U.S. patent application number 15/705893 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-08 for selective rotation of a user interface.
The applicant listed for this patent is Apple Inc.. Invention is credited to Duncan Robert Kerr, Nicholas V. King.
Application Number | 20180067627 15/705893 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42673273 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180067627 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kerr; Duncan Robert ; et
al. |
March 8, 2018 |
SELECTIVE ROTATION OF A USER INTERFACE
Abstract
This is directed to rotating an entire user interface of a
portable electronic device. In particular, this is directed to
defining a UI orientation mode in which a user can direct the
device to rotate a UI. When the UI orientation mode is enabled, the
electronic device can detect particular inputs, for example based
on the outputs of motion sensing components such as an
accelerometer and a magnetometer, to determine how to rotate the
UI. Once the UI has been rotated to a desired orientation, a user
can lock the UI orientation and exit the UI orientation mode.
Inventors: |
Kerr; Duncan Robert; (San
Francisco, CA) ; King; Nicholas V.; (San Jose,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Apple Inc. |
Cupertino |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
42673273 |
Appl. No.: |
15/705893 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14467573 |
Aug 25, 2014 |
9766788 |
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15705893 |
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12505036 |
Jul 17, 2009 |
8817048 |
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14467573 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1626 20130101;
G06F 2200/1614 20130101; G06F 3/04842 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/0484 20060101
G06F003/0484; G06F 1/16 20060101 G06F001/16 |
Claims
1.-22. (canceled)
23. A method for changing the orientation of a displayed user
interface on a display of an electronic device, the method
comprising: detecting movement of the electronic device relative to
gravity; enabling a mode of the electronic device in response to
the detected movement; while the mode is enabled, detecting an
input with the electronic device, wherein the detected movement of
the electronic device is different than the detected input; and
changing the orientation of the displayed user interface on the
display in response to the detected input.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the detected movement of the
electronic device is independent from the detected input.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the detecting the input
comprises detecting an output of a motion sensing component of the
electronic device.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the changing comprises changing
the orientation of the displayed user interface in response to the
detected output.
27. The method of claim 25, further comprising defining an angle
from the detected output, wherein the changing comprises changing
the orientation of the displayed user interface by the defined
angle.
28. The method of claim 23, wherein the detecting the movement
comprises detecting an output of a motion sensing component of the
electronic device.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the motion sensing component
comprises an accelerometer.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein the motion sensing component
comprises a magnetometer.
31. The method of claim 28, wherein the detecting the input
comprises detecting another output of the motion sensing component
of the electronic device.
32. The method of claim 23, wherein: the detecting the movement
comprises detecting an output of a motion sensor of the electronic
device; and the detecting the input comprises detecting an output
of a touch sensor of the electronic device.
33. The method of claim 23, further comprising: after the changing,
while the mode is enabled, detecting another input with the
electronic device; and in response to the detected other input,
exiting the mode to lock the changed orientation of the displayed
user interface.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein: the detecting the movement
comprises detecting an output of a motion sensor of the electronic
device; and the detecting the other input comprises detecting an
output of a touch sensor of the electronic device.
35. The method of claim 23, wherein the detecting movement of the
electronic device relative to gravity comprises detecting a
particular movement of the electronic device with a motion sensor
of the electronic device.
36. The method of claim 23, wherein the detecting movement of the
electronic device relative to gravity comprises detecting a
particular shake of the electronic device with an accelerometer of
the electronic device.
37. The method of claim 23, wherein the detecting movement of the
electronic device relative to gravity comprises detecting a
particular rotation of the electronic device with a magnetometer of
the electronic device.
38. An electronic device comprising: a housing; a display coupled
to the housing; a motion sensor coupled to the housing; and control
circuitry that: directs the display to display a user interface in
a first orientation on the display; receives event data from the
motion sensor while the user interface is displayed in the first
orientation on the display; enables a mode of the electronic device
in response to the received event data; receives input data while
the mode is enabled; and directs the display to display the user
interface in a second orientation on the display in response to the
received input data.
39. The electronic device of claim 38, wherein the event data
comprises data indicative of a particular movement of the
electronic device detected by the motion sensor.
40. The electronic device of claim 38, wherein the motion sensor
comprises an accelerometer that generates the event data.
41. The electronic device of claim 38, wherein the motion sensor
comprises a magnetometer that generates the event data.
