System for displaying a list on a display screen

• US 5,677,708 A
• Filed: 05/05/1995
• Issued: 10/14/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Rowe, Keith Lindsey, Matthews, Joseph H. III, Kapell, JoGene
• Primary Examiner(s): GARBER, WENDY RAE
• Application Number:
  US08/435,292
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 345/115, 345/116, 345/123, 345/124, 348/906, 348/7, 348/12, 348/13, 455/4.2, 455/158.5, 395/155
• US Class Current: 345/684
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• 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 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

A system for displaying a list of items containing information or alternative choices associated with a subscriber service of an interactive network system. At least one item in the list is displayed in its entirety. The items at the border of the list are only partially displayed to give the user an indication that the list extends beyond the borders of the list. Additional list items can be displayed by scrolling the list by manipulating a directional control on a remote control unit that operates in conjunction with a set-top terminal of the interactive system. An item in the list, or another control object on the display screen, is highlighted in a manner to give the user a visible indication that the list can be scrolled, or shifted, within the display to display new items in the list and remove previously displayed items.

Claims

1. In connection with an interactive network system, a method for displaying a plurality of items in a list on a display screen, comprising the steps of:

displaying a first control object on said display screen;

displaying a list comprising at least three alteratively selectable items in said first control object, wherein at least one item is displayed in its entirety within said first control object, and wherein each item displayed at a border of said first control object is only partially displayed;

scrolling through the list of items based on input from a user of the interactive network system; and

accepting the selection of one of the plurality of items displayed in the list based on input from a user of the interactive network system.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying a focus frame within said first control object, said focus frame operative to supply a visual indication of user control of the list displayed in said fist control object.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said focus frame is positioned on one item displayed in said first control object.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said visual indication includes an altered border surrounding said item.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said visual indication includes displaying said item in a different color than surrounding items.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein said visual indication includes displaying graphics associated with said item.

7. The method of claim 3 wherein said visual indication includes magnification of said item compared to surrounding items.

8. The method of claim 3 wherein said items in said list can be scrolled through said focus frame.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said focus frame includes a visual indication that the items in the list can be scrolled through said focus frame in a specified direction.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said visual indication includes arrow tabs appended to said focus frame.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said focus frame is static and remains in a constant position relative to said first control object.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said focus frame is dynamic and shifts relative to said first control object.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said first control object extends to at least two borders of said display screen.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein said first control object displays items in a two dimensional grid, wherein at least two items displayed at two borders of said first control object are only partially displayed.

15. The method of claim 3 further comprising the steps of:

scrolling items in the list through said focus frame until a desired item is displayed within said focus frame; and

selecting said item within said focus frame to initiate a function associated with said item.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying a second and third control object, each said second and third control object being able to alternatively accept focus for controlling scrolling of items in said list.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said second control object controls scrolling of items in said list in a first direction and said third control object controls scrolling of items in said list in a second direction.

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying a second control object, said second control object being able to accept focus for controlling scrolling of items in said list in each direction.

19. A system, in connection with an interactive network system, for displaying a plurality of items in a list on a television display screen, comprising:

a first control object displayed on said display screen; and

a list, including at least three alternatively selectable items, displayed in said first control object, wherein at least one item is displayed in its entirety within said first control object, and wherein each item displayed at a border of said first control object is only partially displayed;

wherein the items in the list can be scrolled based on input from a user of the interactive network system and wherein one of the plurality of items displayed in the list can be selected based on input from a user of the interactive network system.

20. The system of claim 19 further comprising a focus frame displayed within said first control object, said focus frame operative to supply a visual indication of user control of the list displayed in said first control object.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said focus frame is positioned on one item displayed in said first control object.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein said visual indication includes an altered border surrounding said item.

23. The system of claim 21 wherein said visual indication includes displaying said item in a different color than surrounding items.

24. The system of claim 21 wherein said visual indication includes displaying graphics associated with said item.

25. The system of claim 21 wherein said visual indication includes magnification of said item compared to surrounding items.

26. The system of claim 21 wherein said items in said list can be scrolled through said focus frame.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein said focus frame includes a visual indication that the items in the list can be scrolled through said focus frame in a specified direction.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein said visual indication includes arrow tabs appended to said focus frame.

29. The system of claim 27 wherein said focus frame is static and remains in a constant position relative to said first control object.

30. The system of claim 27 wherein said focus frame is dynamic and shifts relative to said first control object.

31. The system of claim 19 wherein said first control object extends to at least two borders of said display screen.

32. The system of claim 19 wherein said first control object displays items in a two dimensional grid, wherein at least two items displayed at two borders of said first control object are only partially displayed.

33. The system of claim 21 wherein said items in said list can be scrolled through said focus frame and selected by a user of said interactive network system manipulating a remote control unit operatively connected to said interactive network system.

34. The system of claim 19 further comprising a second and third control object displayed on said display screen, each said second and third control object being able to alternatively accept focus for controlling scrolling of items in said list.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein said second control object controls scrolling of items in said list in a first direction and said third control object controls scrolling of items in said list in a second direction.

36. The system of claim 19 further comprising a second control object displayed on said display screen, said second control object being able to accept focus for controlling scrolling of items in said list in each direction.

37. The system of claim 34 wherein focus can be moved between control objects by a user of said interactive network system manipulating a remote control unit operatively connected to said interactive network system.

38. The system of claim 36 wherein focus can be moved between control objects by a user of said interactive network system manipulating a remote control unit operatively connected to said interactive network system.

39. A computer-readable medium on which is stored a program for displaying a plurality of items in a list on a display screen in connection with an interactive network system, the program comprising instructions which, when executed by the computer, perform the steps of:

displaying a first control object on said display screen;

displaying a list comprising at least three alternatively selectable items in said first control object, wherein at least one item is displayed in its entirety within said first control object, and wherein each item displayed at a border of said first control object is only partially displayed;

scrolling through the list of items based on input from a user of the interactive network system; and

accepting the selection of one of the plurality of items displayed in the list based on input from a user of the interactive network system.

40. The medium of claim 39 further comprising displaying a focus frame within said first control object, said focus frame operative to supply a visual indication of user control of the list displayed in said first control object.

41. The medium of claim 40 wherein said visual indication includes an altered border surrounding said item.

42. The medium of claim 40 wherein said focus frame includes a visual indication that the items in the list can be scrolled through said focus frame in a specified direction.

43. The medium of claim 39 wherein said first control object displays items in a two dimensional grid, wherein each item displayed at the borders of said first control object are only partially displayed.

44. The medium of claim 39 further comprising displaying a second and third control object, each said second and third control object being able to alternatively accept focus for controlling scrolling of items in said list.