Browser navigation for devices with a limited input system

• US 6,822,664 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2001
• Issued: 11/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Vale, Peter O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Thomas T.
• Application Number:
  US09/861,327
• Publication Number:
  US 20020041291A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: 345/864, 345/856, 345/857, 345/862, 345/863
• US Class Current: 715/864
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications

Abstract

Methods, system, and computer program products for browsing content with a display area and input system that may be limited in comparison to more traditional browsing systems. Movement between and selection of interactive elements generally occurs in a navigation mode, whereas interaction with a single interactive element generally occurs in an edit mode. In navigation mode, a direction input selects the next interactive element in the direction indicated. If no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction indicated or if a selected interactive element is only partially visible, the display scrolls. Switching between navigation mode and edit mode is based on the input received, in view of the input supported, by a particular interactive element. Interactive elements may be limited to the width of available display area.

Claims

1. In either a wireless telephone or personal digital assistant configured for browsing content received from a content source, and having a display area and input system that is limited as compared to pointing devices and displays often found in more traditional browsing systems, and wherein one or more interactive elements within content received from the content source may behave differently in a browsing context than the one or more interactive elements behave in an operating system shell context, a method of browsing content that includes one or more interactive elements, the method comprising acts of:

displaying at least a portion of the content on a display area of a browsing system;

receiving a direction input generated by activating a navigation key;

while the direction input is being received, if less than all of the content is displayed and no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content, automatically scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the direction input;

selecting an interactive element that is at least partially visible, the selection being based on the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content, wherein said interactive element can be only partially visible; and

highlighting the interactive element to indicate that the interactive element is selected.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the interactive element comprises one of a link, single line textbox, a multiple line textbox, a spinner, a radio button, a checkbox, a button, and a picker.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein browsing includes a navigation mode and an edit mode, the navigation mode being characterized by selection of interactive elements and the edit mode being characterized by interaction with a single interactive element.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the interactive element accepts character input, the method further comprising an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving a character input.

5. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the interactive element accepts character input or allows for one or more items to be selected from a group of one or more items, the method further comprising an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving an action input.

6. A method as recited in claim 3, further comprising the acts of:

browsing in edit mode; and

switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving an action input.

7. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the interactive element does not accept a direction input, the method further comprising the acts of:

browsing in edit mode; and

switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving the direction input.

8. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the interactive element is part of form content that does not include a submit element, the method further comprising the acts of:

browsing in edit mode; and

submitting the form content upon receiving an action input.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the interactive element is capable of representing two states, the method further comprising an act of switching from one state to the other upon receiving an action input.

10. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the interactive element comprises a link, the method further comprising an act of following the link upon receiving an action input.

11. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the interactive element exceeds the width of available browsing system display area, the method further comprising an act of adjusting the width of the interactive element to be less than or equal to the width of available browsing system display area.

12. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the interactive element is only partially visible in the browsing system display area, the method further comprising acts of:

adjusting the width of the interactive element to be less than or equal to the width of available browsing system display area if the width of the interactive element exceeds the width of available browsing system display area; and

scrolling the browsing system display area until the interactive element is completely visible.

13. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the selected interactive element is a previously selected interactive element, the method further comprising the acts of:

receiving a subsequent direction input that corresponds to scrolling the browsing system display area, the subsequent direction input being generated by activating a navigation key;

while the subsequent direction input is being received, if less than all of the content is displayed and no other interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the subsequent direction input, scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the subsequent direction input;

selecting a next interactive element that is at least partially visible, the selection being based on the subsequent direction input relative to the previously selected interactive element;

removing highlighting from the previously selected interactive element to indicate that the previously selected interactive element is no longer selected; and

highlighting the next interactive element to indicate that the next interactive element is selected.

14. A method as recited in claim 13 wherein the subsequent direction input is a horizontal direction input, and wherein the next interactive element is selected based on the next interactive element being (i) a closest interactive element in the direction of the horizontal direction input, that is (ii) at substantially the same vertical level as the previously selected interactive element.

15. A method as recited in claim 13 wherein the subsequent direction input is a vertical direction input, and wherein the next interactive element is selected based on the next interactive element being at the next vertical level, from the previously selected interactive element, in the direction of the vertical direction input.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein multiple interactive elements are displayed at the next vertical level, the next interactive element being selected based on the next interactive element being an interactive element that is closest in horizontal direction to the beginning of the previously selected interactive element.

