Mode switching

Abstract

Based on one or more characteristics of a received translation input, a computing device is switched between two or more states. The translation input may be a touch input, for example a drag operation. The states may relate to locked and unlocked states, idle screens, or other suitable examples.

1 . A method comprising:
 providing, when a computing device is in a locked state, a first function locus associated with a first application of the computing device, and a second function locus associated with a second application of the computing device;   responding, if a user drags an icon between a further locus and the first function locus by providing a translation input between the further locus and the first function locus, by switching the computing device from the locked state into an unlocked state and activating the first application; and   responding, if the user drags an icon between the further locus and the second function locus by providing a translation input between the further locus and the second function locus, by switching the computing device from the locked state into the unlocked state and activating the second application.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the icon dragged between the further locus and the first function locus is a first icon dragged from the first function locus to the further locus by providing a translation input between the first function locus and the further locus; and the icon dragged between the further locus and the second function locus is a second icon dragged from the second function locus to the further locus by providing a translation input between the second function locus and the further locus. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first icon provides a visual representation of the functionality provided by the first application. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the further locus is an individual area on a display. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first icon is dragged at least partially into the individual area to cause switching of the computing device from the locked state into the unlocked state and activation of the first application, and the second icon is dragged at least partially into the individual area to cause switching of the computing device from the locked state into the unlocked state and activation of the second application. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the icon dragged between the further locus and the first function locus is a particular icon dragged from the further locus to the first function locus; and the icon dragged between the further locus and the second function locus is the particular icon, and is dragged from the further locus to the second function locus. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein a first graphical item is displayed at the first function locus, and a second graphical item is displayed at the second function locus. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first graphical item provides a visual representation of the functionality provided by the first application, and the second graphical item provides a visual representation of the functionality provided by the second application. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second function loci relates to an alert. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor; and   memory including computer program code configured to, working with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:   providing, when a computing device is in a locked state, a first function locus associated with a first application of the computing device, and a second function locus associated with a second application of the computing device;   responding, if a user drags an icon between a further locus and the first function locus by providing a translation input between the further locus and the first function locus, by switching the computing device from the locked state into an unlocked state and activating the first application; and   responding, if the user drags an icon between the further locus and the second function locus by providing a translation input between the further locus and the second function locus, by switching the computing device from the locked state into the unlocked state and activating the second application.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the icon dragged between the further locus and the first function locus is a first icon dragged from the first function locus to the further locus by providing a translation input between the first function locus and the further locus; and the icon dragged between the further locus and the second function locus is a second icon dragged from the second function locus to the further locus by providing a translation input between the second function locus and the further locus. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first icon provides a visual representation of the functionality provided by the first application. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the further locus is an individual area on a display. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first icon is dragged at least partially into the individual area to cause switching of the computing device from the locked state into the unlocked state and activation of the first application, and the second icon is dragged at least partially into the individual area to cause switching of the computing device from the locked state into the unlocked state and activation of the second application. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the icon dragged between the further locus and the first function locus is a particular icon dragged from the further locus to the first function locus; and the icon dragged between the further locus and the second function locus is the particular icon, and is dragged from the further locus to the second function locus. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein a first graphical item is displayed at the first function locus, and a second graphical item is displayed at the second function locus. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first graphical item provides a visual representation of the functionality provided by the first application, and the second graphical item provides a visual representation of the functionality provided by the second application. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first and second function loci relates to an alert. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the alert relates to a received message. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer program code that, when performed by at least one processor, causes at least the following to be performed:
 providing, when a computing device is in a locked state, a first function locus associated with a first application of the computing device, and a second function locus associated with a second application of the computing device;   responding, if a user drags an icon between a further locus and the first function locus by providing a translation input between the further locus and the first function locus, by switching the computing device from the locked state into an unlocked state and activating the first application; and   responding, if the user drags an icon between the further locus and the second function locus by providing a translation input between the further locus and the second function locus, by switching the computing device from the locked state into the unlocked state and activating the second application.