U.S. patent application number 14/571097 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-09 for device, method, and graphical user interface for navigating a list of identifiers.
The applicant listed for this patent is Apple Inc.. Invention is credited to Taido L. NAKAJIMA, Policarpo Bonilla WOOD, JR..
Application Number | 20150100881 14/571097 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46048965 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150100881 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAKAJIMA; Taido L. ; et
al. |
April 9, 2015 |
DEVICE, METHOD, AND GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR NAVIGATING A LIST
OF IDENTIFIERS
Abstract
An electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive
surface displays a character selection element for navigating a
list of identifiers. In response to detecting a point of contact on
the display that corresponds to a first location on the first
character selection sub-element on the display, the device displays
a first temporary character element that corresponds to the first
location on the first character selection sub-element. In response
to detecting movement of the contact to a second location on the
character selection sub-element, the device replaces the display of
the first temporary character element with display of second
temporary character element that corresponds to the second location
on the character selection sub-element.
Inventors: |
NAKAJIMA; Taido L.;
(Cupertino, CA) ; WOOD, JR.; Policarpo Bonilla;
(San Jose, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Apple Inc. |
Cupertino |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
46048965 |
Appl. No.: |
14/571097 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13076416 |
Mar 30, 2011 |
8914743 |
|
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14571097 |
|
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61413381 |
Nov 12, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/265 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0482 20130101;
G06F 40/58 20200101; G06F 3/04842 20130101; G06F 3/0488 20130101;
G06F 40/103 20200101; G06F 3/04817 20130101; G06F 3/0485
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/265 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/21 20060101
G06F017/21; G06F 17/28 20060101 G06F017/28; G06F 3/0488 20060101
G06F003/0488; G06F 3/0484 20060101 G06F003/0484; G06F 3/0482
20060101 G06F003/0482 |
Claims
1-24. (canceled)
25. A method, comprising: at an electronic device with a
touch-sensitive display: displaying on the display: a portion of a
list of identifiers, the list of identifiers associated with: a
first number of first content items associated with a first
language; and a second number of second content items, distinct
from the first content items, associated with a second language
distinct from the first language; and, a character selection
element for navigating the list of identifiers, the character
selection element representing a plurality of characters, the
character selection element including: a first character selection
sub-element associated with the first content items that includes
one or more locations corresponding to one or more character
elements in the first language; and a second character selection
sub-element associated with the second content items that includes
one or more locations corresponding to one or more character
elements in the second language; detecting a point of contact on
the display that corresponds to a first location on the first
character selection sub-element on the display; in response to
detecting the point of contact on the display that corresponds to
the first location on the first character selection sub-element on
the display: displaying a first temporary character element in the
first language that corresponds to the first location on the first
character selection sub-element; and displaying a portion of a list
of identifiers with one or more identifiers that have a leading
character corresponding to the first temporary character element in
the first language; detecting movement of the contact to a second
location on the first character selection sub-element on the
display; in response to detecting the movement of the contact to a
second location on the first character selection sub-element on the
display: replacing the display of the first temporary character
element with display of a second temporary character element in the
first language that corresponds to the second location on the first
character selection sub-element; and displaying a portion of a list
of identifiers with one or more identifiers that have a leading
character corresponding to the second temporary character element
in the first language.
26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: detecting further
movement of the contact to a third location on the second character
selection sub-element on the display; in response to detecting the
further movement of the contact to a third location on the second
character selection sub-element on the display: replacing the
display of the second temporary character element with display of a
third temporary character element in the second language that
corresponds to the third location on the second character selection
sub-element; and displaying a portion of a list of identifiers with
one or more identifiers that have a leading character corresponding
to the third temporary character element in the second
language.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein: the first character selection
sub-element has a first size; and the second character selection
sub-element has a second size, wherein the first size relative to
the second size is determined based on the first number relative to
the second number.
28. The method of claim 25, wherein: the respective one or more
character elements in the character selection element are displayed
at a predefined size; a temporary character element that
corresponds to a current position of the contact is displayed at a
size larger than the predefined size.
29. The method of claim 25, wherein the one or more character
elements in the first character selection sub-element correspond to
a first indexing scheme associated with the first language, and the
one or more character elements in the second character selection
sub-element correspond to a second indexing scheme associated with
the second language.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first language is Chinese,
and the first indexing scheme is based on character stroke
count.
31. The device of claim 30, wherein the second language is English,
and the second indexing scheme is based on an alphabet.
32. The method of claim 29, wherein the first language is Japanese,
and the first indexing scheme is based on kana script.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the second language is English,
and the second indexing scheme is based on an alphabet.
34. The method of claim 29, wherein the first language is Korean,
and the first indexing scheme is based on Hangul spelling.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein the second language is English,
and the second indexing scheme is based on an alphabet.
36. The method of claim 25, wherein the list of identifiers are
further associated with a third number of third content items
associated with neither the first language nor the second language,
and the character selection element includes a third character
selection sub-element associated with the third content items and
having a third size.
37. An electronic device, comprising: a display; a touch-sensitive
surface; one or more processors; memory; and one or more programs,
wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and
configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or
more programs including instructions for: displaying on the
display: a portion of a list of identifiers, the list of
identifiers associated with: a first number of first content items
associated with a first language; and a second number of second
content items, distinct from the first content items, associated
with a second language distinct from the first language; and, a
character selection element for navigating the list of identifiers,
the character selection element representing a plurality of
characters, the character selection element including: a first
character selection sub-element associated with the first content
items that includes one or more locations corresponding to one or
more character elements in the first language; and a second
character selection sub-element associated with the second content
items that includes one or more locations corresponding to one or
more character elements in the second language; detecting a point
of contact on the display that corresponds to a first location on
the first character selection sub-element on the display; in
response to detecting the point of contact on the display that
corresponds to the first location on the first character selection
sub-element on the display: displaying a first temporary character
element in the first language that corresponds to the first
location on the first character selection sub-element; and
displaying a portion of a list of identifiers with one or more
identifiers that have a leading character corresponding to the
first temporary character element in the first language; detecting
movement of the contact to a second location on the first character
selection sub-element on the display; in response to detecting the
movement of the contact to a second location on the first character
selection sub-element on the display: replacing the display of the
first temporary character element with display of a second
temporary character element in the first language that corresponds
to the second location on the first character selection
sub-element; and displaying a portion of a list of identifiers with
one or more identifiers that have a leading character corresponding
to the second temporary character element in the first
language.
38. The device of claim 37, wherein the one or more programs
further include instructions for: detecting further movement of the
contact to a third location on the second character selection
sub-element on the display; in response to detecting the further
movement of the contact to a third location on the second character
selection sub-element on the display: replacing the display of the
second temporary character element with display of a third
temporary character element in the second language that corresponds
to the third location on the second character selection
sub-element; and displaying a portion of a list of identifiers with
one or more identifiers that have a leading character corresponding
to the third temporary character element in the second
language.
39. The device of claim 37, wherein: the first character selection
sub-element has a first size; and the second character selection
sub-element has a second size, wherein the first size relative to
the second size is determined based on the first number relative to
the second number.
40. The device of claim 37, wherein: the respective one or more
character elements in the character selection element are displayed
at a predefined size; a temporary character element that
corresponds to a current position of the contact is displayed at a
size larger than the predefined size.
41. The device of claim 37, wherein the one or more character
elements in the first character selection sub-element correspond to
a first indexing scheme associated with the first language, and the
one or more character elements in the second character selection
sub-element correspond to a second indexing scheme associated with
the second language.
42. The device of claim 41, wherein the first language is Chinese,
and the first indexing scheme is based on character stroke
count.
43. The device of claim 42, wherein the second language is English,
and the second indexing scheme is based on an alphabet.
44. The device of claim 41, wherein the first language is Japanese,
and the first indexing scheme is based on kana script.
45. The device of claim 44, wherein the second language is English,
and the second indexing scheme is based on an alphabet.
46. The device of claim 41, wherein the first language is Korean,
and the first indexing scheme is based on Hangul spelling.
47. The device of claim 46, wherein the second language is English,
and the second indexing scheme is based on an alphabet.
48. The device of claim 37, wherein the list of identifiers are
further associated with a third number of third content items
associated with neither the first language nor the second language,
and the character selection element includes a third character
selection sub-element associated with the third content items and
having a third size.
49. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one
or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions,
which when executed by an electronic device with a display and a
touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to: display on the
display: a portion of a list of identifiers, the list of
identifiers associated with: a first number of first content items
associated with a first language; and a second number of second
content items, distinct from the first content items, associated
with a second language distinct from the first language; and, a
character selection element for navigating the list of identifiers,
the character selection element representing a plurality of
characters, the character selection element including: a first
character selection sub-element associated with the first content
items that includes one or more locations corresponding to one or
more character elements in the first language; and a second
character selection sub-element associated with the second content
items that includes one or more locations corresponding to one or
more character elements in the second language; detect a point of
contact on the display that corresponds to a first location on the
first character selection sub-element on the display; in response
to detecting the point of contact on the display that corresponds
to the first location on the first character selection sub-element
on the display: display a first temporary character element in the
first language that corresponds to the first location on the first
character selection sub-element; and display a portion of a list of
identifiers with one or more identifiers that have a leading
character corresponding to the first temporary character element in
the first language; detect movement of the contact to a second
location on the first character selection sub-element on the
display; in response to detecting the movement of the contact to a
second location on the first character selection sub-element on the
display: replace the display of the first temporary character
element with display of a second temporary character element in the
first language that corresponds to the second location on the first
character selection sub-element; and display a portion of a list of
identifiers with one or more identifiers that have a leading
character corresponding to the second temporary character element
in the first language.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/413,381, filed Nov. 12, 2010, entitled
"Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for Navigating a List
of Identifiers," which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This relates generally to electronic devices with displays
and touch-sensitive surfaces, including but not limited to
electronic devices that include a list navigation index bar.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The use of touch-sensitive surfaces as input devices for
computers and other electronic computing devices has increased
significantly in recent years. Exemplary touch-sensitive surfaces
include touch pads and touch screen displays. Such surfaces are
widely used to manipulate user interface objects on a display.
[0004] Exemplary manipulations include navigating through lists to
find a desired piece of content. For example, in a digital content
player (e.g., a portable music and/or video player), a user may
need to navigate through lists of artists, albums, authors,
composers, compilations, or titles (e.g., song titles) to find a
desired piece of content. In many cases, the user needs to search
through artists, albums, authors, composers, compilations, or
titles in multiple languages. For example, a Japanese user may have
Japanese content identified in Japanese and English content
identified in English; a Chinese user may have Chinese content
identified in Chinese, Japanese content identified in Japanese, and
English content identified in English; and so on.
[0005] But existing methods for navigating through lists are
cumbersome and inefficient, particularly when the list contains
identifiers for content in more than one language. Navigating
through lists with multiple languages is tedious and creates a
significant cognitive burden on a user. In addition, existing
navigation methods take longer than necessary, thereby wasting
energy. This latter consideration is particularly important in
battery-operated devices.
SUMMARY
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for electronic devices with
faster, more efficient methods and interfaces for navigating a list
of identifiers for content in more than one language. Such methods
and interfaces may complement or replace conventional methods for
navigating a list of identifiers. Such methods and interfaces
reduce the cognitive burden on a user and produce a more efficient
human-machine interface. For battery-operated devices, such methods
and interfaces conserve power and increase the time between battery
charges.
[0007] The above deficiencies and other problems associated with
user interfaces for electronic devices with touch-sensitive
surfaces are reduced or eliminated by the disclosed devices. In
some embodiments, the device is a desktop computer. In some
embodiments, the device is portable (e.g., a notebook computer,
tablet computer, or handheld device). In some embodiments, the
device has a touchpad. In some embodiments, the device has a
touch-sensitive display (also known as a "touch screen" or "touch
screen display"). In some embodiments, the device has a graphical
user interface (GUI), one or more processors, memory and one or
more modules, programs or sets of instructions stored in the memory
for performing multiple functions. In some embodiments, the user
interacts with the GUI primarily through finger contacts and
gestures on the touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the
functions may include image editing, drawing, presenting, word
processing, website creating, disk authoring, spreadsheet making,
game playing, telephoning, video conferencing, e-mailing, instant
messaging, workout support, digital photographing, digital
videoing, web browsing, digital music playing, and/or digital video
playing. Executable instructions for performing these functions may
be included in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium or
other computer program product configured for execution by one or
more processors.
[0008] In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device
includes a display, a touch-sensitive surface, one or more
processors, memory, and one or more programs. The one or more
programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by
the one or more processors. The one or more programs include
instructions for: displaying on the display: a portion of a list of
identifiers, the list of identifiers associated with: a first
number of first content items associated with a first language, and
a second number of second content items, distinct from the first
content items, associated with a second language distinct from the
first language; and, a character selection element for navigating
the list of identifiers, the character selection element
representing a plurality of characters, the character selection
element including: a first character selection sub-element
associated with the first content items and having a first size,
and a second character selection sub-element associated with the
second content items and having a second size, the first size
relative to the second size being based on the first number
relative to the second number. The one or more programs also
include instructions for detecting an input at a location on the
touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to a location on the first
character selection sub-element on the display; in response to
detecting the input at the location on the touch-sensitive surface
that corresponds to the location on the first character selection
sub-element on the display, displaying a portion of the list of
identifiers with one or more identifiers associated with first
content items; detecting an input at a location on the
touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to a location on the
second character selection sub-element on the display; and, in
response to detecting the input at the location on the
touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the location on the
second character selection sub-element on the display, displaying a
portion of the list of identifiers with one or more identifiers
associated with second content items.
[0009] In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed
at an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive
surface. The method includes: displaying on the display: a portion
of a list of identifiers, the list of identifiers associated with:
a first number of first content items associated with a first
language, and a second number of second content items, distinct
from the first content items, associated with a second language
distinct from the first language; and, a character selection
element for navigating the list of identifiers, the character
selection element representing a plurality of characters, the
character selection element including: a first character selection
sub-element associated with the first content items and having a
first size, and a second character selection sub-element associated
with the second content items and having a second size, the first
size relative to the second size being based on the first number
relative to the second number. The method also includes detecting
an input at a location on the touch-sensitive surface that
corresponds to a location on the first character selection
sub-element on the display; in response to detecting the input at
the location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the
location on the first character selection sub-element on the
display, displaying a portion of the list of identifiers with one
or more identifiers associated with first content items; detecting
an input at a location on the touch-sensitive surface that
corresponds to a location on the second character selection
sub-element on the display; and, in response to detecting the input
at the location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to
the location on the second character selection sub-element on the
display, displaying a portion of the list of identifiers with one
or more identifiers associated with second content items.
