GB2502200A - Animating a graphical representation of an LED entering a touch screen from the edge of the touch screen - Google Patents

Animating a graphical representation of an LED entering a touch screen from the edge of the touch screen Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2502200A
GB2502200A GB1308256.5A GB201308256A GB2502200A GB 2502200 A GB2502200 A GB 2502200A GB 201308256 A GB201308256 A GB 201308256A GB 2502200 A GB2502200 A GB 2502200A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
led
touchscreen
electronic device
graphical representation
user
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB1308256.5A
Other versions
GB2502200B (en
GB201308256D0 (en
Inventor
Gabor Cselle
Alex Faaborg
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Google LLC
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Google LLC
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Publication date
Priority claimed from US13/474,844 external-priority patent/US8339377B1/en
Application filed by Google LLC filed Critical Google LLC
Publication of GB201308256D0 publication Critical patent/GB201308256D0/en
Publication of GB2502200A publication Critical patent/GB2502200A/en
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Publication of GB2502200B publication Critical patent/GB2502200B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
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Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M19/00Current supply arrangements for telephone systems
    • H04M19/02Current supply arrangements for telephone systems providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone
    • H04M19/04Current supply arrangements for telephone systems providing ringing current or supervisory tones, e.g. dialling tone or busy tone the ringing-current being generated at the substations
    • H04M19/048Arrangements providing optical indication of the incoming call, e.g. flasher circuits
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/16Constructional details or arrangements
    • G06F1/1613Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
    • G06F1/1626Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0481Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] 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
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0487Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
    • G06F3/0488Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0487Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
    • G06F3/0488Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
    • G06F3/04883Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/72Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
    • H04M1/724User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
    • H04M1/72403User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
    • H04M1/72427User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality for supporting games or graphical animations
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/72Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
    • H04M1/724User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
    • H04M1/72448User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/22Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2250/00Details of telephonic subscriber devices
    • H04M2250/22Details of telephonic subscriber devices including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector

Abstract

Methods are performed using an electronic device (100) that includes a touch screen (132) and a light emitting diode (LED, 136) located outside the touch screen. The electronic device illuminates the LED in response to an event (e.g. reception of communication, input from a user, an alarm and/or changing status or condition of the device) occurring on the electronic device. Animation of a graphical representation of the LED entering the touch screen from the edge of the touch screen at a location next to the LED and moving to a target location on the touch screen which coincides with a graphical element displayed on a touch screen occurs. One or more characteristics of the graphical representation match characteristics of the LED. In a first method the one or more characteristics of the graphical representation indicate a contact associated with the event and user input to the target location results in displaying information pertaining to the event. In another method the animation is displayed in response to detecting an input from the user. The user may interact with the target location or performer gesture corresponding to the path traversed by the graphical representation of the LED.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LED TRANSITiON FROM PHYSICAL TO
VIRTUAL SPACE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[00011 Certain embodiments of the present method and apparatus relate to electronic devices. More specificafly, certain embodiments rdate to LED transitions from physica' to virtual space.
BACKGROUND
[0002] User notifications on conventional electronic devices can be too user-intensive and consume too much power. Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present disclosure as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.
BifiEF SUMMARY
[0003] A system and/or method is provided for LED transition from physical to virtual space, substantially as illustrated by and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.
[0004] These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present disclosure, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the foflowing description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. I a block diagram illustrating an electronic device that is operable to perform LED transitions from physical to virtual space, in accordance with an
embodiment of the disclosure.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating cxcmplary stcps performed by an electronic device transitioning an LED from physical to virtual space.
[0007] FIGS. 3A-3F depict various states of an electronic device that supports LED transitions from physical to virtual spacc.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by an electronic device transitioning an LED from physical to virtual space.
[0009] FIGS. 5A-5F depict various states of an electronic device that supports LED transitions from physical to virtual space.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00101 As utilized herein the terms "circwts" and "circuitry" refer to physical electronic components (i.e. hardware) and any software and/or firmware (code) which may configure the hardware, be executed by the hardware, and or otherwise be associated with the hardware. As utilized herein, and/or' means any one or more of the items in the list joincd by "and/or". As an example, "x and/or y" mcans any element of thc three-element sct {(x), (y), (x, y)}. As another example, "x, y, and/or z" means any element of thc scven-clcmcnt set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. As utilized herein, the terms "block" and "module" refer to functions than can be performed by one or more circuits. As utilized herein, the term "exemplary" means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As utilized herein, the term "e.g.," introduces a list of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations.
[0011] FIG. 1 a block diagram illustrating an electronic device that is operable to perform LED transitions from physical to virtual space, in accordance with an embodiment of the present method and/or apparatus. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an electronic device 100 comprising a main processing module 102, a system memory module 104, a signal processing module 110, a wired front-end (FE) module 112, a wireless front-end (FE) module 114, a plurality of antennas 1IÔA -116N, and an input/output (I/O) subsystem 130. The electronic device 100 may be, for example, a mobile phone, a tablet, or a laptop computer.
[0012] The main processor module 102 may be operable to process data, and/or control and/or manage operations of the electronic device 100, and/or tasks and/or applications performed therein. In this regard, the main processor 102 may be operable to configure and/or control operations of various components and/or subsystems of the electronic device 100, by utilizing, for example, one or more control signals. The main processor 102 may enable execution of applications, programs and/or code, which may be, for example, stored in the system memory 104.
[0013] The system memory 104 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may enable volatile and/or non-volatile storage, buffering, and/or fetching of data, code and/or other information, which may be used, consumed, and/or processed. In this regard, the system memory 104 may comprise different memory technologies, including, for example, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), Flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD), and/or field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The system memory 104 may store, for example, configuration data, program code, and/or run-time data.
[0014] The wired FE 112 may be operable to perform various functions for wireline communication over supported physical wired media in accordance with one or more wireline protocols (e.g. Ethernet and/or USB). Functions performed by the wired FE 112 may include, for example: amplification, frequency conversion, filtering, digital-to-analog conversion, and/or analog-to-digital conversion.
[0015] The wireless FE 114 may be operable to perform various ftmctions for wirelcssly communicating via the antennas 1 16A-l 16N in accordance with one or more wireless protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi and/or cellular). Functions performed by the wireless FE 114 may include, for example: amplification, frequency conversion, filtering, digital-to-analog conversion, and/or analog-to-digital conversion.
[0016] The signal-processing module 110 may be operable to process signals transmitted and/or received by the electronic device 100, in accordance with one or more wired or wireless protocols. The signal-processing module 110 may be operable to perform such signal processing operation as, for example, filtering, encoding/decoding, encryption/decryption, and/or modulationldemodulation.
[0017] The input/output (I/O) subsystem 130 may enable a user to interact with the electronic device 100. In this regard, the 1/0 subsystem 130 may support various types of inputs and/or outputs, including video, audio, and/or text. 110 devices and/or components, external or internal, may be utilized for inputting and/or outputting data during operations of the 1/0 subsystem 130. The 1/0 subsystem may comprise, for example, a touchscreen 132, one or more physical ("hard") controls 134, and one or more LEDs 136.
[0018] The touchscreen 132 may comprise, for example, a liquid crystal display capable of displaying graphical elements that a user can interact with by touching them with a finger or a stylus. The touchscrecn 132 may be, for example, a resistive, capacitive, surface wave, or infrared touchscreen.
[0019] The control(s) 134 may comprise, for cxample, a multi-fUnction switch or button. For example, holding down the button for a longer period of time may power the electronic device 100 on and off whereas short presses of the button may turn the touchscreen 132 on and off [0020] The LED(s) 136 may enable the device to visually alert a user of the electronic device 100 without turning on the touchscrccn 132. For example, the LED(s) may comprise one or more light-emitting-diode (LED). In such an embodiment, the LED may comprise a plurality of LEDs of one or more colors and/or may comprise a multi-color LED.
[0021] In operation, the main processor 102, the system memory 104, and the 110 subsystem 130 may interoperate to interface with a user and to send and receive communications via the wired FE 112 and/or the wireless FE 114. For example, in response to an event (e.g., reception of a communication, input from a user, an alarm, and/or a change in status or condition of the electronic device 100 and/or one or more of its components), the main processor 102 may execute one or more lines of code stored in the memory 104, and generate data to be transmitted via the wireless FE 114 and/or presented to a user via the 1/0 subsystem 130. For example, receipt of an email, receipt of a voicemail, receipt of an SMS or MMS message, or occurrence of a calendar reminder, may trigger the processor 102 to execute code which implements an algorithm such as the ones described bdow with respect to FIGs. 2-5.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating exempbry steps performed by an electronic device transitioning an LED from physical to virtual space. The exemplary steps are described with reference to FIGs. 3A-3F. The steps begin with step 202 in which the electronic device 100 is powered on.
