Browser navigation for devices with a limited input system

• US 20050022140A1
• Filed: 08/20/2004
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Peter O. Vale
• Inventors: Vale, Peter O.
• Granted Patent: US 7,454,718 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/864
• 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:

receiving a direction input;

while the direction input is being received, if a portion of content is displayed and no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to a beginning of the displayed portion of the content, automatically scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the direction input; and

selecting an interactive element, the selection being based on the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content, wherein the interactive element is only partially visible when it is selected.

2. A 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. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein browsing includes a navigation mode and an edit mode, the navigation mode being characterized by selection of interactive elements and the edit mode being characterized by interaction with a single interactive element.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the interactive element accepts character input, the method further comprising an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving a character input.

5. A method as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

browsing in edit mode; and

switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving the direction input.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the interactive element is capable of representing two states, the method further comprising an act of switching from one state to the other upon receiving an action input.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the interactive element comprises a link, the method further comprising an act of following the link upon receiving an action input.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the interactive element exceeds the width of available browsing system display area, the method further comprising an act of adjusting the width of the interactive element to be less than or equal to the width of available browsing system display area.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the interactive element is only partially visible in the browsing system display area, the method further comprising at least one of:

adjusting the width of the interactive element to be less than or equal to the width of available browsing system display area if the width of the interactive element exceeds the width of available browsing system display area;

or

scrolling the browsing system display area until the interactive element is completely visible.

10. A method as recited in claim 1, further including:

highlighting the interactive element to indicate that the interactive element is selected.

11. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein prior to receiving the direction input, the method includes displaying only a portion of the content.

12. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the selected interactive element is a previously selected interactive element, the method further comprising:

receiving a subsequent direction input that corresponds to scrolling the browsing system display area, the subsequent direction input being generated by activating a navigation key;

while the subsequent direction input is being received, if no other interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the subsequent direction input, scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the subsequent direction input;

selecting a next interactive element, the selection being based on the subsequent direction input relative to the previously selected interactive element;

removing highlighting from the previously selected interactive element to indicate the previously selected interactive element is no longer selected; and

highlighting the next interactive element to indicate that the next interactive element is selected.

13. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the subsequent direction input is a horizontal direction input, and wherein the next interactive element is selected based on the next interactive element being (i) a closest interactive element in the direction of the horizontal direction input, that is (ii) at substantially the same vertical level as the previously selected interactive element.

14. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the subsequent direction input is a vertical direction input, and wherein the next interactive element is selected based on the next interactive element being at the next vertical level, from the previously selected interactive element, in the direction of the vertical direction input.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein multiple interactive elements are displayed at the next vertical level, the next interactive element being selected based on the next interactive element being an interactive element that is closest in horizontal direction to the beginning of the previously selected interactive element.

16. A computer program product for use in either a wireless telephone or personal digital assistant configured for browsing content received from a content source, the computer program product comprising one or more computer readable media having computer-executable instructions for implementing a method of browsing content that includes one or more interactive elements, the method comprising:

receiving a direction input;

while the direction input is being received, if a portion of content is displayed and no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to a beginning of the displayed portion of the content, automatically scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the direction input; and

selecting an interactive element, the selection being based on the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content, wherein the interactive element is only partially visible when it is selected.

17. A computer program product as recited in claim 16, wherein the method further includes highlighting the interactive element to indicate that the interactive element is selected.

18. A computer program product as recited in claim 16, wherein prior to receiving the direction input, the method includes displaying only a portion of the content.

19. 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:

receiving a direction input;

while the direction input is being received, if a portion of content is displayed and no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to a beginning of the displayed portion of the content, automatically scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the direction input; and

selecting an interactive element based on the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content, wherein the interactive element is entirely visible when it is selected.

20. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the selection of the interactive element is performed without utilizing tab order navigation.

21. A method as recited in claim 19, further including:

highlighting the interactive element to indicate that the interactive element is selected.

22. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein prior to receiving the direction input, the method includes displaying only a portion of the content.

23. A computer program product for use in either a wireless telephone or personal digital assistant configured for browsing content received from a content source, the computer program product comprising one or more computer readable media having computer-executable instructions for implementing a method of browsing content that includes one or more interactive elements, the method comprising:

receiving a direction input;

while the direction input is being received, if a portion of content is displayed and no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to a beginning of the displayed portion of the content, automatically scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the direction input; and

selecting an interactive element based on the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content, wherein the interactive element is entirely visible when it is selected.

24. A computer program product as recited in claim 23, wherein the selection of the interactive element is performed without utilizing tab order navigation.

25. A computer program product as recited in claim 23, wherein the method further includes highlighting the interactive element to indicate that the interactive element is selected.

26. A computer program product as recited in claim 23, wherein prior to receiving the direction input, the method includes displaying only a portion of the content.

27. 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:

presenting at least a portion of the content on a display area of a browsing system;

receiving input selecting an interactive element that is only partially visible;

and

automatically scrolling the browsing system upon determining that the interactive element has been selected and that the interactive element is only partially visible in the browsing system display area, wherein the browsing system display area is automatically scrolled until the interactive element- is completely visible.

28. A method as recited in claim 27, 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.

29. A method as recited in claim 27, further comprising a step for changing the mode of the browsing system.

30. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein the interactive element accepts character input, and wherein the step for changing the mode of the browsing system comprises an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving a character input.

31. A method as recited in claim 29, 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 for changing the mode of the browsing system comprises an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving an action input.

32. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein the step for changing the mode of browsing comprises the acts of:

browsing in edit mode; and

switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving an action input.

33. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein the interactive element does not accept a direction input, and wherein the step for changing the mode of browsing comprises the acts of:

browsing in edit mode; and

switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving the direction input.

34. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein the interactive element is part of form content that does not include a submit element, and wherein the step for changing the mode of browsing comprises an acts of:

browsing in edit mode; and

submitting the form content upon receiving an action input.

35. A method as recited in claim 27, further including a step for visually indicating that the interactive element is selected.

36. A method as recited in claim 35, wherein the step for indicating that the interactive element is selected includes highlighting the interactive element.

37. A method as recited in claim 35, wherein the step for indicating that the interactive element is selected includes removing highlighting from a previously selected interactive element.

38. A computer program product for use in either a wireless telephone or personal digital assistant configured for browsing content received from a content source, the computer program product comprising one or more computer readable media having computer-executable instructions for implementing a method of browsing content that includes one or more interactive elements, the method comprising:

presenting at least a portion of the content on a display area of a browsing system;

receiving input selecting an interactive element that is only partially visible; and

automatically scrolling the browsing system upon determining that the interactive element has been selected and that the interactive element is only partially visible in the browsing system display area, wherein the browsing system display area is automatically scrolled until the interactive element is completely visible.

39. A computer program product as recited in claim 38, 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.

40. A computer program product as recited in claim 38, the method further comprising a step for changing the mode of the browsing system.

41. A computer program product as recited in claim 38, the method further including a step for visually indicating that the interactive element is selected.

42. A computer program product as recited in claim 41, wherein the step for indicating that the interactive element is selected includes highlighting the interactive element.

43. A computer program product as recited in claim 41, wherein the step for indicating that the interactive element is selected includes removing highlighting from a previously selected interactive element.