[0010] In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user
interface on an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive
surface, a memory, and one or more processors to execute one or
more programs stored in the memory includes: a portion of a list of
identifiers, the list of identifiers associated with: a first
number of first content items associated with a first language, and
a second number of second content items, distinct from the first
content items, associated with a second language distinct from the
first language; and, a character selection element for navigating
the list of identifiers, the character selection element
representing a plurality of characters, the character selection
element including: a first character selection sub-element
associated with the first content items and having a first size,
and a second character selection sub-element associated with the
second content items and having a second size, the first size
relative to the second size being based on the first number
relative to the second number. An input is detected at a location
on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to a location on
the first character selection sub-element on the display. In
response to detecting the input at the location on the
touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the location on the
first character selection sub-element on the display, a portion of
the list of identifiers with one or more identifiers associated
with first content items is displayed. An input is detected at a
location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to a
location on the second character selection sub-element on the
display. In response to detecting the input at the location on the
touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the location on the
second character selection sub-element on the display, a portion of
the list of identifiers with one or more identifiers associated
with second content items is displayed:
[0011] In accordance with some embodiments, a non-transitory
computer readable storage medium has stored therein instructions
which when executed by an electronic device with a display and a
touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to: display on the
display: a portion of a list of identifiers, the list of
identifiers associated with: a first number of first content items
associated with a first language, and a second number of second
content items, distinct from the first content items, associated
with a second language distinct from the first language; and, a
character selection element for navigating the list of identifiers,
the character selection element representing a plurality of
characters, the character selection element including: a first
character selection sub-element associated with the first content
items and having a first size, and a second character selection
sub-element associated with the second content items and having a
second size, the first size relative to the second size being based
on the first number relative to the second number. The computer
readable storage medium has also stored therein instructions which
when executed by an electronic device with a display and a
touch-sensitive surface, cause the device to: detect an input at a
location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to a
location on the first character selection sub-element on the
display; in response to detecting the input at the location on the
touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the location on the
first character selection sub-element on the display, display a
portion of the list of identifiers with one or more identifiers
associated with first content items; detect an input at a location
on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to a location on
the second character selection sub-element on the display; and, in
response to detecting the input at the location on the
touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the location on the
second character selection sub-element on the display, display a
portion of the list of identifiers with one or more identifiers
associated with second content items.
[0012] In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device
includes: a display; a touch-sensitive surface; means for
displaying on the display: a portion of a list of identifiers, the
list of identifiers associated with: a first number of first
content items associated with a first language, and a second number
of second content items, distinct from the first content items,
associated with a second language distinct from the first language;
and, a character selection element for navigating the list of
identifiers, the character selection element representing a
plurality of characters, the character selection element including:
a first character selection sub-element associated with the first
content items and having a first size, and a second character
selection sub-element associated with the second content items and
having a second size, the first size relative to the second size
being based on the first number relative to the second number;
means for detecting an input at a location on the touch-sensitive
surface that corresponds to a location on the first character
selection sub-element on the display; in response to detecting the
input at the location on the touch-sensitive surface that
corresponds to the location on the first character selection
sub-element on the display, means for displaying a portion of the
list of identifiers with one or more identifiers associated with
first content items; means for detecting an input at a location on
the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to a location on the
second character selection sub-element on the display; and, in
response to detecting the input at the location on the
touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the location on the
second character selection sub-element on the display, means for
displaying a portion of the list of identifiers with one or more
identifiers associated with second content items.
[0013] In accordance with some embodiments, an information
processing apparatus for use in an electronic device with a display
and a touch-sensitive surface includes: means for displaying on the
display: a portion of a list of identifiers, the list of
identifiers associated with: a first number of first content items
associated with a first language, and a second number of second
content items, distinct from the first content items, associated
with a second language distinct from the first language; and, a
character selection element for navigating the list of identifiers,
the character selection element representing a plurality of
characters, the character selection element including: a first
character selection sub-element associated with the first content
items and having a first size, and a second character selection
sub-element associated with the second content items and having a
second size, the first size relative to the second size being based
on the first number relative to the second number; means for
detecting an input at a location on the touch-sensitive surface
that corresponds to a location on the first character selection
sub-element on the display; in response to detecting the input at
the location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the
location on the first character selection sub-element on the
display, means for displaying a portion of the list of identifiers
with one or more identifiers associated with first content items;
means for detecting an input at a location on the touch-sensitive
surface that corresponds to a location on the second character
selection sub-element on the display; and, in response to detecting
the input at the location on the touch-sensitive surface that
corresponds to the location on the second character selection
sub-element on the display, means for displaying a portion of the
list of identifiers with one or more identifiers associated with
second content items.
[0014] In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device
includes a display unit for displaying a portion of a list of
identifiers and a character selection element for navigating the
list of identifiers. The list of identifiers is associated with a
first number of first content items associated with a first
language and a second number of second content items, distinct from
the first content items, associated with a second language distinct
from the first language. The character selection element represents
a plurality of characters and includes: a first character selection
sub-element associated with the first content items and having a
first size, and a second character selection sub-element associated
with the second content items and having a second size, the first
size relative to the second size being based on the first number
relative to the second number. The electronic device also includes
a touch-sensitive unit for receiving a user input; and a processing
unit, coupled to the display unit and the touch-sensitive unit. The
processing unit is configured to display on the display unit, in
response to detecting an input at a location on the touch-sensitive
unit that corresponds to a location on the first character
selection sub-element on the display unit, a portion of the list of
identifiers with one or more identifiers associated with first
content items. The processing unit is also configured to display on
the display unit, in response to detecting an input at a location
on the touch-sensitive unit that corresponds to a location on the
second character selection sub-element on the display unit, a
portion of the list of identifiers with one or more identifiers
associated with second content items.
[0015] Thus, electronic devices with displays and touch-sensitive
surfaces are provided with faster, more efficient methods and
interfaces for navigating a list of items, thereby increasing the
effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction with such devices.
Such methods and interfaces may complement or replace conventional
methods for navigating a list of items.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] For a better understanding of the aforementioned embodiments
of the invention as well as additional embodiments thereof,
reference should be made to the Description of Embodiments below,
in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference
numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the figures.
[0017] FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a portable
multifunction device with a touch-sensitive display in accordance
with some embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components
for event handling in accordance with some embodiments.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device having a
touch screen in accordance with some embodiments.
[0020] FIG. 3A is a block diagram of an exemplary multifunction
device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance
with some embodiments.
[0021] FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary portable electronic device
with a touch-screen in accordance with some embodiments.
[0022] FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary user interface for a menu
of applications on a portable multifunction device in accordance
with some embodiments.
[0023] FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary user interface for a
multifunction device with a touch-sensitive surface that is
separate from the display in accordance with some embodiments.
[0024] FIGS. 5A-5N illustrate exemplary user interfaces for
navigating a list of identifiers in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a data structure for a content
item database in accordance to some embodiments.
[0026] FIGS. 7A-7D are flow diagrams illustrating a method of
navigating a list of identifiers in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of an electronic device
in accordance with some embodiments.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Many electronic devices have graphical user interfaces for
accessing items such as digital content (e.g., music and videos),
electronic documents, and so forth. The graphical user interface
may include lists and sub-lists of identifiers associated with the
items. An item is accessed by navigating the lists and sub-lists of
identifiers and selecting the identifier that corresponds to the
desired item.
[0029] Here, an electronic device is disclosed that displays a
character selection element, such as an index bar, for skipping to
particular identifiers in a list (e.g., identifiers that start with
a particular letter). The character selection element includes at
least two sub-elements. A first sub-element represents characters
in a first language (e.g., Japanese characters) and is used to
navigate though content in the first language (e.g., Japanese
content). A second sub-element represents characters in a second
language (e.g., English letters) and is used to navigate though
content in the second language (e.g., English content). The
character selection sub-elements are sized according to the
relative numbers of content items in each respective language on
the device. For example, if a user has a music player application
with 3000 songs, including 2000 Japanese songs and 1000 English
songs, then the length of the Japanese character selection
sub-element would be twice the length of the English character
selection sub-element. Similarly, if a user has a music player
application with 6000 songs, including 3000 Chinese songs, 2000
Japanese songs and 1000 English songs, then the ratio of the
lengths of the Chinese, Japanese, and English character selection
sub-elements would be 3:2:1, respectively. Thus, the character
selection element gives the user a visual cue as to the relative
number of content items in particular languages that are stored in
the device. In addition, a user can interact with a respective
character selection sub-element (e.g., via a finger gesture on the
sub-element) to quickly navigate through content in a particular
language on the device. Thus, interaction with the character
selection element streamlines access to content items in different
languages. This sort of navigation is particularly useful on
portable devices with small touch screen displays, such as portable
media players.
[0030] Below, FIGS. 1A-1B, 2, 3A, 3B, and 8 provide a description
of exemplary devices. FIGS. 4A-4B and 5A-5N illustrate exemplary
user interfaces for navigating a list of identifiers for content
items in more than one language. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary
data structure for content items. FIGS. 7A-7D are flow diagrams
illustrating a method of navigating a list of identifiers. The user
interfaces in FIGS. 5A-5N are used to illustrate the processes in
FIGS. 7A-7D.
Exemplary Devices
[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In
the following detailed description, numerous specific details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
present invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well-known
methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not
been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects
of the embodiments.
[0032] It will also be understood that, although the terms first,
second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these
elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only
used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first
contact could be termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second
contact could be termed a first contact, without departing from the
scope of the present invention. The first contact and the second
contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contact.
[0033] The terminology used in the description of the invention
herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only
and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the
description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular
forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms
as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will
also be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein refers to
and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of
the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the
terms "includes," "including," "comprises," and/or "comprising,"
when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components,
but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
groups thereof.
[0034] As used herein, the term "if" may be construed to mean
"when" or "upon" or "in response to determining" or "in response to
detecting," depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase "if it
is determined" or "if [a stated condition or event] is detected"
may be construed to mean "upon determining" or "in response to
determining" or "upon detecting [the stated condition or event]" or
"in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],"
depending on the context.
[0035] As used herein, the term "resolution" of a display refers to
the number of pixels (also called "pixel counts" or "pixel
resolution") along each axis or in each dimension of the display.
For example, a display may have a resolution of 320.times.480
pixels. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "resolution" of a
multifunction device refers to the resolution of a display in the
multifunction device. The term "resolution" does not imply any
limitations on the size of each pixel or the spacing of pixels. For
example, compared to a first display with a 1024.times.768-pixel
resolution, a second display with a 320.times.480-pixel resolution
has a lower resolution. However, it should be noted that the
physical size of a display depends not only on the pixel
resolution, but also on many other factors, including the pixel
size and the spacing of pixels. Therefore, the first display may
have the same, smaller, or larger physical size, compared to the
second display.
[0036] Embodiments of electronic devices, user interfaces for such
devices, and associated processes for using such devices are
described. In some embodiments, the device is a portable
communications device, such as a mobile telephone, that also
contains other functions, such as PDA and/or music player
functions. Exemplary embodiments of portable multifunction devices
include, without limitation, the iPhone.RTM., iPod Touch.RTM. iPod
Nano.RTM., and iPad.RTM. devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino,
Calif. Other portable electronic devices, such as laptops or tablet
computers with touch-sensitive surfaces (e.g., touch screen
displays and/or touch pads), may also be used. It should also be
understood that, in some embodiments, the device is not a portable
communications device, but is a desktop computer with a
touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touch screen display and/or a
touch pad).
[0037] In the discussion that follows, an electronic device that
includes a display and a touch-sensitive surface is described. It
should be understood, however, that the electronic device may
include one or more other physical user-interface devices, such as
a physical keyboard, a mouse and/or a joystick.
[0038] The device typically supports a variety of applications,
such as one or more of the following: a drawing application, a
presentation application, a word processing application, a website
creation application, a disk authoring application, a spreadsheet
application, a gaming application, a telephone application, a video
conferencing application, an e-mail application, an instant
messaging application, a workout support application, a photo
management application, a digital camera application, a digital
video camera application, a web browsing application, a digital
music player application, and/or a digital video player
application.
[0039] The various applications that may be executed on the device
may use at least one common physical user-interface device, such as
the touch-sensitive surface. One or more functions of the
touch-sensitive surface as well as corresponding information
displayed on the device may be adjusted and/or varied from one
application to the next and/or within a respective application. In
this way, a common physical architecture (such as the
touch-sensitive surface) of the device may support the variety of
applications with user interfaces that are intuitive and
transparent to the user.
[0040] Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable
devices with touch-sensitive displays. FIG. 1A is a block diagram
illustrating portable multifunction device 100 with touch-sensitive
displays 112 in accordance with some embodiments. Touch-sensitive
display 112 is sometimes called a "touch screen" for convenience,
and may also be known as or called a touch-sensitive display
system. Device 100 may include memory 102 (which may include one or
more non-transitory computer readable storage mediums), memory
controller 122, one or more processing units (CPU's) 120,
peripherals interface 118, RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110,
speaker 111, microphone 113, input/output (I/O) subsystem 106,
other input or control devices 116, and external port 124. Device
100 may include one or more optical sensors 164. These components
may communicate over one or more communication buses or signal
lines 103.
[0041] It should be appreciated that device 100 is only one example
of a portable multifunction device, and that device 100 may have
more or fewer components than shown, may combine two or more
components, or may have a different configuration or arrangement of
the components. The various components shown in FIG. 1A may be
implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both
hardware and software, including one or more signal processing
and/or application specific integrated circuits.
[0042] Memory 102 may include high-speed random access memory and
may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic
disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile
solid-state memory devices. Access to memory 102 by other
components of device 100, such as CPU 120 and the peripherals
interface 118, may be controlled by memory controller 122.
[0043] Peripherals interface 118 can be used to couple input and
output peripherals of the device to CPU 120 and memory 102. The one
or more processors 120 run or execute various software programs
and/or sets of instructions stored in memory 102 to perform various
functions for device 100 and to process data.
[0044] In some embodiments, peripherals interface 118, CPU 120, and
memory controller 122 may be implemented on a single chip, such as
chip 104. In some other embodiments, they may be implemented on
separate chips.
