Force-based control for a mobile device having a non-linear surface

摘要

A mobile computing device has a display with a curved (i.e. non-linear) surface along one or more edges. The curved surface is force (i.e. pressure) sensitive, such that an amount of pressure applied to the surface at a given point (or a region) of the surface is sensed and adapted to be converted into a control signal. One or more control signals generated by sensing a user's interaction with the curved surface are converted into user interface (UI) operations, such as the opening of one or more applications, application menus, or the like. Preferably, the amount of pressure applied by the user varies, and application of a first pressure generates a first control action, and application of a second pressure greater than the first pressure generates a second control action that is related to the first control action.