Multi-service user interface

• US 6,313,853 B1
• Filed: 04/16/1998
• Issued: 11/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Lamontagne, Doris, Smith, Scott T., Bee, Jim, Illingworth, Shaun, Blouin, Francois, Thompson, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Cao H.
• Application Number:
  US09/060,713
• Time in Patent Office: 1,300 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/145, 345/330, 345/331, 345/333, 345/334, 345/335, 345/351, 345/357, 345/358, 345/172, 345/173, 345/179, 345/329, 345/753, 345/751, 345/762, 345/733, 345/854, 345/863
• US Class Current: 715/762
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

A multi-service user interface that facilitates access to and exchange of information between two or more people when communicating remotely over a broadband network. The interface allows users to move data on a display using gesture motions. Each gesture motion corresponds to a predetermined function. In addition, the interface includes visible reactive zones where a user can move data to implement a specific activity such as, sending a message to another person over the network or removing certain data from the display.

Claims

1. A multi-service user interface, comprising:

a memory for storing a plurality of data;

a display in communication with the memory for displaying the plurality

a graphical user interface means for enabling a user to move the plurality of data on the display using a gesture motion in the direction of a predetermined area of the display, wherein the direction of the gesture motion defines the gesture motion and corresponds to a predetermined function, and wherein the predetermined area of the display includes a visible zone that represents the predetermined function such that the visible zone represents a visibly distinctive region of the display; and

a processor for implementing the predetermined function when the plurality of data is moved toward the predetermined area of the display.

2. The interface of claim 1 wherein the plurality of data includes textual data.

3. The interface of claim 1 wherein the plurality of data includes graphical data.

4. The interface of claim 1 wherein the graphical user interface means further includes means for displaying an icon representing a predetermined operation.

5. The interface of claim 1 wherein the graphical user interface includes a pen for enabling a user to manipulate the plurality of data and generate textual and graphical images on the display.

6. The interface of claim 5 wherein the pen includes a resonant circuit.

7. The interface of claim 1 wherein the graphical user interface includes a touch-responsive means for enabling a user to position the plurality of data on the display with a human finger.

8. The interface of claim 1 wherein the graphical user interface includes a voice-responsive means for enabling a user to position the plurality of data on the display.

9. The interface of claim 1 wherein the display includes

a first controller connected to the processor;

a second controller connected to the processor;

an analog resistive touch screen in communication with the first controller;

a sensor board in communication with the second controller; and

a liquid crystal display positioned between the analog resistive touch screen and the sensor board.

10. A video conferencing system in a workspace for communicating with a remote participant at a monitor in a remote location, the system comprising:

a first monitor in the workspace for displaying an image of the remote participant;

a second monitor in the workspace for simultaneously displaying a shared space image showing a view in the remote location;

a memory for storing a plurality of data;

a display in communication with the second monitor and memory for displaying the plurality of data;

a graphical user interface means for enabling a user to move the plurality of data on the display using a gesture motion in the direction of a predetermined area of the display, wherein the direction of the gesture motion defines the gesture motion and corresponds to a predetermined function, and wherein the predetermined area of the display includes a visible zone that represents the predetermined function such that the visible zone represents a visibly distinctive region of the display; and

a processor for implementing the predetermined function when the plurality of data is moved toward the predetermined area of the display.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the plurality of data includes textual data.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the plurality of data includes graphical data.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the graphical user interface means further includes means for displaying an icon representing a predetermined operation.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein the graphical user interface includes a pen for enabling a user to position the plurality of data on the display.

15. The system of claim 10 wherein the graphical user interface includes a touch responsive means for enabling a user to position the plurality of data on the display with a human finger.

16. The system of claim 10 wherein the graphical user interface includes a voice responsive means for enabling a user to position the plurality of data on the display.

17. The system of claim 10 further comprising a video camera for displaying the shared space image on the monitor in the remote location.

18. The system of claim 10 further comprising a database in communication with the graphical user interface means.

19. The system of claim 10 further comprising a network in communication with the graphical user interface means.

20. The system of claim 10 wherein the first monitor includes a video camera for displaying the image of the remote participant.

21. The system of claim 10, wherein the visible zone permits the user to maintain eye contact with the remote participant.