[0023] In step 204, the touehscreen 132 is powered off. This may occur, for example, as a result of a timeout or a user pressing the button 134. Powering off the touehscreen may save power and/or prevent inadvertent input to the touchsereen (e.g., while the electronic device 100 is in the user's pocket). Fig. 3A depicts the device 100 with the touchscreen powered-off.
[0024] In step 206, an event occurs causing the LED to light up. This is depicted in FIG. 3B by the notification element 136 transitioning from white to black. The event may be, for example, a missed call, receipt of an email, receipt of a voicemail, receipt of an SMS or MMS message, or a calendar reminder. Illuminating the LED 136 may be a low-power way to notify the user of occurrence of the event as compared, for example, to turning on the touehscreen 132.
[0025] In one embodiment, characteristics of the illuminated LED may indicate a contact (e.g., name, phone number, and/or email address) and/or application (or operating system (OS) component) associated with the event. The characteristics may include, for example, color and/or intensity of the LED 136, and/or the frequency at which the LED 136 blinks. For example, a text message from J. Doe may cause the LED 136 to he steady red, a missed call from J. Doe may cause the LED to blink red, a text message from B. Smith may cause the LED 136 to be steady blue, and a missed call from B. Smith may cause the LED to blink blue.
[0026] The color associated with a particular contact may be assigned by the user and/or may be automatically assigned according to an algorithm impcmcntcd by the processor 102 (e.g., a contact may be assigned a colors based on frequency of events associated with that contact and/or user input such as a priority level of that contact).
Where the colors are automatically assigned, repeated use of a particular color for a particular contact will enable thc user to learn which color is associated with which contact. In this regard, the electronic device 100 may be operable to automatically analyze (e.g., via main processor 102) communications conducted via the electronic device 100, and may adaptively assign colors to contacts which may be determined to be most important to the user. The analysis and/or color-to-contact assignment may he based on a range of various parameters, which may comprise, for cxampc, frequency of communication, known relationships, content of previous communications, and/or times of various communications.
[0027] Such adaptive and/or automatic analysis, the ability to learn the varying degree of importance of existing contacts, and/or assign color based thereon may he desirable since there is finite number of uniquely recognizable colors, and when users have a large number of contacts, it would optimal to that the most important contacts be assigned available colors at the expense of less important contacts. Transitioning the LED from physical to virtual space, as described below, will further solidify this association of color and contact in the user's mind. Accordingly, over time, a user will come to know which contact and/or applieationlOS component has triggered the event simply by looking at the characteristics of the LED 136.
[0028] In step 208, the user presses the hutton 134 in rcsponsc to seeing the illuminated LED 136. In response, the processor 102 may execute code stored in the memory 104 which causes the touchscreen 132 to display an animation of a graphica' representation of the LED 136 moving onto the touchscreen 132 and to a target location.
The target location 304 may be determined based, for example, on a contact associated with the event, an application and/or OS component associated with the event, user preferences, a number of notifications pending, and/or othcr suitable considerations. This is depicted in FIG. 3C which shows a graphical representation of the LED moving onto the touchscreen at location 302 and moving to target location 304, as represented by the arrow 306. The physical LED 136 may stay illuminated as the graphical representation of it moves across the touehscrcen or may turn off as the graphical representation of the LED moves onto the touchscreen ("i.e. enters from the edge of the touchscreen") to give a visual impression that the LED has physically moved to the target location 304.
Accordingly, the graphical representation of the LED may have characteristics (e.g., size, shape, and color) of the LED 136. The graphical representation may also take on different characteristics. For example, during and/or after moving to the target location 304, the graphical representation of the LED may change characteristics such as size, shape, color, intensity, etc. In one embodiment, a device may comprise a plurality of screens, and the animation may be displayed on one or more of the screens. For example, the graphical representation of the LED may traverse a first screen in traveling to a target point on a second screen.
