PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8681093-B2
Application Number: US-2933608-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Motion compensation for screens

Abstract:
A method for compensating for motion on screens is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes varying the display of a screen on a device using motion data. In this embodiment, a display adjustment amount also may be determined using screen properties and motion limits. In another embodiment, the method includes varying the location of an input region on a touch screen using touch data. In yet another embodiment, the method includes scaling selectable images and apportioning the display using motion data. Various additional methods, machine-readable media, and systems for motion compensation of a screen are also provided.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method, comprising:
 at a multifunction device with a touch screen display: 
 displaying an icon image at a first location on the touch screen display, the icon image having an associated touch screen input region with a predetermined size at a second location; 
 detecting motion data that is acquired by detecting a series of contacts of a selection object on the touch screen display; 
 determining that the motion data is within predetermined limits; and 
 in response to detecting the motion data and determining that the motion data is within predetermined limits, moving the touch screen input region associated with the image icon to a third location while maintaining display of the icon image at the first location and maintaining the predetermined size of the touch screen input region. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contact data comprises proximity data. 
     
     
       3. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 a touch screen display; 
 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 an icon image at a first location on the touch screen display, the icon image having an associated touch screen input region with a predetermined size at a second location; 
 detecting motion data that is acquired by detecting a series of contacts of a selection object on the touch screen display; 
 determining that the motion data is within predetermined limits; and 
 in response to detecting the motion data and determining that the motion data is within predetermined limits, moving the touch screen input region associated with the image icon to a third location while maintaining display of the icon image at the first location and maintaining the predetermined size of the touch screen input region. 
 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 3 , wherein the contact data comprises proximity data. 
     
     
       5. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by a portable electronic device with a touch screen display, cause the device to:
 display an icon image at a first location on the touch screen display, the icon image having an associated touch screen input region with a predetermined size at a second location; 
 detect motion data that is acquired by detecting a series of contacts of a selection object on the touch screen display; 
 determine that the motion data is within predetermined limits; and 
 in response to detecting the motion data associated and determining that the motion data is within predetermined limits, move the touch screen input region associated with the image icon to a third location while maintaining display of the icon image at the first location and maintaining the predetermined size of the touch screen input region. 
 
     
     
       6. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 5 , wherein the contact data comprises proximity data.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to electronic devices and, more particularly to the adjustment of display screens and touch screens. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Electronic devices and systems increasingly include screens as part of the user interface of the device or system. The screens may include a display screen for displaying information about the status of a system or a device. For example, portable media players may display information about a music or video file being played by the device, such as the title, the time elapsed, or the artist or cast. In addition to a display screen, the screens may include a touch screen for receiving user input for controlling the system or device. For example, a portable data device may display selectable icons allowing a user to navigate to applications such as a calendar, phone book, music player, or web browser. 
     As may be appreciated, screens may be employed in a wide variety of devices and systems, including desktop computer systems, notebook computers, monitoring systems, control systems, handheld computing devices, and various consumer products, such as cellular telephones and portable media players. Furthermore, the devices and systems may be used in environments which, or by users who, produce screen instability. For example, the screen may be part of a system used in a high vibration environment such as a tank monitoring and control system for a chemical processing plant or a personal entertainment system located within an airplane seat back. Similarly, the screen may be part of a portable electronic device that is accessed in an unsteady environment such as a subway or moving vehicle. In another example, the screen may be part of a device used by a user with limited or impaired motor control. 
     The instability, whether produced by the environment or the user, may cause user interface challenges. For example, a vibrating screen may make it difficult for a user to view images on the screen. Similarly, a moving screen or input object may make it difficult for a user to select an item on a touch screen. 
     SUMMARY 
     Certain aspects of embodiments disclosed herein by way of example are summarized below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of certain forms an invention disclosed and/or claimed herein might take and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of any invention disclosed and/or claimed herein. Indeed, any invention disclosed and/or claimed herein may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. 
     The present disclosure generally relates to techniques for compensating for motion on screens such as display screens and touch screens. In accordance with one disclosed embodiment, an exemplary method may include varying a display screen to compensate for motion of a device. In some embodiments, the display adjustment amount may be determined using motion data and screen properties. In other embodiments, an exemplary method may include scaling selectable images on a display screen to compensate for motion of a device. In accordance with another disclosed embodiment, an exemplary method may include varying an input region on a touch screen to compensate for motion of the selection object. In some embodiments, the input region adjustment amount may be determined using touch data including pressure values and location values. Additionally, some embodiments may compensate for both motion of a device and motion of a selection object by varying both the display screen and the input regions. 
     Various refinements of the features noted above may exist in relation to various aspects of the present disclosure. Further features may also be incorporated in these various aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to one or more of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects alone or in any combination. Again, the brief summary presented above is intended only to familiarize the reader with certain aspects and contexts of embodiments of the present disclosure without limitation to the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified block diagram of the device of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the device of  FIG. 1  with a motion compensated screen in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the device of  FIG. 1  with a reduced display area to allow for motion compensation of screens in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the device of  FIG. 4  with a motion compensated screen in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart depicting a method for producing a motion compensated screen in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating the device of  FIG. 1  with a motion compensated input region in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart depicting a method for producing a motion compensated input region in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating the device of  FIG. 1  with both a motion compensated screen and a motion compensated input region in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating the device of  FIG. 1  with scaled input regions in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating the device of  FIG. 1  with scaled input regions and an apportioned display in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a flow chart depicting a method for producing a scaled input region and apportioned display in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view illustrating the electronic device of  FIG. 1  with a map display in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view illustrating the device of  FIG. 13  with scaled input regions and an apportioned display in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view illustrating the device of  FIG. 13  with scaled input regions in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view illustrating the device of  FIG. 15  with an apportioned display in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. These described embodiments are only exemplary of the present invention. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic device  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present technique. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the electronic device  10  may be a portable media device such as an iPod® or iPhone® available from Apple Inc. However, the presently disclosed techniques may be applicable to a variety of other electronic devices such as computers, data devices, cellular telephones, or any other processor based device employing one or more screens. The screens may be display screens, touch screens, or any combination thereof. Additionally, the devices may be used independently or as part of a system such as an industrial control system or alarm monitoring system. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the device  10  is enclosed by a casing  12  that protects the interior components from physical damage and shields them from electromagnetic interference. The casing may be formed from any suitable material such as plastic, metal, or a composite. The casing allows access to a user input structure  14  through which a user may interface with the device. For example, the user input structure  14  when pressed may cause a “home” menu to be displayed on the device. In other embodiments, multiple user input structures may be present that are configured to produce various actions such as controlling the volume, power, and menu navigation for the device. The user input structures may exist in various forms including buttons, switches, control pads, keys, knobs, scroll wheels, or other suitable forms. 
