Graphical user interface including palette windows with an improved navigation interface

• US 20040221245A1
• Filed: 12/27/2000
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Chickles, Justin, Gururaj, Raghavendra
• Granted Patent: US 7,765,493 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/854
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/34 Graphical or visual programming
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

A system and method for navigating among hierarchies of palette windows displayed on a display. Palette windows may include one or more palette window selection items that, when selected, open child palette windows of the current palette window. Palette windows may include one or more items for navigating in the hierarchy. The navigation items may include back navigation items, forward navigation items, and up navigation items. The navigation items may be used in navigating to previously displayed palette windows and/or to higher palette windows in the hierarchy. A search mechanism for locating palette windows and/or palette window content may be provided. From the search mechanism, the user may locate and open palette windows in one or more hierarchies. The current palette window is closed when a new palette window is opened. Thus, at most one palette window in a hierarchy is displayed at one time.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for navigating among a hierarchy of palette windows in a graphical user interface displayed on a computer system, wherein the computer system includes a display, the method comprising:

displaying on the display a first palette window from the hierarchy of palette windows, wherein the first palette window includes one or more navigation items displayed on the first palette window for navigating among the hierarchy of palette windows;

receiving user input selecting a navigation item displayed on the first palette window; and

displaying at least one of a parent palette window or a child palette window in relation to the first palette window in the hierarchy of palette windows in response to said user input selecting the navigation item.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

closing the first palette window subsequent to said receiving user input selecting the navigation item.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the navigation item is operable when selected to close a currently displayed palette window and display a previously displayed palette window.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more navigation items comprise one or more of a forward navigation item, a back navigation item, and an up navigation item.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more navigation items comprise a forward navigation item and a back navigation item;

wherein the forward navigation item is operable when selected to display a most recently previously displayed palette window in a forward direction;

wherein the back navigation item is operable when selected to display a most recently previously displayed palette window in a backward direction.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more navigation items comprise an up navigation item;

wherein the up navigation item is operable when selected to display a parent palette window of the first palette window, regardless of the most recently previously displayed palette window.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more navigation items comprise one or more of a forward navigation menu item, a back navigation menu item, and an up navigation menu item.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more navigation items comprise a forward navigation menu item;

wherein the forward navigation menu item is operable when selected to display a menu including one or more menu items each corresponding to a different previously displayed palette window in a forward direction;

wherein each of the one or more menu items is operable when selected to display a previously displayed palette window corresponding to the selected menu item.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more navigation items comprise a back navigation menu item;

wherein the back navigation menu item is operable when selected to display a menu including one or more menu items each corresponding to a different previously displayed palette window in a backward direction;

wherein each of the one or more menu items is operable when selected to display a previously displayed palette window corresponding to the selected menu item.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more navigation items comprise an up navigation menu item;

wherein the up navigation menu item is operable when selected to display a menu including one or more menu items each corresponding to a different palette window above the first palette window in the hierarchy of palette windows;

wherein each of the one or more menu items is operable when selected to display a palette window corresponding to the selected menu item.

11. The method of claim 1,

wherein one or more of the palette windows in the hierarchy comprise palette items that are selectable by a user to perform a function.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the palette items comprised in the hierarchy of palette windows are operable when selected to add elements to a window.

13. The method of claim 1,

wherein the first palette window comprises one or more palette window selection items, wherein each of the one or more palette window selection items is operable when selected to display a different child palette window of the first palette window in the hierarchy of palette windows.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prior to said displaying the first palette window, displaying on the display a first parent palette window from the hierarchy of palette windows, wherein the first parent palette window is a parent of the first palette window;

receiving user input selecting a palette window selection item from the first parent palette window, wherein the palette window selection item corresponds to the first palette window;

wherein said displaying the first palette window is performed in response to said user input selecting the palette window selection item that corresponds to the first palette window;

wherein said displaying at least one of a parent palette window or a child palette window comprises displaying the first parent palette window.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the palette windows in the hierarchy of palette windows comprises a search item, the method further comprising:

receiving user input selecting a search item of a currently displayed palette window;

