WO2019051848A1

WO2019051848A1 - Operating method and operating apparatus for display area of intelligent device

Info

Publication number: WO2019051848A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/102144
Authority: WO
Inventors: 李勇奇
Original assignee: 深圳传音通讯有限公司
Priority date: 2017-09-18
Filing date: 2017-09-18
Publication date: 2019-03-21

Abstract

An operating method for a display area of an intelligent device. The operating method comprises: providing a touch-control operation area in a display area of an intelligent device (101); when the touch-control operation area is activated, displaying an operation cursor in the display area of the intelligent device (102); executing a first touch-control operation in the touch-control operation area, and changing the position of the operation cursor in the display area of the intelligent device according to the first touch-control operation (103); and when the operation cursor is in a stopped state in the display area of the intelligent device, executing a second touch-control operation in the touch-control operation area, and triggering an operation, corresponding to the second touch-control operation, on the intelligent device (104).

Description

Operation method and operation device for display area of smart device

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of smart devices, and in particular, to an operating method and an operating device for a display area of a smart device.

Background technique

The display area of the smart device is getting larger and larger, and the limitation of the touch gesture, combined with the display area of the smart device and the existing analog input device-based analog mouse input method implemented by the mouse, can usually only be realized by one finger. Simple click or drag action weakens the original full function of the mouse. The operation is not flexible enough, convenient, and not personal. For example, since there is no operation to simulate the mouse wheel, when there are many pages, it is usually only simple to pass. Simulate the left mouse button to drag the scroll bar to achieve page turning. The page turning speed is slow, it takes a long time, and the operation is inconvenient, which can not meet people's operation requirements.

Summary of the invention

In order to overcome the above technical deficiencies, an object of the present invention is to provide an operation method and an operation device for a display area of a smart device.

The invention discloses a method for operating a display area of a smart device, characterized in that the operation method comprises:

Setting a touch operation area in the display area of the smart device;

When the touch operation area is activated, an operation cursor is displayed in the display area of the smart device;

Performing a first touch operation in the touch operation area, and changing a position of the operation cursor in the display area of the smart device according to the first touch operation;

When the operation cursor is in the stop state in the display area of the smart device, performing a second touch operation in the touch operation area, triggering the pair corresponding to the second touch operation The operation of the smart device.

Preferably, setting a touch operation area in the display area of the smart device includes:

Setting the touch operation area on one side of the display area of the smart device;

Performing a touch operation on the touch operation area causes the touch operation area to be displayed or hidden.

Preferably, when the touch operation area is activated, displaying an operation cursor in the display area of the smart device includes:

Presetting a correspondence between a touch operation and a cursor action of the operation cursor;

When the touch operation area is activated, performing the touch operation in the touch operation area to implement the operation cursor to complete the cursor action.

Preferably, the first touch operation is performed in the touch operation area, and the position of the operation cursor in the display area of the smart device is changed according to the first touch operation, including:

Moving the operation cursor in the display area of the smart device in a direction by the first touch operation;

After the operation cursor moves to a side boundary of the display area of the smart device, the operation cursor cannot move across the side boundary.

Preferably, when the operation cursor is in a stop state in the display area of the smart device, performing a second touch operation in the touch operation area, triggering a corresponding to the second touch operation The operation of the smart device includes:

When the operation cursor is located in the menu interface of the smart device, clicking, clicking, dragging, and clicking on an application program in the menu interface or the menu interface is implemented by the second touch operation Species

When the operation cursor is located on the display interface of the application, the operation of the application is implemented by the second touch operation.

The present invention also discloses an operating device for a display area of a smart device, wherein the operating device comprises: a setting module, an associating module, a moving module, an operating module, wherein

The setting module is configured to set a touch operation area in the display area of the smart device;

The association module is configured to be in communication with the setting module, and is configured to display an operation cursor in the display area of the smart device when the touch operation area is activated;

The mobile module is connected to the associated module for performing a first touch operation in the touch operation area, and changing the operation cursor to the smart device according to the first touch operation. Describe the location within the display area;

The operation module is connected to the mobile module, and is configured to perform a second touch operation in the touch operation area when the operation cursor is in a stop state in the display area of the smart device. , trigger and The operation of the smart device corresponding to the second touch operation.