     The device  10  also includes a display  16  which may display various screens  18  generated by the device. The screens  18  may include collections of images  20 , such as icons, photos, movies, album art, and/or data, such as text documents, spreadsheets, text messages, and email, among other things. In other embodiments, such as systems used in industrial settings, the display may show screens containing images such as process settings, control charts, or other system properties. The screens  18  also may incorporate system indicators that provide feedback to a user, such as power status, signal strength, call status, memory status, or the like. Furthermore, the screens  18  may be used to display a user interface, such as a command line interface (CLI) or a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows a user to interact with the device through a user input structure, such as a keyboard or mouse, or other method, such as a touch screen. 
     The display  16  may be a standalone unit or it may be integrated within the device  10 . For example, the display  16  may be a separate monitor coupled to a processor via a wireless or cable connection. In other embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the display  16  may be integrated within the casing  12  of the device  10 . The display  16  may be any type of display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or other suitable display. Additionally, the display  16  may include an integrated touch screen or may be configured to interact with an independent touch screen. 
     An input and output (I/O) port  22  may be included on the exemplary device  10  to allow connection of additional devices. For example, the port may be used to connect headphones, a power source, a printer, or a computer. In other embodiments, multiple ports may be included on a device. The ports may be any interface type such as a universal serial bus (USB) port, Firewire port, IEEE-1394 port, or AC/DC power connection port. 
     Additional details of the illustrative device  10  may be better understood through reference to  FIG. 2 , which is a block diagram illustrating various components and features of the device  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram includes the display  16  and the I/O port  22  discussed above, as well as many other components. 
     The operation of the device  10  may be controlled by one or more processor(s)  24  that provide the processing capability required to execute the operating system, programs, user interface, and any other functions of the device  10 . The processor(s)  24  may include one or more microprocessors configured to execute instructions and carry out computer system operations such as executing the operating system, programs, and the user interface. The processor(s)  24  may include general purpose microprocessors and/or special purpose microprocessors. For example, the processor(s) may include one or more reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processors, such as an ARM Core Processor, as well as graphics processors, video processors, and related chip sets. 
     The device  10  may be powered by a power source  26  that may include one or more batteries and, or alternatively, an AC power source, such as provided by an electrical outlet. In other embodiments, an AC or DC power source may be directly wired to the device  10  through a terminal block or other power supply configuration. 
     Information used by the processor(s)  24  may be located within storage  28  or a memory  30 . The storage  28  may be a non-volatile storage type such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, an optical disk, a hard drive, or other non-volatile computer readable media that stores data files such as media for playing music and videos, software for implementing device functions, or preferences for customizing device functions. For example, the storage  28  may contain data files created by the user that specify how much movement is required to vary the display  16  or how much contact is required to adjust input regions on a touch screen in accordance with some embodiments of the present technique. Furthermore, the storage  28  may exist in a removable format such as a CD-ROM, PC-Card, or network component. 
     Similarly, the memory  30  may store information used by the computer system for various purposes. For example, the memory  30  may store firmware such as an operating system or may store programs that enable user interface functions or processor functions. The memory  30  also may be used for buffering or caching during operation of the device. The memory may include volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM), and/or non-volatile memory such as read-only memory (ROM). 
     The device  10  may receive additional information from a network. The network device  32  allows the device  10  to communicate over a network, such as LAN, WAN, or the Internet. The device  32  may be a network controller or network interface card (NIC). The network device  32  may allow the device  10  to receive a software upgrade that enables the device  10  to vary the display or touch screen input region in accordance with certain embodiments. 
     An expansion card  34  also may provide additional information to the device  10 . One or more expansion cards  34  may be coupled to the device  10  through a card slot or I/O port contained in the device. The cards  34  may be used to add functionality to the device, such as additional memory, I/O functionality, or networking capability. For example, a card  34  may be used to upgrade an existing device  10  to allow it perform display or input region adjustments in accordance with certain embodiments. 
     As noted above, a user may interface with the device  10  through a user interface that can be controlled with a touch screen  36 . The touch screen  36  may be positioned in front of or behind the display  16  and may be an integrated or stand alone component. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the touch screen  36  may be a transparent medium located in front of the display  16  that allows the user to view images and visual indicators on the display screen  16  below. The touch screen  36  is configured to receive input from a user&#39;s or object&#39;s touch and to send the information to the processor(s)  24 , which interprets the touch event and performs a corresponding action. The touch screen  36  may employ any suitable type of touch screen technology such as resistive, capacitive, infrared, surface acoustic wave, electromagnetic, or near field imaging. In some embodiments, the touch screen  36  may be a multi-point touch screen as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0097991 to Steve Hotelling et al., filed on May 6, 2004, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     An input/output (I/O) controller  38  may provide the infrastructure for exchanging data between the processor(s)  24  and input/output devices, such as the touch screen  36  and the display  16 . The I/O controller  38  may contain one or more integrated circuits and may be integrated with the processor(s)  24  or exist as a separate component. Additionally, the I/O controller  38  may communicate with the I/O devices through a data line or by wireless connections such as USB, Firewire, or Bluetooth. 
