US 2014/0195987 A1 · Moving A Virtual Object Based on Tapping

Abstract

A mobile device enables refined selections of displayed virtual objects by responding to a user's tapping actions on the sides of the device. The device can move the object by a small increment in a direction opposite the tapped surface, as though the tapping were gently nudging the object away from that surface. For example, if the user taps on the right side of the device, then the device can responsively move a currently selected object leftward by one pixel. Conversely, if the user taps on the left side of the device, then the device can responsively move the currently selected object rightward by one pixel. Similar movements of similar magnitude and in expected directions can be achieved by tapping the top or bottom of the device. Thus, a currently selected object can be moved in a more refined and precise manner than might be possible using a touchscreen alone.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving a tap input applied to a non-display portion of a mobile device;
determining a magnitude and a direction of the tap input;
and
moving, based on the magnitude and direction of the tap input, an object that is displayed by the mobile device.

1 more element

A computer-readable memory comprising particular instructions that are executable by one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to perform operations, the particular instructions comprising:

instructions to cause a computing device to detect contact against a surface that lacks a visual output device;
and
instructions to cause the one or more processor to detect a duration of the contact;
and
instructions to cause the one or more processors to modify, in a manner that is based on the duration of the contact, output that is produced by the visual output device.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

13/734,839Filed 4 Jan 2013

Published

10 Jul 2014

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

G06F 3/0484
Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]: for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or…
G06F 3/0346
Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor: with detection of the…
G06F 3/0487
Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]: using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled…
G06F 2200/1636
Indexing scheme relating to constructional details of the computer: sensing arrangement for detection of a tap gesture on the housing

Moving A Virtual Object Based on Tapping

Life of this patent

Moving A Virtual Object Based on Tapping

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25