U.S. patent application number 14/746563 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-08 for system and method for managing display power consumption.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ramzi Khalil Maalouf, Jinrong Yang. Invention is credited to Ramzi Khalil Maalouf, Jinrong Yang.
Application Number | 20150286267 14/746563 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51864440 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150286267 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yang; Jinrong ; et
al. |
October 8, 2015 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING DISPLAY POWER CONSUMPTION
Abstract
A device includes a display screen that may be directed to
function in one of multiple modes. The device may be configured to
direct the display to shift between modes. In one mode, first
information is displayed in an available display area including a
first portion of a display screen in a display screen mode having a
set of portions of the display screen. The set of portions may
include the first portion of the display screen, which is
configured in a powered-on state to perform display functions and
receive user input, and a second portion of the display screen,
which is configured in a powered-off state. In another mode, the
entire screen may function in a powered-on state. One of the
particular modes may be selected by swiping on object displayed by
the screen to select a particular mode while the display is in a
sleep mode.
Inventors: |
Yang; Jinrong; (Shanghai,
CN) ; Maalouf; Ramzi Khalil; (Chevy Chase,
MD) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Yang; Jinrong
Maalouf; Ramzi Khalil |
Shanghai
Chevy Chase |
MD |
CN
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51864440 |
Appl. No.: |
14/746563 |
Filed: |
June 22, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14257888 |
Apr 21, 2014 |
9075612 |
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14746563 |
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14058731 |
Oct 21, 2013 |
8717328 |
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14257888 |
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13905064 |
May 29, 2013 |
8593427 |
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14058731 |
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61822267 |
May 10, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/174 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 2203/04803
20130101; G06F 1/3218 20130101; Y02D 30/50 20200801; G06F 3/04886
20130101; G06F 1/3265 20130101; G06F 1/3262 20130101; Y02D 10/00
20180101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/32 20060101
G06F001/32; G06F 3/041 20060101 G06F003/041; G06F 3/044 20060101
G06F003/044 |
Claims
1. A multifunction device comprising: a display comprising a
display screen; one or more processors; and a memory comprising
program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executed
by the one or more processors to implement: a power management
module configured to manage a display controller of the
multifunction device, wherein to manage the display the power
management module is further configured to instruct the display
controller to function in a proportional configuration mode,
wherein the proportional configuration mode configures a portion of
the display screen in a powered-on state and another portion of the
display screen in a powered-off state; wherein the proportional
configuration mode configures the portion of the display screen in
the powered-on state and another portion of the display screen in
the powered-off state without losing functionality or access to
applications.
2. The multifunction device of claim 1, wherein when the portion of
the display screen is in the powered-on state, the portion of the
display screen is configured to perform display functions and
receive user input.
3. The multifunction device of claim 2, wherein the powered-on
state configures the portion of the display screen to function in a
grayscale color mode.
4. The multifunction device of claim 3, wherein the powered-off
state configures the other portion of the of the display screen to
not perform display functions and to not receive user input.
5. The multifunction device of claim 1, wherein the power
management module is further configured to instruct the display
controller to function in a full display mode, wherein the full
display mode configures all of an available area of the display
screen in a powered-on state when the display controller of the
device is in the full display mode.
6. The multifunction device of claim 1, wherein the power
management module is further configured to manage the display of
the multifunction device when the display is in a powered-off mode,
the power management module configured to direct the display
controller to display at least one of a time, date and an
indication of one or more messages while the display controller is
in the powered-off mode.
7. The multifunction device of claim 1, wherein the power
management module is further configured to direct the display
controller to transition between modes based on a configurable
battery power threshold, wherein the power management module is
further configured to: determine that a battery power of the
multifunction device reaches the configurable battery power
threshold; and subsequent to said determine, instruct the display
controller to change from a full configuration mode to the
proportional configuration mode.
8. The multifunction device of claim 7, wherein the configurable
battery power threshold is a configurable setting in a user
interface of the multifunction device.
9. The multifunction device of claim 1, wherein the display is a
touch-sensitive display and wherein the program instructions are
further executable by the one or more processors to implement a
user interface module configured to: detect a contact with the
touch-sensitive display at a first predefined location
corresponding to an unlock image; continuously move the unlock
image on the touch-sensitive display in accordance with movement of
the contact while continuous contact with the display screen is
maintained, wherein the unlock image is a graphical, interactive
user-interface object with which a user interacts in order to
unlock the device; unlock the multifunction device into the
proportional configuration mode when the move of the unlock image
on the touch-sensitive display results in movement of the unlock
image from the first predefined location to a predefined unlock
region on the touch-sensitive display; and unlock the multifunction
device into the full configuration mode when the move of the unlock
image on the touch-sensitive display results in movement of the
unlock image from the first predefined location to another
predefined unlock region on the touch-sensitive display.
10. A method comprising: managing a display of a multifunction
device, wherein managing the display comprises: instructing the
device to transition from functioning in a full configuration mode
to functioning in a proportional configuration mode, wherein the
proportional configuration mode configures a portion of a display
screen of the device in a powered-on state and another portion of
the display screen of the device in a powered-off state; and
wherein said instructing the device to transition from functioning
in the full configuration mode to functioning in the proportional
configuration mode is performed by the operating system of the
multifunction device.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein instructing the device to
function in a proportional configuration mode causes the portion of
the display to perform display functions and receive user
input.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein instructing the display to
function in a configuration mode causes the portion of the display
to perform display functions and receive user input.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising instructing the
display screen to function in a full configuration mode, wherein
the full configuration mode configures each portion of the display
screen in a powered-on state.
14. A multifunction device comprising: a display screen; one or
more processors; and a memory comprising program instructions,
wherein the program instructions are executable by the one or more
processors to implement: a power management module configured to
manage a display screen of the multifunction device, wherein to
manage the display screen the power management module is further
configured to instruct the display screen to function in a
proportional configuration mode, wherein when the multifunction
device is operational to capture an image, the proportional
configuration mode configures a portion of the display screen in a
powered-on state and another portion of the display screen in a
powered-off state such that the other portion of the display screen
in the powered-off state is unresponsive to touch-based input while
the multifunction device captures an image.
15. The multifunction device of claim 14, wherein the powered-on
state of the proportional configuration mode configures the portion
of the display to perform display functions and receive user
input.
16. The multifunction device of claim 15, wherein the powered-on
state of the proportional configuration mode configures the portion
of the display to function in a grayscale color mode.
17. The multifunction device of claim 16, wherein the powered-off
state of the proportional configuration mode configures the other
portion of the of the display screen to not perform display
functions and to not receive user input.
18. The multifunction device of claim 14, wherein the power
management module is further configured to instruct the display
screen to function in a full display mode, wherein the full display
mode configures the display in a powered-on state when the display
screen of the device is in the display mode.
19. The multifunction device of claim 14, wherein the power
management module is further configured to manage the display
screen of the multifunction device when the display screen is in a
sleep mode, the power management module configured to direct the
display screen to display at least one of a time, date and an
indication of one or more messages while the display screen
controller is in the sleep mode.
20. The multifunction device of claim 14, wherein the power
management module is further configured to direct the display
screen to change between modes based on a configurable battery
power threshold, wherein the power management module is further
configured to: determine that a battery power of the multifunction
device has reached the configurable battery power threshold; and
subsequent to said determine, instruct the display screen to shift
from full configuration mode to the proportional configuration
mode.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 14/257,888, filed Apr. 21, 2014, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/058,731, filed
Oct. 21, 2013, which is continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
13/905,064, filed May 29, 2013, which claims benefit of priority of
U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/822,267, filed 10 May
2013, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in
their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] This disclosure relates generally to power management, and,
more specifically, to managing power consumption in display
systems.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The revolution in mobile computing devices, also described
herein as multifunction devices, has progressed at a far greater
pace than the progress of the batteries that power mobile devices.
From smart phones to tablets to laptops, users face increasing
frustration as batteries drain under the ceaseless consumption
produced by modern display devices.
[0006] As the multifunction devices improve and provide an
increasingly sophisticated array of functions to the user, demand
for power increases on two fronts. First, the amount of time that
devices are in use increases. Second, improved hardware such as
brighter display screens and faster processors drains more battery
power for each minute that the multifunction device remains in
use.
[0007] Most, if not all multifunction devices (e.g., smart phones)
have a constant screen size and a display area with two options
only; this is, the devices are either in a full display state
(e.g., the entire display screen is powered on) or in a no display
state where the entire display screen is powered-off.
SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS
[0008] Systems and methods for managing display power consumption
are disclosed. In some embodiments, screen space configuration and
user or automated management of the display may cause portions of
the display as well as elements displayed by the display to be
configured to any user-selected size or position. The
battery-saving benefit resulting from this new empowerment may be
an extremely valuable function, in some embodiments.
[0009] In some embodiments first information is displayed in an
available display area including a first portion of a display
screen in a configuration having a set of portions. The set of
portions includes the first portion of the display screen, which is
configured in a powered-on state to perform display functions and
receive user input, and a second portion of the display screen,
which is configured in a powered-off state. Responsive to a user
indication in the first portion, the second portion is added to the
available display area by transitioning the second portion to the
powered-on state to perform display functions and receive user
input. Second information is displayed in the second portion.
[0010] According to some embodiments, an entire device display
screen may function in a full configuration mode where the entire
available display screen is in a power-on state. For example, a
powered-on state may cause the affected part of the display to
perform display functions and receive user input, although less,
other or different functionality may be associated with the
powered-on state. Instructions may be received directing the
display to transition from the full configuration mode to a
proportional configuration mode. The proportional configuration
mode may configure a portion of the display screen in the
powered-on state and another portion of the display in a
powered-off state (in an example powered-off state, the affected
part of the display may be configured to not perform display
functions and to not receive user input). Responsive to receiving
the instructions, the underlying display technology (e.g.,
OLED/AMOLED or LCD, etc.) may be directed to continue to power the
portion of the display and power-off the other portion of the
display.
[0011] In another embodiment, a device may be set to a user
interface lock state by any predefined manner where the state
prevents the device from performing a predefined set of actions.
The device may be configured to display an unlock image while in
the lock state and detect contact with a touch sensitive display.
The device may be configured to determine whether the contact
corresponds to an unlock gesture using the unlock image and further
configured to determine whether the gesture indicates a
proportional configuration mode or a full configuration mode.
