Graphical user interface for navigating between levels displaying hallway and room metaphors
First Claim
1. A method for navigating within a graphical user interface of a computer system having a central processing unit coupled to a display device, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first navigation level, the first navigation level including a plurality of first level objects having a respective plurality of functions;
displaying on the display device, when the first navigation level is accessed, a first level object using a functional metaphor representing the function of the object;
providing a second navigation level, the second navigation level including a second level object;
displaying on the display device, when the second level is accessed, the second level object using a physical metaphor of a room, the room including physical metaphors for the plurality of first level objects, the room providing a superview for the plurality of first level objects;
accessing a first level object from the second navigation level by actuating the physical metaphor of the first level object;
accessing the second navigation level from the first navigation level by stepping back from the first navigation level;
providing a third navigation level, the third navigation level including a third level object;
displaying on the display device, when the third navigation level is accessed, the third level object using a physical metaphor of a hallway of a building, the physical metaphor of the hallway including a metaphor for an entrance, the entrance representing a room of the second navigation level;
accessing the room of the second navigation level from the third navigation level by actuating the entrance; and
accessing the third navigation level from the second navigation level by stepping back from the second navigation level.
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Abstract
A graphical navigation user interface for enabling user control of a computer system incorporating navigation levels, each of which is based on a physical real-world metaphor. The navigation system includes a first navigation level, a second navigation level and a third navigation level. The first navigation level includes a plurality of first level objects having a respective plurality of functions. When the first navigation level is accessed, a first level object is displayed. The presentation of the first level object is based on the appearance of a corresponding real-world device. From the first level, the second level is accessed by actuating a step back control. The second navigation level includes a second level object which represents a room or a similar architectural structure. This second level object includes a plurality of objects representing first navigation level objects. From the second level room object, navigation to a first level is performed by actuating one of the first level objects. From the second navigation level, the third navigation level is accessed by actuating a step back control. The third navigation level includes a third level object which depicts a hallway or similar commonly understood continuous structure for linearly moving between locations. From the third navigation level, the second navigation level is accessed by touching an object representing the second level. The third level object can be extended lengthwise to provide navigation space for new second level and first level objects.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for navigating within a graphical user interface of a computer system having a central processing unit coupled to a display device, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a first navigation level, the first navigation level including a plurality of first level objects having a respective plurality of functions; displaying on the display device, when the first navigation level is accessed, a first level object using a functional metaphor representing the function of the object; providing a second navigation level, the second navigation level including a second level object; displaying on the display device, when the second level is accessed, the second level object using a physical metaphor of a room, the room including physical metaphors for the plurality of first level objects, the room providing a superview for the plurality of first level objects; accessing a first level object from the second navigation level by actuating the physical metaphor of the first level object; accessing the second navigation level from the first navigation level by stepping back from the first navigation level; providing a third navigation level, the third navigation level including a third level object; displaying on the display device, when the third navigation level is accessed, the third level object using a physical metaphor of a hallway of a building, the physical metaphor of the hallway including a metaphor for an entrance, the entrance representing a room of the second navigation level; accessing the room of the second navigation level from the third navigation level by actuating the entrance; and accessing the third navigation level from the second navigation level by stepping back from the second navigation level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for navigating within a graphical user interface of a computer system having a central processing unit coupled to a display device, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a first navigation level, the first navigation level including a plurality of first level functions; displaying on the display device, when the first navigation level is accessed, a first navigation level scene, the first level navigation scene including a functional metaphor representing one of the plurality of functions; providing a second navigation level; displaying on the display device, when the second level is accessed, the second level navigation scene using a physical metaphor of a room, the room including physical metaphors corresponding to the plurality of first level functions, the room providing a superview for the plurality of first level functions; accessing a first level function from the second navigation level by actuating the corresponding physical metaphor of the first level function; accessing the second navigation level from the first navigation level by stepping back from the first navigation level; providing a third navigation level; displaying on the display device, when the third navigation level is accessed, the third level navigation scene using a physical metaphor of a hallway of a building, the physical metaphor of the hallway including a metaphor for an entrance, the entrance representing a room of the second navigation level; accessing the room of the second navigation level from the third navigation level actuating the entrance; and accessing the third navigation level from the second navigation level by stepping back from the second navigation level. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for navigating within a graphical user interface of a computer system having a central processing unit coupled to a display device, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a first navigation level, the first navigation level including a plurality of first level functions; displaying on the display device, when the first navigation level is accessed, a first navigation level scene, the first level navigation scene including a functional metaphor representing one of the plurality of functions; providing a second navigation level; displaying on the display device, when the second level is accessed, a second level navigation scene using a physical metaphor of a commonly understood volume of space, the volume of space including physical metaphors corresponding to the plurality of first level functions, the volume of space providing a superview for the plurality of first level functions; accessing a first level function from the second navigation level by actuating the corresponding physical metaphor of the first level function; accessing the second navigation level from the first navigation level by stepping back from the first navigation level; providing a third navigation level; displaying on the display device, when the third navigation level is accessed, the third level navigation scene using a physical metaphor of a commonly understood way of traveling between locations, the physical metaphor of the way of traveling between locations including a metaphor for accessing the locations, the metaphor for accessing the locations representing a corresponding volume of space of the second navigation level; accessing the volume of space of the second navigation level from the third navigation level by actuating the metaphor for accessing the locations; and accessing the third navigation level from the second navigation level by stepping back from the second navigation level. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification