NAVIGATION USER INTERFACE FOR COMPACT MOBILE DEVICES

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for navigating time-based offers includes rendering a display image of a watch dial, symbols corresponding to each hour on the watch dial, and one or more time indicators, where each symbol corresponds to a time-based offer. The method also includes determining whether or not a touch event sensed at the touch display complies with a predefined gesture, and assigning, in response to the touch event complying with the predefined gesture, an action based on the predefined gesture, a display context and a temporal context.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefits to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/129,639 filed on Mar. 6, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This description relates generally to processing device user interfaces, and more particularly to compact portable processing device user interfaces for online marketing.

BACKGROUND

Touchscreens are touch-sensitive electronic visual displays that receive tactile input information entered using a human digit, a special glove, or a stylus. A typical touchscreen can sense touch events including contact or movement on the surface of the screen, such as taps, long touches, swipes, pinches, flicks, other gestures, marks, lines, or geometric shapes. In general, touchscreens enable users to interact directly with images displayed on the screen, rather than through an intermediate device, such as a mouse or a touchpad.

Some existing touchscreens implement resistive touch-sensing technology, while other existing touchscreens implement capacitive, surface acoustic wave, infrared or optical technologies to sense touch events. Touchscreens have been used as input devices in tablet computers, mobile phones, and gaming consoles.

A currently emerging area of application is in compact wearable processing devices, such as wrist-wearable devices, in which the touchscreens typically are of relatively small size. The reduced size of touchscreens on wearable devices have drawbacks regarding existing user interface implementations. On the other hand, the constant presence of wearable devices present opportunities for combining multiple utilities in new ways.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for navigating time-based offers includes rendering on a touch display a display image of a watch dial, symbols corresponding to each hour on the watch dial, and one or more time indicators, where each symbol corresponds to a time-based offer. The method also includes determining whether or not a touch event sensed at the touch display complies with a predefined gesture, and assigning, in response to the touch event complying with the predefined gesture, an action based on the predefined gesture, a display context, and a temporal context.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for navigating time-based offers includes rendering a composite display image comprising a watch dial, a bezel including symbols corresponding to each hour of the watch dial circumferentially surrounding the watch dial, each symbol corresponding to a time-based offer, and a seconds indicator circumferentially surrounded by the watch dial. The method also includes determining whether or not a first touch event complies with a predefined gesture and assigning, in response to the first touch event complying with the predefined gesture, an action associated with the predefined gesture, a display context, and a temporal context.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a user interface for navigating time-based offers includes a rendition module that renders a display image of a watch dial and symbols corresponding to each hour, each symbol corresponding to a time-based offer. The user interface also includes a recognition module that determines whether or not a touch event complies with a predefined gesture, and an interpretation module that assigns, in response to the touch event complying with the predefined gesture, an action associated with the predefined gesture, a display context, and a temporal context.

The details of one or more embodiments of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary user interface manager in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view depicting an exemplary general computing system that can implement the user interface manager of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary compact processing device that can implement the user interface manager of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary communications network that can be employed by the user interface manager of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5A is an illustration of an exemplary watch face image in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B is an illustration of an exemplary current offer highlight display image in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5C is an illustration of an exemplary offer detail display image in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A is an illustration of an exemplary noncurrent offer highlight display image in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6B is an illustration of another exemplary offer detail display image in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6C is an illustration of another exemplary noncurrent offer highlight display image in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6D is an illustration of another exemplary offer detail display image in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart representing an exemplary method of displaying time-based special offers synchronized with a visual time display to market products and/or services in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart representing an exemplary method of displaying time-based special offers with a watch face display image to market products and/or services in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart representing an exemplary method of displaying a time-based offer highlight display image with a visual time display to market products and/or services in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart representing an exemplary method of displaying a time-based offer detail image to market products and/or services in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a user interface for conveniently displaying special offers for consumer purchases, including time-based offers, which are synchronized with a visual time display, such as an analog watch dial. The user interface enables user interactions with a touch display, such as a touch screen or touch panel, to manipulate the display regarding time-related offerings of products and/or services.

An embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1, which illustrates an exemplary user interface manager 10 that employs a touch display gesture response process in order to display time-based special offers synchronized with a visual time display to market products and services. The user interface manager 10 includes an acquisition module 12, a recognition module 14, an interpretation module 16, a layout module 18, a composition module 20, and a rendition module 22.

The acquisition module 12 acquires positional information regarding touch events over time from a touch display of a compact processing device, such as a mobile device or a wearable device. The recognition module 14 determines the category or type of the touch event. Touch events include sensed contact or movement on the surface of the touch display that correspond to taps, long touches, swipes, pinches, flicks, other gestures, marks, lines, geometric shapes, or the like.

For example, in some embodiments, the recognition module 14 compares the acquired positional information to multiple gesture templates to determine whether the touch event fits into any of various predetermined event envelopes. For example, in an embodiment, the recognition module 14 analyzes the acquired positional information with respect to a list of predetermined event definitions, or rules, to determine whether the touch event fits into the predefined category or type of gesture.

If the touch event is determined to comply with a known event type or category, then the interpretation module 16 evaluates the context of the touch event with respect to the display image and time to decide on the appropriate action to be carried out. For example, in some embodiments, the interpretation module 16 identifies the display image that initially was rendered on the touch display at the moment in time that the touch event was initiated. In certain embodiments, the interpretation module 16 further identifies a sequential history of one or more display images rendered immediately preceding the current display image rendered at the time the touch event was initiated. In various embodiments, the temporal context includes, for example, the time at which a selection is made, a countdown associated with a sale, or whether the selected offer is available during the current hour or corresponds to a noncurrent hour. The interpretation, or meaning, to be associated with the touch event depends in each case on the touch display context and the temporal context when the user initiated or completed the event.

Thus, once the context is determined, the interpretation module 16 associates, or assigns, a specific meaning to the event. As a result, when a user performs a single-digit swipe from right-to-left on the touch display, the intended significance of the swipe event may depend, for example, on the product image currently displayed when the swipe was initiated. In some instances, the intended significance of the swipe event may also depend on the preceding product or other image that was rendered immediately before the currently displayed product image.

The layout module 18 creates one or more image layouts, or views, in response to the significance, meaning or signification assigned to the touch event by the interpretation module 16. Each layout, or view, can occupy the entire display screen or only a portion of the display screen. Thus, in some instances, the views are designed for simultaneous rendering on different portions of the display screen. In other instances, one view is designed to be superimposed over another view. For example, an added view can be wholly opaque, partly opaque and partly translucent, or wholly translucent, such that another layout can be simultaneously rendered through part or all of the added view.

The composition module 20 combines the individual layouts, or views, to be displayed together, and adds other content, such as textual content. For example, the composition module 20 may superimpose a product image associated with a temporary offer over a portion of a watch face showing the current time and add the reduced price of the item to compose a complete composite display image.

The rendition module 22 performs formatting procedures on the display image and forwards the final display image to the compact processing device to be visually rendered on the touch display. For example, in some embodiments, the rendering module 22 translates the image file from one image file format to another image file format to ensure compatibility with the touch display of the compact processing device. Various embodiments are compatible with numerous image file formats known in the art. In addition, in some embodiments, the rendition module 22 performs a data compression procedure on the display image.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, an exemplary general computing device 20 that can be employed in the user interface manager 10 of FIG. 1 includes a processor 32, a memory 34, a touch display 36, a storage 38, and a network interface 40. The various components of the computing device 20 are coupled by a local data link 42, which in various embodiments incorporates, for example, an address bus, a data bus, a serial bus, a parallel bus, or any combination of these.

