Customizing a user interface having a plurality of top-level icons based on a change in context

• US 9,021,371 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2012
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Mock, Wayne E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Kieu
• Assistant Examiner(s): BASOM, BLAINE T
• Application Number:
  US13/451,739
• Publication Number:
  US 20130283185A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 715/811
• US Class Current: 715/753
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/103 Workflow collaboration or project management
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

System and method involving user interfaces and remote control devices. These user interfaces may be particularly useful for providing an intuitive and user friendly interaction between a user and a device or application using a display, e.g., at a “10 foot” interaction level. The user interfaces may be specifically designed for interaction using a simple remote control device having a limited number of inputs. For example, the simple remote control may include directional inputs (e.g., up, down, left, right), a confirmation input (e.g., ok), and possibly a mute input. The user interface may be customized based on current user activity or other contexts (e.g., based on current or previous states), the user logging in (e.g., using a communication device), etc. Additionally, the user interface may allow the user to adjust cameras whose video are not currently displayed, rejoin previously left videoconferences, and/or any of a variety of desirable actions.

Claims

1. A method of customizing a first user interface, comprising:

displaying the first user interface during a videoconference between a first user and one or more remote users, wherein the first user interface comprises a first plurality of icons arranged in a first horizontal row at a first location in the first user interface, wherein the first plurality of icons are associated with the videoconference, wherein the first plurality of icons comprise one or more icons associated with performing actions related to performing the videoconference;

receiving first user input to move an element selection item to a first icon of the first plurality of icons that is selectable to initiate a presentation for the videoconference, wherein after receiving the first user input, the element selection item visually indicates that the first icon is selected;

receiving second user input selecting the first icon;

automatically modifying the first user interface in response to receiving the second user input, wherein the modified first user interface comprises a second plurality of icons arranged in a second horizontal row at the first location in the first user interface, wherein the second plurality of icons are associated with providing the presentation, wherein the second plurality of icons comprise one or more icons associated with performing actions related to providing the presentation for the videoconference, wherein the second plurality of icons are different than the first plurality of icons, wherein two or more of the first plurality of icons are not present in the second plurality of icons, wherein a second icon of the second plurality of icons is selectable to display the two or more of the first plurality of icons;

receiving third user input to move an element selection item to the second icon of the second plurality of icons, wherein after receiving the third user input, the element selection item visually indicates that the second icon is selected;

in response to the third user input, displaying at least the two or more of the first plurality of icons in a third horizontal row at a second location in the first user interface, wherein the second and third horizontal rows are displayed concurrently;

receiving fourth user input to move the element selection icon and select a third icon of the third plurality of icons; and

performing an action associated with the third icon in response to the fourth user input.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of icons comprise a plurality of:

an icon for adding additional users to the videoconference;

an icon for ending the videoconference;

an icon for recording the videoconference;

an icon for initiating the presentation for the videoconference;

an icon for muting the videoconference;

or

an icon for performing camera control for the videoconference.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more icons associated with performing actions related to providing the presentation for the videoconference comprise an icon for ending the presentation, wherein the first plurality of icons do not include the icon for ending the presentation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein there are a greater number of icons in the first plurality of icons than the second plurality of icons.

5. A non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium storing program instructions for customizing a first user interface, wherein the program instructions are executable to:

displaying the first user interface during a videoconference between a first user and one or more remote users, wherein the first user interface comprises a first plurality of icons arranged in a first horizontal row at a first location in the first user interface, wherein the first plurality of icons are associated with the videoconference, wherein the first plurality of icons comprise one or more icons associated with performing actions related to performing the videoconference;

receiving first user input to move an element selection item to a first icon of the first plurality of icons that is selectable to initiate a presentation for the videoconference, wherein after receiving the first user input, the element selection item visually indicates that the first icon is selected;

receiving second user input confirming selection of the first icon;