22. A method for implementing a multi-user service interface, comprising the steps of:

generating a graphical user interface on a display, the display being responsive to a plurality of gesture motions from a user and having a plurality of predetermined areas, each area corresponding to a predetermined function;

displaying a plurality of data on the display;

moving the plurality of data on the display in the direction of one of the plurality of predetermined areas in response to a gesture motion, wherein the gesture motion is defined by the direction and corresponds to the predetermined function, and wherein the predetermined area of the display includes a visible zone that represents the predetermined function such that the visible zone represents a visibly distinctive region of the display; and

executing the predetermined function corresponding to the predetermined area to which the plurality of data is directed.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the generating step includes the step of generating a graphical user interface on a display having a visible zone representing a function to send the plurality of data to a remote terminal over a network.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the generating step includes the step of associating a quality of service level with the function for sending the plurality of data to a remote terminal over the network.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein the generating step includes the step of generating a graphical user interface on a display having a visible zone representing a function to send the plurality of data to a local monitor.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein the generating step includes the step of generating a graphical user interface on a display having a visible zone representing a function to save the plurality of data in an electronic file.

27. The method of claim 22 wherein the generating step further includes the step of generating a graphical user interface on a display having a plurality of icons, each icon representing a predetermined operation.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the generating step includes the step of generating a graphical user interface on a display having a video icon representing a video recording operation.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein the generating step includes the step of generating a graphical user interface on a display having a headphones icon representing an audio recording operation.

30. The method of claim 27 wherein the generating step includes the step of generating a graphical user interface on a display having a camera icon representing a photographic operation.

31. The method of claim 27 wherein the generating step includes the step of generating a graphical user interface on a display having a folder icon representing a file retrieval operation.

32. The method of claim 27 wherein the generating step includes the step of generating a graphical user interface on a display having a schedule icon representing a scheduling operation.

33. The method of claim 27 wherein the generating step includes the step of generating a graphical user interface on a display having a prescription icon representing a prescription writing operation.

34. The method of claim 27 wherein the generating step includes the step of generating a graphical user interface on a display having a notepad icon representing a note documenting operation.

35. The method of claim 22 wherein the motioning step includes the step of motioning the plurality of data on the display in the direction of one of the plurality of predetermined areas using a human finger.

36. The method of claim 22 wherein the motioning step includes the step of motioning the plurality of data on the display in the direction of one of the plurality of predetermined areas using a human finger in contact with the surface of the display.

37. The method of claim 22 wherein the moving step includes the step of moving the plurality of data on the display in the direction of one of the plurality of predetermined areas using a pen.

38. The method of claim 22 wherein the generating step includes the step of associating an authority level with each of the plurality of predetermined areas.

39. The method of claim 22 wherein the generating step includes the step of associating a bandwidth level with each of the plurality of predetermined areas.

40. A system for implementing a multi-user service interface connected to a network, comprising:

means for generating a graphical user interface on a display responsive to a plurality of gesture motions of an input device from a user and having a plurality of predetermined areas, each area corresponding to a predetermined function;

means for displaying a plurality of data on the display;

means for moving the plurality of data on the display in the direction of one of the plurality of predetermined areas in response to motion of the input device, wherein the gesture motion is defined by the direction and corresponds to the predetermined function, and wherein the predetermined area of the display includes a visible zone that represents the predetermined function such that the visible zone represents a visibly distinctive region of the display; and

means for executing the predetermined function corresponding to the predetermined area to which the plurality of data is directed.

41. The system of claim 40 wherein the generating means include means for generating a graphical user interface on a display having a visible zone representing a function to send the plurality of data to a remote terminal over the network.

42. The system of claim 40 wherein the generating means include means for generating a graphical user interface on a display having a visible zone representing a function to send the plurality of data to a local monitor.

43. The system of claim 40 wherein the generating means include means for generating a graphical user interface on a display having a visible zone representing a function to save the plurality of data in an electronic file.

44. The system of claim 40 wherein the generating means include means for generating a graphical user interface on a display having a plurality of icons, each icon representing a predetermined operation.

45. The system of claim 40 wherein the moving means include means for moving the plurality of data on the display using a human finger.

46. The system of claim 40 wherein the moving means include means for moving the plurality of data on the display using a pen.

47. The system of claim 40 wherein the generating means include means for associating a quality of service level with at least one predetermined area.

48. The system of claim 40 wherein the generating means include means for associating an authority level with at least one predetermined area.

49. The system of claim 40 wherein the generating means include means for associating a bandwidth requirement with at least one predetermined area.