Browser navigation for devices with a limited input system

• US 9,575,638 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2013
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Vale, Peter O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lu, Hua
• Application Number:
  US13/901,080
• Publication Number:
  US 20130263041A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,370 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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. A method for browsing content within a display area of a browsing system, the method comprising:

presenting at least a portion of the content within the display area of the browsing system, wherein the content comprises one or more interactive elements;

receiving a first direction input, wherein the first direction input indicates a first direction;

in response to receiving the first direction input;

selecting a first interactive element of the one or more interactive elements, wherein selecting the first interactive element comprises scrolling the portion of the content within the display area when the first interactive element is partially visible;

indicating the selection of the first interactive element; and

switching the browsing system into an edit mode;

receiving a second direction input, wherein the second direction input indicates a horizontal direction;

in response to receiving the second direction input;

determining if a second interactive element is visible in the horizontal direction;

when the second interactive element is visible in the horizontal direction, determining if the second interactive element lies at a substantially similar vertical level as the first interactive element;

when the second interactive element lies at the substantially similar vertical level, selecting the second visible interactive element; and

when the second interactive element is not visible in the horizontal direction;

switching the browsing system into a navigation mode; and

scrolling display of the content in the horizontal direction.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the switching of the browsing system to an edit mode comprises:

switching the browsing system into the edit mode from a default navigation mode.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the default navigation mode starts upon the presenting at least a portion of the content within the display area of the browsing system.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the presenting at least a portion of the content within the display area of the browsing system comprises:

retrieving the content from a local or remote source; and

displaying the retrieved content.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the receiving of a first direction input comprises:

receiving the first direction input from a direction key.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

if less than all of the content is displayed in the display area and no interactive element is at least partially visible, scrolling display of the content in the first direction.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the selecting of a first interactive element of the one or more interactive elements comprises:

selecting the first interactive element based on the first direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the indicating the selection of the first interactive element comprises highlighting the first interactive element.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the indicating the selection of the first interactive element distinguishes the first interactive element from the second interactive element that has not been selected.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the switching of the browsing system into the edit mode occurs in response to receiving a character input.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving an action input comprises submitting form content.

12. A computer device having computer-executable instructions, that, when executed by at least one processor, perform a method for browsing the content within a display area of a browsing system, the method comprising:

presenting at least a portion of the content within the display area of the browsing system, wherein the content comprises one or more interactive elements;

receiving a first direction input, wherein the first direction input indicates a first direction;

in response to receiving the first direction input;

selecting a first interactive element of the one or more interactive elements, wherein selecting the first interactive element comprises scrolling the portion of the content within the display area when the first interactive element is partially visible;

indicating the selection of the first interactive element; and

switching the browsing system into an edit mode;

receiving a second direction input, wherein the second direction input indicates a horizontal direction;

in response to receiving the second direction input;

determining if a second interactive element is visible in the horizontal direction;

when the second interactive element is visible in the horizontal direction, determining if the second interactive element lies at a substantially similar vertical level as the first interactive element;

when the second interactive element lies at the substantially similar vertical level, selecting the second visible interactive element; and

when the second interactive element is not visible in the horizontal direction;

switching the browsing system into a navigation mode; and

scrolling display of the content in the horizontal direction.

13. The computer device of claim 12 wherein the switching of the browsing system to an edit mode comprises:

switching the browsing system into the edit mode from a default navigation mode.

14. The computer device of claim 13 wherein the default navigation mode starts upon the presenting at least a portion of the content within the display area of the browsing system.

15. The computer device of claim 12 wherein the presenting at least a portion of the content within the display area of the browsing system comprises:

retrieving the content from a local or remote source; and

displaying the retrieved content.

16. The computer device of claim 12 wherein the receiving of a first direction input comprises:

receiving the first direction input from a direction key.

17. The computer device of claim 12 further comprising:

if less than all of the content is displayed in the display area and no interactive element is at least partially visible, scrolling display of the content in the first direction.

18. The computer device of claim 12 wherein the selecting of a first interactive element of the one or more interactive elements comprises:

selecting the first interactive element based on the first direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element.

19. The computer device of claim 12 wherein the indicating the selection of the first interactive element comprises highlighting the first interactive element.

20. The computer device of claim 12 wherein the indicating the selection of the first interactive element distinguishes the first interactive element from the second interactive element that has not been selected.

21. The computer device of claim 12 wherein the switching of the browsing system into the edit mode occurs in response to receiving a character input.