WO2019038774A1

WO2019038774A1 - Systems and methods for providing single touch graphical user interface in computerized devices

Info

Publication number: WO2019038774A1
Application number: PCT/IL2018/050938
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lior SHACHAM; Ofir Oron
Original assignee: Rolllo Ltd
Priority date: 2017-08-20
Filing date: 2018-08-25
Publication date: 2019-02-28

Abstract

A system for providing graphical touch user interface in computerized devices comprising at least one computerized device configured to: present any number of object-icons; monitor input that is predetermined as indicative of one of said any number of presented object-icons; upon registering an indicative input of an object-icon, determine and thereafter present at least two function-icons outside of said indicated object-icon's perimeter; monitor input that is determined during run-time as indicative of one of said at least two function-icons presented; wherein, an input is determined as indicative of a presented function-icon based on a direction of a selecting-vector facing towards one of said presented function-icons; said selecting-vector is calculated parallel to a direction-vector having its origin point changed to an indicative marker; said indicative marker is located between said presented at least two function-icons; said direction vector is derived from movement of an indicative member from said indicated object-icon.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SINGLE

TOUCH GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE IN COMPUTERIZED DEVICES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention generally relates to methods for providing graphical user interface in computerized devices, and more specifically, relates to methods for providing customized graphical user interface in computerized devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many present-day computerized devices such as smartphones, tablets, and personal computers allow users to interact via a graphical touch user interface. Typically, a user is presented with various actionable icons in the touch screen of the computerized device.

For interacting with such a computerized device, a user may touch the area of the screen that is circumscribed by the outline of a visual icon, text or button, and the computerized device will react and initiate the functionality intended by the program.

For example, upon receiving an incoming phone call, a smartphone will present at least two actionable icons on its screen. Pressing or swiping the appropriate icon will result in initiating the desirable functionality - answering or rejecting the phone call. Such icons may represent various things. An icon may represent an object that is a phone contact or an application executable. Such objects are often characterized with certain attributes and methods that are operable on that object, or on an attribute thereof.

For example, an icon may represent an application, such that touching the icon will result in launching the represented application.

In another example, an icon may represent a phone-contact object that contains various contact details as attributes (e.g., phone numbers, e-mail addresses). Touching that icon may initiate a method that results in placing a phone call to the default phone number listed in that phone contact. In another situation, touching that icon may lead to another screen that lists the phone numbers e-mail addresses stored in the represented phone-contact.

Other icon types may represent methods that are used to manipulate an object or initiating a program with input from a certain object. For example, touching a button captioned "edit" in a screen listing the contact information of a certain phone contact, shall enable the user to edit the information stored in that object.

In other context, pressing an icon recaptioned 'call' in the same screen as described in the foregoing paragraph, shall result in placing a phone call to the default phone number listed in that phone contact.

Where one desires such a 'simple' functionality, performing a single function upon an interaction, the above-described widely known methodology is sufficient.

But if one desires implementing a user interface with a more complex functionality that enables a user to choose from multiple alternative functions for a single object without the means of complex menus and a multitude of buttons, the current user interface methodology is insufficient. In other, more complex situations, indicating the object-icon activates a menu of other visual icons, texts or buttons, that are functions or options, related to the original object. For example, indicating a 'file' button, can open a menu of functions such as 'Print', 'Save', 'Delete', etc.

This 'Menu' graphical interface has several disadvantages: The main disadvantage is that it requires the user to perform several actions in order to activate the desires function: choose the object, or menu button, then choosing the desired function from the menu. This process requires the user to perform a mental operation of waiting for the menu to open, spotting the right place in the screen where he should choose now, then choosing it. This process becomes even more complex where nested menus are used. In a world where user experience really matters, such an interface should be considered non-effective and not user friendly.

Secondly, the 'Menu' graphical interface limits the options for positioning the object- icon, or menu-icon, usually to the upper or bottom sides of the screen, in order to provide place for the menu to open in a matter that will not confuse the user, usually organized as a list of functions or options.