     In some embodiments, the device  10  may include a motion sensing device  40 . The motion sensing device  40  may be any device configured to measure motion or acceleration such as an accelerometer or a gyroscope. In one embodiment, the motion sensing device  40  may be a three axes linear accelerometer that includes a sensing element and an integrated circuit interface for providing the measured acceleration to the processor(s)  24 . 
     Input from the motion sensing device  40  may be used to adjust the display  16  and produce motion compensated screens or modified screens with scaled images. Input information is received by the processor(s)  24 , which communicate with the display  16  via the I/O controller  38 . In the depicted embodiment, a display circuit  42  facilitates communication between the I/O controller and the display  16 . Additionally, the display circuit  42  may include a storage element containing motion limits used to determine whether the display  16  should be adjusted. In some embodiments, the display circuit  42  may be integrated within the display  16 , the I/O controller  38 , or a processor  24 . 
     As noted above, users may interact with the device  10  using the touch screen  36 . In some embodiments, the touch screen  36  may include a touch sensing device  44  configured to detect objects in close proximity to the touch screen  36 . Alternatively, or in addition, the sensing device  44  may be configured to detect pressure exerted on the touch screen  36 . To detect objects and/or pressure, the sensing device  44  may be divided into several independent and spatially distinct nodes  46  positioned throughout the touch screen  36 . The nodes  46  may collectively comprise input regions within the touch screen  36 . Each time an object is positioned over an input region, a corresponding signal is produced that may be used to manipulate the user interface. In some embodiments, feedback from the touch sensing device  44  may be used to adjust the input regions to produce motion compensated input regions. 
     A sensing circuit  48  facilitates communication between the I/O controller and the touch screen  36 . The sensing circuit  48  receives the signals and supplies them to the processor(s)  24 . In some embodiments, the sensing circuit  48  may process the signals before sending them to the processor(s)  24 . The sensing circuit  48  also may contain a storage element for storing a touch screen program capable of controlling different aspects of the touch screen  36 . For example, the storage element may contain touch limit values used to determine whether an input region should be varied. The sensing circuit  48  may include one or more microcontrollers for monitoring sensing points. In some embodiments, the sensing circuit  48  may be integrated within the touch screen  36 , the I/O controller  38 , or the processor(s)  24 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the device  10  with a motion compensated screen  50  in accordance with one embodiment. The motion compensated screen  50  facilitates viewing of the display  16  while the device is moving. As illustrated, the device  10  has been moved to the right, as generally indicated by arrows  51 , from its original position  52  to a new position  53 . This change in position may be caused by a user or by environmental instability. For example, a user&#39;s hands may shake when holding the device  10 , causing the device  10  to shift. In another example, environmental vibrations, such as those experienced in a car, subway, or industrial setting, may cause the device  10  to shift. As will be appreciated, although the device  10  has been moved to the right in  FIG. 3 , the present technique may be applied to any combination of device movements in a variety of directions. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , although the device  10  has shifted to a new position  53 , the screen  50  has compensated for the motion so the images  20  have stayed in relatively the same position from the perspective of the user. This is best illustrated by comparing  FIGS. 1 and 3 . In  FIG. 1 , some images  20 , such as the clock and envelope, are located on the right side of the screen  18  while other images  20 , such as the telephone and television, are located on the left side of the screen  18 . Returning to  FIG. 3 , it can be seen that when the device  10  was in its original position  52 , as indicated generally by the dashed lines, the images  20  were in the same positions illustrated in  FIG. 1 . That is, the images  20 , such as the telephone and television, were on the left side of the screen while other images  20 , such as the calendar and envelope, were on the right side of the screen. However, when the device moved to its new position  53 , as indicated by the arrows  51 , the images  20  did not move along with the device. Thus, the motion compensated screen  50  shows the images  20  in new positions relative to the device. For example, images  20 , such as the telephone and television, are positioned partially off the left side of the screen, while other images  20 , such as the envelope and clock, are positioned near the center of the screen. In other words, the position of these images  20  has stayed the same, while the device  10  has moved around them. Additionally, new images  54  have begun to appear on the edge of the screen  50 . In some embodiments, these new images  54  may be originally present on the screen  50  but not shown on the display  16  because they are located outside the display borders. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of the device  10 , which may produce motion compensated screens. In this embodiment, the screen  18  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) has been reduced in size to produce a reduced screen  63  that fits within a display area  55 , indicated generally by the dashed lines. As shown, the display area  55  is located a distance  57  from the edge of the display  16  so the reduced screen  63  fits within the display  16 . The screen  18  includes scaled images  56 , depicted here as scaled down versions of the images  20  shown in  FIG. 1 . The reduced size of the screen  63  and images  56  allows room for motion compensation to occur as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a motion compensated screen  58  produced after the device  10  has been moved to the right, as generally indicated by arrows  59 , from its original position  60  to a new position  61 . Similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , although the device  10  has shifted from its original position  60  to a new position  61 , the motion compensated screen  58  has compensated for the motion so the images  56  have stayed in relatively the same position from the perspective of the user. This is best illustrated by comparing  FIGS. 4 and 5 . In  FIG. 4 , some images  56 , such as the clock and envelope, are located on the right side of the display  16  while other images  56 , such as the telephone and television, are located on the left side of the display  16 . Returning to  FIG. 5 , it can be seen that when the device  10  moved, the images  20  did not move along with the device. Consequently, images  56 , such as the clock and envelope, are now located near the center of the display  16  while other images  56 , such as the telephone and television, are located farther to the left side of the display  16 . Thus, the motion compensated screen  58  shows the images  58  in new positions relative to the device. 