displaying a search window in response to said user input selecting the search item;

receiving user input in the search window specifying a search criteria;

identifying a new palette window in the search window in accordance with the search criteria user input; and

displaying the new palette window.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said identifying comprises:

identifying and displaying information regarding a plurality of possible palette windows in the search window in accordance with the search criteria user input; and

receiving user input selecting the new palette window from the plurality of possible palette windows.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the user input in the search window specifying a search criteria includes a search string, and wherein said identifying and displaying information regarding a plurality of possible palette windows in the search window in accordance with the search criteria user input comprises:

searching for the search string in a plurality of text items related to palette windows in the hierarchy; and

displaying one or more located text items in the search window, wherein each of the one or more located text items includes the search string, and wherein each of the one or more located text items references one of the plurality of possible palette windows.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the user input selecting the new palette window from the plurality of possible palette windows specifies one of the one or more located text items in the search window, wherein the specified located text item references the new palette window.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising closing the search window subsequent to said receiving user input selecting the new palette window.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of possible palette windows includes palette windows from a plurality of hierarchies of palette windows.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising closing the currently displayed palette window subsequent to said receiving user input selecting the search item of the currently displayed palette window.

22. A computer-implemented method for navigating among a hierarchy of palette windows in a graphical user interface displayed on a computer system, wherein the computer system includes a display, the method comprising:

displaying on the display a currently displayed palette window from the hierarchy of palette windows, wherein the currently displayed palette window includes one or more navigation items displayed on the currently displayed palette window for navigating among the hierarchy of palette windows;

receiving user input selecting a navigation item displayed on the currently displayed palette window;

closing a currently displayed palette window in response to said user input selecting the navigation item; and

displaying a previously displayed palette window in response to said user input selecting the navigation item.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the navigation item is operable when selected to close the currently displayed palette window and display a previously displayed palette window.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the navigation item is one of a forward navigation item, a backward navigation item, and an up navigation item.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the navigation item is a back navigation item operable when selected to display a most recently previously displayed palette window in a background direction.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the navigation item is a forward navigation item operable when selected to display a most recently previously displayed palette window in a forward direction.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the navigation item is an up navigation item operable when selected to display a parent palette window of the first palette window, regardless of the most recently previously displayed palette window.

28. The method of claim 22,

wherein the first palette window comprises one or more palette window selection items, wherein each of the one or more palette window selection items is operable when selected to display a different child palette window of the first palette window in the hierarchy of palette windows.

29. The method of claim 22,

wherein one or more of the palette windows in the hierarchy comprise palette items that are selectable by a user to perform a function.

30. A computer-implemented method for navigating among a hierarchy of palette windows in a graphical user interface displayed on a computer system, wherein the computer system includes a display, the method comprising:

displaying on the display a first palette window from the hierarchy of palette windows, wherein the first palette window comprises one or more palette window selection items, wherein each of the one or more palette window selection items is operable when selected to display a different child palette window of the first palette window in the hierarchy of palette windows;

receiving user input selecting a first palette window selection item of the one or more selection items in the first palette window;

displaying a second palette window on the display in response to said receiving the user input selecting the first palette window selection item, wherein the second palette window is a child palette window of the first palette window in the hierarchy of palette windows; and

closing the first palette window in response to said receiving the first user input selecting the first palette window selection item.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein each of the palette windows in the hierarchy of palette windows comprises one or more navigation items, the method further comprising:

receiving user input selecting a navigation item of the second palette window, wherein the navigation item is operable when selected to close a currently displayed palette window and display a previously displayed palette window;

closing the second palette window in response to said user input selecting the navigation item; and

displaying the first palette window on the display in response to said user input selecting the navigation item.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the navigation item is a back navigation item operable when selected to display a most recently previously displayed palette window in a backward direction.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein each of the palette windows in the hierarchy of palette windows comprises one or more navigation items, the method further comprising:

receiving user input selecting a navigation item of the second palette window, wherein the navigation item is operable when selected to close a currently displayed palette window and display a previously displayed palette window;

closing the second palette window in response to said user input selecting the navigation item; and

displaying a third palette window on the display in response to said user input selecting the navigation item.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the navigation item is a forward navigation item operable when selected to display a most recently previously displayed palette window in a forward direction.

35. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

receiving user input selecting a navigation item from a currently displayed palette window;

displaying one of a parent palette window and a child palette window in relation to the currently displayed palette window in the hierarchy of palette windows subsequent to said receiving the user input selecting the navigation item.

36. The method of claim 30, wherein one or more child palette windows in relation to a currently displayed palette window in the hierarchy of palette windows are displayable from the currently displayed palette window by user input selecting palette window selection items corresponding to the one or more child palette windows from the currently displayed palette window.

37. The method of claim 30, wherein each of the palette windows in the hierarchy of palette windows comprises an up navigation item, wherein the up navigation item is operable when selected to display a parent palette window of a currently displayed palette window in the hierarchy of palette windows and to close the currently displayed palette window, the method further comprising:

receiving user input selecting the up navigation item of the second palette window;

displaying the first palette window on the display in response to said user input selecting the up navigation item; and

closing the second palette window in response to said user input selecting the up navigation item.

38. The method of claim 30,

wherein one or more of the palette windows in the hierarchy comprise palette items that are selectable by a user to perform a function.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the palette items comprised in the hierarchy of palette windows are operable when selected to add elements to a window.

40. The method of claim 30, wherein each of the palette windows in the hierarchy of palette windows comprises a search item, the method further comprising:

receiving user input selecting a search item of a currently displayed palette window;

closing the currently displayed palette window in response to said user input selecting the search item;

displaying a search window in response to said user input selecting the search item;

receiving user input in the search window specifying a search criteria;

identifying a new palette window in the search window in accordance with the search criteria user input;

closing the search window; and

displaying the new palette window.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said identifying comprises:

identifying and displaying information regarding a plurality of possible palette windows in the search window in accordance with the search criteria user input; and

receiving user input selecting the new palette window from the plurality of possible palette windows.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the plurality of possible palette windows includes palette windows from a plurality of hierarchies of palette windows.

43. A system comprising:

a memory configured to store program instructions;

an input device configured to receive user input;

a display device; and

a processor configured to read the program instructions from the memory and to execute the program instructions, wherein, in response to execution of the program instructions, the processor is operable to;

display on the display device a first palette window from a hierarchy of palette windows in a graphical user interface, wherein the first palette window includes one or more navigation items displayed on the first palette window for navigating among the hierarchy of palette windows;

receive user input from the input device selecting a navigation item displayed on the first palette window; and

display on the display device at least one of a parent palette window or a child palette window in relation to the first palette window in the hierarchy of palette windows after said user input selecting the navigation item.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein, in response to execution of the program instructions, the processor is further operable to:

close the first palette window subsequent to said receiving the user input selecting the navigation item.

45. The system of claim 43, wherein the one or more navigation items comprise a forward navigation item and a back navigation item;

wherein the back navigation item is operable when selected to display a most recently previously displayed palette window in a backward direction;

wherein the forward navigation item is operable when selected to display a most recently previously displayed palette window in a forward direction.

46. The system of claim 43, wherein the one or more navigation items comprise an up navigation item;

wherein the up navigation item is operable when selected to display a parent palette window of the first palette window, regardless of the most recently previously displayed palette window.

47. The system of claim 43,

wherein the first palette window comprises one or more palette window selection items, wherein each of the one or more palette window selection items is operable when selected to display a different child palette window of the first palette window in the hierarchy of palette windows.

48. The method of claim 43,

wherein one or more of the palette windows in the hierarchy comprise palette items that are selectable by a user to perform a function.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the palette items comprised in the hierarchy of palette windows are operable when selected to add elements to a window.

50. The system of claim 43, wherein each of the palette windows in the hierarchy of palette windows comprises a search item, wherein, in response to execution of the program instructions, the processor is further operable to:

receive user input selecting a search item of a currently displayed palette window;

close the currently displayed palette window in response to said user input selecting the search item;

display a search window on the display device in response to said user input selecting the search item;

receive user input in the search window specifying a search criteria;

identify a new palette window in the search window in accordance with the search criteria user input;

close the search window; and

display the new palette window on the display device.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein, in said identifying, the processor is further operable to:

identify and display information regarding a plurality of possible palette windows in the search window in accordance with the search criteria user input; and

receive user input selecting the new palette window from the plurality of possible palette windows.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the user input in the search window specifying a search criteria includes a search string, and wherein, in said identifying and displaying information regarding a plurality of possible palette windows in the search window in accordance with the search criteria user input, the processor is further operable to:

search for the search string in a plurality of text items related to palette windows in the hierarchy; and

display one or more located text items in the search window, wherein each of the one or more located text items includes the search string, and wherein each of the one or more located text items references one of the plurality of possible palette windows;

wherein the user input selecting the new palette window from the plurality of possible palette windows specifies one of the one or more located text items in the search window, wherein the specified located text item references the new palette window.

53. A system comprising:

a memory configured to store program instructions;

an input device configured to receive user input;

a display device; and

a processor configured to read the program instructions from the memory and to execute the program instructions, wherein, in response to execution of the program instructions, the processor is operable to;

display on the display device a currently displayed palette window from the hierarchy of palette windows, wherein the currently displayed palette window includes one or more navigation items displayed on the currently displayed palette window for navigating among the hierarchy of palette windows;

receive user input from the input device selecting a navigation item displayed on the currently displayed palette window;

close a currently displayed palette window in response to said user input selecting the navigation item; and

display a previously displayed palette window on the display device in response to said user input selecting the navigation item.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the navigation item is operable when selected to close the currently displayed palette window and display a previously displayed palette window.

55. The system of claim 53, wherein the navigation item is a back navigation item operable when selected to display a most recently previously displayed palette window in a background direction.

56. The system of claim 53, wherein the navigation item is a forward navigation item operable when selected to display a most recently previously displayed palette window in a forward direction.

57. The system of claim 53, wherein the navigation item is an up navigation item operable when selected to display a parent palette window of the first palette window, regardless of the most recently previously displayed palette window.

58. The system of claim 53,

wherein the first palette window comprises one or more palette window selection items, wherein each of the one or more palette window selection items is operable when selected to display a different child palette window of the first palette window in the hierarchy of palette windows.

59. A system comprising:

a memory configured to store program instructions;

an input device configured to receive user input;

a display device; and

a processor configured to read the program instructions from the memory and to execute the program instructions, wherein, in response to execution of the program instructions, the processor is operable to;

display on the display device a first palette window from a hierarchy of palette windows in a graphical user interface, wherein the first palette window comprises one or more palette window selection items, wherein each of the one or more palette window selection items is operable when selected to display a different child palette window of the first palette window in the hierarchy of palette windows;

receive user input from the input device selecting a first palette window selection item of the one or more selection items in the first palette window;

display a second palette window on the display device in response to said receiving the user input selecting the first palette window selection item, wherein the second palette window is a child palette window of the first palette window in the hierarchy of palette windows; and

close the first palette window in response to said receiving the first user input selecting the first palette window selection item.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein each of the palette windows in the hierarchy of palette windows comprises a back navigation item operable when selected to display a most recently previously displayed palette window in a backward direction and to close a currently displayed palette window, wherein, in response to execution of the program instructions, the processor is further operable to:

receive user input from the input device selecting the back navigation item of the second palette window;

close the second palette window in response to said user input selecting the back navigation item; and

display the first palette window on the display device in response to said user input selecting the back navigation item.

61. The system of claim 59, wherein each of the palette windows in the hierarchy of palette windows comprises a forward navigation item operable when selected to display a most recently previously displayed palette window in a forward direction and to close a currently displayed palette window, wherein, in response to execution of the program instructions, the processor is further operable to:

receive user input from the input device selecting the forward navigation item of the second palette window;

close the second palette window in response to said user input selecting the forward navigation item; and

display a third palette window on the display device in response to said user input selecting the forward navigation item.