Preferably, the setting module comprises:

a regional unit, configured to set the touch operation area on a side of the display area of the smart device;

The activation unit is configured to perform a touch operation on the touch operation area to display or hide the touch operation area.

Preferably, the association module includes:

a setting unit, configured to preset a correspondence between a touch operation and a cursor action of the operation cursor;

The operating unit is in communication with the setting unit, and is configured to perform the touch operation in the touch operation area to enable the operation cursor to complete the cursor action when the touch operation area is activated.

Preferably, the mobile module includes:

a moving unit, configured to move the operation cursor in the display area of the smart device in a direction by using the first touch operation;

And a limiting unit, in communication with the mobile unit, configured to move the operating cursor beyond the side boundary after the operating cursor moves to a side boundary of the display area of the smart device.

Preferably, the operation module includes:

a button unit, configured to: when the operation cursor is located in a menu interface of the smart device, perform a click on the menu interface or an application in the menu interface by using the second touch operation, double-click, drag One of the operations;

The control unit is communicatively coupled to the button unit, and is configured to perform an operation on the application program by using the second touch operation when the operation cursor is located on the display interface of the application.

After adopting the above technical solution, compared with the prior art, the following beneficial effects are obtained:

1. The invention realizes the control of the smart device by operating the touch operation set on the smart device, generating an operation cursor in the display area of the smart device to simulate the mouse control operation, and is convenient and practical.

DRAWINGS

1 is a schematic flow chart in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a schematic flow chart of a specific implementation of step 101 shown in FIG. 1;

3 is a schematic flow chart of a specific implementation of step 102 shown in FIG. 1;

4 is a schematic flow chart of a specific implementation of step 103 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart of a specific implementation of step 104 shown in FIG. 1;

Figure 6 is a schematic view showing the structure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a schematic view of a structure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a schematic view of a structure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a schematic view showing the structure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a schematic view of the structure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Reference mark:

10-Operating device, 11-setting module, 12-associated module, 13-moving module, 14-operation module:

Detailed ways

Advantages of the present invention are further explained below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following description refers to the same or similar elements in the different figures unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Instead, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with aspects of the present disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

Those skilled in the art can understand that the smart device used herein includes a device of a wireless signal receiver, a device having only a wireless signal receiver without a transmitting capability, and a device for receiving and transmitting hardware, which has the capability to A device that performs bidirectional communication reception and transmission hardware on a two-way communication link. Such devices may include cellular or other communication devices having a single line display or a multi-line display or a cellular or other communication device without a multi-line display; PCS (Personal Communications Services, personal communication system), which may combine voice, data processing, Fax and / or data communication capabilities; PDA (Personal Digital Assistant, personal digital assistant), which can include radio frequency receiver, pager, Internet / intranet access, web browser, notepad, calendar and / or GPS (Global Positioning System, Global Positioning System Receiver; conventional laptop and/or palmtop computer or other device having and/or including a conventional laptop and/or palmtop computer or other device of a radio frequency receiver. As used herein, "device", "smart device" may be portable, transportable, installed in a vehicle (aviation, sea and/or land), or adapted and/or configured to operate locally, and/or Run in any other location on the Earth and/or space in a distributed form. The "device" and "smart device" used herein may also be a communication device, a connection device, a music/video playback device, such as a PDA, a MID (Mobile Internet Device), and/or a music/video playback function. Mobile phones can also be smart TVs, set-top boxes and other devices.

It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used in the present disclosure to describe various information, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the same type of information from each other. For example, the first information may also be referred to as second information without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, the second information may also be referred to as first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "when" or "when" or "in response to a determination."

In the description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", The orientation or positional relationship of the indications of "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than It is to be understood that the device or elements referred to have a particular orientation, are constructed and operated in a particular orientation and are therefore not to be construed as limiting.

Referring to Figures 1-5, a flow diagram consistent with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes:

Step 101: Set a touch operation area in the display area of the smart device;

The touch operation area is set on one side of the display area of the smart device.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the touch operation area may be always disposed on the current display area of the touch screen of the smart device, specifically, on one side of the current display area, preferably, the side is the bottom. Side, set to the touch operation area. In addition, the smart device can also detect the operation of touching the touch operation area of the touch screen in real time, and display the touch on the touch operation area of the current display area when detecting the operation of touching the touch operation area of the touch screen. Control the operating area.

In order to prevent the displayed touch operation area from obstructing the user's viewing of the main content being displayed on the current display area (such as, but not limited to, a game screen, a video screen, etc.), after displaying the touch operation area, if a preset display is performed If no operation is performed on the touch operation area within the duration, the display of the touch operation area may be hidden. Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, the smart device detects the operation of touching the touch operation area in real time, and touches the current display area when detecting the operation of touching the touch operation area of the touch screen. The touch operation area is displayed on the operation area. When the operation of touching the touch operation area is detected again, the touch operation area is hidden in the touch operation area of the current display area, and at the same time, according to specific requirements. The method of displaying and hiding the touch operation area.

The touch operation area can only recognize the click operation on the touch operation area, the sliding operation on the touch operation area, etc., and the touch events are usually events such as clicking and sliding, so the smart device can detect the touch event. The area where the contact falls into is used to determine whether the touch event occurs outside of the touch operation area or the touch operation area.

Step 102: Display an operation cursor in the display area of the smart device when the touch operation area is activated;

Presetting a correspondence between a touch operation and a cursor action of the operation cursor.

In an embodiment of the invention, according to the mapping relationship between the operation instruction sequence corresponding to the preset touch operation and the function performed by the operation cursor, the user receives the touch of the target in the touch operation area according to the action habit of the user operating the cursor. Controlling the operation instruction sequence of the operation, when the operation instruction sequence matches the mapping relationship, according to the mapping relationship, the operation action of the operation cursor corresponding to the operation instruction sequence of the touch operation is intelligent to the manner recognizable by the smart device The device sends, and the smart device performs an operation action of the operation cursor corresponding to the sequence of operation instructions.

Specifically, the mapping relationship between the operation instruction sequence corresponding to the preset touch operation and the function performed by the operation cursor is performed according to the action habit of the user using the operation cursor. Generally, the user is accustomed to using the finger to touch the screen. The operation of the smart device is therefore described by the user's finger as the object of the actual touch operation. In addition, since the touch operation of the touch screen of the smart device can be recognized, the touch operation can be limited. The various touch operations are divided into different types, and these touch operations are combined to define more operation actions of the operation cursor, and the operation function of the operation cursor is improved.

Specifically, according to the mapping relationship between the sequence of operation instructions corresponding to the preset touch operation and the function performed by the operation cursor, the functions of the left button, the right button, the scroll wheel, the drag, and the like of the mouse are simulated. The mouse double-clicking the left mouse button, pressing the left/right mouse button, and scrolling the mouse wheel up/down can be further implemented to further improve the function of operating the cursor to simulate mouse input.

Specifically, the touch range value of the touch operation is obtained according to the touch control point of the received touch operation and the touch lift coordinate point, and the touch range value of the touch operation is compared with the user operation habit according to the user's operation habit. Setting the range threshold of the touch click mode and the touch slide mode. When the touch range value is greater than the range threshold, the touch operation is the touch slide mode. Otherwise, the touch operation is the touch click. mode.

The smart device confirms the received touch operation and the cursor operation instruction that the touch operation is converted by collecting and judging.