The computing device 20 can be used, for example, to implement the functions of the user interface manager 10 of FIG. 1. Programming code, such as source code, object code or executable code, stored on a computer-readable medium, such as the storage 38 or a peripheral storage component coupled to the computing device 20, can be loaded into the memory 34 and executed by the processor 32 in order to perform the functions of the user interface manager 10. In various embodiments, the computing device 20 can include, for example, a mobile device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a wearable device, or the like, with a relatively compact touch display.

Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary compact processing device 50 is shown with an attached adjustable strap 52 having a latching mechanism 54 for securing the compact processing device 50 to a bodily appendage, such as a human user wrist, arm or leg in a wearable configuration. The compact processing device 50 includes a compact touch display screen 56 user interface to render display images and receive tactile input information, such as touch events. In various embodiments, the tactile input information can be entered, for example, using a human user digit, a special glove, a stylus, or the like, in accordance with touch display technologies known in the art.

As shown in FIG. 4, the computing device 20 or the compact processing device 50 can be communicatively coupled to a communications network 60. For example, in some configurations, the compact processing device 50 communicates with a remote server 62 to access data, such as marketing information, product information, service information or pricing information from a remote database 64, such as an online shopping website data center. In various embodiments, the communication network 60 can include any viable combination of devices and systems capable of linking computer-based systems, such as the Internet; an intranet or extranet; a local area network (LAN); a wide area network (WAN); a direct cable connection; a private network; a public network; an Ethernet-based system; a token ring; a value-added network; a telephony-based system, including, for example, T1 or E1 devices; an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network; a wired system; a wireless system; an optical system; a combination of any number of distributed processing networks or systems or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 5A, an exemplary watch face display screen 70 user interface rendered on the compact touch display screen 56 includes a watch dial 72, or clock dial, with numbers 74 one through twelve correlating to hours at even intervals beginning to the right of the top dead center position and increasing in the clockwise direction. The watch dial 72 is further divided into sixty equal divisions indicated by markings 76, such as dashes, around the watch dial 72 correlating to minutes and seconds.

Of course, in various embodiments, the watch face display image 70 can have other numerical indicators correlating to hours, such as roman numerals or may not include numerical indicators. Similarly, in some embodiments the watch dial 72 can be divided into a different number of divisions, for example, twelve divisions corresponding to the hours on the watch dial 72, or the watch dial 72 may not include division markings 76.

The watch face display image 70 also includes an hour indicator 78, such as an hour hand, a minute indicator 80, such as a minute hand, a seconds indicator 82, such as an incremental circular indicator, and a digital time indicator 84 of the current time, for example, in hours and minutes. Once again, in other embodiments, the watch dial 72 can include any type of time indicator, including incremental circular hour or minute indicators, a second hand, or any other analog or digital form that can effectively communicate the passage of time.

In addition, the watch face display image 70 includes a virtual bezel with marketing symbols 86, such as product or service icons, corresponding to discrete time periods, for example, each hour index on the watch dial 72. The marketing symbols 86 correspond to time-based offers, such as time-sensitive sales, for example, hourly special offers of products or services. For example, in an embodiment the marketing symbols 86 represent a “product of the hour” available for consumer purchase at a reduced price during a discrete time period, such as a music download or compact disc, an article of women's clothing, a camera, a mobile phone, a personal computer, an automotive accessory, a gift item, an article of men's clothing item, a timepiece, a handbag, a household item, or jewelry. In other embodiments, the marketing symbols 86 may represent any product, service or category of products or services to be offered. Of course, in yet other embodiments the time-based offers can correspond to any discrete time period, including hourly offers, daily offers, quarter-hourly offers, or offers associated with any other equal or differing discrete periods of time.

The watch face display image 70 further includes an end-of-offer indicator 88, or “end-of-sale” indicator, such as a digital indication of the time remaining, in hours, minutes and seconds, during which the special offer will be available. Once again, in other embodiments, the end-of-offer indicator 88 may include any useful representation of the time, for example, the time remaining for the special offer or the time at which the special offer will terminate.

Areas of the watch face display image 70 are sensitized, or defined and associated with types or categories of touch events and related responsive actions. For example, the area including and immediately surrounding each marketing symbol 86 is sensitized to be activated by tap or swipe gestures over the bezel.

Referring to FIG. 5B, an exemplary current product offer highlight display image 90 user interface rendered on the compact touch display screen 56 includes a watch dial 72, numbers 74 one through twelve correlating to hours, markings 76 correlating to minutes, and marketing symbols 86, or icons, corresponding to each hour indicator. However, the marketing symbol 86 at the ten o'clock location, or position, is a highlighted symbol 92, for example, rendered in brighter tone, with greater contrast or color intensity than the marketing symbols 86 at the one o'clock through nine o'clock, eleven o'clock and twelve o'clock positions.

In various embodiments, the highlighted symbol 92 may be distinguished from the remaining marketing symbols 86 in any manner that permits the touch display to render differentiated symbols, such as a different color, brightness, contrast, intensity, or an animation scheme, for example, blinking, or the like.

In addition, the offer highlight display image 90 includes an offer image 94 in the center of the watch dial 72, in place of some or all of the time indicators, such as the hour and minute indicators 78, 80 of the watch face display image 70 of FIG. 5A. For example, the offer image 94 represents a product, such as a “product of the hour,” or service available at a reduced price during the hour corresponding to the highlighted symbol 92, for example from 10:00:00 a.m. until 10:59:59 a.m.

In some instances, the highlighted symbol 92 and the offer image 94 correspond to the current hour at the moment in time the offer highlight display image 90 is viewed. In other instances, the highlighted symbol 92 and the offer image 94 correspond to a marketing symbol 86 or number 74 other than the current hour selected by a user by way of a touch event.

When the highlighted symbol 92 and the offer image 94 correspond to the current hour at the time the offer highlight display image 90 is being rendered, the marking 76 of FIG. 5A that corresponds to the current hour is transformed into a highlighted marking 96, such as an enlarged, brightened dot of a distinct color or other more prominent shape. Further, in an embodiment, the offer highlight display image 90 retains the seconds indicator 82, such as an incremental circular indicator, partially surrounding the offer image 94 in the center of the watch dial 72. The highlighted marking 96 and the seconds indicator can advantageously emphasize a sense of urgency associated with the time-based special offer.

Areas of the product offer highlight display image 90 are sensitized, or defined and associated with types or categories of touch events and related responsive actions. For example, the area including and immediately surrounding each marketing symbol 86 is sensitized to be activated by tap or swipe gestures over the bezel, and the central portion of the highlight display image 90 is sensitized to be activated by tap gestures over the offer image 94.

Referring to FIG. 5C, an exemplary offer detail display image 100 user interface rendered on the compact touch display screen 56 includes an enlarged offer detail image 102, such as a product image or a service image corresponding to a product or service offer selected by the user by way of a touch event on a previously rendered display screen. Because of the relatively small size of the compact touch display screen 56, the offer detail image 102 rendered in the offer detail display image 100 occupies a substantial portion of the screen space, for example, a full-screen view, greater than ninety percent of the screen space, greater than seventy-five percent of the screen space, greater than half of the screen space, or the like.

In an embodiment, the watch dial 72, numbers 74, markings 76, digital time indicator 84, marketing symbols 86 and end-of-offer indicator 88 of FIG. 5A, as well as the time indicators, are replaced by the offer detail image 102. In other embodiments, any portion or all of these features may be partially or fully visible through, around or along with the offer detail image 102. For example, in one embodiment, portions of the offer detail image 102 may be partially opaque or translucent, allowing the watch dial 72 to be visible through portions of the offer detail image 102. In another embodiment, digital time indicator 84 and the end-of-offer indicator 88, for example, may remain partially or fully visible through or below the offer detail image 102.

In addition, the offer detail display image 100 includes price information 104 and a purchase button 106, for example, superimposed over a portion of the offer detail image 102. For example, in an embodiment, the price information 104 includes a textual display of the crossed-out regular price of the product or service as well as the time-based special offer price for the product or service.

