Embedded Navigation Interface

• US 20100162150A1
• Filed: 03/04/2010
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Rohlf, John, Kaplan, Audrey, O'Mullan, Beth Ellyn
• Application Number:
  US12/717,890
• Publication Number:
  US 20100162150A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/764
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04804 Transparency, e.g. transparent or translucent windows
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04806 Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
• 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 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials

Abstract

A navigation interface is embedded in imagery and includes various controls for manipulating the imagery. The controls provide various navigation operations, including but not limited to: rotation, tilt, zoom and 360 degree. In some implementations, one or more controls can be operated to restore the imagery to a predetermined state. Some implementations include a control for providing 360 degree movement of imagery. One or more controls can provide incremental and continuous motion of imagery.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

presenting a user interface on a display device, the user interface including a display area for presenting imagery, the imagery showing a first map view of a geographic area;

providing a navigation control overlaying the imagery;

receiving a user input directed to a pre-determined portion of the navigation control; and

in response to the user input, continuously reorienting the imagery in the display area such that the imagery shows a second, different map view of the geographic area.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the navigation control includes a rotation control and the predetermined portion of the navigation control is a direction indicating portion on the rotation control.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein continuously reorienting the imagery comprises:

continuously rotating the imagery and the direction indicator synchronously in the display area such that the imagery shows the second map view of the geographic area and that the direction indicator indicates the predetermined compass direction associated with the imagery.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the navigation control includes a tilt control and the predetermined portion of the navigation control is a portion of the tilt control.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the tilt control includes a slider and the predetermined portion of the navigation control is an end portion of the slider.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein continuously reorienting the imagery comprises:

continuously tilting the imagery in response to the user input directed to the end portion of the tilt control.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the navigation control includes button controls for moving the imagery up, down, left, and right in the display area, and the predetermined portion of the navigation control is one of the button controls.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

continuously moving the imagery in response to the user input directed to the one of the button controls.

9. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

presenting a user interface on a display device, the user interface including a display area for presenting imagery, the imagery showing a first map view of a geographic area;

providing a direction indicator overlaying the imagery, the direction indicator indicates a predetermined compass direction associated with the imagery;

receiving a user input directed to the direction indicator; and

in response to the user input, reoriented the imagery and the direction indicator synchronously in the display area such that the imagery shows a second map view of the geographic area and that the direction indicator indicates the predetermined compass direction associated with the imagery.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the direction indicator indicates the North direction associated with the imagery.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first map view of the geographic area is a view toward the horizon.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the first map view of the geographic area is a bird'"'"'s eye view.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the display device is coupled to a navigation system and the user interface provides a visual cue around a location of interest on the imagery.

14. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the operations of:

presenting a user interface on a display device, the user interface including a display area for presenting imagery, the imagery showing a first map view of a geographic area;

providing a navigation control overlaying the imagery;

receiving a user input directed to a pre-determined portion of the navigation control; and

in response to the user input, continuously reorienting the imagery in the display area such that the imagery shows a second, different map view of the geographic area.

15. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the operations of:

presenting a user interface on a display device, the user interface including a display area for presenting imagery, the imagery showing a first map view of a geographic area;

providing a direction indicator overlaying the imagery, the direction indicator indicates a predetermined compass direction associated with the imagery;

receiving a user input directed to the direction indicator; and

in response to the user input, reoriented the imagery and the direction indicator synchronously in the display area such that the imagery shows a second map view of the geographic area and that the direction indicator indicates the predetermined compass direction associated with the imagery.

16. A system comprising:

one or more processors;

memory coupled to the one or more processors and operable for storing instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform operations, comprising;

presenting a user interface on a display device, the user interface including a display area for presenting imagery, the imagery showing a first map view of a geographic area;

providing a navigation control overlaying the imagery;

receiving a user input directed to a pre-determined portion of the navigation control; and

in response to the user input, continuously reorienting the imagery in the display area such that the imagery shows a second, different map view of the geographic area.

17. A system comprising:

one or more processors;

memory coupled to the one or more processors and operable for storing instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform operations, comprising;

presenting a user interface on a display device, the user interface including a display area for presenting imagery, the imagery showing a first map view of a geographic area;

providing a direction indicator overlaying the imagery, the direction indicator indicates a predetermined compass direction associated with the imagery;

receiving a user input directed to the direction indicator; and

in response to the user input, reoriented the imagery and the direction indicator synchronously in the display area such that the imagery shows a second map view of the geographic area and that the direction indicator indicates the predetermined compass direction associated with the imagery.