Abstract: A method is disclosed of operating an image capturing device for displaying an image of a subject on a screen, and performing image-capturing operation for the subject in response to a user's input to the screen. The method includes: a first step of detecting a pressing force of the user's finger press on the screen; a second step of displaying an image capture icon on the screen, the icon being actuated by the user for commanding the device for the capturing operation; a third step of, in response to a determination that the touch position overlaps with a region of the icon displayed, and that the force is above a first threshold, initiating focusing operation to focus on the subject; and a fourth step of, after the focusing operation is initiated, in response to a determination that the force is above a second threshold larger than the first threshold, initiating the capturing operation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of controlling a user interface device for displaying on a display screen a plurality of objects, and for enabling a user to perform an input action by touching the display screen with the user's finger. This method includes: upon the user's touch to the display screen at a region of one of the plurality of objects being displayed, selecting the one object as a zoom target; upon an event occurring in which an intensity of the finger's touch on the display screen exceeds a predetermined threshold, determining a magnification ratio of the zoom target or a change rate of the magnification ratio, based on the intensity of the finger's touch; and zooming in the zoom target on the display screen with the determined magnification ratio or the determined change rate.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for displaying an image on a display screen and recognizing a user's input by the user's finger touch on a touch screen, the process including: a first step of displaying an original image; a second step of forming a screen pad, such that a reference image, which is a reduced duplicate of the original image, is displayed on the screen pad within the display screen, such that the reference image is overlaid with the original image, in a translucent mode that renders the original image visible through the reference image, or an opaque mode where the original image is not visible. The reference image is obtained by reducing the original image with or without image simplification. A third step, in response to the user touching the screen pad, detects finger position on the screen pad, and recognizes the user's input based on the detected finger position.

Abstract: A process is disclosed of scrolling an image on a user interface device configured to display the image on a display screen and enable a user to input with the user's finger touch on a touch screen in association with the displayed image, the process including: scrolling the image in response to the finger's drag motion on the touch screen; and, in response to an event occurring in which, after the drag motion ended, the finger is held in touch with the touch screen at substantially the same location as where the finger was located when the drag motion ended, without releasing from the touch screen, further scrolling the image to perform follow-up scrolling, after experiencing an idle period or not.

Abstract: A process is disclosed of operating a user interface device configured to display an image on a display screen and enable user input by a user's finger touch on a touch screen in association with the displayed image, the process including: after the user starts a finger touch on the touch screen, if the user holds the finger at a substantially same location for a duration equal to or longer than a predetermined duration, initiating stationary displaying to display the image stationarily on the display screen, despite any later finger-slide motions on screen; and, after the stationary displaying starts, if a match is made between the finger's contact point on the touch screen and a location of a desirable graphical object included in the image displayed on the display screen, determining that the user has provisionally selected the object.