1111111111111111 IIIIII IIIII 1111111111 11111 111111111111111 IIIII 1111111111 1111111111 11111111
`US 20100162128Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Richardson et al.
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2010/0162128 Al
`Jun. 24, 2010
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) USER INTERFACES AND ASSOCIATED
`APPARATUS AND METHODS
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Nigel Richardson, Surrey (GB);
`Natalie Vanns, Kent (GB); Brian
`Davidson, Surrey (GB)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`WARE FRESSOLA VAN DER SLUYS & ADOL(cid:173)
`PHSON, LLP
`BRADFORD GREEN, BUILDING 5, 755 MAIN
`STREET, P O BOX 224
`MONROE, CT 06468 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/339,351
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec.19,2008
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 3/00
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................................... 715/744; 345/173
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A controller includes one or more inputs configured to receive
`data representative of whether a device is in a first or second
`operating mode. The device comprising first and second user
`interfaces. The controller is configured to: in the first operat(cid:173)
`ing mode, provide output to cause information to be displayed
`on the first user interface and cause information not to be
`displayed on the second user interface; and in the second
`operating mode, provide output to cause information to be
`displayed on both of the first and second user interfaces.
`
`404
`
`www.website.com
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`•
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`.....L
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`400
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`402
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`410
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`412
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jun. 24, 2010 Sheet 1 of 5
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`US 2010/0162128 Al
`
`Figure 1 a
`
`100
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`I
`
`Figure 1 b
`
`108
`
`104
`
`106
`
`100
`j
`
`110
`
`112
`
`102
`
`114
`
`102
`
`Figure 1 c
`
`106
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`104
`
`102
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`104
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`100 I 108
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`110
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Jun. 24, 2010 Sheet 2 of 5
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`US 2010/0162128 Al
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`Figure 2a
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`Figure 2b
`
`49,81
`
`77AJ
`
`202
`
`88.55
`
`206
`
`208
`
`Figure 3
`
`308
`
`/304
`
`306
`
`Transducer
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`310
`
`Controller
`
`1st UI
`
`302
`
`312
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Jun. 24, 2010 Sheet 3 of 5
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`US 2010/0162128 Al
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`400
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`402
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`410
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`4"12
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`400
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`402
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`410
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`t.:.:.:.:.:.s---#-- 4 i 2
`
`Figure 4a
`
`404
`
`I www.website.com
`
`u
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`
`Figure 4b
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`w
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`408
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`406
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 24, 2010 Sheet 4 of 5
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`US 2010/0162128 Al
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`Figure 5
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`500
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`I
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`Figure 6
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`606
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 24, 2010 Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 2010/0162128 Al
`
`Figure 7
`
`Receive data representative
`of configuration
`
`702
`
`704
`
`1st
`
`2nd
`
`Display information on
`1st UI and not on 2nd UI
`
`Display information on
`both 1 sd UI and 2nd UI
`
`706
`
`708
`
`

`

`US 2010/0162128 Al
`
`Jun. 24, 2010
`
`1
`
`USER INTERFACES AND ASSOCIATED
`APPARATUS AND METHODS
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of control(cid:173)
`lers, in particular controllers for providing output to cause
`information to be displayed on one or both of first and second
`user interfaces of a device, associated methods, computer
`program products and apparatus.
`[0002] Certain disclosed aspects/embodiments relate to
`portable electronic devices, in particular, so-called hand-por(cid:173)
`table electronic devices which may be hand-held in use (al(cid:173)
`though they may be placed in a cradle in use). Such hand(cid:173)
`portable electronic devices include so-called Personal Digital
`Assistants (PD As).
`[0003] The portable electronic devices/apparatus accord(cid:173)
`ing to one or more disclosed aspects/embodiments may pro(cid:173)
`vide one or more audio/text/video communication functions
`( e.g. tele-communication, video-communication, and/or text
`transmission (Short Message Service (SMS)/Multimedia
`Message Service (MMS)/emailing) functions), interactive/
`non-interactive viewing functions (e.g. web-browsing, navi(cid:173)
`gation, TV/program viewing functions), music recording/
`playing functions ( e.g. MP3 or other format and/or (FM/ AM)
`radio broadcast recording/playing), downloading/sending of
`data functions, image capture function ( e.g. using a ( e.g.
`in-built) digital camera), and gaming functions.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0004] Mobile devices with large user interface (UI) area
`are desirable for web browsing, navigation, etc. However,
`there is a desire to keep the overall size of the device as small
`as possible for portability and/or carrying in a pocket, hand(cid:173)
`bag, etc.
`[0005] Devices with a single large display are known, such
`as the Apple iPhone. Devices with two large displays which
`can be presented to a user are also known, such as the Nin(cid:173)
`tendo DS.
`[0006] The listing or discussion of a prior-published docu(cid:173)
`ment or any background in this specification should not nec(cid:173)
`essarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the document
`or background is part of the state of the art or is common
`general knowledge. One or more aspects/embodiments of the
`present disclosure may or may not address one or more of the
`background issues.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`In a first aspect, there is provided a controller com(cid:173)
`
`[0007]
`prising:
`[0008] one or more inputs configured to receive data
`representative of whether a device is in a first or second
`operating mode, the device comprising first and second
`user interfaces; and wherein the controller is configured
`to:
`[0009]
`in the first operating mode, provide output to
`cause information to be displayed on the first user inter(cid:173)
`face and cause information not to be displayed on the
`second user interface; and
`[0010]
`in the second operating mode, provide output to
`cause information to be displayed on both of the first and
`second user interfaces.
`[0011]
`In this way, a controller can be provided that makes
`efficient use of the two user interfaces in accordance with an
`
`operating mode of the device. For example, the controller
`may enable one or more application programs to be effi(cid:173)
`ciently, effectively and conveniently viewed by a user of the
`device associated with the controller, and may make efficient
`use of power/electricity. This may be particularly useful for
`battery operated devices.
`[0012] The first and/or second user interfaces may com(cid:173)
`prise a touch screen display, a user output interface, a display
`screen, physical buttons or any combination thereof.
`[0013] Only the first user interface may be configured for
`receiving user input, as it is the first user interface that is in use
`in both of the first and second operating modes. This can
`ensure that a user can provide input in both modes of opera(cid:173)
`tion. This can also reduce the cost of the device as the second
`user interface does not need components to allow it to receive
`user input. The first user interface may be a touch sensitive
`screen, and the second user interface may be a display screen.
`[0014]
`In other embodiments, both user interfaces may be
`configured for receiving user input.
`[0015]
`In use in the second operating mode, the first user
`interface may be nearer to a user than the second user inter(cid:173)
`face.
`[0016] The information that is displayed on the first user
`interface when the device is in the first operating mode may be
`a portion of a web page, and the information that is displayed
`on both of the first and second user interfaces when the device
`is in the second operating mode may comprise the same web
`page split over the two user interfaces. This can enable a
`device to be switched from the first operating mode to the
`second operating mode to display more of a web page.
`[0017] When the device is in the second operating mode,
`the first user interface may be configured for receiving user
`input; and the second user interface may be configured for
`displaying information related to user input received at the
`first user interface.
`[0018]
`In one example, the first user interface may be a
`touch screen; and the controller causes the first user interface
`to display a keyboard with which a user can interact; and the
`controller causes the second user interface to display a
`response to user interaction with the first user interface.
`[0019]
`In another example, the first user interface may be a
`touch screen; and the controller causes the first user interface
`to display gaming controls with which a user can interact; and
`the controller causes the second user interface to display a
`game that is controlled by signals representative of user inter(cid:173)
`action with the controls displayed on the first user interface.
`[0020] The controller may comprise a module for a device.
