IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,632,169

Granted Patent B2

US 12,632,169 · App. 18/638,596 · Granted May 19, 2026

Systems and methods for interacting with user interfaces

Inventors: Nathan de Vries (Alameda, CA); Chanaka G. Karunamuni (San Jose, CA); William M. Tyler (San Francisco, CA)

Assignee: APPLE INC.

G06F3/04883 G06F3/0482 G06F3/0485

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12,632,169
App. No.: 18/638,596
Granted: May 19, 2026
Kind: B2

External Links

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Abstract

A device detects, while displaying a first user interface, a touch gesture. In accordance with a determination that the touch gesture meets first criteria including a first requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the touch gesture includes first movement of a contact across a first portion of an edge of the touch-sensitive surface in a first direction, the device replaces at least a portion of the first user interface with a search user interface. In accordance with a determination that the touch gesture meets second criteria including a second requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the touch gesture includes second movement of the contact across a second portion of the edge of the touch-sensitive surface in the first direction, the device replaces at least a portion of the first user interface with a plurality of previously received notifications.

Claims (141)

1 . A method, comprising:

at an electronic device with a display generation component and a touch-sensitive surface:

displaying, via the display generation component, a first user interface in a display region;

while displaying the first user interface, detecting a first touch gesture that includes detecting a first contact on the touch-sensitive surface that moves across a first edge of the touch-sensitive surface; and

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture meets first criteria, wherein the first criteria include a first requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes first movement of the first contact across a first portion of the first edge of the touch-sensitive surface in a first direction, replacing at least a portion of the first user interface with a first search user interface in the display region; and

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture meets second criteria different from the first criteria, wherein the second criteria include a second requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes second movement of the first contact across a second portion of the first edge of the touch-sensitive surface in the first direction, wherein the second portion of the first edge is different from the first portion of the first edge, replacing at least a portion of the first user interface with a plurality of previously received notifications in the display region.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the first portion of the first edge and the second portion of the first edge are operationally adjacent to each other.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

replacing the portion of the first user interface with the first search user interface in the display region includes displaying a search input region in a respective portion of the display region; and

replacing the portion of the first user interface with the plurality of previously received notifications includes displaying a notification in the respective portion of the display region.

4 . The method of claim 1 , including:

detecting the first touch gesture includes detecting movement of the first contact from outside of the touch-sensitive surface across the first edge of the touch-sensitive surface onto the touch-sensitive surface, and

the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the first edge of the touch-sensitive surface.

5 . The method of claim 1 , including:

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture meets third criteria, wherein the third criteria include a third requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes third movement of the first contact across the touch-sensitive surface in the first direction and a determination that third movement begins in a first interior portion of the touch-sensitive surface that is outside of the first portion and the second portion of the first edge and positioned away from the first edge, replacing the at least a portion of the first user interface with the first search user interface in the display region.

6 . The method of claim 1 , including:

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture meets fourth criteria, wherein the fourth criteria include a fourth requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes fourth movement of the first contact across a third portion of the first edge of the touch-sensitive surface, different from the first portion and the second portion of the first edge of the touch-sensitive surface in the first direction, replacing the at least a portion of the first user interface with a control panel user interface, the control panel user interface including a plurality of user interface objects corresponding to different device control functions.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the first criteria and the second criteria are capable of being met while displaying an application user interface.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the first criteria and the second criteria are capable of being met while displaying a home screen user interface that includes a plurality of application icons corresponding to different applications, where a respective application icon of the plurality of application icons, when activated in accordance with preset criteria, causes display of a respective application that corresponds to the respective application icon.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the first criteria and the second criteria are capable of being met while displaying a wake screen that is displayed in response to detecting a request to wake the display generation component from a low power mode.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the first criteria and the second criteria are capable of being met while displaying a cover screen user interface that covers a currently displayed user interface in a plurality of contexts in response to a preset touch gesture, wherein the currently displayed user interface is redisplayed when the cover screen user interface is dismissed.

11 . The method of claim 1 , including:

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture meets fifth criteria, wherein the fifth criteria include a fifth requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes fifth movement of a preset number of concurrently detected contacts across the touch-sensitive surface in the first direction that begins in a respective portion of the touch-sensitive surface that is different from the first portion and the second portion of the first edge of the touch-sensitive surface, replacing the at least a portion of the first user interface with the first search user interface on the display region.

12 . The method of claim 11 , including:

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture meets sixth criteria, wherein the sixth criteria include a sixth requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes sixth movement of the preset number of concurrently detected contacts across the touch-sensitive surface in a second direction, different from the first direction, replacing display of the first user interface with display of an application selection user interface including a plurality of representations of recently open applications, a respective representation of the plurality of representations, when activated in accordance with preset criteria, causes redisplay of a respective application of the recently open applications that corresponds to the respective representation.

