Function-oriented user interface

• US 7,730,425 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2005
• Issued: 06/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Henderson, Paul, Calvery, Brian, Roberton, Nathanael, Elabbady, Tarek, de los Reyes, Isabelo, Turner, Timothy J. E., Joe, Phillip, Chandley, Adrian, Nikitin, Egor, Makoski, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Chow; Dennis-Doon
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kumar; Anil N
• Application Number:
  US11/292,377
• Publication Number:
  US 20070124677A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,644 Days
• Field of Search: 715/835
• US Class Current: 715/835
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

A function-oriented user interface presents users with selections related to what they want to do, rather than selections related to what tool they want to use. Functions may be dragged onto elements (data objects) or elements may be dragged onto functions to initiate activity. The elements themselves may present icons representing functions that are available such as adding a voice note or addressing to another person.

Claims

1. A method of presenting a function-oriented user interface on a display of a computer comprising:

presenting a plurality of icons arranged in an elliptical pattern, each of the plurality of icons representing a functional capability, including at least one of a first icon representing an entertainment function, a second icon representing a document editing function, and a third icon representing an Internet and communication function;

setting a cursor associated with a pointing device outside a boundary formed by the elliptical pattern of icons;

determining that the cursor is outside the boundary formed by the elliptical pattern of icons;

when the cursor is outside the boundary formed by the elliptical pattern of icons, determining a distance and direction of the cursor relative to the centerline of the elliptical pattern of icons;

rotating the elliptical pattern of icons at a constant speed proportional to the distance of the cursor from the centerline and in a direction matching the direction of the cursor relative to the centerline;

moving the cursor inside the boundary formed by the elliptical pattern;

determining the cursor is inside the boundary formed by the elliptical pattern;

stopping the rotating of the elliptical pattern after determining the cursor is inside the boundary formed by the elliptical pattern;

highlighting a front-most icon as a result of stopping the rotating of the elliptical pattern;

accepting a user signal indicating a selection of the highlighted front-most icon; and

activating a default application corresponding to the functional capability associated with the highlighted front-most icon.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein rotating each of the plurality of icons to a front of the elliptical pattern comprises accepting a value corresponding to an angular position of a rotatable cylinder of a cursor control device and maintaining the rotating motion of the plurality of icons at a constant speed and direction proportional to the angular displacement of the rotatable cylinder.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting an object representing data; and

moving one of the plurality of icons onto the object for performing on the object the functional capability associated with the icon.

4. A method of presenting a function-oriented user interface on a display of a computer comprising:

presenting a plurality of icons in an elliptical pattern, including at least one of a first icon representing an entertainment function, a second icon representing a document editing function, and a third icon representing an Internet and communication function;

rotating each of the plurality of icons to a front of the elliptical pattern at a constant speed proportional to a distance of a cursor from a centerline through the elliptical pattern and in a direction matching the direction of the cursor relative to the centerline;

accepting a user signal indicating a selection of one of the plurality of icons;

activating a default application corresponding to the functional capability associated with the selected one of the plurality of icons;

presenting the plurality of icons arranged in an elliptical pattern;

selecting one of the plurality of icons from the elliptical pattern and moving it to a standalone position on the display, whereby the remaining plurality of icons re-form the elliptical pattern; and

wherein rotating each of the plurality of icons to a front of the elliptical pattern comprises;

increasing the size of icons near the front of the elliptical pattern and decreasing the size of icons at the back of the elliptical pattern; and

stopping the rotating of the elliptical pattern when the cursor is inside a boundary formed by the elliptical pattern.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein presenting the plurality of icons comprises presenting the plurality of icons as the only visible elements on the display of the computer.