Method and apparatus for scrollable cross-point navigation in a calendar user interface

• US 20030095149A1
• Filed: 11/19/2001
• Published: 05/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Fredriksson, Linus, Nyberg, Urban
• Granted Patent: US 6,966,037 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/797
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

Method and apparatus for displaying an electronic calendar in a scrollable cross-point navigation image having two bars, each containing panels corresponding to a separate folder or entry of the calendar'"'"'s hierarchy of folders and entries. At the intersection of the bars is displayed the current lowest level and the next upper level, if any. In one embodiment, the next higher level is shown in an adjoining panel on a first bar, the next higher level in a next adjoining panel on that bar, until there are no further higher levels to display, at which point the remaining upper-most level folders are displayed. The second bar displays sub-folders or calendar entries within the folder in the focus panel. Moving in the folder hierarchy causes the panels in the first bar to shift to display all intervening levels through the top level.

Claims

1. A method for displaying calendar information in a display associated with an electronic device, comprising:

organizing a plurality of calendar entries into a hierarchy comprising a plurality of calendar groups, at least one of which calendar groups having at least one sublevel of calendar subgroups; and

displaying panels on a display associated with an electronic device, the panels being arranged into two bars of panels with a common focus panel, each of the panels being linked to and identifying one of (a) one of the plurality of calendar entries, (b) one of the calendar groups, and (c) one of the calendar subgroups,

wherein the focus panel identifies (a) a currently selectable lowest level in the hierarchy and (b) the next higher level, if any,

wherein levels, if any, in the hierarchy higher than that displayed in the focus panel are identified in one of (a) succeeding adjoining panels of a first of the two bars, other panels of the first bar identifying highest level groups in the hierarchy, and (b) at least one box, other panels of the first bar identifying groups in the hierarchy in the next higher level identified in the focus panel; and

wherein panels of the second of the two bars each identify one of (a) calendar entries, if any, (b) calendar groups, if any, and (c) calendar subgroups, if any, of the same level in the hierarchy as the currently selectable lowest level in the hierarchy identified in the focus panel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the two bars are sized and positioned on the display so as to permit viewing of a substantial portion of a background image presented on the display.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the two bars are perpendicular to one another.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein each of the two bars are positioned on the display to be proximate an edge of the display.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein each of the two bars are positioned on the display to be parallel to an edge of the display.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the two bars are displayed on the display only upon entry of a command by a user.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the calendar groups comprise months of the year.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the calendar groups comprise weeks of the year.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the calendar groups comprise days of the year.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the calendar groups comprise days of the year.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the calendar entries correspond to discrete time periods within a day.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the calendar entries correspond to discrete time periods within a day.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein each calendar entry is capable of storing information associated with the associated discrete time period.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein each calendar entry is capable of storing information associated with the associated discrete time period.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein a currently selected lowest level in the hierarchy identified in the focus panel is changed upon the entry of a navigation command by the user on an input device.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein calendar entries, groups, or subgroups linked to the panels are identified on the panels by text.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the panels is one of semi-transparent and transparent.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein scrolling through panels in a bar will cause panels of the other bar to change as appropriate.

19. A method for displaying calendar information in a display associated with an electronic device, comprising:

organizing a plurality of calendar entries into a hierarchy comprising a plurality of calendar groups, at least one of which calendar groups having at least one sublevel of calendar subgroups;

displaying panels on a display associated with an electronic device, the panels being arranged into two bars of panels with a common focus panel, each of the panels being linked to and identifying one of (a) one of the plurality of calendar entries, (b) one of the calendar groups, and (c) one of the calendar subgroups; and

providing a means for navigating between different levels of groups,

wherein the focus panel identifies (a) a currently selectable lowest level in the hierarchy and (b) the next higher level, if any,

wherein panels of the first bar identify groups in the hierarchy in the next higher level identified in the focus panel, wherein panels of the second of the two bars each identify one of (a) calendar entries, if any, (b) calendar groups, if any, and (c) calendar subgroups, if any, of the same level in the hierarchy as the currently selectable lowest level in the hierarchy identified in the focus panel.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein navigating between different levels of groups is accomplished by selecting with an input device a desired group level.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein selecting a desired group level with the input device comprises activating a button on the input device.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein selecting a desired group level with the input device comprises selecting a box on the display.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein navigating between different levels of groups is accomplished by causing the panels of one of the two bars to move and selecting with an input device the group in the focus panel.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the two bars are sized and positioned on the display so as to permit viewing of a substantial portion of a background image presented on the display.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the two bars are perpendicular to one another.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein each of the two bars are positioned on the display to be proximate an edge of the display.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein each of the two bars are positioned on the display to be parallel to an edge of the display.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein the two bars are displayed on the display only upon entry of a command by a user.

29. The method of claim 19, wherein the calendar groups comprise months of the year.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the calendar groups comprise weeks of the year.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the calendar groups comprise days of the year.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the calendar groups comprise days of the year.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the calendar entries correspond to discrete time periods within a day.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the calendar entries correspond to discrete time periods within a day.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein each calendar entry is capable of storing information associated with the associated discrete time period.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein each calendar entry is capable of storing information associated with the associated discrete time period.