`[0021] There may be provided a device/apparatus compris(cid:173)
`ing:
`[0022]
`a controller comprising:
`[0023] one or more inputs configured to receive data
`representative of whether a device is in a first or sec(cid:173)
`ond operating mode, the device comprising first and
`second user interfaces; and wherein the controller is
`configured to:
`[0024]
`in the first operating mode, provide output to
`cause information to be displayed on the first user
`interface and cause information not to be displayed on
`the second user interface; and
`[0025]
`in the second operating mode, provide output
`to cause information to be displayed on both of the
`first and second user interfaces.
`
`

`

`US 2010/0162128 Al
`
`Jun. 24, 2010
`
`2
`
`a second part comprising the second user inter(cid:173)
`
`[0026] The device/apparatus comprising the controller may
`further comprise:a first part comprising the first user inter(cid:173)
`face; and
`[0027]
`face;
`[0028] wherein the device/apparatus is configured such
`that the first part and second part are movable relative to
`each other to define first and second configurations, and
`wherein the device/apparatus is configured to switch
`between first and second operating modes according to
`whether the device/apparatus is in the first or second
`configuration.
`In this way, a user can manipulate the first and sec(cid:173)
`[0029]
`ond parts to place the device/apparatus in one of a first and
`second configuration, and the controller can control the dis(cid:173)
`play ofinformation on user interfaces associated with the first
`and second parts in accordance with the configuration of the
`device/apparatus.
`[0030] The first and second parts may be slidable relative to
`each other in order to define the first and second configura(cid:173)
`tions. The first and second parts may be slidable relative to
`each other in the same plane, or substantially the same plane.
`[0031] The apparatus/device may further comprise a hous(cid:173)
`ing, and the first part and second part may be movable relative
`to the housing in order to define the first and second configu(cid:173)
`rations.
`[0032] The first user interface may be visible to a user and
`the second user interface may not be visible to a user when the
`apparatus is in the first configuration. Both of the first and
`second user interfaces may be visible to a user when the
`apparatus is in the second configuration. The first configura(cid:173)
`tion may be a closed configuration and the second configu(cid:173)
`ration may be an open configuration.
`[0033] The first part may obscure the second user interface
`when the apparatus is in the first configuration.
`[0034] According to a second aspect, there is provided a
`method for displaying information on first and second user
`interfaces of a device, the method comprising:
`receiving data representative of whether the
`[0035]
`device is in a first or second operating mode; and
`in the first operating mode, providing output to
`[0036]
`cause information to be displayed on the first user inter(cid:173)
`face and cause information not to be displayed on the
`second user interface; and
`in the second operating mode, providing output to
`[0037]
`cause information to be displayed on both of the first and
`second user interfaces.
`[0038] The method may further comprise, in the second
`operating mode:
`[0039] providing output to cause information to be dis(cid:173)
`played on the first user interface that provides options to
`a user of what information should be displayed on the
`two user interfaces;
`receiving user input in response to the informa(cid:173)
`[0040]
`tion displayed on the first user interface; and
`responsive to user input; performing one of the
`[0041]
`following further method steps:
`(i) displaying information associated with a first
`[0042]
`application on the first user interface, and displaying
`information associated with a second, different, appli(cid:173)
`cation on the second user interface. For example, an
`e-mail application such as Microsoft Outlook may be
`displayed on one user interface and a picture editing
`
`application for displaying picture attachments with the
`e-mail, such as Adobe Photoshop may be displayed on
`the other user interface.
`(ii) displaying information associated with a first
`[0043]
`application on the first user interface, and displaying
`information associated with the same first application on
`the second user interface. For example, different web(cid:173)
`sites may be displayed on the two user interfaces, using
`Microsoft Internet Explorer as the application program.
`(iii) displaying information associated with an
`[0044]
`instance of a first application on a first user interface, and
`displaying
`information associated with the same
`instance of the same first application on the second user
`interface. For example, displaying one website split over
`the two user interfaces using Microsoft Internet
`Explorer as the application program.
