U.S. patent application number 10/802131 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-09 for keypad-driven graphical user interface for an electronic device.
This patent application is currently assigned to KARGO, INC.. Invention is credited to Herigstad, Dale A., Kargman, Harry B..
Application Number | 20040174400 10/802131 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24044815 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040174400 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Herigstad, Dale A. ; et
al. |
September 9, 2004 |
Keypad-driven graphical user interface for an electronic device
Abstract
A visual display for an electronic device is partitioned into
regions. Each of the regions is associated with a key on a keypad.
One exemplary implementation is a 3.times.3 grid of regions
corresponding to nine keys numbered 1-9 on a numbered keypad. A
visual correspondence is provided for the user to associate choices
illustrated in the regions with the numbered keys. The regions
display visual information such as graphics and/or text to identify
a selection option. The keys are associated with the regions such
that when a key is selected the selection option associated with
the region is chosen. In this fashion, a user may navigate through
content, such as content from the Internet, to gain accesses to
service, to obtain information and to purchase items.
Inventors: |
Herigstad, Dale A.;
(Hollywood, CA) ; Kargman, Harry B.; (Brookline,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAHIVE & COCKFIELD, LLP.
28 STATE STREET
BOSTON
MA
02109
US
|
Assignee: |
KARGO, INC.
|
Family ID: |
24044815 |
Appl. No.: |
10/802131 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10802131 |
Mar 15, 2004 |
|
|
|
09513831 |
Feb 25, 2000 |
|
|
|
6731316 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/864 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/04892 20130101;
H04M 1/72466 20210101; H04M 1/72415 20210101; G06F 3/0481 20130101;
G06F 3/0236 20130101; G06F 3/04842 20130101; G06F 3/0489
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/864 |
International
Class: |
G09G 005/00 |
Claims
1. A mobile telephone apparatus, said mobile telephone apparatus
receiving information transmitted for display on said mobile
telephone apparatus, said mobile telephone apparatus comprising: a
display surface for displaying the received information in a
visually partitioned manner, said visually partitioned information
being presented on said display in at least two regions; a keypad
containing keys, each of said keys corresponding to at most a
single region of said display, wherein each region is associated
with at least one of the keys in the keypad and represents a choice
of an option that may be selected by selecting the associated key,
and a processor for performing an action associated with said
choice of an option, said action triggered by the selection of the
associated key.
2. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1 wherein the display is
organized in a configuration that corresponds to a configuration of
the keys on the keypad.
3. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1, wherein each region
is associated with a service option for a service and selecting the
selected key results in a request for the service.
4. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1, wherein each region
contains a graphical element that visually represents a choice.
5. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 4, wherein the regions
contain text.
6. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1, wherein the regions
contain text.
7. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1 wherein new
information associated with the selected key on the keypad is
displayed following said triggering of an event.
8. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 7 wherein the new
information that is displayed on the display is visually
partitioned into regions that are each associated with respective
ones of the keys on the keypad.
9. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1, wherein said
information is displayed on said display displays in at least five
regions.
10. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1, wherein said
information is displayed on said display displays in nine regions
associated with respective keys numbered one through nine.
11. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the
regions contains a border for visually delimiting the regions.
12. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1, wherein the regions
occupy substantially all of the display.
13. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1, wherein each region
is associated exclusively with a single one of the keys in the
keypad.
14. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1, wherein the keypad
is a virtual keypad displayed on said display surface.
15. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 14, wherein the keys
are selected via a touch screen.
16. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a navigational element used to switch focus between displayed
regions on the display surface.
17. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 16, wherein said
navigational element is a joystick.
18. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 16, wherein said
navigational element is a joypad.
19. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 16 wherein said keys
appear in a circular shape and said navigational element is located
inside of said circular shape.
20. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1 wherein said keys
appear in a circular shape.
21. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1 wherein said keys
appear in a partially circular shape.
22. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1 wherein said keys
appear in a first and second vertically-aligned and horizontally
opposite columns on either side of said display surface, said first
and second vertically-aligned columns appearing on respective edges
of said mobile telephone apparatus.
23. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 22 wherein said keys
include keys bearing the numbers 1, 2 3, 4 and 5 appear in said
first vertical column and keys bearing the numbers 6, 7, 8, 9 and
10 appear in said second vertical column.
24. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1 wherein said keys
appear in two vertically-aligned and horizontally opposite columns,
said vertically-aligned columns appearing on respective sides of
said mobile telephone apparatus.
25. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1 wherein more than one
number appears on at least one key of said keypad.
26. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1 wherein said keypad
further comprises: an arrangement of said keys in a grid pattern,
said grid pattern including at least four rows of at least 3 keys
each and at least three columns.
27. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 26 wherein said grid
pattern includes keys bearing the numbers 1, 2 and 3 on separate
consecutive keys from left to right in a first row, keys bearing
the numbers 4, 5 and 6 on separate consecutive keys from left to
right in a second row appearing below said first row, keys bearing
the numbers 7, 8 and 9 on separate consecutive keys from left to
right in a third row appearing below said second row, and a key
bearing the number 0 appearing on a fourth row of keys on the
center key, said fourth row appearing below said third row.
28. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 27 wherein the said
first row, second row, third row and fourth row are horizontally
aligned so that the respective first keys in each row form a column
vertically aligned to a column composed of the respective second
keys in each row, and so that the respective second keys in each
row form a column vertically aligned to a column composed of the
respective third keys in each row.
29. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 26 wherein said keys
are of a non-uniform size.
30. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 26 wherein said grid
appears to the side of said display surface.
31. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1 wherein said keyboard
includes a QWERTY keyboard.
32. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 31, further comprising:
a navigational element used to switch focus between displayed
regions on the display surface.
33. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1 wherein said keypad
consists of two keys.
34. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1 wherein said keypad
consists of three keys.
35. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1 wherein said regions
are separate icons appearing on said display surface.
36. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 1 wherein said regions
are partitioned based on shading differences on said display
surface.
37. An electronic apparatus receiving information transmitted for
display on said electronic apparatus, said electronic apparatus
comprising: a display surface for displaying the received
information in a visually partitioned manner, said visually
partitioned information being presented on said display in at least
two regions; a keypad containing keys, each of said keys
corresponding to at most a single region of said display, wherein
each region is associated with at least one of the keys in the
keypad and represents a choice of an option that may be selected by
selecting the associated key; and a processor for performing an
action associated with said choice of an option, said action
triggered by the selection of the associated key.
38. The electronic apparatus of claim 37 wherein said regions are
separate icons appearing on said display surface.
39. The electronic apparatus of claim 37 wherein said regions are
partitioned based on shading differences on said display
surface.
40. The electronic apparatus of claim 37 wherein the keypad is a
numbered keypad.
41. The electronic apparatus of claim 37 wherein the keypad is a
keypad with letters on the keypad.
42. The electronic apparatus of claim 37 wherein the keypad is a
keypad with graphics on the keys.
43. The electronic apparatus of claim 37 wherein the keypad
includes at least two of numbers, letters and graphics on the
keys.
44. The electronic apparatus of claim 37, wherein the keypad is a
virtual keypad displayed on said display surface.
45. The electronic apparatus of claim 44, wherein the keys are
selected via a touch screen.
46. The electronic apparatus of claim 37, further comprising: a
navigational element, said navigational element used to switch
between displayed regions on said display surface.
47. The electronic apparatus of claim 46, wherein said navigational
element is a joystick.
48. The electronic apparatus of claim 46, wherein said navigational
element is a joypad.
49. The electronic apparatus of claim 37, wherein said electronic
apparatus is a mobile phone.
50. The electronic apparatus of claim 37, wherein said electronic
apparatus is a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).
51. The electronic apparatus of claim 37, wherein said electronic
apparatus is a remote control device configured to operate at least
one of a television and television set top box.
52. The electronic apparatus of claim 37, wherein said electronic
apparatus is a device configured to operate at least one of a
television, television monitor, networked computer and DVR (Digital
Video Recorder) box.
53. The electronic apparatus of claim 37 wherein the display is
organized in a configuration that corresponds to a configuration of
the keys on the keypad.