42. Non-transitory computer-readable media for adjusting a
displayed user interface of an electronic device, comprising
computer readable code recorded thereon for: detecting a change in
orientation of the electronic device relative to a gravity vector;
enabling a mode of the electronic device in response to the
detected change; while the mode is enabled, detecting an input of
the electronic device; and changing an orientation of the displayed
user interface of the electronic device in response to the detected
input.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] An electronic device can include a display for providing
information to a user. The display typically can include a specific
orientation in which information can be displayed. For example, in
laptop computers or computer displays, the display orientation is
usually fixed relative to the device, and the user interface ("UI")
typically remains fixed and matches the display orientation. With
some mobile devices, however, a user can rotate the device such
that the orientation of the display relative to the user changes.
For example, using a device such as the iPhone or iPod Touch
available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., displayed images or
other content can be rotated in the display based on the output of
an accelerometer.
[0002] In some cases, however, a user may wish to change the
orientation of a user interface independent of the orientation of
the device relative to the earth (e.g., as determined by the
accelerometer), or relative to a clip of the device used to attach
the device to the user's apparel. For example, an electronic device
can be attached to a user's arm, such that the device is upside
down relative to the earth when the user looks down at the device
on his arm. If the user interface orientation is determined
relative to the earth, the displayed interface can be upside for
the user. This can limit the user's ability to view information
displayed by the device and interact with the user interface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This is directed to systems, methods and computer-readable
media for changing the orientation of a user interface in response
to a specific user input. In particular, this is directed to
enabling a specific mode during which the orientation of an
electronic device can be changed.
[0004] In some embodiments, an electronic device can include a
display on which different types of information can be displayed.
For example, an electronic device can display content, a user
interface (e.g., selectable buttons or options), or any other
information. The displayed information can be orientation specific,
such that the information is best viewed from a particular
perspective. For example, the displayed information can include
text, which may be best read when oriented properly relative to the
user (e.g., not upside down). As another example, the displayed
information can include selectable displayed options that have a
particular orientation.
[0005] To change the orientation of the entire UI, the electronic
device can provide a UI orientation mode in which particular inputs
or events detected by the device can be used to change the
orientation of the entire UI. Any suitable input can serve to
enable the UI orientation mode, including for example inputs
detected by an input interface (e.g., touch inputs or button
presses), detected environment events (e.g., specific events
detected by the ambient light sensor), accessory inputs (e.g.,
connecting or removing an accessory), or any other suitable input.
Once in the UI orientation mode, the electronic device can monitor
for inputs directing the device to change the orientation of the
UI. For example, the electronic device can monitor an input
interface for a particular input associated with changing the UI
orientation. As another example, the electronic device can detect
accelerometer outputs depicting the orientation of the device
relative to the earth's surface. As still another example, the
electronic device can receive an instruction from an accessory
device, or detect a change in state of an accessory.
[0006] Once the user has changed the orientation of the UI, the
user can provide an instruction to lock the orientation of the UI
and exit the UI orientation mode. For example, the user can provide
an input using a different mechanism or approach than that used to
change the UI orientation (e.g., use accelerometer output to change
the UI orientation, and use a touch input to lock the UI).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The above and other features of the present invention, its
nature and various advantages will be more apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic
device having a re-orientable UI in accordance with one embodiment
of the invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic view an illustrative user interface
for interacting with an electronic device in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an illustrative rotated user
interface in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
and
[0011] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for
changing the orientation of a displayed UI in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] This is directed to changing the orientation of a user
interface and other displayed information on a display. In
particular, this is directed to a device having a UI orientation
mode in which a user can select and set the orientation of a UI
relative to an electronic device display.
[0013] In the following description of preferred embodiments,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part
hereof, and in which it is shown by way of illustration specific
embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. It is to be
understood that other embodiments can be utilized and structural
changes can be made without departing from the scope of the
preferred embodiments of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic
device having a re-orientable UI in accordance with one embodiment
of the invention. Electronic device 100 can include any suitable
type of electronic device operative to display information to a
user. For example, electronic device 100 can include a media player
such as an iPod.RTM. available by Apple Inc., of Cupertino, Calif.,
a cellular telephone, a personal e-mail or messaging device (e.g.,
a Blackberry.RTM. or a Sidekick.RTM.), an iPhone.RTM. available
from Apple Inc., pocket-sized personal computers, personal digital
assistants (PDAs), a laptop computer, a tablet, a music recorder, a
video recorder, a gaming device, a camera, radios, medical
equipment, and any other portable electronic device having a
display from which a user can select a portion of displayed
objects.
