U.S. patent application number 13/849633 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-22 for electronic text manipulation and display.
This patent application is currently assigned to Apple Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Apple Inc.. Invention is credited to William Martin Bachman, Alan C. Cannistraro, Elizabeth Caroline Furches Cranfill, Matt Evans, David Heller, Joe R. Howard, Timothy B. Martin, Jeffrey Robbin.
Application Number | 20130218729 13/849633 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43857743 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130218729 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cranfill; Elizabeth Caroline
Furches ; et al. |
August 22, 2013 |
ELECTRONIC TEXT MANIPULATION AND DISPLAY
Abstract
Information is presented to a user by accessing a library of
electronic publications that includes a first publication,
generating a representation of the first publication in an
electronic bookshelf, determining a state for the first publication
and modifying the representation of the first publication to
reflect the state of the first publication.
Inventors: |
Cranfill; Elizabeth Caroline
Furches; (San Francisco, CA) ; Heller; David;
(Los Altos, CA) ; Robbin; Jeffrey; (Los Altos,
CA) ; Cannistraro; Alan C.; (San Francisco, CA)
; Bachman; William Martin; (San Jose, CA) ;
Martin; Timothy B.; (Sunnyvale, CA) ; Evans;
Matt; (San Francisco, CA) ; Howard; Joe R.;
(San Jose, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Apple Inc.; |
|
|
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Apple Inc.
Cupertino
CA
|
Family ID: |
43857743 |
Appl. No.: |
13/849633 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13521414 |
Aug 14, 2012 |
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PCT/US2011/020874 |
Jan 11, 2011 |
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13849633 |
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61320678 |
Apr 2, 2010 |
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61298889 |
Jan 27, 2010 |
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61298539 |
Jan 26, 2010 |
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61294106 |
Jan 11, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/27.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 40/109 20200101;
G06F 3/0488 20130101; G06F 16/93 20190101; G06F 40/166 20200101;
G06Q 20/123 20130101; G06F 3/0483 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/27.1 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 20/12 20120101
G06Q020/12 |
Claims
1. A method of presenting information to a user, the method
comprising: enabling a user to purchase an electronic publication
using an electronic bookstore; enabling the user to download the
electronic publication to a first device; recording a user purchase
of the electronic publication; receiving an indication that the
user has a second device; and enabling the user to transmit the
electronic publication to the second device.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein enabling the user to purchase the
electronic publication using the electronic bookstore includes
enabling the user to purchase the electronic publication within an
electronic bookstore application within the first device.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein recording the user purchase of the
electronic publication includes recording the user purchase for a
user account on a history server.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising displaying a history of
purchases to the user.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein displaying the history of
purchases includes presenting a menu for each entry in the history
of purchases enabling the user to perform additional actions for an
already-purchased publication.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein enabling the user to perform
additional actions includes enabling the user to transmit the
electronic publication to the second device.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the indication that the
user has the second device includes receiving an instruction from a
registration server that the user has registered a second device
for a user account.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein enabling the user to transmit the
electronic publication to the second device includes generating a
representation of the second device within the electronic
bookstore; and configuring the representation of the second device
to trigger transmission of the electronic publication to the second
device in response to receiving user selection of the
representation of the second device.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein enabling the user to transmit the
electronic publication to the second device includes enabling the
user to transmit the electronic publication without a requiring the
user to purchase the electronic publication for the second
device.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein enabling the user to transmit the
electronic publication to the second device includes enabling the
user to transmit the electronic publication in response to
receiving a user instruction to purchase a distribution fee to
distribute an already purchased publication to the second
device.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the electronic
publication to the second device includes formatting the electronic
publication from a first format for the first device to a second
format for the second device.
12. A system, comprising a processor and instructions that when
performed on the processor cause the processor to perform
operations that include: enabling a user to purchase an electronic
publication using an electronic bookstore; enabling the user to
download the electronic publication to a first device; recording a
user purchase of the electronic publication; receiving an
indication that the user has a second device; and enabling the user
to transmit the electronic publication to the second device.
13. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising
instructions that when executed on a processor cause the processor
to perform operations that include: enabling a user to purchase an
electronic publication using an electronic bookstore; enabling the
user to download the electronic publication to a first device;
recording a user purchase of the electronic publication; receiving
an indication that the user has a second device; and enabling the
user to transmit the electronic publication to the second device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims priority to
U.S. application Ser. No. 13/521,414, filed Aug. 14, 2012, which
claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.371 to International
Application No. PCT/US2011/020874, having an International Filing
Date of Jan. 11, 2011, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/294,106, filed Jan. 11, 2010, U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/298,539, filed Jan. 26, 2010, U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/298,889, filed Jan. 27, 2010, and U.S.
Application No. 61/320,678, filed Apr. 2, 2010. These applications
are all entitled, "Electronic Text Manipulation and Display," and
are incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This disclosure relates to displaying and facilitating the
manipulation of electronic text, for example, the text of an
electronic book ("eBook") being read on an electronic device. Much
like an ordinary printed book, electronic books ("eBooks") can be
used to present text and pictures to readers. Instead of ink and
paper, however, an electronic book is a collection of digital data
that software, known as an electronic book reader application, can
interpret and present on a display. A variety of devices run
electronic book reader software such as desktop and notebook
computers, eBook readers, smart phones and/or other mobile devices.
One available format for eBooks is defined by the "ePub" standard,
which is maintained by The International Digital Publishing Forum
(IDPF).
SUMMARY
[0003] In one general sense, information is presented to a user by
accessing a library of electronic publications that includes a
first publication, generating a representation of the first
publication in an electronic bookshelf, determining a state for the
first publication, and modifying the representation of the first
publication to reflect the state of the first publication.
[0004] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, generating the representation may include
presenting a recently-purchased book using a front cover view or
presenting a recently-accessed book using a front cover view. It
may be determined that the first publication has not been recently
accessed and the representation may be modified so that a binding
view of the first publication is presented instead of a front cover
view of the first publication. Modifying the representation of the
first publication includes presenting a layer of dust over the
first publication. Presenting the layer of dust may include
presenting an animated dust cloud in response to receiving a user
instruction to access the first publication.
[0005] In another general sense, information is presented to a user
by accessing a library of electronic publications that includes a
first publication, generating a representation of the first
publication in an electronic bookshelf, determining a state for the
first publication relative to other publications in the electronic
bookshelf, determining an organization of the electronic bookshelf
based on the state of the first publication relative to a state of
other publications within the library, and presenting the first
publication in the electronic bookshelf to reflect the organization
of the electronic bookshelf.
[0006] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, determining the state may include
determining a date of purchase, a date of release or a date of
access. Determining an organization may include generating an
ordered list that sorts the library according to a purchase
criterion. Determining an organization may include generating an
ordered list that sorts the library according to a release date
criteria. Determining an organization may include generating an
ordered list that sorts the library according to access date
criteria.
[0007] Presenting the first publication in the electronic bookshelf
to reflect the organization of the electronic bookshelf may include
presenting unread books in a prioritized shelf within the
electronic bookshelf. Presenting the unread books in the
prioritized shelf includes presenting the unread books in a top
shelf. Presenting the unread books in the prioritized shelf may
include presenting the unread books in a leftmost portion of a
shelf. Presenting the first publication in the electronic bookshelf
to reflect the organization of the electronic bookshelf may include
presenting newly-purchased books in a prioritized shelf within the
electronic bookshelf.
[0008] A user may be enabled to customize the placement the first
publication after being presented with the organization of the
electronic bookshelf. Presenting the first publication in the
electronic bookshelf to reflect the organization of the electronic
bookshelf may include presenting recently-accessed books in a
prioritized shelf within the electronic bookshelf.
[0009] In yet another sense, information is presented to a user by
accessing a library of electronic publications that includes a
first publication, determining a state for the first publication,
and generating a representation of the first publication in an
electronic bookshelf that reflects the state of the first
publication.
[0010] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, generating the representation may include
generating a magazine icon in response to determining that the
first publication is a magazine. Generating the representation may
include generating a newspaper icon in response to determining that
the first publication is a newspaper. Generating the representation
may include generating a label over the representation indicating
the state of the first publication. Generating the label may
include generating a label indicating that the first publication
has not yet been accessed.
[0011] Generating the label may include generating a label
indicating that the first publication is newly purchased.
Generating the label may include generating a label indicating that
the first publication is being downloaded. Determining the state
for the first publication may include determining a location for a
first device, determining that content appearing in the electronic
bookshelf is associated with the location, and presenting the
content to the user indicating that the content is relevant to the
location.
[0012] Presenting the content may include a presenting a ribbon to
indicate a relevance of the content. Presenting the content may
include placing the content using a specified bookshelf location to
indicate a relevance of the content.
[0013] In yet another sense, information is presented to a user by
accessing a library of electronic publications, generating a
representation of the first publication in an electronic bookshelf
in a bookshelf view that indicates electronic publications that are
owned by a user, enabling the user to switch between a bookstore
view and the bookshelf view, receiving an instruction from the user
to switch from the bookshelf view to the bookstore view, and
generating, in response to receiving the instruction from the user
to switch from the bookshelf view to the bookstore view, a display
of an animated transition of a revolving bookshelf that originally
presents the bookshelf view and concludes the animated transition
by displaying the bookstore view.
[0014] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, a user may be enabled to select a
representation of an advertised electronic publication appearing
within the bookstore view. The representation of the advertised
electronic publication appearing within the bookstore view may be
modified forward along a z-axis arising from an electronic reader
and from the bookstore view to a user so as to present the
advertised electronic publication as floating in front of the
bookstore view. While preserving the advertised electronic
publication as floating in front of the revolving bookshelf, an
animated transition of the revolving bookshelf that originates with
the bookstore view and concludes the animated transition by
displaying the bookshelf view may be generated and the
representation of the advertised electronic publication appearing
within the bookstore view is modified forward from the bookstore
view to the user so as to present the advertised electronic
publication as transitioning from a floating view into the
bookshelf view of the electronic bookshelf.
[0015] In still another sense, information is presented to a user
by enabling a user to download an electronic publication in a
promotional configuration, enabling the user to navigate through
the electronic publication with a relative indicator identifying a
portion of the electronic publication being accessed by the user,
enabling the user to purchase a full version of the electronic
publication, downloading, as a result of a purchase, the full
version of the electronic publication, and preserving the relative
indicator so that subsequent user access to the electronic
publication enables the user to access the portion of the
electronic publication associated with the relative indicator.
[0016] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, a bookmark control may be presented within
the electronic publication in the promotional configuration. Using
the electronic bookmark control within the electronic publication,
a user instruction to set an electronic bookmark may be received
and, in response to receiving the user instruction, the electronic
bookmark is set to return to a place associated with a relative
indicator at a time of receiving the user instruction. During the
purchase of the full version of the electronic publication, the
electronic bookmark is preserved.
[0017] Presenting the electronic bookmark control may include
presenting the electronic bookmark control in association with a
reading history indicating which portion of the electronic
publication has been accessed. Presenting the electronic bookmark
control may include presenting the electronic bookmark control in
association with a progress bar that indicates which portions of
the electronic publication have been read relative to those
portions of the electronic publication that have not been read.
[0018] In yet another sense, information is presented to a user by
enabling a user to purchase an electronic publication using an
electronic bookstore, enabling the user to download the electronic
publication to a first device, recording a user purchase of the
electronic publication, receiving an indication that the user has a
second device, and enabling the user to transmit the electronic
publication to the second device.
[0019] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, enabling the user to purchase the electronic
publication using the electronic bookstore may include enabling the
user to purchase the electronic publication within an electronic
bookstore application within the first device. Recording the user
purchase of the electronic publication may include recording the
user purchase for a user account on a history server. A history of
purchases may be displayed to the user. Displaying the history of
purchases may include presenting a menu for each entry in the
history of purchases enabling the user to perform additional
actions for an already-purchased publication. Enabling the user to
perform additional actions may include enabling the user to
transmit the electronic publication to the second device. Receiving
the indication that the user has the second device may include
receiving an instruction from a registration server that the user
has registered a second device for a user account.
[0020] Enabling the user to transmit the electronic publication to
the second device may include generating a representation of the
second device within the electronic bookstore and configuring the
representation of the second device to trigger transmission of the
electronic publication to the second device in response to
receiving user selection of the representation of the second
device.
[0021] Enabling the user to transmit the electronic publication to
the second device may include enabling the user to transmit the
electronic publication without a requiring the user to purchase the
electronic publication for the second device. Enabling the user to
transmit the electronic publication to the second device may
include enabling the user to transmit the electronic publication in
response to receiving a user instruction to purchase a distribution
fee to distribute an already purchased publication to the second
device. Transmitting the electronic publication to the second
device may include formatting the electronic publication from a
first format for the first device to a second format for the second
device.
[0022] In still another sense, information is presented to a user
by presenting, within an electronic book reader application on an
electronic device, a representation of an electronic book with an
indication of left side pages and an indication of right side
pages, enabling the user to navigate through the electronic
publication with a relative indicator identifying a portion of the
electronic publication being accessed by the user, and modifying,
using the relative indicator, the indication of the left side pages
and the indication of right side pages to reflect a relative height
of left side pages and right side pages.
[0023] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, a representation of a binding that displays
the indication of the left side pages and the indication of right
side pages may be presented. Modifying the indication of left side
pages may include presenting the indication of left side pages on a
granular basis where the relative height reflects a is based upon a
mathematic proportion of pages that have been read relative to an
overall number of pages in the electronic book. Modifying the
indication of left side pages may include presenting the indication
of left side pages in one of several discrete heights where the one
discrete height is used for a range of pages.
[0024] In yet another sense, information is presented to a user by
presenting, within an electronic book reader application on an
electronic device, a representation of an electronic book that may
include an electronic representation of a paper page, enabling a
user to interact with the page through a touch screen control to
navigate through the electronic book, recording, on the electronic
device, physical characteristics of the user interaction with the
touch screen control to navigate through the electronic book,
identifying, based on the physical characteristics of the user
interaction, a modeled impact on the electronic representation of a
paper page, and generating an animated transition reflecting a page
turning of the electronic representation of a paper page that
reflects the modeled impact.
[0025] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, identifying the modeled impact reflects a
location within the electronic representation of the paper page
where the user touched the electronic representation of a paper
page. Identifying the modeled impact reflects a velocity at which
the user swiped the electronic representation of the paper page to
turn the page. Identifying the modeled impact reflects an
acceleration at which the user swiped the electronic representation
of the paper page to turn the page. Identifying the modeled impact
reflects a direction at which the user swiped the electronic
representation of the paper page to turn the page. Identifying the
modeled impact reflects a user tilting the electronic device to
turn the page. Identifying the modeled impact reflects an
acceleration applied in tilting the electronic device to turn the
page.
[0026] Identifying the modeled impact reflects an angle applied by
a user to tilt the electronic device to turn the page. Identifying
the modeled impact reflects differences in an orientation of the
electronic device applied by a user to tilt the electronic device
to turn the page. Identifying the modeled impact reflects whether
the orientation of the electronic device has been changed by more
than a threshold amount.
[0027] In still another sense, a user is enabled to access an
electronic bookstore by presenting, within an electronic book
reader application on an electronic device, a representation of an
electronic book that may include an electronic representation of a
paper page, presenting, within the electronic book reader
application, a control to access an electronic bookstore, enabling
the user to interact with the control to access the electronic
bookstore, receiving, through user interaction with the control, a
user instruction to access the electronic bookstore, determining
that a wireless communications interface on the electronic device
is not active, activating the wireless communications interface,
and presenting, using the wireless communications interface,
materials from the electronic bookstore.
[0028] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, presenting, using the wireless
communications interface, materials from the electronic bookstore
may include presenting a network Uniform Resources Locator (URL)
for the electronic bookstore. Presenting the control to access the
electronic bookstore may include presenting a control embedded
within the electronic representation of a paper page. Presenting
the control embedded within the electronic representation of the
paper page may include presenting the control within an end of book
page. Presenting the control to access the electronic bookstore may
include presenting a control peripheral to the electronic
representation of a paper page.
[0029] In yet another sense, information is presented to a user by
presenting, within an electronic book reader application on an
electronic device, a representation of an electronic book that may
include an electronic representation of a paper page, enabling a
user to interact with the page through a touch screen control to
navigate through the electronic book, detecting that a user has
touched a portion of the electronic representation of the paper
page, detecting that the user intended to hold the touched portion,
and presenting, in response to detecting that the user intended to
hold the touched portion, a menu of commands related to the touched
portion of the electronic representation of a paper page.
[0030] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, detecting that the user intended to hold the
touched portion may include detecting that the user has touched the
portion of the electronic representation of the page for more than
a threshold period of time. Detecting that the user intended to
hold the touched portion may include detecting that an area of the
touched portion has expanded after a threshold period of time has
elapsed indicated that a user has applied increased pressure.
Detecting that the user intended to hold the touched portion may
include detecting that the electronic device has been lowered.
[0031] Content related to the touched portion may be identified.
The identified content is used to identify commands for
incorporation within the menu of commands and the identified
commands are presented within the menu of commands. Content related
to the touched portion may be identified. The identified content to
identify applications is used for incorporation within the menu of
commands and the identified applications are presented within the
menu of commands. Using the identified content to identify
applications may include identifying additional electronic
publications available in an electronic bookstore related to the
content appearing in the touched portion. Using the identified
content to identify applications may include identifying a
dictionary or encyclopedia entry related to the content appearing
in the touched portion. Using the identified content to identify
applications may include identifying applications related to the
content appearing in the touched portion.
[0032] In still another sense, information is presented to a user
by presenting, within an electronic book reader application on an
electronic device, a representation of an electronic book that may
include an electronic representation of a paper page, enabling a
user to interact with an accelerometer for the electronic device by
controlling an orientation of the electronic device, capturing,
using the accelerometer for the electronic device, user
manipulation of the electronic device, identifying, based on the
user manipulation of the electronic device, a command for the
electronic book, and performing the command on the electronic
book.
[0033] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, capturing the user manipulation and
identifying the command may include detecting that the electronic
device has been tilted less than a threshold degree. In response to
detecting that the electronic device has been tilted less than the
threshold degree, an excerpt of a next page in the electronic book
is presented. Capturing the user manipulation and identifying the
command may include detecting that the electronic device has been
shaken and presenting, in response to detecting that the electronic
device has been shaken, that the electronic book has been returned
to an electronic bookshelf Capturing the user manipulation and
identifying the command may include detecting that the electronic
device has been manipulated in a first manner and presenting, in
response to detecting that the electronic device has been
manipulated in the first manner, that a cover of the electronic
book has been closed.
[0034] Detecting that the electronic device has been manipulated in
the first manner may include determining that the electronic device
has been flipped towards the user. Capturing the user manipulation
and identifying the command may include detecting that the
electronic device has been manipulated in a second manner and
presenting, in response to detecting that the electronic device has
been manipulated in the second manner, a designated of a portion
electronic book.
[0035] Detecting that the electronic device has been manipulated in
the second manner may include determining that the electronic
device has been tilted twice in a first direction to retrieve a
table of contents. Detecting that the electronic device has been
manipulated in the second manner may include determining that the
electronic device has been tilted twice in a second direction to
retrieve an index. Detecting that the electronic device has been
manipulated in the second manner may include determining that a
representation of a binding in the display has been pinched to
close an electronic book. Capturing the user manipulation and
identifying the command may include detecting that the electronic
device has been set on a surface and presenting, in response to
detecting that the electronic device has been has been set on a
surface, a screen saver for the electronic book. Presenting, the
screen saver for the electronic book may include presenting an
electronic representation of the paper page flapping in a
breeze.
[0036] In yet another sense, a user is enabled to interface with an
electronic publication by presenting, within an electronic book
reader application on an electronic device, a representation of an
electronic book that may include an electronic representation of a
paper page, enabling a first user to interact with a touch screen
controller for the electronic device, capturing user manipulation
of the touch screen controller, identifying, based on the user
manipulation of the touch screen controller, a command for
interfacing with a second user through the electronic book, and
performing the command for the electronic book.
[0037] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, identifying the command may include
identifying a transmission command that transits the electronic
page to the second user. Identifying the command may include
identifying a transmission command that transits the electronic
book to the second user. Identifying the command may include
identifying a throwing gesture to establish a communications
interface with the second user. Identifying the command for
interfacing with the second user may include establishing a command
to establish a communications interface with the second user
through a wireless Local Area Network interface. Identifying the
command for interfacing with the second user may include
establishing a command to establish a communications interface with
the second user through a wireless telecommunications interface.
Identifying the command for interfacing with the second user may
include establishing a command to establish a communications
interface with the second user through a short range wireless
interface.
[0038] In still another sense, a user is enabled to interface with
an electronic publication by presenting, within an electronic book
reader application on an electronic device, a representation of an
electronic book that may include an electronic representation of a
paper page, enabling a first user to interact with a touch screen
controller for the electronic device, capturing, user manipulation
of the touch screen controller, identifying, based on the user
manipulation of the touch screen controller, a command to interface
with an electronic bookshelf, and performing the command for the
electronic book.
[0039] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, identifying the command to interface with
the electronic bookshelf may include receiving a command to advance
to a next selection in the electronic bookshelf without displaying
the electronic bookshelf. Receiving the command to advance to the
next selection in the electronic bookshelf may include detecting
that three fingers have touched the electronic device, and
detecting that the three fingers have swiped the touch screen
controller.
[0040] In yet another sense, information is presented to a user by
presenting, within an electronic book reader application on an
electronic device, a representation of an electronic book that may
include an electronic representation of a paper page in a first
orientation, presenting a first portion of the electronic book in
the first orientation, enabling a user to manipulate an orientation
of the electronic device from a first orientation to a second
orientation, determining whether to preserve a font size,
identifying, based on the first portion and in response to
determining to preserve the font size, a second portion that will
be displayed in the second orientation, and displaying, in the
second orientation, the second portion.
[0041] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, enabling the user to manipulate the
orientation of the electronic device from the first orientation to
the second orientation may include enabling the user to switch from
a landscape orientation to a portrait orientation. Identifying the
second portion may include identifying content for removal from the
first portion in order to render the second portion. Enabling the
user to manipulate the orientation of the electronic device from
the first orientation to the second orientation may include
enabling the user to switch from a portrait orientation to a
landscape orientation that displays two pages. Identifying the
second portion may include identifying additional content to
supplement the first portion in order to render the second
portion.
[0042] In still another sense, information may be presented to a
user by presenting, within an electronic book reader application on
an electronic device, a representation of an electronic book that
may include an electronic representation of a paper page in a first
orientation, presenting a first portion of the electronic book in
the first orientation, enabling a user to manipulate an orientation
of the electronic device from a first orientation to a second
orientation, determining whether to preserve a font size,
identifying, based on the first portion and in response to
determining to not preserve the font size, a second portion that
will be displayed in the second orientation, and displaying, in the
second orientation, the second portion.
[0043] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, enabling the user to manipulate the
orientation of the electronic device from the first orientation to
the second orientation may include enabling the user to switch from
a landscape orientation to a portrait orientation. Identifying the
second portion may include identifying a font size to be used to
render the second portion. Enabling the user to manipulate the
orientation of the electronic device from the first orientation to
the second orientation may include enabling the user to switch from
a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation that displays two
pages. Identifying the second portion may include identifying a
font size to be used to render the second portion.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0044] FIG. 1 illustrates different types of electronic devices
that are configured to access, via a network, items of digital
media residing on a computer system controlled by a content
provider.
[0045] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate how eBook reader devices may be
configured to present materials in more than one orientation.
[0046] FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate how an eBook reader device may be
configured to present either a first reduced-size representation or
a second reduced-size representation based on determining whether
the first reduced-size representation or the second reduced-size
representation provides a better end-user experience.
[0047] FIG. 4 illustrates how a first reduced-size representation
or a second reduced-size representation is displayed based on
available display space relative to a size of the underling
object.
[0048] FIG. 5 depicts an electronic device that can be used to for
eBook applications.
[0049] FIGS. 6A and 6B depict an exemplary architecture of an
electronic client device that can be used to for eBook
applications.
[0050] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an electronic client device that
uses a bookshelf metaphor to indicate to a user of the device which
eBooks (and/or other items of digital media) are available to the
user.
[0051] FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate exemplary configurations for
scrubbing bars.
[0052] FIG. 9 illustrates a portable multifunction device having a
touch screen in accordance with some embodiments.
[0053] FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate exemplary user interfaces for a
menu of applications on a portable multifunction device in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0054] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a highlighting and
book-marking feature that optionally may be included as a feature
of an eBook reader application.
[0055] FIG. 12 shows an example of an eBook reader application
displaying an open eBook as the user is flipping from one page to
the next.
[0056] FIG. 13 shows an example of a search feature that may be
implemented by an eBook reader application.
[0057] FIGS. 14-28 include flow charts of various processes used to
present information to a user.
OVERVIEW
[0058] This disclosure relates to displaying and facilitating the
manipulation of electronic text, for example, the text of an
electronic book ("eBook") being read on an electronic device. Much
like an ordinary printed book, electronic books ("eBooks") can be
used to present text and pictures to readers. Instead of ink and
paper, however, an electronic book is a collection of digital data
that software, known as an electronic book reader application, can
interpret and present on a display. A variety of devices run
electronic book reader software such as desktop and notebook
computers, eBook readers, smart phones and/or other mobile devices.
One available format for eBooks is defined by the "ePub" standard,
which is maintained by The International Digital Publishing Forum
(IDPF).
[0059] In addition, the growth of mobile platforms has created a
rich and vibrant market for viewing various types of documents on
mobile devices. For example, a variety of electronic books may be
read on platforms that include mobile phones, dedicated eBook
reader devices, and tablet-oriented computing devices. However,
given the potential to spend countless time on these platforms, for
example, to read an electronic book, various adjustments may be
made to improving the user experience by configuring the eBook
reader device to render content in a manner responsive to a user's
needs.
[0060] Although the purchase, usage and popularity of eBooks is
increasing, it is recognized that a certain segment of the book
reading population might be hesitant to give up their paper &
ink publications and adapt to the world of eBooks. Consequently, an
eBook may be configured to provide a reading experience that is
feature and/or content enriched, user-friendlier and/or otherwise
enhanced. For example, some aspects of the subject matter described
here are directed at making the eBook experience more closely
resemble aspects of the paper & ink book-reading experience
that readers enjoy and may be hesitant to give up. At the same
time, the disclosed subject matter may enhance the eBook reading
experience even for current users and enthusiasts of conventional
eBook technology.
[0061] In general, an aspect of the subject matter described here
is that an eBook environment may be implemented to emulate, at
least in part, a bricks & mortar bookstore that sells
conventional paper & ink hardcover books, potentially along
with other types of publications (e.g., magazines and
newspapers).
[0062] As shown in FIG. 1, any of several different types of
electronic devices (e.g., notebook computer 105, a tablet computer
or eBook reader device 115, smart phone 120) may be configured to
access, via a network 100, items of digital media (e.g., eBooks,
movies, songs or the like) residing on a computer system controlled
by a content provider 105 (e.g., an online web site that sells
eBooks and/or other types of digital media). A user of such an
electronic device can view, purchase and download eBooks from the
content provider 105 and then use eBook application software
residing on the electronic device to read or otherwise peruse the
purchased eBook.
[0063] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate how eBook reader devices may be
configured to present materials in more than one orientation.
Optionally, the eBook reader device can include an accelerometer or
equivalent to enable software executing on the device to determine
the device's attitude--specifically, whether the device is being
held in a portrait orientation as shown in FIG. 2A or in landscape
orientation as shown and further to detect when transitions occur
from one orientation to another, and to change the display
accordingly. Specifically, FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate how eBook
reader devices may be configured to present materials in more than
one orientation. For example, if a user is reading an eBook
application in portrait orientation as shown in FIG. 2A, and
assuming that only a single page of the eBook application is being
displayed at the time, and then the user rotates the device to hold
it in landscape orientation as shown in FIG. 2B, software running
on the device can detect that transition (based on output from the
accelerometer) and automatically cause the device's display to
change so that the eBook's text is displayed in the proper
direction for the user easily read it in the current orientation.
At the same time, the display can be automatically be changed to
cause two pages of the eBook to be displayed to the user (as shown
in FIG. 2B) instead of just one page (as shown in FIG. 2B). The
converse may be applied if the user subsequently returns the
device's orientation to portrait as shown in FIG. 2A. The change in
orientation may be used, in turn, to inspire a change in the
available display area. Thus, positioning an eBook application in
portrait mode may lead to a first orientation that results in a
first allocation of display space while positioning the eBook
application in a landscape mode may lead to a second orientation
that results in a first allocation of display. Each of the
orientations may in turn regulate how the different displayable
objects within an eBook application are rendered. For example, the
first orientation may result non-interactive thumbnail image of the
displayable object being rendered while a second orientation may
result in a second reduced-size representation with a
user-interactive object corresponding to the displayable object
being rendered.