`[0045] According to a further aspect of the invention, there
`is provided a computer program, which may be recorded on a
`carrier, the computer program comprising computer code
`configured to perform a method for displaying information on
`first and second user interfaces of a device, the method com(cid:173)
`prising:
`receiving data representative of whether the
`[0046]
`device is in a first or second operating mode; and
`in the first operating mode, providing output to
`[0047]
`cause information to be displayed on the first user inter(cid:173)
`face and cause information not to be displayed on the
`second user interface; and
`in the second operating mode, providing output to
`[ 0048]
`cause information to be displayed on both of the first and
`second user interfaces.
`[0049] The computer program may be operable to config(cid:173)
`ure a controller, apparatus or device disclosed herein.
`[0050] There may be provided a computer-readable storage
`medium having stored thereon a data structure comprising the
`computer program for execution by a processor in carrying
`out the method.
`[0051] There may be provided a method of assembling an
`apparatus/device comprising:
`a controller comprising:
`[0052]
`[0053] one or more inputs configured to receive data
`representative of whether a device is in a first or sec(cid:173)
`ond operating mode, the device comprising first and
`second user interfaces; and wherein the controller is
`configured to:
`in the first operating mode, provide output to
`[0054]
`cause information to be displayed on the first user
`interface and cause information not to be displayed on
`the second user interface; and
`in the second operating mode, provide output
`[0055]
`to cause information to be displayed on both of the
`first and second user interfaces.
`[0056] The device/apparatus comprising the controller may
`further comprise:
`a first part comprising the first user interface; and
`[0057]
`a second part comprising the second user inter(cid:173)
`[0058]
`face;
`[0059] wherein the device/apparatus is configured such
`that the first part and second part are movable relative to
`each other to define first and second configurations, and
`wherein the device/apparatus is configured to switch
`between first and second operating modes according to
`whether the device/apparatus is in the first or second
`configuration.
`
`

`

`US 2010/0162128 Al
`
`Jun. 24, 2010
`
`3
`
`[0060] According to a further aspect of the invention, there
`is provided an apparatus, the apparatus comprising,
`[0061] one or more input means configured to receive
`data representative of whether a device is in a first or
`second operating mode, the device comprising first and
`second user interface means; and wherein the apparatus
`is configured to:
`[0062]
`in the first operating mode, provide output to
`cause information to be displayed on the first user inter(cid:173)
`face means and cause information not to be displayed on
`the second user interface means; and
`[0063]
`in the second operating mode, provide output to
`cause information to be displayed on both of the first and
`second user interface means.
`[0064] The present disclosure includes one or more corre(cid:173)
`sponding aspects, embodiments or features in isolation or in
`various combinations whether or not specifically stated (in(cid:173)
`cluding claimed) in that combination or in isolation. Corre(cid:173)
`sponding means for performing one or more of the discussed
`functions are also within the present disclosure.
`[0065] The above summary is intended to be merely exem(cid:173)
`plary and non-limiting.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0066] A description is now given, by way of example only,
`with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;
`[0067] FIGS. la, lb and le illustrate an apparatus accord(cid:173)
`ing to an embodiment of the invention;
`[0068] FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate a comparison between a
`prior art apparatus and an apparatus according to an embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the invention;
`[0069] FIG. 3
`illustrates schematically an apparatus
`according to a further embodiment of the invention;
`[0070] FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate two user interfaces
`according to an embodiment of the invention displaying a
`web page;
`[ 0071] FIG. 5 illustrates two user interfaces according to an
`embodiment of the invention displaying an instant messaging
`application;
`[0072] FIG. 6 illustrates two user interfaces according to an
`embodiment of the invention displaying a gaming applica(cid:173)
`tion; and
`[0073] FIG. 7 illustrates schematically method steps
`according to an embodiment of the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC
`ASPECTS/EMBODIMENTS
`
`[ 007 4] One or more embodiments described herein relate to
`a device having two user interfaces that can display informa(cid:173)
`tion to a user of the device. The device can have at least two
`physical configurations with associated operating modes, for
`example open and closed configurations, and embodiments
`described herein describe apparatus and methods that are
`used to control how, and when each of the two user interfaces
`are used.
