portable multifunction device  100  in accordance with some embodiments. Similar user interfaces may be implemented on device  300 . In some embodiments, user interface  400  includes the following elements, or a subset or superset thereof:
         Signal strength indicator(s)  402  for wireless communication(s), such as cellular and Wi-Fi signals;   Time  404 ;   Bluetooth indicator  405 ;   Battery status indicator  406 ;   Tray  408  with icons for frequently used applications, such as:
           Phone  138 , which may include an indicator  414  of the number of missed calls or voicemail messages;   E-mail client  140 , which may include an indicator  410  of the number of unread e-mails;   Browser  147 ; and   Video and music player  152 , also referred to as iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.) module  152 ; and   
           Icons for other applications, such as:
           IM  141 ;   Image management  144 ;   Camera  143 ;   Weather  149 - 1 ;   Stocks  149 - 2 ;   Workout support  142 ;   Calendar  148 ;   Alarm clock  149 - 4 ;   Map  154 ;   Notes  153 ;   Settings  412 , which provides access to settings for device  100  and its various applications  136 ; and   Online video module  155 , also referred to as YouTube (trademark of Google Inc.) module  155 .   
               

       FIG. 4B  illustrates an exemplary user interface on a device (e.g., device  300 ,  FIG. 3 ) with a touch-sensitive surface  451  (e.g., a tablet or touchpad  355 ,  FIG. 3 ) that is separate from the display  450  (e.g., touch screen display  112 ). Although many of the examples which follow will be given with reference to inputs on touch screen display  112  (where the touch sensitive surface and the display are combined), in some embodiments, the device detects inputs on a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from the display, as shown in  FIG. 4B . In some embodiments, the touch sensitive surface (e.g.,  451  in  FIG. 4B ) has a primary axis (e.g.,  452  in  FIG. 4B ) that corresponds to a primary axis (e.g.,  453  in  FIG. 4B ) on the display (e.g.,  450 ). In accordance with these embodiments, the device detects contacts (e.g.,  460  and  462  in  FIG. 4B ) with the touch-sensitive surface  451  at locations that correspond to respective locations on the display (e.g., in  FIG. 4B, 460  corresponds to  468  and  462  corresponds to  470 ). In this way, user inputs (e.g., contacts  460  and  462 , and movements thereof) detected by the device on the touch-sensitive surface (e.g.,  451  in  FIG. 4B ) are used by the device to manipulate the user interface on the display (e.g.,  450  in  FIG. 4B ) of the multifunction device when the touch-sensitive surface is separate from the display. It should be understood that similar methods may be used for other user interfaces described herein. 
       FIG. 4C  illustrates an exemplary adaptive input device for a multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. In  FIG. 4C , adaptive input device  482  includes joystick  486 , and two buttons  488 - 1  and  488 - 2 . Adaptive input device  482  is connected with a multifunction device with touch-sensitive surface  451  (e.g., device  100 ,  FIG. 1A ) by wired or wireless communication channel  484 . For example, adaptive input device  482  may be plugged into external port  124  of multifunction device  100 . Alternatively, adaptive input device  482  may be connected with the multifunction device using one or more wireless communication protocols, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. 
       FIG. 4C  illustrates exemplary visual indicator  490  displayed on a display of a multifunction device with touch-sensitive surface  451  (e.g., device  100 ,  FIG. 1A ) in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, touch sensitive surface  451  has a primary axis (e.g.,  452  in  FIG. 4C ) that corresponds to a primary axis (e.g.,  454  in  FIG. 4C ) of adaptive input device  482 . In this way, user inputs received by adaptive input device  482  (e.g., pushing joystick  486  along primary axis  452 ) may be used to move visual indicator  490  (e.g., along primary axis  452 ). Activating a button (e.g., tapping button  488 - 1  or  488 - 2 ) on adaptive input device  482  may be used to select or activate a user interface object located at visual indicator  490 , which makes the button activation like a tap gesture on the touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, when a user pushes joystick  486  while pressing on one of the buttons (e.g.,  488 - 1  or  488 - 2 ), multifunction device  100  treats such user inputs as equivalent to a finger contact moving across touch-sensitive surface  451  at the location of visual indicator  490 . In some embodiments, activating a button will open a menu. It should be understood that similar methods may be used for other user interfaces described herein. 
     Although adaptive input device  482  illustrated in  FIG. 4C  includes joystick  486  and buttons  488 - 1  and  488 - 2 , it should be noted that other adaptive input devices may be used with the methods described herein (e.g., track balls, hand sticks, mouth sticks, head sticks, and physical keyboards). As used herein, an adaptive input device refers to an input device that is configured to receive user inputs without using a touch-sensitive surface. An adaptive input device typically receives user inputs representing up, down, left, and right movements, activation events, and selection events (e.g., equivalent to an activation of a button or tapping on a touch-sensitive surface) based on a user&#39;s movements, such as hand movements, eye movements, foot movements, head movements, and/or mouth/tongue movements. 
     User Interfaces and Associated Processes 
     Attention is now directed towards embodiments of user interfaces (“UI”) and associated processes that may be implemented on an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, such as device  300  or portable multifunction device  100 . 
       FIGS. 5A-5AC  illustrate exemplary user interfaces for providing accessibility to a touch-based user interface in accordance with some embodiments. The user interfaces in these figures are used to illustrate the processes described below, including the processes in  FIGS. 6A-6E and 7-13 . 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates exemplary user interface  502 -A of an email application displayed on touch screen  112  of multifunction electronic device  100 . User interface  502 -A includes display of an email message. Also shown in  FIG. 5A  is visual indicator  504 - 1 , which corresponds to a virtual touch (e.g., a virtual touch on touch screen  112 , such as a virtual single finger contact). Sometimes, the virtual touch is also called a simulated touch (e.g., the device performs as if a finger touch has been detected at a location of visual indicator  504 - 1 ). Visual indicator  504 - 1  in  FIG. 5A  is depicted as including a ring. Alternatively, visual indicator  504 - 1  may include one of: a donut, circle, oval, ellipse, arrow, cross, I-beam, star, or virtual finger (e.g., a finger or hand shaped icon). 
     Visual indicator  504 - 1  is configured to move in accordance with an input from an adaptive input device (e.g.,  482 ,  FIG. 4C ). For example, visual indicator  504 - 1  may move to a predefined region of touch screen  112  (e.g., movement  506 - 1  of visual indicator  504 - 1 ), such as a predefined corner of the display, in accordance with the input from the adaptive input device. Alternatively, visual indicator  504 - 1  may move side-to-side (e.g., movement  506 - 2  of visual indicator  504 - 1 ) in accordance with a control (e.g., joystick  486 ) on the adaptive input device moving side-to-side. In other words, visual indicator  504 - 1  may move up, down, left, right, and/or diagonally in accordance with the input from the adaptive input device. 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates that menu  508  is displayed over user interface  502 -A of the email application. Menu  508  is typically displayed in response to a predefined input from the adaptive input device. For example, menu  508  may be displayed in response to visual indicator  504 - 1  moving to a predefined region of touch screen  112  (e.g., movement  506 - 1 ,  FIG. 5A , to a corner of the display). As another example, moving the visual indicator  504 - 1  to a corner of the display followed by activation of a button (e.g.,  488 - 1 ,  FIG. 4C ) on the adaptive input device results in display of menu  508 . Alternatively, moving visual indicator  504 - 1  side-to-side (e.g., movement  506 - 2 ,  FIG. 5A ) may result in display of menu  508 . For example, moving the visual indicator  504 - 1  horizontally back and forth by at least a predefined distance (e.g., 0.02, 0.03, or 0.04 inches) for at least a predefined number of times (e.g., 2, 3, or 4 times) will open a menu, without needing to activate a button. As yet another example, activation of a predefined button (e.g.,  488 - 2 ,  FIG. 4C ) on the adaptive input device may result in display of menu  508 . In some embodiments, when menu  508  is initially displayed, visual indicator  504 - 1  is positioned in a center region of menu  508 , as shown in  FIG. 5B . In other embodiments, when menu  508  is initially displayed, visual indicator  504 - 1  maintains its position prior to the display of menu  508 . 
     In some embodiments, menu  508  includes a plurality of icons  510 , including one or more of: virtual touches selection icon  510 - 1 , virtual gestures icon  510 - 2 , virtual device icon  510 - 3 , and home button  510 - 4 . In some embodiments, the icons  510  are displayed radially about a center of menu  508  (e.g., the icons are displayed at a substantially equal distance from the center of menu  508 ). 
     In  FIG. 5C , visual indicator  504 - 1  is moved over virtual touches selection icon  510 - 1 . In some embodiments, virtual touches selection icon  510 - 1  is selected by moving visual indicator  504 - 1  over virtual touches selection icon  510 - 1 . In some embodiments, virtual touches selection icon  510 - 1  is selected by moving visual indicator  504 - 1  over virtual touches selection icon  510 - 1  followed by activation of a button (e.g.,  488 - 1 ,  FIG. 4C ) on the adaptive input device. 
       FIG. 5D  illustrates that menu  512  of virtual multitouch contacts is displayed in response to selection of virtual touches selection icon  510 - 1  ( FIG. 5C ). Menu  512  of virtual multitouch contacts includes a plurality of icons  514  representing types of virtual multitouch contacts (e.g., two-finger contacts icon  514 - 1 , three-finger contacts icon  514 - 2 , four-finger contacts icon  514 - 3 , and five-finger contacts icon  514 - 4 ). In some embodiments, menu  512  of virtual multitouch contacts also includes a single-finger contact icon (not shown). Icons  514  are also called herein virtual multitouch contacts icons.  FIG. 5D  also illustrates that three-finger contacts icon  514 - 3  is selected with visual indicator  504 - 1 . 
       FIG. 5E  illustrates that three visual indicators  504 - 2 ,  504 - 3 , and  504 - 4  are displayed in response to selection of three-finger contacts icon  514 - 3  in  FIG. 5D .  FIG. 5E  also illustrates that three visual indicators  504 - 2  through  504 - 4  move to the left (e.g., in accordance with an input from the adaptive input device). It is noted that in some embodiments, a three-finger left-swipe gesture on touch screen  112  displays a user interface of an open application running on the multifunction device  100  (e.g., user interface  502 -B of a web browser application) distinct from a currently displayed application (e.g., an email application). In other words, the three-finger left-swipe gesture, in some embodiments, initiates navigation to the next open application. 
     In some embodiments, multifunction device  100  is configured to display the user interface of the next open application (e.g., user interface  502 -B) in response to the leftward movement of the three visual indicators  504 - 2  through  504 - 4 . In  FIG. 5F , user interface  502 -B of the web browser application is shown in response to the leftward movement of three visual indicators  504 - 2  through  504 - 4 . The three visual indicators  504 - 2  through  504 - 4  are also shown in  FIG. 5F . 
       FIG. 5G  illustrates that if no input is received from the adaptive input device for a predefined time period (e.g., 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, or any reasonable time period), display of three visual indicators  504 - 2  through  504 - 4  is replaced with display of single visual indicator  504 - 1 . In some embodiments, the predefined time period is set by a user (e.g., via a settings menu, not shown). 
     In  FIG. 5H , like  FIG. 5B , the user interface includes menu  508  with virtual touches selection icon  510 - 1 , virtual gestures icon  510 - 2 , virtual device icon  510 - 3 , and home button  510 - 4 . In  FIG. 5H , virtual gestures icon  510 - 2  is selected with visual indicator  504 - 1 . 
       FIG. 5I  illustrates that menu  516  of virtual gestures is displayed in response to the selection of virtual gestures icon  510 - 2  ( FIG. 5H ). Menu  516  of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons  518  representing types of virtual gestures (e.g., virtual two-finger pinch/depinch gesture icon  518 - 1 , virtual three-finger swipe up gesture icon  518 - 2 , virtual three-finger swipe down gesture icon  518 - 3 , virtual user-configured gesture icon  518 - 4 , virtual three-finger swipe left gesture icon (not shown), virtual three-finger swipe right gesture icon (not shown), virtual four-finger swipe left gesture icon (not shown), virtual four-finger swipe right gesture icon (not shown), virtual four-finger swipe up gesture icon (not shown), virtual four-finger swipe down gesture icon (not shown), virtual two-finger swipe left gesture icon (not shown), virtual two-finger swipe right gesture icon (not shown), virtual two-finger swipe up gesture icon (not shown), virtual two-finger swipe down gesture icon (not shown), etc.). As used herein, icons  518  are also called virtual gesture icons. It should be noted that virtual gestures icon  510 - 2  and each virtual gesture icon  518  have distinct functions. For example, selection of virtual gestures icon  510 - 2  initiates the display of menu  516  of virtual gestures, and selection of a respective virtual gesture icon initiates performing an operation associated with the respective virtual gesture icon.  FIG. 5I  illustrates that three-finger swipe up gesture icon  518 - 2  is selected. 
     In  FIG. 5J , a portion of user interface  502 -A and application icon area  520  are concurrently displayed in response to the selection of three-finger swipe up gesture icon  518 - 2 . Application icon area  520  includes a plurality of open application icons  5004 , each of which, when activated (e.g., via visual indicator  504 - 1 ,  FIG. 5J ), initiates displaying a user interface of a corresponding application. Alternatively, the portion of user interface  502 -A and application icon area  520  may be displayed in response to a three-finger swipe up gesture on touch screen  112 . 
     In  FIG. 5K , menu  516  of virtual gestures that includes a plurality of icons  518  (e.g., virtual two-finger pinch/depinch gesture icon  518 - 1 , virtual three-finger swipe up gesture icon  518 - 2 , virtual three-finger swipe down gesture icon  518 - 3 , virtual user-configured gesture icon  518 - 4 , etc.) is displayed.  FIG. 5K  also illustrates that virtual two-finger pinch/depinch gesture icon  518 - 1  is selected with visual indicator  504 - 1 . 
     In  FIG. 5L , two visual indicators  504 - 5  and  504 - 6  are displayed in response to selection of virtual two-finger pinch/depinch gesture icon  518 - 1  ( FIG. 5K ). In some embodiments, the two visual indicators  504 - 5  and  504 - 6  are visually linked (e.g., with connector  522 ). In some embodiments, each visual indicator of the two visual indicators  504 - 5  and  504 - 6  includes a ring-shaped display object. The ring-shaped visual indicator is sometimes called a first-mode visual indicator (as compared to a second-mode visual indicator, described below with reference to  FIG. 5N ). 
       FIG. 5M  illustrates that, in the first mode, the two visual indicators  504 - 5  and  504 - 6  are moved together in accordance with an input from the adaptive input device. In addition, user interface  502 -A is scrolled in accordance with the concurrent movement of two visual indicators  504 - 5  and  504 - 6 . 
     In  FIG. 5N , two first-mode visual indicators  504 - 5  and  504 - 6  are replaced with two second-mode visual indicators  504 - 7  and  504 - 8 . Each second-mode visual indicator includes a ring-shaped display object and a concentric disk-shaped display object. In some cases, the two second-mode visual indicators are displayed in response to activation of a button (e.g.,  488 - 2 ,  FIG. 4C ) on the adaptive input device. 
       FIG. 5O  illustrates that, in response to an input from the adaptive input device, the two second-mode visual indicators  504 - 7  and  504 - 8  are moved relative to each other in the second mode (e.g., the distance between two second-mode visual indicators  504 - 7  and  504 - 8  increases) and the user interface is magnified (e.g., zoomed-in) accordingly. 
     In  FIG. 5P , menu  508  that includes virtual touches selection icon  510 - 1 , virtual gestures icon  510 - 2 , virtual device icon  510 - 3 , and home button  510 - 4  is displayed.  FIG. 5P  also illustrates that virtual device icon  510 - 3  is selected with visual indicator  504 - 1 . 
     In  FIG. 5Q , menu  524  of virtual device operations is displayed in response to activation of virtual device icon  510 - 3  ( FIG. 5P ). Menu  524  of virtual device operations includes a plurality of icons  526  representing types of virtual device operations (e.g., virtual device muting/unmuting icon  526 - 1 , virtual device rotation icon  526 - 2 , virtual device shaking icon  526 - 3 , virtual device lock screen icon  526 - 4 , virtual device volume up icon  526 - 5 , virtual device volume down icon  526 - 6 , virtual rotation lock icon (not shown), virtual knock-knock icon (not shown), etc.). Exemplary virtual device operations may include operations that are normally performed via physical controls on the electronic device, such as: muting and unmuting the ringer and sound effects on the device, which is normally performed via a mute switch; locking the device, which is normally initiated via a lock/unlock switch; increase volume, which is normally performed via a volume up button; decrease volume, which is normally performed via a volume down button. Exemplary virtual device operations may also include shaking the electronic device to perform a predefined operation (e.g., an undo operation) and rotating the electronic device to rotate the display orientation. Operations like shaking and rotation are typically detected via an accelerometer in the electronic device. As used herein, icons  526  are also called virtual device operation icons.  FIG. 5Q  also illustrates that the virtual device rotation icon  526 - 2  is selected with visual indicator  504 - 1 . 
       FIG. 5R  illustrates that menu  528  of virtual device orientations is displayed in response to selection of virtual device rotation icon  526 - 2  ( FIG. 5Q ). Menu  528  of virtual device orientations includes a plurality of icons  530  representing types of virtual device orientations (or rotations of the device orientation). For example, menu  528  of virtual device operations may include portrait orientation icon  530 - 1 , rotate-left orientation icon  530 - 2 , rotate-right orientation icon  530 - 3 , and rotate upside-down orientation icon  530 - 4 . It should be noted that in some embodiments, the rotation of the device counterclockwise about 90 degrees rotates the user interface clockwise 90 degrees.  FIG. 5R  also illustrates that the rotate-left orientation icon  530 - 2  is selected with visual indicator  504 - 1 . 
     In  FIG. 5S , the user interface is rotated 90 degrees clockwise in response to selection of rotate-left orientation icon  530 - 2 , without actual physical rotation of the device.  FIG. 5S  also illustrates that rotated user interface  502 -C is displayed on touch screen  112 . 
     In  FIG. 5T , menu  508  that includes virtual touches selection icon  510 - 1 , virtual gestures icon  510 - 2 , virtual device icon  510 - 3 , and home button  510 - 4  is displayed.  FIG. 5T  also illustrates that home button icon  510 - 4  is selected with visual indicator  504 - 1 . 
       FIG. 5U  illustrates that home screen  502 -D is displayed in response to selection of home button icon  510 - 4 . In some embodiments, home screen  502 -D includes a plurality of application icons  5002 . 
       FIG. 5V  illustrates that, in some embodiments, visual indicator  504 - 1  is displayed off menu  508 . In some embodiments, in response to receiving an input from the adaptive input device (e.g., activation of the button  488 - 1  on adaptive input device  482 ,  FIG. 4C ) while visual indicator  504 - 1  is displayed off menu  508 , menu  508  ceases to be displayed. In some embodiments, if no input is received from the adaptive input device for a predefined period while menu  508  is displayed, menu  508  ceases to be displayed. 
       FIGS. 5W-5AC  illustrate exemplary user interfaces for creating a user-defined gesture (also called a user-configured gesture or a custom gesture) in accordance with some embodiments. In  FIG. 5W , a user interface for creating user-defined gestures is displayed. The user interface includes a plurality of user interface objects, such as add finger button  532 , remove finger button  534 , save button  536 , clear button  538 , and done button  544 .  FIG. 5W  also illustrates that add finger button  532  is selected with visual indicator  504 - 1 . 
       FIG. 5X  illustrates that in response to selection of the add finger button  532 , first visual indicator  540 - 1  is displayed for creating a custom gesture. 
