User interface for operating a computer from a distance

• US 8,370,744 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2002
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Parker, Kathryn L., Flora, William T. Jr., Fong, Jeffrey C., Gibson, Mark R., MacKenzie, Mark D., Rhoten, Molly Scoville, Trower, Tandy W., Weinberg, Mark Jeffrey, Williams, Christopher Daniel, Benson, Rodger William
• Primary Examiner(s): Pillai, Namitha
• Application Number:
  US10/174,619
• Publication Number:
  US 20030234804A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,884 Days
• Field of Search: 715/810, 715/718, 715/730, 715/740, 715/274, 345/169, 348/14.05, 348/150, 725/37
• US Class Current: 715/718
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4117 for generating hard copies of the content, e.g. printer, electronic paper interfaces to printers G06F3/12; printing data G06K15/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4221 Dedicated function buttons, e.g. for the control of an EPG, subtitles, aspect ratio, picture-in-picture or teletext
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47217 for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4825 using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration

Abstract

A new user interface, a distance user interface, in a computer system for operating a computer from a television-viewing distance is provided. A centralized display is provided enabling a user to access streaming video and sound as well as music files, video files, and picture files from a single screen. Collaborative sharing of media content is provided by enabling a computer'"'"'s operations and feedback to be collectively observed from a distance.

Claims

1. A user interface embodied on one or more memory storage devices and executable on a computer, the user interface for operating a computer from a television-viewing distance, comprising:

a main menu display in a first layer including a first plurality of selectable links that are disposed within said first layer, each selectable link having a functional identifier discernable by a user from a television-viewing distance, said integrated main menu display being integrated within the user interface and allowing for the operation of said computer, wherein the user interface is viewable on a display device coupled to the computer, wherein the television-viewing distance measured in feet is half a viewable screen area of said display device measured in inches, and wherein the viewable screen area is a diagonal measure of the image displayed on the display device;

a selectable-link marker indicating which of the first plurality of selectable links has the focus;

a screen-area inset that persistently presents a selected media content while navigating from a first screen to a second screen in said user interface, said screen-area inset being disposed within said layer, wherein the selected media content that is presented on the first screen continues to be presented on the second screen;

a secondary menu display that presents a second plurality of selectable links incident to a selection of one of said first plurality of selectable links,

wherein said secondary menu display

(A) renders unviewable said main menu display, including said first plurality of selectable links, and

(B) presents media options accessible by said second plurality of selectable links, which are topically related to said selected one of said first plurality of selectable links, and

wherein said second plurality of selectable links each has a functional identifier discernable by a user from the television-viewing distance.

2. The user interface of claim 1, wherein at least two of the first plurality of selectable links are media-related links.

3. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said selected one of said first plurality of selectable links includes a television-viewing link and wherein said media options of said second plurality of selectable links include a television-viewing area for watching programming from a content provider.

4. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said second plurality of selectable links includes a programming-guide link for presenting a listing of available content from the content provider.

5. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of selectable links includes a search link, whereby following the search link allows the user to initiate a search of available content.

6. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the selected one of the first plurality of selectable links includes at least one audio link and wherein the media options of the second plurality of selectable links include:

an audio-selection link pointing to a recording of music previously stored on the computer; and

a visual indication discernable from the television-viewing distance indicating what recording is currently being played.

7. The user interface of claim 6, wherein the media options include a music-search link pointing to a music search engine operable to initiate a search of music previously stored on the computer.

8. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the selected one of the first plurality of selectable links is an image link and wherein the media options of the second plurality of selectable links include a pictures-selection link pointing to pictures previously stored on the computer that are accessible by the computer.

9. The user interface of claim 8, wherein the media options of the second plurality of selectable links include a slide-show selection link pointing to a slide-show, wherein the slide-show is an automatic display of a group of pictures previously stored on the computer that are accessible by the computer.

10. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the selected one of the first plurality of selectable links includes a videos-link and wherein the media options of the second plurality of selectable links include a videos-selection link pointing to videos previously stored on the computer.

11. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the selected one of the first plurality of selectable links includes a settings link and wherein the media options of the second plurality of selectable links include a settings-selection pointing to a plurality of manipulatable settings options.

12. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the common media experience includes at least one of:

a television program, a musical recording, or a picture.

13. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the common media experience includes a video recording previously stored on the computer that is played back from a storage location of said computer.

14. The user interface of claim 1, wherein said first screen is a home screen.

15. A computer-implemented method for utilizing a distance user interface having a first layer to operate a computer at a distance, the computer coupled to a display for processing user commands, comprising:

providing for the presentation of a first plurality of selectable links that can be utilized to operate said computer from a television-viewing distance, said integrated selectable links being integrated within said first layer, and wherein the television-viewing distance measured in feet is approximately half of a diagonal measure of the image displayed on the display device measured in inches;

providing for the presentation of an indication that at least one of the plurality of selectable links has a focus;

responding to a command received from a remote-control device that indicates a selection of at least one of said first plurality of selectable links;

presenting a screen-area inset in said first layer that persistently presents a common media experience while navigating from a first screen to a second screen in said distance user interface;

a secondary menu display that presents a second plurality of selectable links incident to a selection of one of said first plurality of selectable links,

wherein said secondary menu display

(A) renders unviewable said main menu display, including said first plurality of selectable links, and

(B) presents media options accessible by said second plurality of selectable links, which are topically related to said selected one of said first plurality of selectable links,

wherein said second plurality of selectable links each has a functional identifier discernable by a user from the television-viewing distance, and

wherein at least one of said first or second plurality of selectable links is a search link, a music-find link, or a slide-show manipulation link.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein at least two of the first plurality of selectable links are media-related links.