In one embodiment, the area surrounding the price information is distinguished by a unique color to indicate an area of the compact touch display screen 56 that may be activated by a touch event in order to place an order for the product or service. In other embodiments, the price information 104 or the purchase button 106 may be separate images, and each of these may be either superimposed over the offer detail image 102 or rendered beside, above or below the offer detail image 102. Further, in an embodiment, the purchase button 106 is animated to flash back and forth between the price information 104 and a marketing message, such as, “Buy Now,” to encourage the user to immediately purchase the product or service.

Areas of the offer detail display image 100 are sensitized, or defined and associated with types or categories of touch events and related responsive actions. For example, the area including the purchase button 106 is sensitized to be activated by tap gestures, and the detail display image 100 is sensitized to be activated by tap or swipe gestures.

Referring to FIG. 6A, an exemplary noncurrent product offer highlight display image 110 user interface rendered on the compact touch display screen 56 is similar to the current product offer highlight display image 90 of FIG. 5B. This example includes an offer image 112 of a household item special offer corresponding to the eleven o'clock position. However, in the noncurrent version, the marking 76 associated with the hour or position corresponding the displayed offer highlight display image 110 is not highlighted.

Referring to FIG. 6B, another exemplary offer detail display image 120 user interface rendered on the compact touch display screen 56 is similar to the offer detail display image 100 of FIG. 5C. This example includes an enlarged offer detail image 122 of the household item special offer.

Referring to FIG. 6C, another exemplary noncurrent product offer highlight display image 130 user interface rendered on the compact touch display screen 56 is similar to the offer highlight display image 110 of FIG. 6A. This example includes another offer image 132 of a jewelry item special offer corresponding to the twelve o'clock position.

Referring to FIG. 6D, yet another exemplary offer detail display image 140 user interface rendered on the compact touch display screen 56 is similar to the offer detail display image 120 of FIG. 6B. This example includes another enlarged offer detail image 142 of the jewelry item special offer.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an exemplary process flow is illustrated that may be performed, for example, by the user interface manager 10 of FIG. 1 to implement an embodiment of the method described in this disclosure for displaying time-based special offers synchronized with a visual time display to market products and services. The process begins at block 150, where a display image is rendered on a touch display. For example, in one instance, the display image depicts a watch face; in another instance, the display presents a highlight image, or offer image; in yet another instance, the display image presents an offer detail image.

In block 152, positional information is acquired from the touch display over a period of time. A touch event is detected, in block 154, and assigned to a category or type of gesture based on compliance with predefined definitions, or rules. In block 156, the display context and time context regarding the gesture are evaluated. A specific significance, meaning, or signification is assigned to the touch event, in block 158, based on the gesture type, display context and temporal context.

In accordance with the signification associated with the touch event, one or more actions are carried out. For example, in block 160, image layouts are created in accordance with the signification associated with the touch event. In some embodiments, a remote server or database is accessed in order to retrieve marketing information, product or service information, pricing information, or the like, for inclusion in the image layouts. For example, in a preferred embodiment, time-based product and pricing information is retrieved from an online shopping website data center and included in the image layouts.

A composite image is created from the layouts in block 162. For example, in various instances, multiple image layouts representing components of a watch face are superimposed, or a product highlight image layout is superimposed over a watch face. The display image is updated, or re-rendered, with the composite image in block 164.

In an embodiment, an essentially opaque, black layout provides the backdrop to the watch dial layout, the bezel layout, and the offer highlight image layout. The majority of the bezel layout, including the noncurrent-hour symbols, and the majority of the watch dial are shown in relatively subdued tones with relatively low luminescence, for example, medium or dark gray. The current-hour symbol and the offer highlight image, on the other hand, are rendered in relatively bright tones with relatively high luminescence to provide sharp contrast with the opaque periphery and subdued elements. As a result, the current-hour symbol and offer highlight image stand out from the remainder of the screen, for example, providing a pseudo-three-dimensional effect.

