Apple’s ‘proximity detector patent application Part 2: The New iPod UI

Posted by Dennis Sellers Jul 20, 2006 at 11:25am

On July 20, the US Patent & Trademark Office published Apple’s patent application titled “Proximity detector in handheld device,” originally filed in September 2005. In part two of this report, you’ll read about proximity sensing fields, devices like the iPod using a modem, sporting a new GUI and in different embodiments, could see a PDA, gaming device, cell phone or more emerge.

Proximity sensing field
Patent application FIG. 4 is a diagram of a method 80 of operating an I/O platform, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The method begins at block 82 where a proximity sensing field is generated above an I/O device. The sensing field may for example be generated using techniques associated with capacitance or infrared technologies (or others mentioned above). The sensing field is spaced apart (non contact) but in close proximity to the I/O devices. The distance between the I/O device and the sensing field may be as small as about 2 mm and as large as about 30 mm, and more particularly between about 2 mm and about 10 mm. Capacitance sensing fields may for example be between about 2 mm and about 3 mm while IR fields can be just about anywhere (e.g., focused to a particular distance above the surface).

In block 84, disturbances or changes in the sensing field are detected and thereafter registered as a proximity event. For example, when a finger is placed within the sensing field, the sensing field is disturbed and a controller translates this disturbance to mean that a finger is present. In the case of a capacitive proximity sensor, which may be separate component or a part of a capacitive sensing touch pad, the finger changes the capacitance at the sensing field and this change is registered as a proximity event. In the case of an IR proximity sensor, the finger scatters the light from the emitter when it is placed near the sensing field, and the scattered light is measured by a detector. Changes in light intensity is registered as a proximity event.

Thereafter, in block 86, a proximity control signal is generated based on the presence of the finger in the proximity sensing field. This is typically accomplished before any other touch based inputs are received since the finger passes through the sensing field on its way to actuating the touch based I/O devices. The proximity control signal can be used to affect the I/O platform in some non trivial manner or it can be used as a control signal in a host device.

Portable devices like a PDA, phone, game player etc.

Patent application FIG. 5 is a simplified side elevation view of a portable computing device 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The portable computing device 100 may for example be a portable computer, tablet PC, PDA, media player (e.g., music player, video player, game player), digital camera, GPS module, and the like.

The portable computing device 100 may be a handheld computing device. As used herein, the term “hand-held” means that the computing device has a form factor that is small enough to be comfortably held in one hand. A hand-held computing device may be directed at one-handed operation or two-handed operation.

In one-handed operation, a single hand is used to both support the device as well as to perform operations with the user interface during use. Cellular phones, and media players are examples of hand-held devices that can be operated solely with one hand. In the case of a cell phone, for example, a user may grasp the phone in one hand between the fingers and the palm and use the thumb to make entries using keys, buttons or a joy pad.

In two-handed operation, one hand is used to support the device while the other hand performs operations with a user interface during use or alternatively both hands support the device as well as perform operations during use. PDA’s and game players are examples of hand-held device that are typically operated with two hands. In the case of the PDA, for example, the user may grasp the device with one hand and make entries using the other hand, as for example using a stylus. In the case of the game player, the user typically grasps the device in both hands and make entries using either or both hands while holding the device.

Devices using modem

As shown, the computing device 100 generally includes a housing 102 for enclosing internally various electronic components associated with operating the computing device 100. In general, the housing 102 serves to surround the internal electronic components at a peripheral region thereof so as to cover and protect the internal components from adverse conditions. The internal electrical components may include mechanisms for processing, generating, transmitting and receiving data associated with operating the portable computing device. By way of example, the internal electronic components may take the form of integrated circuits (e.g., processors, controllers, memory), or other electrical devices (e.g., circuit boards, cables, fans, power supplies, batteries, hard drive, disk drive, modem, connectors, etc.).

Device GUI

The computing device 100 also includes a user interface 104 that is the point of communication between the device 100 and the user of the device 100. The user interface may include any number of UI features, which can be located on any of the surfaces of the housing 102. In most cases, however, a predominant number of the U’’ features are placed on a front surface of the computing device 100. The UI features 106 may be embodied in a variety of ways and may include any number of input and/or output devices including but not limited to switches, buttons, dials, sliders, navigation pads, touch pads, touch screens, displays, speakers, and the like.

The UI features may even include advanced devices such as mechanically actuated touch pads such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/643,256, touch sensitive housings such as those described in U.S. pat. app. Ser. No. 11/115,539, multipoint sensing touch pads or touch screens such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/840,862, display actuators such as those described in U.S. pat. app. Ser. No. 11/057,050, all of which are herein incorporated by reference.