13 . The method of claim 11 , including:

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture meets seventh criteria, wherein the seventh criteria include a requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes seventh movement of the preset number of concurrently detected contacts across the touch-sensitive surface in a second direction, different from the first direction, replacing display of the first user interface with display of a home screen user interface, the home screen user interface including a plurality of application icons corresponding to different applications, a respective application icon, when activated in accordance with present criteria, causes display of a respective application of the different applications that corresponds to the respective application icon.

14 . The method of claim 11 , including:

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture meets eighth criteria, wherein the eighth criteria include an eighth requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes eighth movement of the preset number of concurrently detected contacts across the touch-sensitive surface in a third direction, different from the first direction and a second direction different from the first direction, replacing display the first user interface with a second user interface, the second user interface being a user interface of a recently open application.

15 . The method of claim 1 , including:

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture meets ninth criteria, wherein the ninth criteria includes a ninth requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes ninth movement of the first contact in the first direction that begins in a third interior portion of the touch-sensitive surface that is outside of the first portion and the second portion of the first edge and positioned away from the first edge and a determination that the first user interface is a wake screen user interface or a cover screen user interface, replacing the at least a portion of the first user interface with the first search user interface on the display region provided by the display generation component.

16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the first user interface includes a plurality of notifications, and the method includes:

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes tenth movement of the first contact across the touch-sensitive surface and the tenth movement begins in a fourth interior portion of the touch-sensitive surface:

in accordance with a determination that an end of the plurality of notifications has been reached in the display region provided by the display generation component in accordance with a movement direction of the tenth movement of the first contact, replacing display of the at least a portion of the first user interface with the first search user interface; and

in accordance with a determination that the end of the plurality of notifications has not been reached in the display region provided by the display generation component in accordance with the movement direction of the tenth movement of the first contact, scrolling the plurality of notifications in accordance with the tenth movement of the first contact.

17 . The method of claim 1 , including:

while displaying the first user interface, detecting a second touch gesture that includes movement of a second set of contacts on the touch-sensitive surface; and

in response to detecting the second touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the second touch gesture meets eleventh criteria, wherein the eleventh criteria include eleventh requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the second touch gesture includes eleventh movement of a second contact across a second edge, distinct from the first edge, of the touch-sensitive surface, replacing display of the first user interface with a second user interface distinct from the first user interface.

18 . The method of claim 1 , including:

while displaying a second user interface, detecting a third touch gesture that includes detecting a third set of contacts on the touch-sensitive surface; and

in response to detecting the third touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the third touch gesture meets either the first criteria, or additional preset criteria different from the first criteria, replacing at least a portion of the second user interface with the first search user interface in the display region.

19 . An electronic device, comprising:

a display generation component;

a touch-sensitive surface;

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:

displaying, via the display generation component, a first user interface in a display region;

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture meets first criteria, wherein the first criteria include a first requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes first movement of a first contact across a first portion of the first edge of the touch-sensitive surface in a first direction, replacing at least a portion of the first user interface with a first search user interface in the display region; and

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture meets second criteria different from the first criteria, wherein the second criteria include a second requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes second movement of the first contact across a second portion of the first edge of the touch-sensitive surface in the first direction, wherein the second portion of the first edge is different from the first portion of the first edge replacing at least a portion of the first user interface with a plurality of previously received notifications in the display region.

20 . The electronic device of claim 19 , wherein:

the first portion of the first edge and the second portion of the first edge are operationally adjacent to each other.

21 . The electronic device of claim 19 , wherein:

the instructions for replacing the portion of the first user interface with the first search user interface in the display region include instructions for displaying a search input region in a respective portion of the display region; and

the instructions for replacing the portion of the first user interface with the plurality of previously received notifications include instructions for displaying a notification in the respective portion of the display region.

22 . The electronic device of claim 19 , wherein:

the instructions for detecting the first touch gesture include instructions for detecting movement of the first contact from outside of the touch-sensitive surface across the first edge of the touch-sensitive surface onto the touch-sensitive surface, and

the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the first edge of the touch-sensitive surface.

23 . The electronic device of claim 19 , the one or more programs including instructions for:

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

24 . The electronic device of claim 19 , the one or more programs including instructions for:

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

25 . The electronic device of claim 19 , wherein:

the first criteria and the second criteria are capable of being met while displaying an application user interface.