[0015] Electronic device 100 can include a processor or control
circuitry 102, storage 104, memory 106, input/output circuitry 108,
display 110, and as typically found in an electronic device of the
type of electronic device 100, and operative to enable any of the
uses expected from an electronic device of the type of electronic
device 100 (e.g., connect to a host device for power or data
transfers). In some embodiments, one or more of electronic device
components 100 can be combined or omitted (e.g., combine storage
104 and memory 106), electronic device 100 can include other
components not combined or included in those shown in FIG. 1 (e.g.,
communications circuitry or positioning circuitry), or electronic
device 100 can include several instances of the components shown in
FIG. 1. For the sake of simplicity, only one of each of the
components is shown in FIG. 1.
[0016] Control circuitry 102 can include any processing circuitry
or processor operative to control the operations and performance of
electronic device 100. Using instructions retrieved, for example
from memory, control circuitry 102 can control the reception and
manipulation of input and output data between components of
electronic device 100. Control circuitry 102 can be implemented on
a single-chip, multiple chips or multiple electrical components.
For example, various architectures can be used for processor 56,
including dedicated or embedded processor, single purpose
processor, controller, ASIC, and so forth.
[0017] Storage 104 can include, for example, one or more storage
mediums including a hard-drive, solid state drive, flash memory,
permanent memory such as ROM, any other suitable type of storage
component, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, storage
104 can include a removable storage medium and loaded or installed
onto electronic device 100 when needed. Removable storage mediums
include, for example, CD-ROM, PC-CARD, memory card, floppy disk,
magnetic tape, and a network component. Memory 106 can include
cache memory, semi-permanent memory such as RAM, and/or one or more
different types of memory used for temporarily storing data. In
some embodiments, memory 106 and storage 104 can be combined as a
single storage medium.
[0018] Input/output circuitry 108 can be operative to convert (and
encode/decode, if necessary) analog signals and other signals into
digital data. Input/output circuitry 108 can be coupled to or
include any suitable input interface, such as for example, a
button, keypad, dial, a click wheel, tap sensor (e.g., via an
accelerometer), or a touch screen (e.g., using single or multipoint
capacitive sensing, resistive sensing, surface acoustic wave
sensing, pressure sensing, optical sensing, and the like), as well
as any suitable output circuitry associated with output devices
(e.g., audio outputs or display circuitry or components). In some
embodiments, I/O circuitry 108 can be used to perform tracking and
to make selections with respect to a UI on display 110, issue
commands in device 100, or any other operation relating to
detecting inputs or events from outside of the device and providing
information describing the inputs or events to the device
circuitry. In some embodiments, input/output circuitry 108 can
interface with one or more sensors of the device, such as an
accelerometer, ambient light sensor, magnetometer, magnetometer, IR
receiver, microphone, thermostat, barometer, or other sensor can
enable the UI orientation mode in response to detecting an
environmental condition. In some embodiments, I/O circuitry 108 can
include ports or other communications interfaces for interfacing
with external devices or accessories (e.g., keyboards, printers,
scanners, cameras, microphones, speakers, and the like).
[0019] Display 110 can be operatively coupled to control circuitry
102 for providing visual outputs to a user. Display 110 can include
any suitable type of display, including for example a liquid
crystal display (LCD) (e.g., active matrix, passive matrix and the
like), a monochrome display, color graphics adapter (CGA) display,
enhanced graphics adapter (EGA) display, variable-graphics-array
(VGA) display, super VGA display, cathode ray tube (CRT), a plasma
display, a display implemented with electronic inks, or any other
suitable display. Display 110 can be configured to display a
graphical user interface that can provide an easy to use interface
between a user of the computer system and the operating system or
application running thereon. The UI can represent programs, files
and operational options with graphical images, objects, or vector
representations, and can include windows, fields, dialog boxes,
menus, icons, buttons, cursors, scroll bars, etc. Such images can
be arranged in predefined layouts, or can be created dynamically to
serve the specific actions being taken by a user. During operation,
the user can select and/or activate various graphical images in
order to initiate functions and tasks associated therewith.
[0020] In some embodiments, electronic device 100 can include a bus
operative to provide a data transfer path for transferring data to,
from, or between control processor 102, storage 104, memory 106,
input/output circuitry 108, display 110 and any other component
included in the electronic device.
