Method and apparatus for accelerated scrolling

• US 20030076301A1
• Filed: 09/26/2002
• Published: 04/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Robbin, Jeffrey L., Tsuk, Robert W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,312,785 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/159
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/34 for rolling or scrolling
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/233 including a pointing device, e.g. roller key, track ball, rocker switch or joystick constructional details of pointing devices per se G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons

Abstract

Improved approaches for users to with graphical user interfaces of computing devices are disclosed. A rotational user action supplied by a user via a user input device can provide accelerated scrolling. The accelerated nature of the scrolling enables users to scroll or traverse a lengthy data set (e.g., list of items) faster and with greater ease. The amount of acceleration provided can be performed in successive stages, and/or performed based on the speed of the rotational user action. In one embodiment, the rotational user action is transformed into linear action with respect to a graphical user interface. The resulting acceleration effect causes the linear action to be enhanced such that a lengthy data set is able to be rapidly traversed.

Claims

1. A method for scrolling through portions of a data set, said method comprising:

receiving a number of units associated with a rotational user input;

determining an acceleration factor pertaining to the rotational user input;

modifying the number of units by the acceleration factor;

determining a next portion of the data set based on the modified number of units; and

presenting the next portion of the data set.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data set pertains to a list of items, and the portions of the data set include one or more of the items.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data set pertains to a media file, and the portions of the data set pertain to one or more sections of the media file.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the media file is an audio file.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the rotational user input is provided via a rotational input device.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the rotational input device is a circular touch pad or a rotary dial.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the acceleration factor is dependent upon a rate of speed for the rotational user input.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the acceleration factor provides a range of acceleration.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the acceleration factor can successively increase to provided successively greater levels of acceleration.

10. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said determining of the next data portion comprises:

converting the modified number of units into the next portion based on a predetermined value.

11. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said determining of the next data portion comprises:

dividing the modified number of units by a chunking value.

12. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said determining of the next data portion comprises:

adding a prior remainder value to the modified number of units; and

converting the modified number of units into the next portion.

13. In a handheld, electronics device, a method for scrolling through portions of a data set, said method comprising:

receiving a rotational user input;

determining an acceleration value pertaining to the rotational user input; and

scrolling to a next portion of the data set based on at least the acceleration value,

whereby the acceleration value specifies a degree of acceleration associated with the rate at which said scrolling through the portions of the data set is to be achieved.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein said handheld, electronics device is a portable media player.

15. In a handheld, electronics device, a method for scrolling through portions of a data set, said method comprising:

receiving a rotational user input;

determining whether or not to provide acceleration with respect to the rotational user input; and

scrolling to a next portion of the data set in either an accelerated manner when said determining determines that acceleration is to be provided, or in an unaccelerated manner when said determining determines that acceleration is not to be provided.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the data set pertains to a list of items, and the portions of the data set include one or more of the items.

17. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the data set pertains to a media file, and the portions of the data set pertain to one or more sections of the media file.

18. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the media file is an audio file.

19. A method for scrolling through portions of a file, said method comprising:

(a) receiving a number of units from a rotational input device;

(b) determining a speed of rotation for the rotational input device;

(c) applying acceleration when the speed of rotation is greater than a speed threshold;

(d) removing any acceleration being applied when the speed of rotation is less then the speed threshold;

(e) modifying the number of units in accordance with the acceleration, if any;

(f) determining a next portion of the file based on the modified number of units; and

(g) presenting the next portion of the file.

20. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein said applying (c) of the acceleration successively increases an amount of acceleration being applied.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein said applying (c) comprises:

(c1) obtaining a current acceleration amount being applied for a previous number of units from the rotational input device; and

(c2) determining an increased acceleration amount to be applied to a current number of units from the rotational input device.

22. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein the increased acceleration amount is an integer multiple of the current acceleration amount.

23. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein said applying (c) further comprises:

(c3) determining whether the time since the acceleration was last changed is greater than a duration threshold; and

(c4) preventing said applying of the acceleration or the increased acceleration amount when the time since the acceleration was last changed is not greater than the duration threshold.

24. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein said applying (c) comprises:

(c1) determining whether the time since the acceleration was last changed is greater than a duration threshold; and

(c2) preventing said applying of the acceleration when the time since the acceleration was last changed is not greater than the duration threshold.

25. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein said determining (f) of the next data portion comprises:

(f1) converting the modified number of units into the next portion based on a predetermined value.

26. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein said determining (f) of the next data portion comprises:

(f1) dividing the modified number of units by a chunking value.

27. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein said determining (f) of the next data portion comprises:

(f1) adding a prior remainder value to the modified number of units; and

(f2) converting the modified number of units into the next portion.