     In  FIG. 5Y , first visual indicator  540 - 1  is moved in accordance with one or more inputs from the adaptive input device. Also shown in  FIG. 5Y  is trail  542 - 1  of first visual indicator  540 - 1 . 
       FIG. 5Z  illustrates that in response to second selection of add finger button  532 , second visual indicator  540 - 2  is displayed. 
     In  FIG. 5AA , second visual indicator  540 - 2  is moved in accordance with one or more inputs from the adaptive input device. Also shown in  FIG. 5AA  is trail  542 - 2  of second visual indicator  540 - 2 . Save button  536  may be selected to store the user-defined gesture including the movements of visual indicators  540 - 1  and  540 - 2 . 
     In  FIG. 5AB , menu  516  of virtual gestures that includes a plurality of icons  518  (e.g., virtual two-finger pinch/depinch gesture icon  518 - 1 , virtual three-finger swipe up gesture icon  518 - 2 , virtual three-finger swipe down gesture icon  518 - 3 , virtual user-defined gesture icon  518 - 4 , etc.) is displayed.  FIG. 5AB  also illustrates that user-defined gesture icon  518 - 4  is selected with visual indicator  504 - 1 . 
     In some embodiments, if the user has stored more than one user-defined virtual gesture, then a menu of at least some of these user-defined virtual gestures will be displayed in response to selection of custom gesture icon  518 - 4  (not shown). Activation of a particular user-defined virtual gesture in the menu of user-defined virtual gestures (e.g., with visual indicator  504 - 1 , not shown) will implement the corresponding operation. On the other hand, if custom gesture icon  518 - 4  corresponds to a single user-defined virtual gesture, then the operation that corresponds to the single user-defined virtual gesture will be implemented in response to selection of custom gesture icon  518 - 4 . For example,  FIG. 5AC  illustrates that a predefined operation associated with a user-defined virtual gesture is performed, namely the two-finger virtual gesture created and stored in  FIGS. 5W-5AA . In some embodiments, an animated movement of visual indicators  540 - 1  and  540 - 2  is displayed along with their respective trails  542 - 1  and  542 - 2  immediately before, immediately after, or while the predefined operation associated with the user-defined virtual gesture is performed. 
       FIGS. 6A-6E  are flow diagrams illustrating a method  600  of providing accessibility to a touch-based user interface in accordance with some embodiments. Method  600  is performed at an electronic device (e.g., device  300 ,  FIG. 3 , or portable multifunction device  100 ,  FIG. 1 ) with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the display is a touch screen display and the touch-sensitive surface is on the display. In some embodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method  600  may be combined and/or the order of some operations may be changed. 
     As described below, method  600  makes devices with touch-based user interfaces accessible to users without fine motor skills in their hands. The method makes it possible for such users to perform operations that would otherwise require interaction with the touch-sensitive surface of the device. 
     The device displays ( 602 ), on the display, a first visual indicator (e.g.,  504 - 1 ,  FIG. 5A ) that corresponds to a virtual touch (e.g., a virtual touch on the touch-sensitive surface, such as a virtual single finger contact). 
     In some embodiments, the first visual indicator comprises ( 604 ) one of: a ring (e.g.,  504 - 1 ,  FIG. 5A ), donut, circle, oval, ellipse, arrow, cross, I-beam, star, or virtual finger. 
     The device receives ( 606 ) a first input from an adaptive input device (e.g., joystick  486 , button  488 - 1  or  488 - 2  in  FIG. 4C , or any other adaptive input device). 
     In some embodiments, the first input moves ( 608 ) the first visual indicator to a predefined region of the display. For example, moving the visual indicator to a corner of the display (e.g., a predefined active screen corner) results in display of a first menu (e.g., movement  506 - 1 ,  FIG. 5A ). As another example, moving the visual indicator to a corner of the display followed by activation of a button on the adaptive input device results in display of the first menu. 
     In some embodiments, the first input corresponds ( 610 ) to activation of a control on the adaptive input device (e.g., activating a physical button, such as a menu button  488 - 2  in  FIG. 4C , on the adaptive input device). 
     In some embodiments, the first input corresponds ( 612 ) to moving a control on the adaptive input device from side-to-side (e.g., moving joystick  486  in  FIG. 4C  side-to-side, or moving a control on the adaptive input device side-to-side with a body part, such as a hand, eye, foot, head, or mouth). 
     In some embodiments, the adaptive input device includes ( 614 ) a joystick (e.g.,  486 ,  FIG. 4C ) and the first input corresponds to moving the joystick from side-to-side. 
     In response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, the device displays ( 616 ) a first menu on the display (e.g., menu  508 ,  FIG. 5B ). The first menu includes a virtual touches selection icon (e.g., icon  510 - 1 ,  FIG. 5B ). In response to detecting selection of the virtual touches selection icon, a menu of virtual multitouch contacts is displayed (e.g., menu  512 ,  FIG. 5D ). 
     In some embodiments, the first menu includes ( 618 ) icons displayed radially about a center of the first menu (e.g., a concentric arrangement about the center). For example, menu  508  in  FIG. 5B  includes icons  510  displayed radially about a center of menu  508 . As additional examples, icons in some other menus described herein (e.g., menu  512  in  FIG. 5D , menu  516  in  FIG. 5I , and menu  528  in  FIG. 5R ) are displayed radially about a center of the corresponding menu. In addition, icons in menu  524  in  FIG. 5Q  may be displayed radially about a center of menu  524 . This arrangement of icons in the menu makes each icon readily accessible. 
     In some embodiments, a first user interface (e.g., user interface  502 -A,  FIG. 5A ) is displayed ( 620 ) on the display immediately prior to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, and the first menu (e.g., menu  508 ,  FIG. 5B ) is displayed over the first user interface (e.g., as a semitransparent, translucent, or opaque overlay). Similarly, the other menus described herein (e.g., menu  512  in  FIG. 5D , menu  516  in  FIG. 5I , menu  524  in  FIG. 5Q , and menu  528  in  FIG. 5R ) may be displayed as semitransparent, translucent, or opaque overlays on an underlying standard user interface. These overlay menus help make control of the electronic device via the adaptive input device quite similar to the control of the device using the standard user interface. 
     In some embodiments, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, the device displays ( 622 ) the first visual indicator in a center region of the first menu. For example, in  FIG. 5B , visual indicator  504 - 1  is displayed at the center of the menu  508  when menu  508  is initially displayed. Displaying the visual indicator at the center of the first menu makes each of the options in the first menu readily accessible. Similarly, the visual indicator may be displayed initially at the center of the other menus described herein (e.g., menu  512  in  FIG. 5D , menu  516  in  FIG. 5I , menu  524  in  FIG. 5Q , and menu  528  in  FIG. 5R ) when those menus are displayed in response to input received from the adaptive input device. 
     In some embodiments, while displaying a menu on the display (e.g., menu  508  in  FIG. 5B , menu  512  of virtual multitouch contacts in  FIG. 5D , menu  516  of virtual gestures in  FIG. 5I , menu  524  of virtual device operations in  FIG. 5Q , menu  528  of virtual device rotations in  FIG. 5R , or any accessible menu), the device constrains ( 624 ,  FIG. 6B ) movement of the first visual indicator such that the first visual indicator remains on the menu (e.g., to prevent overshoot of visual indicator  504 - 1 ). 
     In some embodiments, while displaying the first menu on the display, the device receives ( 626 ) a second input from the adaptive input device when the first visual indicator is displayed off the first menu (e.g., detecting activation of button  488 - 1  in  FIG. 4C  on the adaptive input device when visual indicator  504 - 1  is located over a display area beyond the first menu,  FIG. 5V ); and, in response to the second input, ceasing to display the first menu (e.g., displaying user interface  502 -A,  FIG. 5A ). Similarly, the other menus described herein (e.g., menu  508  in  FIG. 5B , menu  512  of virtual multitouch contacts in  FIG. 5D , menu  516  of virtual gestures in  FIG. 5I , menu  524  of virtual device operations in  FIG. 5Q , menu  528  of virtual device rotations in  FIG. 5R , or any accessible menu) may be dismissed when an input is received from the adaptive input device when the visual indicator is not over the menu. 
     In some embodiments, while displaying the first menu on the display, the device waits ( 628 ) to receive input from the adaptive input device for more than a predefined time period (e.g., 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, or any reasonable time period). In some embodiments, the predefined time period is set by a user (e.g., via a settings menu). In response to waiting to receive input from the adaptive input device for more than the predefined time period (e.g., without receiving input from the adaptive input device), the device ceases to display the first menu (e.g., displaying user interface  502 -A,  FIG. 5A ). Similarly, the other menus described herein (e.g., menu  508  in  FIG. 5B , menu  512  of virtual multitouch contacts in  FIG. 5D , menu  516  of virtual gestures in  FIG. 5I , menu  524  of virtual device operations in  FIG. 5Q , menu  528  of virtual device rotations in  FIG. 5R , or any accessible menu) may be dismissed when input is not received from the adaptive input device within a predefined time period. 
