Computing device and method for selecting display regions responsive to non-discrete directional input actions and intelligent content analysis

Abstract

A computing device includes a display surface, a human interface feature, and processing resources. The human interface features enables a user of the computing device to enter a non-discrete directional input action. The processing resources execute to: (i) provide content on the display surface; (ii) detect the user performing the input action; (ii) determine a vector from the input action; and (iv) select a region of the display surface based on the vector.

1 . A computing device comprising:
 a display surface;   a human interface feature that enables a user of the computing device to enter a non-discrete directional input action; and   processing resources that execute to:
 provide content on the display surface; 
 detect the input action via the human interface feature; 
 linearize the detected input action by (i) sampling a plurality of points corresponding to the input action, and (ii) determining a vector from the sampled points, the vector including an origin and a direction; and 
 select a region of the content provided on the display surface based on (i) the origin and the direction of the vector, and (ii) one or more boundaries of the region that delineate the region from a surrounding portion of the content. 
   
     
     
         2 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing resources execute to redisplay the selected region of the display surface. 
     
     
         3 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing resources execute to provide the content by displaying a plurality of display objects on the display surface, and execute to select a region of the content provided on the display surface by using the vector to select one of the plurality of display objects. 
     
     
         4 . The computing device of  claim 3 , wherein the processing resources execute to snap to the selected one of the plurality of display objects upon determining that the selected display object is indicated by the vector. 
     
     
         5 . The computing device of  claim 3 , wherein the processing resources execute to alter the selected display object to enhance its viewing on the display surface. 
     
     
         6 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the human interface feature includes one or more sensors that are positioned to detect a gesture made on a surface of the computing device as the input action. 
     
     
         7 . The computing device of  claim 6 , wherein the human interface feature is combined with the display surface as part of a touch-sensitive display assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the human interface feature includes a roller ball. 
     
     
         9 . The computing device of  claim 5 , wherein the processing resources execute to alter the selected object by enlarging at least a portion of selected object on the display surface. 
     
     
         10 . The computing device of  claim 3 , wherein the processing resources execute to detect a velocity of the input action from which the vector is determined, and wherein the processing resources execute to select one of the plurality of display objects using, in part, the velocity detected from the input action. 
     
     
         11 . The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the human interface feature is configured to detect the input action corresponding to one of (i) eye movement, (ii) voice input, or (iii) finger, hand or body movement. 
     
     
         12 . The computing device of  claim 3 , wherein the processing resources are configured to execute a web browser in displaying a web content, the web content corresponding to the content that is provided on the display surface. 
     
     
         13 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more boundaries of the region that delineate the region from the surrounding portion of the content can be determined by using document object model information that is provided as part of the web content. 
     
     
         14 . The computing device of  claim 3 , wherein the human interface feature includes one or more sensors that are positioned to detect a gesture made on the display surface as the input action, the processing resources (i) determining the vector from the gesture, and (ii) selecting the one of the display objects, based on and in response to detecting the gesture. 
     
     
         15 . The computing device of  claim 3 , further comprising a feedback mechanism that provides a haptic or audible feedback in response to the processor executing to snap to one of the selected display objects. 
     
     
         16 . A method of operating a computing device, the method being performed by one or more processors and comprising:
 providing content on a display surface of the computing device;   detecting an input action via a human interface feature of the computing device, the human interface feature enabling a user of the computing device to enter a non-discrete directional input action;   linearizing the detected input action by (i) sampling a plurality of points corresponding to the input action, and (ii) determining a vector from the sampled points, the vector including an origin and a direction; and   selecting a region of the content provided on the display surface based on (i) the origin and the direction of the vector, and (ii) one or more boundaries of the region that delineate the region from a surrounding portion of the content.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein providing content on the display surface includes displaying a plurality of display objects on the display surface, and wherein selecting a region of the content provided on the display surface includes using the vector to select one of the plurality of display objects. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising altering the selected display object to enhance its viewing on the display surface. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the content that is provided on the display surface includes web content, and wherein the one or more boundaries of the region that delineate the region from the surrounding portion of the content can be determined by using document object model information that is provided as part of the web content. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform steps comprising:
 providing content on a display surface of the computing device;   detecting an input action via a human interface feature of the computing device, the human interface feature enabling a user of the computing device to enter a non-discrete directional input action;   linearizing the detected input action by (i) sampling a plurality of points corresponding to the input action, and (ii) determining a vector from the sampled points, the vector including an origin and a direction; and   selecting a region of the content provided on the display surface based on (i) the origin and the direction of the vector, and (ii) one or more boundaries of the region that delineate the region from a surrounding portion of the content.