U.S. patent application number 14/322119 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-23 for automatic magnification and selection confirmation.
The applicant listed for this patent is LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.. Invention is credited to Neal Robert Caliendo, JR., Russell Speight VanBlon.
Application Number | 20140317524 14/322119 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48915107 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140317524 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
VanBlon; Russell Speight ;
et al. |
October 23, 2014 |
AUTOMATIC MAGNIFICATION AND SELECTION CONFIRMATION
Abstract
According to one disclosed embodiment, an approach is provided
in which a user input is detected at a first location on a display
screen, such as a finger selection on a touch-enabled display
screen. A number of visual controls that are proximate to the
detected location are identified. A magnification interface is then
displayed that includes a larger rendition of the visual
controls.
Inventors: |
VanBlon; Russell Speight;
(Raleigh, NC) ; Caliendo, JR.; Neal Robert;
(Raleigh, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD. |
New Tech Park |
|
SG |
|
|
Family ID: |
48915107 |
Appl. No.: |
14/322119 |
Filed: |
July 2, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13400015 |
Feb 17, 2012 |
8812983 |
|
|
14322119 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/744 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 2250/22 20130101;
G06F 3/04886 20130101; G06F 2203/04805 20130101; H04M 1/72583
20130101; G06F 3/0481 20130101; G06F 3/0488 20130101; G06F 3/04842
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/744 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/0481 20060101
G06F003/0481; G06F 3/0488 20060101 G06F003/0488; G06F 3/0484
20060101 G06F003/0484 |
Claims
1-24. (canceled)
25. An information handling system comprising: at least one
processor; a display accessible to the at least one processor; and
a memory accessible to the at least one processor and bearing
instructions executable by the processor to: detect a first user
input at a first location on a user interface (UI) presented on the
display, the first user input being detected at least proximate to
a first arrangement of at least two visual controls, the visual
controls of the first arrangement each respectively being presented
on the UI prior to the detection of the first user input such that
they are each presented in at least one dimension that is smaller
than the same respective dimension of other visual controls
presented on the UI not included in the first arrangement, the
other visual controls presented on the UI not in the first
arrangement having the same height and width; identify the visual
controls of the first arrangement as at least being proximate to
the detected first location; and present a magnification interface
on the UI such that the magnification interface is overlaid on the
area of the UI on which the visual controls of the first
arrangement were presented prior to the detection of the first user
input, the magnification interface also overlaid over at least a
portion of at least one other area of the UI presenting at least
one other visual control than those of the first arrangement, the
magnification interface comprising a larger rendition of the visual
controls of the first arrangement relative to their respective
rendition on the UI prior to the detection of the first user
input.
26. The information handling system of claim 25, wherein each of
the visual controls of the first arrangement correspond with a
process, and wherein the instructions are further executable to:
detect a second user input at a second location on the display
during the display of the magnification interface; determine that
the second location corresponds with a control location of a
selected one of the larger renditions of the visual controls of the
first arrangement; invoke the process corresponding to the selected
visual control; and close the magnification interface in response
to detection of the second user input.
27. The information handling system of claim 25, wherein the
instructions are further executable to: detect a second user input
at a second location on the display during the display of the
magnification interface; determine that the second location is
outside the magnification interface; and close the magnification
interface in response to the determination.
28. The information handling system of claim 25, wherein the
instructions are further executable to: set a timer corresponding
to the display of the magnification interface; and close the
magnification interface in response to the timer elapsing before a
second user input is received.
29. The information handling system of claim 25, wherein the
identification of the visual controls of the first arrangement that
are at least proximate to the detected first location is based upon
a user sensitivity setting, and wherein the instructions are
further executable to: identify one or more spatial distances
between the visual controls of the first arrangement.
30. The information handling system of claim 29, wherein the
instructions are further executable to: compare the identified
spatial distances with a user controlled threshold, wherein the
magnification interface is triggered in response to the
comparison.
31. The information handling system of claim 29, wherein the size
of the magnification interface is a size specified by a user based
on user input to the information handling system prior to
presentation of the magnification interface.