     In some embodiments, the device detects ( 630 ,  FIG. 6C ) selection of the virtual touches selection icon (e.g., virtual touch selection icon  510 - 1 ,  FIG. 5C ). For example, the device detects activation of a button (e.g.,  488 - 1 ,  FIG. 4C ) on the adaptive input device when the visual indicator is located over the virtual touches selection icon (e.g., visual indicator  504 - 1 ,  FIG. 5C ), or detects the visual indicator moving across the virtual touches selection icon. In response to detecting selection of the virtual touches selection icon, the device displays the menu of virtual multitouch contacts (e.g., menu  512 ,  FIG. 5D ). The menu of virtual multitouch contacts includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual multitouch contacts (e.g., two-finger contacts icon  514 - 1 , three-finger contacts icon  514 - 2 , four-finger contacts icon  514 - 3 , and five-finger contacts icon  514 - 4  in menu  512 ,  FIG. 5D ). In some embodiments, the menu of virtual multitouch contacts also includes a single-finger contact icon (not shown). The device detects selection of a respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts (e.g., detecting selection of the virtual three-finger contacts icon  514 - 2  in  FIG. 5D , such as by detecting activation of a button on the adaptive input device when the visual indicator is located over virtual three-finger contacts icon  514 - 2  or detecting the visual indicator moving across the virtual three-finger contacts icon). In response to detecting selection of the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts, the device displays one or more second visual indicators (e.g., visual indicators  504 - 2  through  504 - 4  in  FIG. 5E ) that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon. In some embodiments, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts, the device also ceases to display the menu of virtual multitouch contacts (e.g., menu  512  is not displayed in  FIG. 5E ). In some embodiments, the second visual indicators are part of a single icon that represents multiple contacts that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon. Therefore, the one or more second visual indicators typically move in unison (e.g., moving a same distance in a same direction at a same speed). In some embodiments, the second visual indicators are multiple icons that represent multiple contacts that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon. 
     In some embodiments, displaying the second visual indicators includes ( 632 ) displaying a number of visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon. For example, in response to selection of the virtual three-finger contacts icon  514 - 2  in  FIG. 5D , three visual indicators that correspond to three virtual touches are displayed in  FIG. 5E . Similarly, in response to selection of the virtual two-finger contacts icon  514 - 1  in  FIG. 5D , the device displays two visual indicators that correspond to two virtual touches (not shown); in response to selection of the virtual four-finger contacts icon  514 - 3  in  FIG. 5D , the device displays four visual indicators that correspond to four virtual touches (not shown); and, in response to selection of the virtual five-finger contacts icon  514 - 4  in  FIG. 5D , the device displays five visual indicators that correspond to five virtual touches (not shown). 
     In some embodiments, the device receives ( 634 ) a second input from the adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device: moves the one or more second visual indicators, and performs an operation in accordance with the movement of the one or more second visual indicators. For example, in  FIG. 5E , inputs received by pushing the joystick to the left are used to move the three visual indicators to the left and navigate to a next open application, just as if three actual finger contacts were moving to the left on the touch-sensitive surface. 
     In some embodiments, while displaying the one or more second visual indicators, the device waits ( 636 ) to receive input from the adaptive input device for more than a predefined time period (e.g., 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, or any reasonable time period); and, in response to waiting to receive input from the adaptive input device for more than the predefined time period, replaces display of the one or more second visual indicators with display of the first visual indicator. For example, in response to waiting to receive input from the adaptive input device for more than the predefined time period (without receiving input from the adaptive input device), the device replaces display of three visual indicators  504 - 2  through  504 - 4  ( FIG. 5F ) with display of single visual indicator  504 - 1  ( FIG. 5G ). In some embodiments, the predefined time period is set by a user (e.g., via a settings menu, not shown). 
     In some embodiments, while displaying the one or more second visual indicators, the device waits for a user input for a first predefined time interval. In accordance with a determination that no user input was received during the first predefined time interval, the device replaces the display of the second visual indicator with a display of a third visual indicator distinct from the second visual indicator (e.g., different brightness, different color, different line pattern, different transparency, etc.). 
     In some embodiments, the second visual indicator and the third visual indicator represent the same number of touches. 
     In some embodiments, while displaying the third visual indicator, the device waits for a user input for a second predefined time interval. In some embodiments, the second predefined time interval is identical to the first predefined time interval. In other embodiments, the second predefined time interval is distinct from the first predefined time interval. In accordance with a determination that no user input was received during the second predefined time interval, the device replaces the display of the third visual indicator with a display of the first indicator. 
     In some embodiments, the device displays ( 638 ,  FIG. 6D ) a virtual gestures icon (e.g.,  510 - 2  in menu  508 ,  FIG. 5H ); detects selection of the virtual gestures icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, displays a menu of virtual gestures (e.g.,  516 ,  FIG. 5I ). The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures (e.g., icons  518 ,  FIG. 5I ). The device detects selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures (e.g., detecting selection of the virtual three-finger swipe up gesture icon  518 - 2  in  FIG. 5I  by activation of a button on the adaptive input device); and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, performs an action that corresponds to the respective virtual gesture. For example, in response to selection of the virtual three-finger swipe up gesture icon  518 - 2  in  FIG. 5I , the device displays application icon area  520  that includes a plurality of open application icons shown in  FIG. 5J . In some embodiments, the device may perform actions corresponding to certain gestures without displaying visual indicators that correspond to the gestures (e.g., in  FIG. 5J , open application icon area  520  is displayed without displaying visual indicators that correspond to the three-finger swipe up gesture). 
     In some embodiments, the device displays ( 640 ) a virtual gestures icon (e.g.,  510 - 2  in menu  508 ,  FIG. 5H ); detects selection of the virtual gestures icon (e.g., detecting activation of a button on the adaptive input device when the visual indicator is located over the virtual gestures icon, or detecting the visual indicator moving across the virtual gestures icon); and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, displays a menu of virtual gestures (e.g.,  516 ,  FIG. 5I ). The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures (e.g., virtual two-finger pinch/depinch gesture icon  518 - 1 , virtual three-finger swipe up gesture icon  518 - 2 , virtual three-finger swipe down gesture icon  518 - 3 , virtual user-configured gesture icon  518 - 4 ,  FIG. 5I ). The device detects selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures (e.g., detecting selection of virtual two-finger pinch/depinch gesture icon  518 - 1  in  FIG. 5I , such as by detecting activation of a button on the adaptive input device when the visual indicator is located over virtual two-finger pinch/depinch gesture icon  518 - 1  or detecting the visual indicator moving across the virtual two-finger pinch/depinch gesture icon); and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, displays a number of visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual gesture icon. For example, in response to selection of virtual two-finger pinch/depinch gesture icon  518 - 1  in  FIG. 5K , two visual indicators that correspond to two virtual touches are displayed in  FIG. 5L . The device receives a second input from the adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, performs an operation in accordance with the respective virtual gesture. For example, in  FIG. 5M , inputs received by the adaptive input device move two visual indicators  504 - 5  and  504 - 6  and scroll user interface  502 -A. In another example, in  FIG. 5O , inputs received by the adaptive input device displays the user interface at a different magnification (e.g., a zooming operation). 
     In some embodiments, in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, the device moves ( 642 ) the displayed visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual gesture to simulate movement of actual contacts on the touch sensitive surface (e.g., in  FIG. 5M , inputs received by the adaptive input device move the two visual indicators  504 - 5  and  504 - 6 ). 
     In some embodiments, the device displays ( 644 ) a pinch/depinch gesture icon (e.g., in the first menu or in a virtual gestures menu); detects selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon (e.g., detecting activation of a button on the adaptive input device when the visual indicator is located over the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon, or detecting the visual indicator moving across the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon); and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon, displays two visual indicators that correspond to contacts in the virtual pinch/depinch gesture. The device receives a second input from the adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, performs an operation in accordance with the virtual pinch/depinch gesture. In some embodiments, while the two visual indicators that correspond to contacts in the virtual pinch/depinch gesture are displayed, inputs received from the adaptive input device are used to perform actions that correspond to an actual pinch/depinch gesture on the touch-sensitive surface. For example, inputs received by pushing a joystick to the right are used to move the two visual indicators apart (depinch) and zoom in the display. Conversely, inputs received by pushing the joystick to the left are used to move the two visual indicators together (pinch) and zoom out the display. Thus, a user can use an adaptive input device to operate an electronic device with a touch-based user interface (e.g., perform virtual gestures on the display, etc.), even though the user does not actually touch the touch-sensitive surface on the device. 
     In some embodiments, in response to detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon (e.g.,  518 - 1 ,  FIG. 5K ), the device displays a user interface in a first operating mode. The first operating mode includes displaying a first visual indicator that includes two first-mode virtual touch points and a first connector linking the two first-mode virtual touch points. While in the first operating mode, the device detects a first predefined user input from an adaptive input device (e.g., a selection of a lock button  488 - 1 ,  FIG. 4C ). In response to detecting the first predefined user input while in the first operating mode, the device enters a second operating mode (e.g., terminating the first operating mode). The second operating mode includes replacing the first visual indicator with a second visual indicator that includes two second-mode virtual touch points (e.g.,  504 - 7  and  504 - 8 ,  FIG. 5N ), and a second connector linking the two second-mode virtual touch points. While in the second operating mode, the device detects a respective user input from the adaptive input device. In response to detecting the respective user input while in the second operating mode, the device performs a predefined operation (e.g., a zoom-in or zoom-out operation) that corresponds to a pinch or depinch gesture in accordance with the respective user input. The zooming operation is just one example of a predefined operation that may be performed in response to the virtual pinch/depinch gesture. As another example, in a photo application, a virtual depinch gesture on an album in a set of albums may result in display of the set of albums being replaced with display of digital photos in the selected album (not shown). In turn, a virtual depinch gesture on a photo in the selected album may result in display of the selected album being replaced with display of the selected photo. Conversely, a virtual pinch gesture on the selected photo may result in display of the selected photo being replaced with display of the selected album. In turn, a virtual pinch gesture on digital photos in the selected album may result in display of the digital photos in the selected album being replaced with display of the set of albums. More generally, any operation that is performed in the touch-based user interface by an actual pinch or depinch gesture on the touch-sensitive surface may also be performed by a virtual pinch or depinch gesture made with input from the adaptive input device. 
     In some embodiments, in response to detecting the respective user input while in the second operating mode, the device updates the display of the second visual indicator by moving respective locations of the two second-mode virtual touch points and adjusting a length of the second connector linking the two second-mode virtual touch points (e.g., moving second-mode visual indicators  504 - 7  and  504 - 8  and connector  522 ,  FIG. 5O ). 