17. In either a wireless telephone or personal digital assistant having a display area and input system, the input system including a direction key and an action key, wherein the input system and display area are limited as compared to a pointing device and larger display area often found in more traditional browsing systems, and wherein one or more interactive elements within content received from a content source may behave differently in a browsing context than the one or more interactive elements behave in an operating system shell context, a method of browsing content that contains one or more interactive elements, wherein the browsing includes an edit mode and a navigation mode, the met hod comprising acts of:

starting in the navigation mode;

displaying at least a portion of the content on the wireless telephone or personal digital assistant display area;

receiving a direction input generated by the direction key of the wireless telephone or personal digital assistant;

while the direction input is being received, if less than all of the content is displayed and no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content, scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the direction input;

selecting an interactive element that is at least partially visible, the selection being based on the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content; and

placing a selection box around the interactive element to indicate that the interactive element is selected.

18. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the interactive element comprises one of a link, single line textbox, a multiple line textbox, a spinner, a radio button, a checkbox, a button, and a picker.

19. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the interactive element accepts character input, the method further comprising an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving a character input.

20. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the interactive element accepts character input or allows for one or more items to be selected from a group of one or more items, the method further comprising an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving an action input.

21. A method as recited in claim 17, the method further comprising the acts of:

browsing with the wireless telephone or personal digital assistant in edit mode; and

switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving an action input.

22. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the interactive element does not accept a direction input, the method further comprising the acts of:

browsing with the wireless telephone or personal digital assistant in edit mode; and

switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving the direction input.

23. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the interactive element is part of form content that does not include a submit element, the method further comprising the acts of:

browsing with the wireless telephone or personal digital assistant in edit mode; and

submitting the form content upon receiving an action input.

24. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the interactive element is capable of representing two states, the method further comprising an act of switching from one state to the other upon receiving an action input while in navigation mode.

25. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the interactive element comprises a link, the method further comprising an act of following the link upon receiving an action input.

26. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the interactive element exceeds the width of available wireless telephone or personal digital assistant display area, the method further comprising an act of adjusting the width of the interactive element to be less than or equal to the width of available wireless telephone or personal digital assistant display area.

27. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the interactive element is only partially visible in the wireless telephone or personal digital assistant display area, the method further comprising acts of:

adjusting the width of the interactive element to be less than or equal to the width of available wireless telephone or personal digital assistant display area if the width of the interactive element exceeds the width of available wireless telephone or personal digital assistant display area; and

scrolling the wireless telephone or personal digital assistant display area until the interactive element is completely visible.

28. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the selected interactive element is a previously selected interactive element, the method further comprising the acts of:

receiving a subsequent direction input that corresponds to scrolling the wireless telephone or personal digital assistant display area, the subsequent direction input being generated by activating a navigation key;

while the subsequent direction input is being received, if less than all of the content is displayed and no other interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the subsequent direction input, scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the subsequent direction input;

selecting a next interactive element that is at least partially visible, the selection being based on the subsequent direction input relative to the previously selected interactive element;

removing highlighting from the previously selected interactive element to indicate that the previously selected interactive element is no longer selected; and

highlighting the next interactive element to indicate that the next interactive element is selected.

29. A method as recited in claim 28 wherein the subsequent direction input is a horizontal direction input, and wherein the next interactive element is selected based on the next interactive element being (i) a closest interactive element in the direction of the horizontal direction input, that is (ii) at substantially the same vertical level as the previously selected interactive element.

30. A method as recited in claim 28 wherein the subsequent direction input is a vertical direction input, and wherein the next interactive element is selected based on the next interactive element being at the next vertical level, from the previously selected interactive element, in the direction of the vertical direction input.

31. A method as recited in claim 30 wherein multiple interactive elements are displayed at the next vertical level, the next interactive element being selected based on the next interactive element being an interactive element that is closest in horizontal direction to the beginning of the previously selected interactive element.