[0064] In one configuration, if the user is reading page 360 of the
eBook while in portrait orientation (FIG. 2A), then upon changing
to the landscape orientation (FIG. 2B), the device would
automatically respond by displaying an image of a folded-open
hardcover book in which the entirety of page 360 is on the left
side of the display and the entirety of the next page of the eBook
(that is, page 361) is displayed on the right side of the display,
thereby doubling the amount of visible eBook text, and further
extending the appearance that he/she is reading a real paper &
ink book. Alternatively, instead of displaying the current page
(page 360) and the next page (page 361) in response to a rotation
of the device from portrait to landscape orientation, the current
page and the previous page could both be displayed. In terms of the
example shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, in this alternative implementation
(which optionally could be selected by the user of the device), a
rotation of the device from the portrait orientation shown in FIG.
2A to the landscape orientation would result in the current page
(page 360) being displayed on the right side of the display and the
previous page (page 359) being displayed on the left side of the
display.
[0065] The eBook reader device can display suggestions to the user
(e.g., using a mechanism analogous to the Genius functionality
available in iTunes from Apple Inc.) for additional reading or
other content (e.g., movies, songs, etc.), for example,
publications by the same author, same genre, background reading,
audiobook versions of the eBook, movie versions of the eBook, songs
in the soundtrack of a movie version of the eBook, and/or
demographic and/or psychographic suggestions that be purchased (or
sampled) in the online bookstore. Such suggestions may be displayed
to the user at the end of the eBook under consideration. In
addition, such suggestions can be downloaded in the background
while the device is connected to the network, and cached on the
user's device, thereby making them available for display to the
user even if the user is not presently connected to a network (that
is, is offline) when the end of an eBook is reached.
[0066] The online bookstore environment and user interaction may be
implemented to provide the user with a seamless download
experience. For example, as noted above, the use can download a
(free) sample of an eBook in which he/she is potentially interested
and then read that eBook sample on the user's device. If the user
then decides to purchase a full copy of that, e.g., first chapter
of a book, then aided by the tight integration between the eBook
application software and the online bookstore website, the sample
copy can be automatically deleted from the user's device and
replace with a full copy of the eBook along with a bookmark
indicating where the user left off reading in the sample copy.
[0067] The context of a user's location in an eBook may be used to
determine whether to render a first reduced-size representation
comprising a non-interactive thumbnail image of the displayable
object or a second reduced-size representation comprising a
user-interactive object corresponding to the displayable object.
For example, if the user is at the beginning of a book and a table
of contents is being rendered, a first reduced-sized representation
may be rendered. On the other hand, if the user is viewing the end
of an eBook where voluminous references and citations appear, the
eBook may be configured to render a second reduced-size
representation comprising a user-interactive object corresponding
to the displayable object (in order to facilitate varying degrees
of review of voluminous reference material that may be available).
Identifying the user's current reading position may involve
applying multiple different techniques in sequence, perhaps in an
order of priority based on an associated level of confidence that
the respective techniques will produce correct, helpful or
acceptable results. For example, a current reading position
determination based on current page number is relatively unlikely
to produce a correct result, as the pagination of an eBook is
dynamic and necessarily changes with factors such as font choice,
font size, page size and margin size. Basing a current reading
position determination on word or paragraph count (that is, as
counted from the first word or paragraph of the document) of the
currently displayed text may be more likely to produce a better
result, but still may be unacceptably inaccurate if an updated or
supplemented version of the eBook in question has been downloaded
on the device since the user stopped reading. Another perhaps more
accurate technique for determining current reading position may be
to snag and remember a string of likely unique text on the
currently displayed page and then subsequently attempt to find that
same string of text in another copy of that same eBook, for
example, that the user seeks to read on a different device (e.g.,
user leaves off reading an eBook on a notebook computer and seeks
to pick up where he/she left off on in that same eBook but on a
separate device such as an eBook application).
[0068] The size of the text string to be used in this technique can
vary depending on application and implementation preferences. One
option would be to use a relatively large string size (e.g., 1000
characters) to increase the likelihood that the chosen string is
unique. But if no match for a text string of that greater length is
found, then a second iteration of the search could use a smaller
string length and look for a best or closest match. The scenario of
not finding an exact match when looking for a current reading
position based on a unique text string is most likely to occur when
seeking to find current reading position in a version of the
document that differs somewhat from the version of the document
that was being read when the user stopped reading.
[0069] The present configuration for an eBook reader device may be
used to determine whether to render a first reduced-sized
representation may be rendered or a second reduced-size
representation comprising a user-interactive object corresponding
to the displayable object. For example, if a smaller font size is
being used and/or the device determines that the user is navigating
through the material at a rapid pace, the eBook application may
determine that the user is merely perusing the material at a high
level and present content in a manner commensurate with a user
perusing material. Thus, a second reduced-size representation
comprising a user-interactive object corresponding to the
displayable object may be used if the eBook application determines
that the user is not likely to be interested in any one piece of
content that is being rendered. The second reduced-size
representation comprising a user-interactive object may be used so
that the user may selectively invoke the user-interactive object
for those instances where the underlying content draws additional
user interest while the user is perusing content. In contrast, if a
user appears to be reviewing materials at a slower rate, then a
presentation mode that facilitates detailed inspection of all
content may be used.
[0070] Assuming an acceptable method of determining current reading
position has been implemented, that feature can be used to
facilitate dynamic (either in real time, periodical or based on
discrete events) logging and updating of current reading positions
for all of a user's eBooks. These current reading positions can be
maintained an updated at a central location so that the user can
quickly and easily change reading devices while automatically and
effortlessly keeping track of his/her reading position in each of
his/her eBooks or other electronic documents. A log then may be
analyzed to develop a model for the user's reading habits so that a
presentation mode can more accurately be predicted.
[0071] Optionally, some user behaviors should be taken into account
when determining whether or not to update a current reading
position. For example, if a user jumps to an entirely different
location in an eBook (e.g., table of contents, index or the like)
this may be flagged as non-reading behavior and thus not used to
present content that can be readily read. Similarly, if a user
skims quickly through an eBook at a rate typically too fast for a
human to read the text displayed, then the currently reading
position may not be changed.
[0072] Different graphical representations of bookmarks can be
implemented to provide enhanced functionality and ease of use. For
example, user specified bookmarks could appear in one manner and
bookmarks from other sources (e.g., author, publisher, friends,
colleagues, other third parties) could each have their own unique
appearance to aid in distinguishing them from each other.
[0073] Bookmarks relating to the same digital content may be shared
among different users, for example over local network such as an ad
hoc network arising from a zero-network configuration protocol such
as Bon Jour. In that case, useful examples arise, such as a teacher
being able to automatically share bookmarks with students in the
teacher's class so that the students can better follow along with
the instruction.
[0074] An eBook reader device optionally can implement a scrubbing
bar GUI mechanism with which a user can interact (e.g., by dragging
his/her finger along) to quickly flip through pages in an eBook. A
scrubbing bar can appear along the horizontal and/or vertical
access of an eBook. Increments (tick marks) on the scrubbing bar
may correspond to pages, chapters, sections or the like depending
on the desired implementation and/or on a per eBook basis (and/or
as customized/selected by user, author, retailer, publisher, etc.).
The style (e.g., look & feel) of a scrubbing bar can be varied
based on a characteristic of the eBook (e.g., vintage, genre,
subject matter) such as classical, modern, ancient, and the like.
Similarly, the appearance of any or all of the visual elements of
the eBook can vary based on such characteristics.
[0075] FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate how an eBook reader device 300 may be
configured to present either a first reduced-size representation or
a second reduced-size representation based on determining whether
the first reduced-size representation or the second reduced-size
representation provides a better end-user experience.
[0076] As shown, FIG. 3A illustrates how a table of contents may be
modified in order to display the table of contents using a first
reduced-size representation as a non-interactive thumbnail image of
the displayable object. As shown, FIG. 3A illustrates a table of
contents as the table of contents would appear if dimensions of the
eBook reader device were of sufficient dimensions to render the
table of contents in their original format. The table of content
lists three chapters shown in the middle of the page with a
sequence of periods that provides a visual trailer that is
associated with the page number appearing in a right most
column.
[0077] However, eBook reader devices may not be configured to
support the original dimensions of the displayable object. For
instance, a user may be viewing content on a mobile phone with a
limited display area that is much smaller than the dimensions of a
hard cover book. In another instance, a user may be viewing the
displayable object on a tablet device that is rendering eBook
application content embedded within another application. The eBook
application may only be allocated a few square inches within a
larger display. As a result, the eBook application may be
configured to modify the content that is displayed to a user. In
order to accommodate these constraints, an image may be scaled
and/or document formatting may be revised to better accommodate the
available dimensions.
[0078] FIG. 3B provides on example of how a table of contents may
be modified to render a first reduced-size representation as a
non-interactive thumbnail image of the table of contents. The table
of contents has been simplified so that the table of contents
appears within the upper left hand corner. Also, the visual trailer
has been eliminated in order to reduce the size of the constraints.
Together, the modifications to the table of contents reduce the
size of the displayable object so that the user can generally
perceive the critical content within the table of contents without
limiting the user to viewing only portions of the content.
[0079] In one configuration, the FIG. 3A represents formatted text
that is published according to an eBook standard. In another
configuration, FIG. 3A includes an image. The displayable object
may be transformed from a first format to a second format in order
to display the first reduced-size representation as a
non-interactive thumbnail image of the displayable object. For
example, FIG. 3A may be converted from an eBook publication
standard to the image shown in FIG. 3B in order to render the
object within an allocated portion of a display. The source for the
displayable object may be analyzed so that critical and
non-critical elements within the source are identified and
selectively included. Each element without the source document may
be analyzed in order to determine the impact that each element has
on the required display size and also include an indication of
whether the element is necessary and/or can be scaled. If the
object is not necessary and the dimensional constraints indicate
that display of even critical elements will be constrained, then
the eBook application may be configured to remove those
non-critical elements as the source is converted into an image for
the converted display.
[0080] FIG. 3C illustrates an alternative approach for how a
displayable object may be rendered within an eBook application.
Specifically, FIG. 3C illustrates how a geographic map is rendered
as a second reduced-size representation comprising a
user-interactive object corresponding to the displayable object.
The source document represents an image with a great deal of
detailed information included therein. The dimension of the eBook
reader device make it extraordinarily difficult to render the map
at original dimensions and also to render a desired amount of
information within the map. Instead, an image of the map has been
compressed and scaled into the display shown in FIG. 3C. In
addition, the display also includes a link to different portions of
the map (e.g., includes a links to different continents within the
world map). The geographic map is rendered as a second reduced-size
representation with a user-interactive object corresponding to the
source map so that the user can select (e.g., click or touch) a
portion of the map in order to display a map with greater
detail.
[0081] FIG. 3D illustrates how the selected interactive map may be
invoked to retrieve additional information. As show, a larger map
is shown that enables the user to perceive the map in greater
detail. In addition, a bubble message is shown indicating that the
user has selected a portion of the interactive map corresponding to
North America. The user may select the bubble message to retrieve
addition information related to North America, or the user may
select another region of the map in order to retrieve additional
information related to another area on map.
[0082] FIG. 4 illustrates how a first reduced-size representation
or a second reduced-size representation is displayed based on
available display space relative to a size of the underlying
object. There two sets of dimension for each of the displayable
objects. First, there is a set of original dimensions for the
displayable object that originally exceeds the viewing area (not
shown). Second, there is the set of dimensions that are available
to a displayable object within the eBook application. As shown,
eBook reader device 400 includes a display with a table of contents
410 and a map 420. Both the table of contents 410 and the map 420
have a width 430. Table of contents has a height 440 and map 420
has a height 450. The width 430 and the heights 440 and 450 are
based on the available display area within the eBook
application.
[0083] The original dimensions and the available display are may be
used to determine whether to display the an end-user experience is
better served by displaying a first reduced-size representation
with a non-interactive thumbnail image of the displayable object or
a second reduced-size representation with a user-interactive object
corresponding to the displayable object. For example, if the
differences are determined to be less than 20%, then a scaling
algorithm may be used to render the displayable object as a first
reduced-size representation with a non-interactive thumbnail image
of the displayable object. If the differences are more than 20%,
then the eBook application may be configured to modify the content
so as to render a user-interactive object corresponding to the
displayable object so that the user may better identify the
requested content through user interaction.
[0084] The selection of a first reduced-size representation with a
non-interactive thumbnail image of the displayable object or a
second reduced-size representation with a user-interactive object
corresponding to the displayable object also may be based on the
underlying content. For example, a first threshold may be used in
response to determining that the source includes text while a
second threshold may be used in response to determining that the
source includes imagery (e.g., a map). In still another
configuration, the decision to use a first reduced-size
representation with a non-interactive thumbnail image of the
displayable object or a second reduced-size representation with a
user-interactive object corresponding to the displayable object may
be based on the degree of underlying detail in the source object.
For example, a map with a high amount of granular detail may be
transformed into an interactive displayable object while a map with
less granular detail may be transformed into a non-interactive
thumbnail image of the displayable object. The map (or image) may
be analyzed to determine the lossiness and/or degree of compression
available to ascertain whether a threshold degree of detail is
present that leads to transformation to a first format or a second
format.
[0085] FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary architecture of an electronic
client device 100 that can be used to for eBook applications. The
client device 100 includes a processor 605 configured to control
the operation of the client device 100. For example, the processor
605 can control communications with one or more media servers to
receive eBooks or other media for presentation on the client device
100. A media server can be any general purpose server that provides
access to media content. The media can be received through push
and/or pull operations, including through downloading and
streaming. The processor 605 also can be configured to generate
output signals for presentation, such as one or more streams
representing media content or an interface for interacting with a
user.
[0086] The client device 100 also includes a storage device 610
that can be configured to store information including media,
configuration data, user preferences, and operating instructions.
The storage device may include non-transitory media. The storage
device 610 can be any type of non-volatile storage, including a
hard disk device or a solid-state drive. For example, media
received from an external media server can be stored on the storage
device 610. The received media thus can be locally accessed and
processed. Further, configuration information, such as the
resolution of a coupled display device or information identifying
an associated media server, can be stored on the storage device
610. Additionally, the storage device 610 can include one or more
sets of operating instructions that can be executed by the
processor 605 to control operation of the client device 100. In an
implementation, the storage device 610 further can be divided into
a plurality of partitions, wherein each partition can be utilized
to store one or more types of information. Additionally, each
partition can have one or more access control provisions.
[0087] A communication bus 615 couples the processor 605 to the
other components and interfaces included in the client device 100.
The communication bus 615 can be configured to permit
unidirectional and/or bidirectional communication between the
components and interfaces. For example, the processor 605 can
retrieve information from and transmit information to the storage
device 610 over the communication bus 615. In an implementation,
the communication bus 615 can be comprised of a plurality of
busses, each of which couples at least one component or interface
of the client device 100 with another component or interface.
