User interface display for set-top box device

• US 20040233239A1
• Filed: 08/21/2003
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Lahdesmaki, Petri
• Granted Patent: US 7,661,075 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/810
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/003 Details of a display terminal, the details relating to the control arrangement of the display terminal and to the interfaces thereto specific for a CRT G09G1/165; for a flat panel G09G3/2092
• 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 21/42209 for displaying non-command information, e.g. electronic program guide [EPG], e-mail, messages or a second television channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4222 Remote control device emulator integrated into a non-television apparatus, e.g. a PDA, media center or smart toy remote control device for a television receiver integrated into a mobile phone H04M1/72415
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4438 Window management, e.g. event handling following interaction with the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72

Abstract

User interface systems and methods are disclosed. The user interfaces include at least one focus pointer that allow a user to quickly access the elements contained in a plurality of folders. A fixed focus pointer selects one of a plurality of elements of a main folder in response to interaction of a user. A moveable focus pointer scrolls through a plurality of elements of the first subfolder to select a second subfolder in response to interaction of a user. The user interface may include additional folders and focus pointers.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating a user interface for display on a display device, the apparatus comprising a processor programmed to generate a user interface comprising the following elements:

a main folder containing a plurality of elements;

at least a first sequential subfolder containing a plurality of elements linked to the main folder, the first sequential subfolder being in the form of a carousel having more elements that can be displayed at one time in a display region;

a fixed focus pointer that selects one of the plurality of elements of the main folder in response to interaction of a user; and

at least one moveable focus pointer that scrolls through the plurality of elements of the at least first sequential subfolder to select one of the plurality of elements in response to interaction of a user.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one element of the carousel creates a buffer for elements that are not presented.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the element has a fixed position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the buffer element is placed in the middle of a rear carousel segment.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the element is visible.6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the element in not visible.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the element indicates the number of elements in the buffer.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the carousel is adjustable

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the diameter of the carousel is adjusted as a function of the number of the plurality of elements of the first sequential subfolder.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the carousel is not fully presented on the display.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein an uppermost portion of the carousel is not present on a display region.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a lowermost portion of the carousel is not present on a display region.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein an uppermost portion and a lowermost portion of the carousel are not present on a display region.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein information of content of elements is visible.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elements in the carousel are selectable.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of elements of the main folder and the at least first subfolder comprise icons.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of elements of the main folder and the at least first subfolder comprise text.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main folder and at least first sequential subfolder are scrollable.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the carousel rotates on its axis.

20. A method for generating a user interface for display on a display device, the method comprising:

generating a main folder containing a plurality of elements;

generating at least a first sequential subfolder containing a plurality of elements linked to the main folder, the first sequential subfolder being in the form of a carousel having more elements that can be displayed at one time in a display region;

generating a fixed focus pointer that selects one of the plurality of elements of the main folder in response to interaction of a user; and

generating at least one moveable focus pointer that scrolls through the plurality of elements of the at least first sequential subfolder to select one of the plurality of elements in response to interaction of a user.