Responsive to the determination(s) the display may transition to
the determined configuration mode.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a portable
multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a portable multifunction displaying first
information in an available display area comprising a first portion
of a display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 4 depicts a portable multifunction responsive to a user
indication in the in the first portion, adding the second portion
to the available display area by transitioning the second portion
to the powered-on state to perform display functions and receive
user input, and displaying second information in the second portion
in accordance with some embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a portable multifunction displaying first
information in an available display area comprising a first portion
of a display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 6 depicts a portable multifunction responsive to a user
indication in the in the first portion, adding the second portion
to the available display area by transitioning the second portion
to the powered-on state to perform display functions and receive
user input, and displaying second information in the second portion
in accordance with some embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a portable multifunction displaying first
information in an available display area comprising a first portion
of a display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
[0019] FIG. 8 depicts a portable multifunction responsive to a user
indication in the in the first portion, adding the second portion
to the available display area by transitioning the second portion
to the powered-on state to perform display functions and receive
user input, and displaying second information in the second portion
in accordance with some embodiments.
[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a portable multifunction displaying first
information in an available display area comprising a first portion
of a display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
[0021] FIG. 10 depicts a portable multifunction responsive to a
user indication in the in the first portion, adding the second
portion to the available display area by transitioning the second
portion to the powered-on state to perform display functions and
receive user input, and displaying second information in the second
portion in accordance with some embodiments.
[0022] FIG. 11 illustrates a portable multifunction displaying
first information in an available display area comprising a first
portion of a display screen device in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0023] FIG. 12 depicts a portable multifunction displaying first
information in an available display area comprising a first portion
of a display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
[0024] FIG. 13 illustrates a portable multifunction responsive to a
user indication in the in the first portion, adding the second
portion to the available display area by transitioning the second
portion to the powered-on state to perform display functions and
receive user input, and displaying second information in the second
portion in accordance with some embodiments.
[0025] FIG. 14 depicts a portable multifunction displaying with a
display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
[0026] FIG. 15 illustrates a portable multifunction displaying with
a display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
[0027] FIG. 16 depicts a portable multifunction displaying first
information in an available display area comprising a first portion
of a display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
[0028] FIG. 17 illustrates a portable multifunction responsive to a
user indication in the in the first portion, adding the second
portion to the available display area by transitioning the second
portion to the powered-on state to perform display functions and
receive user input, and displaying second information in the second
portion in accordance with some embodiments.
[0029] FIG. 18 depicts a portable multifunction responsive to a
user indication in the in the first portion, adding the second
portion to the available display area by transitioning the second
portion to the powered-on state to perform display functions and
receive user input, and displaying second information in the second
portion in accordance with some embodiments.
[0030] FIG. 19 illustrates a portable multifunction displaying with
a display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
[0031] FIG. 19A illustrates a portable multifunction displaying
with a display screen device in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0032] FIG. 20 depicts a portable multifunction displaying with a
display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
[0033] FIG. 21 illustrates a portable multifunction displaying with
a display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
[0034] FIG. 22 depicts a portable multifunction displaying with a
display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
[0035] FIG. 23 illustrates a portable multifunction displaying with
a display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
[0036] FIG. 24 depicts a portable multifunction displaying with a
display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
[0037] FIG. 25 illustrates a display power management module for
managing display power consumption, according to some
embodiments.
[0038] FIG. 26 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
method for managing display power consumption, according to some
embodiments.
[0039] FIG. 27 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
method for managing display power consumption, according to some
embodiments.
[0040] FIG. 28 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
method for managing display power consumption, according to some
embodiments.
[0041] FIG. 29 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
method for managing display power consumption, according to some
embodiments.
[0042] FIG. 30 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
method for managing display power consumption, according to some
embodiments.
[0043] FIG. 31 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
method for managing display power consumption, according to some
embodiments.
[0044] FIG. 32 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
method for managing display power consumption, according to some
embodiments.
[0045] FIG. 33 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
method for unlocking a display and transitioning the display into
either a full configuration mode or a proportional configuration
mode.
[0046] FIG. 34 illustrates a portable multifunction with a display
screen in accordance with some embodiments.
[0047] FIG. 35 illustrates a portion of a portable multifunction
with a display screen in accordance with some embodiments.
[0048] FIG. 36 illustrates a portable multifunction with a display
screen in accordance with some embodiments.
[0049] FIG. 37 illustrates a portable multifunction with a display
screen in accordance with some embodiments.
[0050] FIG. 38 illustrates a portable multifunction with a display
screen in accordance with some embodiments.
[0051] FIG. 39 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
method for transitioning a display from a full configuration mode
to a proportional configuration mode.
[0052] FIG. 40 illustrates a portable multifunction with a display
screen in accordance with some embodiments.
[0053] FIG. 41 illustrates a portable multifunction with a display
screen in accordance with some embodiments.
[0054] FIG. 42 illustrates a portable multifunction with a display
screen in accordance with some embodiments.
[0055] FIG. 43 illustrates a portable multifunction with a display
screen in accordance with some embodiments.
[0056] FIG. 44 illustrates a portable multifunction with a display
screen in accordance with some embodiments.
[0057] FIG. 45 illustrates a portable multifunction with a display
screen in accordance with some embodiments.
[0058] FIG. 46 illustrates a portable multifunction with a display
screen in accordance with some embodiments.
[0059] FIG. 47 illustrates an example computer system configured to
implement aspects of the system and method for managing display
power consumption.
[0060] This specification includes references to "one embodiment"
or "an embodiment." The appearances of the phrases "in one
embodiment" or "in an embodiment" do not necessarily refer to the
same embodiment. Particular features, structures, or
characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner consistent
with this disclosure.
[0061] "Comprising." This term is open-ended. As used in the
appended claims, this term does not foreclose additional structure
or steps. Consider a claim that recites: "An apparatus comprising
one or more processor units . . . . " Such a claim does not
foreclose the apparatus from including additional components (e.g.,
a network interface unit, graphics circuitry, etc.).
[0062] "Configured To." Various units, circuits, or other
components may be described or claimed as "configured to" perform a
task or tasks. In such contexts, "configured to" is used to connote
structure by indicating that the units/circuits/components include
structure (e.g., circuitry) that performs those task or tasks
during operation. As such, the unit/circuit/component can be said
to be configured to perform the task even when the specified
unit/circuit/component is not currently operational (e.g., is not
on). The units/circuits/components used with the "configured to"
language include hardware--for example, circuits, memory storing
program instructions executable to implement the operation, etc.
Reciting that a unit/circuit/component is "configured to" perform
one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.112, sixth paragraph, for that unit/circuit/component.
Additionally, "configured to" can include generic structure (e.g.,
generic circuitry) that is manipulated by software and/or firmware
(e.g., an FPGA or a general-purpose processor executing software)
to operate in manner that is capable of performing the task(s) at
issue. "Configure to" may also include adapting a manufacturing
process (e.g., a semiconductor fabrication facility) to fabricate
devices (e.g., integrated circuits) that are adapted to implement
or perform one or more tasks.
[0063] "First," "Second," etc. As used herein, these terms are used
as labels for nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of
ordering (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). For example, a
buffer circuit may be described herein as performing write
operations for "first" and "second" values. The terms "first" and
"second" do not necessarily imply that the first value must be
written before the second value.
[0064] "Based On." As used herein, this term is used to describe
one or more factors that affect a determination. This term does not
foreclose additional factors that may affect a determination. That
is, a determination may be solely based on those factors or based,
at least in part, on those factors. Consider the phrase "determine
A based on B." While in this case, B is a factor that affects the
determination of A, such a phrase does not foreclose the
determination of A from also being based on C. In other instances,
A may be determined based solely on B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Introduction
[0065] Various embodiments of a system and method for managing
display power consumption are disclosed. According to some
embodiments, an entire device display screen may function in a full
configuration mode where the entire available display screen is in
a power-on state. For example, a powered-on state may cause the
affected part of the display to perform display functions and
receive user input, although less, other or different functionality
may be associated with the powered-on state. Instructions may be
received directing the display to transition from the full
configuration mode to a proportional configuration mode. The
proportional configuration mode may configure a portion of the
display screen in the powered-on state and another portion of the
display in a powered-off state (in an example powered-off state,
the affected part of the display may be configured to not perform
display functions and to not receive user input). Responsive to
receiving the instructions, the underlying display technology
(e.g., pixels for OLED/AMOLED technologies) may be directed to
continue to power the portion of the display and power-off the
other portion of the display.
[0066] In some embodiments, the portion of the screen (e.g., some
or all of the display) that is powered-off may be black or
near-black, unresponsive to the touch, or display other
characteristics of a display that is not powered. For example, the
portion of the display that is powered-off cannot be activated by
an errant finger and may be used as a handle for gripping the
device. Such configuration may be useful for tasks such as taking
pictures with the device comprising the display. The portion of the
display that is powered-off may be configurable by or for the user
and the rest of the display may continue to provide all or almost
all of the full functionality, as described herein.
[0067] The screen may be the constant total surface area of the
multifunction device on which graphics or text may be
electronically provided (or "displayed"), in some embodiments. A
display may be configured to display (e.g., illuminate one or more
pixels) one or more colors (e.g., other than a black, or other
color screen that is the color of the display when powered off)
when powered-on, for example. The area of the display that is
powered-on may range from 0% (e.g., all black/off) to 100% (e.g., a
full display) and anywhere in-between. In some embodiments, the
display may be configured to display in grayscale.
[0068] 0% to 100% of the display or screen may be configured as
powered-on, in embodiments. Whatever portion is not configured as
powered-on may be configured as powered-off. In embodiments, the
portion that is configured as powered-off may be using little to no
power from the battery. In embodiments, multiple different portions
of the screen may be configured as powered-on while the rest of the
screen remains powered-off. For example, the icons representing
applications on a smart phone user interface may be powered-on
while the space in-between the icons may be powered-off, like
islands of powered-on color in a sea of powered-off display area.
The display portion may be equal to the total surface area of the
sum of the individual powered-on display areas divided by the total
screen size.
[0069] The portion of powered-on display may be user-configurable,
via settings or manipulation of the user-interface, such as
described herein, for example. In another example, the portion of
powered-on display may be otherwise controlled, by the device
operating system or by an application. Embodiments, as described
herein, may reduce the amount of screen that is powered-on (e.g.,
from 20-plus applications to half that or less). In some
embodiment, such a configuration may reduce the use of battery
power.