32. A computer readable storage medium that is not a carrier wave,
the computer readable storage medium comprising instructions
executable by a processor to: detect a first user input at a first
location on a user interface (UI) presented on a display, the first
user input being detected at a first area of the display, the first
area comprising a first arrangement of at least two visual controls
presented on the display, the visual controls of the first
arrangement each respectively being presented on the UI prior to
the detection of the first user input such that they are each
presented in at least one dimension that is smaller than the same
respective dimension of at least one other visual control presented
on the UI not included in the first arrangement, the other visual
control presented on the UI not in the first arrangement occupying
a second area on the display that is at least twice the size of a
third area on the display occupied by any one of the visual
controls of the first arrangement, the third area included in the
first area; identify the visual controls of the first arrangement
as at least being proximate to the detected first location; and
present a magnification interface on the UI such that the
magnification interface is overlaid on the first area, the
magnification interface also overlaid over at least a portion of at
least one other area of the UI not comprising the first area, the
magnification interface comprising a larger rendition of the visual
controls of the first arrangement relative to their respective
rendition on the UI prior to the detection of the first user
input.
33. The computer readable storage medium of claim 32, wherein each
of the visual controls corresponds with a process, and wherein the
instructions are further executable to: detect a second user input
at a second location on the display during the display of the
magnification interface; determine that the second location
corresponds with a control location of a selected one of the larger
renditions of the visual controls; invoke the process corresponding
to the selected visual control; and close the magnification
interface in response to detection of the second user input.
34. The computer readable storage medium of claim 32, wherein the
instructions are further executable to: detect a second user input
at a second location on the display during the display of the
magnification interface; determine that the second location is
outside the magnification interface; and close the magnification
interface in response to the determination.
35. The computer readable storage medium of claim 32, wherein the
instructions are further executable to: set a timer corresponding
to the display of the magnification interface; and close the
magnification interface in response to the timer elapsing before a
second user input is received.
36. The computer readable storage medium of claim 32, wherein the
identification of the plurality of visual controls that are
proximate to the detected first location is based upon a user
sensitivity setting, and wherein the instructions are further
executable to: identify one or more spatial distances between the
plurality of visual controls; and compare the identified spatial
distances with a user controlled threshold, wherein the
magnification interface is triggered in response to the
comparison.
37. The computer readable storage medium of claim 32, wherein the
larger rendition of the visual controls of the first arrangement is
a rendition in which the visual controls are presented in the same
dimensions as the at least one other visual control presented on
the UI not included in the first arrangement.
38. The computer readable storage medium of claim 32, wherein the
first area is an area that is larger than the area occupied by any
other single visual control not included in the first
arrangement.
39. A method, comprising: detecting a first user input at a first
location on a user interface (UI) presented on a display, the first
user input being detected at a first area of the display, the first
area comprising a first arrangement of at least two visual controls
presented on the display, the visual controls of the first
arrangement each respectively being presented on the UI prior to
the detecting of the first user input such that they are each
presented in at least one dimension that is smaller than the same
respective dimension of at least one other visual control presented
on the UI not included in the first arrangement; identifying the
visual controls of the first arrangement as at least being
proximate to the detected first location; and presenting a
magnification interface on the UI such that the magnification
interface is overlaid over at least a portion of the first area,
the magnification interface also overlaid over at least a portion
of at least one other area of the UI not comprising the first area,
the magnification interface comprising a larger rendition of the
visual controls of the first arrangement relative to their
respective rendition on the UI prior to the detecting of the first
user input.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein each of the visual controls
corresponds with a process, the method further comprising:
detecting a second user input at a second location on the display
during the display of the magnification interface; determining that
the second location corresponds with a control location of a
selected one of the larger renditions of the visual controls;
invoking the process corresponding to the selected visual control;
and closing the magnification interface in response to detecting
the second user input.
41. The method of claim 39, further comprising: setting a timer
corresponding to the display of the magnification interface; and
closing the magnification interface in response to the timer
elapsing before a second user input is received.
42. The method of claim 39, wherein the identification of the
plurality of visual controls that are proximate to the detected
first location is based upon a user sensitivity setting, the method
further comprising: identifying one or more spatial distances
between the plurality of visual controls; and comparing the
identified spatial distances with a user controlled threshold,
wherein the magnification interface is triggered in response to the
comparison.
43. The method of claim 39, wherein the larger rendition of the
visual controls of the first arrangement is a rendition in which
the visual controls are presented in the same dimensions as the at
least one other visual control presented on the UI not included in
the first arrangement.
44. The method of claim 39, wherein the first area is an area that
is larger than the area occupied by any other single visual control
not included in the first arrangement.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The subject matter presented herein relates to an approach
that automatically magnifies an area of a display screen in order
to improve user selection of graphical controls.