The entire face of the device using a full screen

In one embodiment, the user interface 104 of the computing device 100 includes a full screen or near full screen display 108. A full screen display is a display that consumes, or at least dominates, a surface (e.g., front surface) of the computing device 100. In one example, a full screen display consumes substantially the entire front surface of the computing device 100 (in both directions). The full screen display may for example consume at least 90% of a front surface of a housing for the computing device. It may extend edge to edge or it may fit within a small bezel of the housing at the edge of the device. The full screen display may have a variety of different configurations depending on the overall footprint of the device. If the device is wide, the full screen display may have a traditional aspect ratio of about 4:3. If the device is elongated, the full screen display may have an aspect ratio that is more panoramic such as 16:9.

In this embodiment, in order to provide input functionality, the user interface 104 may additionally include a touch screen 110 disposed over the full screen display 108. The touch screen 110 may extend completely over the full screen or it may only cover a portion of the full screen. In most cases, the touch screen 110 covers at least the display portion of the full screen display 108. A multifunctional device that utilizes a full screen display among other advanced UI features may be found in U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 60/658,777, which is herein incorporated by reference.

Although a touch screen display is shown, it should be appreciated that the user interface may include any combination of input output devices such as any of those described above, or any of those further described in the applications incorporated by reference.

New iPod touch screen GUI

Patent application FIG. 13A shows one example of a window 530A including a list of songs 532A, and FIG. 14A shows another example of a window 530B including a list of songs 532B.FIG. 13A may, for example, be a graphical user interface displayed on an iPod.RTM. manufactured by Apple Computer of Cupertino, Calif., and FIG. 14A may for example be a graphical user interface associated with a music management program, such as iTunes.RTM. manufactured by Apple Computer of Cupertino, Calif.

Following block 502, the user interface method 500 proceeds to block 504 where an object is detected over the displayed list of songs (or window or entire GUI). This may be accomplished with the proximity detector when an object such as a stylus or one or more fingers is placed above the touch screen display. FIGS. 13B and 14B show a finger 525 placed over the window 530 including the list of songs 532. Although shown in this figure, the finger is spaced away and not in contact with the touch surface.

Once the presence of an object is detected, the user interface method 500 proceeds to block 506 where a virtual scroll wheel is activated. That is, a virtual scroll wheel is displayed in addition to the list of songs and its functionality is enabled. In essence, because the song list was active, a scroll wheel that allows a user to traverse through the songs in the list of songs is provided. In some cases, the virtual scroll wheel displaces the media items, i.e., the media items are minimized or shifted to make room for the virtual scroll wheel. In other cases, the virtual scroll wheel is positioned or laid over the media items (the media items keep their current size, shape and position).

The virtual scroll wheel can be made semi-transparent so that the media items can be viewed through the virtual scroll wheel. FIGS. 13C and 14C show a transparent virtual scroll 936 wheel laid over the window 530 including the list of songs 532. Alternatively, a virtual slider bar may be displayed.

Once displayed, a determination 508 is made as to whether or not a scrolling event (or gesture) is performed relative to the virtual scroll wheel. For example, whether or not a finger is positioned over the scroll wheel and whether or not the finger is moved around the scroll wheel in a swirling fashion. The scroll event may be a proximity event or a touch event.

If a scrolling event is performed by the user, the user interface method 500 proceeds to block 510 where scrolling is implemented through the list of songs in accordance with the scrolling touch event. By way of example, a selector bar may be moved from one song to another as the finger is swirled around the virtual scroll wheel. FIGS. 13D and 14D show the finger 525 swirling around the virtual scroll wheel 536, and a selector bar 538 moving linearly through the list of songs 532 in accordance with the swirling finger 525. In the illustrated embodiments, the selector bar is moved linearly up when the finger is swirled in a clockwise fashion and linearly down when the finger is swirled in a counterclockwise fashion. It should be noted, however, that this is not a limitation. For example, the selector bar may moved linearly down when the finger is swirled in a clockwise fashion and linearly up when the finger is swirled in a counterclockwise fashion.

If a scrolling or select touch event is not performed, the user interface method 500 proceeds to block 516 where the virtual scroll wheel is deactivated. That is, the virtual scroll wheel is disabled and removed from the display. FIGS. 13E and 145E show the display 528 without the virtual scroll wheel 536. Although the virtual scroll wheel 536 is removed, changes made to the list of songs, i.e., the position of the selector bar 538, typically remain.

In some cases, the virtual scroll wheel may include button zones across its surface or a virtual button at its center or around its sides. The buttons and button zones may for example correspond to menu, play, seek, pause, and/or the like. In this particular embodiment, the method described above may include additional steps that occur before block 516. For example, if a scrolling touch event is not performed, the user interface method 500 may include an additional block where a determination is made as to whether or not a selection touch event (or gesture) is performed relative to the virtual scroll wheel.

The selection touch event may be implemented by tapping the button or by exerting increased or decreased pressure on the button rather than swirling around the surface of the virtual scroll wheel (see FIGS. 13F and 14F).