[0070] In some embodiments, power efficiency may be improved by
practicing the methods and configurations described herein,
providing for extended battery life for example. A device
comprising a display as described herein may provide a user with
the ability to control the size of the display such that individual
pixels below the powered-off or inactive (e.g.,
black/dead/unpowered) portion of the display screen are all turned
off (e.g., in smart phones using OLED/AMOLED technologies) in
embodiments. Some tests have shown that for some devices, something
like 67% of the total power drain of a battery may be attributable
to the display. In embodiments, the power drain reduction may be
proportional to the size of the powered-off portion
[0071] In another embodiment, a device may be set to a user
interface lock state by any predefined manner where the state
prevents the device from performing a predefined set of actions.
The device may be configured to display an unlock image while in
the lock state and detect contact with a touch sensitive display.
The device may be configured to determine whether the contact
corresponds to an unlock gesture using the unlock image and further
configured to determine whether the gesture indicates a
proportional configuration mode or a full configuration mode.
Responsive to the determination(s) the display may transition to
the determined configuration mode.
[0072] In some embodiments first information is displayed in an
available display area including a first portion of a display
screen in a configuration having a plurality of portions. In some
embodiments, the display screen includes the first portion of the
display screen, which is configured in a powered-on state to
perform display functions and receive user input, and a second
portion of the display screen, which is configured in a powered-off
state. Responsive to a user indication in the in the first portion,
the second portion is added to the available display area by
transitioning the second portion to the powered-on state to perform
display functions and receive user input. Second information is
displayed in the second portion.
[0073] The process may be reversible in some embodiments, and a
portion of the display screen may be removed from the powered-on
state to the powered off state in response to user input. Likewise,
the actions described herein as being performed in response to user
input may, in some embodiments, be performed in response to system
events such as the passage of an amount of time or a signal from an
application or system module, or other system events, such as a
power-down or sleep signal.
[0074] Some embodiments include a redesign of the current user
interface of smart phones and hand-held terminals, variously
referred to herein as multifunction devices, giving the user the
full freedom to touch change their screen and divide it into an
active (working) portion and a non-active (non-working, dead)
portion depending on their needs and application. Some embodiments
achieve numerous valuable benefits such as extending existing
battery usage time as a result of the unused electricity saved by
the dead portion of the screen, and at the same time using the dead
portion of the screen as a grip surface to securely and
conveniently use applications such as the camera (similar to the
HandlePa.TM.), etc.
[0075] Some embodiments present a new simple yet revolutionary user
interface (UI) based on a concept and method which will elevate the
user's freedom and flexibility and thus change the way smart phone
and hand-held terminal users interact with their screen.
[0076] In some embodiments, the second information is generated by
mathematically upscaling the first information. The second
information includes a portion of the first information upscaled
for display in both the second portion and the first portion. In
some embodiments, third information in the first portion. The third
information comprises a portion of the first information upscaled
for display in both the second portion and the first portion. In
some embodiments, a graphical content data structure including
content for display in the available display area is received, and
elements of the graphical content data structure are selected for
display in the available display area based at least in part on
whether the second portion is in a powered-on state.
[0077] In some embodiments, a graphical content data structure
including content for display in the available display area is
received, and elements of the graphical content data structure are
scaled for display in the available display area based at least in
part on a dimension of the available display area. In some
embodiments, a graphical content data structure including content
for display in the available display area is received, and elements
of the graphical content data structure are scaled for display in
the available display area based at least in part on whether the
second portion is in a powered-on state.
[0078] In some embodiments, a graphical content data structure
including content for display in the available display area is
received, and a position relative to a background element of a
foreground content element of the graphical content data structure
is adjusted for display in the available display area based at
least in part on whether the second portion is in a powered-on
state. In some embodiments, a graphical content data structure
including content for display in the available display area is
received, and elements of the graphical content data structure are
selected for display in the available display area based at least
in part on a dimension of the available display area.
[0079] Some embodiments may include a means for managing display
power consumption. For example, a screen power management module
may display first information in an available display area
comprising a first portion of a display screen in a configuration
having a plurality of portions, responsive to a user indication in
the in the first portion, add the second portion to the available
display area by transitioning the second portion to the powered-on
state to perform display functions and receive user input, and
display second information in the second portion, as described
herein. The screen power management module may in some embodiments
be implemented by a non-transitory, computer-readable storage
medium and one or more processors (e.g., CPUs and/or GPUs) of a
computing apparatus. The computer-readable storage medium may store
program instructions executable by the one or more processors to
cause the computing apparatus to display first information in an
available display area comprising a first portion of a display
screen in a configuration having a plurality of portions,
responsive to a user indication in the in the first portion, add
the second portion to the available display area by transitioning
the second portion to the powered-on state to perform display
functions and receive user input, and display second information in
the second portion, as described herein. Other embodiments of a
screen power management module may be at least partially
implemented by hardware circuitry and/or firmware stored, for
example, in a non-volatile memory.
Multifunction Device
[0080] 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 disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art that some embodiments 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.
[0081] 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
intended scope. The first contact and the second contact are both
contacts, but they are not the same contact.
[0082] The terminology used in the description herein is for the
purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not
intended to be limiting. As used in the description 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.
[0083] 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.
[0084] 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. 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). In some embodiments, the device is a gaming computer
with orientation sensors (e.g., orientation sensors in a gaming
controller).
[0085] 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.
[0086] 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.
[0087] 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.
[0088] Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable
devices. FIG. 1 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 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.
[0089] 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. 1 may be
implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and
software, including one or more signal processing and/or
application specific integrated circuits.
[0090] 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.
[0091] 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.
[0092] 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.
[0093] 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.
[0094] The wireless communication may use any of a variety 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.
[0095] 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).
[0096] 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).
[0097] 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.
[0098] 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.
[0099] 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 variety 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., and iPad.RTM. from Apple Inc. of
Cupertino, Calif.
[0100] 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.
[0101] 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.
[0102] 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.
[0103] Device 100 may also include one or more optical sensors 164.
FIG. 1 shows an optical sensor coupled to optical sensor controller
159 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.
[0104] Device 100 may also include one or more proximity sensors
166. FIG. 1 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).
[0105] Device 100 includes one or more orientation sensors 168. In
some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include one
or more accelerometers (e.g., one or more linear accelerometers
and/or one or more rotational accelerometers). In some embodiments,
the one or more orientation sensors include one or more gyroscopes.
In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include
one or more magnetometers. In some embodiments, the one or more
orientation sensors include one or more of global positioning
system (GPS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), and/or
other global navigation system receivers. The GPS, GLONASS, and/or
other global navigation system receivers may be used for obtaining
information concerning the location and orientation (e.g., portrait
or landscape) of device 100. In some embodiments, the one or more
orientation sensors include any combination of orientation/rotation
sensors. FIG. 1 shows the one or more orientation sensors 168
coupled to peripherals interface 118. Alternately, the one or more
orientation sensors 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
orientation sensors.
[0106] 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, screen power
management module 158 and applications (or sets of instructions)
136. 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; state
information that indicates which processes control output of shared
audio or visual resource of a vehicle; ownership transition
conditions of the shared audio or visual resource; and location
information concerning the device's location and/or attitude.
[0107] Operating system 126 (e.g., Darwin, LINUX, UNIX, OS X,
WINDOWS, or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks or RTXC)
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.
[0108] 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.).
[0109] 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.
[0110] 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.
[0111] 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.
[0112] 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.
[0113] 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).
[0114] 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).
[0115] Applications 136 may include the following modules (or sets
of instructions), or a subset or superset thereof: [0116] contacts
module 137 (sometimes called an address book or contact list);
[0117] telephone module 138; [0118] video conferencing module 139;
[0119] e-mail client module 140; [0120] instant messaging (IM)
module 141; [0121] workout support module 142; [0122] camera module
143 for still and/or video images; [0123] image management module
144; [0124] browser module 147; [0125] calendar module 148; [0126]
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; [0127]
widget creator module 150 for making user-created widgets 149-6;
[0128] search module 151; [0129] video and music player module 152,
which may be made up of a video module and a music module; [0130]
notes module 153; [0131] map module 154; and/or [0132] online video
module 155.
[0133] 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.
[0134] 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), 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.
[0135] 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 variety of communications standards, protocols and
technologies.
[0136] In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110,
speaker 111, microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller
156, and communication module 128, screen power management module
158 controls portions of a screen active for display use as
described herein, by controlling or causing the graphics module 132
to display first information in an available display area
comprising a first portion of a display screen in a configuration
having a plurality of portions, responsive to a user indication in
the in the first portion, add the second portion to the available
display area by transitioning the second portion to the powered-on
state to perform display functions and receive user input, and
display second information in the second portion, as described
herein
[0137] In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110,
speaker 111, microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller
156, optical sensor 164, screen power management module 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.
[0138] 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.
[0139] 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).
[0140] 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.
[0141] In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller
156, optical sensor(s) 164, optical sensor controller 159, 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.
[0142] 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.
[0143] 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.
[0144] 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.
[0145] 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
1493, 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).
[0146] 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).
[0147] 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.
[0148] 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.).
[0149] 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.
[0150] 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.
[0151] 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.
[0152] 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.
[0153] 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.
[0154] 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.
[0155] While a portable or mobile computing device is shown as one
embodiment of a multifunction device, one of skill in the art will
readily realize in light of having read the current disclosure that
a desktop computer or other computing device may also perform many
of the functions described herein without departing from the scope
and intent of the present disclosure. Likewise, while touch screen
devices are shown as one embodiment of a multifunction device, one
of skill in the art will readily realize in light of having read
the current disclosure that a desktop computer or other computing
device without a touch screen may also perform many of the
functions described herein without departing from the scope and
intent of the present disclosure.
[0156] FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device 100 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).
[0157] 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.
[0158] 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.
[0159] In an alternative embodiment, device 100 also may accept
verbal input for activation or deactivation of some functions
through microphone 113.
User Interface Examples
[0160] FIG. 3 illustrates a portable multifunction displaying first
information of the active display within the available display area
comprising a first portion of a display screen device in accordance
with some embodiments. Multifunction device 300 includes an active
display 305. A first portion 315 is an available display area 310
and a second portion 320 is in a powered-off condition. As shown in
FIG. 3, multifunction device 300 is displaying first information in
the available display area 310 comprising the first portion 315 and
a second portion 320 of the display screen in a configuration
having a plurality of portions, e.g., first portion 315 and second
portion 320. The first portion 315 of the display screen 305 is
configured in a powered-on state to perform display functions and
receive user input. The second portion 320 is configured in a
powered-off state. A display main control bar 350 for providing
user input is shown.
