Apple patents gesture timing to control how links open on screen
Apple has been granted a patent for a method that changes how a device handles user gestures based on the timing between different parts of the movement. The system checks if the time gap between the first and second phases of a gesture is within a specific limit to decide whether to activate a link and update the display content.
In the filing’s own words
In one implementation, a method of activating a user interface element is performed at a device including an input device, a display, one or more processors, and non-transitory memory. The method includes displaying, on the display, a plurality of user interface elements and receiving, via the input device, a user input including a gesture, the gesture having a first phase and a second phase separated by an amount of time. The method includes, in response to receiving the user input, determining whether to activate a first user interface element in a first mode based on a determination that the amount of time is within a threshold amount of time. The method includes, based on a determination to activate the first user interface element in the first mode, displaying the content in the first content pane by updating the first content pane.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method comprising: at an electronic device with an input device, a display, one or more processors, and a non-transitory memory: displaying, on the display, a plurality of user interface elements in a first content pane; receiving, via the input device, a user input including a gesture, the gesture having a first phase and a second phase separated by an amount of time; in response to receiving the user input, determining whether to activate a first user interface element in a first mode based on a determination that the amount of time is within a threshold amount of time, wherein the first user interface element includes a link to content; and based on a determination to activate the first user interface element in the first mode, displaying the content in the first content pane by updating the first content pane.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Methods and systems for changing a display based on user input and gaze
- Patent number
- US12743155B2
- Application number
- 19336884
- Filed
- Sep 23, 2025
- Granted
- Sep 22, 2026
- Inventors
- 7
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G06F 3/013 Physics & computingG06F 3/017 Physics & computingG06F 3/04842 Physics & computingMore from Apple in AI & software
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.