     In this embodiment, the entire display area  55  has moved with respect to the device  10 , so the display area has stayed in the same position relative to the user. The display area  55  is now located a distance  62  from the right edge of the display  16 . This distance may vary depending on the amount and direction of the motion. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a flowchart is depicted of an exemplary method  65  for producing a motion compensated screen  50 . This method  65  may be employed for all types of motion compensated screens, such as a screen with images located beyond the display as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , and a reduced size screen as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     The method  65  may begin by sensing (block  66 ) motion of a device to produce motion data  67 . In one embodiment, an accelerometer may sense motion along one, two, or three axis. The device may then compare (block  69 ) the motion data  67  to preset motion limits  68  to determine if the motion data  67  is within the motion limits  68 . The motion limits  68  define a range of motion where compensation of screens may occur. In other words, if the motion data  67  falls within the motion limits  68 , the screen may be motion compensated. On the other hand, if the motion data  67  falls outside the motion limits  68 , for example motion that is too slow or too fast, no compensation may occur. 
     In some embodiments, the motion limits  68  may be contained within the display circuit  42 , expansion card  34 , memory  30 , or storage  28  of the device  10 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The motion limits  68  also may be configurable by a user and stored in storage  28  of the device  10 . For example, the motion limits  68  may be set to require a maximum or minimum amount of motion before motion compensated screens are produced. The motion limits  68  may include variables such as distance, acceleration, percent change over time, and other movement properties. The comparison step illustrated in block  69  may be performed by either the display circuit  42  or the processor(s)  24 . 
     Contemporaneously to sensing motion, the method  65  may include generating a screen (block  70 ) to produce screen properties including a screen image  72 , a screen location  74 , and screen boundaries  76 . In one embodiment, such as that shown in  FIG. 3 , the screen image  72  may be a collection of images  20  configured to be displayed on an area larger than the display  16  of the device  10 . In another embodiment, such as that shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the screen image  72  be a collection of reduced images  56  configured to be displayed within a display area  55  of the display  16 . Returning to  FIG. 6 , the screen location  74  determines where the screen image  72  is located on the display  16 , and the screen boundaries  76  specify the outer limits of the screen image  72 . For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the outer limits of the screen image  72  may not be visible on the display  16 . In another example, such as the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the outer limits of the screen image  72  may extend beyond the borders of the display area  55  but remain visible on the display  16 . 
     Returning to the comparison block  69 , if the data is within the motion limits  68 , which define a range where motion compensation may occur, the method  65  may include determining (block  78 ) a display adjustment  80 . The display adjustment  80  is determined by analyzing the motion data  67 , screen location  74 , and screen boundaries  76 . The motion data  67  determines the direction of the adjustment, while the motion data  67  combined with the screen location  74  and screen boundaries  76  determines the amount of the adjustment. For example, if the motion data  67  represents motion to the right, the screen location  74  may adjust an equal distance to the left so that the screen image  72  stays in a fixed location relative to the user while the device  10  moves. This type of adjustment is illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 , where the motion compensated screens  50  and  58  display images  20  and  56  that have stayed in essentially the same position relative to the user while the device  10  has shifted from an original location  52  and  60  to a new location  53  and  61 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 6 , if the screen image  72  is already in a location close to the right boundary, the screen location  74  may adjust in a less than equal distance to the left so that the screen boundary  76  is not exceeded on the display. Once the display adjustment  80  is determined, the display on the device is varied (block  82 ) to present the screen image  72  in the adjusted location producing a motion compensated screen  84 . In another example, the motion data  67  may represent a motion amount equal to zero motion. This may occur if the device  10  is steady. In this example, the display adjustment amount (block  78 ) may be zero. 
     In some embodiments, the motion data  67  may include motion speed in addition to motion direction. The motion speed data may determine the rate at which the display adjusts (block  78 ). For example, if the motion data  67  represents rapid motion to the right, the screen may adjust an equal distance to the left within a proportional time. However, if the screen image  72  is already in a location near the right boundary, the screen location  74  may adjust to the left at a slower rate so that the screen boundary  76  is not exceeded on the display. In such an embodiment, the motion compensation may not exactly or entirely negate the motion, but may instead reduce the magnitude of or effects of the motion to facilitate viewing of the display. 
     Returning to the decision block  69 , if the motion data  67  is outside the range of motion limits  68 , no motion compensation may occur. Thus, the screen is displayed in the home location (block  86 ) to produce a centered screen  88 . For example, in one embodiment the home location may exist where the screen image  72  is centered on the display  16 . This example is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4  where the images  20 ,  56  are centered on the display  16 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 6 , the motion data  67  may be outside the motion limits  68  if the device  10  is moved too far in one direction. For example, if the device  10  is moved a distance exceeding the screen boundary  76  in one direction, the screen image  72  may be displayed so that it is centered on the display  16 . This step may allow a user to rapidly turn, rotate, or extend the device  10  to show an image, such as a photograph, to another user without losing the current location of the screen image. 
     Regardless of whether the screen is a motion compensated screen  84  or a centered screen  88 , the method may include aligning input regions  94  with the display screen (block  90 ) if the device includes a touch screen  36 . As noted above, the touch screen  36  may be positioned in front of or behind a display screen  18  and contain nodes  46  forming input regions  94 . Contemporaneously to sensing motion, the method may include generating input regions (block  92 ) that correspond to images such as graphical icons on the display. The generated input regions  94  may consist of a group of nodes  46  on the touch screen  36 , and the location of the input regions  94  may be stored in the processor(s)  24 , sensing circuit  48 , or storage  28  of the device, as shown in  FIG. 1 . When the nodes  46  within an input region  94  are touched, the processor(s)  24  may receive a signal and execute a corresponding command. 
     These input regions  94  may be aligned (block  90 ) with the graphical images  20  and  56 , i.e. icons, on the display screen  18  so when the user touches nodes  46  of an input region  94 , the processor performs a command corresponding to the graphical icon. For example, the screen  18  may display a graphical image of a calendar. The nodes aligned with the calendar icon may be defined as an input region  94  corresponding to a command that opens a calendar program. Consequently, when the user touches the calendar icon, the device opens a calendar program. As will be appreciated, many other command and graphical object combinations may be employed including scrolling a screen, dragging a photo, or dialing a phone number. 