Thirdly, the list-organization of the menu, leads to a situation in which it is difficult for the user to remember and expect where to point, thus forcing him to delay his action. In a list of items, even if seen many times, it will be easy to predict the location of the first and last functions, but much more difficult to predict where the 2nd, 3rd or 4th function-icons will be.

Thus, a different approach is sought that will overcome the deficiencies in the field and that shall effectively provide a user with an effective graphical touch user interface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses systems and methods for providing graphical touch user interface in computerized devices.

For illustrating the systems and methods of the present invention, the following example is provided. The system detects that a displayed object-icon is chosen, and presents several function-icons associated with the object-icon in a different portion of the touchscreen. Instead of monitoring touch of one of the function icons, the inventive system then monitors movement of the user's indicative member (e.g. finger). If a movement is 80 detected in a direction associated with a certain function-icon, the system will determine that that certain function-icon was chosen by the user, and then proceed with initiating the function of that function icon.

The above described functionality provides a new 'joystick' feel user-experience enabled by configuring a processor of a computerized device with technical actions by 85 using such means as software programming.

A method of the present invention is described that comprises the following steps:

Presenting on a touch-screen of a computerized device, any number of object-icons; each object-icon represents one object.

Monitoring input from said touch-screen that is pre-determined as 90 indicative of one of said any number of presented object-icon.

Upon registering an input that in some embodiments is generated by continuously indicating one presented object-icon, determining, and thereafter presenting at least two function-icons on an area of said touch-screen that is outside of said one presented object-icon's perimeter.

95 Monitoring input from said touch-screen that is determined during runtime as indicative of one of said at least two function-icons presented on said touchscreen.

An input is determined as indicative of a presented function-icon based on a direction of a selecting-vector facing towards one of said presented function- 100 icons; said selecting-vector is calculated parallel to a direction -vector having its origin point changed to an indicative marker; said indicative marker is located on a portion of said touch-screen between said presented at least two function-icons; said direction vector is derived from movement of an indicative member on said touch-screen from said indicated object-icon on said touch-screen; 105 Upon registering an input that indicates one presented function-icon, initiating one function that is represented by said one presented function-icon.

As the astute reader shall understand, performing the method disclosed above, and any additional methods disclosed herein, would allow to overcome the above described deficiencies in the field.

110

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be more fully appreciated in connection with the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method of the present invention.

115 FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting a capture of a screen displaying user interface of generated with methods of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting a capture of a screen displaying user interface of 120 generated with methods of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting. For the 125 sake of brevity, some well-known features, methods, systems, procedures, components, and so on, are not described in detail.

Referring initially to Fig. 1. Presented is a method for providing graphical touch user interface in computerized devices that comprises the following steps: Presenting on a touch-screen of a computerized device, any number of object- icons; wherein, each object-icon represents one object 101.

The term icon refers to graphical element displayed on a screen of the computerized device. It may be a pictogram as used by graphical user interfaces of various operating systems, but it may also be any displayed graphical element as images, logos, etc. In conjunction with the graphical user interface of said computerized device, the icon allows interaction with the computerized device, as it leads to a file, launches a program or that allows any other type of functionality.

An object-icon, as referred to in the present disclosure, is visual representation of an object or of an assortment thereof. An object may be a logical unit or an assortment thereof (e.g., phone contact, bank account, car, word, page, etc .), stored in a database accessible from said computerized device. The object may also be a file or a program accessible from said computerized device.

Monitoring input from said touch-screen that is predetermined as indicative of one of said any number of presented object-icon 102.

The term touch-screen refers to any type of screen serving both as input and output means having sensors operating in any technology.

Upon registering an indicative input that is generated by continuously indicating one presented object-icon, determining, and presenting at least two function -icons on an area of said touch-screen that is outside of said one presented object-icon's perimeter 103.