62. The system of claim 59, wherein each of the palette windows in the hierarchy of palette windows comprises an up navigation item, wherein the up navigation item is operable when selected to display a parent palette window of a currently displayed palette window in the hierarchy of palette windows and to close the currently displayed palette window, wherein, in response to execution of the program instructions, the processor is further operable to:

receive user input from the input device selecting the up navigation item of the second palette window;

display the first palette window on the display device in response to said user input selecting the up navigation item; and

close the second palette window in response to said user input selecting the up navigation item.

63. The system of claim 59, wherein each of the palette windows in the hierarchy of palette windows comprises a search item, wherein, in response to execution of the program instructions, the processor is further operable to:

receive user input from the input device selecting a search item of a currently displayed palette window;

close the currently displayed palette window in response to said user input selecting the search item;

display a search window on the display device in response to said user input selecting the search item;

receive user input in the search window specifying a search criteria;

identify a new palette window in the search window in accordance with the search criteria user input;

close the search window; and

display the new palette window on the display device.

64. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

displaying on a display of a computer system a first palette window from a hierarchy of palette windows in a graphical user interface, wherein the first palette window includes one or more navigation items displayed on the first palette window for navigating among the hierarchy of palette windows;

receiving user input selecting a navigation item displayed on the first palette window; and

displaying at least one of a parent palette window or a child palette window in relation to the first palette window in the hierarchy of palette windows after said user input selecting the navigation item.

65. The carrier medium of claim 64, wherein the program instructions are further computer-executable to implement:

closing the first palette window subsequent to said receiving user input selecting the navigation item.

66. The carrier medium of claim 64, wherein the one or more navigation items comprise a forward navigation item and a back navigation item;

wherein the back navigation item is operable when selected to display a most recently previously displayed palette window in a backward direction;

wherein the forward navigation item is operable when selected to display a most recently previously displayed palette window in a forward direction.

67. The carrier medium of claim 64, wherein the one or more navigation items comprise an up navigation item;

wherein the up navigation item is operable when selected to display a parent palette window of the first palette window, regardless of the most recently previously displayed palette window.

68. The carrier medium of claim 64, wherein each of the palette windows in the hierarchy of palette windows comprises a search item, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

receiving user input selecting a search item of a currently displayed palette window;

displaying a search window in response to said user input selecting the search item;

receiving user input in the search window specifying a search criteria;

identifying a new palette window in the search window in accordance with the search criteria user input; and

displaying the new palette window.

69. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

displaying on a display of a computer system a currently displayed palette window from a hierarchy of palette windows in a graphical user interface, wherein the currently displayed palette window includes one or more navigation items displayed on the currently displayed palette window for navigating among the hierarchy of palette windows;

receiving user input selecting a navigation item displayed on the currently displayed palette window;

closing a currently displayed palette window in response to said user input selecting the navigation item; and

displaying a previously displayed palette window in response to said user input selecting the navigation item.

70. The carrier medium of claim 69, wherein the navigation item is one of a back navigation item, a forward navigation item, and an up navigation item.

71. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

displaying on a display of a computer system a first palette window from a hierarchy of palette windows in a graphical user interface, wherein the first palette window comprises one or more palette window selection items, wherein each of the one or more palette window selection items is operable when selected to display a different child palette window of the first palette window in the hierarchy of palette windows;

receiving user input selecting a first palette window selection item of the one or more selection items in the first palette window;

displaying a second palette window on the display in response to said receiving the user input selecting the first palette window selection item, wherein the second palette window is a child palette window of the first palette window in the hierarchy of palette windows; and

closing the first palette window in response to said receiving the first user input selecting the first palette window selection item.

72. The carrier medium of claim 71, wherein each of the palette windows in the hierarchy of palette windows comprises a search item, wherein the program instructions are further computer-executable to implement:

receiving user input selecting a search item of a currently displayed palette window;

closing the currently displayed palette window in response to said user input selecting the search item;

displaying a search window on the display in response to said user input selecting the search item;

receiving user input in the search window specifying a search criteria;

identifying a new palette window in the search window in accordance with the search criteria user input;

closing the search window; and

displaying the new palette window on the display.