[0045] RF (radio frequency) circuitry 108 receives and sends RF
signals, also called electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108
converts electrical signals to/from electromagnetic signals and
communicates with communications networks and other communications
devices via the electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 may
include well-known circuitry for performing these functions,
including but not limited to an antenna system, an RF transceiver,
one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or more oscillators, a digital
signal processor, a CODEC chipset, a subscriber identity module
(SIM) card, memory, and so forth. RF circuitry 108 may communicate
with networks, such as the Internet, also referred to as the World
Wide Web (WWW), an intranet and/or a wireless network, such as a
cellular telephone network, a wireless local area network (LAN)
and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), and other devices by
wireless communication. The wireless communication may use any of a
plurality of communications standards, protocols and technologies,
including but not limited to Global System for Mobile
Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE),
high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), high-speed uplink packet
access (HSUPA), wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA),
code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access
(TDMA), Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a,
IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/or IEEE 802.11n), voice over
Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocol for e-mail (e.g.,
Internet message access protocol (IMAP) and/or post office protocol
(POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensible messaging and presence
protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol for Instant Messaging
and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messaging and
Presence Service (IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS), or
any other suitable communication protocol, including communication
protocols not yet developed as of the filing date of this
document.
[0046] Audio circuitry 110, speaker 111, and microphone 113 provide
an audio interface between a user and device 100. Audio circuitry
110 receives audio data from peripherals interface 118, converts
the audio data to an electrical signal, and transmits the
electrical signal to speaker 111. Speaker 111 converts the
electrical signal to human-audible sound waves. Audio circuitry 110
also receives electrical signals converted by microphone 113 from
sound waves. Audio circuitry 110 converts the electrical signal to
audio data and transmits the audio data to peripherals interface
118 for processing. Audio data may be retrieved from and/or
transmitted to memory 102 and/or RF circuitry 108 by peripherals
interface 118. In some embodiments, audio circuitry 110 also
includes a headset jack (e.g., 212, FIG. 2). The headset jack
provides an interface between audio circuitry 110 and removable
audio input/output peripherals, such as output-only headphones or a
headset with both output (e.g., a headphone for one or both ears)
and input (e.g., a microphone).
[0047] I/O subsystem 106 couples input/output peripherals on device
100, such as touch screen 112 and other input control devices 116,
to peripherals interface 118. I/O subsystem 106 may include display
controller 156 and one or more input controllers 160 for other
input or control devices. The one or more input controllers 160
receive/send electrical signals from/to other input or control
devices 116. The other input control devices 116 may include
physical buttons (e.g., push buttons, rocker buttons, etc.), dials,
slider switches, joysticks, click wheels, and so forth. In some
alternate embodiments, input controller(s) 160 may be coupled to
any (or none) of the following: a keyboard, infrared port, USB
port, and a pointer device such as a mouse. The one or more buttons
(e.g., 208, FIG. 2) may include an up/down button for volume
control of speaker 111 and/or microphone 113. The one or more
buttons may include a push button (e.g., 206, FIG. 2).
[0048] Touch-sensitive display 112 provides an input interface and
an output interface between the device and a user. Display
controller 156 receives and/or sends electrical signals from/to
touch screen 112. Touch screen 112 displays visual output to the
user. The visual output may include graphics, text, icons, video,
and any combination thereof (collectively termed "graphics"). In
some embodiments, some or all of the visual output may correspond
to user-interface objects.
[0049] Touch screen 112 has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or
set of sensors that accepts input from the user based on haptic
and/or tactile contact. Touch screen 112 and display controller 156
(along with any associated modules and/or sets of instructions in
memory 102) detect contact (and any movement or breaking of the
contact) on touch screen 112 and converts the detected contact into
interaction with user-interface objects (e.g., one or more soft
keys, icons, web pages or images) that are displayed on touch
screen 112. In an exemplary embodiment, a point of contact between
touch screen 112 and the user corresponds to a finger of the
user.
[0050] Touch screen 112 may use LCD (liquid crystal display)
technology, LPD (light emitting polymer display) technology, or LED
(light emitting diode) technology, although other display
technologies may be used in other embodiments. Touch screen 112 and
display controller 156 may detect contact and any movement or
breaking thereof using any of a plurality of touch sensing
technologies now known or later developed, including but not
limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, and surface acoustic
wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensor arrays or
other elements for determining one or more points of contact with
touch screen 112. In an exemplary embodiment, projected mutual
capacitance sensing technology is used, such as that found in the
iPhone.RTM., iPod Touch.RTM., iPod Nano.RTM., and iPad.RTM. from
Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.
[0051] Touch screen 112 may have a video resolution in excess of
100 dpi. In some embodiments, the touch screen has a video
resolution of approximately 160 dpi. The user may make contact with
touch screen 112 using any suitable object or appendage, such as a
stylus, a finger, and so forth. In some embodiments, the user
interface is designed to work primarily with finger-based contacts
and gestures, which can be less precise than stylus-based input due
to the larger area of contact of a finger on the touch screen. In
some embodiments, the device translates the rough finger-based
input into a precise pointer/cursor position or command for
performing the actions desired by the user.
[0052] In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device
100 may include a touchpad (not shown) for activating or
deactivating particular functions. In some embodiments, the
touchpad is a touch-sensitive area of the device that, unlike the
touch screen, does not display visual output. The touchpad may be a
touch-sensitive surface that is separate from touch screen 112 or
an extension of the touch-sensitive surface formed by the touch
screen.
[0053] Device 100 also includes power system 162 for powering the
various components. Power system 162 may include a power management
system, one or more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating
current (AC)), a recharging system, a power failure detection
circuit, a power converter or inverter, a power status indicator
(e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED)) and any other components
associated with the generation, management and distribution of
power in portable devices.
[0054] Device 100 may also include one or more optical sensors 164.
FIG. 1A shows an optical sensor coupled to optical sensor
controller 158 in I/O subsystem 106. Optical sensor 164 may include
charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide
semiconductor (CMOS) phototransistors. Optical sensor 164 receives
light from the environment, projected through one or more lens, and
converts the light to data representing an image. In conjunction
with imaging module 143 (also called a camera module), optical
sensor 164 may capture still images or video. In some embodiments,
an optical sensor is located on the back of device 100, opposite
touch screen display 112 on the front of the device, so that the
touch screen display may be used as a viewfinder for still and/or
video image acquisition. In some embodiments, another optical
sensor is located on the front of the device so that the user's
image may be obtained for videoconferencing while the user views
the other video conference participants on the touch screen
display.
[0055] Device 100 may also include one or more proximity sensors
166. FIG. 1A shows proximity sensor 166 coupled to peripherals
interface 118. Alternately, proximity sensor 166 may be coupled to
input controller 160 in I/O subsystem 106. In some embodiments, the
proximity sensor turns off and disables touch screen 112 when the
multifunction device is placed near the user's ear (e.g., when the
user is making a phone call).
[0056] Device 100 may also include one or more accelerometers 168.
FIG. 1A shows accelerometer 168 coupled to peripherals interface
118. Alternately, accelerometer 168 may be coupled to an input
controller 160 in I/O subsystem 106. In some embodiments,
information is displayed on the touch screen display in a portrait
view or a landscape view based on an analysis of data received from
the one or more accelerometers. Device 100 optionally includes, in
addition to accelerometer(s) 168, a magnetometer (not shown) and a
GPS (or GLONASS or other global navigation system) receiver (not
shown) for obtaining information concerning the location and
orientation (e.g., portrait or landscape) of device 100.
[0057] In some embodiments, the software components stored in
memory 102 include operating system 126, communication module (or
set of instructions) 128, contact/motion module (or set of
instructions) 130, graphics module (or set of instructions) 132,
text input module (or set of instructions) 134, Global Positioning
System (GPS) module (or set of instructions) 135, and applications
(or sets of instructions) 136. Furthermore, in some embodiments
memory 102 stores device/global internal state 157, as shown in
FIGS. 1A and 3. Device/global internal state 157 includes one or
more of: active application state, indicating which applications,
if any, are currently active; display state, indicating what
applications, views or other information occupy various regions of
touch screen display 112; sensor state, including information
obtained from the device's various sensors and input control
devices 116; and location information concerning the device's
location and/or attitude.
[0058] 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.
[0059] 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 RF
circuitry 108 and/or external port 124. External port 124 (e.g.,
Universal Serial Bus (USB), FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for coupling
directly to other devices or indirectly over a network (e.g., the
Internet, wireless LAN, etc.). In some embodiments, the external
port is a multi-pin (e.g., 30-pin) connector that is the same as,
or similar to and/or compatible with the 30-pin connector used on
iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.) devices.
[0060] Contact/motion module 130 may detect contact with touch
screen 112 (in conjunction with display controller 156) and other
touch sensitive devices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel).
Contact/motion module 130 includes various software components for
performing various operations related to detection of contact, such
as determining if contact has occurred (e.g., detecting a
finger-down event), determining if there is movement of the contact
and tracking the movement across the touch-sensitive surface (e.g.,
detecting one or more finger-dragging events), and determining if
the contact has ceased (e.g., detecting a finger-up event or a
break in contact). Contact/motion module 130 receives contact data
from the touch-sensitive surface. Determining movement of the point
of contact, which is represented by a series of contact data, may
include determining speed (magnitude), velocity (magnitude and
direction), and/or an acceleration (a change in magnitude and/or
direction) of the point of contact. These operations may be applied
to single contacts (e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiple
simultaneous contacts (e.g., "multitouch"/multiple finger
contacts). In some embodiments, contact/motion module 130 and
display controller 156 detect contact on a touchpad.
[0061] Contact/motion module 130 may detect a gesture input by a
user. Different gestures on the touch-sensitive surface have
different contact patterns. Thus, a gesture may be detected by
detecting a particular contact pattern. For example, detecting a
finger tap gesture includes detecting a finger-down event followed
by detecting a finger-up (lift off) event at the same position (or
substantially the same position) as the finger-down event (e.g., at
the position of an icon). As another example, detecting a finger
swipe gesture on the touch-sensitive surface includes detecting a
finger-down event followed by detecting one or more finger-dragging
events, and subsequently followed by detecting a finger-up (lift
off) event.
[0062] Graphics module 132 includes various known software
components for rendering and displaying graphics on touch screen
112 or other display, including components for changing the
intensity of graphics that are displayed. As used herein, the term
"graphics" includes any object that can be displayed to a user,
including without limitation text, web pages, icons (such as
user-interface objects including soft keys), digital images,
videos, animations and the like.
[0063] In some embodiments, graphics module 132 stores data
representing graphics to be used. Each graphic may be assigned a
corresponding code. Graphics module 132 receives, from applications
etc., one or more codes specifying graphics to be displayed along
with, if necessary, coordinate data and other graphic property
data, and then generates screen image data to output to display
controller 156.
[0064] 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).
[0065] 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).
[0066] Applications 136 may include the following modules (or sets
of instructions), or a subset or superset thereof: [0067] contacts
module 137 (sometimes called an address book or contact list);
[0068] telephone module 138; [0069] video conferencing module 139;
[0070] e-mail client module 140; [0071] instant messaging (IM)
module 141; [0072] workout support module 142; [0073] camera module
143 for still and/or video images; [0074] image management module
144; [0075] browser module 147; [0076] calendar module 148; [0077]
widget modules 149, which may include one or more of: weather
widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 149-3, alarm
clock widget 149-4, dictionary widget 149-5, and other widgets
obtained by the user, as well as user-created widgets 149-6; [0078]
widget creator module 150 for making user-created widgets 149-6;
[0079] search module 151; [0080] video and music player module 152,
which may be made up of a video player module and a music player
module; [0081] notes module 153; [0082] map module 154; and/or
[0083] online video module 155.
[0084] 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.
[0085] In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller
156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module
134, contacts module 137 may be used to manage an address book or
contact list (e.g., stored in application internal state 192 of
contacts module 137 in memory 102 or memory 370), including: adding
name(s) to the address book; deleting name(s) from the address
book; associating telephone number(s), e-mail address(es), physical
address(es) or other information with a name; associating an image
with a name; categorizing and sorting names; providing telephone
numbers or e-mail addresses to initiate and/or facilitate
communications by telephone 138, video conference 139, e-mail 140,
or IM 141; and so forth.
[0086] In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110,
speaker 111, microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller
156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module
134, telephone module 138 may be used to enter a sequence of
characters corresponding to a telephone number, access one or more
telephone numbers in address book 137, modify a telephone number
that has been entered, dial a respective telephone number, conduct
a conversation and disconnect or hang up when the conversation is
completed. As noted above, the wireless communication may use any
of a plurality of communications standards, protocols and
technologies.
[0087] In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110,
speaker 111, microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller
156, optical sensor 164, optical sensor controller 158, contact
module 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, contact
list 137, and telephone module 138, videoconferencing module 139
includes executable instructions to initiate, conduct, and
terminate a video conference between a user and one or more other
participants in accordance with user instructions.
[0088] In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112,
display controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132,
and text input module 134, e-mail client module 140 includes
executable instructions to create, send, receive, and manage e-mail
in response to user instructions. In conjunction with image
management module 144, e-mail client module 140 makes it very easy
to create and send e-mails with still or video images taken with
camera module 143.
[0089] In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112,
display controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132,
and text input module 134, the instant messaging module 141
includes executable instructions to enter a sequence of characters
corresponding to an instant message, to modify previously entered
characters, to transmit a respective instant message (for example,
using a Short Message Service (SMS) or Multimedia Message Service
(MMS) protocol for telephony-based instant messages or using XMPP,
SIMPLE, or IMPS for Internet-based instant messages), to receive
instant messages and to view received instant messages. In some
embodiments, transmitted and/or received instant messages may
include graphics, photos, audio files, video files and/or other
attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or an Enhanced Messaging
Service (EMS). As used herein, "instant messaging" refers to both
telephony-based messages (e.g., messages sent using SMS or MMS) and
Internet-based messages (e.g., messages sent using XMPP, SIMPLE, or
IMPS).
[0090] In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112,
display controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132,
text input module 134, GPS module 135, map module 154, and music
player module 146, workout support module 142 includes executable
instructions to create workouts (e.g., with time, distance, and/or
calorie burning goals); communicate with workout sensors (sports
devices); receive workout sensor data; calibrate sensors used to
monitor a workout; select and play music for a workout; and
display, store and transmit workout data.
[0091] In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller
156, optical sensor(s) 164, optical sensor controller 158, contact
module 130, graphics module 132, and image management module 144,
camera module 143 includes executable instructions to capture still
images or video (including a video stream) and store them into
memory 102, modify characteristics of a still image or video, or
delete a still image or video from memory 102.