[0002] Modern information handling systems, especially mobile
information handling systems such as mobile telephones, tablet
devices, and the like, often present abundant information on a
relatively small display screen. Many of these display screens are
touch-enabled which allow a user to select a graphical control
using a stylus or finger. Because of the small size of the display
screen and a relatively large number of graphical controls
presented in a small area, unintended selections often occur.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0003] According to one disclosed embodiment, an approach is
provided in which a user input is detected at a first location on a
display screen, such as a finger selection on a touch-enabled
display screen. A number of visual controls that are proximate to
the detected location are identified. A magnification interface is
then displayed that includes a larger rendition of the visual
controls.
[0004] The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity,
simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail;
consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way
limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the
present invention, as defined solely by the claims, will become
apparent in the non-limiting detailed description set forth
below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The present disclosure may be better understood, and its
numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those
skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data processing system in
which the methods described herein can be implemented;
[0007] FIG. 2 provides an extension of the information handling
system environment shown in FIG. 1 to illustrate that the methods
described herein can be performed on a wide variety of information
handling systems which operate in a networked environment;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a series of screen diagrams showing automatic
invocation of a magnification interface and a user's subsequent
interaction;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing steps performed in
automatically detecting and triggering the magnification interface;
and
[0010] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the steps performed in
operating the magnification interface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0012] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or
act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements as specifically claimed. The detailed description has been
presented for purposes of illustration, but is not intended to be
exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many
modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best
explain the principles of the invention and the practical
application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to
understand the invention for various embodiments with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
[0013] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects
may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product.
Accordingly, aspects may take the form of an entirely hardware
embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware,
resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining
software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to
herein as a "circuit," "module" or "system." Furthermore, aspects
of the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program
product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having
computer readable program code embodied thereon.
[0014] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s)
may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer
readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A
computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not
limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,
infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any
suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a
non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would
include the following: an electrical connection having one or more
wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access
memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable
read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a
portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage
device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of
the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable
storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or
store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction
execution system, apparatus, or device.
[0015] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated
data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein,
for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a
propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including,
but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable
combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any
computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage
medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program
for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,
apparatus, or device.
[0016] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be
transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited
to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any
suitable combination of the foregoing.
[0017] Computer program code for carrying out operations for
aspects of the present disclosure may be written in any combination
of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented
programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and
conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C"
programming language or similar programming languages. The program
code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the
user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the
user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the
remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote
computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type
of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area
network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external
computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet
Service Provider).
[0018] Aspects of the present disclosure are described below with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products. It will
be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or
block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart
illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer
program instructions. These computer program instructions may be
provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special
purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus
to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or
blocks.
[0019] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other
programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored
in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture
including instructions which implement the function/act specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0020] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a
computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other
devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on
the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to
produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions
which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus
provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in
the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0021] The following detailed description will generally follow the
summary, as set forth above, further explaining and expanding the
definitions of the various aspects and embodiments as necessary. To
this end, this detailed description first sets forth a computing
environment in FIG. 1 that is suitable to implement the software
and/or hardware techniques associated with the disclosure. A
networked environment is illustrated in FIG. 2 as an extension of
the basic computing environment, to emphasize that modern computing
techniques can be performed across multiple discrete devices.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates information handling system 100, which is
a simplified example of a computer system capable of performing the
computing operations described herein. Information handling system
100 includes one or more processors 110 coupled to processor
interface bus 112. Processor interface bus 112 connects processors
110 to Northbridge 115, which is also known as the Memory
Controller Hub (MCH). Northbridge 115 connects to system memory 120
and provides a means for processor(s) 110 to access the system
memory. Graphics controller 125 also connects to Northbridge 115.
In one embodiment, PCI Express bus 118 connects Northbridge 115 to
graphics controller 125. Graphics controller 125 connects to
display device 130, such as a computer monitor.
[0023] Northbridge 115 and Southbridge 135 connect to each other
using bus 119. In one embodiment, the bus is a Direct Media
Interface (DMI) bus that transfers data at high speeds in each
direction between Northbridge 115 and Southbridge 135. In another
embodiment, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus connects
the Northbridge and the Southbridge. Southbridge 135, also known as
the I/O Controller Hub (ICH) is a chip that generally implements
capabilities that operate at slower speeds than the capabilities
provided by the Northbridge. Southbridge 135 typically provides
various busses used to connect various components. These busses
include, for example, PCI and PCI Express busses, an ISA bus, a
System Management Bus (SMBus or SMB), and/or a Low Pin Count (LPC)
bus. The LPC bus often connects low-bandwidth devices, such as boot
ROM 196 and "legacy" I/O devices (using a "super I/O" chip). The
"legacy" I/O devices (198) can include, for example, serial and
parallel ports, keyboard, mouse, and/or a floppy disk controller.