`[0075] For example, in an embodiment of the device
`wherein a first user interface obscures a second user interface
`when the device is closed, apparatus and/or methods
`described herein can ensure that information is only dis(cid:173)
`played on the first user interface, and not on the second user
`interface. However, when the device is open, and both of the
`first and second user interfaces are visible to a user, apparatus
`and/ or methods described herein may cause information to be
`
`displayed on both of the first and second user interfaces. The
`displayed information may be complementary/related. Con(cid:173)
`trolling the display of information in this way can make
`efficient use of power and provide a user with the most con(cid:173)
`venient display of information in accordance with the con(cid:173)
`figuration and associated mode of operation of the device.
`[0076] FIGS. la, lb and le illustrate three different views
`of a device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.
`In this embodiment, the device 100 is a mobile telephone.
`FIG. la shows a plan view of the device 100 in a closed
`configuration, FIG. lb shows a plan view of the device 100 in
`an open configuration, and FIG. le shows a perspective view
`of the device 100 in the open configuration.
`[0077] When the device is in the closed configuration as in
`FIG. la, a first user interface 104 is visible to a user. The first
`user interface 104 is located on a first part 102 of the device.
`The first part 102 is positioned above a second part ( not shown
`in FIG. la, but shown as reference 106 in FIG. lb), which is
`positioned above a housing (not shown in FIG. la, but shown
`as reference 110 in FIG. lb). The first part substantially
`covers the second part 106, which substantially covers the
`housing 110. When the device 100 is in the closed configu(cid:173)
`ration, it has a monoblock form-factor, and can be used for
`making and receiving calls using the microphone 114 and
`speaker 112. The device 100 may also have physical push
`buttons (not shown in this embodiment) on the first part 102
`for operating the device.
`[0078] FIGS. lb and le show the device 100 in an open
`configuration. In order to transition from the first configura(cid:173)
`tion to the second configuration, the first and second parts
`102, 106 are laterally slid apart relative to each other, and at
`the same time, the two parts 102, 106 are laterally slid away
`from a housing 110.
`[0079] When the device 100 is in the open configuration,
`the first user interface 104 on the first part 102 is visible to a
`user, and a second user interface 108 on a second part 106 of
`the device 100 is also visible to the user. The second user
`interface 108 has been exposed/uncovered from beneath the
`first part 102.
`[0080] As can be seen more clearly in FIG. le, the first part
`102 and the second part 106 of the device 100 are slid apart
`relative to a housing 110 in order to expose the second user
`interface 108 from underneath the first part 102.
`[0081]
`It will be appreciated that the user interfaces 104,
`108 described herein may include a display screen, a touch
`sensitive display screen, one or more buttons that can be
`pressed by a user, and any combination thereof.
`[0082] As will be described in more detail, an apparatus
`and/or controller is provided for controlling the information
`that is displayed on the first and second user interfaces 104,
`108.
`[0083] FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate a comparison between a
`maximum screen area of a device 202 according to an
`embodiment of the invention, with the screen area of a single
`display device 200.
`[0084] A known single display device 200 is shown as FIG.
`2a, and has a known 4.0 inch screen having dimensions of
`49.81 mmx88.55mm, thereby providing a screen area of 44.1
`cm2
`.
`In contrast, a device 202 according to an embodi(cid:173)
`[0085]
`ment of the invention in an open configuration is illustrated in
`FIG. 2b. When the device 202 is in the open configuration,
`two 3.5 inch screens are visible to a user. Each screen has
`dimensions of 43.58 mmx77.48 mm, thereby providing a
`
`

`

`US 2010/0162128 Al
`
`Jun. 24, 2010
`
`4
`
`total screen area of 67.4 cm2
`. The device 202 of FIG. 2b
`provides a 65.43% increase in maximum screen area com(cid:173)
`pared with the prior art device 200 illustrated in FIG. 2a, even
`though the size of the device 202 when in the closed configu(cid:173)
`ration is comparable to the size of the prior art device 200.
