Nested user interfaces for multiple displays

• US 20090064020A1
• Filed: 08/30/2007
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Morris, Ronald A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,782,555 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/765
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9577 Optimising the visualization of content, e.g. distillation of HTML documents
• 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 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/027 Arrangements and methods specific for the display of internet documents
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4438 Window management, e.g. event handling following interaction with the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications

Abstract

Nested user interfaces for multiple displays is described. In embodiment(s), user interface panels can be generated for individual display on a small screen device as well as for display together to form a nested user interface on a larger display device. Each user interface panel can be individually displayed to encompass a small display screen on the small screen device. Additionally, a television client device can render a nested user interface that includes a plurality of the user interface panels displayed together to form the nested user interface on a larger display device.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving user interface panels each configured for individual display on a small screen device such that each user interface panel encompasses a small display screen when displayed; and

rendering a nested user interface that includes a plurality of the user interface panels displayed together to form the nested user interface on a display device.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user interface panels of the nested user interface are rendered together for display by a television client device as a cascading menu of media content menu choices.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising generating the user interface panels for individual display on the small screen device and for display together to form the nested user interface.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user interface panels are configured for display one at a time on the small display screen as a cascading menu of media content menu choices.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a selectable input via a first user interface panel of the nested user interface; and

transitioning from the first user interface panel to a second user interface panel on the nested user interface in response to receiving the selectable input.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, further comprising modifying the display of the first user interface panel of the nested user interface when transitioning the focus to the second user interface panel.

7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein modifying the display of the first user interface panel includes displaying the first user interface panel as a background of the nested user interface.

8. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein modifying the display of the first user interface panel includes fading the display of the first user interface.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising communicating the user interface panels to a television client device that renders the nested user interface for display.

10. A nested user interface system, comprising:

a user interface panel configured for display on a small display screen such that the user interface panel encompasses the small display screen when displayed;

at least an additional user interface panel configured for display on the small display screen such that the additional user interface panel replaces the user interface panel when displayed on the small display screen; and

a nested user interface that includes the user interface panel and the additional user interface panel, the user interface panels configured for display together on a display device to form the nested user interface.

11. A nested user interface system as recited in claim 10, wherein the nested user interface includes the user interface panels rendered together for display by a television client device as a cascading menu of media content menu choices.

12. A nested user interface system as recited in claim 11, wherein a content provider generates and communicates the user interface panels to the television client device.

13. A nested user interface system as recited in claim 10, wherein the small display screen is integrated with a portable device that is configured to render the user interface panels one at a time on the small display screen.

14. A nested user interface system as recited in claim 10, wherein a display of the user interface panel in the nested user interface is modified when transitioning from the user interface panel to the additional user interface panel.

15. A nested user interface system as recited in claim 14, wherein the user interface panel is modified such that the user interface panel is displayed as a section of the background of the nested user interface.

16. One or more computer-readable media comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, direct a television client device to:

receive user interface panels each configured for individual display on a small display screen as a cascading menu for media content selection; and

render a nested user interface that includes the user interface panels displayed together to form the nested user interface on a display device.

17. One or more computer-readable media as recited in claim 16, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, direct the television client device to:

receive a selectable input via a first user interface panel of the nested user interface; and

transition from the first user interface panel to a second user interface panel on the nested user interface in response to receiving the selectable input.

18. One or more computer-readable media as recited in claim 17, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, direct the television client device to modify the display of the first user interface panel of the nested user interface when transitioning to the second user interface panel.

19. One or more computer-readable media as recited in claim 18, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, direct the television client device to display the first user interface panel as a background of the nested user interface to modify the display.

20. One or more computer-readable media as recited in claim 18, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, direct the television client device to fade the display of the first user interface panel to modify the display.