HK1183951A - A method and an apparatus for controlling a user interface - Google Patents

Description

Method and apparatus for controlling user interface

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to user interfaces, and in particular, they relate to using a user interface to perform a paste operation.

Background

Copy, cut, and paste are common operations provided by computing devices that are used to transfer content from a source to a destination.

Copying typically involves copying content to a clipboard (which may or may not be visible to a user). Cutting typically involves copying content to the clipboard and deleting the copied content from its current location. Pasting typically involves inserting the content stored in the clipboard into a new location.

Many hand-held portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, include touch-sensitive displays. While some handheld portable electronic devices allow users to perform cut, copy, and paste operations, it is often cumbersome to perform these operations using a touch sensitive display.

Disclosure of Invention

According to various (but not necessarily all) embodiments of the invention there is provided a method comprising: controlling the touch sensitive display to display a transient indication of the first content for pasting when the user digit is detected hovering a distance from the touch sensitive display, wherein if the user subsequently moves the user digit away from the touch sensitive display such that the user digit is no longer detected, the transient indication of the first content for pasting is removed from display on the touch sensitive display.

According to various (but not necessarily all) embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing computer program instructions, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer program instructions to cause the apparatus at least to perform: controlling the touch sensitive display to display a transient indication of the first content for pasting when the user digit is detected hovering a distance from the touch sensitive display, wherein if the user subsequently moves the user digit away from the touch sensitive display such that the user digit is no longer detected, the transient indication of the first content for pasting is removed from display on the touch sensitive display.

According to various (but not necessarily all) embodiments of the invention there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program comprising computer program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least perform: controlling the touch sensitive display to display a transient indication of the first content for pasting when the user digit is detected hovering a distance from the touch sensitive display, wherein if the user subsequently moves the user digit away from the touch sensitive display such that the user digit is no longer detected, the transient indication of the first content for pasting is removed from display on the touch sensitive display.

According to various (but not necessarily all) embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for controlling the touch-sensitive display to display a transient indication of the first content for pasting when the user digit is detected hovering a distance from the touch-sensitive display, wherein the transient indication of the first content for pasting is removed from display on the touch-sensitive display if the user subsequently moves the user digit away from the touch-sensitive display such that the user digit is no longer detected.

According to various (but not necessarily all) embodiments of the invention there is provided a method comprising: selecting first content for pasting; in response to detecting the user digit hovering a distance from the touch-sensitive display, displaying, by controlling the touch-sensitive display, a transient indication of the first content selected for pasting; and paste the first content by initiating a paste operation in response to a user touch input at the touch sensitive display.

Selecting the first content for pasting may involve performing a copy operation. Alternatively, selecting the first content for pasting may involve performing a cut operation.

According to various (but not necessarily all) embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing computer program instructions, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer program instructions to cause the apparatus at least to perform: selecting first content for pasting; in response to detecting the user digit hovering a distance from the touch-sensitive display, displaying, by controlling the touch-sensitive display, a transient indication of the first content selected for pasting; and paste the first content by initiating a paste operation in response to a user touch input at the touch sensitive display.

According to various (but not necessarily all) embodiments of the invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program comprising computer program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least perform: selecting first content for pasting; in response to detecting the user digit hovering a distance from the touch-sensitive display, displaying, by controlling the touch-sensitive display, a transient indication of the first content selected for pasting; and paste the first content by initiating a paste operation in response to a user touch input at the touch sensitive display.

According to various (but not necessarily all) embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for selecting first content for pasting; means for displaying, by controlling the touch-sensitive display, a transient indication of the first content selected for pasting in response to detecting the user digit hovering a distance from the touch-sensitive display; and means for pasting the first content by initiating a paste operation in response to detecting the user digit hovering a distance from the touch sensitive display.

Drawings

For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus;

FIG. 2 illustrates another apparatus;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of a method;

FIG. 4 illustrates an apparatus displaying representations of first, second and third content;

FIG. 5 illustrates a user selecting first content for pasting;

FIG. 6 illustrates a user hovering a digit at a distance from a touch sensitive display;

FIG. 7 illustrates a touch sensitive display when a user hovers a finger;

FIG. 8 illustrates a user initiating a paste operation; and

fig. 9 illustrates the device after a paste operation has been performed.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of performing a paste operation. In embodiments of the present invention, the user's finger is used as a "virtual memory" for information during a paste operation. When a user hovers a digit at a distance from the touch sensitive display, the touch sensitive display displays a preview of what would be pasted if the user provided touch input with the digit on the touch sensitive display.

