Apple invents natural tap-based gesture input for nudging onscreen objects, selecting text

Posted:
in General Discussion edited July 2015
A patent granted to Apple on Tuesday reveals a novel mode of mobile device gesture input that turns taps detected on non-touchscreen surfaces, like the side of an iPhone, into granular on-screen controls.




As published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple's patent No. 9,086,738 for "Fine-tuning an operation based on tapping" describes a solution to a problem many iPhone and iPad owners face when attempting to conduct highly granular user interface manipulations on multitouch displays.

As Apple notes, touchscreens excel in operations requiring only coarse granularity, such as swipes and taps, but are often times unsuitable for performing fine adjustments. For example, picking out a specific character in a line of text is difficult on a touch interface because the mechanism relies on an input object with a relatively large contact area (a user's finger).

Apple's iOS features a virtual magnification loupe as a workaround for accurate UI asset selection, but the method is not as precise as a traditional computer mouse. Instead of looking for an answer in multitouch screen technology, Apple's patent makes use of motion sensors available throughout its iOS device lineup.

In one embodiment, a user is able to move an onscreen object left or right with extreme precision, perhaps nudged a pixel at a time, by lightly tapping on the side of an iPhone. Tap gestures on non-touchscreen portions of a device are picked up by an accelerometer or gyroscope and processed naturally, meaning inputs are represented onscreen in an equal and opposite direction. For example, a light tap on the right side of an iPhone would move an object to the left, while a tap on the left would send the object to the right.

The patent also accounts for varying input magnitudes. Stronger taps move objects greater distances, for example.




Another embodiment detailing text selection notes users can easily extend or contract an active boundary through suitable tapping procedures. Lighter taps would move the cursor one character at a time, while more prominent taps jump entire words or lines. The idea can be extended to any number of selection or virtual object manipulation operations, as seen in the above illustration relating to a spreadsheet application.

Apple also covers taps in other directions, for example from the top and bottom of a device, as well as input involving more than one finger and other UI variations.

It is unclear if Apple intends to incorporate the tap-based fine tuning mechanism into its iOS platform anytime soon. However, the company is slowly extending device usability beyond the years-old multitouch interface by augmenting its devices with new forms of input like Force Touch, which is rumored to make the jump from Apple Watch to iPhone this year.

Apple's patent for fine UI manipulation through tap gestures was first filed for in January 2013 and credits Maxim Tsudik as its inventor.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 7
    arlorarlor Posts: 532member
    I don't have much trouble with selection and control on today's bigger screens, but this is cool stuff.
  • Reply 2 of 7
    bobschlobbobschlob Posts: 1,074member
    Me likey...
  • Reply 3 of 7
    dugbugdugbug Posts: 283member
    I quite like this.
  • Reply 4 of 7
    ecatsecats Posts: 272member
    Despite smart phones existing in their current format for 8 years and this method not being used as yet. I fully expect it to be copied by apple's competitors, then claimed as an obvious idea (that no one else could think of for 8 years.)
  • Reply 5 of 7
    thepixeldocthepixeldoc Posts: 2,257member
    A really neat idea, but I'm sure someone will claim previous art from say an abacus bead being nudged, and we can start the "Apple doesn't invent anything" debate anew; watch Android integrate it then Samsung; then court cases; then amicus briefs from industry heavyweights; then whatever was won in previous jury decisions whittled down to zero over 20 years of appeals.

    Still... love the idea and can't wait for Apple to integrate it, even if it will cause them all unknown amounts of pain and suffering.

    Sorry... becoming a true cynic these days.
  • Reply 6 of 7
    mike1mike1 Posts: 3,275member

    This is VERY clever. Head-smacking, why didn't I think of that clever.

  • Reply 7 of 7
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,176member
    ecats wrote: »
    Despite smart phones existing in their current format for 8 years and this method not being used as yet. I fully expect it to be copied by apple's competitors, then claimed as an obvious idea (that no one else could think of for 8 years.)
    Others have thought of it. Apple's version is different enough from others allowing it to quality for patent protection.
    https://www.google.com/search?tbo=p&tbm=pts&hl=en&q=touch+interface+nudge+tap&num=10&qscrl=1&gws_rd=ssl

    For instance Microsoft's version of this where a brief tap on the bezel of a smartwatch is interpreted as a nudge has a priority date from 2001
    http://www.google.com/patents/US7506269

    In FIG. 1, the display screen 118 is shown containing several exemplary cursors contemplated by the present invention. One such cursor is a pointing icon cursor 122 which moves around the display screen 118 in response to bezel motion. For example, the pointing icon cursor 122 may move left across the display screen 118 in response to the bezel 120 being nudged left, pivoted left, or turned counterclockwise with respect to FIG. 1...
    ... Similarly, the smart watch 102 may be configured to interpret a brief finger tap on the touch sensor 138 as a virtual pivot or nudge of the bezel 120
Sign In or Register to comment.