     In some embodiments, while in the second operating mode, the device detects a second predefined user input from the adaptive input device; and, in response to detecting the second predefined user input while in the second operating mode, enters the first operating mode (e.g., terminating the second operating mode). For example, display of the second-mode visual indicators in  FIG. 5O  may be replaced with display of first-mode visual indicators. In some embodiments, changing from the second operating mode to the first operating mode does not change the magnification of the displayed user interface. 
     In some embodiments, while in the first operating mode, the device detects a second respective user input from the adaptive input device; and, in response to detecting the second predefined user input while in the first operating mode, the device scrolls the user interface in accordance with the second respective user input (e.g., the scrolled user interface in  FIG. 5N ). 
     In some embodiments, each first-mode virtual touch point includes a ring-shaped display object (e.g.,  504 - 5  and  504 - 6  in  FIG. 5M ); and each second-mode virtual touch point includes the ring-shaped display object and a concentric circle inside the ring-shaped display object ( 504 - 7  and  504 - 8  in  FIG. 5N ). 
     In some embodiments, each connector includes a chain-shaped display object (e.g.,  522 ,  FIG. 5M ). 
     In some embodiments, a zooming operation (e.g., zooming in the display or zooming out the display) is performed ( 646 ) in accordance with the virtual pinch/depinch gesture (e.g., see the zoomed-in user interface  502 -A in  FIG. 5O ). 
     In some embodiments, the device displays ( 648 ,  FIG. 6E ) a virtual device icon (e.g.,  510 - 3  in  FIG. 5P ); detects selection of the virtual device icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual device icon, displays a menu of virtual device operations (e.g., menu  524  in  FIG. 5Q ). The menu of virtual device operations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device operations (e.g., icons  526  in  FIG. 5Q ). Exemplary virtual device operations may include operations that are normally performed via physical controls on the electronic device, such as: muting and unmuting the ringer and sound effects on the device, which is normally performed via a mute switch; locking the device, which is normally initiated via a lock/unlock switch; increase volume, which is normally performed via a volume up button; decrease volume, which is normally performed via a volume down button. Exemplary virtual device operations may also include shaking the electronic device to perform a predefined operation (e.g., an undo operation) and rotating the electronic device to rotate the display orientation. Operations like shaking and rotation are typically detected via an accelerometer in the electronic device. The device detects selection of a respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations (e.g., detecting selection of virtual device rotation icon  526 - 2  in  FIG. 5Q , such as by detecting activation of a button on the adaptive input device when the visual indicator is located over virtual device rotation icon  526 - 2  or detecting the visual indicator moving across virtual device rotation icon  526 - 2 ); and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations, performs an action that corresponds to the respective virtual device operation. For example, in response to selection of virtual device lock screen icon  526 - 4  in  FIG. 5Q , the device locks the screen of the device or launches a screen saver application (not shown). Thus, a user can also use the adaptive input device to operate the physical controls on the electronic device, even though the user does not actually touch the physical controls on the device. 
     In some embodiments, the device displays ( 650 ) a virtual device rotation icon (e.g.,  526 - 2  in menu  524 ,  FIG. 5Q ); detects selection of the virtual device rotation icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon, displays a menu of virtual device orientations (e.g., menu  528 ,  FIG. 5R ). The menu of virtual device orientations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device orientations (e.g., virtual portrait orientation icon  530 - 1 , virtual landscape orientation left icon  530 - 2 , virtual landscape orientation right icon  530 - 3 , and virtual upside down portrait orientation icon  530 - 4 ,  FIG. 5R ). The device detects selection of a respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations (e.g., detecting selection of the virtual landscape orientation left icon  530 - 2  in  FIG. 5R , such as by detecting activation of a button on the adaptive input device when the visual indicator is located over the virtual landscape orientation left icon  530 - 2  or detecting the visual indicator moving across the virtual landscape orientation left icon  530 - 2 ); and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations, orients the display in accordance with the respective virtual device orientation. For example, in response to selection of the virtual landscape orientation left icon  530 - 2  in  FIG. 5R , the device changes the orientation of the user interface to that shown in  FIG. 5S . 
     In some embodiments, the device includes ( 652 ) a home button (e.g., a virtual home button displayed on the display or a physical home button  204  separate from the display,  FIG. 2 ). The device displays a home button icon (e.g.,  510 - 4 , in menu  508 ,  FIG. 5T , or in the menu of virtual device operations); detects selection of the home button icon (e.g., detecting activation of a button on the adaptive input device when the visual indicator is located over the home button icon, or detecting the visual indicator moving across the home button icon); and, in response to detecting selection of the home button icon, performs an action that corresponds to activation of the home button. For example, in response to selection of home button icon  510 - 4  in  FIG. 5T , home screen  502 -D is displayed in  FIG. 5U , just as if the home button  204  ( FIG. 2 ) had been pressed. 
     Note that details of the processes described above with respect to method  600  are also applicable in an analogous manner to the other methods described herein, including methods  700 ,  800 ,  900 ,  1000 ,  1100 ,  1200 , and  1300  described below. For brevity, these details are not repeated below. 
       FIG. 7  is a flow diagram illustrating a method  700  of using a menu of virtual multitouch contacts icon in accordance with some embodiments. Method  700  is performed at an electronic device (e.g., device  300 ,  FIG. 3 , or portable multifunction device  100 ,  FIG. 1 ) with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the display is a touch screen display and the touch-sensitive surface is on the display. In some embodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method  700  may be combined and/or the order of some operations may be changed. 
     As described below, method  700  uses a menu of virtual multitouch contacts in conjunction with input from an adaptive input device (e.g., a joystick) to select a type of multitouch contact being emulated. This enables the user to perform, without using the touch-sensitive surface of the electronic device, multitouch operations that would otherwise require interaction with the touch-sensitive surface of the electronic device using multiple fingers. 
     The device displays ( 702 ), on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch (e.g., a virtual touch on the touch-sensitive surface, such as a virtual single finger contact); receives ( 704 ) a first input from an adaptive input device (e.g., detecting activation of a button on the adaptive input device when the visual indicator is located over the virtual touches selection icon, or detecting the visual indicator moving across the virtual touches selection icon); and, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, displays ( 706 ) a menu of virtual multitouch contacts (e.g., menu  512 ,  FIG. 5D ). The menu of virtual multitouch contacts includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual multitouch contacts (e.g., two-finger contacts icon  514 - 1 , three-finger contacts icon  514 - 2 , four-finger contacts icon  514 - 3 , and five-finger contacts icon  514 - 4  in menu  512 ,  FIG. 5D ). In some embodiments, the menu of virtual multitouch contacts also includes a single-finger contact icon (not shown). 
     The device detects ( 708 ) selection of a respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts (e.g., detecting selection of the virtual three-finger contacts icon  514 - 2  in  FIG. 5D , such as by detecting activation of a button on the adaptive input device when the visual indicator is located over the virtual three-finger contacts icon  514 - 2  or detecting the visual indicator moving across the virtual three-finger contacts icon); and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts, displays ( 710 ) one or more second visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon (e.g., visual indicators  504 - 2  through  504 - 4 ,  FIG. 5E ). In some embodiments, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts, the device also ceases to display the menu of virtual multitouch contacts. In some embodiments, the second visual indicators are part of a single icon that represents multiple contacts that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon. In some embodiments, the second visual indicators are multiple icons that represent multiple contacts that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon. 
       FIG. 8  is a flow diagram illustrating a method  800  of using a menu of virtual gestures in accordance with some embodiments. Method  800  is performed at an electronic device (e.g., device  300 ,  FIG. 3 , or portable multifunction device  100 ,  FIG. 1 ) with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the display is a touch screen display and the touch-sensitive surface is on the display. In some embodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method  800  may be combined and/or the order of some operations may be changed. 
     As described below, method  800  uses a menu of virtual gestures in conjunction with input from an adaptive input device to select and emulate actual gestures on a touch-sensitive surface. This allows a user to make, without using the touch-sensitive surface of the electronic device, virtual multitouch gestures that produce the same results as those obtained by interacting with the touch-sensitive surface of the electronic device using multiple fingers. 
     The device displays ( 802 ), on the display, a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch (e.g., a virtual touch on the touch-sensitive surface, such as a virtual single finger contact); receives ( 804 ) a first input from an adaptive input device (e.g., detecting activation of a button on the adaptive input device when the visual indicator is located over a virtual gestures icon, or detecting the visual indicator moving across the virtual gestures icon); and, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, displays ( 806 ) a menu of virtual gestures (e.g., menu  516 ,  FIG. 5K ). The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures (e.g., virtual two-finger pinch/depinch gesture icon  518 - 1 , virtual three-finger swipe up gesture icon  518 - 2 , virtual three-finger swipe down gesture icon  518 - 3 , virtual user-configured gesture icon  518 - 4 ,  FIG. 5K ). 
     The device detects ( 808 ) selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures (e.g., detecting selection of the virtual two-finger pinch/depinch gesture icon  518 - 1  in  FIG. 5K , such as by detecting activation of a button on the adaptive input device when the visual indicator is located over the virtual two-finger pinch/depinch gesture icon  518 - 1  or detecting the visual indicator moving across the virtual two-finger pinch/depinch gesture icon); and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, displays ( 810 ) a number of visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual gesture icon. For example, in response to selection of the virtual two-finger pinch/depinch gesture icon  518 - 1  in  FIG. 5K , two visual indicators that correspond to two virtual touches are displayed in  FIG. 5L . 
     The device receives ( 812 ) a second input from the adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, performs ( 814 ) an operation in accordance with the respective virtual gesture. For example, in  FIG. 5M , inputs received by the adaptive input device move two visual indicators  504 - 5  and  504 - 6  and scroll user interface  502 -A. In another example, in  FIG. 5O , inputs received by the adaptive input device displays the user interface at a different magnification (e.g., a zooming operation). 
