User interface transitions and optimizations for foldable computing devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12073067-B2
Application number	US-202117480537-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 21, 2021
Priority date	Oct 1, 2019
Publication date	Aug 27, 2024
Grant date	Aug 27, 2024

Abstract

A foldable computing device can be configured to provide a user interface (UI) optimization that enables an application window to be presented in a predictable location when an application is launched, a UI optimization that enables an application window to be moved to an active display area, a UI optimization that enables a modal UI element to be presented in such a way that it does not overlap a seam on the device, a UI optimization that enables an image presented by the device to be adjusted to maintain a view of the focal point of the image across device posture or orientation changes, a UI optimization that enables the device to transition between UI modes optimized for front-facing and world-facing image capture, and/or a UI optimization that enables the device to provide a UI for instructing a user to flip the device when a biometric sensor is in use.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
displaying, in a first application window, a list of selectable items adjacent to first content associated with a first selectable item in the list of selectable items, wherein the first application window is displayed in a first display region of a foldable computing device while the foldable computing device is in an unbent posture;
detecting a selection of a second selectable item from the list of selectable items;
in response to detecting the selection of the second selectable item, displaying, adjacent to the list of selectable items, second content associated with the second selectable item;
detecting that the foldable computing device has transitioned from the unbent posture to a bent posture thereby causing the first display region to be divided into a second display region and a third display region separated by an artificial hardware seam;
responsive to detecting that the foldable computing device has transitioned from the unbent posture to the bent posture:
displaying the list of selectable items in a second application window in the second display region, wherein the second application window is displayed in a windowed state such that the second application window is smaller than the second display region; and
displaying the second content associated with the second selectable item in a third application window in the third display region, wherein the third application window is displayed in the windowed state such that the third application window is smaller than the third display region.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein:
the foldable computing device is configured to operate in a single display region mode that includes the first display region as an only display region while the foldable computing device is in the unbent posture; and
the foldable computing device is configured to operate in a multiple display region mode that includes the second display region and the third display region while the foldable computing device is in the bent posture.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the artificial hardware seam is displayed at a position associated with a hinge that enables the foldable computing device to transition from the unbent posture to the bent posture.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein detecting that the foldable computing device has transitioned from the unbent posture to the bent posture comprises:
receiving, from a sensor, sensor data indicative of a hinge angle for the hinge; and
determining, based at least in part on the sensor data, that the hinge angle satisfies a hinge angle threshold previously established for the bent posture.

5. A foldable computing device, comprising:
one or more processors; and
at least one computer readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the foldable computing device to:
display, in a first application window, a list of selectable items adjacent to content associated with a selectable item that has been selected from the list of selectable items, wherein the first application window is displayed in a first display region of a foldable computing device while the foldable computing device is in an unbent posture;
detect that the foldable computing device has transitioned from the unbent posture to a bent posture thereby causing the first display region to be divided into a second display region and a third display region separated by an artificial hardware seam;
responsive to detecting that the foldable computing device has transitioned from the unbent posture to the bent posture:
display the list of selectable items in a second application window in the second display region, wherein the second application window is displayed in a windowed state such that the second application window is smaller than the second display region; and
display the content associated with the selectable item in a third application window in the third display region, wherein the third application window is displayed in the windowed state such that the third application window is smaller than the third display region.

6. The foldable computing device of claim 5 , wherein:
the foldable computing device is configured to operate in a single display region mode that includes the first display region as an only display region while the foldable computing device is in the unbent posture; and
the foldable computing device is configured to operate in a multiple display region mode that includes the second display region and the third display region while the foldable computing device is in the bent posture.

7. The foldable computing device of claim 5 , wherein the artificial hardware seam is displayed at a position associated with a hinge that enables the foldable computing device to transition from the unbent posture to the bent posture.

8. The foldable computing device of claim 7 , wherein detecting that the foldable computing device has transitioned from the unbent posture to the bent posture comprises:
receiving, from a sensor, sensor data indicative of a hinge angle for the hinge; and
determining, based at least in part on the sensor data, that the hinge angle satisfies a hinge angle threshold previously established for the bent posture.

9. At least one computer readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by one or more processors, cause a foldable computing device to:
display, in a first application window, a list of selectable items adjacent to content associated with a selectable item that has been selected from the list of selectable items, wherein the first application window is displayed in a first display region of a foldable computing device while the foldable computing device is in an unbent posture;
detect that the foldable computing device has transitioned from the unbent posture to a bent posture thereby causing the first display region to be divided into a second display region and a third display region separated by an artificial hardware seam;
responsive to detecting that the foldable computing device has transitioned from the unbent posture to the bent posture:
display the list of selectable items in a second application window in the second display region, wherein the second application window is displayed in a windowed state such that the second application window is smaller than the second display region; and
display the content associated with the selectable item in a third application window in the third display region, wherein the third application window is displayed in the windowed state such that the third application window is smaller than the third display region.

10. The at least one computer readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein:
the foldable computing device is configured to operate in a single display region mode that includes the first display region as an only display region while the foldable computing device is in the unbent posture; and
the foldable computing device is configured to operate in a multiple display region mode that includes the second display region and the third display region while the foldable computing device is in the bent posture.

11. The at least one computer readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the artificial hardware seam is displayed at a position associated with a hinge that enables the foldable computing device to transition from the unbent posture to the bent posture.

12. The at least one computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein detecting that the

Assignees

• Microsoft Technology Licensing Llc

Inventors

• Klein Christian
• Hammerquist Peter
• Pendlay Ryan
• Yih Albert Peter
• Edelmeier Lauren
• Hansen Christoffer Peter Hart
• Baca Del Rosario Diego David

Classifications

• G06F3/04845 Primary

  for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour · CPC title

• G06F9/451 Primary

  Execution arrangements for user interfaces · CPC title

• G06F3/0481

  based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance · CPC title

• G06F3/04886

  by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus · CPC title

• G06F2203/04803

  Split screen, i.e. subdividing the display area or the window area into separate subareas · CPC title