54. A mobile telephone apparatus, said mobile telephone apparatus
receiving information transmitted for display on said mobile
telephone apparatus, said mobile telephone apparatus comprising: a
display surface for displaying the received information in a
visually partitioned manner, said visually partitioned information
being presented on said display in at least two regions; and a
numbered keypad containing keys, each of said numbers corresponding
to at most a single region of said display, each region being
associated with at least one of the numbers in the numbered keypad
and representing a choice of an option that may be selected by
selecting the associated number, said selection of an associated
key triggering an action associated with said choice of an
option.
55. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 54 wherein at least one
key in said keypad includes more than one number.
56. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 55 wherein said at
least one key includes at least two non-sequential numbers.
57. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 54 wherein said regions
are separate icons appearing on said display surface.
58. The mobile telephone apparatus of claim 54 wherein said regions
are partitioned based on shading differences on said display
surface.
59. In an electronic apparatus having a display and a keypad having
keys, a method comprising: displaying information on the display of
said electronic apparatus so that the display is visually
partitioned in regions, wherein each region is associated with at
least one of the keys on the keypad, each of said keys
corresponding to at most a single region of said display, said
information transmitted for display on said electronic apparatus;
and in response to selection of a selected one of the keys on the
keypad, triggering an event, wherein each region is associated with
a service and wherein the selection of the selected key triggering
the event causes information to be displayed on the display that
concerns a service associated with the selected key.
60. The method of claim 59 wherein said regions are separate icons
appearing on said display surface.
61. The method of claim 59 wherein said regions are partitioned
based on shading differences on said display surface.
62. The method of claim 59, wherein the electronic apparatus is a
mobile telephone.
63. The method of claim 59, wherein the keys in the keypad are
configured in a pattern and wherein the regions are arranged on the
display to match the pattern in which the keys are configured.
64. The method of claim 59, wherein the regions contain graphical
information.
65. The method of claim 59, wherein the regions contain text.
66. The method of claim 59, wherein the regions contain text.
67. The method of claim 59, wherein the electronic apparatus is a
pager.
68. The method of claim 59, wherein the electronic apparatus is a
personal digital assistant (PDA).
69. The method of claim 59, wherein the electronic apparatus is a
remote control device configured to operate at least one of a
television and television set top box.
70. The method of claim 59, wherein said electronic apparatus is a
device configured to operate at least one of a television,
television monitor, networked computer and DVR (Digital Video
Recorder) box.
71. The method of claim 59, wherein the electronic apparatus is an
Internet appliance.
72. The method of claim 59, wherein the step of triggering an event
comprises displaying new information on the display wherein the new
information is associated with the selected key on the keypad.
73. The method of claim 59, wherein the new information that is
displayed on the display is visually partitioned into regions that
are each associated with respective ones of the keys on the
keypad.
74. The method of claim 59, wherein there are at least five
regions.
75. The method of claim 59, wherein there are nine regions
associated with respective keys numbered one through nine.
76. The method of claim 59, wherein each of the regions contains a
border for visually delimiting the regions.
77. The method of claim 59, wherein the regions occupy
substantially all of the display.
78. The method of claim 59, wherein each region is associated
exclusively with a single one of the keys in the keypad.
79. The method of claim 59 wherein the keypad is a virtual keypad
displayed on said display.
80. The method of claim 59 wherein the keypad is a numbered
keypad.
81. The method of claim 59 wherein the keypad is a lettered
keypad.
82. In a mobile telephone having a display and a numbered keypad
having keys, a method comprising: displaying information on the
display of said mobile telephone so that the display is visually
partitioned in regions, wherein each region is associated with at
least one of the numbers on the numbered keypad, each of said
numbers corresponding to at most a single region of said display,
said information transmitted for display on said electronic
apparatus; and in response to selection of a selected one of the
numbers on the keypad, triggering an event, wherein each region is
associated with a service and wherein the selection of the selected
number triggering the event causes information to be displayed on
the display that concerns a service associated with the selected
number.
83. The method of claim 82 wherein said mobile telephone has at
least two numbers on at least one of the individual keys in said
keypad.
84. The method of claim 82 wherein the regions are separate icons
appearing on said display surface.
85. The method of claim 82 wherein the regions are partitioned
based on shading differences on said display surface.