automatically modifying the first user interface in response to receiving the second user input, wherein the modified first user interface comprises a second plurality of icons arranged in a second horizontal row at the first location in the first user interface, wherein the second plurality of icons are associated with providing the presentation, wherein the second plurality of icons comprise one or more icons associated with performing actions related to providing the presentation for the videoconference, wherein the second plurality of icons are different than the first plurality of icons, wherein two or more of the first plurality of icons are not present in the second plurality of icons, wherein a second icon of the second plurality of icons is selectable to display the two or more of the first plurality of icons;

receiving third user input to move an element selection item to the second icon of the second plurality of icons, wherein after receiving the third user input, the element selection item visually indicates that the second icon is selected;

in response to the third user input, displaying at least the two or more of the first plurality of icons in a third horizontal row at a second location in the first user interface, wherein the second and third horizontal rows are displayed concurrently;

receiving fourth user input to move the element selection icon and to confirm selection of a third icon of the third plurality of icons; and

performing an action associated with the third icon in response to the fourth user input.

6. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 5, wherein the first plurality of icons comprise a plurality of:

an icon for adding additional users to the videoconference;

an icon for ending the videoconference;

an icon for recording the videoconference;

an icon for initiating the presentation for the videoconference;

an icon for muting the videoconference;

or

an icon for performing camera control for the videoconference.

7. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 5, wherein the one or more icons associated with performing actions related to providing the presentation for the videoconference comprise an icon for ending the presentation, wherein the first plurality of icons do not include the icon for ending the presentation.

8. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 5, wherein there are a greater number of icons in the first plurality of icons than the second plurality of icons.

9. A videoconferencing system, comprising:

a videoconferencing unit at a participant location;

at least one display coupled to the videoconferencing unit, wherein the at least one display is configured to provide video corresponding to other participant locations during a videoconference;

at least one audio output coupled to the videoconferencing unit, wherein the at least one audio output is configured to provide audio corresponding to the other participant locations during the videoconference;

at least one video input coupled to the videoconferencing unit, wherein the at least one video input is configured to capture video of the participant location for provision to the other participant locations;

at least one audio input coupled to the videoconferencing unit, wherein the at least one audio input is configured to capture audio of the participant location for provision to the other participant locations;

wherein the videoconference unit is configured to;

display a first user interface on the at least one display during the videoconference, wherein the first user interface comprises a first plurality of icons arranged in a first horizontal row at a first location in the first user interface, wherein the first plurality of icons are associated with the videoconference, wherein the first plurality of icons comprise one or more icons associated with performing actions related to performing the videoconference;

receive first user input to move an element selection item to a first icon of the first plurality of icons that is selectable to initiate a presentation for the videoconference, wherein after receiving the first user input, the element selection item visually indicates that the first icon is selected;

receive second user input selecting the first icon;

automatically modify the first user interface in response to receiving the second user input, wherein the modified first user interface comprises a second plurality of icons arranged in a second horizontal row at the first location in the first user interface, wherein the second plurality of icons are associated with providing the presentation, wherein the second plurality of icons comprise one or more icons associated with performing actions related to providing the presentation for the videoconference, wherein the second plurality of icons are different than the first plurality of icons, wherein two or more of the first plurality of icons are not present in the second plurality of icons, wherein a second icon of the second plurality of icons is selectable to display the two or more of the first plurality of icons;

receive third user input to move an element selection item to the second icon of the second plurality of icons, wherein after receiving the third user input, the element selection item visually indicates that the second icon is selected;

in response to the third user input, display at least the two or more of the first plurality of icons in a third horizontal row at a second location in the first user interface, wherein the second and third horizontal rows are displayed concurrently;

receive fourth user input to move the element selection icon and select a third icon of the third plurality of icons; and

perform an action associated with the third icon in response to the fourth user input.

10. The videoconferencing system of claim 9, wherein the one or more icons associated with performing actions related to providing the presentation for the videoconference comprise an icon for ending the presentation, wherein the first plurality of icons do not include the icon for ending the presentation.