CN100517206C - Item selection method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an item selection method. A user can select and activate a specific item, such as a software hot key or a menu option, by contacting, dragging, and releasing a touch device. When a pointer contacts and remains on the surface of a sensor, a list of items appears in a display unit. When the pointer does not leave the sensor surface and is dragged along the touch device, the items in the list can be moved or scrolled, and selected and highlighted. When the pointer leaves the touch device, the selected item will be activated.

Description

Item selection method

technical field

The present invention relates to an item selection method, and particularly relates to an item selection method combined with a touch device.

Background technique

When portable devices, especially handheld devices such as personal digital assistants, smart phones or mobile phones, are first launched on the market, they usually have very few buttons for the sake of simple operation, and are usually Making calls is the main function of use.

In recent years, handheld devices have become more and more advanced, which may be equipped with digital cameras, global positioning devices, and Internet access capabilities. These advanced functions have brought some confusion and challenges to manufacturers of handheld devices. On the one hand, users prefer layouts with simple designs on handheld devices. On the other hand, users want customized buttons corresponding to most programs/applications. If the manufacturer reduces the number of buttons on the device in order to maintain a simple design of the device, the complexity of the menus in the device must increase. However, the selection and movement of the menu on the device will cause inconvenience to the user's operation.

Therefore, many manufacturers choose to place many hotkeys on the handheld device. 1A and 1B show the front and side of the handheld device, respectively. As shown in the figure, hot keys H1 , H2 , H3 and H4 are respectively arranged on the front and side of the handheld device 100 . Users can quickly access specific programs/applications by pressing these buttons. However, there are a number of significant disadvantages to placing too many hotkeys directly on the surface of the device. For example, when too many hot keys are placed on a handheld device, the front, top, and sides of the device will become very crowded and cluttered, and such a layout will discourage users who prefer a simple design. Additionally, since space is limited on most devices, there is a limit to the number of hotkeys that can be placed on the surface of the device. Manufacturers usually decide which specific hotkeys to add to new models, however, often these decisions are not satisfactory to users.

Contents of the invention

In view of this, the present invention provides an item selection method.

The present invention provides an item selection method, comprising the following steps: (a) detecting a contact on a touch device; (b) corresponding to the contact, selecting a first item in a sequence of items and setting it as the selected item; (c) judging whether the contact on the touch device is continuous; (d) if it is judged in step (c) that the contact on the touch device is continuous and moving in a direction, re-entering the items according to the direction Select a second item, and set the second item as the selected item, then return to step (c); and (e) if it is judged in step (c) that the contact on the touch device is terminated, start The selected item is set.

The present invention also provides an item selection method suitable for a portable device, the portable device has a touch device and a display unit, comprising the following steps: (a) detecting a contact on the touch device; (b) Corresponding to the contact, displaying a sequence of items on the display unit and selecting a first item among the items, and setting the selected first item as a selected item and highlighting it in a specific area of the display unit, Wherein the display unit displays a part or all of these items; (c) judging whether the contact on the touch device continues; (d) if it is judged in step (c) that the contact on the touch device continues and moving in a direction, the items of the sequence are moved in that direction, causing the second item among the items to move to a specific area of the display unit, and setting the second item as the selected item, and then returning Go to step (c); and (e) if it is judged in step (c) that the contact on the touch device is terminated, then activate the set selection item.

The present invention also provides an item selection method suitable for a portable device, the portable device has a touch device and a display unit, comprising the following steps: (a) detecting a contact on the touch device; (b) Corresponding to the contact, display the sequence of items on the display unit and select the first item among the items, and set the selected first item as the selected item and highlight it, wherein a part of the display unit is displayed or all of these items; (c) determine whether the contact on the touch device is continuous; (d) if it is determined in step (c) that the contact on the touch device continues and moves in a direction, then and so on, move from the first item to the second item in the direction, and set the second item as the selected item, and then return to step (c); and (e) if it is determined in step (c) When the contact on the touch device is terminated, the set selection item is activated.

The above-mentioned method of the present invention can be recorded in a physical medium through program code. When the program code is loaded and executed by the machine, the machine becomes an apparatus for implementing the present invention.

In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, the following specific examples will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

Figure 1A shows the front of a handheld device.