     Returning to the alignment block  90 , once the display  96  includes corresponding input regions, the device is ready to receive user input (block  98 ). In one embodiment, the input regions on the touch screen  36  are located directly above graphical images  20  on the underlying display screen  18 . Therefore, when the user touches the graphical images  20 , the device performs a corresponding command. As will be appreciated, the touch screen may be a multi-point touch screen configured to receive multiple touches, which in combination correspond to commands. 
     Of course, as noted above, some devices may not contain a touch screen. For example, in one embodiment, the device  10  may be a portable media player configured to play video, such as movies, video clips, or television shows. In cases where no touch screen is included, there may be no need to align input regions  94 . Consequently, the method  65  may terminate once a motion compensated screen  84  or a centered screen  88  is produced. 
     While  FIGS. 3-6  illustrate compensation for motion of a device,  FIGS. 7 and 8  depict compensation for motion of a selection object  106 . Accordingly,  FIG. 7  illustrates the device  10  with a motion compensated touch screen  100  in accordance with one embodiment. The motion compensated touch screen  100  facilitates selection of a user interface element, such as an icon, while the selection object  106  is moving. As discussed above in reference to  FIG. 2 , the touch screen  100  may be positioned in front of or behind the display  16 . In  FIG. 7 , the touch screen  100  is illustrated behind the display  16  for ease of illustration. The touch screen  100  includes a plurality of nodes  102  positioned throughout the touch screen that may be used to define input regions  104 . A signal is produced each time an object  106  is positioned over an input region. The object  106  may be any item configured to interact with the touch screen  100 , such as a finger, stylus, or pointer. The signal is then sent to the processor(s)  24  to perform an action. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , an input region  104  is located behind an image showing a conversation balloon. The input region  104  may correspond to an action that opens a messaging application when an object  106  is positioned over the input region  104 . 
     The input regions  104  are typically aligned with the images  20  located on the display  16 . However, the location of the input regions  104  may be varied in response to motion of the selection object  106 . For example, the object  106 , which is a finger in the illustrated embodiment, is moving in an up and down motion, as indicated generally by arrows  107 . This may be caused by unsteadiness of a user&#39;s hands. The device  10  senses this motion and may adjust for it by producing a motion compensated input region  108 . As shown, the motion compensated input region  108  is no longer aligned behind the image  20  of the envelope. Instead, the compensated input region  108  has been shifted upwards and to the left to account for the motion of the object  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, the motion compensated input region  108  corresponds an image  20  depicting an envelope, which may correspond to a mail application. Consequently, when the input region  108  is selected, the device may open a mail application. The adjustment of the input region facilitates selection of the image  20  despite vibration or interfering motion in the selection object  106 , depicted here as a finger, thereby facilitating use of the user interface of the device  10 . In other words, the motion compensated input regions  108  make it easier for a user to select items on a display screen. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method  110  for producing a motion compensated input region  108  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The method may begin by sensing a series of touches (block  112 ) to generate touch data  114 . The series of touches may be a rapid succession of touches, such as may occur when an object  106  approaches the touch screen  36 . In addition to being generated when the object  106  contacts the touch screen  36  (a physical touch), the touch data  114  may be generated as an object  106  approaches the touch screen  36  (an approach touch). In other words, the touch data  114  includes data from both object contact with and object proximity to the touch screen  36 . 
     In one embodiment, the touch sensing device  44  may include nodes  46  electrically coupled to a sensing circuit  48 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . When an object  106  is positioned over a node  46 , a capacitance forms between the object  106  and the node  46 . The sensing circuit  48  detects capacitance changes generated by objects  106  to produce touch data  114  such as location, pressure, direction, speed, and acceleration of objects proximate to the touch screen  36 . In other embodiments, the touch sensing device  44  may utilize infrared, surface acoustic wave, electromagnetic, or other comparable technology. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 8 , once the touch data  114  is generated, it may be compared to touch limits  116  to determine if the data is within these limits (block  118 ). The touch limits  116  define a range of touch data  114 , which includes contact and proximity data, where compensation of input regions  104  may occur. In other words, if the touch data  114  falls within the touch limits  116 , the input regions  126  may be motion compensated. On the other hand, if the touch data  114  falls outside the touch limits  116  no compensation may occur. 
     In one embodiment, the touch limits  116  include location and pressure ranges stored within the device in components such as the sensing circuit  48 , expansion card  34 , storage  28 , or memory  30  of the device. The location range, for example, may require the locations of the touches to be within a certain radius of each other. If the locations are more than a specified distance apart, the touch data  114  will fall outside of the limits. In another example, the pressure range may require the object  106  to contact the touch screen  36  with a specified force. For example, if the object  106  contacts the nodes  46  with a force above a certain value, the touch data  114  may fall outside of the touch limits  116 . If the data falls outside of the limits  116 , a standard input region, i.e. an uncompensated input region, may be used (block  120 ). The standard input region (block  120 ) may be stored within the device and be configured to align with a graphical image on the display, thus, producing an input region aligned with the display  122 . The input region may then be used to receive user input for the device (block  132 ). 
     Returning to the decision block  118 , if the touch data  114  falls within the touch limits  116 , the device may vary (block  128 ) the input region  126  instead of using (block  120 ) the standard input region. Contemporaneously to sensing a series of touches (block  112 ), the device may generate (block  124 ) an input region  126 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the input region as generated may be configured to align with a graphical image  20  on the display  16 . In one embodiment, the input region is defined by nodes  46  on a touch screen  36  located above the display  16 . In a standard configuration, the nodes  46  of the input region may closely mirror the dimensions and location of the graphical image  20  on the display  16 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 8 , if the touch data  114  falls within specified touch limits  116 , the input region may be varied (block  128 ) to produce a motion compensated input region  130 . For example, if the touch data  114  includes locations within close proximity of each other but falling to the right of a standard input region (block  120 ), the input region  126  may be extended or moved to the right to encompass these locations. Additionally, the apparent intentionality of the touches may be taken into account. For example, the touch limits  116  may require that the touch be greater than a specified force so that unintentional touches near an input region do not create variation of the input region. In another example, the touch limits  116  may require that the touch be less than a specified force so that intentional touches directed other images near an input region do not create variation of the input region. Once the input region  126  has been varied (block  128 ), the motion compensated input region  130  is produced, and the device is ready to receive user input (block  132 ). 