       FIG. 9  is a flow diagram illustrating a method  900  of performing a virtual pinch gesture in accordance with some embodiments. Method  900  is performed at an electronic device (e.g., device  300 ,  FIG. 3 , or portable multifunction device  100 ,  FIG. 1 ) with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the display is a touch screen display and the touch-sensitive surface is on the display. In some embodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method  900  may be combined and/or the order of some operations may be changed. 
     As described below, method  900  uses two visual indicators (which correspond to two virtual touches) in conjunction with input from an adaptive input device to emulate pinch/depinch gestures on a touch-sensitive surface. This allows a user to perform, without using the touch-sensitive surface of the electronic device, an operation (e.g., zooming) that would otherwise require interaction with the touch-sensitive surface of the electronic device using two fingers. 
     The device displays ( 902 ) a pinch/depinch gesture icon (e.g., in the first menu or in a virtual gestures menu); detects ( 904 ) selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon (e.g., detecting activation of a button on the adaptive input device when the visual indicator is located over the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon, or detecting the visual indicator moving across the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon); and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon, displays ( 906 ) two visual indicators that correspond to contacts in the virtual pinch/depinch gesture (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 5K-5L ). 
     The device receives ( 908 ) an input from an adaptive input device; and, in response to receiving the input from the adaptive input device, performs ( 910 ) a zooming operation in accordance with the respective virtual pinch/depinch gesture (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 5N-5O ). In some embodiments, while the two visual indicators that correspond to contacts in the virtual pinch/depinch gesture are displayed, inputs received from the adaptive input device are used to perform actions that correspond to an actual pinch/depinch gesture on the touch-sensitive surface. For example, inputs received by pushing a joystick to the right are used to move the two visual indicators apart (depinch) and zoom in the display. Conversely, inputs received by pushing the joystick to the left are used to move the two visual indicators together (pinch) and zoom out the display. Thus, a user can use an adaptive input device to operate an electronic device with a touch-based user interface (e.g., perform virtual gestures on the display, etc.), even though the user does not actually touch the touch-sensitive surface on the device. 
       FIG. 10  is a flow diagram illustrating a method  1000  of using a menu of virtual gestures in accordance with some embodiments. Method  1000  is performed at an electronic device (e.g., device  300 ,  FIG. 3 , or portable multifunction device  100 ,  FIG. 1 ) with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the display is a touch screen display and the touch-sensitive surface is on the display. In some embodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method  1000  may be combined and/or the order of some operations may be changed. 
     As described below, method  1000  uses a menu of virtual gestures in conjunction with input from an adaptive input device to select and emulate actual gestures on a touch-sensitive surface. This allows a user to make, without using the touch-sensitive surface of the electronic device, virtual multitouch gestures that produce the same results as those obtained by interacting with the touch-sensitive surface of the electronic device using multiple fingers. 
     The device displays ( 1002 ) a virtual gestures icon (e.g., in the first menu); detects ( 1004 ) selection of the virtual gestures icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, displays ( 1006 ) a menu of virtual gestures (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 5H-5I ). The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. 
     The device detects ( 1008 ) selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures (e.g., detecting selection of virtual three-finger swipe up gesture icon  518 - 2  in  FIG. 5I  by activation of a button on the adaptive input device); and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, performs ( 1010 ) an action that corresponds to the respective virtual gesture. For example, in response to selection of virtual three-finger swipe up gesture icon  518 - 2  in  FIG. 5I , the device displays application icon area  520  that includes a plurality of open application icons shown in  FIG. 5J . In some embodiments, the device may perform actions corresponding to certain gestures without displaying visual indicators that correspond to the gestures. 
       FIG. 11  is a flow diagram illustrating a method  1100  of using a menu of virtual device operations in accordance with some embodiments. Method  1100  is performed at an electronic device (e.g., device  300 ,  FIG. 3 , or portable multifunction device  100 ,  FIG. 1 ) with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the display is a touch screen display and the touch-sensitive surface is on the display. In some embodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method  1100  may be combined and/or the order of some operations may be changed. 
     As described below, method  1100  uses a menu of virtual device operations in conjunction with input from an adaptive input device to select and emulate operations that are normally performed via activation of physical controls on the electronic device (e.g., mute switches, lock switches, volume buttons) or in response to activity detected by an accelerometer (e.g., device shaking or device rotation). This allows a user to perform operations that would otherwise require interaction with the physical controls of the electronic device or the device as a whole. 
     The device displays ( 1102 ) a virtual device icon (e.g., in the first menu); detects ( 1104 ) selection of the virtual device icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual device icon, displays ( 1106 ) a menu of virtual device operations (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 5P-5Q ). The menu of virtual device operations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device operations. Exemplary virtual device operations may include operations that are normally performed via physical controls on the electronic device, such as: muting and unmuting the ringer and sound effects on the device, which is normally performed via a mute switch; locking the device, which is normally initiated via a lock/unlock switch; increase volume, which is normally performed via a volume up button; decrease volume, which is normally performed via a volume down button. Exemplary virtual device operations may also include shaking the electronic device to perform a predefined operation (e.g., an undo operation) and rotating the electronic device to rotate the display orientation. Operations like shaking and rotation are typically detected via an accelerometer in the electronic device. 
     The device detects ( 1108 ) selection of a respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations (e.g., detecting selection of virtual muting/unmuting icon  526 - 1 , such as by detecting activation of a button on the adaptive input device when the visual indicator is located over virtual muting/unmuting icon  526 - 1  or detecting the visual indicator moving across the virtual muting/unmuting icon); and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations, performs ( 1110 ) an action that corresponds to the respective virtual device operation. For example, in response to selection of virtual muting/unmuting icon  526 - 1  in  FIG. 5Q , the device mutes or unmutes the ringer and sound effects on the device. Thus, a user can also use the adaptive input device to operate the physical controls on the electronic device, even though the user does not actually touch the physical controls on the device. 
       FIG. 12  is a flow diagram illustrating a method  1200  of using a menu of virtual device orientations in accordance with some embodiments. Method  1200  is performed at an electronic device (e.g., device  300 ,  FIG. 3 , or portable multifunction device  100 ,  FIG. 1 ) with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the display is a touch screen display and the touch-sensitive surface is on the display. In some embodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method  1200  may be combined and/or the order of some operations may be changed. 
     As described below, method  1200  uses a menu of virtual device orientations in conjunction with input from an adaptive input device to control the display orientation. This allows a user to orient the display of the electronic device without physically rotating the electronic device. 
     The device displays ( 1202 ) a virtual device rotation icon (e.g., in the virtual device menu); detects ( 1204 ) selection of the virtual device rotation icon; and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon, displays ( 1206 ) a menu of virtual device orientations (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 5Q-5R ). The menu of virtual device orientations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device orientations (e.g., virtual portrait orientation icon  530 - 1 , virtual landscape orientation left icon  530 - 2 , virtual landscape orientation right icon  530 - 3 , and virtual upside down portrait orientation icon  530 - 4 ,  FIG. 5R ). 
     The device detects ( 1208 ) selection of a respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations (e.g., detecting selection of virtual landscape orientation left icon  530 - 2  in  FIG. 5R , such as by detecting activation of a button on the adaptive input device when the visual indicator is located over virtual landscape orientation left icon  530 - 2  or detecting the visual indicator moving across the virtual landscape orientation left icon). In response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations, the device orients ( 1210 ) the display in accordance with the respective virtual device orientation. For example, in response to selection of virtual landscape orientation left icon  530 - 2  in  FIG. 5R , the device orients the user interface on display to that shown in  FIG. 5S . 
       FIG. 13  is a flow diagram illustrating method  1300  of creating a user-defined virtual gesture in accordance with some embodiments. Method  1300  is performed at an electronic device (e.g., device  300 ,  FIG. 3 , or portable multifunction device  100 ,  FIG. 1 ) with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the display is a touch screen display and the touch-sensitive surface is on the display. In some embodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method  1300  may be combined and/or the order of some operations may be changed. 
     As described below, method  1300  uses input from an adaptive input device to create user-defined, custom virtual gestures. This allows a user to record and retrieve virtual multitouch gestures that would otherwise require interaction with the touch-sensitive surface using multiple fingers. 
     The device, while in a virtual-gesture recording mode ( 1302 ), displays ( 1304 ) a plurality of visual indicators on the display (e.g., icons that correspond to respective virtual single finger contacts). For example, in  FIG. 5AA , visual indicators  540 - 1  and  540 - 2  are displayed. 
     For each visual indicator in the plurality of visual indicators ( 1306 ), the device receives ( 1308 ) from an adaptive input device a respective user input for the respective visual indicator; moves ( 1310 ) the respective visual indicator in accordance with the respective user input; and concurrently displays ( 1312 ) with the respective visual indicator a respective trail corresponding to movement of the respective visual indicator (e.g., visual indicator  540 - 1  and trail  542 - 1 ,  FIG. 5Y ). 
     In some embodiments, while in the virtual-gesture recording mode, the device concurrently displays ( 1314 ) the plurality of respective visual indicators and a corresponding plurality of respective trails. For example, visual indicators  540 - 1  and  540 - 2  are displayed concurrently with trails  542 - 1  and  542 - 2  in  FIG. 5AA . 
     The device creates ( 1316 ) a user-defined virtual gesture that corresponds to the plurality of visual indicators and the movements of the plurality of visual indicators. The user-defined gesture may include the absolute or relative positions of the plurality of visual indicators, and the relative or absolute movements of the plurality of visual indicators. 
     The device associates ( 1318 ) the user-defined virtual gesture with a predefined operation of the electronic device; and stores ( 1320 ) the user-defined virtual gesture. Thus, a user can use an adaptive input device to create a custom virtual multitouch gesture for an electronic device with a touch-based user interface, even though the user does not actually touch the touch-sensitive surface on the device. 
