Thumbwheel selection system

• US 6,480,188 B1
• Filed: 09/06/2000
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Digital On-Demand Incorporated (Super D Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Digital On-Demand Incorporated (Super D Incorporated)
• Inventors: Horsley, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Saras, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bell, Paul A.
• Application Number:
  US09/655,569
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/174, 345/176, 345/178, 345/184, 345/738, 345/739, 345/830, 345/784, 345/785, 345/786, 345/787, 345/788, 345/789, 345/156, 345/157, 345/200, 345/163, 345/169, 705/26, 705/27, D14/900, D14/901, D14/902, 341/35
• US Class Current: 345/184
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04802 3D-info-object: information is displayed on the internal or external surface of a three dimensional manipulable object, e.g. on the faces of a cube that can be rotated by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/163 for film projection apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/305 for record players

Abstract

A system and method for use in retail stores for selecting, previewing, and purchasing music or other products is provided. The graphical information system provides a user with the ability to locate products through an interface that combines the use of mechanical wheels with a touch screen whereby rotation of the mechanical wheels, or thumbwheels, appears on screen to rotate a series of mechanical type drums. The system provides a user with the functionality and entertainment value of a kiosk coupled with a powerful method of selecting products from a large catalog using thumbwheels in conjunction with a hierarchical graphical user interface tailored for the specific retail environment.

Claims

1. A system for use in a retail store for selecting, previewing, and purchasing products, the system comprising a graphical interface that includes:

a touch screen; and

a plurality of mechanical selection wheels,

wherein the mechanical selection wheels provide for selection from among a predetermined hierarchical grouping of products using the graphical interface and resembling at least one rotating drum, and

wherein each of the mechanical selection wheels provides for selection from different portions of the touch screen, respectively.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein use of the touch screen enables a user to select items and navigate screens.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of mechanical selection wheels is a plurality of thumbwheels.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of thumbwheels are used to represent categories corresponding to one or more of genres, first letters of names, names, and titles.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein multiple thumbwheels are used hierarchically to enhance speed in selection of items from expansive catalogs.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of thumbwheels are digital and have no stops.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of thumbwheels are formed with indents that provide tactile feedback to a user.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein motion of a mechanical selection wheel causes a corresponding portion of the touch screen to scroll upwards or downwards in accordance with the motion.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a volume control, wherein the volume control varies from 1.0 to 10.0.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein a barcode scanner is incorporated to provide a user with instant selection of a scanned item, so that the user may preview that item and quickly locate similar items.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the different portions of the touch screen are selection windows displaying a selection category and at least one subcategory.

12. The system of claim 1, whereby an arrangement of data on the touch screen is analogous to an arrangement of physical goods found in one or more of a retail store and a paper catalog.

13. A method for selecting, previewing, and purchasing items, the method comprising the steps of:

providing thumbwheels in conjunction with a graphical interface to hierarchically select from a series of items, wherein the thumbwheels operate to visually appear to turn a series of items resembling mechanical rotatable drums; and

providing a touch screen to enable a user to select one or more items and to navigate a multitude of screen portions,

wherein each of the thumbwheels provides for selection from different screen portions of the touch screen, respectively.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein motion of a thumbwheel causes a corresponding screen portion of the touch screen to scroll upwards or downwards in accordance with the motion.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the screen portions of the touch screen correspond to selection windows displaying a selection category and at least one subcategory.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the thumbwheels are used to represent categories corresponding to one or more of genres, first letters of names, names, and titles.