       FIG. 7  depicts an embodiment of a motion compensated input region  136  where the graphical image  20  on the display  16  remains in a constant location so that the input region  108  no longer aligns directly with the graphical image  20 . This may assist the user in viewing a stable graphical image  20  to use as a point of reference for contacting the touch screen  36 . In other embodiments, however, the image  20  may be shifted to align with the motion compensated input region  108 . 
     Of course, a touch screen may contain numerous input regions  104 . As will be appreciated, more than one input region  104  may be varied simultaneously and independently. Furthermore, a single input region may be varied multiple times to facilitate user selection of an image on the touch screen. 
     The method for varying a display  65  illustrated by  FIGS. 3-6  may be used in conjunction with the method for varying an input location  110  illustrated by  FIGS. 7 and 8  to produce a motion compensated display screen and a motion compensated touch screen. Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the exemplary device  10  is illustrated with both a motion compensated screen  134  and a motion compensated input region  136 . In the depicted embodiment, the device  10  has undergone an upward motion as indicated generally by arrows  144 , causing the device to shift from its original position  140  to a new position  142 . Because of the motion compensated screen  134 , the images  20  have remained in approximately the same position, even though the device has shifted around them. As noted above, this makes it easier for a user to view the display  16  while the device  10  is moving. 
     The device  10  also has a motion compensated input region  136 . As discussed above, input regions  104  are typically aligned behind the images  20 . However, the object  106 , which is illustrated as a user&#39;s finger, is moving in an up and down motion an indicated by arrows  144 . To compensate for this motion, the device  10  has shifted the input region in a downward direction to produce a motion compensated input region  136 . As noted above, the motion compensated input region  136  makes is easier for a user to select an image on the touch screen  100 . 
     The device  10  may vary the display  16  and the input region  104  simultaneously or at different times as needed. For example, when the motion sensing device  40  contained within the device  10  senses that the device  10  has moved, it may vary the display (block  82 ) as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Similarly, when the touch sensing device  44  contained within the device  10  senses a series of touches within the touch limits  116 , it may vary the input region (block  128 ), as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . If the motion sensing device  40  and touch sensing device  44  receive data at the same time, the device  10  may simultaneously produce a motion compensated screen  50  and  58  and a motion compensated input region  108 . The device may execute these adjustments in rapid succession or simultaneously as it is sensing motion. Furthermore, the motion adjustments may be made contemporaneously to when the device senses motion. 
     As will be appreciated, the device  10  may be configured to respond independently to the motion sensing device  40  and the touch sensing device  44 . In some embodiments, the device  10  may be configured only to perform one type of motion compensation. For example, a portable DVD player without a touch screen may be configured to only produce motion compensated screens  50  and  58 . On the other hand, a device containing a touch screen  36  may only be configured to produce motion compensated input regions  108 . Additionally, the device  10  may be configured to allow a user to disable the motion compensation features. 
       FIGS. 10-16  illustrate other embodiments and a method that may be used to compensate for both motion of the device and motion of the selection object. While  FIGS. 3-9  involve shifting the display and/or input regions to compensate for motion,  FIGS. 10-16  involve scaling the images and/or input regions to compensate for motion. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates the device  10  with a modified screen  146  in accordance with one embodiment. The modified screen  146  facilitates the viewing of images on the display  16  while the device  10  is moving and also facilitates the selection of input regions while the selection object is moving. As illustrated, the device  10  is moving in a side-to-side motion as indicated generally by arrows  148 . This motion may be caused by a user or by environmental instability. In response to the motion, the modified screen  146  contains scaled images  150 . These scaled images  150  are larger versions of the original images  20  shown in  FIG. 1 . The increased size of the scaled images  150  facilitates viewing of the images  150  when the device is moving. In other embodiments, the scaled images  150  may be smaller versions of the original images. For example, if less motion is sensed, the scaled images  150  may be reduced in size to allow more images to be included on the modified screen  146 . 
     The device  10  also includes a touch screen  152 , which may be positioned in front of or behind the display  16 . In  FIG. 10 , the touch screen is illustrated behind the display  16  for ease of illustration. Input regions comprised of nodes  102  have been modified in response to the motion to produce scaled input regions  154 . The scaled input regions  154  align with the scaled images  150  to form a user interface containing selectable images. For example, when the object  106 , shown here as a finger, approaches or contacts a scaled image  150  and corresponding scaled input region  154 , the device  10  may perform a function corresponding to the scaled image  150 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the object  106  is selecting a clock icon, which may cause the device to open a clock program displaying the time in various parts of the world. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the scaled input regions  154  have been increased in size to correspond to the larger scaled images  150 . The increased size of the scaled input regions  154  facilitates selection of the input regions when the device is moving. The increased size may also facilitate selection of the input regions when the object  106  is moving due to environmental instability that causes both the device  10  and the object  106  to move. In other embodiments where the scaled images  150  are reduced in size, the scaled input regions  154  also may be reduced in size to align with the scaled images  150 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates another embodiment of the device  10  with scaled images  150  and an apportioned display  158 . Similar to  FIG. 10 , a modified screen  158  contains the scaled images  150  with corresponding scaled input regions  154 . However, in this embodiment, only a portion of the modified screen  158  is displayed as an apportioned display  158 . As illustrated, the middle row of scaled images  150  and corresponding input regions  154  have been omitted to produce the apportioned display  158 . The modified screen  158  may be apportioned based on properties such as the number or scaled images  150 , the amount of motion sensed, the proximity of the scaled images  150  to each other, the relative sizes of the scaled images  150 , the speed of the motion, and the like. For example, in  FIG. 10 , the middle row of scaled images  150  is in close proximity to the top row of scaled images  154 . The apportioned display  156  shown in  FIG. 11  has omitted this middle row of scaled images  150  to provide more space between the selectable scaled images  150  and facilitate their selection. In other embodiments, the number and location of the scaled images  150  omitted from the apportioned display  156  may vary based on the apportionment properties discussed above. 