86. A storage medium for use in an electronic apparatus having a
display and a keypad having keys, said medium holding executable
steps for a method, said method comprising: displaying information
on the display of said electronic apparatus so that the display is
visually partitioned in regions, wherein each region is associated
with at least one of the keys on the keypad, each of said keys
corresponding to at most a single region of said display, said
information transmitted for display on said electronic apparatus;
and in response to selection of a selected one of the keys on the
keypad, triggering an event, wherein each region is associated with
a service and wherein the selection of the selected key triggering
an event causes information to be displayed on the display that
concerns a service associated with the selected key.
87. The medium of claim 86 wherein the regions are separate icons
appearing on said display surface.
88. The medium of claim 86 wherein the regions are partitioned
based on shading differences on said display surface.
89. The medium of claim 86, wherein the electronic apparatus is a
mobile telephone.
90. The medium of claim 86, wherein the keys in the keypad are
configured in a pattern and wherein the regions are arranged on the
display to match the pattern in which the keys are configured.
91. The medium of claim 86, wherein the regions contain graphical
information.
92. The medium of claim 91, wherein the regions contain text.
93. The medium of claim 86, wherein the regions contain text.
94. The medium of claim 86, wherein the electronic apparatus is a
pager.
95. The medium of claim 86, wherein the electronic apparatus is a
personal digital assistant (PDA).
96. The medium of claim 86, wherein the electronic apparatus is a
remote control device configured to operate at least one of a
television and television set top box.
97. The medium of claim 86, wherein said electronic apparatus is a
device configured to operate at least one of a television,
television monitor, networked computer and DVR (Digital Video
Recorder) box.
98. The medium of claim 86, wherein the electronic apparatus is an
Internet appliance.
99. The medium of claim 86, wherein the step of triggering an event
comprises displaying new information on the display wherein the new
information is associated with the selected key on the keypad.
100. The medium of claim 86, wherein the new information that is
displayed on the display is visually partitioned into regions that
are each associated with respective ones of the keys on the
keypad.
101. The medium of claim 86, wherein there are at least five
regions.
102. The medium of claim 86, wherein there are nine regions
associated with respective keys numbered one through nine.
103. The medium of claim 86, wherein each of the regions contains a
border for visually delimiting the regions.
104. The medium of claim 86, wherein the regions occupy
substantially all of the display.
105. The medium of claim 86, wherein each region is associated
exclusively with a single one of the keys in the keypad.
106. The medium of claim 86 wherein the keypad is a virtual keypad
displayed on said display.
107. The medium of claim 86 wherein the keypad is a numbered
keypad.
108. The medium of claim 86 wherein the keypad is a lettered
keypad.
109. A storage medium for use in a mobile telephone having a
display and a numbered keypad having keys, said medium holding
executable steps for a method, said method comprising: displaying
information on the display of said mobile telephone so that the
display is visually partitioned in regions, wherein each region is
associated with at least one of the numbers on the numbered keypad,
each of said numbers corresponding to at most a single region of
said display, said information transmitted for display on said
electronic apparatus; and in response to selection of a selected
one of the numbers on the keypad, triggering an event, wherein each
region is associated with a service and wherein the selection of
the selected number triggering an event causes information to be
displayed on the display that concerns a service associated with
the selected number.
110. The medium of claim 109 wherein said mobile telephone has at
least two numbers on at least one of the individual keys in said
keypad.
111. The medium of claim 109 wherein the regions are separate icons
appearing on said display surface.
112. The medium of claim 109 wherein the regions are partitioned
based on shading differences on said display surface.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and is a continuation
application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/513,831 entitled
entitled "Keypad Driven Graphical User Interface for a Portable
Device"(as amended), filed on May 23, 2003, which claimed the
benefit of and is a Continuing Prosecution Application (CPA) of a
U.S. application Ser. No. 09/513,831 entitled "Graphical Layout and
Keypad Response to Visually Depict and Implement Device
Functionality for Interactivity With a Numbered Keypad", filed on
Feb. 25, 2000. Each of the aforementioned applications are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to communication
devices and more particularly to a graphical layout and keypad
response to visually depict and implement device functionality for
interactivity with a numbered keypad on an electronic device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Internet access has traditionally been realized through
computer systems, such as personal computer (PC) systems that
include a video display, a full keyboard and a mouse. With such
computer systems, users may navigate the Internet by entering text
with the keyboard or by manipulating the mouse. As a result, users
have become accustomed to navigating the net using a keyboard and a
mouse. Unfortunately, full keyboards and mouse are not found on
many of the newly emerging devices for accessing the Internet. For
example, mobile phones typically have a small screen displays (such
as an LCD display), rather than a full keyboard. Other devices that
may be used to access the Internet also have such limitations.