26 . The electronic device of claim 19 , wherein:

27 . The electronic device of claim 19 , wherein:

28 . The electronic device of claim 19 , the one or more programs including instructions for:

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

29 . The electronic device of claim 28 , the one or more programs including instructions for:

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

30 . The electronic device of claim 28 , the one or more programs including instructions for:

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

31 . The electronic device of claim 19 , the one or more programs including instructions for:

while displaying a second user interface, detecting a third touch gesture that includes detecting a third set of contacts on the touch-sensitive surface; and

in response to detecting the third touch gesture:

32 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by an electronic device with a display generation component and a touch-sensitive surface, cause the electronic device to:

display, via the display generation component, a first user interface in a display region;

while displaying the first user interface, detect a first touch gesture that includes detecting a first contact on the touch-sensitive surface that moves across a first edge of the touch-sensitive surface; and

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture meets first criteria, wherein the first criteria include a first requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes first movement of the first contact across a first portion of the first edge of the touch-sensitive surface in a first direction, replace at least a portion of the first user interface with a first search user interface in the display region; and

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture meets second criteria different from the first criteria, wherein the second criteria include a second requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes second movement of the first contact across a second portion of the first edge of the touch-sensitive surface in the first direction, wherein the second portion of the first edge is different from the first portion of the first edge replace at least a portion of the first user interface with a plurality of previously received notifications in the display region.

33 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32 , wherein:

the first portion of the first edge and the second portion of the first edge are operationally adjacent to each other.

34 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32 , wherein:

replacing the portion of the first user interface with the plurality of previously received notifications includes displaying a notification in the respective portion of the display region.

35 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32 , wherein:

the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the first edge of the touch-sensitive surface.

36 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32 , wherein the one or more programs comprise instructions, which when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to:

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture meets third criteria, wherein the third criteria include a third requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes third movement of the first contact across the touch-sensitive surface in the first direction and a determination that third movement begins in a first interior portion of the touch-sensitive surface that is outside of the first portion and the second portion of the first edge and positioned away from the first edge, replace the at least a portion of the first user interface with the first search user interface in the display region.

37 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32 , wherein the one or more programs comprise instructions, which when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to:

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture meets fourth criteria, wherein the fourth criteria include a fourth requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes fourth movement of the first contact across a third portion of the first edge of the touch-sensitive surface, different from the first portion and the second portion of the first edge of the touch-sensitive surface in the first direction, replace the at least a portion of the first user interface with a control panel user interface, the control panel user interface including a plurality of user interface objects corresponding to different device control functions.

38 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32 , wherein:

the first criteria and the second criteria are capable of being met while displaying an application user interface.

39 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32 , wherein:

40 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32 , wherein:

41 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32 , wherein the one or more programs comprise instructions, which when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to:

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture meets fifth criteria, wherein the fifth criteria include a fifth requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes fifth movement of a preset number of concurrently detected contacts across the touch-sensitive surface in the first direction that begins in a respective portion of the touch-sensitive surface that is different from the first portion and the second portion of the first edge of the touch-sensitive surface, replace the at least a portion of the first user interface with the first search user interface on the display region.

42 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 41 , wherein the one or more programs comprise instructions, which when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to:

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture meets sixth criteria, wherein the sixth criteria include a sixth requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes sixth movement of the preset number of concurrently detected contacts across the touch-sensitive surface in a second direction, different from the first direction, replace display of the first user interface with display of an application selection user interface including a plurality of representations of recently open applications, a respective representation of the plurality of representations, when activated in accordance with preset criteria, causes redisplay of a respective application of the recently open applications that corresponds to the respective representation.

43 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 41 , wherein the one or more programs comprise instructions, which when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to:

in response to detecting the first touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture meets seventh criteria, wherein the seventh criteria include a requirement that is met in accordance with a determination that the first touch gesture includes seventh movement of the preset number of concurrently detected contacts across the touch-sensitive surface in a second direction, different from the first direction, replace display of the first user interface with display of a home screen user interface, the home screen user interface including a plurality of application icons corresponding to different applications, a respective application icon, when activated in accordance with present criteria, causes display of a respective application of the different applications that corresponds to the respective application icon.

44 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32 , wherein the one or more programs comprise instructions, which when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to:

while displaying a second user interface, detect a third touch gesture that includes detecting a third set of contacts on the touch-sensitive surface; and

in response to detecting the third touch gesture:

in accordance with a determination that the third touch gesture meets either the first criteria, or additional preset criteria different from the first criteria, replace at least a portion of the second user interface with the first search user interface in the display region.

Continuity (3)

Continuation 17745782 · May 16, 2022

Provisional Application 63189652 · May 17, 2021

Related Publication 20240264737A1 · Aug 8, 2024

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