VISUAL INDICATION OF GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE RELATIONSHIP

• US 20130198690A1
• Filed: 02/01/2012
• Published: 08/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Barsoum, Emad N., Wahlin, Chad W.
• Application Number:
  US13/363,689
• Publication Number:
  US 20130198690A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/822
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

Techniques for providing a visual indication of graphical user interface (GUI) relationship are described. In implementations, a layered GUI structure is provided that enables a user to navigate through multiple different GUIs while maintaining their navigation context within the overall GUI structure. Embodiments include techniques for gesture-based navigation of GUIs. Further to such embodiments, a specific gesture can cause navigation to a particular GUI. For example, with reference to menu GUIs, a specific gesture can cause navigation through multiple menu GUIs (e.g., sub-menu GUIs) to a particular menu GUI.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

receiving a selection of a selectable option from a first graphical user interface (GUI); and

causing, in response to the selection, a second GUI to be presented with a visual indication of a navigational order relationship between the second GUI and the first GUI.

2. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the selection is received in response to a touchless gesture detected by one or more cameras.

3. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the visual indication comprises overlaying at least a portion of the second GUI over a portion of the first GUI associated with the selectable option.

4. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the visual indication comprises at least one of reducing a size of the first GUI or visually blurring at least a portion of the first GUI.

5. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the visual indication comprises at least one connection indicia connecting the first GUI to the second GUI.

6. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the visual indication comprises an indication of a hierarchical relationship between the first GUI and the second GUI.

7. A method as described in claim 1, wherein said causing comprises causing the second GUI to be presented with a variable visual layout that is based at least in part on a size of a display screen on which the second GUI is to be displayed.

8. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the selectable option comprises a placeholder indicating that one or more additional selectable options are available for the first GUI, and wherein the second GUI includes the one or more additional selectable options.

9. One or more computer storage media storing computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions comprising at least one module configured to, when executed:

receive an indication of a navigation among multiple graphical user interfaces (GUIs) in response to detection of at least one of a gesture or a pose; and

present the multiple GUIs with at least one visual indication of a navigational order relationship between the multiple GUIs.

10. One or more computer storage media as described in claim 9, wherein the pose comprises positions of multiple portions of a human body.

11. One or more computer storage media as described in claim 9, wherein the detection comprises detection of a combination of the gesture and the pose.

12. One or more computer storage media as described in claim 9, wherein at least one of the gesture or the pose is pre-specified to cause the navigation among the multiple GUIs.

13. One or more computer storage media as described in claim 9, wherein at least one of the gesture or the pose is pre-specified to automatically launch an application associated with at least one of the multiple GUIs.

14. One or more computer storage media as described in claim 9, wherein the visual indication comprises resizing at least one of the GUIs based on its position in the navigational order relationship.

15. One or more computer storage media as described in claim 9, wherein the at least one module is further configured to, when executed, automatically invoke a functionality associated with one of the multiple GUIs in response to the detection.

16. One or more computer storage media as described in claim 9, wherein the at least one module is further configured to, when executed, cause at least one of the GUIs to be removed from display in response to detection of a different gesture away from the at least one of the GUIs.

17. A computer-implemented method comprising:

detecting a continuous gesture; and

causing navigation through multiple hierarchically-related graphical user interfaces (GUIs) in response to the continuous gesture.

18. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 17, wherein the continuous gesture comprises a gesture detected as a continuous motion without pausing or stopping during the gesture.

19. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 17, wherein said causing comprises causing the GUIs to be presented with at least one visual indication of a navigation order for the GUIs.

20. A computer-implemented method as described in claim 17, wherein the continuous gesture comprises a user-specified custom gesture.