The figures illustrate a method comprising: controlling the touch sensitive display 22 to display the transient indication 80 of the first content 160 for pasting when the user digit 70 is detected hovering a distance from the touch sensitive display 22, wherein if the user subsequently moves the user digit 70 away from the touch sensitive display 22 such that the user digit 70 is no longer detected, the transient indication 80 of the first content 160 for pasting is removed from display on the touch sensitive display 22; and in response to detecting a touch input from the user digit 70 on the touch sensitive display 22, initiating a paste operation using the first content 160, wherein the paste operation comprises controlling the touch sensitive display 22 to display a representation 60 of the first content and continuing to display the representation 60 of the first content after the user digit 70 has been removed from the touch sensitive display 22.

Fig. 1 illustrates an apparatus 10. The apparatus may be, for example, a chip or a chipset. The apparatus 10 illustrated in fig. 1 includes a processor 12 and a memory 14. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus 10 may comprise a plurality of processors.

The processor 12 is configured to read from the memory 14 and write to the memory 14. The processor 12 may also include an output interface via which the processor 12 outputs data and/or commands and an input interface via which data and/or commands are input to the processor 12.

Although illustrated as a single component, memory 14 may be implemented as one or more separate components, some or all of which may be integrated/removable, and/or may provide permanent/semi-permanent/dynamic/cached storage.

In fig. 2, the memory 14 is illustrated as storing first, second, third and fourth content 160 and 163. Each of the first, second, third and fourth content 160 and 163 may be, for example, textual content, audio content, visual content or audiovisual content.

The memory 14 stores a computer program 16, the computer program 16 comprising computer program instructions 18 that, when loaded into the processor 12, control the operation of the device 10/30. The computer program instructions 18 provide the logic and routines that enables the apparatus 10/30 to perform the method illustrated in fig. 3. The processor 12 by reading the memory 14 is able to load and execute the computer program instructions 18.

The computer program 16 may arrive at the device 10/30 via any suitable delivery mechanism 40. The delivery mechanism 40 may be, for example, a tangible (non-transitory) computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a storage device, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD, or blu-ray disc, or any article of manufacture that tangibly embodies the computer program 16. The delivery mechanism 40 may be a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program 16.

Fig. 2 illustrates another apparatus 30. The apparatus 30 shown in fig. 2 may be, for example, a hand-held portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, a personal music player, a personal digital assistant, a computer, a game table, a tablet computer, or a camera.

The apparatus 30 illustrated in fig. 2 comprises the apparatus 10 illustrated in fig. 1. The apparatus 30 further comprises a housing 28, a touch sensitive display 22, a proximity detector 26 and optionally at least one radio frequency transceiver 24 and at least one vibration device 25. The housing 28 accommodates: a processor 12, a memory 14, a touch sensitive display 22, a radio frequency transceiver 24, a vibration device 25, and a proximity detector 26. The elements 12, 14, 22, 24, 25 and 26 are co-located within a housing 28. Elements 12, 14, 22, 24, 25, and 26 are operatively coupled and any number or combination of intervening elements may be present (including no intervening elements).

The processor 12 is configured to provide output to the touch sensitive display 22, the radio frequency transceiver 24 and the vibration device 25. The processor 12 is configured to receive input from the radio frequency transceiver 24, the proximity detector 26, and the touch sensitive display 22.

The touch sensitive display 22 is configured to provide a graphical user interface. The touch sensitive display 22 may be any type of touch sensitive display, such as a resistive touch sensitive display or a capacitive touch sensitive display.

In some embodiments of the invention, the touch sensitive display 22 is a stereoscopic display for displaying three-dimensional images. The display 22 may be, for example, autostereoscopic such that a user may view a three-dimensional image displayed on the display 22 without the use of glasses.