     In some embodiments, after creating the user-defined virtual gesture and associating the user-defined virtual gesture with a predefined operation of the electronic device, the device receives ( 1322 ) an input from the adaptive input device (e.g., detecting activation of a button on the adaptive input device when a visual indicator is located over an icon that corresponds to the user-defined virtual gesture, such as icon  518 - 4  in  FIG. 5AB , or detecting the visual indicator moving across the icon that corresponds to the user-defined virtual gesture); and, in response to receiving the input from the adaptive input device, performs the predefined operation associated with the user-defined virtual gesture. 
     In some embodiments, in response to receiving the input from the adaptive input device, the device displays ( 1324 ) an animated movement of the plurality of respective visual indicators in the user-defined virtual gesture along their respective trails. For example, in  FIG. 5AC , the animated movement of visual indicators  540 - 1  and  540 - 2  is displayed along with their respective trails  542 - 1  and  542 - 2 . In some embodiments, the stored user-defined virtual gesture includes the location and time of each visual indicator in the user-defined virtual gesture so that both fast and slow user-defined virtual gestures can be recreated, thereby mimicking the exact user-defined virtual gesture that was created in the virtual-gesture recording mode. In some embodiments, the user-defined virtual gesture can be shown (“replayed”) at a constant speed, rather than at the speed it was created at in the virtual-gesture recording mode. Constant speed is useful in cases where it is difficult for the user to generate events at a “natural pace.” For constant speed virtual gestures, the events in the gesture may be generated at the average rate at which events are received when an actual finger moves across the touch-sensitive surface, to avoid generating events faster than the device can handle them. 
     In accordance with some embodiments,  FIG. 14  shows a functional block diagram of electronic device  1400  configured in accordance with the principles of the invention as described above. The functional blocks of the device may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software to carry out the principles of the invention. It is understood by persons of skill in the art that the functional blocks described in  FIG. 1400  may be combined or separated into sub-blocks to implement the principles of the invention as described above. Therefore, the description herein may support any possible combination or separation or further definition of the functional blocks described herein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , electronic device  1400  includes display unit  1402  configured to display a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; touch-sensitive surface unit  1404  configured to receive finger contacts; and processing unit  1406  coupled to display unit  1402  and touch-sensitive surface unit  1404 . In some embodiments, processing unit  1406  includes receiving unit  1408 , display enabling unit  1410 , detecting unit  1412 , moving unit  1414 , performing unit  1416 , waiting unit  1418 , orienting unit  1420 , and constraining unit  1422 . 
     Processing unit  1406  is configured to: receive a first input from an adaptive input device (e.g., with receiving unit  1408 ); and, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, enable display of a first menu on the display unit (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410 ). The first menu includes a virtual touches selection icon. In response to detecting selection of the virtual touches selection icon, a menu of virtual multitouch contacts is displayed (e.g., on display unit  1402  with display enabling unit  1410 ). 
     In some embodiments, the first visual indicator comprises one of: a ring, donut, circle, oval, ellipse, arrow, cross, I-beam, star, or virtual finger. 
     In some embodiments, the first input moves the first visual indicator to a predefined region of the display unit. 
     In some embodiments, the first input corresponds to activation of a control on the adaptive input device. 
     In some embodiments, the first input corresponds to moving a control on the adaptive input device from side-to-side. 
     In some embodiments, the adaptive input device includes a joystick and the first input corresponds to moving the joystick from side-to-side. 
     In some embodiments, the first menu includes icons displayed radially about a center of the first menu. 
     In some embodiments, a first user interface is displayed on display unit  1402  immediately prior to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, and the first menu is displayed over the first user interface (e.g., on display unit  1402 ). 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1406  is configured to, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, enable display of the first visual indicator in a center region of the first menu (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410  on display unit  1402 ). 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1406  is configured to: detect selection of the virtual touches selection icon (e.g., with detecting unit  1412 ); and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual touches selection icon, enable display of the menu of virtual multitouch contacts (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410  on display unit  1402 ). The menu of virtual multitouch contacts includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual multitouch contacts. Processing unit  1406  is configured to: detect selection of a respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts (e.g., with detecting unit  1412 ); and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts, enable display of one or more second visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410  on display unit  1402 ). 
     In some embodiments, enabling display of the second visual indicators includes enabling display of a number of visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410  on display unit  1402 ). 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1406  is configured to: receive a second input from the adaptive input device (e.g., with receiving unit  1408 ); and, in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device: move the one or more second visual indicators (e.g., with moving unit  1414 ), and perform an operation in accordance with the movement of the one or more second visual indicators (e.g., with performing unit  1416 ). 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1406  is configured to, while enabling display of the one or more second visual indicators, wait to receive input from the adaptive input device for more than a predefined time period (e.g., with waiting unit  1418 ); and, in response to waiting to receive input from the adaptive input device for more than the predefined time period, replace display of the one or more second visual indicators with display of the first visual indicator (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410 ). 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1406  is configured to: enable display of a virtual gestures icon (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410  on display unit  1402 ); detect selection of the virtual gestures icon (e.g., with detecting unit  1412 ); and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, enable display of a menu of virtual gestures (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410  on display unit  1402 ). The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. Processing unit  1406  is configured to: detect selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures (e.g., with detecting unit  1412 ); and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, perform an action that corresponds to the respective virtual gesture (e.g., with performing unit  1416 ). 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1406  is configured to: enable display of a virtual gestures icon (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410  on display unit  1402 ); detect selection of the virtual gestures icon (e.g., with detecting unit  1412 ); and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, enable display of a menu of virtual gestures (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410  on display unit  1402 ). The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. Processing unit  1406  is configured to: detect selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures (e.g., with detecting unit  1412 ); in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, enable display of a number of visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual gesture icon (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410 ); receive a second input from the adaptive input device (e.g., with receiving unit  1408 ); and, in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, perform an operation in accordance with the respective virtual gesture (e.g., with performing unit  1416 ). 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1406  is configured to, in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, move the displayed visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual gesture to simulate movement of actual contacts on the touch sensitive surface unit (e.g., with moving unit  1414 ). 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1406  is configured to: enable display of a pinch/depinch gesture icon (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410  on display unit  1402 ); detect selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon (e.g., with detecting unit  1412 ); in response to detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon, enable display of two visual indicators that correspond to contacts in the virtual pinch/depinch gesture (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410  on display unit  1402 ); receive a second input from the adaptive input device (e.g., with receiving unit  1408 ); and, in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, perform an operation in accordance with the virtual pinch/depinch gesture (e.g., with performing unit  1416 ). 
     In some embodiments, a zooming operation is performed in accordance with the virtual pinch/depinch gesture. 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1406  is configured to: enable display of a virtual device icon (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410  on display unit  1402 ); detect selection of the virtual device icon (e.g., with detecting unit  1412 ); in response to detecting selection of the virtual device icon, enable display of a menu of virtual device operations, the menu of virtual device operations including a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device operations (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410  on display unit  1402 ); detect selection of a respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations (e.g., with detecting unit  1412 ); and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations, perform an action that corresponds to the respective virtual device operation (e.g., with performing unit  1416 ). 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1406  is configured to: enable display of a virtual device rotation icon (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410  on display unit  1402 ); detect selection of the virtual device rotation icon (e.g., with detecting unit  1412 ); and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon, enable display of a menu of virtual device orientations (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410  on display unit  1402 ). The menu of virtual device orientations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device orientations. Processing unit  1406  is configured to: detect selection of a respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations (e.g., with detecting unit  1412 ); and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations, orient the display in accordance with the respective virtual device orientation (e.g., with orienting unit  1420 ). 
     In some embodiments, electronic device  1400  includes a home button. Processing unit  1406  is configured to: enable display of a home button icon (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410  on display unit  1402 ); detect selection of the home button icon (e.g., with detecting unit  1412 ); and, in response to detecting selection of the home button icon, perform an action that corresponds to activation of the home button (e.g., with performing unit  1416 ). 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1406  is configured to, while enabling display of a menu on the display unit, constrain movement of the first visual indicator such that the first visual indicator remains on the menu (e.g., with constraining unit  1422 ). 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1406  is configured to, while enabling display of the first menu on the display unit, receive a second input from the adaptive input device when the first visual indicator is displayed off the first menu (e.g., with receiving unit  1408 ); and, in response to the second input, cease to display the first menu (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410 ). 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1406  is configured to, while enabling display the first menu on the display unit, wait to receive input from the adaptive input device for more than a predefined time period (e.g., with waiting unit  1418 ); and, in response to waiting to receive input from the adaptive input device for more than the predefined time period, cease to display the first menu (e.g., with display enabling unit  1410 ). 
     In accordance with some embodiments,  FIG. 15  shows a functional block diagram of electronic device  1500  configured in accordance with the principles of the invention as described above. The functional blocks of the device may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software to carry out the principles of the invention. It is understood by persons of skill in the art that the functional blocks described in  FIG. 1500  may be combined or separated into sub-blocks to implement the principles of the invention as described above. Therefore, the description herein may support any possible combination or separation or further definition of the functional blocks described herein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , electronic device  1500  includes display unit  1502  configured to display a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch; touch-sensitive surface unit  1504  configured to receive finger contacts; and processing unit  1506  coupled to display unit  1502  and touch-sensitive surface unit  1504 . In some embodiments, processing unit  1506  includes receiving unit  1508 , display enabling unit  1510 , and detecting unit  1512 . 
     Processing unit  1506  is configured to: receive a first input from an adaptive input device (e.g., with receiving unit  1508 ); and, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, enable display of a menu of virtual multitouch contacts (e.g., with display enabling unit  1510  on display unit  1502 ). The menu of virtual multitouch contacts includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual multitouch contacts. Processing unit  1506  is configured to: detect selection of a respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts (e.g., with detecting unit  1512 ); and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon in the menu of virtual multitouch contacts, enable display of one or more second visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual multitouch contacts icon (e.g., with display enabling unit  1510  on display unit  1502 ). 