[0088] The client device 100 also includes a plurality of input and
output interfaces for communicating with other devices, including
media servers and presentation devices. A wired network interface
620 and/or a wireless network interface 625 each can be configured
to permit the client device 100 to transmit and receive information
over a network, such as a local area network (LAN) or the Internet,
thereby enabling either wired and/or wireless connectivity and data
transfer. Additionally, an input interface 630 can be configured to
receive input from another device through a direct connection, such
as a USB, eSATA or an IEEE 1394 connection.
[0089] Further, an output interface 635 can be configured to couple
the client device 100 to one or more external devices, including a
television, a monitor, an audio receiver, and one or more speakers.
For example, the output interface 635 can include one or more of an
optical audio interface, an RCA connector interface, a component
video interface, and a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI).
The output interface 635 also can be configured to provide one
signal, such as an audio stream, to a first device and another
signal, such as a video stream, to a second device. Further, a
non-volatile memory 640, such as a read-only memory (ROM) also can
be included in the client device 100. The non-volatile memory 640
can be used to store configuration data, additional instructions,
such as one or more operating instructions, and values, such as one
or more flags and counters. In an implementation, a random access
memory (RAM) also can be included in the client device 100. The RAM
can be used to store media content received in the client device
100, such as during playback or while the user has paused playback.
Further, media content can be stored in the RAM whether or not the
media content is stored on the storage device 610.
[0090] Additionally, the client device 100 can include a remote
control interface 645 that can be configured to receive commands
from one or more remote control devices (not pictured). The remote
control interface 645 can receive the commands through wireless
signals, such as infrared and radio frequency signals. The received
commands can be utilized, such as by the processor 605, to control
media playback or to configure the client device 100. In an
implementation, the client device 100 can be configured to receive
commands from a user through a touch screen interface. The client
device 100 also can be configured to receive commands through one
or more other input devices, including a keyboard, a keypad, a
touch pad, a voice command system, and a mouse.
[0091] Configurations of computing devices, user interfaces for
such devices, and associated processes for using such devices are
described. In some configurations, the computing 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 configurations of portable multifunction
devices include, without limitation, the iPhone.RTM. and iPod
Touch.RTM. devices from Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Other
portable 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
configurations, 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).
[0092] In the discussion that follows, a computing device that
includes a display and a touch-sensitive surface is described. It
should be understood, however, that the computing device may
include one or more other physical user-interface devices, such as
a physical keyboard, a mouse and/or a joystick.
[0093] The device 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.
[0094] 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.
[0095] The user interfaces may include one or more soft keyboard
configurations. The soft keyboard configurations may include
standard (QWERTY) and/or non-standard configurations of symbols on
the displayed icons of the keyboard, such as those described in
U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/459,606, "Keyboards For
Portable Electronic Devices," filed Jul. 24, 2006, and 11/459,615,
"Touch Screen Keyboards For Portable Electronic Devices," filed
Jul. 24, 2006. The keyboard configurations may include a reduced
number of icons (or soft keys) relative to the number of keys in
existing physical keyboards, such as that for a typewriter. This
may make it easier for users to select one or more icons in the
keyboard, and thus, one or more corresponding symbols. The keyboard
configurations may be adaptive. For example, displayed icons may be
modified in accordance with user actions, such as selecting one or
more icons and/or one or more corresponding symbols. One or more
applications on the device may utilize common and/or different
keyboard configurations. Thus, the keyboard configuration used may
be tailored to at least some of the applications. In some
configurations, one or more keyboard configurations may be tailored
to a respective user. For example, one or more keyboard
configurations may be tailored to a respective user based on a word
usage history (lexicography, slang, individual usage) of the
respective user. Some of the keyboard configurations may be
adjusted to reduce a probability of a user error when selecting one
or more icons, and thus one or more symbols, when using the soft
keyboard configurations.
[0096] Attention is now directed towards configurations of portable
devices with touch-sensitive displays. FIGS. 6A and 6B are block
diagrams illustrating portable multifunction devices 100 with
touch-sensitive displays 112 in accordance with some
configurations. The 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. The device 100 may include
a memory 102 (which may include one or more computer readable
storage mediums), a memory controller 122, one or more processing
units (CPU's) 120, a peripherals interface 118, RF circuitry 108,
audio circuitry 110, a speaker 111, a microphone 113, an
input/output (I/O) subsystem 106, other input or control devices
116, and an external port 124. The device 100 may include one or
more optical sensors 164. These components may communicate over one
or more communication buses or signal lines 103.
[0097] It should be appreciated that the device 100 is only one
example of a portable multifunction device 100, and that the device
100 may have more or fewer components than shown, may combine two
or more components, or a may have a different configuration or
arrangement of the components. The various components shown in
FIGS. 6A and 6B 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.
[0098] 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 the device 100, such as the CPU 120 and the
peripherals interface 118, may be controlled by the memory
controller 122.
[0099] The peripherals interface 118 couples the input and output
peripherals of the device to the 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 the device 100 and to process data.
[0100] In some configurations, the peripherals interface 118, the
CPU 120, and the memory controller 122 may be implemented on a
single chip, such as a chip 104. In some other configurations, they
may be implemented on separate chips.
[0101] The RF (radio frequency) circuitry 108 receives and sends RF
signals, also called electromagnetic signals. The RF circuitry 108
converts electrical signals to/from electromagnetic signals and
communicates with communications networks and other communications
devices via the electromagnetic signals. The 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. The 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), 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 email (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.
[0102] The audio circuitry 110, the speaker 111, and the microphone
113 provide an audio interface between a user and the device 100.
The audio circuitry 110 receives audio data from the peripherals
interface 118, converts the audio data to an electrical signal, and
transmits the electrical signal to the speaker 111. The speaker 111
converts the electrical signal to human-audible sound waves. The
audio circuitry 110 also receives electrical signals converted by
the microphone 113 from sound waves. The audio circuitry 110
converts the electrical signal to audio data and transmits the
audio data to the peripherals interface 118 for processing. Audio
data may be retrieved from and/or transmitted to memory 102 and/or
the RF circuitry 108 by the peripherals interface 118. In some
configurations, the audio circuitry 110 also includes a headset
jack. The headset jack provides an interface between the 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).
[0103] The I/O subsystem 106 couples input/output peripherals on
the device 100, such as the touch screen 112 and other
input/control devices 116, to the peripherals interface 118. The
I/O subsystem 106 may include a 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 configurations, 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 may include an up/down button for
volume control of the speaker 111 and/or the microphone 113. The
one or more buttons may include a push button. A quick press of the
push button may disengage a lock of the touch screen 112 or begin a
process that uses gestures on the touch screen to unlock the
device, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/322,549, "Unlocking a Device by Performing Gestures on an Unlock
Image," filed Dec. 23, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety. A longer press of the push button (e.g.,
206) may turn power to the device 100 on or off. The user may be
able to customize a functionality of one or more of the buttons.
The touch screen 112 is used to implement virtual or soft buttons
and one or more soft keyboards.
[0104] The touch-sensitive touch screen 112 provides an input
interface and an output interface between the device and a user.
The display controller 156 receives and/or sends electrical signals
from/to the touch screen 112. The 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 configurations, some or all of the visual
output may correspond to user-interface objects.
[0105] A 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. The touch screen 112 and the 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 the 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 the touch screen. In an exemplary configuration, a
point of contact between a touch screen 112 and the user
corresponds to a finger of the user.
[0106] The touch screen 112 may use LCD (liquid crystal display)
technology, or LPD (light emitting polymer display) technology,
although other display technologies may be used in other
configurations. The touch screen 112 and the 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 a touch screen 112. In an exemplary
configuration, projected mutual capacitance sensing technology is
used, such as that found in the iPhone.RTM. and iPod Touch.RTM.
from Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.
[0107] A touch-sensitive display in some configurations of the
touch screen 112 may be analogous to the multi-touch sensitive
touchpads described in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,323,846
(Westerman et al.), 6,570,557 (Westerman et al.), and/or 6,677,932
(Westerman), and/or U.S. Patent Publication 2002/0015024A1.
However, a touch screen 112 displays visual output from the
portable device 100, whereas touch sensitive touchpads do not
provide visual output.
[0108] A touch-sensitive display in some configurations of the
touch screen 112 may be as described in the following applications:
(1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/381,313, "Multipoint Touch
Surface Controller," filed May 2, 2006; (2) U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/840,862, "Multipoint Touchscreen," filed May 6, 2004;
(3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/903,964, "Gestures For
Touch Sensitive Input Devices," filed Jul. 30, 2004; (4) U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/048,264, "Gestures For Touch
Sensitive Input Devices," filed Jan. 31, 2005; (5) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/038,590, "Mode-Based Graphical User
Interfaces For Touch Sensitive Input Devices," filed Jan. 18, 2005;
(6) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/228,758, "Virtual Input
Device Placement On A Touch Screen User Interface," filed Sep. 16,
2005; (7) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/228,700, "Operation
Of A Computer With A Touch Screen Interface," filed Sep. 16, 2005;
(8) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/228,737, "Activating
Virtual Keys Of A Touch-Screen Virtual Keyboard," filed Sep. 16,
2005; and (9) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/367,749,
"Multi-Functional Hand-Held Device," filed Mar. 3, 2006.
[0109] The touch screen 112 may have a resolution in excess of 100
dpi. In an exemplary configuration, the touch screen has a
resolution of approximately 160 dpi. The user may make contact with
the touch screen 112 using any suitable object or appendage, such
as a stylus, a finger, and so forth. In some configurations, the
user interface is designed to work primarily with finger-based
contacts and gestures, which are much less precise than
stylus-based input due to the larger area of contact of a finger on
the touch screen. In some configurations, the device translates the
rough finger-based input into a precise pointer/cursor position or
command for performing the actions desired by the user.
[0110] In some configurations, in addition to the touch screen, the
device 100 may include a touchpad (not shown) for activating or
deactivating particular functions. In some configurations, 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 the touch screen 112
or an extension of the touch-sensitive surface formed by the touch
screen.
[0111] In some configurations, the device 100 may include a
physical or virtual click wheel as an input control device 116. A
user may navigate among and interact with one or more graphical
objects (e.g., icons) displayed in the touch screen 112 by rotating
the click wheel or by moving a point of contact with the click
wheel (e.g., where the amount of movement of the point of contact
is measured by its angular displacement with respect to a center
point of the click wheel). The click wheel may also be used to
select one or more of the displayed icons. For example, the user
may press down on at least a portion of the click wheel or an
associated button. User commands and navigation commands provided
by the user via the click wheel may be processed by an input
controller 160 as well as one or more of the modules and/or sets of
instructions in memory 102. For a virtual click wheel, the click
wheel and click wheel controller may be part of the touch screen
112 and the display controller 156, respectively. For a virtual
click wheel, the click wheel may be either an opaque or
semitransparent object that appears and disappears on the touch
screen display in response to user interaction with the device. In
some configurations, a virtual click wheel is displayed on the
touch screen of a portable multifunction device and operated by
user contact with the touch screen.
[0112] The device 100 also includes a power system 162 for powering
the various components. The 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.
[0113] The device 100 may also include one or more optical sensors
164. FIGS. 6A and 6B show an optical sensor coupled to an optical
sensor controller 158 in I/O subsystem 106. The optical sensor 164
may include a charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary
metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) phototransistors. The 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 an imaging module 143 (also called a
camera module), the optical sensor 164 may capture still images or
video. In some configurations, an optical sensor is located on the
back of the device 100, opposite the 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 configurations, an optical sensor is located on the front of
the device so that the user's image may be obtained for
videoconferencing while the user views the other video conference
participants on the touch screen display. In some configurations,
the position of the optical sensor 164 can be changed by the user
(e.g., by rotating the lens and the sensor in the device housing)
so that a single optical sensor 164 may be used along with the
touch screen display for both video conferencing and still and/or
video image acquisition.
[0114] The device 100 may also include one or more proximity
sensors 166. FIGS. 6A and 6B show a proximity sensor 166 coupled to
the peripherals interface 118. Alternately, the proximity sensor
166 may be coupled to an input controller 160 in the I/O subsystem
106. The proximity sensor 166 may perform as described in U.S.
patent application Ser. Nos. 11/241,839, "Proximity Detector In
Handheld Device"; 11/240,788, "Proximity Detector In Handheld
Device"; 11/620,702, "Using Ambient Light Sensor To Augment
Proximity Sensor Output"; 11/586,862, "Automated Response To And
Sensing Of User Activity In Portable Devices"; and 11/638,251,
"Methods And Systems For Automatic Configuration Of Peripherals,"
which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In
some configurations, the proximity sensor turns off and disables
the touch screen 112 when the multifunction device is placed near
the user's ear (e.g., when the user is making a phone call).
[0115] The device 100 may also include one or more accelerometers
168. FIGS. 6A and 6B show an accelerometer 168 coupled to the
peripherals interface 118. Alternately, the accelerometer 168 may
be coupled to an input controller 160 in the I/O subsystem 106. The
accelerometer 168 may perform as described in U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2005/0190059, "Acceleration-based Theft Detection
System for Portable Electronic Devices," and U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2006/0017692, "Methods And Apparatuses For
Operating A Portable Device Based On An Accelerometer," both of
which are which are incorporated by reference herein in their
entirety. In some configurations, 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.
[0116] In some configurations, the software components stored in
memory 102 may include an operating system 126, a communication
module (or set of instructions) 128, a contact/motion module (or
set of instructions) 130, a graphics module (or set of
instructions) 132, a text input module (or set of instructions)
134, a Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set of
instructions) 135, and applications (or set of instructions)
136.
[0117] The 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.
[0118] The communication module 128 facilitates communication with
other devices over one or more external ports 124 and also includes
various software components for handling data received by the RF
circuitry 108 and/or the external port 124. The external port 124
(e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB), FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for
coupling directly to other devices or indirectly over a network
(e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.). In some configurations,
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.
[0119] The contact/motion module 130 may detect contact with the
touch screen 112 (in conjunction with the display controller 156)
and other touch sensitive devices (e.g., a touchpad or physical
click wheel). The 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). The
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 configurations, the contact/motion module 130
and the display controller 156 detects contact on a touchpad. In
some configurations, the contact/motion module 130 and the
controller 160 detects contact on a click wheel.
[0120] The 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 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
event.
[0121] The graphics module 132 includes various known software
components for rendering and displaying graphics on the 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.
[0122] In some configurations, the graphics module 132 stores data
representing graphics to be used. Each graphic may be assigned a
corresponding code. The 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.
[0123] The 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).
[0124] The 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).