These limitations make it difficult for users to access content on
the Internet with these devices and to navigate through content
that is available on the Internet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention addresses the limitations of the prior
art by providing a paradigm for more easily navigating content,
such as with the Internet and more generally for use with wireless
applications. This paradigm is especially well adapted for use with
mobile phones. In one embodiment of the present invention, visual
information is displayed on the display of an electronic device,
such as a mobile phone. The display is logically partitioned into
distinct regions. These regions may have borders that visually
delimit the regions from each other. Each of the regions is
associated with one of the keys on the keypad of the device. The
visual information represents a selection option that a user may
select by pressing the key that is associated with the region. Once
the key is selected, an event may be triggered that is appropriate
for the chosen option. The layout of the regions may correspond
with the geometric layout of the keys. Alternatively, the regions
may contain visual cues (e.g. numbers) of the associated keys.
[0005] In one application of the present invention, a map is
displayed on the display of the electronic device. The map is
partitioned into nine regions corresponding with nine numbered keys
on the keypad of the device. When a user selects one of the
numbered keys, the user requests more detail regarding the region
on the map that is associated with the numbered key. After the user
selects the numbered key, a more detailed map of the associated
region is displayed on the display. This more detailed map may also
be partitioned into regions associated with keys on the keypad.
Selection of one of the keys produces an even more detailed map of
the associated region. In this fashion, a user may iteratively
locate particular sites, such as a purveyor of services, a seller
of goods, an automatic teller machine, or other type of
facility.
[0006] It should be appreciated that the above example of the map
is only one of many possible applications of the present invention.
As will be described in more detail below, the present invention
may also be applied to obtain information, obtain services,
purchase goods, etc. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the
present invention is not limited to application to mobile phones
but rather is more generally applicable to devices that have a
limited set of keys on a keypad and a display.
[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
method is practiced in an electronic apparatus having a display and
a numbered keypad with keys. Visual information is displayed on the
display in sections. Each section is associated with a respective
one of the keys on the numbered keypad. Each section provides a
visual indication of the selection associated with selecting the
key on the numbered keypad. An event is triggered in response to
the selection of one of the keys in the numbered keypad. The
sections may contain text, graphical information and/or a
combination thereof. The electronic apparatus may take many forms
including but not limited to a telephone, a mobile phone, a pager,
a personal digital assistant (PDA), interactive television system
or an Internet appliance. The event that is triggered may include
the display of additional information on the display, the placing
of a telephone call or other activities.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
information is displayed on the display of a mobile telephone
having a numbered keypad containing keys. The display is visually
partitioned into at least two regions wherein each region is
associated with a respective one of the keys on the number keypad
and each section represents a choice of an option that may be
selected by selecting the associated key. The regions are organized
on the display in a configuration that corresponds to a
configuration of the keys on the numbered keypad. Thus, there is a
visually intuitive correspondence between the regions and the keys
on the keypad. An action is taken in response to the selection of a
selected one of the keys on the number keypad. Each region may be
associated with a service option, such as the selection of the key
results in a request for the service.
[0009] In accordance with a further aspect of the present
invention, navigation options are output on an output device to
generate a first output. Each output option occupies a portion of
the output that correlates to one of the numbered buttons on the
electronic device. The output options are patterned on the first
output to correspond to a physical layout of the numbered buttons.
When a user of the electronic device selects one of the numbered
buttons, a new set of navigation options are output on the output
device. These new navigation options are associated with a selected
button. The new navigation options are pattered to correspond with
the physical layout of the numbered buttons and each option is
correlated with one of the numbered buttons.