The one or more radio frequency transceivers 24 are configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals. The one or more radio frequency transceivers 24 may include, for example, one or more cellular transceivers compatible with one or more cellular protocols such as GSM (global system for mobile communications), IS-95 (interim standard 95), or UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system). Alternatively or additionally, the radio frequency transceiver 24 may comprise a short range radio transceiver compatible with one or more short range protocols, such as the bluetooth protocol or the IEEE (institute of electrical and electronics engineers) protocol.

The one or more vibration devices 25 may be configured to provide tactile/vibratory feedback to the user when the user provides touch input on the touch-sensitive display 22.

The proximity detector 26 is configured to detect at least one user digit when the one or more user digits are hovering a distance from the touch sensitive display 22. The proximity detector 26 may also be configured to detect the position of one or more user fingers. For example, the proximity detector 26 may be configured to detect the position of one or more user digits in two dimensions, where each of these dimensions is parallel to a plane defined by the surface of the touch-sensitive display 22. The proximity detector 26 may also be configured to detect the position of the user's finger in a third dimension, where the third dimension is perpendicular to a plane defined by the surface of the touch-sensitive display 22. In some example embodiments of the invention, the proximity detector 26 may be configured to detect the direction of a user's finger.

The proximity detector 26 may use one or more of a number of sensing technologies including capacitive, optical (infrared or visible), acoustic emission, radar or sonar technologies.

The proximity detector 26 may, for example, be configured to generate a detection field in front of the touch sensitive display 22. The type of field generated depends on the technology used in the proximity detector 26. The proximity detector 26 may detect one or more user digits hovering a distance from the touch-sensitive display 22 by monitoring the field for disturbances in the field that are characteristic of the presence of the user digits.

The proximity detector 26 may include circuitry that is partially or fully shared with circuitry of the touch sensitive display 22. For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, the touch-sensitive display 22 and the proximity detector 26 may operate using a shared capacitive circuit.

A method according to an embodiment of the invention will now be described in connection with fig. 3-9.

Fig. 4 illustrates the front face 21 of the apparatus 30 schematically illustrated in fig. 2. The front face 21 of the device 30 includes a touch sensitive display 22. In fig. 4, the touch sensitive display 22 is illustrated as displaying a first representation 60, a second representation 61 and a third representation 62 of first content 160, second content 161 and third content 162 stored in the memory 14 (respectively).

In this example, each of the first, second, and third content 160 and 162 is an image. The first, second and third representations 60-62 are thumbnails of the first, second and third content 160-162. Each thumbnail is a scaled down version of the image it represents.

In this particular example of the invention, the first representation, the second representation, and the third representation are graphical in nature. In other examples of the invention, the first, second and third representations may or may not be graphical. For example, the first representation, the second representation, and the third representation may contain (or only contain) text.

Fig. 4 illustrates a coordinate axis 50. In fig. 4, the x-axis and the y-axis are perpendicular to each other and parallel to the plane of the page. The z-axis is perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis and perpendicular to the plane of the page. Coordinate axes 50 are also illustrated in fig. 5-9 to indicate the orientation of the device 30 in these figures. The depth of the device 30 is in the z-direction. The width of the device 30 (and touch sensitive display 22) is in the x-direction. The length of the device (and touch sensitive display 22) is in the y-direction.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in fig. 4, the touch sensitive display 22 has a substantially flat outer surface at the front face 21 of the device 30. The substantially flat outer surface of the touch sensitive display 22 may be considered to be within a plane defined by the x-axis and the y-axis illustrated in fig. 4.

The user may cause the content to be selected for pasting by providing some form of predetermined touch input at the representation for the content. For example, in some implementations of the invention, the user may select the first content 160 for pasting by touching the outer surface of the touch-sensitive display 22 at the first representation 60 for at least a threshold period of time. In other implementations of the invention, the user may select the first content 160 for pasting by tracking a predetermined symbol (e.g., "Z" or "O") on the outer surface of the touch-sensitive display 22 at the first representation 60.

FIG. 5 illustrates a user providing a predetermined touch input at the first representation 60 using a finger 70. In response to detecting the predetermined touch input, the processor 12 selects the first content 160 for pasting. In some example implementations of the invention, the processor 12 may select the first content 160 for pasting by performing a copy operation. In other example implementations, the processor 12 may select the first content for pasting by performing a cut operation. When performing a copy or cut operation, the processor 12 may store the first content 160 in a temporary memory location. If a copy operation is performed, the first content 160 is not deleted from its current location in the memory 14. If a cut operation is performed, the first content 160 is deleted from its current location.