[0092] In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller
156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text input module
134, and camera module 143, image management module 144 includes
executable instructions to arrange, modify (e.g., edit), or
otherwise manipulate, label, delete, present (e.g., in a digital
slide show or album), and store still and/or video images.
[0093] In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112,
display system controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module
132, and text input module 134, browser module 147 includes
executable instructions to browse the Internet in accordance with
user instructions, including searching, linking to, receiving, and
displaying web pages or portions thereof, as well as attachments
and other files linked to web pages.
[0094] In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112,
display system controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module
132, text input module 134, e-mail client module 140, and browser
module 147, calendar module 148 includes executable instructions to
create, display, modify, and store calendars and data associated
with calendars (e.g., calendar entries, to do lists, etc.) in
accordance with user instructions.
[0095] In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112,
display system controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module
132, text input module 134, and browser module 147, widget modules
149 are mini-applications that may be downloaded and used by a user
(e.g., weather widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget
149-3, alarm clock widget 149-4, and dictionary widget 149-5) or
created by the user (e.g., user-created widget 149-6). In some
embodiments, a widget includes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
file, a CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file.
In some embodiments, a widget includes an XML (Extensible Markup
Language) file and a JavaScript file (e.g., Yahoo! Widgets).
[0096] 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).
[0097] In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system
controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text
input module 134, search module 151 includes executable
instructions to search for text, music, sound, image, video, and/or
other files in memory 102 that match one or more search criteria
(e.g., one or more user-specified search terms) in accordance with
user instructions.
[0098] In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system
controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio
circuitry 110, speaker 111, RF circuitry 108, and browser module
147, video and music player module 152 includes executable
instructions that allow the user to download and play back recorded
music and other sound files stored in one or more file formats,
such as MP3 or AAC files, and executable instructions to display,
present or otherwise play back videos (e.g., on touch screen 112 or
on an external, connected display via external port 124). In some
embodiments, device 100 may include the functionality of an MP3
player, such as an iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.).
[0099] In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller
156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module
134, notes module 153 includes executable instructions to create
and manage notes, to do lists, and the like in accordance with user
instructions.
[0100] In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112,
display system controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module
132, text input module 134, GPS module 135, and browser module 147,
map module 154 may be used to receive, display, modify, and store
maps and data associated with maps (e.g., driving directions; data
on stores and other points of interest at or near a particular
location; and other location-based data) in accordance with user
instructions.
[0101] In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system
controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio
circuitry 110, speaker 111, RF circuitry 108, text input module
134, e-mail client module 140, and browser module 147, online video
module 155 includes instructions that allow the user to access,
browse, receive (e.g., by streaming and/or download), play back
(e.g., on the touch screen or on an external, connected display via
external port 124), send an e-mail with a link to a particular
online video, and otherwise manage online videos in one or more
file formats, such as H.264. In some embodiments, instant messaging
module 141, rather than e-mail client module 140, is used to send a
link to a particular online video.
[0102] Each of the above identified modules and applications
correspond to a set of executable instructions for performing one
or more functions described above and the methods described in this
application (e.g., the computer-implemented methods and other
information processing methods described herein). These modules
(i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate
software programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets
of these modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in
various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory 102 may store a
subset of the modules and data structures identified above.
Furthermore, memory 102 may store additional modules and data
structures not described above.
[0103] In some embodiments, device 100 is a device where operation
of a predefined set of functions on the device is performed
exclusively through a touch screen and/or a touchpad. By using a
touch screen and/or a touchpad as the primary input control device
for operation of device 100, the number of physical input control
devices (such as push buttons, dials, and the like) on device 100
may be reduced.
[0104] The predefined set of functions that may be performed
exclusively through a touch screen and/or a touchpad include
navigation between user interfaces. In some embodiments, the
touchpad, when touched by the user, navigates device 100 to a main,
home, or root menu from any user interface that may be displayed on
device 100. In such embodiments, the touchpad may be referred to as
a "menu button." In some other embodiments, the menu button may be
a physical push button or other physical input control device
instead of a touchpad.
[0105] One or more content items 600 may be stored in memory 102.
Content items 600 may include text, music, sound, image, video,
and/or other files. A respective content item 600 may be opened by
any compatible or suitable application 136.
[0106] FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components
for event handling in accordance with some embodiments. In some
embodiments, memory 102 (in FIG. 1A) or 370 (FIG. 3) includes event
sorter 170 (e.g., in operating system 126) and a respective
application 136-1 (e.g., any of the aforementioned applications
137-151, 155, 380-390).
[0107] Event sorter 170 receives event information and determines
the application 136-1 and application view 191 of application 136-1
to which to deliver the event information. Event sorter 170
includes event monitor 171 and event dispatcher module 174. In some
embodiments, application 136-1 includes application internal state
192, which indicates the current application view(s) displayed on
touch sensitive display 112 when the application is active or
executing. In some embodiments, device/global internal state 157 is
used by event sorter 170 to determine which application(s) is (are)
currently active, and application internal state 192 is used by
event sorter 170 to determine application views 191 to which to
deliver event information.
[0108] In some embodiments, application internal state 192 includes
additional information, such as one or more of: resume information
to be used when application 136-1 resumes execution, user interface
state information that indicates information being displayed or
that is ready for display by application 136-1, a state queue for
enabling the user to go back to a prior state or view of
application 136-1, and a redo/undo queue of previous actions taken
by the user.
[0109] Event monitor 171 receives event information from
peripherals interface 118. Event information includes information
about a sub-event (e.g., a user touch on touch-sensitive display
112, as part of a multi-touch gesture). Peripherals interface 118
transmits information it receives from I/O subsystem 106 or a
sensor, such as proximity sensor 166, accelerometer(s) 168, and/or
microphone 113 (through audio circuitry 110). Information that
peripherals interface 118 receives from I/O subsystem 106 includes
information from touch-sensitive display 112 or a touch-sensitive
surface.
[0110] In some embodiments, event monitor 171 sends requests to the
peripherals interface 118 at predetermined intervals. In response,
peripherals interface 118 transmits event information. In other
embodiments, peripheral interface 118 transmits event information
only when there is a significant event (e.g., receiving an input
above a predetermined noise threshold and/or for more than a
predetermined duration).
[0111] In some embodiments, event sorter 170 also includes a hit
view determination module 172 and/or an active event recognizer
determination module 173.
[0112] Hit view determination module 172 provides software
procedures for determining where a sub-event has taken place within
one or more views, when touch sensitive display 112 displays more
than one view. Views are made up of controls and other elements
that a user can see on the display.
[0113] Another aspect of the user interface associated with an
application is a set of views, sometimes herein called application
views or user interface windows, in which information is displayed
and touch-based gestures occur. The application views (of a
respective application) in which a touch is detected may correspond
to programmatic levels within a programmatic or view hierarchy of
the application. For example, the lowest level view in which a
touch is detected may be called the hit view, and the set of events
that are recognized as proper inputs may be determined based, at
least in part, on the hit view of the initial touch that begins a
touch-based gesture.
[0114] Hit view determination module 172 receives information
related to sub-events of a touch-based gesture. When an application
has multiple views organized in a hierarchy, hit view determination
module 172 identifies a hit view as the lowest view in the
hierarchy which should handle the sub-event. In most circumstances,
the hit view is the lowest level view in which an initiating
sub-event occurs (i.e., the first sub-event in the sequence of
sub-events that form an event or potential event). Once the hit
view is identified by the hit view determination module, the hit
view typically receives all sub-events related to the same touch or
input source for which it was identified as the hit view.
[0115] Active event recognizer determination module 173 determines
which view or views within a view hierarchy should receive a
particular sequence of sub-events. In some embodiments, active
event recognizer determination module 173 determines that only the
hit view should receive a particular sequence of sub-events. In
other embodiments, active event recognizer determination module 173
determines that all views that include the physical location of a
sub-event are actively involved views, and therefore determines
that all actively involved views should receive a particular
sequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, even if touch
sub-events were entirely confined to the area associated with one
particular view, views higher in the hierarchy would still remain
as actively involved views.
[0116] Event dispatcher module 174 dispatches the event information
to an event recognizer (e.g., event recognizer 180). In embodiments
including active event recognizer determination module 173, event
dispatcher module 174 delivers the event information to an event
recognizer determined by active event recognizer determination
module 173. In some embodiments, event dispatcher module 174 stores
in an event queue the event information, which is retrieved by a
respective event receiver module 182.
[0117] In some embodiments, operating system 126 includes event
sorter 170. Alternatively, application 136-1 includes event sorter
170. In yet other embodiments, event sorter 170 is a stand-alone
module, or a part of another module stored in memory 102, such as
contact/motion module 130.
[0118] In some embodiments, application 136-1 includes a plurality
of event handlers 190 and one or more application views 191, each
of which includes instructions for handling touch events that occur
within a respective view of the application's user interface. Each
application view 191 of the application 136-1 includes one or more
event recognizers 180. Typically, a respective application view 191
includes a plurality of event recognizers 180. In other
embodiments, one or more of event recognizers 180 are part of a
separate module, such as a user interface kit (not shown) or a
higher level object from which application 136-1 inherits methods
and other properties. In some embodiments, a respective event
handler 190 includes one or more of: data updater 176, object
updater 177, GUI updater 178, and/or event data 179 received from
event sorter 170. Event handler 190 may utilize or call data
updater 176, object updater 177 or GUI updater 178 to update the
application internal state 192. Alternatively, one or more of the
application views 191 includes one or more respective event
handlers 190. Also, in some embodiments, one or more of data
updater 176, object updater 177, and GUI updater 178 are included
in a respective application view 191.
[0119] A respective event recognizer 180 receives event information
(e.g., event data 179) from event sorter 170, and identifies an
event from the event information. Event recognizer 180 includes
event receiver 182 and event comparator 184. In some embodiments,
event recognizer 180 also includes at least a subset of: metadata
183, and event delivery instructions 188 (which may include
sub-event delivery instructions).
[0120] Event receiver 182 receives event information from event
sorter 170. The event information includes information about a
sub-event, for example, a touch or a touch movement. Depending on
the sub-event, the event information also includes additional
information, such as location of the sub-event. When the sub-event
concerns motion of a touch the event information may also include
speed and direction of the sub-event. In some embodiments, events
include rotation of the device from one orientation to another
(e.g., from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation, or
vice versa), and the event information includes corresponding
information about the current orientation (also called device
attitude) of the device.
[0121] Event comparator 184 compares the event information to
predefined event or sub-event definitions and, based on the
comparison, determines an event or sub-event, or determines or
updates the state of an event or sub-event. In some embodiments,
event comparator 184 includes event definitions 186. Event
definitions 186 contain definitions of events (e.g., predefined
sequences of sub-events), for example, event 1 (187-1), event 2
(187-2), and others. In some embodiments, sub-events in an event
187 include, for example, touch begin, touch end, touch movement,
touch cancellation, and multiple touching. In one example, the
definition for event 1 (187-1) is a double tap on a displayed
object. The double tap, for example, comprises a first touch (touch
begin) on the displayed object for a predetermined phase, a first
lift-off (touch end) for a predetermined phase, a second touch
(touch begin) on the displayed object for a predetermined phase,
and a second lift-off (touch end) for a predetermined phase. In
another example, the definition for event 2 (187-2) is a dragging
on a displayed object. The dragging, for example, comprises a touch
(or contact) on the displayed object for a predetermined phase, a
movement of the touch across touch-sensitive display 112, and
lift-off of the touch (touch end). In some embodiments, the event
also includes information for one or more associated event handlers
190.
[0122] In some embodiments, event definition 187 includes a
definition of an event for a respective user-interface object. In
some embodiments, event comparator 184 performs a hit test to
determine which user-interface object is associated with a
sub-event. For example, in an application view in which three
user-interface objects are displayed on touch-sensitive display
112, when a touch is detected on touch-sensitive display 112, event
comparator 184 performs a hit test to determine which of the three
user-interface objects is associated with the touch (sub-event). If
each displayed object is associated with a respective event handler
190, the event comparator uses the result of the hit test to
determine which event handler 190 should be activated. For example,
event comparator 184 selects an event handler associated with the
sub-event and the object triggering the hit test.
[0123] In some embodiments, the definition for a respective event
187 also includes delayed actions that delay delivery of the event
information until after it has been determined whether the sequence
of sub-events does or does not correspond to the event recognizer's
event type.
[0124] When a respective event recognizer 180 determines that the
series of sub-events do not match any of the events in event
definitions 186, the respective event recognizer 180 enters an
event impossible, event failed, or event ended state, after which
it disregards subsequent sub-events of the touch-based gesture. In
this situation, other event recognizers, if any, that remain active
for the hit view continue to track and process sub-events of an
ongoing touch-based gesture.
[0125] In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer 180
includes metadata 183 with configurable properties, flags, and/or
lists that indicate how the event delivery system should perform
sub-event delivery to actively involved event recognizers. In some
embodiments, metadata 183 includes configurable properties, flags,
and/or lists that indicate how event recognizers may interact with
one another. In some embodiments, metadata 183 includes
configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate whether
sub-events are delivered to varying levels in the view or
programmatic hierarchy.
[0126] In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer 180
activates event handler 190 associated with an event when one or
more particular sub-events of an event are recognized. In some
embodiments, a respective event recognizer 180 delivers event
information associated with the event to event handler 190.
Activating an event handler 190 is distinct from sending (and
deferred sending) sub-events to a respective hit view. In some
embodiments, event recognizer 180 throws a flag associated with the
recognized event, and event handler 190 associated with the flag
catches the flag and performs a predefined process.
[0127] In some embodiments, event delivery instructions 188 include
sub-event delivery instructions that deliver event information
about a sub-event without activating an event handler. Instead, the
sub-event delivery instructions deliver event information to event
handlers associated with the series of sub-events or to actively
involved views. Event handlers associated with the series of
sub-events or with actively involved views receive the event
information and perform a predetermined process.
[0128] In some embodiments, data updater 176 creates and updates
data used in application 136-1. For example, data updater 176
updates the telephone number used in contacts module 137, or stores
a video file used in video player module 145. In some embodiments,
object updater 177 creates and updates objects used in application
136-1. For example, object updater 176 creates a new user-interface
object or updates the position of a user-interface object. GUI
updater 178 updates the GUI. For example, GUI updater 178 prepares
display information and sends it to graphics module 132 for display
on a touch-sensitive display.
[0129] In some embodiments, event handler(s) 190 includes or has
access to data updater 176, object updater 177, and GUI updater
178. In some embodiments, data updater 176, object updater 177, and
GUI updater 178 are included in a single module of a respective
application 136-1 or application view 191. In other embodiments,
they are included in two or more software modules.
[0130] It shall be understood that the foregoing discussion
regarding event handling of user touches on touch-sensitive
displays also applies to other forms of user inputs to operate
multifunction devices 100 with input-devices, not all of which are
initiated on touch screens, e.g., coordinating mouse movement and
mouse button presses with or without single or multiple keyboard
presses or holds, user movements taps, drags, scrolls, etc., on
touch-pads, pen stylus inputs, movement of the device, oral
instructions, detected eye movements, biometric inputs, and/or any
combination thereof, which may be utilized as inputs corresponding
to sub-events which define an event to be recognized.
[0131] FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device 100
having a touch screen 112 in accordance with some embodiments. The
touch screen may display one or more graphics within user interface
(UI) 200. In this embodiment, as well as others described below, a
user may select one or more of the graphics by making a gesture on
the graphics, for example, with one or more fingers 202 (not drawn
to scale in the figure) or one or more styluses 203 (not drawn to
scale in the figure). In some embodiments, selection of one or more
graphics occurs when the user breaks contact with the one or more
graphics. In some embodiments, the gesture may include one or more
taps, one or more swipes (from left to right, right to left, upward
and/or downward) and/or a rolling of a finger (from right to left,
left to right, upward and/or downward) that has made contact with
device 100. In some embodiments, inadvertent contact with a graphic
may not select the graphic. For example, a swipe gesture that
sweeps over an application icon may not select the corresponding
application when the gesture corresponding to selection is a
tap.
[0132] Device 100 may also include one or more physical buttons,
such as "home" or menu button 204. As described previously, menu
button 204 may be used to navigate to any application 136 in a set
of applications that may be executed on device 100. Alternatively,
in some embodiments, the menu button is implemented as a soft key
in a GUI displayed on touch screen 112.
[0133] In one embodiment, device 100 includes touch screen 112,
menu button 204, push button 206 for powering the device on/off and
locking the device, volume adjustment button(s) 208, Subscriber
Identity Module (SIM) card slot 210, head set jack 212, and
docking/charging external port 124. Push button 206 may be used to
turn the power on/off on the device by depressing the button and
holding the button in the depressed state for a predefined time
interval; to lock the device by depressing the button and releasing
the button before the predefined time interval has elapsed; and/or
to unlock the device or initiate an unlock process. In an
alternative embodiment, device 100 also may accept verbal input for
activation or deactivation of some functions through microphone
113.
[0134] FIG. 3A is a block diagram of an exemplary multifunction
device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance
with some embodiments. Device 300 need not be portable. In some
embodiments, device 300 is a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a
tablet computer, a multimedia player device, a navigation device,
an educational device (such as a child's learning toy), a gaming
system, or a control device (e.g., a home or industrial
controller). Device 300 typically includes one or more processing
units (CPU's) 310, one or more network or other communications
interfaces 360, memory 370, and one or more communication buses 320
for interconnecting these components. Communication buses 320 may
include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) that interconnects
and controls communications between system components. Device 300
includes input/output (I/O) interface 330 comprising display 340,
which is typically a touch screen display. I/O interface 330 also
may include a keyboard and/or mouse (or other pointing device) 350
and touchpad 355. Memory 370 includes high-speed random access
memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM or other random access solid
state memory devices; and may include non-volatile memory, such as
one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage
devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid state
storage devices. Memory 370 may optionally include one or more
storage devices remotely located from CPU(s) 310. In some
embodiments, memory 370 stores programs, modules, and data
structures analogous to the programs, modules, and data structures
stored in memory 102 of portable multifunction device 100 (FIG. 1),
or a subset thereof. Furthermore, memory 370 may store additional
programs, modules, and data structures not present in memory 102 of
portable multifunction device 100. For example, memory 370 of
device 300 may store drawing module 380, presentation module 382,
word processing module 384, website creation module 386, disk
authoring module 388, and/or spreadsheet module 390, while memory
102 of portable multifunction device 100 (FIG. 1) may not store
these modules.
[0135] One or more content items 600 may be stored in memory 370.
Content items 600 may include text, music, sound, image, video,
and/or other files. A respective content item 600 may be opened by
any compatible or suitable application 136.
[0136] Each of the above identified elements in FIG. 3A may be
stored in one or more of the previously mentioned memory devices.
Each of the above identified modules corresponds to a set of
instructions for performing a function described above. The above
identified modules or programs (i.e., sets of instructions) need
not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures or
modules, and thus various subsets of these modules may be combined
or otherwise re-arranged in various embodiments. In some
embodiments, memory 370 may store a subset of the modules and data
structures identified above. Furthermore, memory 370 may store
additional modules and data structures not described above.
[0137] Though electronic device 300 is depicted as a multifunction
device including I/O interface 330 that incorporates keyboard/mouse
350 and touchpad 355, in some embodiments, electronic device 300-1,
as illustrated in FIG. 3B, is a portable electronic device that
uses touch-screen 112 without a keyboard, mouse, or independent
touchpad. In some embodiments, device 300 is a portable electronic
device with touch-screen 112, and is used principally as a portable
media player.
[0138] For example, portable electronic device 300-1 includes
touch-screen 112 with width 112-w and height 112-h, which in this
example are both 2 inches. User's thumb 399, shown superimposed on
touch-screen 112, is approximately half the width 112-w or height
112-h of touch-screen 112.
[0139] Thus, in some portable media player embodiments,
touch-screen 112 may have physical dimensions of 2 inches or less
in width and/or height. In some portable media player embodiments,
touch-screen 112 may have a screen resolution of 600 pixels or less
in width and/or height. In some portable media player embodiments,
touch-screen 112 may have a screen resolution of 900 pixels or less
in width and/or height. In some portable media player embodiments,
touch-screen 112 may have a screen resolution of 1200 pixels or
less in width and/or height.
[0140] In some embodiments, memory 370 may store a subset of the
modules and data structures identified above. In some portable
media player embodiments, electronic device 300-1 may be a smaller
physical device, and typically would not include certain of the
module, data structures, and applications identified above that
would be used in full-featured portable multifunction devices,
e.g., as a portable electronic device 300-1 with touch-screen 112,
one or more of the following may not be included: telephone module
138, chart module 144, drawing module 380, presentation module 382,
word processing module 384, website creation module 386, and disk
authoring module 388.
[0141] Attention is now directed towards embodiments of user
interfaces ("UI") that may be implemented on portable multifunction
device 100.
[0142] FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary user interface for a menu
of applications on portable multifunction device 100 in accordance
with some embodiments. Similar user interfaces may be implemented
on device 300. In some embodiments, user interface 400 includes the
following elements, or a subset or superset thereof: [0143] Signal
strength indicator(s) 402 for wireless communication(s), such as
cellular and Wi-Fi signals; [0144] Time 404; [0145] Bluetooth
indicator 405; [0146] Battery status indicator 406; [0147] Tray 408
with icons for frequently used applications, such as: [0148] Phone
138, which may include an indicator 414 of the number of missed
calls or voicemail messages; [0149] E-mail client 140, which may
include an indicator 410 of the number of unread e-mails; [0150]
Browser 147; and [0151] Video and music player 152, also referred
to as iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.) module 152; and [0152] Icons
for other applications, such as: [0153] IM 141; [0154] Image
management 144; [0155] Camera 143; [0156] Weather 149-1; [0157]
Stocks 149-2; [0158] Workout support 142; [0159] Calendar 148;
[0160] Alarm clock 149-4; [0161] Map 154; [0162] Notes 153; [0163]
Settings 412, which provides access to settings for device 100 and
its various applications 136; and [0164] Online video module 155,
also referred to as YouTube (trademark of Google Inc.) module
155.
[0165] FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary user interface on a device
(e.g., device 300, FIG. 3) with a touch-sensitive surface 451
(e.g., a tablet or touchpad 355, FIG. 3) that is separate from the
display 450 (e.g., touch screen display 112). Although many of the
examples which follow will be given with reference to inputs on
touch screen display 112 (where the touch sensitive surface and the
display are combined), in some embodiments, the device detects
inputs on a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from the
display, as shown in FIG. 4B. In some embodiments the touch
sensitive surface (e.g., 451 in FIG. 4B) has a primary axis (e.g.,
452 in FIG. 4B) that corresponds to a primary axis (e.g., 453 in
FIG. 4B) on the display (e.g., 450). In accordance with these
embodiments, the device detects contacts (e.g., 460 and 462 in FIG.
4B) with the touch-sensitive surface 451 at locations that
correspond to respective locations on the display (e.g., in FIG.
4B, 460 corresponds to 468 and 462 corresponds to 470). In this
way, user inputs (e.g., contacts 460 and 462, and movements
thereof) detected by the device on the touch-sensitive surface
(e.g., 451 in FIG. 4B) are used by the device to manipulate the
user interface on the display (e.g., 450 in FIG. 4B) of the
multifunction device when the touch-sensitive surface is separate
from the display. It should be understood that similar methods may
be used for other user interfaces described herein.
[0166] 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).
User Interfaces and Associated Processes
[0167] Attention is now directed towards embodiments of user
interfaces ("UI") and associated processes that may be implemented
on an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive
surface, such as device 300-1 or portable multifunction device
100.
[0168] FIGS. 5A-5N illustrate exemplary user interfaces for
navigating a list of identifiers in accordance with some
embodiments. The user interfaces in these figures are used to
illustrate the processes described below, including the processes
in FIGS. 7A-7D.
[0169] It should be appreciated that while the embodiments
described below are described in the context of content items 600
being audio files (e.g., songs), the described embodiments are
applicable to other types of content items (e.g., podcasts, videos,
images, documents, etc.) as well.
[0170] FIG. 5A illustrates user interface (UI) 500A displayed on
display 112 of a device (e.g., device 300-1). UI 500A includes a
portion of a listing of songs 501 by song name (also known as "song
title"). In UI 500A, song names listing 501 include names 504
written in Japanese and names 506 written in English. Song names
written in other languages (not shown) may also be included in song
names listing 501. Japanese song names 504 are written using kana
characters (hiragana and katakana), kanji characters, or any
combination of the above. In some embodiments, Japanese song names
504 are ordered based on the leading kana character and by goj on
order. If the leading character is a kanji character, then the
leading character in the furigana (or more generally, ruby text or
ruby characters) for the leading kanji character is used for the
ordering.
[0171] English song names 506 are written in English. In some
embodiments, English song names 506 are ordered according to an
alphabetical order.
[0172] In some embodiments, within song names listing 501, Japanese
song names 504 are gathered into one group and ordered within the
group, and English song names 506 are gathered into another group
and ordered within the group, and any song names written in other
languages are treated similarly; Japanese and English song names
are not all mixed together within song names listing 501.
[0173] Song names 504 and 506 are identifiers for content items 600
stored in memory (e.g., in memory 102 or 370). For example,
Japanese song names 504 correspond to Japanese songs and English
song names 506 correspond to English songs. In response to
detection of a gesture on a respective song name 504 or 506 (e.g.,
a tap gesture on the respective song name), the content item 600
associated with the respective song name is selected (e.g., for
playback, for display of associated information, for further
processing, etc.).
[0174] In some embodiments, whether a song name (or other
identifiers, such as artist, album, composer, etc.) that includes
both Japanese characters and English letters is considered to be
written in Japanese or English is determined by the leading
character in the song name. For example, if a song name has a
leading hiragana, katakana, or kanji character in the song name,
the song name is considered to be written in Japanese, despite the
song name having some English letters as well.
[0175] In some embodiments, a song name (or other identifiers, such
as artist, album, composer, etc.) that is written as a romanization
of a Japanese song name is considered to be an English song name
because the song name is written in the same alphabet as English,
despite it representing a Japanese song name.
[0176] UI 500A also includes character selection element 502 (also
referred to as index bar element 502) near (e.g., adjacent to) the
right vertical edge of display 112. Index bar element 502 is
displayed as a single column. A position on index bar element 502
represents a leading character in song names in song names listing
501. In response to detection of a gesture at a location (also
referred to as position) on index bar element 502, song names
listing 501 skips to songs names having a leading character
corresponding to the position on index bar element 502 where the
finger contact is detected; index bar element 502 indexes song
names in song name listing 501 by the leading character. If there
are no song names with that leading character, song names listing
501 skips to song names having a leading character closest in the
ordering to the leading character corresponding to the position on
index bar element 502 where the finger contact is detected. The
detection of a gesture on index bar element 502 and the
corresponding navigation in song names listing 501 are described in
further detail below in relation to FIGS. 5C-5H.
[0177] Index bar element 502 includes Japanese sub-element or
portion 502-A, English sub-element or portion 502-B, and
miscellaneous sub-element or portion 502-C. Japanese sub-element
502-A corresponds to Japanese song names 504. A position on
Japanese sub-element 502-A corresponds to a Japanese kana
character; the kana characters are ordered in Japanese sub-element
502-A according to Japanese language conventions (e.g., by goj on
order). Japanese sub-element 502-A is displayed with hiragana
character "" first, and hiragana character "" last as a visual aid
to the user of the position on Japanese sub-element 502-A relative
to the goj on order of kana; "" is the first kana character in the
goj on order, and "" is the last kana character in the goj on order
that is used as a leading character in song names ("", which comes
after "" in the goj on order, is typically used as a particle and
not in names or words).
[0178] English sub-element 502-B corresponds to English song names
506. A position on English sub-element 502-B corresponds to an
English letter; the letters are ordered in English sub-element
502-B according to alphabetical order. English sub-element 502-B is
displayed with the letter "A" first and the letter "Z" last as a
visual aid to the user of the position on English sub-element 502-B
relative to English alphabetical order.
[0179] Miscellaneous sub-element or portion 502-C is displayed as a
predefined symbol (e.g., "#") and typically has a predefined length
that is independent of the numbers of songs having identifiers
(e.g., song name) in particular languages or ratios of such
numbers. Miscellaneous sub-element 502-C corresponds to song names
in song names listing 501 written in other languages or where the
leading character is not a Japanese character or English letter
(e.g., symbol, numeral, Cyrillic letter, Hebrew letter, Arabic
letter, etc.).