[0021] Using the electronic device, a user can display any suitable
information on the device display. For example, the electronic
device can display images, objects, documents, or any other
suitable information. FIG. 2 is a schematic view an illustrative
user interface for interacting with an electronic device in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display 200 can
include options 210 displayed on one of several available screens.
The displayed options 210 can identify operations that the user can
direct the device to perform using any suitable approach, including
for example via one or more of icons or images, text, buttons, or
other display features. Display 200 can include several pages of
options 210. In one implementation, display 200 can identify
several available pages using markers 220, and identify the
currently displayed page by differentiating one of the markers 220
(e.g., marker 222 is highlighted). Display 200 can have any
suitable orientation relative to device 202. In the example of FIG.
2, display 200 is aligned with device 202 (e.g., such that the top
of display 200 is adjacent to button 204 of electronic device
202).
[0022] The electronic device display can have any suitable shape,
including for example a shape that has a varying aspect ration
based on the orientation of the display (e.g., a rectangular shape)
or a shape with a uniform aspect ratio (e.g., a square shape, as
shown in FIG. 2). Because of the change in aspect ratio or general
shape of the display relative based on the device orientation,
different UIs can be displayed based on the device orientation. In
particular, buttons or other displayed options can have different
sizes, positions, and content in the different UIs. In addition, a
user may wish to view a UI in different orientations based on the
manner in which the device is held. For example, a user may wish a
UI is upside down relative to the user when the user is showing
something to a friend across a table, or when the device is
attached to the user's arm (e.g., so that the user can lift his arm
and see the UI in the proper orientation).
[0023] Different approaches can be used to change the orientation
of a displayed UI. In some devices, an accelerometer can be used to
monitor the device movement and determine the orientation of the
device relative to the gravity vector. This approach can be useful,
for example with devices having rectangular displays for which the
UI changes based on the display orientation. This approach,
however, may not be desirable when a user wishes to view a UI in a
particular orientation independent of the device orientation
relative to gravity. For example, a user lying on his side may wish
that UI remains at a 90 degree angle relative to the gravity
vector. As another example, a user with an electronic device
attached to his arm may wish that the UI be upside down relative to
the gravity vector so that the user can properly see the UI when
the user looks down on his arm.
[0024] To allow a user to control the orientation of the UI, the
electronic device can include a UI orientation mode that must be
enabled for changing the orientation of the UI. The user can enable
the UI orientation mode using any suitable approach, including by
providing an input using an input interface. For example, a user
can select a menu option for enabling the UI orientation mode. As
another example, the user can provide a particular input associated
with enabling the UI orientation mode using an input interface,
such as providing a circular touch gesture on a touch screen or a
two finger tap on a touch screen. In some embodiments, the
electronic device can enable the UI orientation mode in response to
detecting attributes of the environment (e.g., environment events)
using sensors embedded in or coupled to the device. For example, an
accelerometer, ambient light sensor, GPS, magnetometer, IR
receiver, microphone, or other sensor can enable the UI orientation
mode in response to detecting an environmental condition associated
with the mode. For example, the UI orientation mode can be
associated with a particular shake or movement of the device (e.g.,
detected by the accelerometer), pattern of light and darkness
(e.g., a user moving a hand over the ALS in a known pattern),
rotation of the device (e.g., rotating the device in a pattern by a
particular amount detected by the magnetometer), or any other
environmental condition that can be detected by a device
sensor.
[0025] In some embodiments, a user can provide an input for
enabling the UI orientation mode using a mechanical component of
the electronic device housing. For example, the electronic device
can have a clip for attaching the electronic device to the user's
clothes. The clip can include a magnetic portion operative to trip
a magnetic switch when the clip is opened or closed. To enable the
UI orientation mode, a user can open or close the clip in a
particular pattern so that the magnetic switch within the device
can detect a pattern associated with the mode. In some embodiments,
the switch can instead or in addition include one or more of a
mechanical switch and an electrical switch that are actuated by the
movement of the clip.
[0026] Once the UI orientation mode enabled, the user can provide
any suitable input to change the orientation of the display
relative to the device. In some embodiments, the change in
orientation of the UI can be defined using any suitable input,
including for example any of the inputs discussed above in
connection with enabling the UI orientation mode. In one
implementation, an accelerometer or magnetometer output can be used
to determine the amount by which to rotate the UI. For example, the
electronic device can rotate the UI by an angle determined from the
change in orientation of the device relative to the magnetic north
or magnetic south. As another example, the electronic device can
rotate the UI by an angle determined from the orientation of the
device relative to the gravity vector.
