SCROLLABLE MENUS AND TOOLBARS

• US 20100281374A1
• Filed: 04/30/2009
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Schulz, Egan, Langmacher, Tom
• Granted Patent: US 8,601,389 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/723
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041

Abstract

Some embodiments of the invention provide a method that defines several menu items having a particular order. The method provides a display area for displaying a portion of the menu items in the particular order. The method provides a selection window in the display area for indicating that a menu item is presently selectable. The display area is also for receiving input to (i) scroll the menu items through the selection window in the particular order and (ii) select a particular menu item when the particular menu item is displayed in the selection window. In some embodiments, the display area is a linear display area, while in some embodiments it is a semi-circular display area or other shape.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

defining a plurality of menu items having a particular order;

providing a display area for displaying a portion of the menu items in the particular order; and

providing a selection window in the display area for indicating that a menu item is presently selectable,

the display area further for receiving input to (i) scroll the menu items through the selection window in the particular order and (ii) select a particular menu item when the particular menu item is displayed in the selection window.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the display area is a linear display area.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the display area is a semi-circular display area.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the selection window is provided at the top of the semi-circular display area.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein as menu items are scrolled through the selection window, menu items are scrolled into the display area on one side of the display area and out of the display area on an opposite side of the display area.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the menu items are displayed as partially faded when the menu items near the sides of the display area.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the display area is for receiving cursor controller input.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the menu items are video-editing tools, wherein the display area is provided within a video-editing application.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the video-editing tools comprise at least one of a ripple tool, a roll tool, a slide tool, and a slip tool.

10. A computer readable medium storing a computer program for execution by at least one processor, the computer program comprising sets of instructions for:

receiving a set of menu items having a particular order, wherein a particular one of the menu items is designated as an initially-selectable menu item;

displaying a selection window for indicating that a menu item is presently selectable;

displaying the initially-selectable menu item in the selection window;

receiving input to scroll the menu items through the selection window in the particular order; and

receiving input to select a particular menu item when the particular menu item is displayed in the selection window.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 10 further comprising a set of instructions for displaying a subset of the menu items on either side of the selection window.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the subset of menu items on either side of the selection window is only displayed when input is received to scroll the menu items through the selection window.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 10 further comprising sets of instructions for, before receiving input to scroll the menu items, receiving input to open the menu so that a subset of the menu items are displayed on either side of the selection window.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 13 further comprising sets of instructions for, upon receiving input to open the menu, displaying an expansion of the subset of menu items outward from the selection window into a semi-circular shape.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the received input to scroll the menu items through the selection window comprises a click input from a cursor controller on one side of the selection window.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the received input to select a particular menu item comprises a click input from the cursor controller on the selection window while the particular menu item is displayed in the selection window.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the received input to scroll the menu items through the selection window comprises a press and hold of a cursor controller button and a movement of the cursor controller.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the received input to select a particular menu items comprises a release of the cursor controller button while the particular menu item is displayed in the selection window.

19. A computer readable storage medium storing a computer program for execution by at least one processor, the computer program comprising a graphical user interface (GUI), the GUI comprising:

a display area for displaying a subset of menu items of a menu, the menu items having a particular order; and

a selection window in the display area for indicating that a menu item is presently selectable,

the display area further for receiving user input to (i) scroll the menu items through the selection window in the particular order and (ii) select a particular menu item when the particular menu item is displayed in the selection window.

20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the GUI is provided in a media-editing application.

21. The computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the GUI is provided in an operating system of a computer.

22. The computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the GUI is provided in a touchscreen for a hand-held device.