[0180] The size (e.g. length) of Japanese sub-element 502-A as
displayed in UI 500A is longer than the size of English sub-element
502-B. In some embodiments, the size difference is based on a ratio
of the number of songs having Japanese song names to the number of
songs having English song names amongst content items 600. When
there are more songs with Japanese song names than songs with
English song names, Japanese sub-element 502-A is displayed
correspondingly longer than English sub-element 502-B. If songs
having Japanese song names slightly outnumber songs having English
song names, Japanese sub-element 502-A is displayed slightly longer
than English sub-element 502-B. If songs having Japanese song names
significantly outnumber songs having English song names, Japanese
sub-element 502-A is displayed significantly longer than English
sub-element 502-B. The reverse is also true. For example, if songs
having Japanese song names are significantly outnumbered by songs
having English song names, Japanese sub-element 502-A is displayed
significantly shorter than English sub-element 502-B.
[0181] FIG. 5B illustrates UI 500B displayed on display 112. UI
500B includes a portion of a listing of artists 507. In UI 500B,
artists listing 507 include artist names 508 written in Japanese
and artist names 510 written in English. Artist names written in
other languages (not shown) may also be included in artists listing
507. Japanese artist names 508 are written using kana characters
(hiragana and katakana), kanji characters, or any combination of
the above. In some embodiments, Japanese artist names 508 are
ordered in the same manner as Japanese song names 504 (based on the
leading kana character and by goj on order, using the leading
character in the furigana as appropriate).
[0182] English artist names 508 are written in English. In some
embodiments, English artist names 508 are ordered according to
alphabetical order.
[0183] Artist names 508 and 510 are identifiers for content items
600 stored in memory (e.g., in memory 102 or 370). Selection of a
respective artist name 508 or 510 (e.g., by a tap gesture on the
respective song name) activates the displaying, on display 112, of
a listing of song names corresponding to content items 600
associated with the selected artist name.
[0184] In some embodiments, as with song names in song name listing
501, Japanese artist names 508 are gathered into one group and
ordered within the group, and English artist names 510 are gathered
into another group and ordered within the group, and any artist
names written in other languages are treated similarly; Japanese
and English artist names are not all mixed together within artist
names listing 507.
[0185] UI 500B also includes character selection element 511 (also
referred to as index bar element 511) near (e.g., adjacent to) the
right vertical edge of display 112. Index bar element 511 is
similar to index bar element 502, with the difference that
positions on index bar element 511 correspond to leading characters
in artist names in artists listing 507. As with index bar element
502, index bar element 511 also includes Japanese sub-element
511-A, English sub-element 511-B, and miscellaneous sub-element
511-C, which are analogous to sub-elements 502-A, 502-B, and 502-C,
respectively, described above with respect to FIG. 5A.
[0186] The size (e.g. length) of Japanese sub-element 511-A as
displayed in UI 500B is longer than the size of English sub-element
511-B. In some embodiments, the size difference is based on a ratio
of the number of songs having Japanese song names to the number of
songs having English song names amongst content items 600, as
described above. In some embodiments, the size difference is based
on a ratio of the number of songs having Japanese artist names to
the number of songs having English artist names amongst content
items 600. For example, when there are more songs with Japanese
artist names than songs with English artist names, Japanese
sub-element 511-A is displayed correspondingly longer than English
sub-element 511-B. If songs having Japanese artist names slightly
outnumber songs having English artist names, Japanese sub-element
511-A is displayed slightly longer than English sub-element 511-B.
If songs having Japanese artist names significantly outnumber songs
having English artist names, Japanese sub-element 511-A is
displayed significantly longer than English sub-element 511-B. The
reverse is also true. For example, if songs having Japanese artist
names are significantly outnumbered by songs having English artist
names, Japanese sub-element 511-A is displayed significantly
shorter than English sub-element 511-B. In some embodiments, the
size difference is based on a ratio of the number of Japanese
artist names to the number of English artist names amongst content
items 600.
[0187] FIG. 5C shows UI 500C, which includes a portion of song name
listing 501 that is different from the portion of song name listing
501 shown in FIG. 5A. Gesture 512 (e.g., a finger tap gesture) is
detected on Japanese sub-element 502-A. In response to detection of
gesture 512, song names listing 501 skips to Japanese song names
504 having a leading character corresponding to the location (also
referred to as position) on Japanese sub-element 502-A where
gesture 512 is detected, as shown in FIG. 5C. If there are no song
names having that leading character, song names listing 501 skips
to song names having a leading character near (in some embodiments,
closest to) the character corresponding to the position of gesture
512. Thus, in FIG. 5C, gesture 512 is positioned nearer to the
beginning of Japanese sub-element 502-A, and thus corresponds to a
kana character nearer to the beginning of the goj on order. Indeed,
in response to detection of gesture 512, song names listing 501
shows song names 504 with leading characters nearer to the
beginning of the goj on order.
[0188] FIG. 5D shows UI 500D, which includes a portion of song name
listing 501 that is different from the portion of song name listing
501 shown in FIG. 5A. Gesture 514 (e.g., a finger tap gesture) is
detected on English sub-element 502-B. In response to detection of
gesture 514, song names listing 501 skips to English song names 506
having a leading character corresponding to the location (also
referred to as position) on English sub-element 502-B where gesture
514 is detected, as shown in FIG. 5D. If there are no song names
having that leading character, song names listing 501 skips to song
names having a leading character near (in some embodiments, closest
to) the character corresponding to the position of gesture 514.
[0189] FIG. 5E shows UI 500E with a portion of song names listing
501. Gesture 516 (e.g., a finger dragging gesture) with movement
517 is detected on Japanese sub-element 502-A. In response to
detection of gesture 516, song names listing 501 skips to Japanese
song names 504 having a leading character corresponding to the
position on Japanese sub-element 502-A where gesture 516 is
detected. As gesture 516 moves in direction 517, song names listing
501 skips to display other song names in accordance with the
changed position of the contact in gesture 516.
[0190] In some embodiments, temporary character 518 is displayed
when gesture 516 is detected on index bar element 502. Temporary
character 518 shows the character in index bar 502 corresponding to
the current position of gesture 516. For example, in FIG. 5E, "",
corresponding to the current position of gesture 516, is displayed
as temporary character 518-1, and song names listing 501 skips to
display song names having "" or its katakana equivalent "" as the
leading character (e.g., song name 504-6).
[0191] As the contact in gesture 516 moves in direction 517 on
index bar 502, temporary character 518 updates as song names
listing 501 displays other song names in accordance with the new,
updated position of the contact in gesture 516. For example, FIG.
5F shows UI 500F, where the contact in gesture 516 moves in
direction 517 to a new position on index bar 502. "", corresponding
to the current position of the contact in gesture 516, is displayed
as temporary character 518-2, and song names listing 501 skips to
display song names having "" or its katakana equivalent "" as the
leading character (e.g., song name 504-1).
[0192] FIG. 5G shows UI 500G, where the contact in gesture 516
moves further in direction 517 on index bar 502, crossing over from
Japanese sub-element 502-A to English sub-element 502-B. "H",
corresponding to the current position of the contact in gesture
516, is displayed as temporary character 518-3, and song names
listing 501 skips to display song names having "H" as the leading
character (e.g., song name 506-4).
[0193] FIG. 5H shows UI 500H, where the contact in gesture 516
moves further in direction 517 on index bar 502. "L", corresponding
to the current position of the contact in gesture 516, is displayed
as temporary character 518-4. In this example, English song names
506 do not include any song names with leading character "L", so
song names listing 501 skips to display song names having "K" as
the leading character (e.g., song name 506-5), the letter closest
to "L" in the alphabetical order for which song names 506 with that
leading character are present.
[0194] FIG. 5I shows UI 500I, which includes a portion of song
names listing 519, which is similar to song names listing 501. Song
names listing 519 includes Chinese song names 520 and English song
names 506. Chinese song names 520 are ordered according to the
stroke count of the leading character; the leading character in
song name 520-1 has the same number of strokes as the leading
character in song name 520-2, which has fewer strokes than the
leading character in song name 520-3. In some embodiments, if the
leading characters have the same number of strokes, the stroke
counts of the second characters of the song names are used as a
tiebreaker. In some other embodiments, no tiebreaker is used; songs
names where the leading characters have the same number of strokes
are listed, amongst themselves, in random order. As with Japanese
song names 502, Chinese song names 520 are not mixed with English
song names 506 within song names listing 519.
[0195] UI 500I also includes character selection element 521 (also
referred to as index bar element 521), which is similar in
operation and appearance to index bar elements 502 and 511. Index
bar element 521 includes Chinese sub-element 521-A, English
sub-element 521-B, and miscellaneous sub-element 521-C. The length
of Chinese sub-element 521-A relative to the length of English
sub-element 521-B is (analogous to the length of Japanese
sub-element 502-A relative to the length of English sub-element
502-B or the length of Japanese sub-element 511-A relative to the
length of English sub-element 511-B) based on the ratio of the
number of songs with Chinese names to the number of songs with
English names amongst content items 600.
[0196] A location (also referred to as position) on Chinese
sub-element 521-A corresponds to a number, where the number
represents a number of strokes in the leading character of a song
name 520. Thus, for example, Chinese sub-element 521-A is displayed
as starting at 1 and ending at 13. In response to detection of a
gesture on Chinese sub-element 521-A, song names listing 519 skips
to display Chinese song names 520 having a leading character with a
stroke count that corresponds (or is closest to the stroke count
that corresponds) to the position on Chinese sub-element 521-A
where the gesture is detected.
[0197] FIG. 5J shows UI 500J, which includes a portion of artist
names listing 519, which is analogous to artist names listing 507.
Artist names listing 523 includes Korean artist names 522 and
English artist names 510. Korean artist names 522 are ordered
according to Hangul alphabetical order. Korean artist names 522 are
not mixed with English artist names 510 within artist names listing
523.
[0198] UI 500J also includes character selection element 525 (also
referred to as index bar element 525), which is analogous in
operation and appearance to index bar elements 502, 511, and 521.
Index bar element 525 includes Korean sub-element 525-A, English
sub-element 525-B, and miscellaneous sub-element 525-C. In some
embodiments, the length of Korean sub-element 525-A relative to the
length of English sub-element 525-B is (similar to the length of
Japanese sub-element 511-A relative to the length of English
sub-element 511-B) based on the ratio of the number of songs with
Korean artist names to the number of songs with English artist
names amongst content items 600. In some embodiments, the length of
Korean sub-element 525-A relative to the length of English
sub-element 525-B is (similar to the length of Japanese sub-element
502-A relative to the length of English sub-element 502-B) based on
the ratio of the number of songs with Korean song names to the
number of songs with English song names amongst content items 600.
In some embodiments, the size difference is based on a ratio of the
number of Korean artist names to the number of English artist names
amongst content items 600.
[0199] A position on Korean sub-element 525-A corresponds to a
character in the Hangul alphabet. Thus, for example, Korean
sub-element 525-A is displayed as starting with the first character
in the Hangul alphabet and ending with the last character in the
Hangul alphabet. In response to detection of a gesture on Korean
sub-element 525-A, artist names listing 523 skips to display Korean
artist names 522 having a leading character that corresponds (or is
closest to the character that corresponds) to the location
(position) on Korean sub-element 525-A where the gesture is
detected.
[0200] FIG. 5K shows UI 500K, with a portion of artist names
listing 527. Artist names listing 527 includes Japanese artist
names 508, English artist names 510, and Chinese artist names 524.
Artist names listing 527 operate in a similar manner as artist
names listing 507, 523, and thus details of artist names listing
527 are omitted for brevity. Note that concurrent display of three
types of identifiers (e.g., Japanese, English, and Chinese artists
names in FIG. 5K) is shown to help describe this embodiment, but
would be unusual on a portable device with a small display. For a
device with three different types of identifiers, display of a
portion of the list of identifiers with a single type of identifier
or concurrent display of two types of identifiers (e.g., a portion
of the list of identifiers where a first type of identifier ends
and a second type of identifier begins) would be more typical,
especially if the device contains a large number of content
items.
[0201] UI 500K also includes character selection element 529 (also
referred to as index bar element 529), with Japanese sub-element
529-A, English sub-element 529-B, Chinese sub-element 529-C, and
miscellaneous sub-element 529-D. In some embodiments, the lengths
of sub-elements 529-A, 529-B, and 529-C relative to each other are
based on the numbers of songs with song names in the respective
language amongst content items 600. Thus, for example, the length
of sub-element 529-C in FIG. 5K is significantly shorter than
sub-element 529-A; there are significantly less songs with Chinese
song names than songs with Japanese song names. In some
embodiments, the lengths of sub-elements 529-A, 529-B, and 529-C
relative to each other are based on the numbers of songs with
artist names in the respective language amongst content items 600.
In some embodiments, the lengths of sub-elements 529-A, 529-B, and
529-C relative to each other are based on the number of artist
names in the respective language amongst content items 600.
[0202] In some embodiments, if the ratio of the number of songs
with Japanese song names (or artist names) to the number of songs
with Chinese song names (or artist names) is greater than a
predefined threshold, sub-element 529-C is displayed at a fixed
length (e.g., a predefined default length). For example, In FIG.
5L, sub-element 529-C in UI 500L is displayed at a fixed length as
long as the ratio is greater than the threshold.
[0203] In some embodiments, the disparity becomes so great that
displaying sub-element 529-C does not benefit the user. For
example, in UI 500M (Figure SM), sub-element 529-C is not displayed
and Chinese artist names 524 are subsumed under miscellaneous
sub-element 529-D, which, like miscellaneous sub-element 502-C, has
a predefined length that is independent of the ratios of the
numbers of songs having identifiers in particular languages.
[0204] FIG. 5N shows UI 500N, with a portion of song names listing
501. UI 500N includes character selection element 530 (also
referred to as index bar element 530), which is similar to index
bar element 502, but horizontally oriented and displayed as a
single row near (e.g., adjacent to) the lower horizontal edge of
display 112.
[0205] The embodiments described above show the list of identifiers
(e.g., song or artist name listings) displayed as left-justified on
display 112. In some embodiments, the list of identifiers is
displayed as right-justified, and the character selection element
is displayed near (e.g., adjacent to) the left vertical edge of
display 112, to accommodate identifiers written in languages that
are written from right to left (e.g., Hebrew, Arabic).
[0206] It should be appreciated that while the embodiments
described above describe listings of song names and artist names,
the embodiments are applicable to listings of other identifiers as
well, such as listings of album names, listings of show names, and
so forth.
[0207] It should be appreciated that English is one of many
languages written in the Latin alphabet. Other examples of
languages written in the Latin alphabet include German, French,
Spanish, Italian, etc. Identifiers written in any of these
languages may be treated as identifiers written in different
languages and ordered separately, or all grouped together as
identifiers written in the Latin alphabet and ordered together.
[0208] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a data structure for a content
item database in accordance to some embodiments. One or more
content items 600 may be stored in memory 102 or 370. Each content
item 600 includes the content itself 602. For example, if content
item 600-2 is an audio file, then content 602 for content item
600-2 is the audio data in the audio file. Content item 600 may
also include one or more metadata fields, some of which store
identifier metadata that can be used to identify content item 600.
For example, content item 600-2 includes name (e.g., song name)
604, sort name 606, album 608, sort album 610, artist 612, and sort
artist 614. It should be appreciated that this list of identifier
metadata is merely exemplary. Content items may have more or less
fields than listed. Further, a metadata field for a content item
600 may be empty.
[0209] In some embodiments, a content item 600 is displayed as
having name 604, but is put into an ordering of a list of
identifiers using sort name 606. In some embodiments, a content
item 600 has name 604 written in one language and has sort name 606
that provides the phonetic spelling for name 604. For example,
content item 600-2 may have name 604 written in Japanese kana and
sort name 606 written as the romanization of name 604.
[0210] In some embodiments, whether content item 600 has a name 604
written in a particular language is determined at least in part
based on the sort name 606. For example, if name 604 for content
item 600-2 is written in kanji, and sort name 606 is written with
the furigana for the kanji name 604, then name 604 is recognized as
Japanese. If, instead, soft name 606 is empty, then name 604 is not
recognized as Japanese and is instead categorized as
miscellaneous.
[0211] It should be appreciated that similar relationships to those
described above exists between album 608 and sort album 610,
between artist 612 and sort artist 612, and the like.
[0212] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 700 of
navigating a list of identifiers in accordance with some
embodiments. The method 700 is performed at an electronic device
with a display and a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., device 300,
FIG. 3A, device 300-1, FIG. 3B, or portable multifunction device
100, FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the display is a touch screen
display and the touch-sensitive surface is on the display. In some
embodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitive
surface. Some operations in method 700 may be combined and/or the
order of some operations may be changed.
[0213] As described below, the method 700 provides an intuitive way
to navigate a list of identifiers. The method reduces the cognitive
burden on a user when navigating a list of identifiers, thereby
creating a more efficient human-machine interface. For
battery-operated electronic devices, enabling a user to navigate a
list of identifiers faster and more efficiently conserves power and
increases the time between battery charges.
[0214] The device displays on the display (702) a portion of a list
of identifiers and a character selection element for navigating the
list of identifiers. The list of identifiers is associated with a
first number of first content items associated with a first
language, and a second number of second content items, distinct
from the first content items, associated with a second language
distinct from the first language. In some embodiments, the
identifiers in the list of identifiers are artists, albums,
authors, composers, compilations, TV show or series names, or
titles (e.g., song titles, song names, episode names, movie names)
associated with the first content items (e.g., Japanese content)
and artists, albums, authors, composers, compilations, or titles
(e.g., song titles) associated with the second content items (e.g.,
English content). For example, in FIG. 5A, a portion of song names
listing 501 is displayed. Song names listing 501 include Japanese
song names 504, which are associated with a first number of content
items 600 (e.g., Japanese songs), and English song names 506, which
are associated with a second number of content items 600 (e.g.,
English songs). Index bar element 502 is also displayed. By
performing gestures on index bar element 502, a user can select
particular characters and quickly navigate to song names in song
names listing 501 having the selected character as the leading
character.
[0215] The character selection element represents a plurality of
characters, and includes: a first character selection sub-element
associated with the first content items and having a first size,
and a second character selection sub-element associated with the
second content items and having a second size, the first size
relative to the second size being based on the first number
relative to the second number. In other words, the size (e.g.,
length) of the first character selection sub-element relative to
the size of the second character selection sub-element is based on
the number of first content items relative to the number of second
content items. For example, in FIG. 5A, the length of Japanese
sub-element 502-A in index bar element 502 relative to the length
of English sub-element 502-B is based on the number of content
items associated with Japanese song names 504 relative to the
number of content items associated with English song names 506.
[0216] Note that the character selection element is composed of at
least two graphical elements, namely the first character selection
sub-element and the second character selection sub-element. In
turn, in some embodiments, a respective character selection
sub-element is composed of additional graphical elements, such as
one or more graphical elements that correspond to leading
characters in the respective character selection sub-element or one
or more graphical elements that indicate the stroke count in the
respective character selection sub-element.
[0217] The device detects (704) an input (e.g. a finger contact or
a finger tap gesture) at a location on the touch-sensitive surface
that corresponds to a location on the first character selection
sub-element on the display. For example, in FIG. 5C, gesture 512 is
detected at a location corresponding to a location on Japanese
sub-element 502-A.
[0218] In response to detecting the input at the location on the
touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the location on the
first character selection sub-element on the display, the device
displays (706) a portion of the list of identifiers with one or
more identifiers associated with first content items (e.g., one or
more artists, albums, authors, composers, compilations, or titles
(e.g., song titles) associated with the first content items). For
example, in FIG. 5C, in response to detection of gesture 512, song
names listing 501 skips to Japanese song names 504.
[0219] The device detects (708) an input at a location on the
touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to a location on the
second character selection sub-element on the display. For example,
in FIG. 5D, gesture 514 is detected at a location corresponding to
a location on English sub-element 502-B.
[0220] In response to detecting the input at the location on the
touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the location on the
second character selection sub-element on the display, the device
displays (710) a portion of the list of identifiers with one or
more identifiers associated with second content items (e.g., one or
more artists, albums, authors, composers, compilations, or titles
(e.g., song titles) associated with the second content items). For
example, in FIG. 5D in response to detection of gesture 514, song
names listing 501 skips to English song names 506.
[0221] In some embodiments, the electronic device is a portable
electronic device (e.g., a portable music player and/or a portable
video player) (712). For example, device 300-1 is a portable
electronic device that is used principally as a portable media
player.
[0222] In some embodiments, the display is a touch-sensitive
display that includes the touch-sensitive surface (714). For
example, display 112 is a touch-screen.
[0223] In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive display has (716)
physical dimensions of at least one of: 2 inches or less in width,
and 2 inches or less in height.
[0224] In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive display has (718) a
screen resolution of at least one of: 600 pixels or less in width,
and 600 pixels or less in height.
[0225] In some embodiments, the character selection element is
displayed at a first predefined location on the display, the first
character selection sub-element includes locations corresponding to
identifiers in the first language associated with the first content
items, and the second character selection sub-element includes
locations corresponding to identifiers in the second language
associated with the second content items (720). For example, in
FIG. 5A, index bar element 502 is displayed adjacent to the right
vertical edge of display 112. Locations on Japanese sub-element
502-A correspond to Japanese song names 504, and locations on
English sub-element 502-B correspond to English song names 506.
[0226] In some embodiments, the first character selection
sub-element includes locations that correspond to leading
characters of identifiers associated with the first content items.
Note that most or all of the leading characters are typically not
displayed at these locations due to display size constraints. For
example, locations on Japanese sub-element 502-A correspond to
leading kana characters in Japanese song names 504, beginning with
"" and ending with "."
[0227] In some embodiments, the second character selection
sub-element includes locations that correspond to leading
characters of identifiers associated with the second content items.
Note that most or all of the leading characters are typically not
displayed at these locations due to display size constraints. For
example, locations on English sub-element 502-B correspond to
leading English letters in English song names 506, starting with
"A" and ending with "Z."
[0228] In some embodiments, in response to detecting a point of
contact at a location on the touch-sensitive surface that
corresponds to a location on the first character selection
sub-element on the display, the device displays (722) on the
display at a predefined location distinct from the first predefined
location a temporary character that represents a character in the
identifiers associated with the first content items. For example,
in FIG. 5E, in response to detection of gesture 516 on Japanese
sub-element 502-A, temporary character 518-1 is displayed at a
location distinct from index bar element 502. Temporary character
"" 518-1 represents a leading character in Japanese song names 504
(e.g., song name 504-6).
[0229] In some embodiments, the temporary character represents a
leading character of an identifier associated with the first
content items. For example, in FIG. 5E, temporary character ""
518-1 represents a leading character in Japanese song name 504-6
("" being the hiragana equivalent of ""). In some embodiments, in
response to detecting the point of contact at the location on the
touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the location on the
first character selection sub-element on the display, the device
updates the displayed portion of the list of identifiers to display
a corresponding portion of the list with one or more identifiers
associated with the first content items. For example, in response
to detection of gesture 516, song names listing 501 skips to
Japanese song names 504 with "" or "" as the leading character
(e.g. song name 504-6).
[0230] In some embodiments, the character selection element
includes respective character elements that are displayed at a
predefined respective character element size, the temporary
character that represents a character in the identifiers associated
with the first content items is displayed with a predefined
temporary character size, and the predefined respective character
element size is smaller than the predefined temporary character
size (724). For example, in FIG. 5E, any characters actually
displayed in index bar element 502 (e.g., "" and "" in Japanese
sub-element 502-A) are displayed at a predefined size, and
temporary character 518 is displayed at a predefined size that is
larger than the predefined size of characters displayed in index
bar element 502.
[0231] In some embodiments, in response to detecting a point of
contact at a location on the touch-sensitive surface that
corresponds to a location on the second character selection
sub-element on the display, the device displays (726) on the
display at a predefined location distinct from the first predefined
location a temporary character that represents a character in the
identifiers associated with the second content items. For example,
in FIG. 5G, in response to detection of gesture 516 on English
sub-element 502-B, temporary character 518-3 is displayed at a
location distinct from index bar element 502. Temporary character
"H" 518-3 represents a leading character in English song names 506
(e.g., song name 506-4).
[0232] In some embodiments, the temporary character represents a
leading character of an identifier associated with the second
content items. For example, temporary character "H" 518-3
represents a leading character in English song name 506-4. In some
embodiments, in response to detecting the point of contact at the
location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the
location on the second character selection sub-element on the
display, the device updates the displayed portion of the list of
identifiers to display a corresponding portion of the list with one
or more identifiers associated with the second content items. For
example, in response to detection of gesture 516, song names
listing 501 skips to English song names 506 with "H" as the leading
character (e.g. song name 506-4).
[0233] In some embodiments, the list of identifiers are further
associated with a third number of third content items associated
with neither the first language nor the second language, and the
character selection element includes a third character selection
sub-element associated with the third content items and having a
third size (728). For example, in FIG. 5K, artist names listing 527
includes Japanese artist names 508, English artist names 510, and
Chinese artist names 524. Chinese artist names 524 are associated
with content items 600 that have song names (or artist names)
written in Chinese, and a number of such content items 600 are
stored in memory 102 or 370. Index bar element 529 includes
Japanese sub-element 529-A, English sub-element 529-B, and Chinese
sub-element 529-C, with Chinese sub-element 529-C being associated
with Chinese songs and displayed at a certain size.
[0234] As another example, in FIG. 5A, song name listing 501 may
include one or more song names that are not written in Japanese or
English (not shown). Index bar element 502 includes miscellaneous
sub-element 502-C that is associated with these song names, and
miscellaneous sub-element 502-C is displayed at a certain size.
[0235] In some embodiments, the third content items are associated
with a third language distinct from the first language and the
second language, and the third size relative to the first size is
based on the third number relative to the first number (730). In
other words, the size (e.g., length) of the third character
selection sub-element relative to the size of the first character
selection sub-element is based on the number of third content items
relative to the number of first content items. For example, in FIG.
5K, the content items 600 associated with Chinese artist names 524
may be Chinese songs, and the size of Chinese sub-element 529-C is
based on the number of Chinese songs relative to the number of
Japanese songs. Similarly, the size (e.g., length) of the third
character selection sub-element relative to the size of the second
character selection sub-element may be based on the number of third
content items relative to the number of second content items.
[0236] In some embodiments, the third content items are associated
with a third language distinct from the first language and the
second language, the third size relative to the first size is based
on the third number relative to the first number when the third
number relative to the first number exceeds a predefined threshold,
and the third size is independent of the third number relative to
the first number when the third number relative to the first number
does not exceed the predefined threshold (732). In other words, in
some embodiments, the size (e.g., length) of the third character
selection sub-element relative to the size of the first character
selection sub-element is based on the number of third content items
relative to the number of first content items when the number of
third content items relative to the number of first content items
exceeds a predefined threshold. But, when the number of third
content items relative to the number first content items is below
the predefined threshold, the size of the third character selection
sub-element is displayed at a size (e.g., a default length) that is
independent of the number of third content items relative to the
number of first content items. In some embodiments, the predefined
threshold for proportionally scaling the size of the third
character selection sub-element is based on the number of third
content items relative to the number of second content items. In
some embodiments, the predefined threshold for proportionally
scaling the size of the third character selection sub-element is
based on the number of third content items relative to the total
number of first content items and second content items. In some
embodiments, the predefined threshold for proportionally scaling
the size of the third character selection sub-element is based on
the number of third content items relative to the number of other
content items in the list. In some embodiments, the predefined
threshold for proportionally scaling the size of the third
character selection sub-element is based on the number of third
content items relative to the total number of content items in the
list. These bases for proportionally scaling respective character
selection sub-elements are essentially equivalent to one
another.
[0237] For example, in FIG. 5K, content items 600 associated with
Chinese artist names 524 may be Chinese songs, and the size of
Chinese sub-element 529-C is based on the number of Chinese songs
relative to the number of Japanese songs. When the ratio of the
number of Chinese songs to the number of Japanese songs exceeds a
predefined threshold, Chinese sub-element 529-C is displayed at a
certain length based on the ratio, as in FIG. 5K. When the ratio of
the number of Chinese songs to the number of Japanese songs does
not exceed the threshold, Chinese sub-element 529-C is displayed at
a fixed length, as in FIG. 5L.
[0238] In some embodiments, the character selection element is
displayed at a first predefined location on the display, the first
character selection sub-element includes locations corresponding to
identifiers in the first language associated with the first content
items, and the second character selection sub-element includes
locations corresponding to identifiers in the second language
associated with the second content items (734). For example, in
FIG. 5A, index bar element 502 is displayed adjacent to the right
vertical edge of display 112. Locations on Japanese sub-element
502-A correspond to Japanese song names 504, and locations on
English sub-element 502-B correspond to English song names 506.
[0239] In some embodiments, the first character selection
sub-element includes locations that correspond to leading
characters of identifiers associated with the first content items.