Referring to FIG. 8, an exemplary process flow is illustrated that may be performed, for example, by the user interface manager 10 of FIG. 1 to implement an embodiment of the method described in this disclosure for displaying time-based special offers synchronized with a visual time display to market products and/or services. The process begins at block 170, where a watch face image is rendered on a touch display, such as the exemplary watch face shown in FIG. 5A.

A touch event is detected in block 172. A determination is made, in block 174, regarding whether or not the touch event complies with a predefined gesture associated with a tap on the area of the touch display that corresponds to the central portion of the watch face surrounded by the watch dial. If so, since the watch face was currently displayed at the time the gesture was initiated, then in block 176 a highlight image, such as a product offer image or a service offer image that corresponds to the current hour, is rendered on the touch display.

Referring to FIG. 9, an exemplary process flow is illustrated that may be performed, for example, by the user interface manager 10 of FIG. 1 to implement an embodiment of the method described in this disclosure for displaying time-based special offers synchronized with a visual time display to market products and services. The process begins at block 180, where a highlight image is rendered on a touch display, such as the exemplary product offer and watch dial composite image shown in FIG. 5B.

A touch event is detected in block 182. A determination is made, in block 184, regarding whether or not the touch event complies with a predefined gesture associated with a long press on the area of the touch display that corresponds to the product or service offer image, which is circumferentially surrounded, for example by the seconds indicator and watch dial. If so, since the highlight image was currently displayed at the time the gesture was initiated, then in block 186 an offer detail image, such as the product image or service image that corresponds to the current hour, is rendered on the touch display.

If not, another determination is made, in block 188, regarding whether or not the touch event complies with a predefined gesture associated with a long press on the area of the touch display that corresponds to the highlighted symbol, or icon, that corresponds to the current hour. If so, since the highlight image was currently displayed at the time the gesture was initiated, then in block 190 the offer detail image that corresponds to the current hour is rendered on the touch display.

If not, yet another determination is made, in block 192, regarding whether or not the touch event complies with a predefined gesture associated with a tap on the area of the touch display that corresponds to another symbol that corresponds to another hour. If so, since the highlight image was currently displayed at the time the gesture was initiated, then in block 194 the highlight image that corresponds to the selected symbol is rendered on the touch display, such as the exemplary noncurrent product offer highlight display image 110 of FIG. 6A.

If not, an additional determination is made, in block 196, regarding whether or not the touch event complies with a predefined gesture associated with a swipe across an area of the touch display that corresponds to the symbols corresponding to two or more hours in sequence. For example, in various instances the touch event may include a clockwise swipe across multiple symbols or a counterclockwise swipe across multiple symbols. If so, since the highlight image was currently displayed at the time the gesture was initiated, then in block 198 the sequence of highlight images with offer images corresponding to the passed-over symbols is rendered on the touch display while the swipe is performed, and the highlight image corresponding to the final passed-over symbol remains on the touch display after the swipe has been terminated.

For example, when a swipe gesture is performed in an arc across the symbols corresponding to ten o'clock, eleven o'clock and twelve o'clock positions, respectively, along the virtual bezel shown in FIG. 5B, the highlight images shown in FIGS. 5B, 6A and 6C are shown in sequence on the touch display as the swipe gesture passes over each of the correlated symbols. If the swipe gesture is terminated before reaching the symbol at the one o'clock position, then the highlight image that corresponds to the twelve o'clock position remains on the touch display.

If not, a further determination is made, in block 200, regarding whether or not the touch event complies with a predefined gesture associated with a tap on the area of the touch display that corresponds to the highlight image. If so, then in block 202 the watch face is once again rendered on the touch display. If not, a further determination is made, in block 204, regarding whether or not the touch event complies with a predefined gesture associated with a tap on the area of the touch display that corresponds to the highlighted symbol. If so, then in block 206 the watch face is once again rendered on the touch display. Otherwise, monitoring of the touch display continues until another touch event is detected in step 1822

Referring to FIG. 10, an exemplary process flow is illustrated that may be performed, for example, by the user interface manager 10 of FIG. 1 to implement an embodiment of the method described in this disclosure for displaying time-based special offers synchronized with a visual time display to market products and services. The process begins at block 210, where a offer detail image is rendered on a touch display, such as the exemplary detail product offer image shown in FIG. 5C.