Figure 1B shows a side view of a handheld device.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram showing a portable device with a touch-mode device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing a portable device with a touch device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram showing a portable device with a touch device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an item selection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4A and 4B are diagrams showing an example of item selection according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of list items arranged in a circle.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an item selection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7A and 7B are diagrams showing an example of item selection according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Description of main component labels]

100～hand-held device;

H1, H2, H3, H4 ~ hot keys;

200～portable device;

210～touch device;

211, 212～the tail end part of the touch device;

S310, S320, ..., S370～steps;

4000～display unit;

4100～project area;

4110～virtual button area;

4111, 4112, 4113, 4114, 4115～hotkey items;

4200～Schematic area of touch device;

4210～touch device;

4211～The bottom of the touch device;

FL～contact position;

S610, S620, ..., S670～steps;

7000～display unit;

7100～project area;

7111, 7112, 7113, 7114, 7115, 7116, 7117, 7118, 7119～menu options;

7200～Schematic area of touch device;

7210～touch device;

7211~Touch the top of the device.

Detailed ways

2A, 2B and 2C respectively show a portable device with a touch device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The portable device 200 may be a handheld device, such as a personal digital assistant, a smart phone, a global satellite positioning device, or a mobile phone. The portable device 200 has a display unit (not shown), and the touch device 210 can be placed on a side of the portable device 200 . Touch device 210 has an elongated touch surface. There are specific portions 211 and 212 at the tail end of the elongated touch surface. The difference between FIGS. 2A and 2B lies in the location of specific portions of the elongated touch surface, wherein the specific portion of the touch device 210 in FIG. The specific portion is located on the upper portion of the elongated touch surface. In some embodiments, both ends of the elongated touch surface can be provided with a specific portion, as shown in FIG. 2C . The functions of the specific parts 211 and 212 will be described later. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the touch device 210 has a one-dimensional sensor, but it is not limited thereto, and the touch device may have a multi-dimensional sensor.

FIG. 3 shows an item selection method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, when the pointer touches the touch device, an item list will be displayed in the display unit, and the selected item will be fixedly displayed in the middle of the display unit. It must be reminded that the reference to selection and selection in this case means that the item is designated but not yet activated. When the pointer moves along the touch device, items such as hotkey items and labels will move in the direction the pointer moves. When the pointer leaves the surface of the touch device, the item displayed in the middle of the display unit will be activated.

First, as in step S310 , the contact of a pointer, such as a finger or a stylus, on the touch device is detected. In step S320, a list is displayed on the display unit corresponding to the contact. Wherein, the list includes a sequence of items, and the display unit may display a part or all of the items in the list. It should be noted that the pointer can touch any position or a specific part of the touch device, thereby triggering the list to be displayed. In some embodiments, the specific portion may be one of the two ends of the elongated touch-mode surface of the touch device, such as the specific portion 211 in FIG. 2A or the specific portion 212 in FIG. 2B .

In step S330, a default item is selected from the items in the list, and the selected item is highlighted in the center of the display unit. It should be noted that a schematic diagram of the touch device can also be displayed on the display unit, and the contact position of the pointer on the touch device can be marked in the schematic diagram. Afterwards, in step S340, it is determined whether the indicator continues to touch the surface of the touch device. If the pointer keeps touching (Yes in step S340 ) but does not move (drag) (No in step S350 ), the flow continues to the judgment in step S340 . If the pointer continues to touch (yes in step S340) and moves in one direction (yes in step S350), as in step 360, the list is moved in the direction in which the pointer moves, causing specific items in the items to move to the center of the display unit, and make a selection. Afterwards, the process returns to step S340. If the pointer stops touching the touch device (No in step S340), in step S370, activate the selected item.

Next, an example is given to illustrate. When the user wants to play a video, the user can touch the bottom of the touch device with his finger. When a finger touches the bottom of the touch device, a list of hot keys will be displayed on the display unit, as shown in FIG. 4A . In FIG. 4A , the display unit 4000 displays an item area 4100 and a touch device schematic area 4200 . The item area 4100 includes a virtual button area 4110 . A list is displayed in the item area 4100, which includes hotkey items such as "CANCEL" 4111, "MUSIC" 4112, and "VIDE0" 4113. Wherein, the default hotkey item “CANCEL” 4111 will be displayed in the virtual button area 4110 . In addition, the schematic diagram of the corresponding touch device 4210 is displayed in the schematic diagram area 4200 of the touch mode device, and the position where the finger touches the touch device will be marked in the schematic diagram. As shown in FIG. 4A , when a finger touches the bottom 4211 of the touch device 4210 , the contact position FL of the finger is also marked in the schematic diagram area 4200 of the touch device. It must be reminded that, in this example, the finger must touch the bottom 4211 of the touch device 4210 to trigger the display unit 4000 to display the list. However, in other examples, the finger can also touch any position of the touch device 4210 to trigger the display unit 4000 to display the list.