[0010] In accordance with an additional aspect of the present
invention, a first map of a geographic area is displayed on a
display of an electronic device. The first map contains a site that
a party wishes to locate. The map is partitioned into visually
delimited regions and each region corresponds to a respective one
of the numbered keys. Upon a user selecting a selected one of the
numbered keys, a second map is displayed on the display. The second
map depicts the region of the first map that corresponds to the
selected one of the numbered keys. The second map contains more
detail on the region.
[0011] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, visual representations of services are displayed in
respective regions of a display on electronic device. Each of the
regions corresponds to the respective key on a numbered keypad in
the electronic device. The regions are patterned in a geometric
configuration corresponding to the geometric configuration of the
keys on the numbered keypad. In response to a user of the
electronic device selecting a selected one of the keys, information
is displayed on the display to enable the user to request a given
service that is visually represented by the region that corresponds
with the selected key.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] An illustrative embodiment consistent with the principles of
the present invention will be described below relative to the
following drawings.
[0013] FIG. 1 depicts a number of different options for an
electronic device to be used in the illustrative embodiment of the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2A depicts an example of an application of the
illustrative embodiment for navigation of a map on a mobile
phone.
[0015] FIG. 2B illustrates an example wherein a keypad is not
numbered but rather is sequenced with letters.
[0016] FIG. 2A shows an example wherein only a subset of the keys
in the keypad are associated with regions
[0017] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the steps that are
performed when a user selects a key in accordance with the
illustrative embodiment.
[0018] FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate an example of Internet navigation
through successively more detailed maps in accordance with the
illustrative embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the steps that are
performed to perform such iterative navigation of a map.
[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates components that may be employed in
practicing the illustrative embodiment when the electronic device
is a mobile phone.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating components of a
mobile phone that are used in the illustrative embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates an example wherein a display shows
service choices.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the steps that are
performed for a user to choose a service option.
[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of the appearance of the
display on a mobile phone for purchasing a soft drink.
[0025] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate examples of displays that are
shown when a user requests to purchase a pizza.
[0026] FIG. 12 illustrates components used when the illustrative
embodiment is practiced on a television system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] The illustrative embodiment of the present invention
provides an approach for organizing visual information for display
on electronic devices so as to provide a visually intuitive
interface for assisting a user in interacting with the device. The
visual display is configured to be especially useful in assisting a
user in navigating through hierarchical layers of content. The
illustrative embodiment may be used in a number of different types
of electronic devices, as will be described in more detail below.
The illustrative embodiment provides a mechanism for easing access
to content, such as that available over the Internet.
[0028] The illustrative embodiment logically partitions a display
into visually delimited regions. The regions may be separated by
explicit borders or by delimiting space. Each region is associated
with keys or buttons on the associated electronic device. Each
region may represent a selection choice and may provide information
regarding the selection choice. When a user selects the key or
button that is associated with a given selection choice, events may
be triggered so as to take actions associated with the choice. For
example, the selection of a choice may cause a new display to be
shown on the display where the new display contains additional
information or choices regarding the selected choice.
[0029] The illustrative embodiment has applicability to a number of
different applications. Some example applications will be described
in more detail below. For example, the illustrative embodiment may
be employed to locate goods, services or other desired sites by
iteratively stepping through successively more detailed maps to
locate the desired entity. Furthermore, the illustrative embodiment
may be used to gain access to goods or services.
[0030] As was mentioned above, the illustrative embodiment is
practiced with a number of different types of electronic devices.
FIG. 1 depicts a number of the different options that are available
for practicing the illustrative embodiment. As is shown in FIG. 1,
the electronic device may be a mobile phone 12, such as a cellular
phone. The electronic device 10 may also be a conventional
telephone 14 that communicates over land lines. The electronic
device 10 may be a pager 16. The electronic device 10 may be a
television system 18 such as the combination of a remote control
with a settop box and television. The electronic device 10 may be a
computer system 20, such as a network computer, personal computer
or other type of device. The electronic device 10 may be an
Internet appliance 22, an electronic book 24 or other device type
26. The depiction of examples of electronic devices in FIG. 1 is
intended to be merely illustrative and not limiting of the present
invention. The present invention may more generally be practiced
with instances where there is a visual output device and an
associated subset of keys or buttons.