[0029] In step 210, other graphical elements may appear (e.g., fade in) on the touchscreen 132. Thus, in this embodiment, no other graphical elements may he displayed on the touchscreen 132 while the animation is in progress (i.e., the rest of the screen may remain black during the animation). In another embodiment, the other graphical elements may appear (perhaps dimly) before the animation, and the animation may then be overlaid onto the displayed graphical elements. These graphical elements could include icons that launch applications/OS components, informational elements (e.g., "gadgets"), status indicators, etc. [0030] In one embodiment, the target location 304 may coincide with one of these graphical elements (e.g., an application icon) that a user may interact with via a finger or stylus gesture. For example, the icon which coincides with the target location 304 may be selected (and the corresponding application/OS component launched) by swiping along the path that was traced by the graphical representation of the LED. That is, the animation provides a graphical cue of the input that the user should provide in order to act upon the notification (e.g. to obtain further details about the event that caused the LED 136 to light up).
[0031] Thus, in step 212 when the user swipes (as indicated by arrow 310) along the path traced by the graphica' representation of the LED (as shown in FIG. 3E), the electronic device launches the notifications management application (which could be, for exampk, an application or OS component) (screenshot 3l4A of the notifications management application is shown in FIG. 3F). In one embodiment, the notifications management application/OS component displays graphical elements 312 next to contacts associated with pending notifications. These graphical elements may be color coded to indicate the color associated with that contact. That is, the graphical element 3 12A indicates a color associated with J. Doe and the graphical clement 3 l2B indicates a color associated with B. Smith. Thus, the color of the LED will be the color of the graphical clement 31 2A when J. Doe is associated with the event that triggered the LED to light up, and the color of the LED will he the c&or of the graphical element 312B when B. Smith is associated with the event that triggered the LED to light-up.
[0032] Although FIG. 2 depicts launching a notifications management applicationlcomponent in response to the user tracing the path followed by the graphical representation of the LED, other applications could alternatively or additionally be launched. For example, if the notification was generated as the result of a received voicemail, a voicemail application or OS component may he launched. Furthermore, which application and/or OS components launches in response to the user input may depend on the number and/or type of notifications pending. An example wouffi he as follows, if the only notifications associated with a single application or OS component (e.g., email) are pending, inputting the gesture indicated by the animation may launch that application or OS component. If notifications of more than one type are pending (e.g., an email and a voicemail) then inputting the gesture indicated by the animation may launch the notifications management application or OS component.
[0033] Additionally or alternatively, which application and/or OS component launches may depend on when the user responds to the notification. In such an implementation, the touchscreen 132 may power on, and the animation may be displayed, upon the event occurring. The touchsereen 132 may then turn off after a timeout. The animation may not be displayed again until after the user presses the button 134. If the user traces the animation path before the timeout a first application and/or OS component may be launched. If the timeout occurs, however, and the user then presses the button 134 to view the animation, a different application and/or OS component may be launched.
For example, the event may be receipt of a text message. If the user input occurs before the timeout, the text messaging application may be launched. If the timeout occurs, however, and the animation is replayed in response a press of button 134, then the user input may cause the notifications management application/component to launch.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by an electronic device transitioning an LED from physical to virtual space. The exemplary steps are described with reference to FIGs. 5A-5F.
[0035] The steps 402-410 are substantially similar to the steps 202-210, and similarly begin with step 402 in which the electronic device 100 is powered on. The corresponding figures 5A-5D, however, depict an electronic device which has its LED 136 at the top left, rather than bottom center of the touchscreen 132. Accordingly, in step 408, when the user presses the button 134 in response to seeing the illuminated LED 136, the processor 102 may similarly execute code stored in the memory 104 which causes the touchscreen 132 to display an animation of a graphical representation of the LED 136 moving onto the touchsereen 132 and to a target location, as depicted by FIG. SC.
II
However, as opposed to the embodiment in FIG. 3C where the graphical representation moved onto the screen from the location 302 at the bottom center edge of the touchscrecn 132, in FIG. SC the LED 136 moves onto the touchscreen 136 from location 502 at the top left edge of the touchscreen 132. FIG. SC also differs in that the target location 504 differs from the target location 304. FIGS. 3C and SC provide just two examples of paths traversed by the graphical representation of the LED. In practice, the graphical representation of the LED could move from a LED at any physical location to any target location on the touchscrcen 132. The location of the LED on any particular device may be configured via, for example, an application programming interface (API). The location may he specified, for example, in screen pixel coordinates.
[0036] FIG. SD differs from FIG. SC in that the graphic element 508A shown in FIG. SD comprises information about the event that caused the LED to light up. The graphical element 508A comprises a graphical element SOXB which is substantially similar to the graphical elements 312A and 312B described with respect to FIG. 3F. the graphical clement 508A also comprises a graphical clement 508C which a user may internet with to launch the notifications management application.
[0037] Thus, in step 412, the user drags down the graphical element 508C (as indicated by arrow 510) to launch the notifications management application. In some instances, the user may also just interact directly with the application creating the notification, such as by responding to a text message, for example. Screenshot 512 of the notifications management application/OS component is shown in FIG. 5F and is substantially similar to the screenshot 314A described with respect to FIG. 3F.
[0038] In accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, an electronic device 100 comprising a touchscrcen 132 and a light emitting diode (LED) 136 may be operable to illuminate the LED 136 in response to an event occurring on the electronic device 100. The electronic device 100 may he operable to display an animation of a graphical representation of the LED (e.g., representation 302 or 502) moving onto the touchscreen 132 to a target location (e.g., location 304 or 504) on the touchscreen 132.
The electronic device 100 may be operable to detect an input from a user at or proximate (e.g., within a threshold number of pixels or threshold number of touch sensors) to the target location. In response to the detection of the input from the user, the electronic device 100 may be operable to display information pertaining to the event. One or more characteristics of the graphica' representation of the LED may indicate a contact associated with the event. Examples of such characteristics of the graphical representation of the LED comprise: color of the graphical representation of the LED, size of the graphical representation of the LED, and shape of the graphical representation of the LED.
[0039] In accordance with various aspects of the present method and apparatus, an electronic device 100 comprising a touchscreen 132 and a light emitting diode (LED) 136 may be operable to illuminate the LED 136 in response to an event occurring on the electronic device 100. Tn response to an input from a user of the electronic device 100, the electronic device 100 may display on the touchscrecn 132 an animation of a graphical representation of the LED moving onto the touchscreen 132 to a target location on the touchscreen 132. During the animation, the graphical representation of the LED may he the only thing displayed on the touchscreen. The electronic device 100 may, subsequent to the animation, display additional graphical elements (e.g., graphic elements 308A- 308E) on the touchsereen 132 while continuing to display the graphical representation of the LED at the target location.
[0040] The electronic device may, subsequent to the animation, display a graphical element (e.g., 508C) on the touchscreen 132 that, when dragged by a user, brings up an application or OS component on the touchscreen 132. The application or OS component may be a notifications management application/component. The target location may be next to an avatar of a contact stored on the electronic device. A path traversed by the graphical representation of the LED during the animation may corresponds to a touchscrccn gesture that, when performed by a user of the electronic device, brings up an application or OS component (e.g., notifications management application/component) on the touchscreen. The graphica' representation of the LED may be the same color as the LED. A color of the LED may correspond to a contact stored on the phone that is associated with the event.
[00411 Other embodiments of the present method and apparatus may provide a non-transitory computer readable medium and/or storage medium, and/or a non-transitory machine readable medium and/or storage medium, having stored thereon, a machine code and/or a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machine and/or computer to perform the steps as described herein for LED Transition From Physical to Virtual Space [0042] Accordingly, the present method and apparatus may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present method and apparatus may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computing system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computing systems. Any kind of computing system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computing system with a program or other code that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computing system such that it carries out the methods described herein. Another typical implementation may comprise an application specific integrated circuit or chip.
[0043] The present method and apparatus may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; h) reproduction in a different material form.
[0044] While the present method and apparatus has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may he made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present method and apparatus. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particifiar situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present method and apparatus not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present method and apparatus will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (22)

  1. CLAIMS1. A method comprising: performing by an electronic device comprising a touchscreen and a light emitting diode (LED) located outside of the touchsereen: illuminating the LED in response to an event occurring on the electronic device; displaying an animation of a graphical representation of the LED entering the touchscreen from the edge of the touchscreen at a location next to the LED and moving to a target location on the touchscreen, wherein the target location coincides with a graphical element displayed on the touchscreen; detecting an input from a user at or proximate to the target location; in response to the detection of the input from the user, displaying information pertaining to the event, wherein one or more characteristics of the graphical representation of the LED indicate a contact associated with the event; and wherein one or more of the characteristics of the graphical representation of the LED match one or more characteristics of the LED.
