Apparatus and method for providing graphic user interface

• US 20100185988A1
• Filed: 11/17/2009
• Published: 07/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Hwang, Jun-ho, Park, Jung-bum, Kang, Kyu-seok, Kim, Sun-young
• Granted Patent: US 9,307,177 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/841
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/488 Data services, e.g. news ticker systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8126 involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing a graphic user interface which is used in a display device operated by a remote controller are provided. A graphic user interface screen includes a main information display area for displaying main information in the form in which a plurality of main elements are recursively disposed and a sub-information display area for displaying sub-information including supplementary information according to information provided on the main information display area. At least one sub-element included in a main element is operated by a direction selection signal which indicates a direction perpendicular to a disposition direction of the main elements.

Claims

1. A graphic user interface providing apparatus, comprising:

a screen configuring unit which configures a screen to include a main information display area for displaying main information in the form in which a plurality of main elements are recursively disposed and a sub-information display area for displaying sub-information including supplementary information according to information provided on the main information display area; and

a controller which controls the screen configuring unit according to a user input signal,

wherein when a main element selection signal for selecting one of the plurality of main elements is received, the controller controls the screen configuring unit to provide at least one sub-element on an area for representing the selected main element, and the sub-element is operated by a direction selection signal which indicates a direction perpendicular to a disposition direction of the main elements.

2. The graphic user interface providing apparatus of claim 1, wherein when a direction selection signal which indicates a direction identical to a disposition direction of the main elements included in the main information display area is input, the controller controls the screen configuring unit to recursively move the main elements in a direction indicated by the direction selection signal.

3. The graphic user interface providing apparatus of claim 2, wherein when the direction selection signal lasts for a predetermined time period, the controller controls the screen configuring unit to accelerate movement of the main elements.

4. The graphic user interface providing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the supplementary information includes at least one of user guide information according to the main information and notice information, and the sub-information display area is divided into two or more areas.

5. The graphic user interface providing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main information display area includes a sub-area for providing information which represents a setting state of the main element or information which enables fast execution of the main element, and the sub-area is selected by the direction selection signal which indicates the direction perpendicular to the disposition direction of the main elements.

6. The graphic user interface providing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the screen configuring unit displays information which represents a state of the sub-element on a straight line, and the controller controls the screen configuring unit to indicate information corresponding to a sub-element selected by a direction selection signal of a direction identical to a straight line direction on the straight line.

7. The graphic user interface providing apparatus of claim 1, wherein information which represents a state of the sub-element is a setting value used for execution of the sub-element.

8. The graphic user interface providing apparatus of claim 1, wherein when a plurality of sub-elements are present, the screen configuring unit configures a screen to display category information for categorizing the sub-elements on a straight line, and the controller controls the screen configuring unit to move the sub-elements according to a direction selection signal of a direction identical to a straight line direction on the screen and to indicate the category information of a sub-element which is currently being focused on the straight line.

9. The graphic user interface providing apparatus of claim 1, wherein when a plurality of sub-elements are included in a main element selected from among the plurality of main elements according to a user input signal, if the plurality of main elements are disposed in a vertical direction, the plurality of sub-elements are disposed in a horizontal direction, and if the plurality of main elements are disposed in a horizontal direction, the plurality of sub-elements are disposed in a vertical direction.

10. The graphic user interface providing apparatus of claim 1, wherein when at least one sub-element is provided on the main element display area selected by a user input signal, an expression of at least one main element neighboring the selected main element is continuously maintained on the screen for a user to recognize a position of the main element.

11. The graphic user interface providing apparatus of claim 1, wherein when a main element selection signal for selecting one of the plurality of main elements is received, the controller controls the screen configuring unit to expand an area which represents the selected main element and provide at least one sub-element on the expanded area.

12. A method of providing a graphic user interface, comprising:

providing a screen to include a main information display area for displaying main information in the form in which a plurality of main elements are recursively disposed and a sub-information display area for displaying sub-information including supplementary information according to information provided on the main information display area;

receiving a main element selection signal for selecting one of the plurality of main elements; and

providing at least one sub-element on an area which represents the selected main element,

wherein the sub-element is operated by a direction selection signal which indicates a direction perpendicular to a disposition direction of the main elements.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein when a direction selection signal which indicates a direction identical to a disposition direction of the main elements included in the main information display area is input, the main elements are recursively moved in a direction indicated by the direction selection signal.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein when the direction selection signal lasts for a predetermined time period, movement of the main elements is accelerated.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the supplementary information includes at least one of user guide information according to the main information and notice information, and the sub-information display area is divided into two or more areas.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the main information display area includes a sub-area for providing information which represents a setting state of the main element or information which enables fast execution of the main element, and the sub-area is selected by the direction selection signal which indicates the direction perpendicular to the disposition direction of the main elements.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein information which represents a state of the sub-element is displayed on a straight line, and information corresponding to a sub-element is selected by a direction selection signal of a direction identical to a straight line direction, and the selected information is indicated on the straight line.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein information which represents a state of the sub-element is a setting value used for execution of the sub-element.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein when a plurality of sub-elements are present, category information for categorizing the sub-elements is displayed on a straight line, and the method further comprises moving the sub-elements according to a direction selection signal of a direction identical to the straight line direction on the screen, wherein the category information of a sub-element which is currently being focused on is indicated on the straight line.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein when at least one sub-element is provided on the main element display area selected by a user input signal, an expression of at least one main element neighboring the selected main element is continuously maintained on the screen for a user to recognize a position of the main element.