In order to realize the distinction between actions performed by the operation cursor between the touch click operation and the touch long press operation;

The touch-control coordinate point and the touch-lift coordinate point are collected every time the touch-click operation is performed, and the range value of each touch-click operation is obtained according to the touch-pressing coordinate point and the touch-lifting coordinate point. The average range value obtained by the touch click operation is a distinction between the touch click operation and the touch double click operation in the touch click operation.

The operation time of the touch operation is obtained according to the touch control time point and the touch lift time point of the received touch operation, and the operation for comparing the touch operation is obtained when the touch operation is a touch click. Time and the first time threshold of the touch-and-click operation and the touch-long operation according to the user's operating habits. When the operation time is greater than the first time threshold, the touch operation is obtained as a touch long-press operation, otherwise The touch operation is obtained as a touch click operation.

According to the touch control time of the received touch operation and the touch lift time of the touch operation of the touch operation, the touch operation and the previous touch operation of the touch operation are obtained. The time interval between the touch operation and the touch touch operation of the touch operation is compared with the time interval between the touch operation and the touch operation according to the user's operation habit. The second time threshold of the touch-and-click operation is used to obtain the touch operation as a touch-click operation when the time interval is greater than the second time threshold. Otherwise, the touch operation is touched. Control the double click operation.

Step 103: Perform a first touch operation in the touch operation area, and change a position of the operation cursor in the display area of the smart device according to the first touch operation;

In one embodiment of the present invention, the first touch operation specifically causes the operation cursor to complete a moving operation in a display area of the smart device, and performs a sliding operation in the touch operation area by a finger, the sliding operation The operation instruction sequence has a mapping relationship with the operation operation of the operation cursor in the display area of the smart device, and when the finger performs a sliding operation in the control operation area to match the mapping relationship, the operation cursor is A move operation within the display area of the smart device.

Specifically, according to the touch control point of the received touch operation and the touch lift coordinate point, the path range of the touch operation is obtained, and the path range value of the obtained touch operation is compared with the user operation habit according to the user's operation habit. The path range threshold of the touch touch mode and the touch slide mode are set, wherein the touch operation area is generally smaller than the display area of the smart device except the touch operation area, and therefore, the path range through which the cursor passes It will be larger than the path range through which the touch operation passes.

Specifically, the display area of the smart device has a boundary, and when the operation cursor reaches the boundary, if the touch operation area continues to make a touch operation in a direction other than the boundary, the operation cursor stays at the boundary. But does not move out of the boundary of the display area of the smart device.

Step 104: Perform a second touch operation in the touch operation area when the operation cursor is in a stop state in the display area of the smart device, triggering a corresponding to the second touch operation. Operation of the smart device;

When the operation cursor is located in the menu interface of the smart device, clicking, clicking, dragging, and clicking on an application program in the menu interface or the menu interface is implemented by the second touch operation Kind.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second touch operation is specifically to perform operations other than the moving operation in the display area of the smart device, and simulate the operation of the button or the scroll wheel of the mouse. The operation other than the operation of moving the cursor alone may also be a combination of a button operation and a movement operation, for example, clicking an application icon in the menu bar, dragging an application icon in the menu bar, and scrolling the opened text. Browse.

Specifically, the display area of the smart device currently displays the menu bar of the smart device, and the touch operation is performed on the icon of the application by the sliding touch operation performed in the touch operation area, and the touch operation is performed on the touch operation. A click operation is made in the area, and the operation cursor is caused to click the icon of the application to start the application.

Specifically, the display area of the smart device currently displays the menu bar of the smart device, and the touch operation is performed on the icon of the application by the sliding touch operation performed in the touch operation area, and the touch operation is performed on the touch operation. A long press operation is performed in the area, and the operation cursor is selected by the long press operation, and then the sliding touch operation performed in the touch operation area causes the operation cursor to drag the application After the icon is moved to another location, a lifting operation is performed in the touch operation area to cause the icon of the application to stay at the location. Optionally, dragging the icon of the application to the recycle bin to delete the application program.

Specifically, the display area of the smart device currently displays the browsing page of the browser of the smart device, and the operation cursor is located in the browsing interface, and after performing a long press operation in the touch operation area, continuing in the touch operation area A downward or upward sliding operation is performed to cause the operation cursor to scroll up or down the browsing interface.

A smart device embodying various embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the use of suffixes such as "module", "component" or "unit" for indicating an element is merely an explanation for facilitating the present invention, and does not have a specific meaning per se. Therefore, "module" and "component" can be used in combination.

In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified and limited, it should be noted that the terms "mounted", "connected", and "connected" are to be understood broadly, and may be, for example, mechanical or electrical, or both. Internal connection of components The above may be directly connected, or may be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms may be understood according to specific situations.

Referring to FIG. 6-10, the device according to the present invention can be implemented by a device 10, including: a setting module 11, an association module 12, a moving module 13, and an operation module 14

Setting module 11:

A touch operation area is disposed in the display area of the smart device;

The activation unit is configured to be in communication with the area unit, and configured to perform a touch operation on the touch operation area to display or hide the touch operation area;

Association module 12:

When the touch operation area is activated, displaying an operation cursor in the display area of the smart device;

In an embodiment of the present invention, the preset touch operation corresponding to the action habit of the user operating the cursor is used. a mapping relationship between the sequence of operation instructions and a function of operating the cursor, and then receiving an operation instruction sequence of the touch operation of the target in the touch operation area, when the operation instruction sequence matches the mapping relationship, according to the mapping The operation of the operation cursor corresponding to the operation instruction sequence of the touch operation is sent to the smart device in a manner recognizable by the smart device, and the operation action of the operation cursor corresponding to the operation instruction sequence is executed by the smart device.

The operation time of the touch operation is obtained according to the touch control time point and the touch lift time point of the received touch operation, and the operation for comparing the touch operation is obtained when the touch operation is a touch click. Time and the first time threshold of the touch-and-click operation and the touch-long operation according to the user's operating habits. When the operation time is greater than the first time threshold, the touch operation is obtained as a touch long-press operation, otherwise Get the touch operation as a touch click operation Work.

Mobile module 13:

And performing a first touch operation in the touch operation area, and changing a position of the operation cursor in the display area of the smart device according to the first touch operation.

And a moving unit, configured to move the operation cursor in the display area of the smart device in a direction by the first touch operation.

Operation module 14:

And performing a second touch operation in the touch operation area when the operation cursor is in a stop state in the display area of the smart device, triggering a pair corresponding to the second touch operation Operation of the smart device Work.

a button unit, configured to: when the operation cursor is located in a menu interface of the smart device, perform a click on the menu interface or an application in the menu interface by using the second touch operation, double-click, drag One of the operations.

In addition, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer readable storage medium having stored therein computer executable instructions, such as a non-volatile memory such as an optical disk, a hard disk, or a flash memory. The computer executable instructions described above are for causing a computer or similar computing device to perform various operations in the above described method of operation for the display area of the smart device.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention includes apparatus related to performing one or more of the operations described herein. These devices can be specially designed and manufactured for the required purposes, or they can also include general purpose Known devices in the computer. These devices have computer programs stored therein that are selectively activated or reconfigured. Such computer programs may be stored in a device (eg, computer) readable medium or in any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions and separately coupled to a bus, including but not limited to any Types of disks (including floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magneto-optical disks), ROM (Read-Only Memory, read-only memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory, rewritable programmable) Read only memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), flash memory, magnetic card or light card. That is, a readable medium includes any medium that is stored or transmitted by a device (eg, a computer) in a readable form.