     The scaled images  150  omitted from the apportioned display  156  may be displayed on subsequent screens. A user may navigate through screens containing the omitted scaled images using an input structure  14  ( FIG. 1 ) or by using the touch screen  152 . For example, to view a screen containing the omitted scaled images, an object  106 , such as a finger, may be used to drag the screen  158  to the left to display a new screen. The apportioned display  156  may contain two or more screens  158  containing different scaled images  150  that a user may scroll through. In some embodiments, the user may be able to set the number of screens for an apportioned display using device properties stored within the memory  30  ( FIG. 2 ) of the device  10 . 
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method  160  for producing a modified screen  146  as illustrated in  FIG. 10  and an apportioned display  156  as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The method may begin by sensing motion of the device (block  162 ) to produce motion data  164 . In one embodiment, an accelerometer may sense motion along one, two, or three axis. The system may then compare the motion data  164  to preset motion limits  166  to determine if the motion data  164  is within the motion limits (block  168 ). The motion limits  166  define a range of motion where a display adjustment may occur to produce a modified screen  146  ( FIG. 10 ) and an apportioned display  156  ( FIG. 11 ). In other words, if the motion data  164  falls within the motion limits  166 , the display may be adjusted. On the other hand, if the motion data  164  falls outside the motion limits  166 , for example motion that is too slow or too fast, no display adjustment may occur. In some embodiments where the device  10  also may produce a motion compensated screen according to method  65  ( FIG. 6 ), the motion limits  166  may correspond to the motion limits  68 . In other embodiments, the motion limits  166  may be independent values preset by the manufacturer or adjustable by a user. 
     Similar to the motion limits  68  used to produce a motion compensated screen, the motion limits  166  for adjusting the display may be contained within the display circuit  42 , expansion card  34 , memory  30 , or storage  28  of the device  10 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The motion limits  166  also may be configurable by a user and stored in storage  28  of the device  10 . For example, the motion limits  166  may be set to require a maximum or minimum amount of motion before scaled images are produced. The motion limits  166  may include variables such as distance, acceleration, percent change over time, and other movement properties. The comparison step illustrated in block  168  may be performed by either the display circuit  42  or the processor(s)  24 . 
     Contemporaneously to sensing motion, the method  160  may include generating a screen (block  186 ) to produce selectable images  188 . The selectable images  188  may correspond to images  20  ( FIG. 1 ) aligned with input regions on a touch screen to produce a function when an object approaches or contacts the images  20 . For example, when an object selects the image  20  of an envelope shown in  FIG. 1 , the device  10  may open an electronic mail application. In other embodiments, the selectable images  188  may correspond to other input features such as arrows that when selected scroll through screens or map locations. 
     Returning to the comparison block  168 , if the data is not within the motion limits  166 , the device may display the screen as generated (block  170 ). No display adjustment will have occurred, resulting in an unmodified screen  172  displaying the selectable images  188 . Input regions may then be aligned with the screen (block  174 ). The method may generate input regions (block  176 ) contemporaneously to sensing motion (block  162 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the generated input regions  178  may include groups of nodes  102  located on a touch screen positioned in front of or behind the display  16 . These input regions  178  may be aligned with the selectable images to produce a display with corresponding input regions  180 . Consequently, when the nodes  102  ( FIG. 10 ) within an input region  178  are touched, the device  10  may execute a function corresponding to the selectable image such as scrolling through a screen or opening an application. Once the input regions are aligned with the screen, the device is ready to receive user input (block  182 ). 
     Returning to the comparison block  168 , the motion limits  166  define a range where display adjustment may occur. As describe above, an unmodified screen  172  is displayed if the motion data is not within the motion limits. However, if the motion data is within the motion limits  166 , the method  160  may include determining a display adjustment (block  184 ). The display adjustment  190  may be determined by analyzing the motion data  164  and the selectable images  188 . The amount of motion in conjunction with the proximity of the selectable images may determine the amount of the adjustment. For example, if the motion data  164  represents rapid motion, the display adjustment  190  may increase the size of the selectable images  188 . However, the increased size may be limited by the proximity of the selectable images. For example, in some embodiments a maximum size may be set to ensure selectable images do not overlap with other selectable images. This type of adjustment is illustrated in  FIG. 10  where the selectable images have been increased in size without overlapping. If the motion data  164  represents less motion that previously sensed, the display adjustment may decrease the size of the selectable images  188  back to their original size. In another example, if the motion data  164  represents a large amount of motion in any direction, the display adjustment  190  also may increase the size of the selectable images  188 . In some embodiments, the selectable images may be increased in size to produce a display containing overlapping selectable images that may be apportioned as described below. 
     Once the display adjustment  190  is determined, the display may be varied (block  192 ) to present a modified screen with scaled images  194 . The input regions  178  may then be scaled to align with the screen (block  196 ). For example, if the selectable images have been scaled to increase in size, the input regions also may be increased in size a corresponding amount to align with the scaled images. The scaled input regions align with the selectable images to produce a display with corresponding input regions  198 . 
     Once a display with corresponding input regions  198  is produced, the method may determine a display portion (block  200 ) using apportionment properties  202 . The determination of a display portion may result in an apportioned display  204  that contains only a portion of the display with corresponding input regions  198 . 
     The apportionment properties  202  may be used to determine which portion of the display with corresponding input regions  198  appears on the device. For example, the apportionment properties  202  may specify the number of selectable images to display, the proximity of the selectable images to each other, and/or the maximum or minimum size of the selectable images. In one embodiment where the apportionment properties  202  specify the proximity of selectable images to each other, the display portion may include only some of the selectable images in order to maintain a specified distance between the selectable images. This type of apportioned display is illustrated in  FIG. 11  where the middle row of selectable images has been omitted. 