Input that is generated continuously may result by touching and holding a point on the touchscreen for a certain period of time that is longer then a moment. It should be mentioned that in some embodiments of the present invention a predetermined 'indicative' input for the purpose of this step, may be any type of predetermined input, including: single tap, double tap, swipe, pinch, etc, in a portion of the icon upon the touch screen or in another associated portion of the touch screen

Function-icons represent functions that may lead to manipulating attributes of an object. For example, lead to a screen that allows editing various information of a stored contact (phone number, name, e-mail address). In another example, a function may lead to an interface that changes a specific attribute of the object (e.g., capturing a new profile picture with a camera of the computerized device, when the object that is a profile picture in a social network application).

A function may also launch a program with information from the associated object. For example, choosing a function labeled 'call' in regards to an object that is a phone contact, shall lead to opening a dialer application with a default phone number in that phone contact, and further initiating a phone call to that phone number with the dialer application.

Monitoring input from said touch-screen that is determined during run-time as indicative of one of said at least two function-icons presented on said touchscreen 104.

Indicating a function-icon may be performed in various ways. A function-icon may be indicated by touching it on the touch-screen. A function-icon may be indicated by moving the user's indicative member (e.g., a finger or mechanical device for interacting with a touch-screen) from the object-icon in the direction of the intended function-icon while maintaining connection with the touch-screen, and lifting it for indicating the function-icon.

An input is determined as indicative of a presented function-icon based on a direction of a selecting-vector facing towards one of said presented function- icons; said selecting-vector is calculated parallel to a direction-vector having its origin point changed to an indicative marker; said indicative marker is located on a portion of said touch-screen between said presented at least two function-icons; said direction vector is derived from movement of an indicative member on said touch-screen from said indicated object-icon on said touch-screen. e. Upon registering an input that indicates one presented function-icon, initiating 185 one function that is represented by said one presented function-icon 105.

The depicted method may be performed by software downloaded and installed by a user of the computerized device, by the operating system of the computerized device, or by means of firmware in a component of the computerized device. Generally speaking, the methods of the present invention may be performed by processing 190 circuitry of a computerized device configured to perform the steps of the methods.

Referring to Fig. 2. The figure depicts a computerized device 200 displaying an object-icon 210 and several function icons 220 disposed radially around the object- icon 210 and on an area of said touch-screen that is outside the object-icon's 210 perimeter.

195 As demonstrated above, the object-icon 210 is placed by a user employing the graphical user interface of the operating system utilizing the invention or by an application that was programmed to place an object-icon representing a certain object in a certain location in the screen layout.

The function-icons 220 are generated dynamically when triggered. As such, the 200 characteristics of the function-icons (e.g. location, size and disposition) are decided at run-time by an algorithm computing various variables.

Referring to Fig. 3. Depicted is a method for presenting at least two of function-icons comprising the following steps: a. Getting characteristics of chosen object-icon including: represented object and 205 object-icon's location on said touch-screen 301. b. Determining required function-icons to present 302.

Some objects may have a small number of functions associated therewith but other objects may have a large number of associated functions so that presenting function icons representing all associated functions is not feasible. Therefore, the 210 step of determining required function-icons to present is important. This step may be performed by reading a pre-formed list that is associated with each object-icon and lists in an orderly manner, several functions and/or associated function-icons. The list is pre-formed for the specific context in which a specific object-icon occurs.

215 The list of this step may be also generated in run-time using algorithms that take into account at least some of the following factors: max number of function -icons feasible to display on touch-screen; most used functions of this object by this user; most used functions of this object by other users; context of this object-icon in the application;

220 In this step, another type of function-icon may be used that upon, indicating, will present additional function-icons that were not deemed important enough to present when an object-icon was indicated. c. Determining location on said touch-screen to present each required function-icon

303.

225 This step is performed in run-time taking into account at least some of the following factors: location and size of this object-icon on touch-screen; perimeter of this object-icon; number and size of other function-icons to be presented; areas of graphical elements not to be obstructed by function-icons to be presented. d. Presenting each function icon on its determined location on said touch-screen 230 304.

Referring to Fig. 4. Depicted is a method for providing graphical touch user interface in computerized devices comprising the following steps: a. Presenting on a touch-screen of a computerized device, any number of object- icons; wherein, each object-icon represents one object 401.

