Browser navigation for devices with a limited input system

• US 8,479,114 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2008
• Issued: 07/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Vale, Peter O.
• Primary Examiner(s): ALVESTEFFER, STEPHEN D
• Application Number:
  US12/144,001
• Publication Number:
  US 20080256481A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,835 Days
• Field of Search: 715/780, 715/784, 715/810, 715/864
• US Class Current: 715/784
• 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, a method of browsing content that includes one or more interactive elements, the method comprising:

first presenting less than all of the content within a display area of a browsing system, wherein none of the one or more interactive elements are visible within the display area of the browser system;

receiving a first directional input;

in response to receiving the first directional input;

selecting an interactive element that is not at least partially visible within the display area of the browser system;

scrolling the content within the display area of the browsing system corresponding to the first directional input and relative to the content first presented within the display area of the browsing system;

determining that the selected interactive element is partially visible within the display area of the browser system; and

upon switching the browser system into an edit mode, automatically scrolling the content of the display area of the browsing system until the selected interactive element becomes completely visible.

2. The 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. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the interactive element accepts character input, and wherein the step of switching the browser system into the edit mode comprises switching from a navigation mode to the edit mode upon receiving a character input.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, 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 of switching the browser system into the edit mode comprises switching from a navigation mode to the edit mode upon receiving an action input.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of switching the browser system into the edit mode comprises the act of:

switching to the edit mode upon receiving an action input.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the interactive element does not accept a direction input, and wherein the step of switching the browser system into the edit mode comprises the act of:

switching to the edit mode upon receiving a second directional input.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the interactive element is part of form content that does not include a submit element, and wherein the step of switching the browser system into the edit mode comprises the act of:

submitting the form content upon receiving an action input.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, further including a step for visually indicating that the interactive element is selected.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the step for indicating that the interactive element is selected includes highlighting the interactive element.

10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the step for indicating that the interactive element is selected includes removing highlighting from a previously selected interactive element.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a second directional input; and

in response to receiving the second directional input, scrolling the content within the display area of the browsing system corresponding to the second directional input and relative to the content first presented within the display area of the browsing system.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first directional input comprises a horizontal directional input or a vertical directional input.

13. In either a wireless telephone or personal digital assistant configured for browsing content received from a content source, a computer storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method of browsing content that includes one or more interactive elements, the method comprising the steps of:

first presenting less than all of the content within a display area of a browsing system, wherein none of the one or more interactive elements are visible within the display area of the browser system;

receiving a first directional input;

in response to receiving the first directional input;

selecting an interactive element that is not at least partially visible within the display area of the browser system;

scrolling the content within the display area of the browsing system corresponding to the first directional input and relative to the content first presented within the display area of the browsing system;

determining that the selected interactive element is partially visible within the display area of the browser system; and

upon switching the browser system into an edit mode, automatically scrolling the content of the display area of the browsing system until the selected interactive element becomes completely visible.

14. The computer storage medium as recited in claim 13, 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.

15. The computer storage medium as recited in claim 13, wherein the interactive element accepts character input, and wherein the step of switching the browser system into the edit mode comprises switching from a navigation mode to the edit mode upon receiving a character input.

16. The computer storage medium as recited in claim 13, 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 of switching the browser system into the edit mode comprises switching from a navigation mode to the edit mode upon receiving an action input.

17. The computer storage medium as recited in claim 13, wherein the step of switching the browser system into the edit mode comprises the act of:

switching to the edit mode upon receiving an action input.

18. The computer storage medium as recited in claim 13, wherein the interactive element does not accept a direction input, and wherein the step of switching the browser system into the edit mode comprises the act of:

switching to the edit mode upon receiving a second directional input.

19. The computer storage medium as recited in claim 13, wherein the interactive element is part of form content that does not include a submit element, and wherein the step of switching the browser system into the edit mode comprises the act of:

submitting the form content upon receiving an action input.

20. The computer storage medium as recited in claim 13, further including a step for visually indicating that the interactive element is selected.

21. The computer storage medium as recited in claim 20, wherein the step for indicating that the interactive element is selected includes highlighting the interactive element.

22. The computer storage medium as recited in claim 20, wherein the step for indicating that the interactive element is selected includes removing highlighting from a previously selected interactive element.

23. The computer storage medium as recited in claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a second directional input; and

in response to receiving the second directional input, scrolling the content within the display area of the browsing system corresponding to the second directional input and relative to the content first presented within the display area of the browsing system.

24. The computer storage medium as recited in claim 13, wherein the first directional input comprises a horizontal directional input or a vertical directional input.