Method and system for navigating a display screen for locating a desired item of information

• US 20060250378A1
• Filed: 07/11/2006
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Palmsource Incorporated (Access Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Palmsource Incorporated (Access Company Limited)
• Inventors: Fabre, Gilles, Parrish, Jeff
• Granted Patent: US 7,492,350 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04805 Virtual magnifying lens, i.e. window or frame movable on top of displayed information to enlarge it for better reading or selection
• 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 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

A method and a system for navigating a display screen to search for a desired item of information stored in an electronic device. The electronic device includes a novel fly over user interface (FOUI) capable of receiving commands from a user to provide a zoom out view of the display screen. A user may commence a navigation session by touching the display screen in a non active area or by clicking on a specifically designated icon to activate the user interface. During the navigation session, the display screen is zoomed-out and a magnifying area may appear on the display screen. The user interface enables the user to scroll the zoomed-out display screen by dragging the magnifying area towards an edge of the display screen to find a desired item of information. The display screen may be a display screen of a digital device (e.g., portable computer, personal computer, a cellular telephone, a digital watch, etc). The user may terminate a navigation session by removing the pointer from the display screen.

Claims

1. A method for implementing a touchscreen user interface for a device, the method comprising:

a) displaying a plurality of items on a touchscreen of a portable electronic device;

b) registering a user input via the touchscreen to enter a magnification display mode;

c) in response to b), providing a magnification area within the touchscreen, the magnification area providing a magnified view of items within the magnification area with respect to items outside the magnification area; and

d) controlling a location of the magnification area with respect to the touchscreen in accordance with a movement command received from a user.