If the button is a song select or enter button, the method include another block where the song with the selector bar disposed thereover is selected. That is, when the virtual button is tapped, or otherwise selected, the song currently covered by the selector bar is played and outputted for the user’s enjoyment. It should be noted that the methods described above are not limited to scrolling through a list of songs. Any media item as well as any group of elements can be scrolled through using the aforementioned technique. For example, in photo layout 542 as shown in FIGS. 15A-15C, the virtual scroll wheel 536 may appear when the user places their finger 525 over the photo layout 542 (or grouping), and thereafter it can be used to move a highlighter 544 through the various photos 543 in the layout 542. By way of example, the photos may be thumbnails images that make traversing through a large number of images easier.

If a first set of conditions are implemented, the method proceeds to block 606 where a first GUI element is activated. For example, as shown in FIGS. 17A-B, in an active window 660 of a music management program, a scroll wheel 662 may be activated when a user places their finger above a playlist portion 664 of the active window 660 without touching the touch surface.

If a second set of conditions are implemented, the method proceeds to block 608 where a second GUI element is activated. For example, as shown in FIGS. 17B-C, in the active window 660 of a music management program, a music control panel 667 may be activated when a user also touches a border 668 of the active window 660. Although they work independent of one another, the first and second GUI elements may be activated at the same time if the first and second conditions occur simultaneously (FIG. 13C).

Following block 606, the method proceeds to block 610 where it is determined if the first GUI element should be deactivated. If so, the method proceeds to block 612 where the GUI element is deactivated. For example, as shown in FIG. 17D, the first GUI element (scroll wheel 662) is disabled and removed from display when the finger 625 is no longer detected over the playlist 662. If not, the method maintains block 606.

Similarly but independently, following block 608, the method proceeds to block 614 where it is determined if the second GUI element should be deactivated. If so, the method proceeds to block 616 where the GUI element is deactivated. For example, as shown in FIG. 17E, the second GUI element (control panel 667) is disabled and removed from display when the finger 625 is no longer detected over the border 668. If not, the method maintains block 608.

It should be noted that the method is not limited to only two GUI elements and that other GUI elements may be activated if other conditions are implemented (N+1). For example, as shown in FIG. 17F, the user may move their finger 625 from over the border 668 to over a menu portion 670 of the active window 660 thereby initiating a change from the control panel 667 to a scroll wheel 672 (e.g., while the second GUI element is being deactivated, the third GUI element is being activated).

Further, as shown in FIG. 17G, the user may add another finger 625 to the mix thereby initiating a change from the first control panel 667 to a second control panel 682. The first control panel 667 may include a first set of control options such as play, stop, seek and volume options and the second control panel 682 may include a second set of control options such as song playing order, song information, light effect options.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 17H, the user may place one finger 625A over the border 668, another finger 625B over a menu portion 670, and yet another finger 625C over the playlist portion 664 thereby initiating three different GUI elements, particularly, a control panel 667, a first scroll wheel 672 for scrolling through the menu 670, and a second scroll wheel 662 for scrolling through the playlist 664.

In addition, multiple GUI elements can be activated in the same portion. For example, as shown in FIGS. 17I and 17J, if the user places their finger over a particular box 690 in the playlist 664, a keyboard 692 may be activated so that the user can enter data associated with the song (e.g., title, artist, genre, etc.). If the scroll wheel 662 is active at the same time as the keyboard 692, the scroll wheel 662 may be minimized to accommodate the keyboard 692 as shown. Once the keyboard 992 is deactivated, the scroll wheel 662 reverts back to its original size.

Patent application FIGS. 19A-19D illustrate a zooming target sequence using the GUI operational method 700 described above. As shown in FIG. 19A, a user 710 places their finger 776 above the touch screen and over a control box 778. Because the buttons 780 of the control box 778 included therein are smaller than the finger 776 and located close together, it is difficult for the user 710 to make a selection directly without possibly pressing an undesirable button 780, e.g., a button adjacent the desired button.

By way of example, the finger 776 may cover two or more of the buttons 780. As shown in FIG. 19B, at least a portion of the control box 778 is enlarged including the buttons 780 included therein when the finger is detected.

As shown in FIG. 19C, once the control box has reached its enlarged state, the user can select one of the enlarged buttons, which is now closer to the size of the finger using the touch screen. By way of example, the user may tap on the desired control button. As shown in FIG. 19D, the control box reduces to its initial size after the button is selected or after a predetermined time period in which no selection was made (e.g., times out) or when the user moves their finger substantially away from touch screen (out of the proximity sensing area) or when the user moves their finger out of the area of the control box while still in the sensing area of the proximity detector.

Notice

Macsimum News presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application and/or grant is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent applications and/or grants should be read in its entirety for further details.

The inventors listed on patent application number 20060161871 are Steven P. Hotelling, Robert Duncan Kerr, Bas Ording, Jonathan P. Ive, Peter J. Kennedy, Anthony M. Fadell and Jeffrey L. Robbin.

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