In some cases, whether a cut operation or a copy operation is performed may depend on the type of user input provided at the first representation 60. For example, a first type of user input may be provided to cause the processor 12 to perform a cut operation, while a second type of user input may be provided to cause the processor 12 to perform a copy operation.

The processor 12 may control the one or more vibration devices 25 to provide vibratory feedback to the user's finger 70 when the first content 160 is selected for pasting. Once the first content 160 has been selected for pasting, the processor 12 may change the appearance of the first representation 60 to indicate to the user that the first content 160 has been selected for pasting. For example, the processor 12 may control the touch-sensitive display 22 to graphically depict the first representation 60 of the user's finger 70 being emitted (emanate) outward from the surface of the touch-sensitive display 22 and into (e.g., using a stereoscopic display or a non-stereoscopic display). The user thus perceives that the first content 160 is being stored in a virtual sense in the finger 70 placed on the touch-sensitive display 22.

The user then removes his finger 70 from the surface of the display 22. The user may then navigate through the menu system to find a suitable location to paste the first content 160, for example by providing a touch input on the touch sensitive display 22 using the finger 70. When the appropriate position is found, the user hovers his finger a distance from the display 22. FIG. 6 illustrates a user's finger 70 hovering over the display 22.

The proximity detector 26 detects the hovering digit as a "hovering input". When the proximity detector 26 detects a "hover input," a different input signal is provided to the processor 12 than when a "touch input" is registered at the touch sensitive display 22. The distance from the surface of the display 22 at which the hovering input is detected depends on the sensitivity of the proximity detector 26.

When the user's finger 70 hovers, it is not close enough to the touch sensitive display 22 for touch input to be registered by the display 22. The hovering digit does not contact the outer surface of the touch sensitive display 22.

Some touch sensitive displays, such as those incorporating capacitive technology, are sensitive enough to register touch input when a user's finger is in close proximity to the display but not actually touching the display. If such a display is used in an embodiment of the invention, a "touch input" is registered when the finger is very close to the display, and a "hover input" is detected when the finger is at a large distance from the display.

In this example embodiment of the invention, the proximity detector 26 is configured to determine the position of the user's finger in at least one plane 71 overlying and parallel to the surface of the touch-sensitive display 22. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the proximity detector 26 may be configured to detect the user's finger at a plurality of different distances from the display 22 (and thus in a plurality of different planes).

In the example shown in fig. 6, the dashed line 72 represents the position of the user's finger within the plane 71. The arrow labelled with reference numeral 73 represents a point on the display 22 corresponding to (and in this example directly beneath) the position of the user's finger 70 in the plane 71.

In block 301 of the method illustrated in fig. 3, when the proximity detector 26 detects that the user's digit 70 is hovering a distance from the touch sensitive display 22, the processor 12 controls the display 22 to display the transient indication 80 of the first content 160 for pasting. This is illustrated in fig. 7. In some implementations of the invention, the processor 12 does not control the display 22 to display the transient indication 80 until the hovering user digit has been detected for at least a threshold period of time.

Advantageously, the transient indication 80 provides an indication (preview) of the content that will be pasted if a paste operation is subsequently initiated. In this example, the transient indication 80 depicts a thumbnail 60 representing the first content 160. This provides the user with the impression that the first content (in a virtual sense) is stored in his finger 70. It may also help the user determine whether and/or where to perform the paste operation.

In some embodiments of the invention, the processor 12 is configured to display the transient indication 80 when the user's digit 70 is within a certain range of the touch sensitive display 22 and aligned with the touch sensitive display 22. For example, in the context of the illustrated example, the transient indication 80 may be displayed when the user's finger is spaced from (and within a certain range of) the touch-sensitive display 22 in the z-direction and aligned with (i.e., not spaced from) the touch-sensitive display 22 in the x-direction and the y-direction.

