Multi-Finger Gestures

Abstract

Bezel gestures for touch displays are described. In at least some embodiments, the bezel of a device is used to extend functionality that is accessible through the use of so-called bezel gestures. In at least some embodiments, off-screen motion can be used, by virtue of the bezel, to create screen input through a bezel gesture. Bezel gestures can include single-finger bezel gestures, multiple-finger/same-hand bezel gestures, and/or multiple-finger, different-hand bezel gestures.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 detecting a gesture made on a device having a bezel area adjacent a display area, the gesture indicative of a sliding motion of an input mechanism, the sliding motion having an origination in the bezel area, having a traversal that crosses a boundary between the bezel area and the display area, and having a termination in the display area;   displaying a menu in the display area comprising a plurality of menu slots in response to detecting the gesture;   detecting that a path of the sliding motion of the gesture crosses a first menu slot among the plurality of menu slots; and   accessing functionality associated with the first menu slot in response to detecting that the path of the sliding motion of the gesture crosses the first menu slot.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising displaying a visual affordance in the display area in response to onset of the gesture and prior to displaying the menu, the visual affordance indicative of functionality that is accessible via the menu. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising displaying the visual affordance in response to the input mechanism coming into proximity of or making contact with the bezel area at the origination of the sliding motion of the gesture. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising, in further response to the gesture, displaying an object associated with the functionality at a location in the display area coincident with the termination of the sliding motion of the gesture. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising, in further response to the gesture, displaying the object at a time when the path of the sliding motion of the gesture crosses a boundary between the first menu slot and the display area and displaying the object being dragged to the location in the display area coincident with the termination of the sliding motion of the gesture. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising enabling scrolling of the menu to provide access to additional functionality. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising displaying left and right arrow indicia to indicate scrollability of the menu. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising detecting an additional gesture made on the device, the additional gesture indicative of a sliding motion of the input mechanism having an origination in the bezel area, having a traversal that crosses from the bezel area into the display area crosses a second menu slot among the plurality of menu slots. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the input mechanism is positioned in proximity to or in contact with a surface of the device that includes the bezel area and the display area. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the input mechanism is a single finger of a user. 
     
     
         31 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions, which when executed by a computer device, cause the computer device to:
 detect a gesture made on the computer device, the computer device having a bezel area adjacent a display area, the gesture indicative of a sliding motion of an input mechanism, the sliding motion having an origination in the bezel area, having a traversal that crosses a boundary between the bezel area and the display area, and having a termination in the display area;   display a menu in the display area comprising a plurality of menu slots in response to detecting the gesture;   detect that a path of the sliding motion of the gesture crosses a first menu slot among the plurality of menu slots; and   access functionality associated with the first menu slot in response to detecting that the path of the sliding motion of the gesture crosses the first menu slot.   
     
     
         32 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 31 , wherein the computer executable instructions, which when executed by the computer device, further cause the computer device to display a visual affordance in the display area in response to onset of the gesture and prior to displaying the menu, the visual affordance indicative of functionality that is accessible via the menu. 
     
     
         33 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 31 , wherein the computer executable instructions, which when executed by the computer device, further cause the computer device, in further response to the gesture, to display an object associated with the functionality at a location in the display area coincident with the termination of the sliding motion of the gesture. 
     
     
         34 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 33 , wherein the computer executable instructions, which when executed by the computer device, further cause the computer device, in further response to the gesture, to display the object at a time when the path of the sliding motion of the gesture crosses a boundary between the first menu slot and the display area and displaying the object being dragged to the location in the display area coincident with the termination of the sliding motion of the gesture. 
     
     
         35 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 31 , wherein the computer executable instructions, which when executed by the computer device, further cause the computer device to enable scrolling of the menu to provide access to additional functionality. 
     
     
         36 . An apparatus comprising:
 one or more computer processors; and   a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions for controlling the one or more computer processors to be operable to:
 detect a gesture made on the apparatus, the apparatus having a bezel area adjacent a display area, the gesture indicative of a sliding motion of an input mechanism, the sliding motion having an origination in the bezel area, having a traversal that crosses a boundary between the bezel area and the display area, and having a termination in the display area; 
 display a menu in the display area comprising a plurality of menu slots in response to detecting the gesture; 
 detect that a path of the sliding motion of the gesture crosses a first menu slot among the plurality of menu slots; and 
 access functionality associated with the first menu slot in response to detecting that the path of the sliding motion of the gesture crosses the first menu slot. 
   
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium further comprises instructions for controlling the one or more computer processors to be operable to display a visual affordance in the display area in response to onset of the gesture and prior to displaying the menu, the visual affordance indicative of functionality that is accessible via the menu 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium further comprises instructions for controlling the one or more computer processors to be operable, in further response to the gesture, to display an object associated with the functionality at a location in the display area coincident with the termination of the sliding motion of the gesture. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium further comprises instructions for controlling the one or more computer processors to be operable, in further response to the gesture, to display the object at a time when the path of the sliding motion of the gesture crosses a boundary between the first menu slot and the display area and displaying the object being dragged to the location in the display area coincident with the termination of the sliding motion of the gesture. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium further comprises instructions for controlling the one or more computer processors to be operable to enable scrolling of the menu to provide access to additional functionality.