[0031] FIG. 2A shows an example of a mobile phone 12 for practicing
the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The mobile
phone 12 includes a display 30 and a keypad 32. The keys on the
keypad 32 are numbered 1-9. The display 30 shows visual information
that is logically partitioned into regions or sections 36, 38, 40,
42, 44, 46, 48, 50 and 52. Each of the regions or sections is
correlated or associated with one of the keys on the keypad 32. For
example, region 38 is associated with key 34. The geometric
configuration or physical layout of the regions 36-52 corresponds
to the geometric configuration and physical layout of the keys on
the keypad 32. In the example depicted in FIG. 2A, each of the
regions is visually delimited from the other by a border. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that there also may be instances
where the regions are not visually delimited by borders but rather
are delimited by space or by other delimiting mechanisms.
[0032] In the example depicted in FIG. 2A, each region displays
graphical information without displaying text. Those skilled in the
art will appreciate that text may also be displayed in the regions.
This text may include numbers that directly associate the regions
with the associated numbered keys on the keypad 32.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 2B, the present invention is not limited to
instances where a numbered keypad is utilized. The keypads may also
associated with other varieties of characters, such a letters as
depicted in FIG. 2B. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that
the characters may include punctuation marks or other varieties of
characters. Still further, the keys on the keypad may not be
associated with characters per se but rather may include functional
keys (e.g. ctrl, alt, shift, F1, etc.).
[0034] It should be appreciated that there may be fewer regions
than keys in the keypad. In the example depicted in FIG. 2C, the
display 30 for the mobile phone is partitioned solely into three
regions 38, 46 and 52 which are associated with the keys 2, 8 and
5, respectively. The remaining keys are not depicted in FIG. 2C but
may be present on the keypad 32. The active subset of key 32' is
shown in FIG. 2C.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a flow chart that provides an overview of the
steps performed in a single iteration of operation in the
illustrative embodiment. In general, visual information is
displayed in sections on a display on an electronic device where
the sections are associated with keys (step 60 in FIG. 3). The
visual information may provide a visual indication of the event or
activity associated with selection on the key. The user then
selects a key (step 62 in FIG. 3). The electronic device contains
hardware or software logic for triggering an associated event when
the key is depressed (step 64 in FIG. 3). The triggering of the
event may include multiple types of events such as the display of
additional information. For the example case of a mobile phone, the
event may include the placing of a telephone call, submitting a
form or a request to a remote computing resource, etc. The
illustrative embodiment is not intended to be limited to a
particular event or subset of events that are triggered. The events
are largely dependent upon the application.
[0036] An example is helpful to illustrate operation of the
illustrative embodiment. FIG. 2A shows an initial map 70 on the
display 30 of a mobile phone 12. An example of the use of the
cellular phone 12 for the case shown in FIG. 2A will be described
below relative to the flow chart of FIG. 5. Initially, the location
of the user must be determined (step 100 in FIG. 5). The location
of the user may be determined in multiple ways. In a first case,
the mobile phone service provider knows the cell in which the user
is currently present in this information may be used to determine a
geographic location. Appropriate information may be gathered from
the database at a server and forwarded to the cellular phone 12 so
that the proper map 70 is initially displayed. In addition, another
alternative is to gather the ANI (automatic number identification)
for a call originating from the mobile phone 12 to initiate
Internet access. The ANI will contain an area code and the area
code can be mapped to a given geographic location. A third
alternative is to use a global positioning (GPS) mechanism that is
built into the mobile phone 12 to locate the user and the mobile
phone 12. The configuration of other components employed with the
mobile phone 12 will be described in more detail below. Once the
location of the user is determined images may be retrieved for the
geographic location associated with the user and forwarded to the
mobile phone 12 (step 102 in FIG. 5). This high level map is
displayed on the display 30 of the mobile phone 12 (step 104 in
FIG. 5).
[0037] Suppose in the example case depicted in FIG. 2A that the
user selects the two button 34. The two button 34 is associated
with region 38 which represents a northern portion of Manhattan in
the map 70 shown in FIG. 2A. The mobile phone 12 receives the user
selection (step 106 in FIG. 5) and then must take steps to display
the next level of the map (step 108 in FIG. 5). The mobile phone 12
may have cached the next level of the map and may retrieve the next
level of the map from local memory or may submit a request out over
the wireless network to a server that contains the map. FIG. 4A
shows an example of the next level map 72 that result from
depressing the two button 34 of FIG. 2A. As can be seen, the map 72
has more detail and shows the region 38 with a finer resolution so
that streets are visible and street names are contained in the
display. It is also noteworthy that this additional display is also
partitioned into 9 regions that correspond with the 9 keys on the
keypad 32.