[0125] The applications 136 may include the following modules (or
sets of instructions), or a subset or superset thereof:
[0126] a contacts module 137 (sometimes called an address book or
contact list);
[0127] a telephone module 138;
[0128] a video conferencing module 139;
[0129] an e-mail client module 140;
[0130] an instant messaging (IM) module 141;
[0131] a workout support module 142;
[0132] a camera module 143 for still and/or video images;
[0133] an image management module 144;
[0134] a video player module 145;
[0135] a music player module 146;
[0136] a browser module 147;
[0137] a calendar module 148;
[0138] widget modules 149, which may include 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;
[0139] widget creator module 150 for making user-created widgets
149-6;
[0140] search module 151;
[0141] video and music player module 152, which merges video player
module 145 and music player module 146;
[0142] notes module 153;
[0143] map module 154; and/or
[0144] online video module 155.
[0145] 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.
[0146] In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller
156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module
134, the contacts module 137 may be used to manage an address book
or contact list, 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.
[0147] 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, the telephone module 138 may be used to enter a sequence of
characters corresponding to a telephone number, access one or more
telephone numbers in the 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.
[0148] 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, the videoconferencing module
139 may be used to initiate, conduct, and terminate a video
conference between a user and one or more other participants.
[0149] In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112,
display controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132,
and text input module 134, the e-mail client module 140 may be used
to create, send, receive, and manage e-mail. In conjunction with
image management module 144, the e-mail module 140 makes it very
easy to create and send e-mails with still or video images taken
with camera module 143.
[0150] 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 may be
used 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 configurations,
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).
[0151] 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, the workout support module 142 may be used 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.
[0152] 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,
the camera module 143 may be used 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.
[0153] In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller
156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text input module
134, and camera module 143, the image management module 144 may be
used 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.
[0154] In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller
156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110,
and speaker 111, the video player module 145 may be used to
display, present or otherwise play back videos (e.g., on the touch
screen or on an external, connected display via external port
124).
[0155] 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, the music player module 146 allows 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. In some
configurations, the device 100 may include the functionality of an
MP3 player, such as an iPod (trademark of Apple, Inc.).
[0156] In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112,
display system controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module
132, and text input module 134, the browser module 147 may be used
to browse the Internet, including searching, linking to, receiving,
and displaying web pages or portions thereof, as well as
attachments and other files linked to web pages.
[0157] 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 module 140, and browser module
147, the calendar module 148 may be used to create, display,
modify, and store calendars and data associated with calendars
(e.g., calendar entries, to do lists, etc.).
[0158] 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
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 configurations, a widget includes an HTML
(Hypertext Markup Language) file, a CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
file, and a JavaScript file. In some configurations, a widget
includes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file and a JavaScript
file (e.g., Yahoo! Widgets).
[0159] 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).
[0160] In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system
controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text
input module 134, the search module 151 may be used 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).
[0161] In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller
156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module
134, the notes module 153 may be used to create and manage notes,
to do lists, and the like.
[0162] 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,
the 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).
[0163] 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, the online
video module 155 allows 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 configurations, instant messaging module 141, rather than
e-mail client module 140, is used to send a link to a particular
online video. Additional description of the online video
application can be found in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/936,562, "Portable Multifunction Device, Method, and Graphical
User Interface for Playing Online Videos," filed Jun. 20, 2007, and
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/968,067, "Portable
Multifunction Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for
Playing Online Videos," filed Dec. 31, 2007.
[0164] 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 configurations. For example, video player module 145 may be
combined with music player module 146 into a single module (e.g.,
video and music player module 152, FIG. 6B). In some
configurations, 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.
[0165] In some configurations, the device 100 is a device where
operation of a predefined set of functions on the device is
performed exclusively through a touch screen 112 and/or a touchpad.
By using a touch screen and/or a touchpad as the primary
input/control device for operation of the device 100, the number of
physical input/control devices (such as push buttons, dials, and
the like) on the device 100 may be reduced.
[0166] 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 configurations, the
touchpad, when touched by the user, navigates the device 100 to a
main, home, or root menu from any user interface that may be
displayed on the device 100. In such configurations, the touchpad
may be referred to as a "menu button." In some other
configurations, the menu button may be a physical push button or
other physical input/control device instead of a touchpad.
[0167] As shown in FIG. 7A, an electronic client device such as an
eBook Reader 200 can be figured to present a graphical user
interface (GUI) that uses a bookshelf metaphor to indicate to a
user of the device which eBooks (and/or other items of digital
media) are available to the user. The eBook Reader can be equipped
with a touchscreen interface (e.g., multi-touch capable) so that
the user can interact with the Reader 200, and thus eBooks, using
hands and fingers much in the same manner as real paper & ink
books. In the example of FIG. 7A, this user has four eBooks
available (or more generally, four separate ePubs indicated
generally at 205) that are displayed as resting on the top two
shelves of the user's personal bookcase 202 (also referred to as
the user's Library). The eBooks may be depicted as hardcover
editions of the paper & ink books to which they correspond,
with appropriate graphics, including coloring and text, to make the
eBooks appear the same as (or similar to) the paper & ink books
as they would appear on the shelves of a bricks & mortar book
store. Alternatively, an ePub may be depicted to appear similar to
other types of publications such as journals, periodicals,
newspapers, newsletters, binders, parchment, scrolls, or the
like.
[0168] The user's personal bookcase 202 may be implemented to be
scrollable (vertically and/or horizontally) by the user so that it
can be as large as needed to hold all of the eBooks in question.
The eBooks may be arranged automatically based on certain
characteristics, for example, newness, most recently purchased,
most recently accessed, most frequently accessed, and the like, so
that some eBooks are placed in positions of more prominence and/or
conspicuousness than others. The arrangement of the available
eBooks also may be altered--either automatically and/or based on
user input--to sort and display them according to title, author,
genre, date obtained, copyright date, genre, language, or the
like.
[0169] Display of the user's personal bookcase 202 can be updated
and altered automatically to reflect the availability of new
content, e.g., such as newly purchased eBooks or new or updated
versions of previously purchased eBooks. The appearance of an eBook
can be altered to indicate status information associated with the
book. For example, a newly purchased eBook that has not yet
completed downloading can have a first appearance that
automatically changes to a second appearance once downloading has
completed.
[0170] In addition, the eBooks may be labeled, for example, such as
with banners 207 or 209 draped across the eBook's cover along with
a textual indication of a characteristic of the eBook (e.g., NEW,
SAMPLE, PARTIALLY READ, LAST READ, UPDATED, NEW VERSION, EXPIRED).
The GUI may include a Button 220 or other GUI mechanism that, when
selected by the user, causes the display to redirect to an online
bookstore at which the user can shop for, sample, browse and/or
purchase eBooks. Optionally, pressing Button 220 can cause a
cellular, WiFi or Bluetooth radio in device 200 to turn on (if off)
to provide connectivity to the network 100, and thus to the Content
Provider 105, for example, via the Internet or other
packet-switched network.
[0171] As shown in FIG. 7B, the online bookstore also may use a
bookshelf metaphor to display a bookcase 225 that holds eBooks and
other digital content items that are available for previewing,
sampling and/or purchasing. These may include featured eBooks,
top-sellers lists, and recommendations based on the user's past
purchases (and/or using demographic and/or psychographic
information).
[0172] While connected to the online bookstore, the user can
preview eBooks (e.g., read a chapter online without purchasing the
eBook) or request that a sample (e.g., a chapter or two) of a
particular eBook be downloaded to the client 200 so that the user
can take his/her time reading the sample offline. The user can also
purchase an eBook, which causes a copy of the eBook to start
downloading to the user's client device 200.
[0173] The GUI for the online bookstore also may include a
"Purchases" button 230, the selection of which takes the user to a
network location that provides the user with access to a complete
history of all previously purchased items, and provides the user
with the ability to re-download items to reading platform of choice
(e.g., any of the user's suitable electronic devices) at any
time.
[0174] Once purchased, an eBook appears on user's personal
bookshelf 202 and may have a graphical indication that it is in
process of downloading and the status of same (e.g., % of eBook
downloaded). An animation may accompany the transition of a user's
moving from his/her personal bookshelf area to the online bookstore
and/or back again. For example, when the user clicks the Store
Button 220, the device could depict an animation of a "secret
rotating bookcase" that spins around to reveal the user's bookcase
on one side and the online store's bookcase on the other side.
[0175] The act of purchasing (or sampling) an eBook from the online
store may trigger an animation to appear on the device to present a
visual indication of the transition that is occurring from the
online store's bookshelf 225 to the user's from personal bookshelf
(aka library). For example, when a user purchases (or samples) an
eBook while in the online bookstore, the eBook in question could be
displayed as enlarging and floating toward the user (i.e., to the
forefront) while in the background, the bookcase spins back around
to user's personal bookcase and the enlarged, floating, purchase
eBook reduces back to normal size and floats to an appropriate
place on user's bookshelf.
[0176] When a user desires to read an eBook on his/her shelf, it
can be selected by touching a finger to the device's multi-touch
screen at a location corresponding to the eBook's icon. In
response, the eBook typically will be displayed as if a hardcover
book was being opened by the user, for example, at the eBook's
first page (or Table of Contents or Foreword or Dedication) when
the eBook is being opened for the first time since downloading. The
user may then read the eBook by interacting with the multi-touch
screen much in the same way that the user would interact with a
paper & ink book. That is, pages of the eBook can be flipped by
placing a finger at an appropriate position on the page and moving
it along the screen as if seeking to flip a page in a paper &
ink book. In response, the display changes to giving the appearance
of a paper page curling over in the desired direction to reveal the
next page in the eBook (which may be on the backside of the page
just read).
[0177] Other visual indications and animations can be used to
emulate the experience of reading a paper & ink book. For
example, the pages can be colored and/or shaded to appear as
different types or grades of paper, and/or to appear three
dimensional. For example, in a view where two pages of the eBook
are visible in the GUI at the same time (i.e., a dual page view),
the binding and/or edges of the eBook can be shaded to make the
eBook appear three dimensional and thus similar to a paper &
ink book folded open to a particular page.
[0178] The page curl animation used to depict page flipping of
eBook pages may be implemented to follow the position and/or speed
of the user's finger. For example, the position and extent of the
page curl displayed follows the user's exact finger position,
velocity, and/or acceleration in a manner that simulates the actual
physical behavior of paper page being manipulated by human
finger.
[0179] The page flipping animation optionally may employ a
thresholding feature that is based on the position of the page
curl, the speed or acceleration of the user's finger or the like,
such that even if the user lifts his/her finger from the screen,
the page nevertheless continues to complete the flip if the current
position of the page curl (optionally adjusted for velocity and/or
acceleration of the user's finger) has met or exceeded a
predetermined threshold.
[0180] The visual indications and animations used for publication
types other than rigid books (e.g., newspapers, magazines) may
similar be suited to emulate their real life counterparts--e.g., an
e-Newspapers may be animated as unfolding from its folded state to
a full length state, just as a real newspaper typically is unfolded
prior to reading.
[0181] The device's GUI and operation can be implemented to
accommodate any or all of the various different reading navigation
models corresponding to different languages or media types. For
example, for publications in the English language, the device would
be configured to adopt a left-to-right, top-to-bottom,
front-to-back reading and navigation model, consistent with the
standard convention for the English language. Alternatively, or in
addition, the device could be configured to adopt a different
reading/navigation direction or model such as one or more of
right-to-left, bottom-to-top and/or back-to-front to accommodate
publications in other languages such as Arabic or Hebrew.
Similarly, the device could be configured to adopt
reading/navigation models that are optimized for the format of the
content being viewed--for example, a newspaper formatted into
side-by-side columns or a comic book or graphic novel having
discrete panels or cells that are to be viewed in a certain order
and direction. In the case of a comic book or graphic novel, each
cell could be automatically re-sized and/or arranged to occupy a
specified portion and/or region of the device's screen--for
example, two cells at a time, either side-by-side or one on top of
the other. Any or all of these features and capabilities could be
selected or customizable by the user of the device.
[0182] While reading an eBook, the GUI optionally may provide
supplemental or context information using pop-up user interface
("UI") bubbles that appear, for example, when the user has selected
a word or phrase by touching and holding his/her finger on the
screen for a predetermined period of time (e.g., one second or
longer). For example, if a user presses and holds his/her finger on
any word in the page, a pop-up UI bubble could appear that provides
the user to options to copy that word to a virtual clipboard (e.g.
for pasting into another UI field), looking up the selected word in
a dictionary or other source (e.g., Wikipedia, Google), or
designating that word as a target word on which to perform a find
operation. In general, implementation of such pop-up UI bubbles
could be extended to accommodate essentially any type of plug-ins
or data detectors for use with other applications.
[0183] In implementing a find (or search) function, the GUI could
enable the user selectively to search for a selected word or phrase
either anywhere within the same eBook (with an optional "find
forward" and/or "find backward" feature), within any item of
content on the user's device, on a network content repository
associated with that user, and/or in any arbitrarily designated
universe of content, for example, all of the publications available
at a content provider's online bookstore.
[0184] FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate exemplary configurations for
scrubbing bars. The example of FIG. 8A uses a horizontal scrubbing
bar that includes BACK and FORWARD arrows to move between chapters.
The current chapter (here, chapter 5) is expanded to give the user
increased granularity for enhancing scrubbing precision. FIGS. 8B
and 8C represent an example of an implementation in which a page
indicator display ("65 of 153") changes to a series of horizontal
dots when the user presses and holds his/her finger on that page
indicator display. The user can then quickly jump to another page
in the eBook by dragging his/her finger along that row of dots in
the desired direction.
[0185] Alternatively, or in addition, the scrubbing bar could, for
example, when touched by a user's finger, pop-up an informational
window that partially overlies the current and displays additional
information such as chapter number, chapter title or the like.
[0186] The resulting behavior of a scrubbing operation either can
cause page flipping animations to be displayed while the user is
dragging his/her finger along the scrubbing bar, or the animations
can be suspended or otherwise not used, thereby helping to reduce
confusion that might be caused by excessive display changes.
Alternatively, or in addition, the page display can remain static
until the user has stopped dragging his/her finger on the scrubbing
bar, at which point the display would respond with a single jump to
the newly selected page (rather than showing images or suggestions
of the intervening page flip transitions).
[0187] As shown in FIG. 2B, an eBook being read can be depicted as
having the read pages displayed on the left side and unread pages
displayed on the right side. These read/unread pages can be
displayed as a static graphic (i.e., unchanging in thickness) or
can be altered (potentially with each page flip) to give the user a
visual indication of how many pages have been read/unread, similar
to reading a paper & ink book. For example, the displayed
read/unread pages can be a true and proportionate depiction
depending on book length and current reading position or can be
limited to two or more standard representations that give a feel of
the relative length and/or reading position of the eBook (e.g.,
thin, medium, thick).
[0188] The visual and graphical choices specified in an eBook's
ePub file can be overridden, for example, by the retailer (e.g.,
content provider 105), the eBook reader software and/or device
manufacturer, and/or customized by the user. For example,
unpleasant color combinations of text and background colors
resulting from the ePub's specified values can be changed.