17. The method of claim 15:

wherein said selected one of said first plurality of selectable links includes a television-viewing link; and

wherein said media options of said second plurality of selectable links include a television-viewing area for watching programming from a content provider.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said second plurality of selectable links includes a guide link for presenting a listing of available content from the content provider.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the selected one of the first plurality of selectable links includes at least one audio link and wherein the media options of the second plurality of selectable links include:

an audio-selection link pointing to a recording of music previously stored on the computer; and

a visual indication discernable from the television-viewing distance indicating what recording is currently being played.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the media options include a music-search link pointing to a music search engine operable to initiate a search of music previously stored on the computer.

21. The method of claim 15:

wherein the selected one of the first plurality of selectable links is an image link; and

wherein the media options of the second plurality of selectable links include a pictures-selection link pointing to pictures previously stored on the computer that are accessible by the computer.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the media options of the second plurality of selectable links include a slide-show selection link pointing to a slide-show display of a group of pictures previously stored on the computer that are accessible by the computer.

23. The method of claim 15:

wherein the selected one of the first plurality of selectable links includes a videos-link; and

wherein the media options of the second plurality of selectable links include a videos-selection link pointing to videos previously stored on the computer.

24. The method of claim 15:

wherein the selected one of the first plurality of selectable links includes a settings link; and

wherein the media options of the second plurality of selectable links include a settings link pointing to a plurality of manipulatable settings options.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the common media experience includes at least one of:

a television program, a musical recording, or a picture.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein the common media experience includes a video recording previously stored on the computer that is played back from a storage location of said computer.

27. A computer programmed to perform the steps recited in the method of claim 15.

28. One or more memory storage devices having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that are executable on a computer for presenting a distance user interface layer on a display device, the interface for facilitating the operation of a computer system from a television-viewing distance, comprising:

code for presenting a first plurality of selectable links in said links that are integrated into said graphical user interface and that are discernable from a television-viewing distance, wherein the television-viewing distance expressed in feet is one-half of the display size expressed in inches, and wherein the viewable screen area is a diagonal measure of the image displayed on the display device;

code for presenting an indication in said layer that at least one of said plurality of selectable links has a focus;

code for presenting a screen-area inset in said layer that persistently presents a common media experience while navigating from a first screen to a second screen in said distance user interface; and

wherein at least one of said first or second plurality of selectable links is a search link, a music-find link, or a slide-show manipulation link.

29. The one or more memory storage devices of claim 28, wherein at least two of the first plurality of selectable links are media-related links.

30. The one or more memory storage devices of claim 28, further comprising:

code for presenting a secondary menu display having a second plurality of selectable links accessed by following a selected one of said first plurality of selectable links,

wherein said second plurality of selectable links present media options topically related to said selected one of said first plurality of selectable links, and

wherein said second plurality of selectable links each has a functional identifier discernable by a user from the television-viewing distance.

31. The one or more memory storage devices of claim 30, wherein said second plurality of selectable links includes a recorded-content link for presenting a listing of available content from the content provider.

32. The one or more memory storage devices of claim 31, wherein the recorded content includes content communicated to the computer.

33. The one or more memory storage devices of claim 30, wherein the media options of the second plurality of selectable links include slide-show selection link pointing to a slide-show display of a group of pictures previously stored on the computer that are accessible by the computer.

34. The one or more memory storage devices of claim 30:

wherein the selected one of the first plurality of selectable links includes a videos-link; and

wherein the media options of the second plurality of selectable links include a videos-selection link pointing to videos previously stored on the computer.

35. The one or more memory storage devices of claim 28:

wherein said selected one of said first plurality of selectable links is a television viewing link, and

wherein said media options of said second plurality of selectable links include a television-viewing area for watching programming from a content provider.

36. The one or more memory storage devices of claim 28, wherein the selected one of the first plurality of selectable links includes at least one audio link and wherein the media options of the second plurality of selectable links include:

an audio-selection link pointing to a recording of music previously stored on the computer; and

a visual indication discernable from the television-viewing distance indicating what recording is currently being played.

37. The one or more memory storage devices of claim 28, wherein the media options include a music-search link pointing to a music search engine operable to initiate a search of music previously stored on the computer.

38. The one or more memory storage devices of claim 28:

wherein the selected one of the first plurality of selectable links is an image link; and

wherein the media options of the second plurality of selectable links include a pictures-selection link pointing to pictures previously stored on the computer that are accessible by the computer.

39. The one or more memory storage devices of claim 28:

wherein the selected one of the first plurality of selectable links includes a settings link; and

wherein the media options of the second plurality of selectable links include a settings link pointing to a plurality of manipulatable settings options.

40. The one or more memory storage devices of claim 28, wherein the common media experience includes at least one of:

a television program, a musical recording, or a picture.

41. The one or more memory storage devices of claim 28, wherein the common media experience includes a video recording previously stored on the computer that is played back from a storage location of said computer system.