28. A portable media player, comprising:

a storage disk drive that stores media content for each of a plurality of media items;

a display screen that displays a portion of the media items at a time;

a user input device that enables a user of said portable media player to at least scroll through the plurality of media items using a rotational action with respect to said user input device; and

a processor operatively connected to said storage disk drive and said user input device, said processor determining a rate of scrolling and thus determining a next portion of the media items to be displayed

29. A portable media player as recited in claim 28, wherein said portable media player is battery-operated.

30. A portable media player as recited in claim 29, wherein said portable media player is pocket-sized.

31. A portable media player as recited in claims 28, wherein the rate of scrolling is automatically increased to provide an acceleration effect with respect to scrolling through the list of media items.

32. A portable media player as recited in claim 28, wherein said portable media player comprises an audio player, and wherein the media content for the media items includes at least audio files of songs.

33. A portable media player as recited in claim 28, wherein said portable media player comprises a video player, and wherein the media content for the media items includes at least video files of videos.

34. A portable media player as recited in claim 28, wherein said portable media player comprises an image viewer, and wherein the media content for the media items includes at least image files of images.

35. A portable media player as recited in claim 28, wherein said portable media player further comprises:

a feedback circuit operatively connected to said user input device and said processor, said feedback circuit produces a sound effect indicating degree of the rotational action with respect to said user input device.

36. A portable media player as recited in claim 35, wherein the sound effect is electrically induced by said feedback circuit.

37. A method for displaying a portion of a list of media items on a display of a media player, the media player having a rotational input device, said method comprising:

(a) determining a rate of turn of the rotational input device;

(b) obtaining a length of the list of media items;

(c) determining a next portion of the list of media items to be displayed based on the rate of the turn of the rotational input device and the length of the list of media items; and

(d) displaying the next portion of the list of media items.

38. A method as recited in claim 37, wherein the number of media items that can be display on the display at any one time is limited due to the small size of the display.

39. A method as recited in claim 37, wherein the next portion does not consecutively follow a former portion when the rate of turn of the rotational input device exceeds a threshold rate.

40. A method as recited in claim 37, wherein the next portion includes a plurality of the media items from the list of media items.

41. A method as recited in claim 37, wherein the rotational input device is a navigation wheel.

42. A method as recited in claim 37, wherein the media items are audio files.

43. A method as recited in claim 37, wherein the media player is a MP3 player.

44. A method as recited in claim 37, wherein said method further comprises:

(e) providing audible feedback.

45. A method as recited in claim 44, wherein the audible feedback is dependent on the rate of turn of the rotational input device.

46. A method for displaying a portion of a list of items on a display of a computing device, the computing device having a rotational input device, said method comprising:

(a) determining an indication of turning of the rotational input device;

(b) determining a next portion of the list of items to be displayed based on the indication of turning of the rotational input device; and

(c) displaying the next portion of the list of items.

47. A method as recited in claim 46, wherein the indication of turning of the rotational input device comprises a rate of turn of the rotational input device.

48. A method as recited in claim 46, wherein the rotational input device is a navigation wheel.

49. A method as recited in claim 46, wherein the computing device is a media player, and wherein the items are media items.

50. A method as recited in claim 49, wherein the media player is a portable media player.

51. A method as recited in claim 49, wherein the media player is a MP3 player.

52. A method as recited in claim 49, wherein the media items are audio files for songs.

53. A method as recited in claim 49, wherein said method further comprises:

(e) providing audible feedback.

54. A method as recited in claim 46, wherein said method further comprises:

(e) providing audible feedback.

55. A method as recited in claim 46, wherein said determining (b) of the next portion of the list of items is based on the indication of turning of the rotational input device and a predetermined value.

56. A method as recited in claim 55, wherein the predetermined value is a chunking value.

57. A consumer electronics product, comprising:

a storage disk that stores a plurality of media items;

a display for displaying a first portion of the plurality of media items;

a user input device that enables a user of said consumer electronics product to at least scroll through a list of the plurality of media items in accordance with a user-controlled scroll rate; and

a processor operatively connected to said storage disk, said display, and said user input device, said processor determines an acceleration factor for use in scrolling the list of the plurality of media items and causes said consumer electronics product to display a second portion of the plurality of media items, the location of second portion of the plurality of media items within the list of the plurality of media items being dependent on at least the user-controlled scroll rate and the acceleration factor.

58. A consumer electronics product as recited in claim 57, wherein said consumer electronics products is a portable, battery-operated media player.

59. A consumer electronics product as recited in claim 58, wherein the media player is an MP3 player, and wherein the media items are audio files for songs.