In this example, the processor 12 controls the position at which the transient indication 80 is displayed in dependence on the position of the user's finger 70. If the user moves the finger 70 across the display 22 (and without touching the display 22), the processor 12 controls the display 22 to display the transient indication 80 moving across the display 22 in real time with the finger 70.

If the user subsequently moves the finger 70 away from the touch-sensitive display 22 so that it is no longer detected (or no longer aligned with the touch-sensitive display 22 in the x-dimension and the y-dimension), the transient indication 80 of the first content is removed from the display content on the touch-sensitive display 22.

In the event that the user brings the digit 70 back towards the touch-sensitive display 22, such that the proximity detector 26 again detects that the digit 70 is aligned with the touch-sensitive display 22 in the x-dimension and the y-dimension, the processor 12 restores the transient indication 80 to the display 22 at a location on the display 22 that corresponds to the location of the digit 70.

In one example, the transient indication 80 of the first content 160 is not selectable by the user. The transient indication 80 may be displayed on the display 22 simultaneously with one or more graphical items that may be selected by the user. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates a fourth representation 63 of fourth content 163 displayed on the display 22 concurrently with the transient indication 80 of the first content 160. In some implementations of the invention, the fourth representation 63 is selectable by a user.

FIG. 8 illustrates a user touching the surface of the touch sensitive display 22 with a finger 70 to initiate a paste operation. At block 302 of fig. 3, the processor 12 detects the touch input and initiates a paste operation using the first content 160.

The paste operation may be initiated, for example, in response to some form of predetermined touch input provided on the touch sensitive display 22. For example, the user may initiate a paste operation by touching the outer surface of the touch sensitive display 22 for at least a threshold period of time. In other implementations of the invention, the user may initiate the paste operation by tracking a predetermined symbol (e.g., "Z" or "O") on the outer surface of the touch-sensitive display 22.

When initiating a paste operation, the processor 12 may control the one or more vibration devices 25 to provide vibration feedback to the user's finger 70.

The paste operation includes storing the first content 160 to a particular (non-temporary) location in the memory 14. The paste operation also includes controlling the touch sensitive display 22 to display the representation 60 of the first content 160. When the first content 160 is stored at the user's desired location, the processor 12 controls the display 22 to display the representation 60 of the first content 160. In the example given in the figure, the representation 60 displayed when the paste operation is performed is the same as the representation 60 displayed before the first content 160 is selected for pasting.

Fig. 9 illustrates a representation 60 of the first content 160 displayed next to the representation 63 of the fourth content 163 after a paste operation has been performed. The representation 60 of the first content 160 displayed after the paste operation is not "transient" like the indication 80 displayed before the paste operation. In this regard, the processor 12 controls the display 22 to continue to display the representation 60 after the user's finger 70 has been removed from the vicinity of the display 22, regardless of whether the user's finger 70 is in a position that can be detected by the proximity detector 26. The representation 60 may be user selectable and/or user editable, for example.

References to "tangible computer-readable storage medium", "computer program product", "computer", and "processor" should be understood to encompass not only computers having different architectures such as single/multi-processor architectures and serial (Von Neumann)/parallel architectures, but also specialized circuits such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), signal processing devices, and other devices. References to computer programs, instructions, code etc. should be understood to encompass software for a programmable processor or firmware such as the programmable content of a hardware device whether instructions for a processor or configuration settings for a fixed-function apparatus, gate array or programmable logic device etc.

As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to all of the following:

(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations using only analog and/or digital circuitry) and

(b) combinations of circuitry and software (and/or firmware), such as (if applicable): (i) a combination of one or more processors or (ii) portions of one or more processors/software (including one or more digital signal processors, software, and one or more memories that work together to cause a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions) and

(c) a circuit (such as a microprocessor or a portion of a microprocessor) that requires software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present.

This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of that term in the present invention (including in any claims). As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its accompanying software and/or firmware. For example, and if applicable to the particular claim element, the term "circuitry" would also cover a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other network device.

The blocks illustrated in fig. 3 may represent steps in a method and/or code of a section in the computer program 16. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the blocks may be different. Furthermore, it is possible to omit some steps.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the embodiments of the present invention are described above in the context of an example involving pasted content in the form of still images. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this example. In other embodiments of the invention, the content may include, for example, textual content, video content, or audio content.