32. In either a wireless telephone or personal digital assistant configured for browsing content received from a content source, and having a display area and input system that is limited as compared to pointing devices and displays often found in more traditional browsing systems, and wherein one or more interactive elements within content received from the content source may behave differently in a browsing context than the one or more interactive elements behave in an operating system shell context, a method of browsing content that includes one or more interactive elements, wherein the browsing includes an edit mode and a navigation mode, the method comprising steps for:

presenting at least a portion of the content on a display area of a browsing system;

receiving a direction input generated by activating a navigation key;

upon receiving a direction input, determining an interactive element has been selected based on the direction input, wherein the interactive element is only partially visible;

visually indicating that the interactive element is selected; and

automatically scrolling the browsing system upon determining that the interactive element has been selected and that the interactive element is only partially visible in the browsing system display area, wherein the browsing system display area is automatically scrolled until the interactive element is completely visible.

33. A method as recited in claim 32, wherein the interactive element comprises one of a link, single line textbox, a multiple line textbox, a spinner, a radio button, a checkbox, a button, and a picker.

34. A method as recited in claim 32, further comprising a step for changing the mode of the browsing system.

35. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein the interactive element accepts character input, and wherein the step for changing the mode of the browsing system comprises an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving a character input.

36. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein the interactive element accepts character input or allows for one or more items to be selected from a group of one or more items, and wherein the step for changing the mode of the browsing system comprises an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving an action input.

37. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein the step for changing the mode of browsing comprises the acts of:

browsing in edit mode; and

switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving an action input.

38. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein the interactive element does not accept a direction input, and wherein the step for changing the mode of browsing comprises the acts of:

browsing in edit mode; and

switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving the direction input.

39. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein the interactive element is part of form content that does not include a submit element, and wherein the step for changing the mode of browsing comprises an acts of:

browsing in edit mode; and

submitting the form content upon receiving an action input.

40. A method as recited in claim 32, wherein the interactive element is capable of representing two states, the method further comprising an act of switching from one state to the other upon receiving an action input while in navigation mode.

41. A method as recited in claim 32, wherein the interactive element comprises a link, the method further comprising an act of following the link upon receiving an action input.

42. A method as recited in claim 32, wherein the interactive element exceeds the width of available browsing system display area, the method further comprising a step for controlling the width of the interactive element.

43. A method as recited in claim 42, wherein the step for controlling the width of the interactive element comprises the acts of:

adjusting the width of the interactive element to be less than or equal to the width of available browsing system display area if the width of the interactive element exceeds the width of available browsing system display area.

44. A method as recited in claim 32, wherein the step for determining an interactive element for selection based on a direction input comprises acts of:

receiving a direction input that corresponds to scrolling the browsing system display area, the direction input being generated by activating a navigation key;

while the direction input is being received, if less than all of the content is displayed and no interactive element is at least partially visible, scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the direction input; and

selecting an interactive element that is at least partially visible, the selection being based on the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, of no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content.

45. A method as recited in claim 44, wherein the selected interactive element is a previously selected interactive element, and wherein the step for determining an interactive element for selection based on a direction input further comprises acts of:

receiving a subsequent direction input that corresponds to scrolling the browsing system display area, the subsequent direction input being generated by activating a navigation key;

while the subsequent direction input is being received, if less than all of the content is displayed and no other interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the subsequent direction input, scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the subsequent direction input;

selecting a next interactive element that is at least partially visible, the selection being based on the subsequent direction input relative to the previously selected interactive element.

46. A meted as recited in claim 45 wherein the step for indicating that the interactive element is selected comprises acts of:

removing highlighting from the previously selected interactive element to indicate that the previously selected interactive element is no longer selected; and

highlighting the next interactive element to indicate that the next interactive element is selected.

47. A method as recited in claim 45 wherein the subsequent direction input is a horizontal direction input, and wherein the next interactive element is selected based on the next interactive element being (i) a closest interactive element in the direction of the horizontal direction input, that is (ii) at substantially the same vertical level as the previously selected interactive element.

48. A method as recited in claim 45 wherein the subsequent direction input is a vertical direction input, and wherein the next interactive element is selected based on the next interactive element being at the next vertical level, from the previously selected interactive element, in the direction of the vertical direction input.

49. A method as recited in claim 48 wherein multiple interactive elements are displayed at the next vertical level, the next interactive element being selected based on the next interactive element being an interactive element that is closest in horizontal direction to the beginning of the previously selected interactive element.