[0161] FIG. 4 depicts a portable multifunction responsive to a user
indication in the in the first portion, adding the second portion
to the available display area by transitioning the second portion
to the powered-on state to perform display functions and receive
user input, and displaying second information in the second portion
in accordance with some embodiments. Multifunction device 400
includes a display 405. An available display area 410 includes a
first portion 415 and a second portion 420. Note that a third
portion 425 remains in a powered-off condition.
[0162] To achieve a transition from the state represented in FIG. 3
to the state represented in FIG. 4, multifunction device 400,
responsive to a user indication, for instance movement of control
bar 350, in the first portion 315, adds the second portion 320 to
the available display area 310 by transitioning the second portion
320 to the powered-on state to perform display functions and
receive user input, and displays second information in the second
portion 320 as illustrated in FIG. 4. User input can be provided by
various types of user input (e.g., input suitable for
touch-sensitive displays, such as tapping below the display control
bar or by a dragging gesture while touching the location of display
screen control bar 450), either to provide user input to expand the
available display area 410 by transitioning the third portion 425
to the powered-on state to perform display functions and receive
user input or to provide user input to contract the available
display area 410 by transitioning the second portion 420 to the
powered-off state.
[0163] FIG. 5 illustrates a portable multifunction displaying first
information in an available display area comprising a first portion
of a display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
Multifunction device 500 includes a display 505. A first portion
515 is an available display area 510 and a second portion 520 is in
a powered-off condition. As shown in FIG. 5, multifunction device
500 is displaying first information in the available display area
510 comprising the first portion 515 of the display screen in a
configuration having a plurality of portions, e.g., first portion
515 and second portion 520. The first portion 515 of the display
screen 505 is configured in a powered-on state to perform display
functions and receive user input. The second portion 520 is
configured in a powered-off state. A display control bar 550 for
providing user input is shown.
[0164] To achieve a transition from the state represented in FIG. 4
to the state represented in FIG. 5, multifunction device 500,
responsive to a user indication, for instance movement of control
bar 550, in the second portion 520, transitions the second portion
520 to the powered-off state to perform display functions. User
input can be provided (e.g., input suitable for touch-sensitive
displays, such as by tapping below the display control bar or by a
dragging gesture while touching the location of display control bar
550) to provide user input to expand the available display area 510
by transitioning the second portion 520 to the powered-on state to
perform display functions and receive user input.
[0165] FIG. 6 depicts a portable multifunction responsive to a user
indication in the in the first portion, adding the second portion
to the available display area by transitioning the second portion
to the powered-on state to perform display functions and receive
user input, and displaying second information in the second portion
in accordance with some embodiments. Multifunction device 600
includes a display 605. An available display area 610 includes a
first portion 615 and a second portion 620.
[0166] To achieve a transition from the state represented in FIG. 5
to the state represented in FIG. 6, multifunction device 600,
responsive to a user indication, for instance movement of control
bar 650, in the in the first portion 615, adds the second portion
620 to the available display area 610 by transitioning the second
portion 415 to the powered-on state to perform display functions
and receive user input, and displays second information in the
second portion 620. User input can be provided, e.g., by tapping
below the display control bar or by a dragging gesture while
touching the location of display control bar 650, to provide user
input to contract the available display area 610 by transitioning
the second portion 620 to the powered-off state.
[0167] FIG. 7 illustrates a portable multifunction displaying first
information in an available display area comprising a first portion
of a display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
Multifunction device 700 includes a display 705. A first portion
715 is an available display area 710 and a second portion 720 is in
a powered-off condition. As shown in FIG. 7, multifunction device
700 is displaying first information in the available display area
710 comprising the first portion 715 of the display screen in a
configuration having a plurality of portions, e.g., first portion
715 and second portion 720.
[0168] The first portion 715 of the display screen 705 is
configured in a powered-on state to perform display functions and
receive user input. The second portion 720 is configured in a
powered-off state. A display control bar 750 for providing user
input is shown. Selected interface elements 725 are shown, as well
as a scaled element 730. Selected interface elements 725 are, in
some embodiments, a subset of elements of included in a graphical
content data structure comprising content for display in the
available display area 710, and embodiments select the selected
interface elements 725 of the graphical content data structure for
display in the available display area 710 based at least in part on
whether the second portion 720 is in a powered-on state.
[0169] In some embodiments, a size of scaled element 730 is
determined by scaling elements of the graphical content data
structure for display in the available display area based at least
in part on a dimension of the available display area. In some
embodiments, a size of scaled element 730 is determined by scaling
elements of the graphical content data structure for display in the
available display area based at least in part on whether the second
portion is in a powered-on state.
[0170] In some embodiments, positions of selected elements 825 are
determined by adjusting a position relative to a background element
of a foreground content element of the graphical content data
structure for display in the available display area based at least
in part on whether the second portion is in a powered-on state. In
some embodiments, selected interface elements 725 of the graphical
content data structure may be selected for display in the available
display area 710 based at least in part on a dimension of the
available display area.
[0171] FIG. 8 depicts a portable multifunction responsive to a user
indication in the in the first portion, adding the second portion
to the available display area by transitioning the second portion
to the powered-on state to perform display functions and receive
user input, and displaying second information in the second portion
in accordance with some embodiments. Multifunction device 800
includes a display 805. A first portion 815 and a second portion
820 are an available display area 810, and a third portion 830 is
in a powered-off condition. As shown in FIG. 8, multifunction
device 800 is displaying first information in the available display
area 810 comprising the first portion 815 of the display screen in
a configuration having a plurality of portions, e.g., first portion
815 and second portion 820.
[0172] The first portion 815 and the second portion 820 of the
display screen 805 are configured in a powered-on state to perform
display functions and receive user input. The third portion 830 is
configured in a powered-off state. A display control bar 850 for
providing user input is shown. Selected interface elements 825 are
shown, as well as a scaled element 830. Selected interface elements
825 are, in some embodiments, a subset of elements of included in a
graphical content data structure comprising content for display in
the available display area 810, and embodiments select the selected
interface elements 825 of the graphical content data structure for
display in the available display area 810 based at least in part on
whether the second portion 820 is in a powered-on state.
[0173] In some embodiments, a size of scaled element 830 is
determined by scaling elements of the graphical content data
structure for display in the available display area based at least
in part on a dimension of the available display area. In some
embodiments, a size of scaled element 830 is determined by scaling
elements of the graphical content data structure for display in the
available display area based at least in part on whether the second
portion is in a powered-on state.
[0174] In some embodiments, positions of selected elements 825 are
determined by adjusting a position relative to a background element
of a foreground content element of the graphical content data
structure for display in the available display area based at least
in part on whether the second portion is in a powered-on state. In
some embodiments, selected interface elements 825 of the graphical
content data structure may be selected for display in the available
display area 810 based at least in part on a dimension of the
available display area.
[0175] FIG. 9 illustrates a portable multifunction displaying first
information in an available display area comprising a first portion
of a display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
Multifunction device 900 includes a display 905. A first portion
915 is an available display area 910 and a second portion 920 is in
a powered-off condition. As shown in FIG. 9, multifunction device
900 is displaying first information in the available display area
910 comprising the first portion 915 of the display screen in a
configuration having a plurality of portions, e.g., first portion
915 and second portion 920. The first portion 915 of the display
screen 905 is configured in a powered-on state to perform display
functions and receive user input. The second portion 920 is
configured in a powered-off state. A display control bar 950 for
providing user input is shown.
[0176] FIG. 10 depicts a portable multifunction responsive to a
user indication in the in the first portion, adding the second
portion to the available display area by transitioning the second
portion to the powered-on state to perform display functions and
receive user input, and displaying second information in the second
portion in accordance with some embodiments. Multifunction device
1000 includes a display 1005. A first portion 1015 is an available
display area 1010 and a second portion 1020 is in a powered-off
condition. As shown in FIG. 10, multifunction device 1000 is
displaying first information in the available display area 1010
comprising the first portion 1015 of the display screen in a
configuration having a plurality of portions, e.g., first portion
1015 and second portion 1020. The first portion 1015 of the display
screen 1005 is configured in a powered-on state to perform display
functions and receive user input. The second portion 1020 is
configured in a powered-off state. A display control bar 1050 for
providing user input is shown.
[0177] FIG. 11 illustrates a portable multifunction displaying
first information in an available display area comprising a first
portion of a display screen device in accordance with some
embodiments. FIG. 11 depicts a portable multifunction responsive to
a user indication in the in the first portion, adding the second
portion to the available display area by transitioning the second
portion to the powered-on state to perform display functions and
receive user input, and displaying second information in the second
portion in accordance with some embodiments. Multifunction device
1100 includes a display 1105. An available display area 1110
includes a first portion 1115 and a second portion 1120.
[0178] FIG. 12 depicts a portable multifunction displaying first
information in an available display area comprising a first portion
of a display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
Multifunction device 1200 includes a display 1205. A first portion
1215 is an available display area 1210 and a second portion 1220 is
in a powered-off condition. As shown in FIG. 12, multifunction
device 1200 is displaying first information in the available
display area 1210 comprising the first portion 1215 of the display
screen in a configuration having a plurality of portions, e.g.,
first portion 1215 and second portion 1220. The first portion 1215
of the display screen 1205 is configured in a powered-on state to
perform display functions and receive user input. The second
portion 1220 is configured in a powered-off state and may be used
as a grip.
[0179] FIG. 13 illustrates a portable multifunction responsive to a
user indication in the in the first portion, adding the second
portion to the available display area by transitioning the second
portion to the powered-on state to perform display functions and
receive user input, and displaying second information in the second
portion in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 13 depicts a
portable multifunction responsive to a user indication in the in
the first portion, adding the second portion to the available
display area by transitioning the second portion to the powered-on
state to perform display functions and receive user input, and
displaying second information in the second portion in accordance
with some embodiments. Multifunction device 1300 includes a display
1305. An available display area 1310 includes a first portion 1315
and a second portion 1320.