235 b. Monitoring input from said touch-screen that is an indicative of one of said any number of presented object-icon 402. c. Upon registering an indicative input, determining and presenting at least twofunction-icons and an indicative-marker, on an area of said touch-screen that is outside of said one presented object-icon's perimeter 403.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the function-icons and the indicative-marker are presented on a new screen layout that will be presented on- top of a predetermined area of said touch-screen. In other embodiments of the present invention, the function-icons and the indicative-marker are presented dynamically on an area of said touch-screen that was determined as not being obstructed by the user's indicative member.

Monitoring input from said touch-screen that is determined during run-time as indicative of one of said at least two function-icons presented on said touch-screen 404; wherein, determining that a certain function-icon was indicated is performed by a method comprising the steps of:

(i) Monitoring input from said touch-screen for movement of a user's indicative member in a general area of said object-icon 4041.

(ii) Registering in real-time a direction-vector of said movement 4042;

wherein, said direction- vector is based on current location of indicative member on said touch-screen and the location of said one object-icon,

(iii) Calculating in-real time a selecting-vector based on real-time values of said direction-vector 4043; this step is preferably performed creating a copy of said direction-vector, and further swapping the starting point of said direction-vector with the location of said indicative-marker.

(iv) If at some point of time the selecting-vector is pointing towards a general direction of one of said at least two function-icons, selecting said one of said at least two function-icons and preferably, visually highlighting it 4044

(v) If at some point of time a magnitude of said selecting-vector is decreased, cancelling selection of said one of said at least two of function-icons 4045.

(vi) If at some point of time a direction of said selecting-vector changes to be pointing towards a general direction of a different one of said at least two of function-icons, selecting said different one of said at least two of function-icons and preferably, visually highlighting it 4046.

(vii) If at some point of time, input from said touch-screen in the general area of 270 said object-icon is ceased, determine said registered input as being indicative of the selected function-icon selected function-icon 4047. e. Upon registering an input that indicates one presented function-icon, initiating one function that is represented by said one presented function-icon 405.

Referring to Fig. 5. The figure depicts a computerized device 500 displaying an 275 object-icon 510 and several function icons 520 disposed radially around an indicative- marker 530 and on an area of said touch-screen that is outside the object-icon's 510 perimeter.

In this embodiment, the function-icons 520 and the indicative-marker 530 are presented on a new screen layout 540 that is be presented on-top of a predetermined 280 area of said touch-screen, which in the case of this embodiment, is located in the upper portion of the touch-screen.

Referring to Fig. 6. The figure depicts a computerized device 600 displaying an object-icon 610 and several function icons 620 disposed radially around an indicative- marker 630 and on an area of said touch-screen that is outside the object-icon's 610 285 perimeter.

A direction-vector 650 is depicted illustrating a movement vector of a user's indicative member in a general area of said object-icon 610. In this case, a user is swiping his finger right of the object-icon 610 while the object-icon 610 being the starting point of the direction-vector 650.

290 A selecting-vector 660 is depicted illustrating its nature being a copy of the direction- vector 650, and further having the indicative-marker 630 as a starting point instead of the indicated object-icon 610. In this case, the system identifies that the user indicated the right function-icon 670, thereby, selecting it and further highlighting it, in this case, by coloring it in a different color.

295 It should be mentioned that for the purpose of the present invention, the direction- vector 650 and the selecting-vector 660 need not be of a magnitude that physically reaches the perimeter of the function-icon 670. Nevertheless, required is a positive magnitude that may allow identifying the direction of the vector, any change thereof and change of magnitude.

300 Referring to Fig. 7. The figure depicts a computerized device 700 displaying an object-icon 710 and several function icons 720 disposed radially around an indicative- marker 730 and on an area of said touch-screen that is outside the object-icon's 710 perimeter.

A direction-vector 750 is depicted illustrating a movement vector of a user's indicative 305 member in a general area of said object-icon 710. In this point of time, the magnitude of the direction-vector 750 is decreased in relation to the magnitude of direction-vector 650 depicted in figure 6.