50. In either a wireless telephone or personal digital assistant configured for browsing content received from a content source, and having a display area and input system that is limited as compared to pointing devices and displays often found in more traditional browsing systems, and wherein one or more interactive elements within content received from the content source may behave differently in a browsing context than the one or more interactive elements behave in an operating system shell context, a computer program product for implementing a method of browsing content that includes one or more interactive elements, the computer program product comprising:

a computer readable medium for carrying machine-executable instructions for implementing the method; and

wherein said method is comprised of machine-executable instructions performing acts of;

displaying at least a portion of the content on a display area of a browsing system;

receiving a direction input generated by activating a navigation key;

while the direction input is being received, if less than all of the content is displayed and no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content, automatically scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the direction input;

selecting an interactive element that is at least partially visible, the selection being based on the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content, wherein said interactive element can be only partially visible; and

highlighting the interactive element to indicate that the interactive element is selected.

51. A computer program product as recited in claim 50, wherein the interactive element comprises one of a link, single line textbox, a multiple line textbox, a spinners a radio button, a checkbox, a button, and a picker.

52. A computer program product as recited in claim 50, wherein browsing includes a navigation mode and an edit mode, the navigation mode being characterized by selection of interactive elements and the edit mode being characterized by interaction with a single interactive element.

53. A computer program product as recited in claim 52, wherein the interactive element accepts character input, the method further comprising an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving a character input.

54. A computer program product as recited in claim 52, wherein the interactive element accepts character input or allows for one or more items to be selected from a group of one or more items, the method further comprising an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving an action input.

55. A computer program product as recited in claim 52, the method further comprising the acts of:

browsing in edit mode; and

switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving an action input.

56. A computer program product as recited in claim 52, wherein the interactive element does not accept a direction input, the method further comprising the acts of:

browsing in edit mode; and

switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving the direction input.

57. A computer program product as recited in claim 52, wherein the interactive element is part of form content that does not include a submit element, the method further comprising the acts of:

browsing in edit mode; and

submitting the form content upon receiving an action input.

58. A computer program product as recited in claim 50, wherein the interactive element is capable of representing two stares, the method further comprising an act of switching from one state to the other upon receiving an action input.

59. A computer program product as recited in claim 50, wherein the interactive element comprises a link, the method further comprising an act of following the link upon receiving an action input.

60. A computer program product as recited in claim 50, wherein the interactive element exceeds the width of available browsing system display area, the method further comprising tin act of adjusting the width of the interactive element to be less than or equal to the width of available browsing system display area.

61. A computer program product as recited in claim 50, wherein the interactive element is only partially visible in the browsing system display area, the method further comprising acts of:

adjusting the width of the interactive element to be less than or equal to the width of available browsing system display area if the width of the interactive element exceeds the width of available browsing system display area; and

scrolling the browsing system display area until the interactive element is completely visible.

62. A computer program product as recited in claim 50, wherein the selected interactive element is a previously selected interactive element, the method further comprising the acts of:

receiving a subsequent direction input that corresponds to scrolling the browsing system display area, the subsequent direction input being generated by activating a navigation key;

while the subsequent direction input is being received, if less than all of the content is displayed and no other interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the subsequent direction input, scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the subsequent direction input;

being selecting a next interactive element that is at least partially visible, the selection being based on the subsequent direction input relative to the previously selected interactive element;

removing highlighting from the previously selected interactive element to indicate that the previously selected interactive element is no longer selected; and

highlighting the next interactive element to indicate that the next interactive element is selected.

63. A computer program product as recited in claim 62 wherein the subsequent direction input is a horizontal direction input and wherein the next interactive element is selected based on the next interactive element being (i) a closest interactive element in the direction of the horizontal direction input, that is (ii) at substantially the same vertical level as the previously selected interactive element.

64. A computer program product as recited in claim 62 wherein the subsequent direction input is a vertical direction input, and wherein the next interactive element is selected based on the next interactive element being at the next vertical level, from the previously selected interactive element in the direction of the vertical direction input.

65. A computer program product as recited in claim 62 wherein multiple interactive elements are displayed at the next vertical level, the next interactive element being selected based on the next interactive element being an interactive element that is closest in horizontal direction to the beginning of the previously selected interactive element.