User Interface for Large-Format Interactive Display Systems

• US 20050195173A1
• Filed: 05/23/2005
• Published: 09/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Emine Technology Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Emine Technology Company Limited
• Inventors: McKay, Brent
• Application Number:
  US10/908,685
• Publication Number:
  US 20050195173A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1631 Panel PC, e.g. single housing hosting PC and display panel
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A specialized graphical user interface for use with interactive large-format display systems provides for intuitive operation and flexible content presentation. Designed primarily for use in unattended public spaces, the interface facilitates navigation through complex multi-level content in a consistent, intuitive manner.

Claims

1. A large-format interactive display system, the system comprising:

(a) an electronic display larger than 25 inches measured diagonally;

(b) a touch sensor fitted to the electronic display, said sensor facilitating touch navigation over substantially the entire surface of said display;

(c) a computer system configured to display content onto said display; and

(d) a computer/user visual interface program.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said visual interface program consists of two operating modes, the operating modes further comprising:

(a) the first mode being a default mode that runs when no user input is received for a specified period on inactivity; and

(b) the second mode being an interactive mode which is triggered by a touch input recognized by said touch sensor.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said first mode comprises predominantly two visual structures, the structures further comprising:

(a) the first structure being a visual media window, said window covering the majority of the display screen area; and

(b) the second structure being a visual call-to-action which includes messages designed to attract users to touch the display system.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said call-to-action structure is located across the bottom area of the display.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said call-to-action includes animated text or images.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein said second mode comprises predominantly three visual structures, the structures further comprising:

(a) a multi-level text list structure;

(b) a visual media content window; and

(c) a navigation bar.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said navigation bar includes interactivity history for reverse navigation and system control functions.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein said second mode includes visual elements which facilitate initiating a two-way live video communications session.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said visual interface program includes visual elements which facilitate initiating a two-way live video communications session.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said visual interface program consists of two operating modes, the operating modes further comprising:

(a) the first mode being a default mode that allows user inputs to occur substantially anywhere on the screen surface; and

(b) the second being a wheelchair-accessible mode which facilitates accessing substantially all functionality from below a predetermined level of the user interface.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein said second mode comprises predominantly four visual structures, the structures further comprising:

(a) a multi-level text list structure;

(b) a visual media content window;

(c) a navigation bar; and

(d) a two-way live video communications window.

12. The system of claim 2, wherein said second operating mode includes two versions, one for landscape orientation of a rectangular display, and one for portrait orientation of a rectangular display, the two versions supporting substantially the same functionality and using the substantially the same content.

13. The system of claim 2, wherein said second operating mode includes two versions, one for landscape orientation of a rectangular display, and one for portrait orientation of a rectangular display, the two versions supporting substantially the same functionality and using the substantially the same content.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the display systems are 16:

9 aspect ratios.

15. The system of claim 1, the system further comprising a remote control device which facilitates touch input navigation without direct touch input on the display surface.

16. The system of claim 2, wherein said first mode comprises predominantly two visual structures, the structures further comprising:

(a) the first structure being a visual media window, said window covering the majority of the display screen area; and

(b) the second structure being a functional menu system, said menu system comprising graphic images representing the functions that are triggered when selected.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said first mode comprises predominantly two visual structures, the structures further comprising:

(a) the first structure being a visual media window, said window covering the majority of the display screen area; and

(b) the second structure being a functional menu system, said menu system comprising graphic images representing the functions that are triggered when selected.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein said second visual structure displays text descriptions of menu icons when any portion of the display receives a user input.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said second visual structure displays text descriptions of menu icons when any portion of the display receives a user input.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein said first visual structure includes a welcome message for a hotel guest.