The LPC bus also connects Southbridge 135 to Trusted Platform
Module (TPM) 195. Other components often included in Southbridge
135 include a Direct Memory Access (DMA) controller, a Programmable
Interrupt Controller (PIC), and a storage device controller, which
connects Southbridge 135 to nonvolatile storage device 185, such as
a hard disk drive, using bus 184.
[0024] ExpressCard 155 is a slot that connects hot-pluggable
devices to the information handling system. ExpressCard 155
supports both PCI Express and USB connectivity as it connects to
Southbridge 135 using both the Universal Serial Bus (USB) the PCI
Express bus. Southbridge 135 includes USB Controller 140 that
provides USB connectivity to devices that connect to the USB. These
devices include webcam (camera) 150, infrared (IR) receiver 148,
keyboard and trackpad 144, and Bluetooth device 146, which provides
for wireless personal area networks (PANs). USB Controller 140 also
provides USB connectivity to other miscellaneous USB connected
devices 142, such as a mouse, removable nonvolatile storage device
145, modems, network cards, ISDN connectors, fax, printers, USB
hubs, and many other types of USB connected devices. While
removable nonvolatile storage device 145 is shown as a
USB-connected device, removable nonvolatile storage device 145
could be connected using a different interface, such as a Firewire
interface, etcetera.
[0025] Wireless Local Area Network (LAN) device 175 connects to
Southbridge 135 via the PCI or PCI Express bus 172. LAN device 175
typically implements one of the IEEE 802.11 standards of
over-the-air modulation techniques that all use the same protocol
to wireless communicate between information handling system 100 and
another computer system or device. Optical storage device 190
connects to Southbridge 135 using Serial ATA (SATA) bus 188. Serial
ATA adapters and devices communicate over a high-speed serial link.
The Serial ATA bus also connects Southbridge 135 to other forms of
storage devices, such as hard disk drives. Audio circuitry 160,
such as a sound card, connects to Southbridge 135 via bus 158.
Audio circuitry 160 also provides functionality such as audio
line-in and optical digital audio in port 162, optical digital
output and headphone jack 164, internal speakers 166, and internal
microphone 168. Ethernet controller 170 connects to Southbridge 135
using a bus, such as the PCI or PCI Express bus. Ethernet
controller 170 connects information handling system 100 to a
computer network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), the Internet,
and other public and private computer networks.
[0026] While FIG. 1 shows one information handling system, an
information handling system may take many forms. For example, an
information handling system may take the form of a desktop, server,
portable, laptop, notebook, or other form factor computer or data
processing system. In addition, an information handling system may
take other form factors such as a personal digital assistant (PDA),
a gaming device, ATM machine, a portable telephone device, a
communication device or other devices that include a processor and
memory.
[0027] The Trusted Platform Module (TPM 195) shown in FIG. 1 and
described herein to provide security functions is but one example
of a hardware security module (HSM). Therefore, the TPM described
and claimed herein includes any type of HSM including, but not
limited to, hardware security devices that conform to the Trusted
Computing Groups (TCG) standard, and entitled "Trusted Platform
Module (TPM) Specification Version 1.2." The TPM is a hardware
security subsystem that may be incorporated into any number of
information handling systems, such as those outlined in FIG. 2.