  2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristics of the graphical representation of the LED comprise one or more of: color of the graphica' representation of the LED; size of the graphical representation of the LED; shape of the graphical representation of the LED.
  3. 3. A method comprising: performing by an electronic device comprising a touchscrecn and a Ught emitting diode (LED) located outside the touchscreen: illuminating the LED in response to an event occurring on the electronic device; detecting an input from a user of the electronic device; and in response to the detection of the input from the user, displaying an animation of a graphical representation of the LED entering the touchscreen from the edge of the touehsereen at a location next to the LED and moving to a target location on the touchscrccn, wherein the target location coincides with a graphical clement dispaycd on the touchscrcen; and.wherein the graphical representation of the LED shares a characteristic with the LED.
  4. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein, during the animation, the touchscreen is blank other than the graphical representation of the LED.
  5. 5. The method of claim 4, comprising, subsequent to the animation, displaying additiona' graphical clcmcnts on the touchscrecn while continuing to disp'ay the graphical representation of the LED at the target location.
  6. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the graphical element displayed on the touchscreen is an icon that, when interacted with by a user, brings up an application or operating system component on the touchscreen.
  7. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the application or operating system component is a notifications management application or notifications management operating system component.
  8. 8. The method of claim 3, wherein the target location is proximate to an avatar of a contact stored on the electronic device.
  9. 9. The method of claim 3, wherein a path traversed by the graphical representation of the LED during the animation corresponds to a touehscreen gesture that, when performed by a user of the electronic device, brings up an application or operating system component on the touchscrccn.
  10. 10. The method of claim 3, wherein the one or more characteristics of the graphical representation of the LED that match one or more characteristics of the LED include color.
  11. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein a color of the LED indicates a contact stored on the electronic device that is associated with the event.
  12. 12. A system comprising: an electronic device comprising a touchscreen and a light emitting diode (LED) located outside the touchscreen, the electronic device being operable to: illuminate the LED in response to an event occurring on the electronic device; detect an input from a user of the electronic device; and in response to the detection of the input from the user, display an animation of a graphical representation of the LED entering the touchscreen from the edge of the touchscreen at a location next to the LED and moving to a target location on the touchscrcen, whcrcin the targct location coincides with a graphical element displayed on the touchscreen; and wherein the graphical representation of the LED shares a characteristic with the LED.
  13. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein, during the animation, the touchscreen is blank other than the graphical representation of the LED.
  14. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein thc clcctronic dcvicc is opcrablc to, subsequent to the animation, display additional graphical elements on the touchscrccn while continuing to display the graphical representation of the LED at the target location.
  15. 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the graphical element displayed on the touchscreen is an icon that, when interacted with by a user, brings up an application or operating system component on the touchscreen.
  16. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the application or operating system component is a notifications management application or operating system component.
  17. 17. The system of claim 12, wherein the target location is next to an avatar of a contact stored on the electronic device.
  18. 18. The system of claim 12, wherein a path traversed by the graphical representation of the LED during the animation corresponds to a touchscreen gesture that, when performed by a user of the electronic device, causes the electronic device to bring tip an application or operating system component on the touchscreen.
  19. 19. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more characteristics of the graphical representation that match one or more characteristics of the LED include color.
  20. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein a color of the LED corresponds to a contact stored on the electronic device that is associated with the event.
  21. 21. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
  22. 22. A system substantially as hcrcinbcforc described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
GB1308256.5A 2012-05-18 2013-05-08 Method and apparatus for LED transition from physical to virtual space Active GB2502200B (en)

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US13/474,844 US8339377B1 (en) 2012-05-18 2012-05-18 Method and apparatus for LED transition from physical to virtual space
US13/710,965 US8587550B1 (en) 2012-05-18 2012-12-11 Method and apparatus for LED transition from physical to virtual space

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GB201308256D0 (en) 2013-06-12

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