User interface
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A graphic user interface is provided on a mobile telephone (10) having a screen (12) and control buttons (14) which move and select choices. The screen (12) comprises a viewing area (18), for viewing icons (16), a context area (20) and a selection area (22). A first icon (16), in the viewing area (18), has associated choices (24) displayed. Movement of a choice (24) into the selection area (22) causes the selected item (30) to become the selected second icon (30) in the wiewing area (18), the choices (24B) of the second icon (30) are displayed, and the first icon (16) moves up the context area (20), showing precedence over the second icon (30). Selection (22) of a choice (24B) from the second icon causes a third icon (36) to be in the viewing area (18), the first icon (16) to move further up the context area (20), the second icon (30) to join the first icon (16) in the context area, and further choices (24C) to be displayed for the third icon (36). The sequence of operations continues for further icons. A choice icon can comprise graphic or pictographic images. Movement can be forwards of back, and can include jumping onto an earlier icon in the context area (20).
50 Citations
44 Claims
-
1-20. -20. (canceled)
-
21. An interface for electronic equipment including a screen, said interface comprising:
-
a viewing area on said screen for display of the range of choices offered by a current icon;
a context area on said screen for display of past icons wherefrom the current icon is derived; and
a selection area for selection of a choice from said current icon;
where the current icon is moveable into said context area upon selection of a choice therefrom;
where past icons are moveable within said context area, upon selection of a choice from said current icon to preserve the order thereof and to introduce said current icon as the most recent past icon; and
where the selected choice from said current icon is viewable as a new current icon. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. A method for operating an interface for electronic equipment including a screen, said method including the steps of:
-
employing a first portion of said screen as a viewing area for display of the range of choices offered by a current icon;
employing a second portion of said screen as a context area for display of past icons wherefrom the current icon is derived; and
employing a third portion of said screen as a selection area for selection of a choice from said current icon;
moving the current icon into said context area upon selection of a choice therefrom;
moving past icons within said context area, upon selection of a choice from said current icon to preserve the order thereof and to introduce said current icon as the most recent past icon; and
viewing the selected choice as a new current icon. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
-
-
41. An interface for electronic equipment including a screen, said interface comprising:
-
a viewing area on said screen for display of the range of choices offered by a current icon;
the viewing area being represented as a three-dimensional field;
a context area on said screen for display of past icons wherefrom the current icon is derived, the context area being represented as a three-dimensional field; and
a selection area for selection of a choice from said current icon;
where the current icon is moveable into said context area upon selection of a choice therefrom;
where past icons are moveable within said context area, upon selection of a choice from said current icon to preserve the order thereof and to introduce said current icon as the most recent past icon;
where the selected choice from said current icon is viewable as a new current icon, and where each icon includes a graphic indicative of its nature. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43)
-
-
44. An interface for electronic equipment including a screen, said interface comprising:
-
a viewing area on said screen for display of the range of choices offered by a current icon;
the viewing area being represented as a three-dimensional field;
a context area on said screen for display of past icons wherefrom the current icon is derived, the context area being represented as a three-dimensional field; and
a selection area for selection of a choice from said current icon;
where the current icon is moveable into said context area upon selection of a choice therefrom;
where past icons are moveable within said context area, upon selection of a choice from said current icon to preserve the order thereof and to introduce said current icon as the most recent past icon;
where the selected choice from said current icon is viewable as a new current icon, and where each icon includes a graphic indicative of its nature, the interface being is arranged to be operative to allow a new application to be introduced at any stage of selection and be removed from any stage of selection whereat it has been installed.
-
Specification