37. The method of claim 19, wherein calendar entries, groups, or subgroups linked to the panels are identified on the panels by text.

38. The method of claim 19, wherein at least one of the panels is one of semi-transparent and transparent.

39. The method of claim 19, wherein scrolling through panels in a bar will cause panels of the other bar to change as appropriate.

40. An apparatus for displaying calendar information in a display associated with an electronic device, comprising:

a database storing a plurality of calendar entries in a hierarchy comprising a plurality of groups, at least one of which groups having at least one sublevel of subgroups; and

a means for displaying panels on a display associated with an electronic device, the panels being arranged into two bars of panels with a common focus panel, each of the panels being linked to and identifying one of (a) one of the plurality of calendar entries, (b) one of the calendar groups, and (c) one of the calendar subgroups,

wherein the focus panel identifies (a) a currently selectable lowest level in the hierarchy and (b) the next higher level, if any,

wherein levels, if any, in the hierarchy higher than that displayed in the focus panel are identified in one of (a) succeeding adjoining panels of a first of the two bars, other panels of the first bar identifying highest level groups in the hierarchy, and (b) at least one box, other panels of the first bar identifying groups in the hierarchy in the next higher level identified in the focus panel; and

wherein panels of the second of the two bars each identify one of (a) calendar entries, if any, (b) calendar groups, if any, and (c) calendar subgroups, if any, of the same level in the hierarchy as the currently selectable lowest level in the hierarchy identified in the focus panel.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the two bars are sized and positioned on the display so as to permit viewing of a substantial portion of a background image presented on the display.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the two bars are perpendicular to one another.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein each of the two bars are positioned on the display to be proximate an edge of the display.

44. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein each of the two bars are positioned on the display to be parallel to an edge of the display.

45. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the two bars are displayed on the display only upon entry of a command by a user.

46. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the calendar groups comprise months of the year.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the calendar groups comprise weeks of the year.

48. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the calendar groups comprise days of the year.

49. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the calendar groups comprise days of the year.

50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the calendar entries correspond to discrete time periods within a day.

51. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the calendar entries correspond to discrete time periods within a day.

52. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein each calendar entry is capable of storing information associated with the associated discrete time period.

53. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein each calendar entry is capable of storing information associated with the associated discrete time period.

54. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein a currently selected lowest level in the hierarchy identified in the focus panel is changed upon the entry of a navigation command by the user on an input device.

55. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein calendar entries, groups, or subgroups linked to the panels are identified on the panels by text.

56. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein at least one of the panels is one of semi-transparent and transparent.

57. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein scrolling through panels in a bar will cause panels of the other bar to change as appropriate.

58. An apparatus for displaying calendar information in a display associated with an electronic device, comprising:

a database storing a plurality of calendar entries in a hierarchy comprising a plurality of groups, at least one of which groups having at least one sublevel of subgroups; and

a means for displaying panels on a display associated with an electronic device, the panels being arranged into two bars of panels with a common focus panel, each of the panels being linked to and identifying one of (a) one of the plurality of calendar entries, (b) one of the calendar groups, and (c) one of the calendar subgroups; and

a means for navigating between different levels of groups,

wherein the focus panel identifies (a) a currently selectable lowest level in the hierarchy and (b) the next higher level, if any,

wherein panels of the first bar identify groups in the hierarchy in the next higher level identified in the focus panel, wherein panels of the second of the two bars each identify one of (a) calendar entries, if any, (b) calendar groups, if any, and (c) calendar subgroups, if any, of the same level in the hierarchy as the currently selectable lowest level in the hierarchy identified in the focus panel.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein navigating between different levels of groups is accomplished by selecting with an input device a desired group level.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein selecting a desired group level with the input device comprises activating a button on the input device.

61. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein selecting a desired group level with the input device comprises selecting a box on the display.

62. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein navigating between different levels of groups is accomplished by causing the panels of one of the two bars to move and selecting with an input device the group in the focus panel.

63. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the two bars are sized and positioned on the display so as to permit viewing of a substantial portion of a background image presented on the display.

64. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the two bars are perpendicular to one another.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein each of the two bars are positioned on the display to be proximate an edge of the display.

66. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein each of the two bars are positioned on the display to be parallel to an edge of the display.

67. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the two bars are displayed on the display only upon entry of a command by a user.

68. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the calendar groups comprise months of the year.

69. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the calendar groups comprise weeks of the year.

70. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the calendar groups comprise days of the year.

71. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the calendar groups comprise days of the year.

72. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the calendar entries correspond to discrete time periods within a day.

73. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the calendar entries correspond to discrete time periods within a day.

74. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein each calendar entry is capable of storing information associated with the associated discrete time period.

75. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein each calendar entry is capable of storing information associated with the associated discrete time period.

76. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein calendar entries, groups, or subgroups linked to the panels are identified on the panels by text.

77. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein at least one of the panels is one of semi-transparent and transparent.

78. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein scrolling through panels in a bar will cause panels of the other bar to change as appropriate.