User definable interface system and method

• US 20050278647A1
• Filed: 05/31/2005
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Change Tools, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Change Tools, Inc.
• Inventors: Leavitt, Joseph M., Mills, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US11/139,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20050278647A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/765
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

In a cursor-based computing environment having a display, a user definable interface (UDI) is displayed upon activation by a user. The UDI has a plurality of levels each having a plurality of buttons and is displayed in a selectable position about a pointer position in a display area to reduce pointer commute. The user selects a visual appearance and shape of the UDI, and the number of buttons. The user assigns a command to each of the plurality of buttons at each of the plurality of levels by dragging and dropping from one or more applications of the apparatus.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a display that displays a user definable interface (UDI), the UDI having a plurality of levels each having a plurality of command regions, wherein the visual appearance of the UDI remains substantially the same for each of the plurality of levels, wherein only one of the levels appears at a given time;

a selecting device that selects a visual appearance of the UDI including a shape and number of the command regions; and

an assigning device that assigns a command to each of the plurality of command regions for each respective one of the plurality of levels from one or more applications associated with the system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the display, selecting device, and assigning device are in a hand-held device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the display, selecting device, and assigning device are in video equipment.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the display, selecting device, and assigning device are in a home entertainment system.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the display, selecting device, and assigning device are in a camera.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the display, selecting device, and assigning device are in a wireless telephone.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the display, selecting device, and assigning device are in a copier.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the display, selecting device, and assigning device are in a remote control.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the display, selecting device, and assigning device are in a household appliance.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the display, selecting device, and assigning device are in a commercial appliance.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an interaction device that is one of one or more buttons, one or more rotary dials, a touch screen, a voice input system, or combinations thereof, the interaction device being used to choose one of the command regions at each of the levels.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein:

an application window is displayed as part of the UDI upon a user choosing one of the command regions that was assigned to the application;

the application window allows the user to interact with the application; and

the command regions are accessible to the user after the application window is displayed.

13. A method, comprising:

(a) managing a visual appearance of a UDI, which includes a shape and number of command regions, the visual appearance remaining substantially the same at each of a plurality of levels, wherein only one of the levels appears at a given time;

(b) assigning application functions to each of the command regions; and

(c) managing the UDI in response to interactions with the command regions.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed in a hand-held device.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed in video equipment.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed in a home entertainment system.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed in a camera.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed in a wireless telephone.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed in a copier.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed in a remote control.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed in a household appliance.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed in a commercial appliance.

23. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

(d) interacting with one of one or more buttons, one or more rotary dials, a touch screen, a voice input system or combinations thereof, the interacting step being used to choose one of the command regions at each of the levels.

24. A user definable interface (UDI), comprising:

a display device that displays a user-selectable geometric arrangement of command regions that remains substantially the same at each of a plurality of levels, wherein only one of the plurality of levels appears at a given time; and

an associating device that allows one or more functions to be associated by a user or pre-assigned to each command region, so as to define the plurality of levels of the command regions.