[0028] FIG. 2 provides an extension of the information handling
system environment shown in FIG. 1 to illustrate that the methods
described herein can be performed on a wide variety of information
handling systems that operate in a networked environment. Types of
information handling systems range from small handheld devices,
such as handheld computer/mobile telephone 210 to large mainframe
systems, such as mainframe computer 270. Examples of handheld
computer 210 include personal digital assistants (PDAs), personal
entertainment devices, such as MP3 players, portable televisions,
and compact disc players. Other examples of information handling
systems include pen, or tablet, computer 220, laptop, or notebook,
computer 230, workstation 240, personal computer system 250, and
server 260. Other types of information handling systems that are
not individually shown in FIG. 2 are represented by information
handling system 280. As shown, the various information handling
systems can be networked together using computer network 200. Types
of computer network that can be used to interconnect the various
information handling systems include Local Area Networks (LANs),
Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), the Internet, the Public
Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), other wireless networks, and any
other network topology that can be used to interconnect the
information handling systems. Many of the information handling
systems include nonvolatile data stores, such as hard drives and/or
nonvolatile memory. Some of the information handling systems shown
in FIG. 2 depicts separate nonvolatile data stores (server 260
utilizes nonvolatile data store 265, mainframe computer 270
utilizes nonvolatile data store 275, and information handling
system 280 utilizes nonvolatile data store 285). The nonvolatile
data store can be a component that is external to the various
information handling systems or can be internal to one of the
information handling systems. In addition, removable nonvolatile
storage device 145 can be shared among two or more information
handling systems using various techniques, such as connecting the
removable nonvolatile storage device 145 to a USB port or other
connector of the information handling systems.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a series of screen diagrams showing automatic
invocation of a magnification interface and a user's subsequent
interaction. Display screen 300, such as a mobile telephone
display, a tablet display, or the like, may be a touch-enabled
display that allows a user to select visual controls using a finger
or may utilize other selection devices such as a stylus, mouse,
etc. Some of these display screens may be relatively small, such as
found in a portable information handling system such as a mobile
telephone, etc. A small display screen may enable the device to be
portable. However, because of the number of visual controls
displayed on a small display screen, it may be difficult for the
user to select a particular visual control, especially when the
area of the display screen is crowded with relatively small visual
controls. In the example shown in FIG. 3, display screen 300 has an
area with a high concentration of small visual controls labeled
"A", "B", "G", and "X". When the user attempts to select one of
these small visual controls, there is a higher likelihood that an
unintended selection will be made. For example, if the user is
attempting to select the "G" visual control, there is a higher
likelihood that the "A", "B", or "X" visual control will be
mistakenly selected due to the close proximity of the controls.
Display screen 310 depicts a user input, such as touching the
display screen with a finger of the user's hand 320. In the example
shown, the user is attempting to select one of the visual controls
"A", "B", "G", or "X". Because of the small size and close spatial
distances between the visual controls, the system responds by
presenting magnification interface 340 shown in screen 330.
Magnification interface 340 displays a larger rendition of the
visual controls that were proximate to the user's input location
where the user touched the screen in display screen 310. Now, with
larger renditions of the visual controls presented, the user can
more easily select the desired visual control (e.g., the "G" visual
control, etc.) with much less likelihood of having an unintended
selection. In one embodiment, the magnification interface (340) is
displayed for a period of time (e.g., three second, etc.) so if the
user does not utilize the magnification interface in the allowed
time period the interface automatically closes. In one embodiment,
the magnification interface automatically closes if the user
touches an area outside of the magnification interface.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing steps performed in
automatically detecting and triggering the magnification interface.
Processing commences at 400 whereupon, at step 405, a user input is
detected at a location on a display screen, such as a touch input
being received at a touch-enabled display screen. In one
embodiment, user-controllable sensitivity settings can be
configured by the user to control the sensitivity of the
magnification interface (e.g., control the screen characteristics
under which the magnification interface is automatically displayed,
etc.). In this embodiment, at step 410, the user-configured
sensitivity settings are retrieved from sensitivity settings
storage area 415 (e.g., a nonvolatile memory, etc.).
[0031] At step 420, the number of visual controls that are
proximate to the detected user input location are identified, such
as the visual controls that are close to the screen location where
the user touched the touch-enabled display screen with his or her
finger. In the embodiment using user-configured sensitivity
settings, the number of controls identified is based on a user
sensitivity setting (e.g., how many rows and columns worth of
visual controls are considered proximate to the touch location,
etc.). A decision is made as to whether there are multiple controls
that are proximate to the user input location (decision 425).
[0032] If there are not multiple controls proximate to the user
input location (e.g., the user selected one of the larger visual
controls shown in display 300 in FIG. 3, etc.), then decision 425
branches to the "no" branch whereupon, a decision is made as to
whether the user input location is within the area of a visual
control (decision 430). If the user input location is within the
area of a visual control, then decision 430 branches to the "yes"
branch whereupon, at step 475 the selection is set to the visual
control corresponding to the user's input location. At step 480,
the visual control is processed (e.g., launched, executed, invoked,
etc.). Processing then ends at 495. On the other hand, if the user
input location is not within the area of a visual control (e.g., in
a blank area of the screen, etc.), then decision 430 branches to
the "no" branch whereupon processing ends at 495.