Note that most or all of the leading characters are typically not
displayed at these locations due to display size constraints. For
example, locations on Japanese sub-element 502-A correspond to
leading kana characters in Japanese song names 504, beginning with
"" and ending with "."
[0240] In some embodiments, the second character selection
sub-element includes locations that correspond to leading
characters of identifiers associated with the second content items.
Note that most or all of the leading characters are typically not
displayed at these locations due to display size constraints. For
example, locations on English sub-element 502-B correspond to
leading English letters in English song names 506, starting with
"A" and ending with "Z."
[0241] In some embodiments, in response to detecting movement of a
point of contact over locations on the touch-sensitive surface that
corresponds to locations on the first character selection
sub-element on the display (736): the device updates (738) a
temporary character displayed at a predefined location distinct
from the first predefined location, the temporary character
representing a character in the identifiers associated with the
first content items, and updates (740) a displayed portion of the
list of identifiers with one or more corresponding identifiers
associated with the first content items. In some embodiments, the
temporary character represents a leading character of an identifier
associated with the first content items. For example, in FIGS.
5E-5F, in response to detection of movement 517 of a point of
contact in gesture 516 on Japanese sub-element 502-A, temporary
character 518-1, displayed at a location distinct from index bar
element 502, is updated to temporary character 518-2. Temporary
characters "" 518-1 and "" 518-2 represent leading characters in
Japanese song names 504 (e.g., song names 504-6, 504-1). Song names
listing 501 skips to different song names (e.g., from song name
504-6 to song name 504-1) in accordance with movement 517 of a
point of contact in gesture 516.
[0242] In some embodiments, in response to detecting movement of
the point of contact over locations on the touch-sensitive surface
that corresponds to locations on the second character selection
sub-element on the display (742): the device updates (744) a
temporary character displayed at a predefined location distinct
from the first predefined location, the temporary character
representing a character in the identifiers associated with the
second content items; and updates (746) a displayed portion of the
list of identifiers with one or more corresponding identifiers
associated with the second content items. In some embodiments, the
temporary character represents a leading character of an identifier
associated with the second content items. For example, in FIGS.
5G-5H, in response to detection of movement 517 of a point of
contact in gesture 516 on English sub-element 502-B, temporary
character 518-3, displayed at a location distinct from index bar
element 502, is updated to temporary character 518-4. Temporary
characters "H" 518-3 and "L" 518-4 represent leading characters in
English song names 506 (e.g., song names 506-4, 504-1). Song names
listing 501 skips to different song names (e.g., from song name
506-4 to song name 506-5) in accordance with movement 517 of a
point of contact in gesture 516.
[0243] In some embodiments, the first character selection
sub-element includes one or more graphical elements corresponding
to a first indexing scheme associated with the first language, and
the second character selection sub-element includes one or more
graphical elements corresponding to a second indexing scheme
associated with the second language (748). For example, in FIG. 5A,
Japanese sub-element 502-A includes character "" at the beginning
and character "" at the end, representing the beginning and end of
goj on ordering for kana; Japanese sub-element 502-A indexes
Japanese song names 504 by the leading kana character, ordered in
goj on order. English sub-element 502-B includes character "A" at
the beginning and character "Z" at the end, representing the
beginning and end of alphabetical ordering for English letters;
English sub-element 502-B indexes English song names 506 by the
leading letter, ordered in alphabetical order.
[0244] In some embodiments, the first language is Chinese, and the
first indexing scheme is based on character stroke count (750). For
example, in FIG. 5I, Chinese song names 520 are ordered by the
stroke count of the leading character. Chinese sub-element 521-A
indexes Chinese song names 520 according to that stroke count. In
some embodiments, the second language is English, and the second
indexing scheme is based on an alphabet (752). For example, in FIG.
5I, English song names 506 are ordered alphabetically. English
sub-element 521-B indexes English song names 506 by the leading
alphabet letter, in alphabetical order.
[0245] In some embodiments, the first language is Japanese, and the
first indexing scheme is based on kana script (754). For example,
in FIG. 5A, Japanese song names 504 are ordered in goj on order
based on the leading kana character. Japanese sub-element 502-A
indexes Japanese song names 504 according to the leading kana
character, in goj on order. In some embodiments, the second
language is English, and the second indexing scheme is based on an
alphabet (756). For example, in FIG. 5A, English song names 506 are
ordered alphabetically. English sub-element 502-B indexes English
song names 506 by the leading alphabet letter, in alphabetical
order.
[0246] In some embodiments, the first language is Korean, and the
first indexing scheme is based on Hangul spelling (758). For
example, in FIG. 5J, Korean artist names 522 are ordered in Hangul
alphabetical order. Korean sub-element 525-A indexes Korean artist
names 522 according to the leading Hangul character, in Hangul
alphabetical order. In some embodiments, the second language is
English, and the second indexing scheme is based on an alphabet.
For example, in Figure Si, English artist names 510 are ordered
alphabetically. English sub-element 525-B indexes English artist
names 510 by the leading alphabet letter, in alphabetical
order.
[0247] In some embodiments, graphical elements in the first
character selection sub-element and graphical elements in the
second character selection sub-element are located adjacent to an
edge of the display (762). For example, in FIG. 5A, index bar
element 502, including sub-elements 502-A and 502-B, is displayed
adjacent to the right vertical edge of display 112.
[0248] In some embodiments, graphical elements in the first
character selection sub-element and graphical elements in the
second character selection sub-element are part of a single row of
graphical elements in the character selection element (764). For
example, in FIG. 5N, index bar element 530, including sub-elements
530-A and 530-B, is displayed as a single row.
[0249] In some embodiments, graphical elements in the first
character selection sub-element and graphical elements in the
second character selection sub-element are part of a single column
of graphical elements in the character selection element (766). For
example, in FIG. 5A, index bar element 502, including sub-elements
502-A and 502-B, is displayed as a single column.
[0250] According to some embodiments, FIG. 8 shows a functional
block diagram of an electronic device 800 configured in accordance
with the principles of the invention as described above. The
electronic device may be implemented by hardware, software, or a
combination of hardware and software to carry out the principles of
the invention.
[0251] As shown in FIG. 8, a display unit 801 displays a portion of
a list of identifiers 802 and a character selection element 803 for
navigating the list of identifiers. The list of identifiers 802 is
associated with a first number of first content items associated
with a first language, and a second number of second content items,
distinct from the first content items, associated with a second
language distinct from the first language. The character selection
element 803 represents a plurality of characters, and includes a
first character selection sub-element associated with the first
content items and having a first size, and a second character
selection sub-element associated with the second content items and
having a second size, the first size relative to the second size
being based on the first number relative to the second number. A
touch-sensitive unit 804 receives a user input. A processing unit
805 is coupled to the display unit 801 and the touch-sensitive unit
804. In response to detecting an input at a location on the
touch-sensitive unit 804 that corresponds to a location on the
first character selection sub-element on the display unit 801, the
processing unit 805 displays on the display unit 801 a portion of
the list of identifiers 802 with one or more identifiers associated
with first content items (as shown in FIG. 5C, for example). In
response to detecting an input at a location on the touch-sensitive
unit 804 that corresponds to a location on the second character
selection sub-element on the display unit 801, the processing unit
805 displays on the display unit 801 a portion of the list of
identifiers 802 with one or more identifiers associated with second
content items (as shown in FIG. 5D, for example).
[0252] In some embodiments, the character selection element 803 is
displayed at a first predefined location on the display unit 801,
the first character selection sub-element includes locations
corresponding to identifiers in the first language associated with
the first content items, and the second character selection
sub-element includes locations corresponding to identifiers in the
second language associated with the second content items. In
response to detecting a point of contact at a location on the
touch-sensitive unit 804 that corresponds to a location on the
first character selection sub-element on the display unit 801, the
processing unit displays on the display unit 801 at a predefined
location distinct from the first predefined location a temporary
character that represents a character in the identifiers associated
with the first content items (as shown in FIG. 5E, for example). In
response to detecting a point of contact at a location on the
touch-sensitive unit 804 that corresponds to a location on the
second character selection sub-element on the display unit 801, the
processing unit 805 displays on the display unit 801 at a
predefined location distinct from the first predefined location a
temporary character that represents a character in the identifiers
associated with the second content items (as shown in FIG. 5G, for
example).
[0253] In some embodiments, the character selection element 803
includes respective character elements that are displayed at a
predefined respective character element size, the temporary
character that represents a character in the identifiers associated
with the first content items is displayed with a predefined
temporary character size, and the predefined respective character
element size is smaller than the predefined temporary character
size (as shown in FIG. 5E, for example).
[0254] In some embodiments, the character selection element 803 is
displayed at a first predefined location on the display unit 801,
the first character selection sub-element includes locations
corresponding to identifiers in the first language associated with
the first content items, and the second character selection
sub-element includes locations corresponding to identifiers in the
second language associated with the second content items. In
response to detecting movement of a point of contact over locations
on the touch-sensitive unit 804 that corresponds to locations on
the first character selection sub-element on the display unit 801,
the processing unit 805 updates on the display unit 801 a temporary
character displayed at a predefined location distinct from the
first predefined location, the temporary character representing a
character in the identifiers associated with the first content
items (as shown in FIG. 5F, for example), and the processing unit
805 updates on the display unit 801 a displayed portion of the list
of identifiers 802 with one or more corresponding identifiers
associated with the first content items (as shown in FIG. 5F, for
example). In response to detecting movement of the point of contact
over locations on the touch-sensitive unit 804 that corresponds to
locations on the second character selection sub-element on the
display unit 801, the processing unit 805 updates on the display
unit 801 a temporary character displayed at a predefined location
distinct from the first predefined location, the temporary
character representing a character in the identifiers associated
with the second content items (as shown in FIG. 5H, for example),
and the processing unit 805 updates on the display unit 801 a
displayed portion of the list of identifiers 802 with one or more
corresponding identifiers associated with the second content items
(as shown in FIG. 5H, for example).
[0255] In some embodiments, the first character selection
sub-element includes one or more graphical elements corresponding
to a first indexing scheme associated with the first language, and
the second character selection sub element includes one or more
graphical elements corresponding to a second indexing scheme
associated with the second language (as shown in FIG. 5A, for
example).
[0256] In some embodiments, the first language is Chinese, and the
first indexing scheme is based on character stroke count (as shown
in FIG. 5I, for example). In some embodiments, the second language
is English, and the second indexing scheme is based on an alphabet
(as shown in FIG. 5I, for example).
[0257] In some embodiments, the first language is Japanese, and the
first indexing scheme is based on kana script (as shown in FIG. 5A,
for example). In some embodiments, the second language is English,
and the second indexing scheme is based on an alphabet (as shown in
FIG. 5A, for example).
[0258] In some embodiments, the first language is Korean, and the
first indexing scheme is based on Hangul spelling (as shown in FIG.
5J, for example). In some embodiments, the second language is
English, and the second indexing scheme is based on an alphabet (as
shown in FIG. 5J, for example).
[0259] In some embodiments, the list of identifiers 802 are further
associated with a third number of third content items associated
with neither the first language nor the second language, and the
character selection element 803 includes a third character
selection sub-element associated with the third content items and
having a third size (as shown in FIG. 5K, for example).
[0260] In some embodiments, the third content items are associated
with a third language distinct from the first language and the
second language, and the third size relative to the first size is
based on the third number relative to the first number (as shown in
FIG. 5K, for example).
[0261] In some embodiments, the third content items are associated
with a third language distinct from the first language and the
second language. The third size relative to the first size is based
on the third number relative to the first number when the third
number relative to the first number exceeds a predefined threshold
(as shown in FIG. 5K, for example), and the third size is
independent of the third number relative to the first number when
the third number relative to the first number does not exceed the
predefined threshold (as shown in FIG. 5L, for example).
[0262] In some embodiments, graphical elements in the first
character selection sub-element and graphical elements in the
second character selection sub-element are located adjacent to an
edge of the display unit (as shown in FIG. 5A, for example).
[0263] In some embodiments, graphical elements in the first
character selection sub-element and graphical elements in the
second character selection sub-element are part of a single row of
graphical elements in the character selection element (as shown in
FIG. 5N, for example).
[0264] In some embodiments, graphical elements in the first
character selection sub-element and graphical elements in the
second character selection sub-element are part of a single column
of graphical elements in the character selection element (as shown
in FIG. 5A, for example).
[0265] In some embodiments, the electronic device 800 is a portable
electronic device (as shown in FIG. 5A, for example).
[0266] In some embodiments, the display unit 801 is a
touch-sensitive display unit that includes a touch-sensitive
surface, such as touch-sensitive unit 804 (as shown in FIG. 5A, for
example).
[0267] In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive display unit 801
has physical dimensions of at least one of: 2 inches or less in
width, and 2 inches or less in height (as shown in FIG. 5A, for
example).
[0268] In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive display unit 801
has a screen resolution of at least one of: 600 pixels or less in
width, and 600 pixels or less in height (as shown in FIG. 5A, for
example).
[0269] The operations in the information processing methods
described above may be implemented by running one or more
functional modules in information processing apparatus such as
general purpose processors or application specific chips. These
modules, combinations of these modules, and/or their combination
with general hardware (e.g., as described above with respect to
FIGS. 1A and 3A) are all included within the scope of protection of
the invention.
[0270] The operations described above with reference to FIGS. 7A-7D
may be implemented by components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B. For
example, detection operations 704, 708 and displaying operations
706, 710 may be implemented by event sorter 170, event recognizer
180, and event handler 190. Event monitor 171 in event sorter 170
detects a contact on touch-sensitive display 112, and event
dispatcher module 174 delivers the event information to application
136-1. A respective event recognizer 180 of application 136-1
compares the event information to respective event definitions 186,
and determines whether a first contact at a first location on the
touch-sensitive surface corresponds to a predefined event or
sub-event, such as selection of an object on a user interface. When
a respective predefined event or sub-event is detected, event
recognizer 180 activates an event handler 190 associated with the
detection of the event or sub-event. Event handler 190 may utilize
or call data updater 176 or object updater 177 to update the
application internal state 192. In some embodiments, event handler
190 accesses a respective GUI updater 178 to update what is
displayed by the application. Similarly, it would be clear to a
person having ordinary skill in the art how other processes can be
implemented based on the components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B.
[0271] The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has
been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the
illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or
to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many
modifications and variations are possible in view of the above
teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to
best explain the principles of the invention and its practical
applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best
utilize the invention and various embodiments with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
* * * * *