A touch event is detected in block 212. A determination is made, in block 214, regarding whether or not the touch event complies with a predefined gesture associated with a swipe from left-to-right across the area of the touch display that corresponds to the offer detail image. If so, since the offer detail image was currently displayed at the time the gesture was initiated, then in block 216 a next offer detail image, such as the product image or service image that corresponds to the successive hour, is rendered on the touch display. For example, if the detail product image associated with the eleven o'clock hour is initially displayed, then the next detail product image associated with the twelve o'clock hour is rendered in response to a left-to-right swipe gesture.

If not, another determination is made, in block 218, regarding whether or not the touch event complies with a predefined gesture associated with a swipe from right-to-left across the area of the touch display that corresponds to the offer detail image. If so, since the offer detail image was currently displayed at the time the gesture was initiated, then in block 220 a previous offer detail image, such as the product image or service image that corresponds to the preceding hour, is rendered on the touch display. For example, if the detail product image associated with the eleven o'clock hour is initially displayed, then the previous detail product image associated with the ten o'clock hour is rendered in response to a right-to-left swipe gesture.

If not, an additional determination is made, in block 222, regarding whether or not the touch event complies with a predefined gesture associated with a tap over an area of the touch display that corresponds to the purchase button layout. If so, since the offer detail image was currently displayed at the time the gesture was initiated, then in block 224 a purchase, or order, transaction is carried out. For example, a purchase and sale transaction is performed between the user, or consumer, and the product or service provider.

If not, a further determination is made, in block 226, regarding whether or not the touch event complies with a predefined gesture associated with a tap on the area of the touch display that corresponds a central portion of the touch display over the offer detail image. If so, since the offer detail image was currently displayed at the time the gesture was initiated, then in block 228 the watch face is once again rendered on the touch display.

Aspects of this disclosure are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations or block diagrams, in which each block or any combination of blocks can be implemented by computer program instructions. The instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, mobile programming device, or other programmable data processing apparatus to effectuate a machine or article of manufacture, and when executed by the processor the instructions create means for implementing the functions, acts or events specified in each block or combination of blocks in the diagrams.

In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may correspond to a module, segment, or portion of code that including one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functionality associated with any block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or blocks may sometimes be executed in reverse order.

A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that aspects of this disclosure may be embodied as a device, system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of this disclosure, generally referred to herein as circuits, modules, components or systems, may be embodied in hardware, in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or in any combination of software and hardware, including computer program products embodied in a computer-readable medium having computer-readable program code embodied thereon. In the context of this disclosure, a computer readable storage medium may include any tangible medium that is capable of containing or storing program instructions for use by or in connection with a data processing system, apparatus, or device.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, useful results still could be achieved if steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different order, and/or if components in the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for navigating time-based offers, the method comprising:

rendering, with a processor, on a touch display a display image of a watch dial, a time indicator that indicates a current time, and symbols corresponding to hours on the watch dial, each symbol corresponding to a time-based offer;

determining whether or not a touch event sensed at the touch display complies with a predefined gesture; and

assigning an action, in response to the touch event complying with the predefined gesture, the action based on the predefined gesture, a display context associated with the touch event and a temporal context associated with the touch event.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising acquiring positional information sensed at the touch display over a period of time.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

assigning a signification to the touch event, the signification associated with the predefined gesture, a display context and a temporal context; and

creating a product image layout in response to the signification assigned to the touch event.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

combining the product image layout with a watch dial image layout; and

rendering a composite display image comprising the product image layout and the watch dial image layout.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising adding a textual content to the composite display image.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising combining the product image layout and the watch dial image layout with an opaque layout having a relatively low luminescence, wherein the product image layout has a relatively high luminescence that provides a marked contrast against the opaque layout.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the textual content comprises a price associated with a product corresponding to the product image layout.

8. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

combining a purchase button layout with the product image layout; and

rendering a composite display image comprising the product image layout and the purchase button layout.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising transacting a product purchase in response to the touch event complying with a predefined gesture corresponding to an area of the touch display correlated to a portion of the composite display image corresponding to the purchase button layout.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the symbols represents a special product offer available during an hour beginning at a time corresponding to the respective symbol.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the touch event comprises a contact on the surface of the touch display comprising at least one of a tap, a swipe, a pinch, a flick, a mark, a line or a geometrical shape.

12. A method for navigating time-based offers, the method comprising:

rendering, with a processor, a composite display image comprising a watch dial, a bezel including symbols corresponding to hours on the watch dial circumferentially surrounding the watch dial, each symbol corresponding to a time-based offer, and a seconds indicator circumferentially surrounded by the watch dial;

determining whether or not a first touch event complies with a predefined gesture; and

assigning, in response to the first touch event complying with the predefined gesture, an action associated with the predefined gesture, a display context and a temporal context.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein rendering the composite display image further comprises rendering the display image on a touch display.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the symbols represents a special offer available during an hour beginning at a time corresponding to the respective symbol.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the composite display image further comprises an hour indicator and a minute indicator.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising superimposing a current offer image over a portion of the composite display image circumferentially surrounded by the seconds indicator in response to the predefined gesture corresponding to a central portion of the composite display image circumferentially surrounded by the watch dial.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising superimposing an opaque backdrop layout having a relatively low luminescence over portions of the composite display image, wherein the product image layout has a relatively high luminescence that provides a marked contrast against the opaque backdrop layout.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising highlighting a respective symbol corresponding to the current offer image, wherein the respective symbol corresponds to a current hour.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising superimposing an opaque backdrop layout having a relatively low luminescence over portions of the composite display image, wherein the respective symbol has a relatively high luminescence that provides a marked contrast against the opaque layout.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising highlighting a respective marking corresponding to a current hour, wherein the watch dial further comprises markings corresponding to each hour of the watch dial.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising superimposing a future offer image over the portion of the composite display image circumferentially surrounded by the seconds indicator in response to a second touch event corresponding to a clockwise swipe across the first respective symbol and a second respective symbol, the future offer image corresponding to the second respective symbol.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising superimposing a past offer image over the portion of the composite display image circumferentially surrounded by the seconds indicator in response to a second touch event corresponding to a counterclockwise swipe across the first respective symbol and a second respective symbol, the past offer image corresponding to the second respective symbol.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising rendering an offer detail image in response to a second touch event corresponding to a portion of the composite display image corresponding to the current offer image.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising rendering a successive offer detail image corresponding to a next hour in response to a third touch event corresponding to a left-to-right swipe across the offer detail image.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising rendering a previous offer detail image corresponding to a preceding hour in response to a third touch event corresponding to a right-to-left swipe across the offer detail image.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the current offer image depicts one of a product offer or a service offer.

27. A user interface for navigating time-based offers, the user interface comprising:

a rendition module that renders a display image of a watch dial and symbols corresponding to hours on the watch dial, each symbol corresponding to a time-based offer;

a recognition module that determines whether or not a touch event complies with a predefined gesture; and

an interpretation module that assigns, in response to the touch event complying with the predefined gesture, an action associated with the predefined gesture, a display context and a temporal context.

28. The user interface of claim 27, further comprising:

a layout module that creates, in response to the predefined gesture corresponding to a central portion of the composite display image circumferentially surrounded by the watch dial, a current offer image including offer information retrieved from a remote storage; and

a composition module that superimposes the current offer image over a portion of the composite display image circumferentially surrounded by the seconds indicator.