Accordingly, a selecting-vector 760 is depicted having a decreased magnitude in relation to the selecting-vector 660 depicted in figure 6. Accordingly, the system 310 identifies the decrease in magnitude and cancels selection of the previously selected function-icon 770, and further returning the color the previously selected function-icon 770 to the color of the other function-icons 720.

The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to 315 limit the invention to the above description in any form.

Claims

A system for providing graphical touch user interface in computerized devices comprising at least one computerized device having processing circuitry configured to:

present on a touch-screen of said at least one computerized device, any number of object-icons;

monitor input from said touch-screen, that is predetermined as indicative of one of said any number of presented object-icons;

upon registering an indicative input of an object-icon, determine and thereafter present at least two function-icons on a portion of said touch-screen that is outside of said indicated object-icon's perimeter;

monitor input from said touch-screen, that is determined during run-time as indicative of one of said at least two function-icons presented on said touch-screen;

wherein, an input is determined as indicative of a presented function- icon based on a direction of a selecting-vector facing towards one of said presented function-icons; said selecting-vector is calculated parallel to a direction-vector having its origin point changed to an indicative marker; said indicative marker is located on a portion of said touch-screen between said presented at least two function-icons; said direction vector is derived from movement of an indicative member on said touchscreen from said indicated object-icon on said touch-screen;

upon registering an input that is indicative of one presented function- icon, initiate a function of said one presented function-icon.

The system of claim 1, wherein to present any number of object-icons, the processing circuitry of said at least one computerized device is configured to:

get characteristics of an object-icon including: object represented by said object-icon and said object-icon's location on said touch-screen;

determine required function-icons to present;

determine portion of said touch-screen to present each function-icon; present each function icon on a determined portion of said touch-screen. The system of claim 2, wherein to determine which function-icons to present, the processing circuitry of said at least one computerized device is configured to read a pre-

45 formed list of functions that is associated with an object-icon.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein to determine which function-icons to present, the

processing circuitry of said at least one computerized device is configured to form a list of functions during run-time based on at least some of the following factors: max number of function-icons feasible to display on said touch-screen; most used functions of said object by a user of this computerized device; most used functions of this object by users of other computerized device; context of this object-icon.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein to determine a portion of said touch-screen to present each

function-icon, the processing circuitry of said at least one computerized device is configured to find an available portion of said touch-screen during run-time, based on at least some of the following factors: location and size of this object-icon on touch-screen;

perimeter of this object-icon; number and size of other function-icons to be presented; portions of said touch-screen not to be obstructed by function-icons to be presented.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein to determine that a registered input is indicative of a presented function-icon, the processing circuitry of said at least one computerized device is configured to monitor input from said touch-screen for movement of a user's indicative member in a general area of said object-icon;

register in real-time a direction-vector of said movement; wherein, said direction-vector is based on current location of indicative member on said touch-screen and the location of said one object-icon;

calculate in-real time a selecting-vector based on real-time values of said direction-vector;

if at some point of time the selecting-vector is pointing towards a general direction of one of said at least two of function-icons, selecting said one of said at least two of function-icons;

if at some point of time a magnitude of said selecting-vector is decreased, cancelling selection of said one of said at least two of function-icons;

if at some point of time a direction of said selecting-vector changes to be pointing towards a general direction of a different one of said at least two of function-icons, selecting said different one of said at least two of function-icons;

if at some point of time, input from said touch-screen in the general area of said object-icon is ceased, determine said registered input as being indicative of a selected function-icon.

7. A method for providing graphical touch user interface in computerized devices comprising

4k the following steps:

presenting on a touch-screen of said at least one computerized device, any number of object-icons;

monitoring input from said touch-screen, that is predetermined as indicative of one of said any number of presented object-icon;

upon registering an indicative input of an object-icon, determining and thereafter presenting at least two of function-icons on a portion of said touch-screen that is outside of an indicated object-icon's perimeter;

monitoring input from said touch-screen, that is predetermined as indicative of one of said at least two function-icons presented on said touch-screen;

upon registering an input that is indicative of one presented function- icon, initiating a function of said one presented function-icon.

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