AUTO SCANNING INPUT METHOD AND APPARATUS
First Claim
1. For a device that has a user interface that comprises a plurality of elements, a method comprising:
- successively identifying as selectable a different group of elements from a plurality of overlapping groups of elements, wherein each identified group includes more than one element and includes at least one element in common with at least one other group;
receiving a selection of a particular group of elements while the particular group is identified as selectable;
successively identifying as selectable different elements within the selected group; and
upon receiving the selection of a particular element within the selected group, performing an action associated with the particular element.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Some embodiments provide a novel auto-scanning method for navigating elements within a user interface (UI) of a computing device. This method associates the UI elements into several overlapping groups, with each group having more than one element and having at least one element in common with at least one other group. The method successively identifies a different group of elements as a selectable group for a different duration of time. While a group is selectable, a user can select the group through an input device or mechanism. If a user does not select a first group of elements that is selectable during a first time period, the method identifies a second group of elements as being selectable during a second time period. While identifying the second group as selectable during the second time period, the method identifies the first as not being selectable during this time period. When a user selects a group of elements while the group is identified as being selectable, the method successively identifies as selectable different elements within the selected group. Upon receiving selection of a particular element within the selected group, the method performs an action associated with the particular element.
13 Citations
22 Claims
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1. For a device that has a user interface that comprises a plurality of elements, a method comprising:
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successively identifying as selectable a different group of elements from a plurality of overlapping groups of elements, wherein each identified group includes more than one element and includes at least one element in common with at least one other group; receiving a selection of a particular group of elements while the particular group is identified as selectable; successively identifying as selectable different elements within the selected group; and upon receiving the selection of a particular element within the selected group, performing an action associated with the particular element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A non-transitory machine readable medium for storing a program comprising sets of instructions for:
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successively identifying as selectable a different group of elements from a plurality of overlapping groups of elements, wherein each identified group includes more than one element and includes at least one element in common with at least one other group; receiving a selection of a particular group of elements while the particular group is identified as selectable; successively identifying as selectable different elements within the selected group; and upon receiving the selection of a particular element within the selected group, performing an action associated with the particular element. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification