Devices and methods for processing touch inputs based on their intensities

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10152208-B2
Application number	US-201514869873-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 29, 2015
Priority date	Apr 1, 2015
Publication date	Dec 11, 2018
Grant date	Dec 11, 2018

Abstract

An electronic device displays, on a display, a user interface. While displaying the user interface, the device detects an input on the touch-sensitive surface; and, in response to detecting the input while displaying the first user interface, and while detecting the input, in accordance with a determination that the input satisfies an activation intensity threshold, performs a first operation. The activation intensity threshold includes a first intensity threshold component that decreases from a first intensity value over time.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising:
at an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface:
displaying, on the display, a user interface;
while displaying the user interface, detecting an input on the touch-sensitive surface; and,
in response to detecting the input while displaying the user interface, and while the input is continuously detected on the touch-sensitive surface:
in accordance with a determination that the input satisfies an activation intensity threshold, performing a first operation, wherein:
the activation intensity threshold includes a first intensity threshold component that decreases from a first intensity value over time, wherein the decrease in the first intensity threshold component changes gradually over time based on an amount of time that the input has been continuously detected on the touch-sensitive surface;

wherein the activation intensity threshold includes a second intensity threshold component that follows intensity of the input with a delay, the second intensity threshold component being concurrent with but distinct from the first intensity threshold component.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the activation intensity threshold is a sum of the first intensity threshold component and the second intensity threshold component.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the first intensity threshold component decreases beginning after a predefined time interval from initial detection of the input.

4. The method of claim 1 , including:
in response to detecting the input while displaying the user interface, and while detecting the input:
in accordance with a determination that the input satisfies first timing criteria and first intensity input criteria, performing a second operation distinct from the first operation, wherein:
the first timing criteria require that the input remain on the touch-sensitive surface while a first time period elapses; and
the first intensity input criteria require that the input satisfy a first intensity threshold distinct from the activation intensity threshold at an end of or subsequent to the first time period.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein:
the first intensity threshold component follows a decay curve that decreases after a predefined time interval from a moment the input satisfies the first timing criteria and the first intensity input criteria.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein:
the input is a continuous gesture that includes a first increase in intensity and a second increase in intensity that is subsequent to the first increase in intensity and a decrease in intensity between the first increase in intensity and the second increase in intensity, while the input remains in contact with the touch-sensitive surface between the first increase in intensity and the second increase in intensity; and
the method includes:
in response to detecting the first increase in intensity of the input, performing the second operation; and,
in response to detecting the second increase in intensity of the input, performing the first operation.

7. A method, comprising:
at an electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, and one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface:
displaying, on the display, a user interface;
while displaying the user interface, detecting an input on the touch-sensitive surface; and
in response to detecting the input while displaying the user interface, and while the input is continuously detected on the touch-sensitive surface:
in accordance with a determination that the input satisfies an activation intensity threshold, performing a first operation, wherein:
the activation intensity threshold includes a first intensity threshold component that decreases from a first intensity value over time, wherein the decrease in the first intensity threshold component changes gradually over time based on an amount of time that the input has been continuously detected on the touch-sensitive surface;

wherein:
in accordance with a determination that an intensity of the input is not below a reference intensity threshold, the first intensity threshold component follows a decay curve that decreases after a predefined time interval from initial detection of the input; and
in accordance with a determination that the intensity of the input is below the reference intensity threshold, the first intensity threshold component follows a decay curve that decreases starting at a time determined without reference to the predefined time interval.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the activation intensity threshold includes a second intensity threshold component that follows intensity of the input with a delay, the second intensity threshold component being concurrent with but distinct from the first intensity threshold component.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the activation intensity threshold is a sum of the first intensity threshold component and the second intensity threshold component.

10. The method of claim 7 , including:
in response to detecting the input while displaying the user interface, and while detecting the input:
in accordance with a determination that the input satisfies first timing criteria and first intensity input criteria, performing a second operation distinct from the first operation, wherein:
the first timing criteria require that the input remain on the touch-sensitive surface while a first time period elapses; and
the first intensity input criteria require that the input satisfy a first intensity threshold distinct from the activation intensity threshold at an end of or subsequent to the first time period.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein:
the input is a continuous gesture that includes a first increase in intensity and a second increase in intensity that is subsequent to the first increase in intensity and a decrease in intensity between the first increase in intensity and the second increase in intensity, while the input remains in contact with the touch-sensitive surface between the first increase in intensity and the second increase in intensity; and
the method includes:
in response to detecting the first increase in intensity of the input, performing the second operation; and,
in response to detecting the second increase in intensity of the input, performing the first operation.

12. An electronic device, comprising:
a display;
a touch-sensitive surface;
one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface;
one or more processors; and
memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:
displaying, on the display, a user interface;
while displaying the user interface, detecting an input on the touch-sensitive surface; and,
in response to detecting the input while displaying the user interface, and while the input is continuously detected on the touch-sensitive surface:
in accordance with a determination that the input satisfies an activation intensity threshold, performing a first operation, wherein:
the activation intensity threshold includes a first intensity threshold component that decreases from a first intensity value over time, wherein the decrease in the first intensity threshold component changes gradually over time based on an amount of time that the input has been continuously detected on the touch-sensitive surface;

wherein the activation intensity threshold includes a second intensity threshold component that follows intensity of the input

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Wells Nicole M
• Alonso Ruiz Marcos
• Apodaca Gregory M
• Bijamov Alex
• Dascola Jonathan R
• Foss Christopher P
• Gutknecht Olivier D R
• Hajas Peter L
• Jurewitz Michael T
• Karunamuni Chanaka G
• Kocienda Kenneth L
• Teutschler Sophia
• Westerman Wayne C

Classifications

• G06F3/0484 Primary

  for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range · CPC title

• G06F3/048

  Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] · CPC title

• G06F3/0488

  using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures · CPC title