Hover controlled user interface element
US9170736B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/04886
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Example apparatus and methods concern controlling a hover-sensitive input/output interface. One example apparatus includes a proximity detector that detects an object in a hover-space associated with the input/output interface. The apparatus produces characterization data concerning the object. The characterization data may be independent of where in the hover-space the object is located. The apparatus selectively controls the activation, display, and deactivation of user interface elements displayed by the apparatus on the input/output interface as a function of the characterization data and interface state. Selectively controlling the activation, display, and deactivation of the user interface elements includes allocating display space on the input/output interface to the user interface elements when they are needed for an operation on the apparatus and selectively reclaiming space on the input/output interface allocated to the user interface elements when they are not needed for an operation on the apparatus.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.