For example, embodiments of the present invention may be used to edit images. In these embodiments of the invention, the transient indication 80 may provide an indication of how the image will appear after the editing step (paste) has occurred.

In some implementations of the invention, the proximity detector 26 is configured to detect the position of at least two hovering digits. In these implementations, the processor 12 may be configured to display two ephemeral indications simultaneously.

The processor 12 may control the display 22, for example, such that each short lived indication moves across the display 22 in real time with its associated user's finger.

The above paragraphs describe a paste operation initiated by a user touching the outer surface of the touch sensitive display 22. In other alternative embodiments of the present invention, the paste operation may be initiated by pressing a mechanical key separate from the display 22.

Features described in the foregoing specification may be used in other combinations than those explicitly described.

Although some functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although some features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (20)

1. A method, comprising:

controlling the touch sensitive display to display a transient indication of first content for pasting when a user digit is detected hovering a distance from the touch sensitive display, wherein the transient indication of the first content for pasting is removed from display on the touch sensitive display if the user subsequently moves the user digit away from the touch sensitive display such that the user digit is no longer detected.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in response to detecting touch input from the user digit at the touch-sensitive display, initiating a paste operation using the first content, wherein the paste operation includes controlling the touch-sensitive display to display a representation of the first content and continuing to display the representation of the first content after the user digit has been removed from the touch-sensitive display.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the representation of the first content is at least one of: user editable and user selectable.

4. The method of claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising: selecting the first content for pasting in response to a user input.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein selecting the first content for pasting comprises performing a cut operation or a copy operation.

6. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transient indication of the first content displayed for pasting is not selectable by a user.

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transient indication of the first content is displayed on the touch sensitive display after detecting that the user digit hovers a distance from the touch sensitive display for at least a threshold period of time.

8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a position at which the transient indication of the first content is displayed depends on a position of the hovering user finger relative to the touch sensitive display.

9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising: in response to detecting the user digit moving across the touch-sensitive display during hover, displaying the transient indication of the first content by controlling the touch-sensitive display as the user digit moves across the touch-sensitive display.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory storing computer program instructions, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer program instructions to cause the apparatus at least to perform:

controlling the touch sensitive display to display a transient indication of first content for pasting when a user digit is detected hovering a distance from the touch sensitive display, wherein the transient indication of the first content for pasting is removed from display on the touch sensitive display if the user subsequently moves the user digit away from the touch sensitive display such that the user digit is no longer detected.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is configured to, in response to detecting touch input from the user digit at the touch-sensitive display, initiate a paste operation using the first content, wherein the paste operation comprises controlling the touch-sensitive display to display a representation of the first content, and to continue to display the representation of the first content after the user digit has been removed from the touch-sensitive display.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 or 11, wherein the at least one processor is configured to select the first content for pasting in response to a user input.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the transient indication of the first content displayed for pasting is not selectable by a user.

14. An apparatus according to any of claims 10-13, wherein a location at which the transient indication of the first content is displayed depends on a location of the hovering user finger relative to the touch sensitive display.

15. The apparatus according to any of claims 10-14, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: in response to detecting the user digit moving across the touch-sensitive display during hover, displaying the transient indication of the first content by controlling the touch-sensitive display as the user digit moves across the touch-sensitive display.

16. The apparatus of any of claims 10-15, further comprising the touch-sensitive display.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising computer program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least perform: controlling the touch sensitive display to display a transient indication of first content for pasting when a user digit is detected hovering a distance from the touch sensitive display, wherein the transient indication of the first content for pasting is removed from display on the touch sensitive display if the user subsequently moves the user digit away from the touch sensitive display such that the user digit is no longer detected.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the computer program instructions further cause the apparatus to perform: in response to detecting touch input from the user digit at the touch-sensitive display, initiating a paste operation using the first content, wherein the paste operation includes controlling the touch-sensitive display to display a representation of the first content and continuing to display the representation of the first content after the user digit has been removed from the touch-sensitive display.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 or 18, wherein the computer program instructions further cause the apparatus to perform: selecting the first content for pasting in response to a user input.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, 18, or 19, wherein a location at which the transient indication of the first content is displayed depends on a location of the hovering user finger relative to the touch-sensitive display.