Methods and Systems for Interactive User Interface Objects

Abstract

Methods and systems for interactive user interface objects are provided. The user interface allows for users to manipulate different objects represented by icons within a user interface, such as that of an iPhone or iPad or other touch screen devices. Users may bump objects together, flick one object towards another, bump an object against the edge of a screen, flick an object towards a certain area such as a dock, or otherwise manipulate the objects. The user's actions or manipulations of objects may result in an action by the objects or may have no effect. Depending on the compatibility of objects, the objects may be neutral towards one another, may attract each other, or may repel. The objects that attract may share content or communicate with each other via a one-time interaction, or may establish links or connections with each other that enable longer term communication or broadcasts that occur upon pre-determined triggers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mobile device comprising a user interface for picture or video sharing, comprising:
 a display screen comprising a user interface that includes a first visual image and a second visual image, wherein the first visual image is associated with a picture or video file stored in a memory on the mobile device, and wherein the second visual image is associated with a mobile application that is accessible on the mobile device; and   a computer processor coupled to the memory that is programmed (i) to receive user input on the user interface to position the first visual image on or in proximity to the second visual image, and (ii) to initiate transfer or processing of the picture or video file on the mobile device by the mobile application if the mobile application is compatible with the picture or video file, or not initiate the transfer or processing of the picture or video file on the mobile device by the mobile application if the mobile application is incompatible with the picture or video file.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the first visual image is associated with another mobile application that is accessible by the user upon input from the user on the first visual image. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile device of  claim 2 , wherein the another mobile application is different from the mobile application. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein on the user interface, the first and second visual images repel or attract each other based on the compatibility of the mobile application with the picture or video file. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile device of  claim 4 , wherein the computer processor is programmed such that, if the mobile application is compatible with the picture or video file, then the first image and second image attract each other on the user interface, and the transfer or processing of the picture or video file by the mobile application is initiated. 
     
     
         6 . The mobile device of  claim 4 , wherein the computer processor is programmed such that, if the mobile application is incompatible with the picture or video file, then the first image and second image repel or remain neutral with respect to each other on the user interface, and the transfer or processing of the picture or video file by the mobile application is not initiated. 
     
     
         7 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the first image and second image are icons. 
     
     
         8 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein a position of each image within the user interface is user selectable. 
     
     
         9 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the first image is a graphical depiction of the picture or video. 
     
     
         10 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the second image is a graphical depiction of the mobile application. 
     
     
         11 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , further comprising a graphical depiction of a link established between the first image and the second image. 
     
     
         12 . A device comprising a user interface for picture or video sharing, comprising:
 a touch screen comprising a user interface that includes a first image and a second image, wherein the first image is associated with a picture or video and the second image is associated with an application that is accessible on the device upon user input on the second image; and   a computer processor coupled to the touch screen and programmed to (i) receive user input on the user interface to move the first image to the second image, and (ii) initiate the transfer of the picture or video from the device to the application if the application is compatible with the picture or video, or not initiate the transfer of the picture or video from the device to the application if the application is incompatible with the picture or video.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the first image is associated with another application that is accessible by the user upon input from the user on the first image. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the another application is different from the application. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the computer processor is programmed such that, if the application is compatible with the picture or video, then the first image and second image attract each other on the user interface, and the transfer of the picture or video from the mobile device to the application is initiated. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the computer processor is programmed such that, if the application is incompatible with the picture or video, then the first image and second image repel or remain neutral with respect to each other on the user interface, and the transfer of the picture or video from the mobile device to the application is not initiated. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the first image and second image are icons. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein a position of each image within the user interface is user selectable. 
     
     
         19 . A device comprising a user interface for content sharing, comprising:
 a display screen comprising a user interface that includes a plurality of images associated with applications that are accessible on the device upon user input on a respective one of the plurality images, which applications include a first application associated with a first image among the plurality of images and a second application associated with a second image among the plurality of images; and   a computer processor coupled to the display and programmed to (i) receive user input on the user interface to move the first image to the second image, and (ii) initiate the transfer of content from the first application to the second application if the first application and second application are compatible, or not initiate the transfer of content from the first application to the second application if the first application and second application are incompatible.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the first application is different from the second application. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the first image and second image are icons. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein a position of each image within the user interface is user selectable.