`[0086] FIG. 3 illustrates a controller 302 that can provide
`output to cause information to be displayed on one or more of
`a first and second user interface 310, 312.
`[0087]
`In this embodiment, the controller 302 is part of an
`apparatus 304 including the first user interface 310, the sec(cid:173)
`ond user interface 312, and a transducer 308. However, it will
`be appreciated that the controller 302 could be provided in
`isolation as a module that can be inserted into an apparatus/
`device to configure the apparatus/device according to an
`embodiment of the invention.
`[0088] The controller 302 has one or more inputs 306 con(cid:173)
`figured to receive a signal from a transducer 308. The trans(cid:173)
`ducer 308 provides a signal representative of the configura(cid:173)
`tion of a device associated with the apparatus 304. For
`example, the apparatus 304 may be associated with the device
`100 illustrated in FIG. 1, and the output signal of the trans(cid:173)
`ducer 308 provides an indication of whether the device 100 is
`in an open or closed configuration. A first operating mode
`may be associated with the device being in a first configura(cid:173)
`tion, and a second operating mode may be associated with the
`device being in a second configuration.
`[0089] The transducer 308 may detect the configuration of
`the device, and in some embodiments the configuration of the
`first part 102 relative to the second part 106 of the device 100
`illustrated in FIG. 1, by any known means. For example,
`microswitches may be used to detect the relative position of
`the two parts 102, 106, magnets may be associated with the
`two parts 102, 106 in order that voltages generated by the Hall
`effect can be monitored, or infrared transmitters and receivers
`could be used to determine the configuration of the device.
`[0090] The output signal of the transducer 308 representa(cid:173)
`tive of the configuration of the device is provided to the input
`306 of the controller 302.
`[0091] The controller 302 is configured to process the sig(cid:173)
`nal received at its input 3 06 and determine whether the device
`is in a first configuration or a second configuration. If the
`device is in the first configuration, then the controller 302
`provides an output signal to the first user interface 310 to
`cause information to be displayed on the first user interface
`310. When the device is in the first configuration, the control(cid:173)
`ler 302 does not send information to the second user interface
`312 such that no information is displayed on the second user
`interface 312. This may be because the second user interface
`312 is not visible to a user when the device is in the first
`configuration, and displaying information on the second user
`interface 312 may waste power and cause displayed informa(cid:173)
`tion to be missed by a user.
`[0092]
`If the controller 302 determines that the device is in
`a second configuration, then the controller 302 provides an
`output signal to both the first user interface 310 and the
`second user interface 312 to cause information to be dis(cid:173)
`played on both of the first and second user interfaces 310, 312.
`This may be because both of the first and second user inter(cid:173)
`faces 310, 312 are visible to a user when the device is in the
`second configuration.
`[0093] Examples of information that can be displayed on
`the user interfaces 310, 312 will be described in more detail
`below.
`
`[0094] Advantages
`embodiments
`associated with
`described herein can include an efficient use of power
`because only those user interfaces 310,312 that are visible to
`a user are used to display information. This can be particularly
`important for battery powered devices. The ability for a user
`to increase the maximum display area by changing the device
`from a first configuration to a second configuration in accor(cid:173)
`dance with the requirements of what is being viewed/dis(cid:173)
`played can also mean that only the minimum amount of
`power that is required to display the desired information can
`be used.
`[0095] Further advantages can include that at least one user
`interface is always visible to a user, and therefore the user can
`view information on a user interface, and in some embodi(cid:173)
`ments provide input through the user interface, independent
`of the configuration of the device, and can provide the user
`with flexibility to expose and obscure different user interfaces
`depending upon their needs. For example, if they want to view
`more than one set of information at the same time, but doing
`so on a single user interface would not be possible/would not
`provide sufficient resolution, then they can change the con(cid:173)
`figuration of the device so that two user interfaces are visible.