In the description of the present specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" and the like means a specific feature described in connection with the embodiment or example. A structure, material or feature is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In the present specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily mean the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention are preferred embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any one skilled in the art may use the above-disclosed technical contents to change or modify the equivalent embodiments. Any modification or equivalent changes and modifications of the above embodiments in accordance with the technical spirit of the present invention are still within the scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

An operation method for a display area of a smart device, wherein the operation method comprises:

Setting a touch operation area in the display area of the smart device;

When the touch operation area is activated, an operation cursor is displayed in the display area of the smart device;

Performing a first touch operation in the touch operation area, and changing a position of the operation cursor in the display area of the smart device according to the first touch operation;

When the operation cursor is in the stop state in the display area of the smart device, performing a second touch operation in the touch operation area, triggering the pair corresponding to the second touch operation The operation of the smart device.
The operating method of claim 1 , wherein setting a touch operation area in the display area of the smart device comprises:

Setting the touch operation area on one side of the display area of the smart device;

Performing a touch operation on the touch operation area causes the touch operation area to be displayed or hidden.
The operating method according to claim 1, wherein when the touch operation area is activated, displaying an operation cursor in the display area of the smart device comprises:

Presetting a correspondence between a touch operation and a cursor action of the operation cursor;

When the touch operation area is activated, performing the touch operation in the touch operation area to implement the operation cursor to complete the cursor action.
The operating method of claim 1 , wherein performing a first touch operation in the touch operation area, and changing the operation cursor to the smart device according to the first touch operation Display the location within the area, including:

Moving the operation cursor in the display area of the smart device in a direction by the first touch operation;

After the operation cursor moves to a side boundary of the display area of the smart device, the operation cursor cannot move across the side boundary.
The operation method of claim 1 , wherein when the operation cursor is in a stop state in the display area of the smart device, performing a second touch operation in the touch operation area, The operation of the smart device corresponding to the second touch operation is triggered, including:

When the operation cursor is located at a menu interface of the smart device, implementing the a menu interface or an application click, double click, or drag operation in the menu interface;

When the operation cursor is located on the display interface of the application, the operation of the application is implemented by the second touch operation.
An operating device for a display area of a smart device, wherein the operating device comprises: a setting module, an associating module, a moving module, an operating module, wherein

The setting module is configured to set a touch operation area in the display area of the smart device;

The association module is configured to be in communication with the setting module, and is configured to display an operation cursor in the display area of the smart device when the touch operation area is activated;

The mobile module is connected to the associated module for performing a first touch operation in the touch operation area, and changing the operation cursor to the smart device according to the first touch operation. Describe the location within the display area;

The operation module is connected to the mobile module, and is configured to perform a second touch operation in the touch operation area when the operation cursor is in a stop state in the display area of the smart device. And triggering an operation on the smart device corresponding to the second touch operation.
The operating device according to claim 6, wherein the setting module comprises:

a regional unit, configured to set the touch operation area on a side of the display area of the smart device;

The activation unit is in communication with the area unit, and is configured to perform a touch operation on the touch operation area to display or hide the touch operation area.
The operating device according to claim 6, wherein the association module comprises:

a setting unit, configured to preset a correspondence between a touch operation and a cursor action of the operation cursor;

The operating unit is in communication with the setting unit, and is configured to perform the touch operation in the touch operation area to enable the operation cursor to complete the cursor action when the touch operation area is activated.
The operating device according to claim 6, wherein the moving module comprises:

a moving unit, configured to move the operation cursor in the display area of the smart device in a direction by using the first touch operation;

And a limiting unit, in communication with the mobile unit, configured to move the operating cursor beyond the side boundary after the operating cursor moves to a side boundary of the display area of the smart device.
The operating device according to claim 6, wherein the operating module comprises:

a button unit, configured to: when the operation cursor is located in a menu interface of the smart device, perform a click on the menu interface or an application in the menu interface by using the second touch operation, double-click, drag In operation a kind

The control unit is communicatively coupled to the button unit, and is configured to perform an operation on the application program by using the second touch operation when the operation cursor is located on the display interface of the application.