[0180] FIG. 14 depicts a portable multifunction displaying a
display screen device in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 14
depicts a portable multifunction responsive to a user indication in
the in the first portion, adding the second portion to the
available display area by transitioning the second portion to the
powered-on state to perform display functions and receive user
input, and displaying second information in the second portion in
accordance with some embodiments. Multifunction device 1400
includes a display 1405. An available display area 1410 includes a
first portion 1415 and a second portion 1420.
[0181] FIG. 15 illustrates a portable multifunction displaying a
display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
Multifunction device 1500 includes a display 1505. A first portion
1515 is an available display area 1510 and a second portion 1520 is
in a powered-off condition. As shown in FIG. 15, multifunction
device 1500 is displaying first information in the available
display area 1510 comprising the first portion 1515 of the display
screen in a configuration having a plurality of portions, e.g.,
first portion 1515 and second portion 1520. The first portion 1515
of the display screen 1505 is configured in a powered-on state to
perform display functions and receive user input. The second
portion 1520 is configured in a powered-off state and may be used
as a grip.
[0182] FIG. 16 depicts a portable multifunction displaying first
information in an available display area comprising a first portion
of a display screen device in accordance with some embodiments.
FIG. 16 depicts a portable multifunction responsive to a user
indication in the in the first portion, adding the second portion
to the available display area by transitioning the second portion
to the powered-on state to perform display functions and receive
user input, and displaying second information in the second portion
in accordance with some embodiments. Multifunction device 1600
includes a display 1605. An available display area 1610 includes a
first portion 1615 and a second portion 1620.
[0183] FIG. 17 illustrates a portable multifunction responsive to a
user indication in the in the first portion, adding the second
portion to the available display area by transitioning the second
portion to the powered-on state to perform display functions and
receive user input, and displaying second information in the second
portion in accordance with some embodiments. Multifunction device
1700 includes a display 1705. A first portion 1715 is an available
display area 1710 and a second portion 1720 is in a powered-off
condition. As shown in FIG. 17, multifunction device 1700 is
displaying first information in the available display area 1710
comprising the first portion 1715 of the display screen in a
configuration having a plurality of portions, e.g., first portion
1715 and second portion 1720. The first portion 1715 of the display
screen 1705 is configured in a powered-on state to perform display
functions and receive user input. The second portion 1720 is
configured in a powered-off state and may be used as a grip.
[0184] FIG. 18 depicts a portable multifunction responsive to a
user indication in the first portion, adding the second portion to
the available display area by transitioning the second portion to
the powered-on state to perform display functions and receive user
input, and displaying second information in the second portion in
accordance with some embodiments. Multifunction device 1800
includes a display 1805. A first portion 1815 is an available
display area 1810 and a second portion 1820 is in a powered-off
condition. As shown in FIG. 18, multifunction device 1800 is
displaying first information in the available display area 1810
comprising the first portion 1815 of the display screen in a
configuration having a plurality of portions, e.g., first portion
1815 and second portion 1820. The first portion 1815 of the display
screen 1805 is configured in a powered-on state to perform display
functions and receive user input. The second portion 1820 is
configured in a powered-off state and may be used as a grip.
[0185] FIG. 19 illustrates a portable multifunction with a display
screen device in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 19 depicts
a portable multifunction responsive to a user indication in the in
the first portion, adding the second portion to the available
display area by transitioning the second portion to the powered-on
state to perform display functions and receive user input, and
displaying second information in the second portion in accordance
with some embodiments. Multifunction device 1900 includes a display
1905. An available display area 1910 includes a first portion 1915
and a second portion 1920.
[0186] In FIG. 19, multifunction device 1900 has been rotated 90
degrees and the displayed features of the application being
displayed, along with the time and signal strength icon have
rotated 90 degree in the other direction so as to appear upright.
In some of the previous illustrations, the icons associated with
applications are illustrated as retaining their orientation with
the device as the device is rotated. In some embodiments, the icons
may re-orient so as to appear upright when the device has been
tilted or turned. In some embodiments, the application being
displayed may or may not reorient so as to appear upright. In
embodiments, such functionality may be configurable, for example
via program instructions 4722, state information 2570, 2590 or via
image management module 144, graphics module 132 or the like. In
embodiments, the time and signal strength tool bar may be
configured to be oriented with the device or with the icons or with
the application, based on how such elements of the display orient
themselves in response to orientation of the device.
[0187] In FIG. 19A, multifunction device 1900 has been rotated 90
degrees and the displayed features of the application being
displayed have rotated 90 degree in the other direction so as to
appear upright. In FIG. 19A, the indicator display 1935 (e.g.,
illustrating time and signal strength indicators) has not rotated
90 degree in the other direction so as to appear upright. In
embodiments, the indicator display may rotate with the display. In
some embodiments, the indicator display may rotate with the
displayed features of the application, for example. In embodiments,
the indicator display may remain displayed while in a display
portion that is otherwise powered-off or may be reconfigured by one
or more components of the device to be displayed entirely within
the power-on portion, without any reduced functionality, for
example. For example, the indicator display crosses from a first
portion (e.g., first portion 1915) to a second portion (e.g.,
second portion 1920) in FIG. 19. If the device 1900 changed mode or
state such that the second portion of the display was placed into a
powered-off mode, the indicator display may either remain displayed
as it is, or may be reconfigured to only appear in the first
portion, albeit continuing to display the same or similar
indicators such that the portion of the indicator display 1935
illustrated in the second portion 1920 would appear in the first
portion 1915.
[0188] In some of the illustrations, the icons associated with
applications are illustrated as retaining their orientation with
the device as the device is rotated. In some embodiments, the icons
may re-orient so as to appear upright when the device has been
tilted or turned. In some embodiments, the application being
displayed may or may not reorient so as to appear upright. In
embodiments, such functionality may be configurable, for example
via program instructions 4722, state information 2570, 2590 or via
image management module 144, graphics module 132 or the like. In
embodiments, the time and signal strength tool bar may be
configured to be oriented with the device or with the icons or with
the application, based on how such elements of the display orient
themselves in response to orientation of the device.
[0189] FIG. 20 depicts a portable multifunction with a display
screen device in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 20 depicts
a portable multifunction responsive to a user indication in the in
the first portion, adding the second portion to the available
display area by transitioning the second portion to the powered-on
state to perform display functions and receive user input, and
displaying second information in the second portion in accordance
with some embodiments. Multifunction device 2000 includes a display
2005. An available display area 2010 includes a first portion 2015
and a second portion 2020.
[0190] FIG. 21 illustrates a portable multifunction with a display
screen device in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 21 depicts
a portable multifunction responsive to a user indication in the in
the first portion, adding the second portion to the available
display area by transitioning the second portion to the powered-on
state to perform display functions and receive user input, and
displaying second information in the second portion in accordance
with some embodiments. Multifunction device 2100 includes a display
2105. An available display area 2110 includes a first portion 2115
and a second portion 2120.
[0191] FIG. 22 depicts a portable multifunction with a display
screen device in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 22 depicts
a portable multifunction responsive to a user indication in the in
the first portion, adding the second portion to the available
display area by transitioning the second portion to the powered-on
state to perform display functions and receive user input, and
displaying second information in the second portion in accordance
with some embodiments. Multifunction device 2200 includes a display
2205. An available display area 2210 includes a first portion 2215
and a second portion 2220.
[0192] FIG. 23 illustrates a portable multifunction with a display
screen device in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 23 depicts
a portable multifunction responsive to a user indication in the in
the first portion, adding the second portion to the available
display area by transitioning the second portion to the powered-on
state to perform display functions and receive user input, and
displaying second information in the second portion in accordance
with some embodiments. Multifunction device 2300 includes a display
2305. An available display area 2310 includes a first portion 2315
and a second portion 2320.
[0193] FIG. 24 depicts a portable multifunction with a display
screen device in accordance with some embodiments. Multifunction
device 2400 includes a display 2405. A first portion 2415 is an
available display area 2410 and a second portion 2420 is in a
powered-off condition. As shown in FIG. 24, multifunction device
2400 is displaying first information in the available display area
2410 comprising the first portion 2415 of the display screen in a
configuration having a plurality of portions, e.g., first portion
2415 and second portion 2420. The first portion 2415 of the display
screen 2405 is configured in a powered-on state to perform display
functions and receive user input. The second portion 2420 is
configured in a powered-off state and may be used as a grip.
Screen Power Management Module
[0194] FIG. 25 illustrates a display power management module for
managing display power consumption, according to some embodiments.
Screen power management module 2500 includes a configuration module
2510, a utilization determination module 2520, an element
management module 2530, and a scale management module 2540. Screen
power management module 2500 receives as input system events 2550
and user stimulus 2560, stores existing state information 2570 and
screen portion transition conditions 2580, and generates as output
new state information 2590.
[0195] In some embodiments, configuration module 2510 allocates
display screen space to a first portion of the display screen,
which is configured in a powered-on state to perform display
functions and receive user input, and a second portion of the
display screen, which is configured in a powered-off state. In such
a state, a graphics module, such as graphics module 132 of FIG. 1,
performs displaying first information in an available display area
comprising a first portion of a display screen in a configuration
having a plurality of portions, as described above. Responsive to a
user indication in the in the first portion, which is received by
screen power management module as a user stimulus 2560, utilization
determination module 2520 may perform adding the second portion to
the available display area by, in conjunction with configuration
module 2510, transitioning the second portion to the powered-on
state to perform display functions and receive user input.
Configuration module 2510 may reverse the configuration of the
display, and a portion of the display screen may be removed from
the powered-on state to the powered off state in response to user
input. Likewise, the actions described herein as being performed in
response to user input may, in some embodiments, be performed in
response to system events 2550 such as the passage of an amount of
time or a signal from an application or system module, or other
system events 2550, such as a power-down or sleep signal.
[0196] In embodiments, one or more of the modules of the screen
power management module 2500 may configure (e.g., coordinately
configure) the color of the display. For example, user-defined
display color settings may be stored as existing state information
2570 and/or element management module 2530 or configuration module
2510 may instruct configuration of the display in particular
colors. In some embodiments, the color(s) used for the display may
be configured based on a corresponding state or mode. For example,
a device or display that is in a power-saving mode or in a
proportional configuration mode may be configured to display in
grayscale or in black and white. In some embodiments, the graphics
module, display controller or the display system 112 may be
configured to perform similar functionality.
[0197] In some embodiments, utilization determination module 2520
performs adding the second portion to the available display area
by, in conjunction with configuration module 2510, transitioning
the second portion to the powered-on state to perform display
functions and receive user input in response to system events 2560,
such as stimulus provided by an application or a module of the
multifunction device.
[0198] In either case, a graphics module, such as graphics module
132 of FIG. 1, may then perform displaying second information in
the second portion. States of the first and second portion are
stored in existing state information 2570. New state information
2590 includes instructions to a graphics module, such as graphics
module 132 of FIG. 1, for implementing transitioning the second
portion to the powered-on state to perform display functions and
receive user input.
[0199] In some embodiments, scale management module 2540 performs
generating the second information by mathematically upscaling the
first information. The second information includes a portion of the
first information upscaled for display in both the second portion
and the first portion. In some such embodiments, a graphics module,
such as graphics module 132 of FIG. 1, performs displaying third
information in the first portion. The third information comprises a
portion of the first information upscaled for display in both the
second portion and the first portion.
[0200] In some embodiments, system events 2550 include graphical
content data structures. Screen power management module 2500
performs receiving a graphical content data structure including
content for display in the available display area. Element
management module 2530 performs selecting elements of the graphical
content data structure for display in the available display area
based at least in part on whether the second portion is in a
powered-on state.
[0201] In some embodiments, system events 2550 include graphical
content data structures. Screen power management module 2500
performs receiving a graphical content data structure including
content for display in the available display area. Scale management
module 2540 performs scaling elements of the graphical content data
structure for display in the available display area based at least
in part on a dimension of the available display area.
[0202] In some embodiments, system events 2550 include graphical
content data structures. Screen power management module 2500
performs receiving a graphical content data structure including
content for display in the available display area. Scale management
module 2540 performs scaling elements of the graphical content data
structure for display in the available display area based at least
in part on whether the second portion is in a powered-on state.
[0203] In some embodiments, system events 2550 include graphical
content data structures. Screen power management module 2500
performs receiving a graphical content data structure including
content for display in the available display area. Element
management module 2530 performs adjusting a position relative to a
background element of a foreground content element of the graphical
content data structure for display in the available display area
based at least in part on whether the second portion is in a
powered-on state.
[0204] In some embodiments, system events 2550 include graphical
content data structures. Screen power management module 2500
performs receiving a graphical content data structure including
content for display in the available display area. Element
management module 2530 performs selecting elements of the graphical
content data structure for display in the available display area
based at least in part on a dimension of the available display
area.
[0205] In embodiments, the functionality associated with the screen
power module may be incorporated into the operating system of a
device. In other embodiments, the functionality associated with the
screen power module may be incorporated into an application that
interacts with the operating system. In some embodiments, the
described functionality may be divided among an application and the
operating system. In some embodiments, the power management module
2500 may send instructions to direct the display controller 156, as
described herein.
Example Operations
[0206] FIG. 26 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
method for managing display power consumption, according to some
embodiments. First information is displayed in an available display
area comprising a first portion of a display screen in a
configuration having a plurality of portions, including the first
portion of the display screen, which is configured in a powered-on
state to perform display functions and receive user input, and a
second portion of the display screen, which is configured in a
powered-off state (block 2600). Responsive to a user indication in
the in the first portion, the second portion is added to the
available display area by transitioning the second portion to the
powered-on state to perform display functions and receive user
input (block 2610). Second information is displayed in the second
portion (block 2620).
[0207] The process is reversible, and a portion of the display
screen may be removed from the powered-on state to the powered off
state in response to user input. Likewise, the actions described
herein as being performed in response to user input may, in some
embodiments, be performed in response to system events such as the
passage of an amount of time or a signal from an application or
system module, or other system events, such as a power-down or
sleep signal.
[0208] FIG. 27 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
method for managing display power consumption, according to some
embodiments. First information is displayed in an available display
area comprising a first portion of a display screen in a
configuration having a plurality of portions, including the first
portion of the display screen, which is configured in a powered-on
state to perform display functions and receive user input, and a
second portion of the display screen, which is configured in a
powered-off state (block 2700). Responsive to a user indication in
the in the first portion, the second portion is added to the
available display area by transitioning the second portion to the
powered-on state to perform display functions and receive user
input (block 2710). Second information is generated by
mathematically upscaling the first information. The second
information includes a portion of the first information upscaled
for display in both the second portion and the first portion (block
2720). The second information is displayed in the second portion
(block 2730). Third information is displayed in the first portion.
The third information comprises a portion of the first information
upscaled for display in both the second portion and the first
portion (block 2740).
[0209] FIG. 28 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
method for managing display power consumption, according to some
embodiments. A graphical content data structure including content
for display in the available display area is received (block 2800).
Elements of the graphical content data structure are selected for
display in the available display area based at least in part on
whether the second portion is in a powered-on state (block 2810).
First information is displayed in an available display area
comprising a first portion of a display screen in a configuration
having a plurality of portions, including the first portion of the
display screen, which is configured in a powered-on state to
perform display functions and receive user input, and a second
portion of the display screen, which is configured in a powered-off
state (block 2820). Responsive to a user indication in the in the
first portion, the second portion is added to the available display
area by transitioning the second portion to the powered-on state to
perform display functions and receive user input (block 2830).
[0210] FIG. 29 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
method for managing display power consumption, according to some
embodiments. A graphical content data structure comprising content
for display in the available display area is received (block 2900).
Elements of the graphical content data structure are scaled for
display in the available display area based at least in part on a
dimension of the available display area (block 2910). First
information is displayed in an available display area comprising a
first portion of a display screen in a configuration having a
plurality of portions, including the first portion of the display
screen, which is configured in a powered-on state to perform
display functions and receive user input, and a second portion of
the display screen, which is configured in a powered-off state
(block 2920). Responsive to a user indication in the in the first
portion, the second portion is added to the available display area
by transitioning the second portion to the powered-on state to
perform display functions and receive user input (block 2930).
[0211] FIG. 30 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
method for managing display power consumption, according to some
embodiments. A graphical content data structure comprising content
for display in the available display area is received (block 3000).
Elements of the graphical content data structure are scaled for
display in the available display area based at least in part on
whether the second portion is in a powered-on state (block 3010).
First information is displayed in an available display area
comprising a first portion of a display screen in a configuration
having a plurality of portions, including the first portion of the
display screen, which is configured in a powered-on state to
perform display functions and receive user input, and a second
portion of the display screen, which is configured in a powered-off
state (block 3020). Responsive to a user indication in the first
portion, the second portion is added to the available display area
by transitioning the second portion to the powered-on state to
perform display functions and receive user input (block 3030).
[0212] FIG. 31 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
method for managing display power consumption, according to some
embodiments. A graphical content data structure comprising content
for display in the available display area is received (block 3100).
A position relative to a background element of a foreground content
element of the graphical content data structure is adjusted for
display in the available display area based at least in part on
whether the second portion is in a powered-on state (block 3110).
First information is displayed in an available display area
comprising a first portion of a display screen in a configuration
having a plurality of portions, including the first portion of the
display screen, which is configured in a powered-on state to
perform display functions and receive user input, and a second
portion of the display screen, which is configured in a powered-off
state (block 3120). Responsive to a user indication in the in the
first portion, the second portion is added to the available display
area by transitioning the second portion to the powered-on state to
perform display functions and receive user input (block 3130).
[0213] FIG. 32 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
method for managing display power consumption, according to some
embodiments. A graphical content data structure comprising content
for display in the available display area is received (block 3200).
Elements of the graphical content data structure are selected for
display in the available display area based at least in part on a
dimension of the available display area (block 3210). First
information is displayed in an available display area comprising a
first portion of a display screen in a configuration having a
plurality of portions, including the first portion of the display
screen, which is configured in a powered-on state to perform
display functions and receive user input, and a second portion of
the display screen, which is configured in a powered-off state
(block 3220). Responsive to a user indication in the in the first
portion, the second portion is added to the available display area
by transitioning the second portion to the powered-on state to
perform display functions and receive user input (block 3230).
[0214] FIG. 33 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
method for unlocking a display and transitioning the display into
either a full configuration mode or a proportional configuration
mode. Multifunction devices may set themselves (e.g., based on a
timer that detects no use) or may be set via the user interface
into an interface lock state, in embodiments. The device interface
may provide a reduced set of features and responses to user input
while in the interface lock state. For example, a device in the
interface lock state may provide a limited number of graphic(s) via
the display and respond to a limited number of input commands
(e.g., only responding to one or a few types of particular input,
such as a particular swipe with respect to a displayed object). In
embodiments, the described methods may be performed by various
modules, such as the modules of a screen power management module
2500.
[0215] In embodiments, a device may be configured to exhibit
multiple display modes. For example, when the device (e.g., the
display controller or the screen power management module or the
touch-sensitive display system) is in a display mode, at least some
portion of the display system may be configured to perform display
functionality. In another example, when the display controller of
the device is in another mode, such as a sleep mode, at least some
portion or all of the display may be configured with limited or no
functionality. Other modes, exhibiting other types of limited
functionality, alone or in combination are also contemplated.
[0216] At block 3310, a screen or device may be set to a user
interface lock state by any predefined manner where the lock state
prevents the device from performing a predefined set of actions.
For example, either user stimulus 2560 or system events 2550 may
cause the device to be set to a user interface lock state and state
information indicating the lock state may be stored as existing
state information 2570, in some embodiments. At block 3320, an
unlock image may be displayed via the screen while the
screen/device is in the lock state. In some embodiments, the
element management module may determine from state information 2570
that the device or screen is in the lock state and provide an image
of an unlock element or object to be displayed to the screen, by
graphics module 132, for example. For example, FIG. 35 illustrates
a graphic BAR as an unlock image 3550.
[0217] At 3330, contact with the device screen (e.g., a touch
sensitive display) may be detected. For example, a touch sensitive
display of the device may determine that a user has touched the
screen. At 3340, a determination may be made whether the contact
corresponds to an unlock gesture using the unlock image. For
example, a particular type of contact may be required to unlock the
device from the user interface lock state, such that other types of
contact do not unlock the lock state. When the contact does not
correspond to an unlock gesture using the lock image, the method
may continue to block 3350, wherein the device is maintained in the
user-interface lock state.
[0218] When the contact does correspond to an unlock gesture using
the unlock image, the method may continue to block 3360 where a
determination is made whether the unlock gesture indicates a
proportional configuration mode. For example, in some embodiments,
more than one type of contact may be recognized. Different types of
contact may be associated with different instructions of how to
transition from the user interface lock state. In one embodiment, a
certain type of swipe using the unlock image may indicate an
instruction to transition to a full configuration mode 3370 and a
different type of swipe may indicate an instruction to a
proportional configuration mode as indicated at block 3380. FIG.
35, for example, illustrates that when a swipe to the left
corresponds with unlock image 3550, a transition to a configuration
mode is instructed (3525) and that when a swipe to the right
corresponds with unlock image 3550, a transition to another
configuration mode is instructed. In some embodiments, the
configuration modes to transition to may be full or proportional
display configuration modes. The device may transition to the
indicated mode (e.g., proportional configuration mode or full
configuration mode) after receiving the instruction to transition,
in embodiments.
[0219] FIG. 34 illustrates a portable multifunction with a display
screen in accordance with some embodiments. The illustrated
multifunction device 3400 is illustrated comprising display screen
3405. In the illustrated embodiment, the display 3405 is entirely
in a powered-off mode. In this particular embodiment, the display
3405 is illustrated in black to indicate that no power is being
used to illuminate any portion of the display 3405. Other displays
may be other colors when in a powered-off state.
[0220] FIG. 35 illustrates a portion of a portable multifunction
with a display screen in accordance with some embodiments. In some
embodiments, the illustrated multifunction device 3500 of FIG. 35
may be the same multifunction device as illustrated in FIG. 34, but
in a different mode. In other embodiments, the illustrated
multifunction device 3500 of FIG. 35 may be a different
multifunction device than illustrated in FIG. 34.
[0221] In the illustrated embodiment, the multifunction device 3500
of FIG. 35 is in a powered-off state. In embodiments, a
multifunction device may continuously (e.g., while in the
powered-off state) display any of one or more graphical indications
while in a powered-off state. In the illustrated powered-off state,
the multifunction device 3500 continuously (e.g., while in the
powered-off state) displays the time (e.g., 10:10 A.M.), date
(e.g., Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014) and indications of notices of
emails (e.g., Email icon 3510), SMS, texts (e.g., text message icon
3520), messages (e.g., voice message icon 3515), and the like. Also
illustrated in the continuous display are icons for battery power
supply amount, local wireless connectivity, WiFi connectivity and
carrier signal strength. Other graphical indications of other
features are contemplated as well. For example, the unlock image
3550 of the BAR may be continuously displayed in the powered-off
state. In some embodiments, some or all such graphical indications
cover a limited surface area of the total screen. In some
embodiments, such graphical indications consume a limited amount of
battery power. In some embodiments, the limited amount of battery
power consumed may be in a ratio with the amount of surface area
covered. In some embodiments, providing some such information via
the continuous display may reduce the wear and tear and chance of
mechanical breakdown of use of mechanical (e.g., on-off) switches
used to access such information. In other embodiments, the
continuous display of some such information may reduce the number
of times the device is put into a powered-on state that uses more
battery power than the continuous display powered-off mode
described herein.
[0222] FIGS. 36-38 illustrate multifunction devices in various
configurations and states. The displays of the devices are
illustrated with various arrangements of the icons, but without the
control bar 450 illustrated in FIG. 4, for example. In embodiments
(not illustrated) the illustrated devices and displays of FIGS.
36-38 may include control bar 450, without departing from the scope
of this disclosure.
[0223] FIG. 36 illustrates a portable multifunction device 3600
with a display screen 3605 in accordance with some embodiments. The
illustrated embodiment includes the entire available display area
3610. In the illustrated embodiment, 100% of the display 3605 is
active (e.g., in a powered-on state configured to perform display
functions and/or receive user input). In embodiments, active may
indicate display functionality or user-input functionality although
additional or different functionality may be associated with an
active display area as well. In some embodiments, an active display
may indicate that the display is limited to a particular
functionality such as display functionality only or receive input
functionality only.
[0224] FIG. 37 illustrates a portable multifunction 3700 with a
display screen 3705 in accordance with some embodiments. In some,
but not all embodiments, FIG. 37 illustrates the same multifunction
device as in FIG. 36, but in a different configuration mode. In at
least one embodiment, device 3700 illustrates the same device 3600,
but in a proportional configuration mode. As illustrated, a first
portion 3720 of display 3705 is all black, indicating that the
first portion is in a powered-off state while the second portion(s)
3730 (e.g., the icon graphical elements) are illustrated in a
powered-on state. FIG. 37 illustrates that the portions of the
display that are in a powered-on state do not need to be
contiguous. In embodiments (not illustrated) the portions of the
display that are in a powered-off state need not be contiguous.
[0225] FIG. 38 illustrates a portable multifunction device 3800
with a display screen 3805 in accordance with some embodiments.
Multifunction device 3800 is illustrated in a configuration with
all of the icons grouped together in a single area (a first portion
3815) of the display 3805. The second portion 3820 is illustrated
in black to indicate that portion is in a powered-off state. In
embodiments, the icons in the first portion may be downsized (e.g.,
with respect to the icons illustrated in FIG. 36) to fit in a
smaller area. In another embodiment, the space between icons may be
removed to fit the icons into a smaller portion of the screen. The
unused portion of the screen may be directed, instructed or
configured into a powered-off state in some configurations.
[0226] FIG. 39 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
method for transitioning a display from a full configuration mode
to a proportional configuration mode. The methods described in FIG.
39 may be performed by modules of the screen power management
module 3500, singly or in combination.
[0227] An entire (e.g., the entire available display screen)
display screen may function in a full configuration mode where all
of the display screen is in a power-on state, as at block 3900. For
example, the screen power management module 2500 may direct the
configuration of the screen according to data in existing state
information module 2570 that may store the particular configuration
mode and the state of the display.
[0228] Instructions may be received to transition from the full
configuration mode to a proportional configuration mode that
configures a portion of the display screen in a powered-on state
and another portion of the display screen in a powered-off state as
at block 3910. For example, screen transition portion transition
conditions module 2580 may listen for particular system events 2550
or indications of user stimulus 2560 that match the transition
conditions for the particular configuration mode. In some
embodiments, system events may include the battery power level
reaching a predetermined level or amount (e.g., 35%) or the user
interface receiving an indication of user stimulus indicating a
particular mode and sending the instructions for the particular
mode to the screen power management module 2500.
[0229] Responsive to receiving the instruction(s) to transition
from the full configuration mode to a proportional configuration
mode, a portion of the display or screen remains powered-on while
the other portion of the display is directed to power-off. For
example, the utilization determination module 2520 may be
configured to work in concert with the configuration module 2510 to
transition the display from full configuration mode to proportional
configuration mode. In some embodiments, the modules of the screen
power management module 2500 send instructions to the graphics
module 132, instructing the graphics module to power a portion of
the display and to not power the other portion of the display. In
embodiments, the process is reversible to put the device back into
the full configuration mode where the entire screen is in the
powered-on state.
[0230] FIGS. 40-42 illustrate a battery level feature that may be
used to control the transition into and out of the proportional
configuration mode, in embodiments. FIG. 40 illustrates a portable
multifunction with a display screen in accordance with some
embodiments. Although the black and white drawings of this
application limit the illustration, it is intended that the icon
elements of FIG. 40 are displayed in various colors and that the
background behind the icons of the various applications could be of
any color as well. This is in contrast to the device illustrated in
FIG. 41, where it is intended that the display of the device be
configured such that the black portion illustrated is in a
powered-off state and the portions of the icons that appear white
in the FIG. 41 could be of any color, such as the illustrated
white, grayscale or any other color while in the powered-on state
as illustrated.
[0231] FIG. 40 illustrates a portable multifunction device 4000
with a display 4005 and a control bar 4050, in accordance with some
embodiments. In some embodiments, the display 4005 is in color,
while in other embodiments, the display may be in grayscale or
black and white. In the illustrated embodiment, the available
display area 4010 is at 100% of the display 4005, in accordance
with the device being configured in the full configuration mode. In
the illustrated embodiment, the control bar 4050 is included on the
display in the full configuration mode. In some embodiments, the
control bar 4050 may not be displayed when the display is in the
full configuration mode. In other embodiments, the control bar 4050
may be displayed while the display is in the full configuration
mode, as a graphic that may be interacted with via the user
interface to instruct the device to transition to the proportional
configuration mode, for example.
[0232] A battery level auto shift value 4025 is illustrated in FIG.
40. In embodiments, the battery level may be a condition upon which
the configuration may be changed from the proportional mode to the
full mode or from the full mode to the configuration mode. For
example, the device may be configured such that the display
transitions from the full configuration mode to the proportional
configuration mode when the battery level auto shift value reaches
or reaches a point below a certain value (e.g., 35%).
[0233] FIG. 41 illustrates a portable multifunction device 4100
with a display screen 4105 and a battery level auto shift value
4125, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 41 illustrates that
when the battery level auto shift value 4125 achieves a level less
than a predefined level (e.g., 35%) the display may be put into a
proportional configuration mode, such as those described herein.
The proportional configuration mode that is illustrated (34% is
less than the example 35% predefined level, so the device has been
configured into a proportional configuration mode) configures the
display with the black portions of the display in a powered-off
state and the white portions of the display in a powered-on state.
White is used to illustrate the portions of the screen that are in
a powered-on state in the illustrated embodiment due to the nature
of black and white drawings. However, the portions illustrated in
white as being in a powered-on state may be displayed in any color
or grayscale, in embodiments, while the portion illustrated in
black remains in a powered-off state. The color of the portion(s)
of the display in the powered-off state may be other colors in
other embodiments, due to the particular underlying display
technology, for example.
[0234] FIG. 42 illustrates a portable multifunction device 4200
with a display screen 4205 and battery level auto shift value, in
accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 42 illustrates a device
configured in a proportional configuration mode, due to the battery
level auto shift value 4225 reaching a threshold (e.g., a threshold
of 20%). In this illustrated embodiment, the available display area
4210 includes the first portion 4215 of the display 4205 that
remains in a powered-on state while the second portion 4220 of the
display 4205 has been directed into a powered-off state.
[0235] FIGS. 43-45 illustrate that a portion of the display that is
in a powered-on state may be anywhere in the display. In some
embodiments, the placement of or the amount of area allocated to
elements of the user interface may be moved without losing any
functionality or access to the applications. For example, a portion
of the display that is associated with the menu of icons and the
control bar 4350 (e.g., the second portion 4320 of FIG. 43) may be
moved anywhere on the display.
