Dynamic interpretation of user input in a portable electronic device
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsBryan J. James, Jeffery T. Lee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The embodiments describe both the interpreting and modifying the interpretation of an input event to an electronic device having limited user input resources. The input event interpretation can be based in part on a connection state of the device. In some cases, the interpretation of the input event can also be based upon an indication of a current operating state of the device in addition to or exclusive of the connection state. Furthermore, in some embodiments, an operating state of the portable electronic device can be resolved based in part on the connection state of the portable electronic device.
Claims20
A method of dynamically interpreting a user input event of an electronic device, comprising:
- by a processor in the electronic device;
- determining the connection state of the at least two ports of the electronic device with an external circuit, the connection state of the at least two ports having at least two distinct values;
- determining from a plurality of external circuit types the type of external circuit connected to the at least two ports;
- receiving the user input event through at least a first input interface;
- associating the user input event with a specific device response selected from a plurality of specific device responses based on the determined connection states of the at least two ports and the determined external circuit types of the circuits connected to the at least two ports;
- wherein a first specific response to the user input event varies based on the determined connection state and the determined type of the external circuit;
- and
- causing the electronic device to act in accordance with the selected specific device response.
An electronic device comprising:
- a user interface configured to receive a user input event;
- a processor coupled to the user interface;
- and
- at least two ports configured to connect to at least a first and second external circuit, the at the at least two ports coupled to the processor;
- wherein the processor is configured to:
- determine the connection state of at least two ports of the electronic device with an external circuit;
- determine from a plurality of external circuit types the type of external circuit connected to the at least two ports;
- associate the user input event with a specific device response selected from a plurality of device responses based on the determined connection states of the at least two ports and the determined external circuit types of the circuits connected to the at least two ports;
- wherein a first specific response to the user input event varies based on the determined connection state and the determined type of the external circuit;
- and cause the electronic device to act in accordance with the selected specific device response.
A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer code executed by a processor of an electronic device, the non-transitory computer readable medium comprising:
- computer code for receiving a user input event from at least a first input interface coupled to the processor;
- computer code for determining the connection state of at least two ports of the electronic device with an external circuit, the connection state having at least two distinct values;
- computer code for determining from a plurality of external circuit types the type of external circuit connected the at least two parts of the electronic device;
- computer code for associating the user input event with a specific device response selected from a plurality of specific device responses based on the determined connection states of at least two ports and the determined external circuit types of the circuits connected to the at least two ports;
- wherein a first specific response to the user input event varies based on the determined connection state and the determined type of the external circuit;
- and
- computer code for causing the electronic device to act in accordance with the selected specific device response.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.