BROWSER NAVIGATION FOR DEVICES WITH A LIMITED INPUT SYSTEM

• US 20130263041A1
• Filed: 05/23/2013
• Published: 10/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Vale, Peter O.
• Granted Patent: US 9,575,638 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/781
• 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

1-17. -17. (canceled)

18. 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;

in response to receiving the first direction input;

selecting a first interactive element of the one or more interactive elements;

indicating the selection of the first interactive element; and

switching the browsing system into an edit mode;

receiving a second direction input or an action input; and

in response to receiving the second direction input or the action input, switching the browsing system into a navigation mode.

19. The method of claim 18 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.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the default navigation mode starts upon the presenting at least a portion of the content within the display area of the browsing system.

21. The method of claim 18 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.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein the receiving of a first direction input comprises:

receiving the first direction input from a direction key.

23. The method of claim 18 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 the display of the content in a direction of the first direction input.

24. The method of claim 18 wherein the selecting of a first interactive element of the one or more interactive elements comprises:

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

25. The method of claim 18 wherein the indicating the selection of the first interactive element comprises highlighting the first interactive element.

26. The method of claim 18 wherein the indicating the selection of the first interactive element distinguishes the first interactive element from a second interactive element that has not been selected.

27. The method of claim 18 wherein the switching of the browsing system into the edit mode occurs in response to receiving a character input.

28. The method of claim 18 wherein receiving an action input comprises submitting form content.

29. A computer program product 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 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;

in response to receiving the first direction input;

selecting a first interactive element of the one or more interactive elements;

indicating the selection of the first interactive element; and

switching the browsing system into an edit mode;

receiving a second direction input or an action input; and

in response to receiving the second direction input or the action input, switching the browsing system into a navigation mode.

30. The computer program product of claim 29 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.

31. The computer program product of claim 30 wherein the default navigation mode starts upon the presenting at least a portion of the content within the display area of the browsing system.

32. The computer program product of claim 29 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.

33. The computer program product of claim 29 wherein the receiving of a first direction input comprises:

receiving the first direction input from a direction key.

34. The computer program product of claim 29 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 the display of the content in a direction of the first direction input.

35. The computer program product of claim 29 wherein the selecting of a first interactive element of the one or more interactive elements comprises:

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

36. The computer program product of claim 29 wherein the indicating the selection of the first interactive element comprises highlighting the first interactive element.

37. The computer program product of claim 29 wherein the indicating the selection of the first interactive element distinguishes the first interactive element from a second interactive element that has not been selected.

38. The computer program product of claim 29 wherein the switching of the browsing system into the edit mode occurs in response to receiving a character input.