[0236] FIG. 43 illustrates a portable multifunction device 4300
with a display screen 4305 and an available display area 4310, in
accordance with some embodiments. In FIG. 43, three portions of the
display are illustrated. The first portion 4315 and the third
portion 4335 are illustrated as in a powered-off state and the
second portion 4320 is illustrated as being in a powered-on state
in accordance with the device being in a proportional configuration
mode. The second portion is illustrated as being in the middle of
the display 4305, between the first portion 4315 and the third
portion 4335.
[0237] FIG. 44 illustrates a portable multifunction device 4400
with a display screen 4405 and available display area 4410, in
accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 44 illustrates that the same
icon group illustrated in FIG. 43 may be moved to the bottom of the
display 4405, such that the first portion 4415 of the display 4405
is in a powered-off state and the second portion of the display
4405 is in a powered-on state.
[0238] FIG. 45 illustrates a portable multifunction device 4505
with a display screen 4505 and available display area 4510, in
accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 44 illustrates that the same
icon group illustrated in FIG. 43 may be moved to the top of the
display 4505, such that the first portion 4415 of the display 4405
within the available display area 4510 is in a powered-on state and
the second portion 4502 of the display 4405 is in a powered-off
state.
[0239] The portion of the display that is in the powered-on state
may be moved within the display via various methods, such as by
dragging via interaction with the user interface (e.g.,
touch-sensitive surface) or by user configurable settings for
example.
[0240] FIG. 46 illustrates a portable multifunction device 4600
with a display screen 4605 and an available display area 4610, in
accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 46 illustrates that the icon
group illustrated in FIG. 45 may include more icons or other
graphic elements than those illustrated in FIG. 45. In some
embodiments, the graphic object on the display screen may include
hidden elements in addition to the elements that are currently
visible via the display. For example, the first full icon visible
on the left of the first portion 4615 of the display 4605 is an
icon for a radio. In the first portion 4515 of FIG. 45, the radio
icon was the last icon on the left. In FIG. 46, the user has
interacted with the graphical elements of the screen to make the
icons scroll such that hidden icons become visible/available and
available/visible icons are hidden. This and other types of
graphical elements may provide functionality that reduces the
amount of area of the display that is powered-on without losing
functionality or access to applications.
Example Computer System
[0241] FIG. 47 illustrates computer system 4700 that is configured
to execute any or all of the embodiments described above. In
different embodiments, computer system 4700 may be any of various
types of devices, including, but not limited to, a computer
embedded in a vehicle, a computer embedded in an appliance, a
personal computer system, desktop computer, laptop, notebook,
tablet, slate, or netbook computer, mainframe computer system,
handheld computer, workstation, network computer, a camera, a set
top box, a mobile device, a consumer device, video game console,
handheld video game device, application server, storage device, a
television, a video recording device, a peripheral device such as a
switch, modem, router, or in general any type of computing or
electronic device.
[0242] Various embodiments of a system and method for negotiating
control of a shared audio or visual resource, as described herein,
may be executed on one or more computer systems 4700, which may
interact with various other devices. Note that any component,
action, or functionality described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5
may be implemented on one or more computers configured as computer
system 4700 of FIG. 47, according to various embodiments. In the
illustrated embodiment, computer system 4700 includes one or more
processors 4710 coupled to a system memory 4720 via an input/output
(I/O) interface 4730. Computer system 4700 further includes a
network interface 4740 coupled to I/O interface 4730, and one or
more input/output devices 4750, such as cursor control device 4760,
keyboard 4770, and display(s) 4780. In some cases, it is
contemplated that embodiments may be implemented using a single
instance of computer system 4700, while in other embodiments
multiple such systems, or multiple nodes making up computer system
4700, may be configured to host different portions or instances of
embodiments. For example, in one embodiment some elements may be
implemented via one or more nodes of computer system 4700 that are
distinct from those nodes implementing other elements.
[0243] In various embodiments, computer system 4700 may be a
uniprocessor system including one processor 4710, or a
multiprocessor system including several processors 4710 (e.g., two,
four, eight, or another suitable number). Processors 4710 may be
any suitable processor capable of executing instructions. For
example, in various embodiments processors 4710 may be
general-purpose or embedded processors implementing any of a
variety of instruction set architectures (ISAs), such as the x86,
PowerPC, SPARC, or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitable ISA. In
multiprocessor systems, each of processors 4710 may commonly, but
not necessarily, implement the same ISA.
[0244] System memory 4720 may be configured to store program
instructions 4722 and/or existing state information and ownership
transition condition data 4732 accessible by processor 4710. In
various embodiments, system memory 4720 may be implemented using
any suitable memory technology, such as static random access memory
(SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-type
memory, or any other type of memory. In the illustrated embodiment,
program instructions 4722 may be configured to implement a mapping
application 4724 incorporating any of the functionality described
above. Additionally, existing state information and ownership
transition condition data 4732 of memory 4720 may include any of
the information or data structures described above. In some
embodiments, program instructions and/or data may be received, sent
or stored upon different types of computer-accessible media or on
similar media separate from system memory 4720 or computer system
4700. While computer system 4700 is described as implementing the
functionality of functional blocks of previous Figures, any of the
functionality described herein may be implemented via such a
computer system.
[0245] In one embodiment, I/O interface 4730 may be configured to
coordinate I/O traffic between processor 4710, system memory 4720,
and any peripheral devices in the device, including network
interface 4740 or other peripheral interfaces, such as input/output
devices 4750. In some embodiments, I/O interface 4730 may perform
any necessary protocol, timing or other data transformations to
convert data signals from one component (e.g., system memory 4720)
into a format suitable for use by another component (e.g.,
processor 4710). In some embodiments, I/O interface 4730 may
include support for devices attached through various types of
peripheral buses, such as a variant of the Peripheral Component
Interconnect (PCI) bus standard or the Universal Serial Bus (USB)
standard, for example. In some embodiments, the function of I/O
interface 4730 may be split into two or more separate components,
such as a north bridge and a south bridge, for example. Also, in
some embodiments some or all of the functionality of I/O interface
4730, such as an interface to system memory 4720, may be
incorporated directly into processor 4710.
[0246] Network interface 4740 may be configured to allow data to be
exchanged between computer system 4700 and other devices attached
to a network 4785 (e.g., carrier or agent devices) or between nodes
of computer system 4700. Network 4785 may in various embodiments
include one or more networks including but not limited to Local
Area Networks (LANs) (e.g., an Ethernet or corporate network), Wide
Area Networks (WANs) (e.g., the Internet), wireless data networks,
some other electronic data network, or some combination thereof. In
various embodiments, network interface 4740 may support
communication via wired or wireless general data networks, such as
any suitable type of Ethernet network, for example; via
telecommunications/telephony networks such as analog voice networks
or digital fiber communications networks; via storage area networks
such as Fibre Channel SANs, or via any other suitable type of
network and/or protocol.
[0247] Input/output devices 4750 may, in some embodiments, include
one or more display terminals, keyboards, keypads, touchpads,
scanning devices, voice or optical recognition devices, or any
other devices suitable for entering or accessing data by one or
more computer systems 4700. Multiple input/output devices 4750 may
be present in computer system 4700 or may be distributed on various
nodes of computer system 4700. In some embodiments, similar
input/output devices may be separate from computer system 4700 and
may interact with one or more nodes of computer system 4700 through
a wired or wireless connection, such as over network interface
4740.
[0248] As shown in FIG. 47, memory 4720 may include program
instructions 4722, which may be processor-executable to implement
any element or action described above. In one embodiment, the
program instructions may implement the methods described above,
such as the methods illustrated by FIG. 8. In other embodiments,
different elements and data may be included. Note that data 4732
may include any data or information described above.
[0249] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that computer
system 4700 is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the
scope of embodiments. In particular, the computer system and
devices may include any combination of hardware or software that
can perform the indicated functions, including computers, network
devices, Internet appliances, PDAs, wireless phones, pagers, etc.
Computer system 4700 may also be connected to other devices that
are not illustrated, or instead may operate as a stand-alone
system. In addition, the functionality provided by the illustrated
components may in some embodiments be combined in fewer components
or distributed in additional components. Similarly, in some
embodiments, the functionality of some of the illustrated
components may not be provided and/or other additional
functionality may be available.
[0250] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, while
various items are illustrated as being stored in memory or on
storage while being used, these items or portions of them may be
transferred between memory and other storage devices for purposes
of memory management and data integrity. Alternatively, in other
embodiments some or all of the software components may execute in
memory on another device and communicate with the illustrated
computer system via inter-computer communication. Some or all of
the system components or data structures may also be stored (e.g.,
as instructions or structured data) on a computer-accessible medium
or a portable article to be read by an appropriate drive, various
examples of which are described above. In some embodiments,
instructions stored on a computer-accessible medium separate from
computer system 4700 may be transmitted to computer system 4700 via
transmission media or signals such as electrical, electromagnetic,
or digital signals, conveyed via a communication medium such as a
network and/or a wireless link. Various embodiments may further
include receiving, sending or storing instructions and/or data
implemented in accordance with the foregoing description upon a
computer-accessible medium. Generally speaking, a
computer-accessible medium may include a non-transitory,
computer-readable storage medium or memory medium such as magnetic
or optical media, e.g., disk or DVD/CD-ROM, volatile or
non-volatile media such as RAM (e.g. SDRAM, DDR, RDRAM, SRAM,
etc.), ROM, etc. In some embodiments, a computer-accessible medium
may include transmission media or signals such as electrical,
electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication
medium such as network and/or a wireless link.
[0251] The methods described herein may be implemented in software,
hardware, or a combination thereof, in different embodiments. In
addition, the order of the blocks of the methods may be changed,
and various elements may be added, reordered, combined, omitted,
modified, etc. Various modifications and changes may be made as
would be obvious to a person skilled in the art having the benefit
of this disclosure. The various embodiments described herein are
meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations,
modifications, additions, and improvements are possible.
Accordingly, plural instances may be provided for components
described herein as a single instance. Boundaries between various
components, operations and data stores are somewhat arbitrary, and
particular operations are illustrated in the context of specific
illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality are
envisioned and may fall within the scope of claims that follow.
Finally, structures and functionality presented as discrete
components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a
combined structure or component. These and other variations,
modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the
scope of embodiments as defined in the claims that follow.
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