Methods and graphical user interfaces for editing on a multifunction device with a touch screen display

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9875013-B2
Application number	US-56575509-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 24, 2009
Priority date	Mar 16, 2009
Publication date	Jan 23, 2018
Grant date	Jan 23, 2018

Abstract

In some embodiments, a device displays content on a touch screen display and detects input by finger gestures. In response to the finger gestures, the device selects content, visually distinguishes the selected content, and/or updates the selected content based on detected input. In some embodiments, the device displays a command display area that includes one or more command icons; detects activation of a command icon in the command display area; and, in response to detecting activation of the command icon in the command display area, performs a corresponding action with respect to the selected content. Exemplary actions include cutting, copying, and pasting content.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising:
at a multifunction device with a touch screen display:
displaying a user interface element that contains content, wherein the content includes content selected for editing;
visually distinguishing the content selected for editing from displayed content that is not selected for editing;
displaying an editing command display area element that includes a plurality of editing command icons, wherein:
the editing command display area element is displayed in front of other elements in the user interface, including the user interface element displaying content; and
activation of an editing command icon initiates performance of a corresponding editing action with respect to the content selected for editing;

displaying one or more predefined priority elements in front of which the editing command display area element cannot be displayed;
displaying the editing command display area element at a first position relative to the content selected for editing;
moving the content on the touch screen display, including moving the content selected for editing;
ceasing to display the editing command display area element while moving the content; and,
when the content stops moving, redisplaying the editing command display area element at a second position relative to the content selected for editing, wherein the second position relative to the content selected for editing is different from the first position relative to the content selected for editing.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying the editing command display area element comprises:
displaying the editing command display area element in an area above and adjacent to the content selected for editing when:
the area above and adjacent to the content selected for editing is large enough to display the editing command display area element, and
the area above and adjacent to the content selected for editing does not include any predefined priority elements.

3. The method of claim 2 , including:
displaying the editing command display area element in an area below and adjacent to the content selected for editing when:
the area above and adjacent to the content selected for editing is not large enough to display the editing command display area element or includes predefined priority elements;
the area below and adjacent to the content selected for editing is large enough to display the editing command display area element, and
the area below and adjacent to the content selected for editing does not include any predefined priority elements.

4. The method of claim 3 , including:
displaying the editing command display area element in front of and within the content selected for editing when:
the area above and adjacent to the content selected for editing is not large enough to display the editing command display area element or includes predefined priority elements;
the area below and adjacent to the content selected for editing is not large enough to display the editing command display area element or includes predefined priority elements; and
the editing command display area is small enough to fit within the content selected for editing.

5. The method of claim 4 , including:
suppressing display of the editing command display area element when:
the area above and adjacent to the content selected for editing is not large enough to display the editing command display area element or includes predefined priority elements;
the area below and adjacent to the content selected for editing is not large enough to display the editing command display area element or includes predefined priority elements; and
the editing command display area is too large to fit within the content selected for editing.

6. The method of claim 2 , including:
displaying the editing command display area element in an area within the content selected for editing when:
the area above and adjacent to the content selected for editing is not large enough to display the editing command display area element or includes predefined priority elements; and
the editing command display area is small enough to fit within the content selected for editing.

7. The method of claim 6 , including:
displaying the editing command display area element in an area below and adjacent to the content selected for editing when:
the area above and adjacent to the content selected for editing is not large enough to display the editing command display area element or includes predefined priority elements;
the editing command display area is too large to fit within the content selected for editing;
the area below and adjacent to the content selected for editing is large enough to display the editing command display area element; and
the area below and adjacent to the content selected for editing does not include any predefined priority elements.

8. The method of claim 7 , including:
suppressing display of the editing command display area element when:
the area above and adjacent to the content selected for editing is not large enough to display the editing command display area element or includes predefined priority elements;
the area below and adjacent to the content selected for editing is not large enough to display the editing command display area element or includes predefined priority elements; and
the editing command display area is too large to fit within the content selected for editing.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying the editing command display area element comprises:
displaying the editing command display area element in an area below and adjacent to the content selected for editing when:
the area below and adjacent to the content selected for editing is large enough to display the editing command display area element, and
the area below and adjacent to the content selected for editing does not include any predefined priority elements.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying the editing command display area element comprises:
displaying the editing command display area element in front of and within the content selected for editing when:
the editing command display area is small enough to fit within the content selected for editing.

11. A multifunction device, comprising:
a touch screen display;
one or more processors;
memory; and
one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:
displaying a user interface element that contains content, wherein the content includes content selected for editing;
visually distinguishing the content selected for editing from displayed content that is not selected for editing;
displaying an editing command display area element that includes plurality of editing command icons, wherein:
the editing command display area element is displayed in front of other elements in the user interface, including the user interface element displaying content; and
activation of an editing command icon initiates performance of a corresponding editing action with respect to the content selected for editing; and

displaying one or more predefined priority elements in front of which the editing command display area element cannot be displayed;
displaying the editing command display area element at a first position relative to the content selected for editing;
moving the content on the touch screen display, including moving the content selected for editing;
ceasing to display the editing command display area element while moving the content; and,
when the content stops moving, redisplaying the editing c

Assignees

• Kocienda Kenneth L
• Williamson Richard
• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Kocienda Kenneth L
• Williamson Richard

Classifications

• H04M2250/70

  methods for entering alphabetical characters, e.g. multi-tap or dictionary disambiguation · 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

• G06F3/04883

  for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text · CPC title

• G06F3/04842

  Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements (G06F3/0482 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H04M2250/22

  including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector · CPC title