     In accordance with some embodiments,  FIG. 16  shows a functional block diagram of electronic device  1600  configured in accordance with the principles of the invention as described above. The functional blocks of the device may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software to carry out the principles of the invention. It is understood by persons of skill in the art that the functional blocks described in  FIG. 1600  may be combined or separated into sub-blocks to implement the principles of the invention as described above. Therefore, the description herein may support any possible combination or separation or further definition of the functional blocks described herein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , electronic device  1600  includes display unit  1602  configured to display user interface objects (e.g., one or more icons and/or indicators); touch-sensitive surface unit  1604  configured to receive finger contacts; and processing unit  1606  coupled to display unit  1602  and touch-sensitive surface unit  1604 . In some embodiments, processing unit  1606  includes receiving unit  1608 , display enabling unit  1610 , detecting unit  1612 , and performing unit  1614 . 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1606  is configured to: enable display of a first visual indicator that corresponds to a virtual touch (e.g., with display enabling unit  1610  on display unit  1602 ); receive a first input from an adaptive input device (e.g., with receiving unit  1608 ); and, in response to receiving the first input from the adaptive input device, enable display of a menu of virtual gestures (e.g., with display enabling unit  1610  on display unit  1602 ). The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. Processing unit  1606  is configured to: detect selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures (e.g., with detecting unit  1612 ); in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, enable display of a number of visual indicators that correspond to the respective virtual gesture icon (e.g., with display enabling unit  1612  on display unit  1602 ); receive a second input from the adaptive input device (e.g., with receiving unit  1608 ); and, in response to receiving the second input from the adaptive input device, perform an operation in accordance with the respective virtual gesture (e.g., with performing unit  1614 ). 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1606  is configured to: enable display of a pinch/depinch gesture icon (e.g., with display enabling unit  1610  on display unit  1602 ); detect selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon (e.g., with detecting unit  1612 ); in response to detecting selection of the virtual pinch/depinch gesture icon, enable display of two visual indicators that correspond to contacts in the virtual pinch/depinch gesture (e.g., with display enabling unit  1612  on display unit  1602 ); receive an input from an adaptive input device (e.g., with receiving unit  1608 ); and, in response to receiving the input from the adaptive input device, perform a zooming operation in accordance with the respective virtual pinch/depinch gesture (e.g., with performing unit  1614 ). 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1606  is configured to: enable display of a virtual gestures icon (e.g., with display enabling unit  1610  on display unit  1602 ); detect selection of the virtual gestures icon (e.g., with detecting unit  1612 ); and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual gestures icon, enable display of a menu of virtual gestures (e.g., with display enabling unit  1610  on display unit  1602 ). The menu of virtual gestures includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual gestures. Processing unit  1606  is configured to: detect selection of a respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures (e.g., detecting unit  1612 ); and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual gesture icon in the menu of virtual gestures, perform an action that corresponds to the respective virtual gesture (e.g., performing unit  1614 ). 
     In accordance with some embodiments,  FIG. 17  shows a functional block diagram of electronic device  1700  configured in accordance with the principles of the invention as described above. The functional blocks of the device may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software to carry out the principles of the invention. It is understood by persons of skill in the art that the functional blocks described in  FIG. 1700  may be combined or separated into sub-blocks to implement the principles of the invention as described above. Therefore, the description herein may support any possible combination or separation or further definition of the functional blocks described herein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , electronic device  1700  includes display unit  1702  configured to display a virtual device icon; touch-sensitive surface unit  1704  configured to receive finger contacts; and processing unit  1706  coupled to display unit  1702  and touch-sensitive surface unit  1704 . In some embodiments, processing unit  1706  includes detecting unit  1708 , display enabling unit  1710 , and performing unit  1712 . 
     Processing unit  1706  is configured to: detect selection of the virtual device icon (e.g., with detecting unit  1708 ); and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual device icon, enable display of a menu of virtual device operations (e.g., with display enabling unit  1710  on display unit  1702 ). The menu of virtual device operations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device operations. Processing unit  1706  is configured to: detect selection of a respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations (e.g., with detecting unit  1710 ); and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device operation icon in the menu of virtual device operations, perform an action that corresponds to the respective virtual device operation (e.g., with performing unit  1712 ). 
     In accordance with some embodiments,  FIG. 18  shows a functional block diagram of electronic device  1800  configured in accordance with the principles of the invention as described above. The functional blocks of the device may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software to carry out the principles of the invention. It is understood by persons of skill in the art that the functional blocks described in  FIG. 1800  may be combined or separated into sub-blocks to implement the principles of the invention as described above. Therefore, the description herein may support any possible combination or separation or further definition of the functional blocks described herein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , electronic device  1800  includes display unit  1802  configured to display a virtual device rotation icon; touch-sensitive surface unit  1804  configured to receive finger contacts; and processing unit  1806  coupled to display unit  1802  and touch-sensitive surface unit  1804 . In some embodiments, processing unit  1806  includes detecting unit  1808 , display enabling unit  1810 , and orienting unit  1812 . 
     Processing unit  1806  is configured to: detect selection of the virtual device rotation icon (e.g., with detecting unit  1808 ); and, in response to detecting selection of the virtual device rotation icon, enable display of a menu of virtual device orientations (e.g., with display enabling unit  1810  on display unit  1802 ). The menu of virtual device orientations includes a plurality of icons representing types of virtual device orientations. Processing unit  1806  is configured to: detect selection of a respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations (e.g., with detecting unit  1808 ); and, in response to detecting selection of the respective virtual device orientation icon in the menu of virtual device orientations, orient the display in accordance with the respective virtual device orientation (e.g., with orienting unit  1812 ). 
     In accordance with some embodiments,  FIG. 19  shows a functional block diagram of electronic device  1900  configured in accordance with the principles of the invention as described above. The functional blocks of the device may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software to carry out the principles of the invention. It is understood by persons of skill in the art that the functional blocks described in  FIG. 1900  may be combined or separated into sub-blocks to implement the principles of the invention as described above. Therefore, the description herein may support any possible combination or separation or further definition of the functional blocks described herein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , electronic device  1900  includes display unit  1902  configured to display visual indicators; touch-sensitive surface unit  1904  configured to receive finger contacts; and processing unit  1906  coupled to display unit  1902  and touch-sensitive surface unit  1904 . In some embodiments, processing unit  1906  includes display enabling unit  1908 , receiving unit  1910 , moving unit  1912 , creating unit  1914 , associating unit  1916 , storing unit  1918 , and performing unit  1920 . 
     Processing unit  1906  is configured to, while in a virtual-gesture recording mode: enable display of a plurality of visual indicators on the display unit (e.g., with display enabling unit  1908  on display unit  1902 ); and, for each visual indicator in the plurality of visual indicators: receive from an adaptive input device a respective user input for the respective visual indicator (e.g., with receiving unit  1910 ); move the respective visual indicator in accordance with the respective user input (e.g., with moving unit  1912  and/or display enabling unit  1910 ); and enable concurrent display of the respective visual indicator and a respective trail corresponding to movement of the respective visual indicator (e.g., with display enabling unit  1908  on display unit  1902 ). Processing unit  1906  is configured to: create a user-defined virtual gesture that corresponds to the plurality of visual indicators and the movements of the plurality of visual indicators (e.g., with creating unit  1914 ); associate the user-defined virtual gesture with a predefined operation of the electronic device (e.g., with associating unit  1916 ); and store the user-defined virtual gesture (e.g., with storing unit  1918 ). 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1906  is configured to, while in the virtual-gesture recording mode, enable concurrent display of the plurality of respective visual indicators and a corresponding plurality of respective trails (e.g., with display enabling unit  1908  on display unit  1902 ). 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1906  is configured to, after creating the user-defined virtual gesture and associating the user-defined virtual gesture with a predefined operation of the electronic device: receive an input from the adaptive input device (e.g., with receiving unit  1910 ); and, in response to receiving the input from the adaptive input device, perform the predefined operation associated with the user-defined virtual gesture (e.g., performing unit  1920 ). 
     In some embodiments, processing unit  1906  is configured to, in response to receiving the input from the adaptive input device, enable display of an animated movement of the plurality of respective visual indicators in the user-defined virtual gesture along their respective trails (e.g., with display enabling unit  1908  on display unit  1902 ). 
     The operations in the information processing methods described above may be implemented by running one or more functional modules in information processing apparatus such as general purpose processors or application specific chips. These modules, combinations of these modules, and/or their combination with general hardware (e.g., as described above with respect to  FIGS. 1A and 3 ) are all included within the scope of protection of the invention. 
     The operations described above with reference to  FIGS. 6A-6C, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13  may be implemented by components depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1B . For example, receiving operation  606 , displaying operation  616 , and constraining operation  624  may be implemented by event sorter  170 , event recognizer  180 , and event handler  190 . Event monitor  171  in event sorter  170  detects a contact on touch-sensitive display  112 , and event dispatcher module  174  delivers the event information to application  136 - 1 . A respective event recognizer  180  of application  136 - 1  compares the event information to respective event definitions  186 , and determines whether an input received from an adaptive input device corresponds to a predefined event or sub-event, such as selection of an object on a user interface, or rotation of the device from one orientation to another. When a respective predefined event or sub-event is detected, event recognizer  180  activates an event handler  190  associated with the detection of the event or sub-event. Event handler  190  may utilize or call data updater  176  or object updater  177  to update the application internal state  192 . In some embodiments, event handler  190  accesses a respective GUI updater  178  to update what is displayed by the application. Similarly, it would be clear to a person having ordinary skill in the art how other processes can be implemented based on the components depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
     The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20110825
Publication Date: 20161206
Grant Date: 20161206
Priority Date: 20110605
Inventors: FLEIZACH CHRISTOPHER BRIAN
SEYMOUR ERIC TAYLOR
CRAIG JAMES P.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F3/04845", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0488", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0485", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04883", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0481", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04808", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/033", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04808", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0488", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/033", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0488", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/033", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0481", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0485", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04883", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/033", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04883", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04808", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04883", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0488", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0488", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04808", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04845", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/033", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04808", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 47261268