Since the user wants to select and start "VIDEO" 4113, the user can slide his finger up. Corresponding to the movement of the finger, the items in the list will move up through the virtual button area 4110, so that "VIDEO" 4113 stays in the virtual button area 4110, as shown in FIG. 4B. Afterwards, the user can release his finger (stop touching the touch device 4210), and the "VIDEO" 4113 in the virtual button area 4110 will be automatically activated.

Note that, since the list may have multiple hotkey items, only a part of the hotkey items may be displayed in the item area 4100 . With the movement of the finger, other hotkey items will also be displayed in the item area 4100, such as "E-MAIL" 4114 and "NOTES" 4115 in FIG. 4B. In addition, the hotkey items in the list can be arranged in a ring, so that the first one is connected with the last hotkey item, as shown in Figure 5, wherein "MUSIC" 4112, "VIDEO" 4113 and "E-MAIL" 4114 can be displayed in the project area 4100.

FIG. 6 shows an item selection method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, when the pointer touches the touch device, a menu will be displayed on the display unit, and a preset item, such as a menu item, will be highlighted. When the pointer moves along the touch device, the highlighted item will move to another item in the direction of the pointer movement. When the pointer is lifted off the surface of the touch device, the highlighted item will be activated.

First, in step S610 , a pointer, such as a finger or a stylus, is detected on the touch device. In step S620, a menu is displayed on the display unit corresponding to the touch. Wherein, the menu includes a sequence of items, and a part or all of the items in the menu can be displayed on the display unit. Similarly, the pointer can touch any position or specific part of the touch device, thereby triggering the menu to be displayed. In step S630, a default item is selected from the menu items, and the selected item is highlighted in the display unit. Similarly, a schematic diagram of the touch device can also be displayed on the display unit, and the contact position of the pointer on the touch device can be marked in the schematic diagram. Afterwards, in step S640, it is determined whether the indicator continues to touch the surface of the touch device. If the indicator keeps touching (Yes in step S640 ) but not moving (No in step S650 ), the flow continues to the judgment in step S640 . If the pointer continues to touch (yes in step S640) and moves in one direction (yes in step S650), as in step S660, move the highlighted item from the preset item to the direction in which the pointer moves to another according to the distance moved by the pointer an item, and make a selection. Thereafter, the process returns to step S640. If the pointer stops touching the touch device (No in step S640), in step S670, activate the highlighted (selected) item.

Next, an example is given to illustrate. When the user wants to browse the Internet, the user can touch the top of the touch device with his finger. When a finger touches the top of the touch device, a menu will be displayed on the display unit, as shown in FIG. 7A . In FIG. 7A , the display unit 7000 displays an item area 7100 and a touch device schematic area 7200 . The menu displayed in the item area 7100 includes "Inbox" 7111, "Contacts" 7112, "Calendar" 7113, "Internet Explorer" 7114, "ActiveSync" 7115, "Call History" 7116, "MSNMessenger" 7117, "Setting" 7118 and 9 options for "More" 7119 etc. Among them, the default menu item "Inbox" 7111 will be highlighted. In addition, a schematic diagram of the corresponding touch device 7210 is displayed in the schematic diagram area 7200 of the touch device, and the position where the finger touches the touch device will be marked in the schematic diagram. As shown in FIG. 7A , when a finger touches the top 7211 of the touch device 7210 , the contact position FL of the finger is also marked in the schematic diagram area 7200 of the touch device. It must be reminded that in this example, the finger must touch the top 7211 of the touch device 7210 to trigger the display unit 7000 to display the menu. However, in other examples, the finger can also touch any position of the touch device 7210 to trigger the display unit 7000 to display the menu.

Users can slide their fingers up and down. Corresponding to the movement of the finger, the highlighted item will move in the direction of the finger movement. Since the user desires to browse the Internet, the user can place the highlighted item on "Internet Explorer" 7114, as shown in Figure 7B. Afterwards, the user can release his finger, and the highlighted "Internet Explorer" 7114 will be automatically launched.

Note that, in the above embodiments, any location or specific part of the touch-mode device must be touched with the pointer to trigger the list/menu containing the items to be displayed. However, in some embodiments, the list/menu can be displayed on the display unit in advance, and related controls can be performed directly when the pointer touches the touch device. In addition, when the two tail ends of the elongated touch surface of the touch device are respectively provided with a specific part, one of the specific parts can perform the function defined as menu return.

In the present invention, the user can use a pointer, such as a finger or a stylus, to touch, drag and release the touch device with at least one-dimensional sensors, so as to select and activate specific items, such as software hotkeys or is a menu option. When the pointer touches and remains on the face of the sensor, a list of items appears in the display unit. When the pointer is dragged along the touch device without leaving the sensor surface, items in the list can be moved or scrolled, selected and highlighted. When the pointer leaves the touch device, the selected item will be activated. The touch, drag and release actions will simplify the method of item selection since the user does not need to press the button repeatedly. In addition, since the hot keys and menu options are implemented by software, many items can be added to the device without being limited by the space on the surface of the device.