`The second user interface could also be exposed by opening
`the device when a user wants to run a different application to
`that being displayed on the first user interface.
`[0096]
`In some embodiment, when a device is transitioned
`from a first configuration to a second configuration, the con(cid:173)
`troller may cause a number of options to be displayed to the
`user providing alternative ways to display information on the
`two user interfaces. The options may be displayed on the
`second user interface, that is, the user interface that has been
`uncovered. Options for displaying information may include
`displaying a different application on the second user inter(cid:173)
`face, displaying a different instance of the same application
`program on the second user interface and displaying the same
`instance of the same application program on the second user
`interface. These are discussed in more detail later.
`[0097] Some embodiments described herein can be used
`for single task handling, that is one or both of the user inter(cid:173)
`faces can be used for handling a single task, such as a single
`application program. Other embodiments described herein
`can be used for multi-task handling, for example where dif(cid:173)
`ferent user interfaces are used for handling different applica(cid:173)
`tion programs.
`[0098] FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate a device 400 according to
`an embodiment of the invention that is being used for web
`browsing.
`[0099] FIG. 4a illustrates the device 400 in a first/closed
`configuration wherein a first part 402 of the device 400 covers
`a second part of the device (406 as illustrated in FIG. 4b). In
`this embodiment, the first part 402 comprises a user interface
`that includes a touch-screen display 404, a physical direc(cid:173)
`tional button 410 and a select button 412. It will be appreci(cid:173)
`ated that the user interface in different embodiments of the
`invention can comprise one or more of the touch screen dis(cid:173)
`play 404 and buttons 410, 412.
`[0100] When the device 400 is in the first configuration as
`illustrated in FIG. 4a, a web page is displayed on the touch
`screen 404, for example using Microsoft Internet Explorer
`web browser as an application program.
`[0101] When the device is in a second configuration as
`illustrated in FIG. 4b, a second display screen 408 of the
`second part 406 of the device 400 is exposed. As the device is
`transitioned from the first configuration in FIG. 4a to the
`
`

`

`US 2010/0162128 Al
`
`Jun. 24, 2010
`
`5
`
`second configuration illustrated in FIG. 4b, a transducer (not
`shown) associated with the device 400 provides a controller
`of the device with a signal representative of the configuration
`change. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the controller provides sig(cid:173)
`nals to the first and second user interfaces to control how
`information is displayed on both screens 404, 408.
`[0102]
`In this embodiment, the controller is configured to
`provide signals to the first and second screens 404, 408 such
`that they display information associated with the same
`instance of the same application program. That is, a single
`web page is displayed by a single application program (such
`as Microsoft Internet Explorer) across the two screens 404,
`408. The information may be displayed in this way as a
`default position in accordance with the application program
`(Microsoft Internet Explorer) that is running, or may be preset
`by a user, or may be selected by a user when the configuration
`of the device 400 is transitioned from the first configuration to
`the second configuration.
`[0103]
`It will be appreciated that by displaying information
`associated with the same instance of the same application
`program can enable more information to be displayed to a
`user of the device 400. This can make web pages more read(cid:173)
`able, and can enable a user to be able to view more content at
`any one time by dividing or splitting the content into separate
`parts for adjacent placement and display on the correspond(cid:173)
`ingly adjacent first and second screens 404, 408.
`[0104]
`In alternative embodiments, multiple web windows
`can be split between the two displays 404, 408 and this may
`involve different instances of the same application program
`(Microsoft Internet Explorer) being displayed on the first and
`second user interfaces. For example, a first web page may be
`displayed on the first user interface 404 and a second, differ(cid:173)
`ent web page may be displayed on the second user interface.
`[0105] FIG. 5 illustrates a device 500 in an second/open
`configuration according to an embodiment of the invention.
`The device 500 comprises a first part 502 having a touch
`sensitive screen 506, and two push buttons 510, 512. In some
`embodiments, the touch screen m