Similarly, any or all of the graphical or color choices can be
changed based on user preferences, automatically based on genre,
author, title or the like can be changed to enhance the reading
experience. In that regards, themes (e.g., modern, classical,
romance, textbook, scientific treatise) of color combinations,
electronic paper types, font choice and size and the like all may
be controlled at various different levels in the distribution
and/or usage process depending on design and implementation
preferences.
[0189] Any combination or all of the following features optionally
could be implemented.
[0190] Using a built-in accelerometer (or other attitude sensor),
in response to a detection that the user has tilted the device in a
predetermined manner, the device could cause the display to at
least partially flip over and reveal contents of one or more pages
in an eBook being read on the device, similar to how a reader might
peek ahead of the current page, for example, to see how many pages
are left in a chapter. Similarly, detection of other predetermined
movements of the device could trigger other responses--for example,
shaking of a device while reading an eBook could cause the current
eBook to close and replace itself on the bookshelf or perhaps
return to the beginning of the eBook. If a user "pinches" the
device's touchscreen (e.g., by placing a thumb and an index finger
slightly apart on the touchscreen and then drawing them together
while remaining in contact with the touchscreen), the device could
respond by closing the eBook or by shrinking the current page
and/or text size.
[0191] Other potential touchscreen-based features may include
enabling a predetermined gesture (e.g., swiping three fingers
across the touchscreen) to jump to the user's next eBook (according
to a predefined ordering such as newness, alphabetical or the like)
for display and reading, without having to return to the library or
bookshelf interface.
[0192] Other touchscreen facilitated gestures could provide other
optional functionality. For example, a predetermined unique gesture
on the touchscreen could cause an eBook to be shared with another
user, e.g., by performing a throwing like gesture that results in
the eBook in question effectively jump from one user's device to
another user's device via a wireless connection between the two
devices (or via one or more intermediate devices residing in a
network cloud). A possible extension of that feature would be to
allow a user to make a predetermined gesture on the touchscreen
that causes a specified location (e.g., page, line and/or paragraph
number) in an eBook to be thrown to (that is, transmitted to and
shared with) another device associated with another user.
[0193] The device also could be fitted with an appropriate sensor
that senses when the user turns the device around (that is, rotate
the device substantially 180 degrees around a vertical axis so that
the back of the device is facing the user and the screen is facing
away from the user) to show the device's screen to another person.
When that event is detected, the device could be configured, for
example, to automatically change the display from the currently
displayed page in the eBook to the front cover of the eBook so that
the other person can view the eBook's cover and read the eBook's
title and/or author for him/herself.
[0194] Another possible implementation includes providing one or
more appropriate sensors in the device to be able to detect when
the user has set the device down on a table or other surface, or
that the device has otherwise entered a state of stillness. Upon
detecting such an event, the device could be configured to display
an animation simulating the fluttering of an eBook's pages in a
breeze, somewhat similarly to what sometimes happens when a paper
& ink book is set down on its back in an open position.
Optionally, the device simultaneously could play an audio snippet
that sounds like paper pages fluttering in a breeze.
[0195] The bookshelf interface can also be implemented to provide
different or additional functionality. For example, the display of
eBooks on a user's bookshelf that haven't been opened or otherwise
manipulated for a predetermined period of time could automatically
be changed from a full front cover view to a view only of the
eBooks' spines, thereby conserving display screen real estate and
enabling a greater number of eBooks and/or other publications to be
visible at the same time. Similarly, the display of available
periodicals such as newspapers and magazines could be changed from
a full frontal view to a pile or stack view in which only the
topmost (e.g., newest) periodical is fully visible whereas older
editions appear only as edges in a stack underneath the topmost
item, thereby reducing clutter on the bookshelf and conserving
screen real estate. In addition, any periodical under the topmost
item could be archived (either in local storage or remote storage
or both) thereby conserving device memory. Optionally, the
displayed height of the periodical stack could vary to reflect or
otherwise be related to the quantity of available periodical items
in the stack.
[0196] The text or other content of a publication could have and
display selectable links that provide access to webpages, inline
videos or essentially any other type of complementary content,
stored either locally on the device or available via the network.
More generally, the content of a publication could include embedded
dynamic content that is updated periodically or in response to a
trigger (e.g., publisher flags that updated or supplementary
content is available) via the network.
[0197] A publication (or the GUI of the device itself) also could
implement a user interface mechanism that enables different users,
each having their own device, to chat (e.g., send text messages
and/or recorded voice or audio clips back and forth in real time)
amongst themselves. For example, students in a study group could
use this chat functionality to discuss particular passages of or
concepts set forth in an assigned eBook that they were reading for
a school course. Optionally, the chat mechanism could be tied to or
otherwise associated with (e.g., by visual proximity) a specific
portion of or location within the eBook's content. This chat
functionality could be expanded and implemented to provide access
to online forums, e.g., through which book club members could
conduct virtual book club meetings to discuss the book under
consideration, either by exchanging text and/or interactively
through voice/video connections. As an alternative to chat
functionality, various user interface mechanisms could be
implemented to associate an eBook and/or specific locations or
concepts therein with email or web plugin functionality.
[0198] Another potential feature is that the device could play a
real (e.g., pre-recorded) or synthesized voice that reads the words
of the eBook as the user follows along. The current reading
position (i.e., the words as they were being spoken) could be
visually highlighted to enhance the user's experience in following
along and reading the words as they were being spoken.
[0199] FIG. 9 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 contact or
touching 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 contact may include
a gesture, such as 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 the 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.
[0200] The device 100 may also include one or more physical
buttons, such as "home" or menu button 204. As described
previously, the menu button 204 may be used to navigate to any
application 136 in a set of applications that may be executed on
the device 100. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the menu button
is implemented as a soft key in a GUI in touch screen 112.
[0201] In one embodiment, the device 100 includes a touch screen
112, a menu button 204, a push button 206 for powering the device
on/off and locking the device, volume adjustment button(s) 208, a
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card slot 210, a head set jack
212, and a docking/charging external port 124. The 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, the device 100 also may
accept verbal input for activation or deactivation of some
functions through the microphone 113.
[0202] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate exemplary user interfaces for a
menu of applications on a portable multifunction device 100 in
accordance with some embodiments. Similar user interfaces may be
implemented on device 300. In some embodiments, user interface 400A
includes the following elements, or a subset or superset
thereof:
[0203] Signal strength indicator(s) 402 for wireless
communication(s), such as cellular and Wi-Fi signals; [0204] Time
404; [0205] Bluetooth indicator 405; [0206] Battery status
indicator 406; [0207] Tray 408 with icons for frequently used
applications, such as: [0208] Phone 138, which may include an
indicator 414 of the number of missed calls or voicemail messages;
[0209] E-mail client 140, which may include an indicator 410 of the
number of unread e-mails; [0210] Browser 147; and [0211] Music
player 146; and
[0212] Icons for other applications, such as: [0213] IM 141; [0214]
Image management 144; [0215] Camera 143; [0216] Video player 145;
[0217] Weather 149-1; [0218] Stocks 149-2; [0219] Workout support
142; [0220] Calendar 148; [0221] Calculator 149-3; [0222] Alarm
clock 149-4; [0223] Dictionary 149-5; and [0224] User-created
widget 149-6.
[0225] In some embodiments, user interface 400B includes the
following elements, or a subset or superset thereof: 402, 404, 405,
406, 141, 148, 144, 143, 149-3, 149-2, 149-1, 149-4, 410, 414, 138,
140, and 147, as described above; Map 154; Notes 153; Settings 412,
which provides access to settings for the device 100 and its
various applications 136, as described further below; Video and
music player module 152, also referred to as iPod (trademark of
Apple, Inc.) module 152; and Online video module 155, also referred
to as YouTube (trademark of Google, Inc.) module 155.
[0226] FIG. 10C illustrates an exemplary user interface on a
multifunction device with a separate display (e.g., 450) and
touch-sensitive surface (e.g., 451). Although many of the examples
which follow will be given with reference to a touch screen display
(e.g., where the touch sensitive surface and the display are
combined, as shown in device 100 in FIGS. 10A-10B), in some
embodiments the display and the touch-sensitive surface are
separate, as shown in FIG. 10C. In some embodiments the touch
sensitive surface (e.g., 451 in FIG. 10C) has a primary axis (e.g.,
452 in FIG. 10C) that corresponds to a primary axis (e.g., 453 in
FIG. 10C) on the display (e.g., 450). In accordance with these
embodiments, the device detects contacts (e.g., 460 and 462 in FIG.
10C) with the touch-sensitive surface 451 at locations that
correspond to respective locations on the display (e.g., in FIG.
10C 460 corresponds to 468 and 462 corresponds to 470). In this
way, user inputs (e.g., contacts 460 and 462) detected by the
device on the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., 451 in FIG. 10C) are
used by the device to manipulate the user interface on the display
(e.g., 450 in FIG. 10C) of the multifunction device when the
touch-sensitive surface and the display are separate. It should be
understood that similar methods may be used for other user
interfaces described herein.
[0227] Additionally, while the following examples are given
primarily with reference to finger inputs (e.g., finger contacts,
finger tap gestures, finger swipe gestures), it should be
understood that, in some embodiments, one or more of the finger
inputs are replaced with input from another input device (e.g., a
mouse based input or stylus input). For example, a swipe gesture
may be replaced with a mouse click (e.g., instead of a contact)
followed by movement of the cursor along the path of the swipe
(e.g., instead of movement of the contact). As another example, a
tap gesture may be replaced with a mouse click while the cursor is
located over the location of the tap gesture (e.g., instead of
detection of the contact followed by ceasing to detect the
contact). Similarly, when multiple user inputs are simultaneously
detected, it should be understood that multiple computer mice may
be used simultaneously, or a mouse and finger contacts may be used
simultaneously.
[0228] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a highlighting and
book-marking feature that optionally may be included as a feature
of an eBook reader application. As shown, a user can use his or her
finger 1004 on a touch sensitive screen 1002 of a device 1000
displaying a page of text 1010 to designate a section 1008 of text
to be highlighted (e.g., overlaid with an translucent yellow color)
and/or bookmarked (e.g., flagged and remembered as a user
designated passage). The section 1008 optionally may also be
identified using graphical start and/or stop markers 1012. In
addition, a pop-up user interface region 1006 (itself potentially
separated into multiple regions, each having a different associated
functionality such as "Highlight" or "Bookmark") may be displayed
that enables the user to select how the selected text section 1008
is to be treated (e.g., highlighted, bookmarked and/or something
else). Optionally, highlighted and/or bookmarked sections may
appear as such in a table of contents of the eBook, which is
updated and maintained as the user add, changes or deletes
highlighted and/or bookmarked sections.
[0229] FIG. 12 shows an example of an eBook reader application
displaying an open eBook as the user is flipping from one page to
the next. More specifically, a user can use his or her finger 1004
on a touch sensitive screen 1002 of a device 1000 displaying a
current page of text 1102 (e.g., page 63 of the eBook in question)
to cause the current page 1102 to flip in the direction of movement
(from right to left as shown in the example of FIG. 12) of the
user's finger 1004 to concurrently expose a portion of the eBook's
next page 1104 (e.g., page 64 of the eBook in question) while
partially obscuring the text on the current page 1102 with a
portion of the current's page back 1106. A leading edge of the
current page 1102 moves dynamically and in real time concurrently
with the user's finger 1004. Consequently, the relative portions of
current page text 1102, current page back 1106, and next page 1104
that are displayed vary in real time with movement of the user's
finger 1004, and are displayed in the manner that simulates the
turning of a paper page in a physical paper & ink book.
[0230] The eBook reader application can use a layout engine, such
as Webkit, which is the layout engine associated with the SAFARI
web browser from Apple, Inc., to assist in rendering the various
views of both static and moving (e.g., flipping) pages. In general,
to display a page of text of an eBook, the eBook reader application
can use the multiple column support of Webkit to render one or more
pages of text, for example, the text 1010 shown in FIG. 11, such
that each page corresponds to one associated column.
[0231] When a user initiates a page flip, the eBook reader
application can re-use already rendered views (and thus avoid
having to re-render them), by taking a snapshot (e.g., a bitmap) of
a currently displayed page and using it in combination with a newly
rendered page to facilitate the animated display of a page flip as
it is occurring. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, as soon as the
user's finger 1004 starts to initiate a page flip from the current
page 1102 (page 63 of the eBook) to the next page 1104 (page 64 of
the eBook), the eBook reader application captures the display of
the current page and stores it as a bitmap in device memory. So in
the state of the example of FIG. 12 (i.e., during a page flip
sequence), the eBook reader application creates the current in real
time by combining an appropriate portion of the captured bitmap of
the current page 1102 along with Webkit-rendered (in real time)
views both of the next page 1104 and the current page back 1106.
Optionally, the current page back can be rendered to appear as if
the current page 1102 was made of a translucent substance, and thus
display faint inverted text, as if the page was being read from the
back. Depending on implementation and design choices, the eBook
reader alternatively could be implemented such that the next page
1104 is treated and displayed as a captured bitmap and the current
page 1102 continues to be actively rendered in real time as the
user's finger 1004 moves and changes the display of the relative
portions of current page text 1102, current page back 1106, and
next page text 1104 (any or all of which potentially can include
one or more images 1108, 1110).
[0232] Similar implementation alternatives may be used for handling
the display of page flips while the device is in landscape mode and
multiple eBook pages are being displayed concurrently. For example,
when in landscape mode (such as shown in FIG. 2B), the eBook reader
application could capture a snapshot of both pages 360 and 361 and
then use the resulting bitmap in rendering page flip sequences
along with real time rendering of the visible portions of the next
page to be displayed. Alternatively, currently displayed pages 360
and 361 could be handled independently by taking a bitmap snapshot
of each to be used when the display requires that one or the other
(or both) is to be obscured by the rending of the page being
flipped to (and/or the backs of the currently displayed pages)
[0233] Depending on implementation and design choices, the eBook
reader application may need to re-paginate (e.g., both change the
currently displayed view as well as keep track of total number of
pages in the eBook and the currently displayed page) in response to
events such as change of font size, rotation of the device from
portrait to landscape view and the like.
[0234] For example, if while viewing an open eBook, the user
changes the font size, the eBook reader in response may
automatically repaginate not to change the current view (e.g., if
the user increases the current font size, the current display will
change to displayed larger characters but fewer words since the
amount of screen real estate is fixed) and, by a background
process, re-calculate the new page total of the eBook (which
necessarily changes in response to a change in font size) as well
as to re-calculate the page number of the currently displayed page,
but in absolute terms and relative to the total page length.