The method of the present invention, or a specific form or part thereof, may be contained in a physical medium in the form of program code, such as a floppy disk, an optical disk, a hard disk, or any other machine-readable (such as computer-readable) storage medium , wherein, when the program code is loaded and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes a device for participating in the present invention. The method and device of the present invention can also be transmitted in the form of program code through some transmission media, such as wires or cables, optical fibers, or any transmission mode, wherein when the program code is received, loaded and executed by a machine, such as a computer , this machine becomes a device for participating in the present invention. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code combines with the processor to provide a unique device that operates analogously to application-specific logic circuits.

Although the present invention has been disclosed above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention The scope of protection shall prevail as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. A project selection method comprising the following steps: (a) detecting contact on a touch device; (b) corresponding to the contact, selecting the first item in the sequence of items, and setting it as the selected item; (c) determining whether the contact on the touch device continues; (d) If it is determined in step (c) that the contact on the touch-sensitive device continues and moves in one direction, reselect a second item among the items according to the direction, and set the second item as the Select the item and return to step (c); and (e) If it is judged in step (c) that the contact on the touch device is terminated, then activate the set selection item. 2. The item selection method according to claim 1, further comprising, when detecting the contact on the touch device, corresponding to the contact, displaying the sequence of the items on the display unit, and displaying the selected The first item is highlighted. 3. The item selection method according to claim 1, further comprising displaying a schematic diagram of the touch-sensitive device on a display unit, and marking in the schematic diagram that the touch corresponds to a contact position on the touch-sensitive device. 4. The item selection method according to claim 1, further comprising, if the contact continues and moves in the direction, moving from the first item in the direction to the second item in the items, and selecting. 5. The item selection method according to claim 2, further comprising moving the second item to a specific position of the display unit if the contact continues and moves in the direction. 6. The item selection method according to claim 1, wherein the contact is to tap a specific part on the touch device, wherein the touch device has an elongated touch surface, and the specific part is the elongated touch device. One of the two ends of the surface. 7. The item selection method according to claim 1, wherein the items are arranged in a circle. 8. A method for item selection, suitable for a portable device, the portable device has a touch device and a display unit, comprising the following steps: (a) detecting contact on the touch device; (b) corresponding to the contact, displaying the sequence of items on the display unit and selecting the first item among the items, and setting the selected first item as the selected item and highlighting it on the display unit a specific area in which some or all of these items are displayed in the display unit; (c) determining whether the contact on the touch device continues; (d) if it is determined in step (c) that the contact on the touch device continues and moves in a direction, moving the items in the sequence in that direction, causing a second of the items to move to the displaying a specific area of the unit, and setting the second item as the selected item, and returning to step (c); and (e) If it is judged in step (c) that the contact on the touch device is terminated, then activate the set selection item. 9 . The item selection method according to claim 8 , further comprising displaying a schematic diagram of the touch device on a display unit, and marking in the schematic diagram that the touch corresponds to a contact position on the touch device. 10. The item selection method according to claim 8, wherein the contact is to tap a specific part on the touch device, wherein the touch device has an elongated touch surface, and the specific part is the elongated touch device. One of the two ends of the surface. 11. The item selection method according to claim 8, wherein the items are arranged in a circle. 12. A method for selecting an item, suitable for a portable device, the portable device has a touch device and a display unit, comprising the following steps: (a) detecting contact on the touch device; (b) Corresponding to the contact, displaying the sequence of items on the display unit and selecting the first item among the items, and setting the selected first item as the selected item and highlighting it, wherein the display unit Some or all of those items shown in ; (c) determining whether the contact on the touch device continues; (d) If it is determined in step (c) that the contact on the touch-sensitive device continues and moves in a direction, move from the first item to the second item in the direction in the items, and the second item set the item to the selected item, and return to step (c); and (e) If it is judged in step (c) that the contact on the touch device is terminated, then activate the set selection item. 13. The item selection method according to claim 12, further comprising displaying a schematic diagram of the touch-sensitive device on a display unit, and marking in the schematic diagram that the touch corresponds to a contact position on the touch-sensitive device. 14. The item selection method according to claim 12, wherein the contact touches a specific part on the touch device, wherein the touch device has an elongated touch surface, and the specific part is the elongated touch surface One of the two ends of . 15. The item selection method according to claim 12, wherein the items are arranged in a circle.

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