SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STREAMLINING USER INTERACTION WITH ELECTRONIC CONTENT

• US 20090303676A1
• Filed: 04/01/2009
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LiTL LLC (TRI Ventures, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: LiTL LLC (TRI Ventures, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ray, Logan, Haney, Bart, Schmidt, Christian Marc, Strausfeld, Lisa, Behar, Yves, Edahiro, Naoya, Hibmacronan, Christopher, Bambacus, Chris, Chuang, John, Beaulieu, Serge, Morenstein, Joshua, Havoc Pennington, Robert Sanford, Tang, Aaron, Hayes, Jenea Boshart, Kuo, Daniel, Guyot, Noah Bruce, Day, Matthew David, Fischer, Donald Francis, Fore, David Livingstone
• Granted Patent: US 9,003,315 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.270
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/162 changing, e.g. reversing, the face orientation of the screen with a two degrees of freedom mechanism, e.g. for folding into tablet PC like position or orienting towards the direction opposite to the user to show to a second user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1677 for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9577 Optimising the visualization of content, e.g. distillation of HTML documents
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46

Abstract

Various aspects and embodiments are directed to a graphical user interface that organizes interface elements into views of computer content for presentation to a user. Different views of are used to provide an interface that is responsive to configurations of the device and responsive to activity being performed by the user. Aspects include permitting the user to transition the device from one configuration to another during its use, for example from easel to laptop modes. Further the elements that comprise the graphical user interface are configured to present a summarized view of available actions and content, in order to simplify user interaction. The different views present different organizations of the interface elements and in some example display only certain ones of the modes of content in order to reduce the number of options a user must navigate to accomplish an objective. According to another aspect, methods and systems for streamlining user interaction with computer content are provided. In some embodiments, streamlining includes pre-configuring a user device based on received information. Other embodiments include presenting consistent visual representations used to navigated to views that present computer content.

Claims

1. A customized user interface for a computer system with a plurality selectable I/O profiles configured to present computer operations to a user in a format configured to a selected I/O profile, the user interface comprising:

a map based graphical user interface displayed on the computer system, the map based user interface comprising;

a plurality of views of a plurality of visual representations of computer content, wherein the computer content includes at least one of selectable digital content, selectable computer operations and passive digital content; and

the plurality of visual representations of computer content rendered on the computer display, wherein the plurality of visual representations of computer content include an association to a first view of the plurality of views, the first view including the computer content, and wherein the each of the plurality of visual representations is responsive to focus and execution, wherein execution includes clicking on the visual representation; and

an execution component comprising at least one computer hardware element configured to transition the computer system display between the plurality of views, wherein the execution component further comprises a view selector component configured to select one of the plurality of views for display on a computer system in response to a computer system configuration.

2. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the execution component is further configured to transition between the plurality of views in response to execution of at least one of a computer system operation, a visual representation, a computer system configuration, and a change in computer system configuration.

3. The user interface of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of modes of content for the computer content rendered on the computer display, wherein the plurality of modes of content comprise at least one of a web content mode, a channel content mode, a media content mode, an application content mode, a communication content mode, and a passive content mode.

4. The user interface of claim 3, wherein the plurality of views are configured to organize modes of content into different views.

5. The user interface of claim 3, wherein the web content mode is configured to display web based content for proximal viewing by a user, wherein the channel content mode is configured to display web based content for non-proximal viewing by a user, wherein the media content mode is configured to display media based content for non-proximal viewing by a user mode, wherein the application content mode is configured to display computer applications for use by a user, wherein the communication content mode is configured to display computer configuration operations for viewing by a user, and wherein the passive content mode is configured to display web based content for non-proximal viewing without user interaction.

6. The user interface of claim 3, wherein in the plurality of views includes a home view configured to organize a plurality of content modes and a channel view configured to organize at least one of a single content mode two content modes.

7. The user interface of claim 3, wherein the plurality of views includes a screen saver view configured to organize selected content modes for passive viewing.

8. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the plurality of views includes a home view organizing a plurality of visual representations of digital content, wherein the home view is displayed responsive to a computer system configuration, wherein the home view comprises a header display and a body display, and wherein the header display comprises a lateral frame extending from the left of the computer display screen to the right of the computer display screen, wherein the body display is rendered below the header display in the display screen of the computer system.

9. The user interface of claim 8, wherein the computer system configuration comprises a physical positioning of a computer system display relative to a base of the computer system about a longitudinal axis of rotation.

10. The user interface of claim 8, further comprising a search tool displayed in the header display, wherein the search tool is configured to accept search terms entered by a user and in response to execution, causes the computer system to navigate to a view of a first visual representation of digital content, wherein the digital content includes a search engine, and the search engine presents results for the search terms.

11. The user interface of claim 1, further comprising a storage component configured to retain a previous view state.

12. The user interface of claim 11, wherein the execution component is further configured to cause the computer system to transition to a previous view in response to execution of a navigation element by a user.

13. The user interface of claim 11, further comprising the navigation element displayed in the header display.

14. The user interface of claim 8, wherein the body display comprises an organization of the plurality of visual representations of computer content rendered on the computer display, and the home view further comprises display pages in response to a display threshold establishing a maximal number of visual representations displayed per display page.

15. The user interface of claim 14, wherein the home view further comprises an indication of visual representations displayed on adjacent display pages of the home view, wherein the indication is displayed within the body of the home view.

16. The user interface of claim 8, further comprising a nascent card displayed in the body of the home view, wherein the nascent card is configured to permit generation of additional visual representations of digital content.

17. The user interface of claim 16, wherein the execution component is further configured to execute a process for creating a visual representation in response to execution of the nascent card, wherein the process for creating a visual representation includes acts of:

transitioning to a quick access view;

generating a mapping to online digital content;

executing the mapping; and

displaying a first view of the mapped digital content.

18. The user interface of claim 1, further comprising a quick access view, wherein the quick access view is configured to permit user generation of a mapping between digital content and a visual representation.

19. The user interface of claim 3, wherein the plurality of views includes a channel view, and the view selector component is further responsive to an integrated scroll wheel on the computer system.

20. The user interface of claim 19, wherein the view selector component is further configured to transition the computer system to the channel view in response to 20 manipulation of the integrated scroll wheel.

21. The user interface of claim 19, wherein the channel view further comprises a channel selector comprising a display of a sequence of visual representations presenting a channel content mode.

22. The user interface of claim 19, wherein the display of the sequence of visual representations is responsive to manipulation of the integrated scroll wheel, and manipulation of the integrated scroll wheel causes the computer system to render a next visual representation in the display of the sequence of visual representations.

23. The user interface of claim 1, further comprising a storage component configured to retain a current computer system configuration state and a current view state.

24. The user interface of claim 23, wherein the execution component is further configured to transition the computer system display between the plurality of views, responsive to at least one of the current computer system configuration state and the current view state.

25. The user interface of claim 24, wherein the execution component is configured to transition to a channel view in response to manipulation of an integrated scroll wheel, when the computer system is in a laptop and an easel configuration.

26. The user interface of claim 24, wherein the execution component is further configured to transition from the first view and a home view to a channel view in response to a change in computer system configuration state from laptop to easel.

27. A method for presenting a customized user interface for a computer system with a plurality selectable I/O profiles to a user, the method comprising:

displaying a map based graphical user interface on the computer system, the act of displaying the map based user interface includes acts of;

displaying a plurality of views of a plurality of visual representations of computer content, wherein the computer content includes at least one of selectable digital content, selectable computer operations and passive digital content; and

displaying the plurality of visual representations of computer content rendered on the computer display, wherein the plurality of visual representations of computer content include an association to a first view of the plurality of views, the first view including the computer content, and wherein the each of the plurality of visual representations is responsive to focus and execution, wherein execution includes clicking on the visual representation; and

executing, by a computer processor, a transition in the computer system display between the plurality of views, wherein the act of executing includes an act of selecting one of the plurality of views for display on a computer system in response to a computer system configuration.

28. A system for presenting a customized user interface for a system with a plurality selectable I/O profiles, the system comprising:

a first user interface component configured to display a plurality of views of a plurality of visual representations of computer content, wherein the computer content includes at least one of selectable digital content, selectable computer operations and passive digital content;

a second user interface component configured to display the plurality of visual representations of computer content on the computer display, wherein the plurality of visual representations of computer content include an association to a first view of the plurality of views, the first view including the computer content, and wherein the each of the plurality of visual representations is responsive to focus and execution, wherein execution includes clicking on the visual representation; and

an execution component configured to execute a transition in the computer system display between the plurality of views, wherein the execution component further comprises a view selector component act configured to select one of the plurality of views for display on a computer system in response to a computer system configuration.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the system further comprises a portable computer configurable between a plurality of display modes including a closed mode, a laptop mode and an easel mode, wherein the portable computer comprises:

a display component including a display screen;

a base;

a hinge assembly at least partially housed within the base and configured to pivotably couple the display component to the base;

wherein the display component is rotatable about a longitudinal axis running along an interface between the display component and the base;

wherein, in the closed mode, the display screen is disposed substantially against the base;

wherein rotating the display component about the longitudinal axis up to approximately 180 degrees from the closed mode configures the portable computer into the laptop mode; and

wherein rotating the display component about the longitudinal axis beyond approximately 180 degrees from the closed mode configures the portable computer into the easel mode.