[0235] Similarly, when the user rotates the eBook from portrait to
landscape view (typically meaning that the displayed will change
from displaying a single page of the eBook to two adjacent pages of
the eBook), re-pagination occurs in a similar manner to
re-calculate current and total page numbers as well as to change
the display of the viewable text. One potential implementation may
be, in response to rotation from portrait to landscape, that the
eBook reader application displays the exact same text that appeared
in the portrait view as one of the two pages (either left hand side
or right hand side) that are displayed in the landscape view (with
the other displayed page being either the next or previous page in
the eBook). This implementation typically involves changing the
font size, e.g., such that the same number of words on the page
displayed in portrait view fits within the smaller display area
available in the landscape orientation.
[0236] An alternative implementation when switching from portrait
to landscape orientation is to keep the font size constant before
and after the switch but scale the view so that fewer words appear
on the each page displayed in landscape orientation than in
portrait orientation. Under this implementation alternative, the
eBook reader application may identify a portion of text (e.g., the
first sentence of the first full paragraph) that is visible in the
portrait orientation and cause the landscape orientation display to
be certain that that same text portion remains visible in the
landscape orientation (e.g., at a predetermined position on either
the right hand or left hand page).
[0237] In addition, as noted above, rotation of the device causes a
re-calculation of the currently displayed page numbers as well as
the new total page number. The newly re-calculated page numbers may
be used to update other previously save pointers and markers. For
example, text sections that are highlighted and/or bookmarked
typically are stored with an associated page number. When rotation,
font size change, or other re-paginating event occurs, the newly
re-calculated page numbers are used to update those associated page
numbers. Other uses of the re-calculated page numbers and totals
may be used for other page number related aspects such as page
numbers displayed in the scrubbing bar, table of contents, index,
chapter start indicators and the like.
[0238] FIG. 13 shows an example of a search feature that may be
implemented by an eBook reader application. As shown, a left
portion of a screen 1002 of a device 1000 displays a current page
of text 1102 (e.g., page 63 of the eBook in question) while a right
portion of the screen 1002 displays a search results pane 1204,
which displays the results of a search for a particular word in the
eBook under consideration. In this example, the search resulted in
four search hits 1202 (at page 7, 34, 116 and 222) each of which
displays the search term in its original context, potentially
highlighted and as part of a complete or partial sentence in which
it appears. The search hits 1202 potentially can be bookmarked
and/or serve as interactive links that can be selected by the user
to jump to the eBook page on which the particular search hit
occurs. As shown, each search hit 1202 includes an associated page
number which may be updated in response to re-paginating events as
described above.
[0239] FIG. 14 is a flow chart 1400 of a process by which
information is presented to a user. Typically, the operations are
performed using the systems described above. For example, the
operations may be performed using the electronic client device
described in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Initially, an eBook application
accesses a library of electronic publications that includes a first
publication (1410). For example, a user may load a library of
electronic books. The eBook application generates a representation
of the first publication in an electronic bookshelf (1420). The
representation may include a display of a cover of a magazine or a
book. The eBook application determines a state for the first
publication (1430). Determining the state for the first publication
may include determining that a book was recently purchased and/or
read. The eBook application modifies the representation of the
first publication to reflect the state of the first publication
(1440). Thus, a book that has not been recently read may be
rendered using a binding view instead of a cover view and/or to
reflect a presence of dust on a book.
[0240] FIG. 15 is a flow chart 1500 of a method of presenting
information to a user. Typically, the operations described in flow
chart 1500 may be performed, for example, using the eBook
application described previously. An eBook application accesses a
library of electronic publications that includes a first
publication (1510). Accessing the library may include accessing
electronic books that have been locally stored and/or networked
content for which the user has rights. The eBook application
generates a representation of the first publication in an
electronic bookshelf (1520). The representation may include
presenting a cover and/or binding view of a publication in an
electronic shelf. The eBook application determines a state for the
first publication relative to other publications in the electronic
bookshelf (1530). Determining the state may include determining a
date of purchase, a release date, or a date of access. The eBook
application determines an organization of the electronic bookshelf
based on the state of the first publication relative to a state of
other publications within the library (1540). The organization may
include criteria under which content is sorted and/or presented to
a user in a bookshelf. Thus, periodicals may be sorted by date in a
first category, while fiction may be sorted by popularity in a
second category, and nonfiction is sorted by recency of access in a
third category.
[0241] The eBook application presents the first publication in the
electronic bookshelf to reflect the organization of the electronic
bookshelf (1550). Thus, a first shelf may be used to present
content from a first category (e.g., periodicals) while a second
shelf is used to present fiction based on popularity, and a third
shelf is used to present content according to recency of access.
The shelf may be organized so that a first number of publications
are displayed using a cover view while the remaining publications
are presented using a binding view.
[0242] FIG. 16 is a flow chart 1600 of a process by which
information is presented to a user. Like flow charts 1500 and 1600,
the operations may be performed using the systems described above.
Initially, an eBook application accesses a library of electronic
publications that includes a first publication (1610) and
determines a state for the first publication (1620). For example,
the eBook application may determine that a first publication
represents promotional content while a second publication is
newly-purchased. The eBook application generates a representation
of the first publication in an electronic bookshelf that reflects
the state of the first publication (1630). The first publication
may be bound or wrapped in a ribbon that indicates that the first
publication is new or promotional content.
[0243] FIG. 17 is a flow chart 1700 of a process by which
information is presented to a user. Initially, an eBook application
accesses a library of electronic publications (1710). A
representation of the first publication is generated in an
electronic bookshelf in a bookshelf view that indicates electronic
publications that are owned by a user (1720). The eBook application
enables the user to switch between a bookstore view and the
bookshelf view (1730). The bookstore view may include a
representation of a bookshelf that enables a user to browse
electronic books on the bookstore shelf and purchase those
electronic books if the user is interested. The electronic book
application receives an instruction from the user to switch from
the bookshelf view to the bookstore view (1740). For example, the
user may press a software-based button within the eBook application
that inspires a transition.
[0244] In response to receiving the instruction from the user to
switch from the bookshelf view to the bookstore view, the eBook
application generates a display of an animated transition of a
revolving bookshelf that originally presents the bookshelf view and
concludes the animated transition by displaying the bookstore view
(1750). A bookshelf may turn or rotate or slide or float into place
in order to render a bookstore view. If the user elects to purchase
an electronic book, the electronic book may float forward as the
representation of the bookshelf is rotated from the bookstore view
into the bookshelf view and the newly-purchased book is placed on a
shelf.
[0245] FIG. 18 is a flow chart 1800 of a process by which
information is presented to a user so that a user may preserve
their settings in content that was originally promotional content.
Initially, an eBook application enables a user to download an
electronic publication in a promotional configuration (1810). A
publisher may permit a user to browse the first 30 pages of an
electronic book or access the electronic book for a specified
duration. The eBook application then enables the user to navigate
through the electronic publication with a relative indicator
identifying a portion of the electronic publication being accessed
by the user (1820). The relative indicate may indicate which
portions of the electronic book have been read and where the user
spent time in the electronic book. The eBook application enables
the user to purchase a full version of the electronic publication
(1830). A user may select a purchase tab or button that appears on
a last page of the promotional content. As a result of a purchase,
the eBook application downloads the full version of the electronic
publication (1840). The eBook application then preserves the
relative indicator so that subsequent user access to the electronic
publication enables the user to access the portion of the
electronic publication associated with the relative indicator
(1850). In that manner, a user is able to perceive their bookmarks
and an indication of which content has already been read.
[0246] FIG. 19 is a flow chart 1900 of a method of presenting
information to a user that enables a user to share content among
multiple devices. The eBook application enables a user to purchase
an electronic publication using an electronic bookstore (1910) and
the user is enabled to download the electronic publication to a
first device (1920). A user purchase of the electronic publication
is recorded (1930). A registration server may be used to record
which users have access to which content. The eBook application
receives an indication that the user has a second device (1940).
For example, a user may own both an eBook device and also a
wireless phone. The eBook application may generate an icon of a
wireless phone in a portion of the display so that the user may
interact with the icon to exchange content between different
devices. The eBook application then enables the user to transmit
the electronic publication to the second device (1950). The
registration server may verify rights to content and transmit the
content to the second device (e.g., loading the electronic
publication to a library on the wireless phone).
[0247] FIG. 20 is a flow chart 2000 of a process by which
information is presented to a user so that a user may perceive
relative progress in navigating through a book by viewing relative
heights of the paper on the left and right side of a binding.
Initially, an eBook application presents, within an electronic book
reader application on an electronic device, a representation of an
electronic book with an indication of left side pages and an
indication of right side pages (2010). A user starting out reading
an electronic book may have a large volume of pages on the right
hand side and a small volume of pages on a right hand side. As the
user turns pages, the relative heights may be altered to reflect a
user's passage through an electronic book. The eBook application
enables the user to navigate through the electronic publication
with a relative indicator identifying a portion of the electronic
publication being accessed by the user (2020). The relative
indicator may indicate that a user is on a specified page relative
to an overall page count. The eBook application modifies, using the
relative indicator, the indication of the left side pages and the
indication of right side pages to reflect a relative height of left
side pages and right side pages (2030).
[0248] In one configuration, the relative height is mathematically
determined so that a height is precisely calculated on a page by
page basis. In another configuration, a series of discrete values
is used so that a series of different display height settings is
used where each display setting represents a range of pages.
[0249] FIG. 21 is a flow chart 2100 of a process by which
information is presented to a user so that an animated transition
is presented to a user that reflects a manner in which a user
turned a page. Initially, within an electronic book reader
application on an electronic device, a representation of an
electronic book is presented that includes an electronic
representation of a paper page (2110). The electronic book may be
presented in a portrait setting, a landscape setting, or in a
setting that features two pages with a virtual binding in
between.
[0250] The eBook application enables a user to interact with the
page through a touch screen control to navigate through the
electronic book (2120). For example, a user may swipe a finger
across the touch screen to turn the page. The eBook application
records, on the electronic device, physical characteristics of the
user interaction with the touch screen control to navigate through
the electronic book (2130). Thus, if a swipe is performed rapidly
or with a certain degree of acceleration, the physical
characteristics of the swipe are recorded. The location at which
the electronic representation was touched also may be recorded in
addition to length of the swipe. The eBook application identifies,
based on the physical characteristics of the user interaction, a
modeled impact on the electronic representation of a paper page
(2140). The modeled impact reflects a translation that describes
the impact on the user performing the same gesture or action on an
actual piece of paper. The eBook application generates an animated
transition reflecting a page turning of the electronic
representation of a paper page that reflects the modeled impact
(2150). Thus, if a page is rapidly turned, the page is shown as
being rapidly turned over. If a swipe begins at a specified
location, the page may be rendered as if the page were beginning to
be bent at the specified location.
[0251] FIG. 22 is a flow chart 2200 of a process that enables a
user to access an electronic bookstore. Initially, the eBook
application presents, within an electronic book reader application
on an electronic device, a representation of an electronic book
that includes an electronic representation of a paper page (2210).
The eBook application presents, within the electronic book reader
application, a control to access an electronic bookstore (2220).
The control may include a software-based button appearing in the
screen to inspire a transition to the electronic bookstore. The
eBook application enables the user to interact with the control to
access the electronic bookstore (2230). Through user interaction
with the control, a user instruction to access the electronic
bookstore is received (2240). For example, a user may press the
software-based button. The eBook application determines that a
wireless communications interface on the electronic device is not
active (2250) and activates the wireless communications interface
(2260). Using the wireless communications interface, materials from
the electronic bookstore are accessed (2270). Thus, a user is
shielded from a burden of having to selectively activate a
communications interface in order to access the electronic
bookstore.
[0252] FIG. 23 is a flow chart 2300 of a process by which a menu of
commands is presented to a user. Initially, an eBook application
presents, within an electronic book reader application on an
electronic device, a representation of an electronic book that
includes an electronic representation of a paper page (2310). The
eBook application enables a user to interact with the page through
a touch screen control to navigate through the electronic book
(2320) and detects that a user has touched a portion of the
electronic representation of the paper page (2330). For example, a
user may maintain a touch for a threshold period of time on a
display to inspire invocation of a menu. The eBook application
detects that the user intended to hold the touched portion (2340).
The eBook application then presents, in response to detecting that
the user intended to hold the touched portion, a menu of commands
related to the touched portion of the electronic representation of
a paper page (2350). The menu of commands may enable a user to
highlight a portion of text or inspire invocation of a map related
to a current book. In one configuration, the menu of commands
reflects the underlying content that is selected with the selection
command (e.g., the portion of a text that was selected). Thus, if
the underlying content related to baseball, then the menu commands
may include links to baseball-related resources or applications
(e.g., a baseball game).
[0253] FIG. 24 is a flow chart 2400 of a process by which a user is
enabled to manipulate an accelerometer within an electronic device
to perform a command on an electronic book. Initially, a user is
presented, within an electronic book reader application on an
electronic device, a representation of an electronic book that
includes an electronic representation of a paper page (2410). The
user is enabled to interact with an accelerometer for the
electronic device by controlling an orientation of the electronic
device (2420). For example, a user may move, manipulate, shake, or
accelerate the electronic device. Using the accelerometer for the
electronic device, user manipulation of the electronic device is
capture (2430). The accelerometer may determine that a book was
rotated in a specific direction.
[0254] Based on the user manipulation of the electronic device, a
command for the electronic book is identified (2440). An electronic
device may be shaken to close a cover of an electronic book, tilted
more than a threshold degree to change pages, and tilted less than
a threshold degree to provide a preview of a next page. The command
is then performed on the electronic book (2450).
[0255] FIG. 25 is a flow chart 2500 of a process that enables a
user to interface with an electronic publication. Initially, within
an electronic book reader application on an electronic device, a
representation of an electronic book that includes an electronic
representation of a paper page is presented (2510). The first user
is enabled to interact with a touch screen controller for the
electronic device (2520). For example, an eBook application may
render an icon for other users in the social network that are
proximate to the user. The electronic device captures user
manipulation of the touch screen controller (2530). An example of
user manipulation includes a gesture that throws a book icon
towards a user icon or even in the actual direction of the user.
The eBook application may transmit an indication of the gesture to
a server that records an indication of other users proximate to the
user and their location. Based on the user manipulation of the
touch screen controller, a command for interfacing with a second
user is performed through the electronic book (2540). Thus, a first
user may flick a book off an electronic bookshelf towards another
user to transmit the book to the other user. The eBook application
then performs the command for the electronic book (2550).
[0256] FIG. 26 is a flow chart 2600 of a process that enables a
user to interface with an electronic publication. The eBook
application presents, within an electronic book reader application
on an electronic device, a representation of an electronic book
that includes an electronic representation of a paper page (2610).
The electronic representation of a paper page is modeled to
resemble actual paper so that the representation would behave and
respond to stimuli in the same manner as actual paper would respond
to the stimuli. A first user is enabled to interact with a touch
screen controller for the electronic device (2620). User
manipulation of the touch screen controller is captured (2630).