     In other embodiments, the display portion may include only a portion of the screen, such as the top or bottom half of the screen enlarged to occupy the entire display. In some embodiments, the apportionment properties may vary based on the motion data  164 . For example, if a large amount of motion is sensed, the maximum size of the selectable images may be increased or the minimum distance required between selectable images may be decreased. In yet other embodiments, the display portion may include the entire display with corresponding input regions  198 . For example, if the display with corresponding input regions  198  contains a number of selectable images below a maximum specified number of selectable images, all of the selectable images may be displayed on the apportioned display  204 . In this case, the apportioned display  204  may be identical to the display with corresponding input regions  198 . 
     In some embodiments, the apportionment properties  202  may be contained within the display circuit  42 , expansion card  34 , memory  30 , or storage  29  of the device  10 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The apportionment properties  202  also may be configurable by a user and stored in storage  28  of the device  10 . For example, a user may customize the apportionment properties  202  by specifying a maximum or minimum number of selectable images to display. A user also may specify apportionment properties such as the maximum or minimum scaling size of the selectable images or designate a minimum distance required between selectable images. 
     Once an apportioned display  204  has been produced, the device  10  is ready to receive user input  182 . Of course, the method  160  for producing scaled images and an apportioned display may be used in conjunction with the method  65  for producing a motion compensated screen ( FIG. 6 ) and/or the method  110  for producing a motion compensated input region ( FIG. 8 ). For example, the selectable images may be scaled to increase in size using the method  160  illustrated in  FIG. 12  and the screen containing the selectable images may be shifted to the right using the method  65  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In another example, only some of the selectable images may be displayed using the method  160  illustrated in  FIG. 12  and an input region for one of the selectable input regions may be shifted above the selectable image using the method  110  illustrated in  FIG. 8  to account for motion of the selection object  106 . Of course, any combination of the methods depicted in  FIGS. 6 ,  8 , and  12  may be employed to produce a device  10  that responds to various types of user and/or device motion. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates another example of the device  10 , which may produce scaled selectable images and an apportioned display using method  160  illustrated in  FIG. 12 . The device  10  includes a screen  206  displaying a map, which may be accessed through an application such as an Internet or preprogrammed map application. In the illustrated embodiment, border areas  208  located at the top and bottom of the screen  206  include selectable input features  210 . The input features  210  may include selectable arrows, such as those shown at the bottom of the screen, that allow a user to scroll through multiple screens. The input features  210  also may include an input area, such as the browser bar shown at the top of the screen that allows a user to enter information such as a location to display on the screen  206 . For example, a user may enter the term “pizza” in the browser bar to display the location of pizza restaurants on the screen  206 . Selectable images  212  displayed on the screen  206  show various selectable locations on the map. For example, the selectable images  212  illustrated in  FIG. 13  may represent the locations of pizza restaurants a user may select to view details about each location such as the phone number or website. Input regions (not shown for clarity) may be located behind the selectable images  212  to receive user input. A background  214 , shown here as streets, provides context for the selectable images  212  displayed on the screen  206 . 
       FIG. 14  depicts the device  10  of  FIG. 13  with an apportioned display  216 . As illustrated, the device  10  is moving in a side-to-side motion as indicated generally by arrows  218 . This motion may be caused by a user or by environmental instability. In response to the motion, the apportioned display  216  contains scaled images  220 . These scaled images  220  are larger versions of the selectable images  212  shown in  FIG. 13 . Additionally, the apportioned display  216  includes scaled versions of only four of the nine selectable images  212  shown in  FIG. 13 . Various selectable images  212  have been omitted from the apportioned display  216  to facilitate user selection of the scaled images  220 . The omission of selectable images  212  may be determined using apportionment properties  202  ( FIG. 12 ). In this embodiment, the background  214  remains unchanged and provides context for the scaled images  220 . Although only four of the selectable images  212  are displayed as scaled images  220  on the apportioned display  216 , a user may view the omitted selectable images by scrolling through additional screens using the input features  210  or user input structures  14 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the device  10  of  FIG. 13  with scaled images  224 . All nine of the selectable images  212  are shown in  FIG. 15  as scaled images  224 . A horizontal dashed line  226  and a vertical dashed line  228  are shown on the display  16  to divide the display into four sections  230 ,  232 ,  234 , and  236 . The number of sections may be determined using apportionment properties  202  ( FIG. 12 ). A selection object  106 , shown here as a finger, may be used to select one of the four sections  230 ,  232 ,  234 , and  236 . As illustrated, the selection object is selecting the bottom right section  236 . 
     Upon selection of a section  230 ,  232 ,  234 , or  236  the device  10  may display an enlarged version of the section on the display  16 .  FIG. 16  illustrates the device  10  with a screen  240  displaying an enlarged version of section  236 . As shown, section  236  has been enlarged to occupy the entire display  16 . Due to the enlargement of section  236 , the scaled images  224  are farther apart from each other facilitating selection of the scaled images  224 . The background  242 , which provides context for the scaled images  224 , has also been enlarged. In other embodiments where the background does not provide context, such as screens showing only selectable icons, the background may not be scaled along with the images. Additionally, although the scaled images  224  are the same size as shown in  FIG. 15 , in other embodiments, the scaled images  224  may be further enlarged when a section  230 ,  232 ,  234 , or  236  is selected. The size of the scaled images  224  may be determined using motion data  164  ( FIG. 12 ). Again, input features  210  may be used to navigate through the sections  230 ,  232 , and  234  not currently shown on the display  16 . 
     While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20080211
Publication Date: 20140325
Grant Date: 20140325
Priority Date: 20080211
Inventors: LEE MICHAEL M
LEE MASON R
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/1694", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1643", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1694", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1643", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0481", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0481", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1694", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1643", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G5/38", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 40568806