[0033] Returning to decision 425, if there are multiple controls
proximate to the user's input location, then decision 425 branches
to the "yes" branch for further processing. At step 435, the
relative "closeness" based on spatial distance between the visual
controls proximate to the user input location is identified. At
step 440, the spatial distances between the visual controls is
compared to a default setting or to a user-configured sensitivity
setting if provided by the user. A decision is made, based on the
comparison, as to whether the visual controls are too close
together and, therefore, triggers the magnification interface
(decision 450). If the magnification interface is triggered, then
decision 450 branches to the "yes" branch for magnification
interface processing. At predefined process 460, the magnification
interface process is performed (see FIG. 5 and corresponding text
for processing details). A decision is made as to whether the user
selected a control while the magnification interface was displayed
(decision 470). If the user selected a control within the
magnification interface, then decision 470 branches to the "yes"
branch whereupon, at step 480, the visual control is processed
(e.g., launched, executed, invoked, etc.). On the other hand, if
the user did not select a visual control while the magnification
interface was displayed, then decision 470 branches to the "no"
branch whereupon processing ends at 495.
[0034] Returning to decision 450, if the magnification interface is
not triggered, then decision 450 branches to the "no" branch
whereupon, at step 475 the selection is set to the visual control
corresponding to the user's input location. At step 480, the visual
control is processed (e.g., launched, executed, invoked, etc.).
Processing then ends at 495.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the steps performed in
operating the magnification interface. Processing commences at 500
whereupon, at step 510, the magnification level desired by the user
is retrieved from the user configuration settings. At step 520, the
area on the display screen, such as rows and columns of visual
controls, is identified that are proximate to the user input
location (e.g., the location where the user touched the display
screen with a finger, pointer, etc.). At step 525, a size of the
magnification interface (e.g., a window, etc.) is identified based
on the area that is being magnified and the desired magnification
level. At step 530, the magnification interface is created, such as
using an overlay window, with the magnification interface being of
the identified size.
[0036] At step 540, the first visual control proximate to the user
input location is selected. At step 550, the selected visual
control is enlarged to a larger rendition of the visual control
based on the desired magnification level (e.g., three times larger,
etc.). At step 560, the larger rendition of the selected visual
control is rendered in the magnification interface at a location
that corresponds to the visual control's original location with
respect to the other visual controls that are being displayed in
the magnification interface (e.g., in the same row, column, etc.
respective to the other visual controls, etc.). At step 570, a
decision is made as to whether there are more controls that are
proximate to the user input location that are to be included in the
magnification interface (decision 570). If there are additional
controls to be included in the magnification interface, then
decision 570 branches to the "yes" branch which loops back to
select, magnify, and render the next visual control into the
magnification interface. This looping continues until all of the
visual controls proximate to the user input location have been
selected, magnified, and rendered in the magnification interface,
at which point decision 570 branches to the "no" branch for further
processing.
[0037] At step 575, the magnification interface that includes a
number of larger renditions of the visual controls is displayed to
the user, such as magnification interface 340 shown in FIG. 3.
Processing waits for a second user input from the user, such as the
user touching one of the larger renditions of the controls
displayed in the magnification interface. In one embodiment, a
timer is set (e.g., for three seconds, etc.) so that the
magnification interface is closed if the timer elapses without
receiving a user selection.
[0038] A decision is made as to whether a second user input was
received with the second input location being a location within the
magnification interface (decision 580). If a second input was
received with the second input being within the magnification
interface, then decision 580 branches to the "yes" branch
whereupon, at step 590, the user selection is the (larger) visual
control closest to the user's second input location within the
magnification interface. On the other hand, if a second input was
not received within the magnification interface (e.g., the user
touched an area outside of the magnification interface, the timer
elapsed without the user making a selection, etc.), then decision
580 branches to the "no" branch bypassing step 590. Processing then
returns to the calling routine (see FIG. 4) at 595.
[0039] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in
the art that, based upon the teachings herein, that changes and
modifications may be made without departing from this invention and
its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims are to
encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as
are within the true spirit and scope of this invention.
Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely
defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those with
skill in the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim
element is intended, such intent will be explicitly recited in the
claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such limitation is
present. For non-limiting example, as an aid to understanding, the
following appended claims contain usage of the introductory phrases
"at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim elements.
However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply
that the introduction of a claim element by the indefinite articles
"a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced
claim element to inventions containing only one such element, even
when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more"
or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an"; the
same holds true for the use in the claims of definite articles.
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