Thus, a first gesture on a touch screen may be recorded to indicate
starting location(s) for a gesture, an ending location, a velocity
of a gesture, and acceleration for a gesture. Based on the user
manipulation of the touch screen controller, a command to interface
with an electronic bookshelf is identified (2640). For example, a
three finger swipe may be used to advance to a next selection on an
electronic bookshelf The command is performed for the electronic
book (2650).
[0257] FIG. 27 is a flow chart 2700 of a process of presenting
information to a user. The operations shown in flow chart 2700 may
be used to preserve a viewing experience as a user transitions from
a first orientation (e.g., landscape) to a second orientation
(portrait). Within an electronic book reader application on an
electronic device, a representation of an electronic book is
presented that includes an electronic representation of a paper
page in a first orientation (2710). A first portion of the
electronic book is presented in the first orientation (2720). For
example, a particular portion may be displayed in landscape mode.
The user is enabled to manipulate an orientation of the electronic
device from a first orientation to a second orientation (2730). It
is determined whether to preserve a font size (2740). For example,
a user may prefer to preserve a font size in order to enjoy a
better viewing experience. Based on the first portion and in
response to determining to preserve the font size, a second portion
that will be displayed in the second orientation is identified
(2750). Switching from a two page landscape view to a single page
portrait view may require that additional content be presented
within the display. The second portion is displayed in the second
orientation (2760).
[0258] FIG. 28 is a flow chart 2800 of a process by which
information is presented to a user. The operations shown in flow
chart 2800 may be used to modify a viewing experience so that
content is removed as a font size changes in a transition from a
first orientation (e.g., portrait) to a second orientation
(landscape). Initially, within an electronic book reader
application on an electronic device, a representation of an
electronic book is presented that includes an electronic
representation of a paper page in a first orientation (2810). A
first portion of the electronic book is presented in the first
orientation (2820). A user is enabled to manipulate an orientation
of the electronic device from a first orientation to a second
orientation (2830), for example, to switch from a portrait
orientation to a landscape orientation. It is determined whether to
preserve a font size (2840). A user may have a setting that
indicates that the user is able to accommodate font size changes
within a certain range while also specifying that font size changes
beyond a threshold should be preserved. Based on the first portion
and in response to determining to not preserve the font size, a
second portion is identified that will be displayed in the second
orientation (2850). This may include additional content that should
be rendered as a result of an increased area being available for
display. The second portion is displayed in the second orientation
(2860). Thus, a new display in landscape mode may feature newly
added content.
[0259] Optionally, an eBook reader application could have features,
aspects and/or functionality that, potentially based on output from
the device's motion, attitude, touch and/or other sensors,
could
[0260] The eBook reader application may be configured to enable the
user to peek at the next page by tilting the device (e.g., to one
side) by a threshold amount that causes at least a portion of the
next page to be displayed. In addition, the eBook reader
application may be configured to cause a currently open eBook to
close, go to the first page, go to the last or other predetermined
page (e.g., index or table of contents), and/or go back to the
adjacent previous page.
[0261] In one configuration, the eBook reader application may be
configured to cause a currently open eBook to close to its cover
and/or return to the book shelf in response to detecting a
multi-touch pinch performed by the user on the device's touch
sensitive surface. In another configuration, the eBook reader
application may be configured to cause a currently open eBook to
close to its cover and/or return to the book shelf in response to
detecting a multi-touch pinch performed by the user on the device's
touch sensitive surface.
[0262] In yet another configuration, the eBook reader application
may be configured to cause a currently open eBook to close to its
cover and/or return to the book shelf in response to detecting a
multi-touch pinch performed by the user on the device's touch
sensitive surface. In still yet another configuration, the eBook
reader application may be configured to cause a currently open
eBook to close to its cover and/or return to the book shelf in
response to detecting a multi-touch pinch performed by the user on
the device's touch sensitive surface.
[0263] In one configuration, the eBook reader application may be
configured to cause a currently open eBook to switch to a next
eBook in a queue (e.g., selected automatically based on factors
such as newness, frequency of use, related subject matter, related
author, and/or predetermined by user) in response to detecting a
predetermined user gesture (e.g., a swipe on the touch sensitive
surface or shake of the device), potentially without requiring the
user to go through the process of having to go back to the library
or bookstore and manually select a new eBook to open. In another
configuration, the eBook reader application may be configured to
cause information about the current state of the device, the eBook
reader application, and/or the user to be automatically broadcast
or otherwise transmitted to one or more other humans (alternatively
also referred to as "throwing" information) in response to
detecting that the user has performed a predetermined gesture. The
"thrown" information could include one or more of the user's
location, user's identity, title of the eBook currently open on the
user's device, current page number of the eBook currently open on
the user's device, a bookmark, a segment of text, an image or
movie, or essentially any other item of information about current
state known to the device, user and/or eBook reader
application.
[0264] In another configuration, the eBook reader application may
be configured to cause a currently open eBook to close to its cover
in response to detecting that the user has rotated the device away
from the away (e.g., a 180 degree pivot about a vertical axis),
and/or re-open upon detecting that the user has once again rotated
the device back to face the user (and/or in response to another
criterion, such as time lapse). An advantage of this behavior may
be to allow the user to show another person what the user is
currently reading by momentarily displaying the cover of the eBook
rather than the current page (which likely would have smaller font
text and/or less readily discernible information about the identity
of the eBook).
[0265] In yet another configuration, the eBook reader application
may be configured to enable a user to share eBooks (portions or
entire contents) with one or more other users in response to
detecting that the user has performed a predetermined gesture or,
in response to the passage of time, cause the display of unopened
or seldom opened eBooks to change appearance, e.g., by displaying
only the spine of such books rather than complete covers, and/or
cause the eBooks to appear dusty, yellowed, translucent or other
visual indications of disuse. Similarly, an eBook reader
application could change the display of available newspapers or
magazines so that they appear in a pile after a few issues have
accumulated so that they do not unduly clutter the bookshelf
display. Archiving of such eBooks (either locally on the device via
compression or the like or remotely on a server or other data
store) could accompany such a change in display based on age or
disuse.
[0266] In one configuration, the eBook reader application may be
configured to enable eBooks to have links to web pages, inline
videos, images, music or other audio clips or the like, which
reside remotely from the device but which can be accessed through
wireless (and/or wired) communications. In another configuration,
the eBook reader application may be configured to enable an eBook's
content to be updated, potentially automatically, for example, if
the author or the publisher changes or supplements the ePub, e.g.,
through the use of embedded dynamic content in an eBook that
receives the changed or supplemental content via the internet or
other network. In still yet another configuration, the eBook reader
application may be configured to enable a user to electronically
chat (e.g., via email or a chat plugin utility) with others about a
particular eBook, e.g., similar to a forum, salon or book club or
display opportunities (e.g., links, banners, advertisements or the
like) for a user to purchase or otherwise obtain digital content
(e.g., movie, soundtrack, audiobook or the like) that is
complementary to a particular eBook.
[0267] In yet another configuration, the eBook reader application
may be configured to enable a user to listen along and/or read
along to an eBook by concurrently presenting, potentially in
synchronization, a corresponding audio (or audiovisual) version of
that eBook. In one configuration, the eBook reader application may
be configured to provide a user with intelligent suggestions (e.g.,
by using a mechanism similar to the "GENIUS" feature of iTunes from
Apple, Inc.) for other books or other content that are
complementary to a particular eBook.
[0268] In another configuration, the eBook reader application may
be configured to provide animated page flipping functionality that
responds visually and selectively to swiping a user's finger
horizontally across the page, can display a page corner curl (e.g.,
toward the center of the page) for example in response to a
corresponding movement of the user's finger, cause page flipping to
occur on other gestures such as finger taps (single or multiple),
movement or rotation of the device or the like; implement a "point
of no return" threshold in which a flipping page, upon removal of
the user's finger, either continues to complete the flip to the
next page--e.g., if the user's finger movement on the touch screen
has reached a predetermined location on the screen (e.g., the half
way point)--or falls back to the previous page display if the
user's finger is removed before reaching that point; can simulate
ripping pages out of an eBook based on a predetermined gesture;
and/or respond to a user's thumb gesture in the direction
substantially equal to 45 degrees from the eBook text direction by
causing the page to flip. In any or all of these implementations,
the eBooks pages can be displayed to the extent desired to comport
with the applicable laws of physics associated with physical paper
& ink books (e.g., gravity, friction and the like).
[0269] In one configuration, the representation of an electronic
bookshelf is configured to distinguish between magazines and books,
and also based on the state of books within the electronic
bookshelf. For example, the electronic bookshelf may be configured
to exchange books between different users. A book that is lent to
another user may be "ghosted" to indicate that the book is
temporarily unavailable because it is being used by another user
while a book that is being borrow from another user may appear with
a frosted binding or halo above the book to indicate that the book
is available on a temporary basis or has been made available with
limited rights. A user then may interact with the ghosted book to
retrieve the book, or with the borrowed book to return the book
and/or to purchase the book itself from an electronic
bookstore.
[0270] The representation of the electronic bookshelf may be
customized with a user. For example, an electronic bookshelf may be
automatically organized according to a default scheme that presents
the library organized according to a particular taxonomy. The user
then may rearrange a bookshelf according to personal preferences.
Thus, a user may elect to place certain publications in certain
locations (e.g., placing a favorite periodical in a specified
location on a bookshelf). The user customization may be stored so
that a user may invoke one of several locations may be used. A user
may use an academic configuration used when engaged in academic
pursuits, while using an entertainment configuration used when
using the bookshelf to navigate among leisurely content.
[0271] The user may configure an electronic bookshelf to configure
individual shelves within the electronic bookshelf. For example, a
first bookshelf may include periodicals sorted by frequency of
access, while a second shelf includes nonfiction materials sorted
by publication date, and a third shelf includes a fiction sorted by
popularity as specified by a best seller list.
[0272] A bookshelf may be modified to reflect a theme or motif. For
example, a type of used may be used to indicate the theme so that
an oak bookshelf is used to present nonfiction content while a
walnut bookshelf is used to present classic literature. A
newsstand-type shelf may be used to present periodical literature.
The bookshelf may be an add in package so that certain content is
automatically placed in certain locations of the bookshelf. Thus,
the periodical receiving the greatest circulation or page views
over the preceding time period may be placed in the top shelf and
books within the user's library directed to current trends may be
placed alongside the periodical in the top shelf. As trends and
Internet viewership changes over time, the selection of particular
publications in the specified locations of the shelf also may
change with the changing trends. The books may be labeled to
indicate which books are newly-purchased and which books represent
samples and/or promotional content. The bookshelf also may be
modified to surface information relevant to a user's context. Thus,
if a bookshelf application receives information that a user is in a
particular location, the particular location may be used to
showcase those publications relevant to a user's current location.
If the user receives information that a user is travelling abroad,
a travel publication for the current country may be placed on the
user's top shelf. Similarly, if the user is travelling in a city
(e.g., Savannah, Ga.), the electronic bookshelf may surface
fictional literature associated with that city (e.g., a novel by
John Berendt). In yet another example, if the electronic bookshelf
receives information that the user is dining or about to dine in a
particular establishment, for example, through a mapping
application, the bookshelf may place a restaurant guide on the top
shelf with a bookmark for the particular restaurant appearing in
the book. In addition to placing a publication on a particular
shelf, a publication also may be coded with a particular label or
ribbon. The electronic bookshelf may indicate that there is a new
periodical available and automatically place the updated periodical
a location set aside for more current content.
[0273] The bookshelf may include notebooks or lab notebooks with
user notes taken during class. The bookshelf also may display
electronic books and feature a content view to display additional
forms of content (e.g., audio).
[0274] A bookmark may be explicit or implicit. An example of an
implicit bookmark may include a reference indicating a portion in a
publication as determined by an electronic book reader application
to likely represent a portion being viewed by a user. An explicit
bookmark may include a location specified by a user as representing
an area that the user wishes to return to upon selecting a
bookmark. The bookmarks may be presented in a list so that the user
may perceive their reading history and interact with the list to
navigate to the recently read content. The list also may include a
"time spent" viewing so that a user may perceive how much time was
spent in each portion. If the publication includes audio that
accompanies text, the bookmarks also may include a bookmark that
links to the specified audio portion. A publication may include a
progress bar separately and/or in association with bookmarks. The
progress bark may indicate progress within a chapter or within a
publication.
[0275] In one configuration, a user may zoom into an electronic
book and still use the same interactive controls to navigate
through an electronic book. For example, a user may be zoomed in
and enjoying an illustration in a picture book (e.g., an
illustrated children's book). In the course of reviewing the
picture book, the user may use a gesture that advances to a next
page. Using the gesture may inspire an animation which first zooms
out and then causes the page to advance. And, even though the user
is zoomed into a page, the physical characteristics of the user's
gesture in turning the page may be used to foster an animated
transition responsive to the physical characteristics. In one
setting, the physical characteristics are modeled so that the
actual screen size represents the size of the paper that inspires
the transition (e.g., a swipe across two inches the screen is
represented as a swipe across two inches of paper even though the
screen is zoomed). In another setting the physical characteristics
are modeled so that the actual screen size is scaled to the size of
the paper that inspires the transition (e.g., a swipe across two
inches the screen is represented as a swipe across one inch of
paper as the screen is zoomed 100%.). The animated transition may
inspire a change in the orientation of the electronic book
application. A page turn may cause a change in a display from a
zoomed in display of a single page to a landscape display of two
pages.
[0276] The menus that are presented may be based upon the content
that a user is accessing and/or reflect a configuration for the
publication. For example, if a user is reading a piece of science
fiction, a menu and/or instruction may be configured to present a
map that reflects a location of interest where the portion of the
story being read is set. The map may be configured to "fly" onto or
off of the screen in response to invocation of the menu option
and/or type of gesture that is invoked. An electronic book reader
application may be configured to present a supplemental control to
enable a user to perceive the portion of the display that is being
read. For example, a user may run their finger below the portion of
the screen that is being read. As the user continues to navigate
through an electronic publication, a portion of the screen that is
determined to no longer be of interest may be dimmed. A user
wishing to resume reading a book may perceive which portion of the
screen has been dimmed and begin using the finger tracking to drag
their finger below the portion of text where they wish to resume.
The electronic book reader application may be configured to
maintain a rate of progress through a book so that even if a user
has moved their tracking finger to slightly above or below a
specified range, so long as the user maintains a specified rate of
movement with an index across the surface, the dimmed portion will
continue to progress. In addition to a dimming function, the
electronic book reader application also may include a highlight
function that spotlights an area of interest, for example by using
a highlighter or animated halo effect to identify a portion of text
of interest.
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