30. The portable computer of claim 29, wherein the single axis is a longitudinal axis running along an interface between the display component and the base;

and wherein the display component is rotatable about the longitudinal axis.

31. The portable computer of claim 30, further comprising a display orientation module configured to control an orientation of the content displayed on the display screen;

wherein the orientation of the content displayed on the display screen is configurable among a plurality of orientations relative to the longitudinal axis.

32. The portable computer of claim 31, wherein the plurality of orientations comprises a first orientation relative to the longitudinal axis and a second orientation relative to the longitudinal axis;

and

wherein when display orientation module is configured to automatically display the content in the first orientation when the portable computer is configured into the laptop mode and in the second orientation when the portable computer is configured into the easel mode.

33. The portable computer of claim 31, wherein the plurality of display modes further comprises a flat mode in which the display component is disposed at an angle of approximately 180 degrees, measured about the longitudinal axis, relative to the base.

34. The portable computer of claim 33, wherein the plurality of orientations comprises a first orientation relative to the longitudinal axis, a second orientation relative to the longitudinal axis, and a third orientation relative to the longitudinal axis;

and

wherein, in the flat mode, the orientation of the content displayed on the display screen is configurable among the first, second and third orientations responsive to a user input.

35. The portable computer of claim 34, wherein the second orientation is 90 degrees relative to the first orientation;

and

wherein the third orientation is 180 degrees relative to the first orientation.

36. The portable computer of claim 31, further comprising a mode sensor configured to detect a degree of rotation of the display component relative to the base and to provide information representative of the degree of rotation;

and

wherein the display orientation module is configured to automatically adjust the orientation of the content displayed on the display screen responsive to the information from the mode sensor.

37. The portable computer of claim 36, wherein the display orientation module is configured to:

automatically display the content in a first orientation relative to the longitudinal axis responsive to the information indicating that the degree of rotation of the display component is less than approximately 180 degrees relative to the base; and

automatically display the content in a second orientation relative to the longitudinal axis responsive to the information indicating that the degree of rotation of the display component is greater than approximately 180 degrees relative to the base;

wherein the second orientation is at approximately 180 degrees relative to the first orientation.

38. The portable computer of claim 31, further comprising a mode sensor configured to detect a current display mode of the portable computer;

and

wherein the display orientation module selects the orientation of the content displayed on the display screen from one of the plurality of orientations relative to the longitudinal axis responsive to the current display mode detected by the mode sensor.

39. The portable computer of claim 30, wherein plurality of display modes further comprises a closed mode;

and

wherein, in the closed mode, the display screen is disposed substantially against the base.

40. The portable computer of claim 39, wherein rotating the display component about the longitudinal axis up to approximately 180 degrees from the closed mode configures the portable computer into the laptop mode;

and

wherein rotating the display component about the longitudinal axis beyond approximately 180 degrees from the closed mode configures the portable computer into the easel mode.

41. The portable computer of claim 40, wherein the display component is rotatable about the longitudinal axis up to approximately 320 degrees from the closed mode.

42. The portable computer of claim 30, wherein the longitudinal axis comprises multiple parallel axes;

and

wherein the hinge assembly is configured to permit rotation of the display component about any of the multiple parallel axes to configure the portable computer between the plurality of display modes.

43. The portable computer of claim 30, further comprising a scroll wheel disposed at least partially within the base and rotatable about the longitudinal axis, the scroll wheel configured to permit a user to control at least one of operating parameters of the portable computer and the content displayed on the display screen.

44. The portable computer of claim 43, further comprising a first navigation button disposed on one of the base and the display component and configured to permit the user to manipulate selected content displayed on the display screen.

45. The portable computer of claim 44, wherein the display screen is configured to display at least one of a plurality of modes of content;

and

wherein the navigation button is configured to permit the user to select for display one of the plurality of modes of content.

46. The portable computer of claim 44, wherein the first navigation button is user-accessible in each of the laptop mode and the easel mode.

47. The portable computer of claim 44, further comprising a second navigation button;

wherein the first navigation button is disposed on a major surface of the base; and

wherein the second navigation button is disposed on a minor surface of the base.

48. The portable computer of claim 43, wherein the scroll wheel is configured to permit the user to select a mode of content for display on the display screen.

49. The portable computer of claim 43, wherein the scroll wheel is configured to permit the user to control a volume of sound played by the portable computer.

50. The portable computer of claim 43, further comprising a hinge assembly at least partially housed within the base and configured to rotatably couple the display component to the base.

51. The portable computer of claim 50, wherein the scroll wheel is disposed at least partially within the hinge assembly.

52. The portable computer of claim 29, further comprising:

a foot disposed along at least a portion of the base and configured to support the portable computer when in the easel mode.