User Interface Navigation

• US 20070200821A1
• Filed: 02/28/2006
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Conradt, Jonathan, Darnell, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,506,275 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• 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

Abstract

User interface navigation is described. In an embodiment, an indicator displayed on a user interface rotates in place to indicate selectable directions of travel. When an input is received to stop the indicator from rotating, the indicator moves in a direction of travel. When another input is received, the indicator stops moving in the direction of travel, and again rotates in place to indicate other selectable directions of travel. An input can also be received to initiate selecting a user-selectable control on the user interface when the indicator is positioned over the user-selectable control, over a portion of the user-selectable control, or proximate the user-selectable control.

Claims

1. A user interface navigation system, comprising:

an indicator displayed on a user interface;

a first button corresponding to the indicator displayed on the user interface, the first button associated with a movement mode of the indicator such that when the first button is selected, the indicator moves in a direction of travel, and such that when the first button is selected again, the indicator rotates in place to indicate selectable directions of travel; and

a second button corresponding to the indicator displayed on the user interface, the second button associated with a selection mode of the indicator such that when the second button is selected, a user-selectable control displayed on the user interface and proximate the indicator is selected.

2. A user interface navigation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the second button is configured to be held in place when selected in conjunction with the first button being selected to initiate the indicator moving in the direction of travel such that a selected item displayed on the user interface moves with the indicator in the direction of travel.

3. A user interface navigation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the indicator is configured to increase a rate of rotation past a selectable direction of travel when the indicator will not encounter the user-selectable control if initiated to move in the selectable direction of travel.

4. A user interface navigation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the indicator is configured to skip past a selectable direction of travel when the indicator will not encounter the user-selectable control if initiated to move in the selectable direction of travel.

5. A user interface navigation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the user-selectable control displayed on the user interface is selected when the indicator is positioned over the user-selectable control and the second button is selected.

6. A user interface navigation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the user-selectable control displayed on the user interface is selected when the indicator is positioned over a portion of the user-selectable control and the second button is selected.

7. A user interface navigation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the user-selectable control displayed on the user interface is selected when the indicator is positioned closer to the user-selectable control than to an additional user-selectable control displayed on the user interface, and when the second button is selected.

8. A user interface navigation system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a television-based remote control device that includes the first button and the second button to navigate the user interface when displayed on a display device of a television-based system.

9. A method, comprising:

rotating an indicator displayed on a user interface, the indicator being rotated in place to indicate selectable directions of travel when a first input is received; and

moving the indicator in a direction of travel when a second input is received to stop the indicator from rotating.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising selecting a user-selectable control displayed on the user interface when a third input is received and when the indicator is proximate the user-selectable control.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

receiving the first input from a first user-selectable device to start the indicator rotating in place;

receiving the second input from the first user-selectable device to start the indicator moving in the direction of travel; and

receiving the third input from a second user-selectable device to select the user-selectable control displayed on the user interface.

12. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

receiving the first input from a user-selectable device to start the indicator rotating in place;

receiving the second input from the user-selectable device to start the indicator moving in the direction of travel; and

receiving the third input from the user-selectable device to select the user-selectable control displayed on the user interface.

13. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the user-selectable control displayed on the user interface is selected when the indicator is positioned over the user-selectable control and the third input is received.

14. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the user-selectable control displayed on the user interface is selected when the indicator is positioned over a portion of the user-selectable control and the third input is received.

15. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the user-selectable control displayed on the user interface is selected when the indicator is positioned closer to the user-selectable control than to an additional user-selectable control displayed on the user interface, and when the third input is received.

16. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

selecting an item displayed on the user interface when a third input is received and when the indicator is proximate the item; and

dragging the item when selecting the item in conjunction with moving the indicator in the direction of travel when the second input is received.

17. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising increasing a rate of rotation of the indicator past a selectable direction of travel when the indicator will not encounter a user-selectable control displayed on the user interface if the indicator moves in the selectable direction of travel.

18. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising skipping past a selectable direction of travel when the indicator will not encounter a user-selectable control displayed on the user interface if the indicator moves in the selectable direction of travel.

19. User interface navigation comprising an indicator that rotates to indicate selectable directions of travel, and that moves in a direction of travel when selected.

20. User interface navigation as recited in claim 19, wherein the indicator selects a user interface control when the indicator is proximate the user interface control.