[0027] The electronic device can change the orientation of the
displayed UI by any suitable amount. In some embodiments, the
electronic device can provide a limited number of UI orientations
at predetermined angles (e.g., four UI orientations at 90 degree
intervals). In some cases, the available UI orientations can be
selected based on the dimensions and shape of the display (e.g.,
provide UIs oriented with a straight side or edge of the display).
Alternatively, the electronic device can provide a UI at any
suitable angle selected by a user, including for example arbitrary
angles that do not match up with the display shape. FIG. 3 is a
schematic view of an illustrative rotated user interface in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display 300 can
include options 310 and markers 320, which can include some or all
of the features of options 210 and markers 220 of display 200 (FIG.
2). In some embodiments, display 300 can include substantially the
same UI elements as display 200. Display 300 can be rotated
relative to device 302 (as shown by the orientation of the UI
relative to button 304), such that the UI is at an angle relative
to the up/down orientation of the device. The electronic device can
indicate that the UI orientation mode is enabled using any suitable
approach, including for example using circular overlay 330. If the
electronic device has a limited number of UI orientations
available, overlay 330 can include individual segments 332 defining
the available orientations. The electronic device can highlight the
particular segment 332 (e.g., segment 334) that indicates the
current orientation of the UI.
[0028] Once the user has changed the orientation of the UI to a
desired orientation, the user can lock the UI and exit the UI
orientation mode using any suitable approach. In some embodiments,
the electronic device can provide an input using any suitable
approach, including any of the approaches discussed above in
connection with enabling the UI orientation mode. For example, the
electronic device can lock a UI in a particular orientation and
exit the UI orientation mode in response to detecting a user input
on a touch screen (e.g., tap the screen to lock the UI). The
electronic device can then revert to a non-UI orientation mode
(e.g., a media playback mode, communications mode, standby mode, or
other standard mode).
[0029] The following flowchart describes processes used by the
electronic device to change the orientation of information
displayed by a device using a UI orientation mode. FIG. 4 is a
flowchart of an illustrative process for changing the orientation
of a displayed UI in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention. Process 400 can begin at step 402. At step 404, the
electronic device can determine whether to enable a UI orientation
mode. For example, the electronic device can determine whether an
input associated with enabling the UI orientation mode was provided
(e.g., a touch input associated with the UI orientation mode). If
the electronic device determines that the UI orientation mode
should not be enabled, process 400 can return to step 404 and
continue to monitor for inputs enabling the UI orientation
mode.
[0030] If, at step 404, the electronic device instead determines
that the UI orientation mode should be enabled, process 400 can
move to step 406. At step 406, the electronic device can detect an
input to rotate the UI. For example, the electronic device can
detect a sensor output associated with rotating the UI (e.g., an
accelerometer or a magnetometer). At step 408, the electronic
device can change the orientation of the UI based on the detected
input. For example, the electronic device can extract an angle
measurement from the detected input, and change the orientation of
the UI by the extracted angle measurement. In some embodiments, the
electronic device can snap the UI orientation to predetermined
orientations (e.g., 90 degree intervals). At step 410, the
electronic device can determine whether an instruction to lock the
UI was received. For example, the electronic device can determine
whether a user provided an input (e.g., a touch input) to lock the
UI orientation. If the electronic device determines that no
instruction was received, process 400 can return to step 406 and
continue to detect inputs for rotating the UI.
[0031] If, at step 410, the electronic device instead determines
that an instruction to lock the UI was received, process 400 can
move to step 412. At step 412, the electronic device can lock the
UI orientation and exit the UI orientation mode. For example, the
electronic device can return to the mode enabled prior to the UI
orientation mode. As another example, the electronic device can
return to a default mode (e.g., media playback mode). Process 400
can then end at step 414.
[0032] Although many of the embodiments of the present invention
are described herein with respect to personal computing devices, it
should be understood that the present invention is not limited to
personal computing applications, but is generally applicable to
other applications.
[0033] The invention is preferably implemented by software, but can
also be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and
software. The invention can also be embodied as computer readable
code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is
any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be
read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium
include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs,
magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. The computer
readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled
computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and
executed in a distributed fashion.
[0034] Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as
viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or
later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently
within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions
now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are
defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
[0035] The above described embodiments of the invention are
presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and
the present invention is limited only by the claims which
follow.
* * * * *