Electronic device and method of controlling a display

Abstract

A method includes, while a portable electronic device including a display is in a low-power condition, detecting, by the portable electronic device, a gesture and identifying any informational icons to be displayed. The display is progressively illuminated while displaying the identified informational icons. Progressive illumination optionally occurs as long as the gesture is detected.

1 . A method comprising:
 while a portable electronic device including a display is in a low-power condition, detecting, by the portable electronic device, a gesture;   in response to detecting the gesture, progressively illuminating the display, from a state in which the display is not illuminated, by gradually increasing a size of an illuminated area of the display from a first end of the display toward a second end of the display opposite the first end as the gesture continues, wherein the gesture controls the size of the illuminated area.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein progressively illuminating occurs while the gesture is detected. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, upon detecting a change in direction of the gesture, progressively reducing illumination of the display as the gesture continues. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising discontinuing illumination of the display when the gesture is discontinued. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein progressively illuminating comprises gradually increasing a size of an illuminated area of the display. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein progressively illuminating comprises gradually increasing brightness of an image displayed on the display. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 when the gesture moves in a first direction, progressively illuminating the touch-sensitive display from the first end toward the second end;   when the gesture moves in a second direction, progressively reducing illumination of the touch-sensitive display from the second end toward the first end.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identified informational icons are gradually displayed as the gesture continues. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein gradually displaying the identified informational icons comprises progressively increasing a quantity of the identified informational icons that are displayed. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein gradually displaying the identified informational icons comprises progressively decreasing transparency of the identified informational icons that are displayed. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying an unlock option when the gesture continues for at least a predetermined period of time or at least a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising progressively illuminating the display prior to unlocking the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, prior to being illuminated, pixels of the display are black. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein no information is displayed on the display during the low-power condition. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 while a portable electronic device is in a low-power condition wherein a touch-sensitive display is not illuminated, detecting, by the portable electronic device, a gesture;   identifying any informational icons to be displayed;   progressively displaying the identified informational icons as the gesture continues;   while the gesture continues to be detected, progressively illuminating the touch-sensitive display by increasing a pixel brightness level from non-illuminated to illuminated, beginning at-from a first end of the touch-sensitive display and progressing toward a second end of the touch-sensitive display, wherein the gesture controls a rate of progressive illumination.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising, upon detecting a change in direction of the gesture, progressively reducing illumination of the display as the gesture continues. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising, in response to detecting discontinuation of the gesture, returning to the low-power condition in which the display is not illuminated. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising gradually increasing brightness of an image displayed on the display after progressively illuminating substantially the entire display. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 when the gesture moves in a first direction, progressively illuminating the touch-sensitive display from a first end of the display toward a second end of the display opposite the first end;   when the gesture moves in a second direction, progressively reducing illumination of the touch-sensitive display from the second end toward the first end.   
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:,
 while a touch-sensitive display is in a low-power condition, detecting a gesture on the touch-sensitive display;   identifying any informational icons to be displayed;   while displaying the identified informational icons:
 when the gesture moves in a first direction, progressively illuminating the touch-sensitive display from a first end of the display toward a second end of the display opposite the first end, wherein a first area at the first end of the touch-sensitive display is illuminated and a second area at the second end of the touch-sensitive display is not illuminated, and wherein the first area increases in size and the second area decreases in size as the gesture moves in the first direction; 
 when the gesture moves in a second direction, progressively reducing illumination of the touch-sensitive display from the second end toward the first end, wherein the second area increases in size and the first area decreases in size as the gesture moves in the second direction. 
   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the identified informational icons are gradually displayed as the gesture continues. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein progressively illuminating comprises gradually increasing brightness of an image displayed on the display. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising discontinuing illumination of the display when the gesture is discontinued. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein progressively illuminating comprises gradually increasing or gradually decreasing a size of an illuminated area of the display along with movement of the gesture. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first end extends across the display from a first edge of the display to a second edge of the display opposite the first side and the second end extends across the display from the first edge to the second edge. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first end extends across a width of the display and the second end extends across the width of the display. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein progressively illuminating comprises gradually increasing a size of an illuminated area up to a first brightness level and subsequently gradually increasing brightness of the substantially all of the display to a second brightness level brighter than the first brightness level. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein progressively illuminating comprises illuminating an area larger than a contact area of the gesture. 
     
     
         29 . A method comprising:
 while a touch-sensitive display is in a low-power state wherein the touch-sensitive display is not illuminated, detecting a gesture on the touch-sensitive display;   progressively illuminating the touch-sensitive display from the low-power state with the gesture, wherein a first area between a current touch location of the gesture and a first end of the touch-sensitive display is illuminated and a second area between the current touch location and a second end of the touch-sensitive display is not illuminated, wherein the first end is opposite the second end, and the size of the first area is controlled by movement of the gesture.