User interface and means for controlling same

• US 20040130523A1
• Filed: 10/24/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: III Holdings 1, LLC
• Original Assignee: Claes Lorentz Uno Wellton Persson
• Inventors: Wellton Persson, Claes Lorentz Uno
• Granted Patent: US 7,812,823 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/422 Input-only peripherals , i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS] input devices also receiving signals from specially adapted client devices H04N21/4104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4786 e-mailing message switching systems, e.g. electronic mail systems H04L51/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72

Abstract

A user interface for communication equipment facilitating communication via the Internet and preferably providing other audio/video services and including a monitor or TV screen (S) for display of a user interface. The user interface comprises display of symbols (1, 2, 3, 4) resembling the keys of a keypad, each symbol including one icon symbolizing an associated service and also at least a number or symbol (e.g. 0-9;*,#) as associated with the keys of a keyboard and/or a short descriptive text for associated service. User input identified as the number/symbol displayed results in display of at least one further screen image related to chosen alternative. At least the first displayed screen (S) includes preferably at least one additional group of symbols (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) resembling keys, extending as a vertical and/or horizontal row of keys, each key symbol preferably only including an icon and/or a short descriptive text, said group(s) preferably related to services for control and setting of parameters related to the communication equipment used.

Claims

1. A user interface for communication equipment facilitating communication via the Internet and preferably providing other audio/video services and including a monitor or TV for display of a user interface, characterized in, that the user interface comprises display (S) of symbols (1, 2, 3, 4) resembling the keys of a keypad, each symbol Including one Icon symbolizing an associated service and also at least a number or symbol (e.g. 0-9;

*, #) as associated with the keys of a keyboard and/or a short descriptive text for associated service, and that user input identified as the number/symbol displayed results In display of at least one further screen image (S1, S2, S3) related to chosen alternative.

2. A user interface according to claim 1, characterized in, that the user interface includes at least one additional group of symbols (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) resembling keys, extending as a vertical and/or horizontal row of keys, each key symbol preferably only including an icon and/or a short descriptive text, said group(s) preferably related to services for control and setting of parameters related to the communication equipment used.

3. A user interface according to claim 1 or 2, characterized In, that choice of service from the display by the user interface is made from a handheld remote control unit (10) having a keypad which at least partly has a configuration substantially corresponding to the displayed user interface.

4. A user interface according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in, that choice of service from the display by the user interface is made from a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) equipped for wireless communication with the communication equipment.

5. A user interface according to claim 1 or 2, characterized In, that choice of service from the display by the user interface is made from the keypad of a mobile telephone, equipped for wireless communication with the communication equipment.

6. A user interface according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized In, that a first screen display (S) of available services is followed by one or more subsequently following screen displays (S1, S2, S3) for each service, arranged to narrow down the choice made into subsequently following alternatives for chosen service, e.g. music followed by different types of music, followed by choice from a list of available titles, etc., said subsequently following screens also having a display adapted to keyed input of selected choice.

7. A user interface according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in, that a handheld remote control unit (10) for selection from a screen display of available services is arranged to facilitate two-way wireless audio communication with the communication equipment, and that said remote control unit includes a microphone/loudspeaker.

8. A user interface according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in, that information displayed in at least some of the subscreens (S1, S2, S3), or the main screen (S), can be modified by a user to suit individual preferences.

9. A user interface according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized In, that audio output for different types of services can be user modified and stored, e.g. facilitating that volume and sound quality can be set at different levels for streaming video, TV and DVD player.

10. A user interface according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in, that input of text information from the user, e.g. for e-mail purposes, is performed using a PDA, a keyboard, or a control unit (10) facilitating input of chosen characters/symbols by repeated depression of the keys of the control unit.