[0038] Depending on the application, the display of the next level
map 72 may be the last map. Thus, a check is made to see whether
the lowest level has been reached or not (see step 110 in FIG. 5).
Otherwise, if the application is not done, the application waits
for user selection. In the example case depicted in FIG. 4A,
suppose that user selects the seven button 76 to obtain a more
detailed map of region 74. This more detailed map 78 is depicted in
FIG. 4B. The user then next selects the eight button 80 to obtain
more detail for the region 82. This results in a still more
detailed map 84 as shown in FIG. 4C. As can be seen, steps 106, 108
and 110 of FIG. 5 are repeated in such instances. For example
depicted FIG. 4C, the supposed user selects the nine button 88 to
obtain a more detailed view of region 86. This results in the
bottom level map 90 being displayed (see FIG. 4D). Hence, the
application is "done", as checked in step 110 of FIG. 5. The bottom
level map 90 depicts sites of interest 92 and 94. These sites may
have a visual indication of the map 90 (e.g., see the circles in
FIG. 5). The sites of interest 92 and 94 for this example case
represent automatic teller machines. The sites may also be sellers
of goods, services, landmarks or other types of facilities. The
nature of the sites is dependent on the application.
[0039] FIG. 6 depicts components that may be employed in a system
120 for practicing the illustrative embodiment on the electronic
device of the mobile phone 12. The mobile phone 12 is connected to
a wireless network 122. For illustrative purposes, it is presumed
that content is provided by a web server 126 that is connected to
the internet or another computer network that complies with the
TCP/IP protocol suite. The web server 126 communicates with a proxy
124 that is connected to the wireless network 122. It is presumed
for illustrative purposes that the wireless access protocol (WAP)
is used in this system 120. WAP specifies an application framework
and network protocols for wireless devices, such as mobile
telephones, pagers and PDA's. The web proxy 124 may be a computing
resource that allows the WAP client (i.e., the mobile phone 12) to
gain access to services provided by web server 126. The web server
126 includes a processor 132 for executing instructions. The web
proxy 124 translates WAP requests to Internet requests. The web
proxy 124 also encodes responses from the web server 126 into a
format that is understood by the mobile phone 12.
[0040] The content that is provided by the web server 126 may be
encoded in different formats. For example, the content may be
encoded in hypertext mark-up language (HTML) or in the wireless
mark-up language (WML). The content may also be encoded in
extensible mark-up language (XML) or in other mark-up languages.
Still further, the content may be encoded in a format other than a
mark-up language that is suitable for passing content over the
wireless network 122 to the mobile phone 12. A filter 130 may be
provided for converting HTML content into WML and a filter 131 may
be provided for converting XML content into WML. The WML content
may be forwarded by the WAP proxy 124 over the wireless network 122
to the mobile phone 12. WML employs the notion of a "card," which
is a single unit of navigation in user interface. For purposes of
the present applications, each card is associated with a single
display instance for the display on the electronic device. Hence,
the map 70 depicted at FIG. 2A is encoded in a single card. Each
card may contain information to present to the user, instructions
for gathering user input and mechanism for triggering events. WML
also employs the notion of a "deck." A deck is a logical collection
of WML cards. Sequences of maps may be partitioned into decks as
needed.
[0041] The web server 126 may have a database 128 that contains
cards and decks. These may be forwarded to the mobile phone 12 as
needed. When the mobile phone 12 begins an application that
requires cards or decks, the information may be forwarded from the
database 128 by the web server 126 to be sent to the mobile phone
12 for caching therein. Other content may need to be presented on
demand. FIG. 7 provides a high-level block diagram illustrating
components for the mobile phone 12. The mobile phone 12 may contain
a processor 40 for executing instructions and generally directing
activity within the mobile phone 12. As has been mentioned above,
the mobile phone 12 includes a display 30 and keypad 32. The mobile
phone may contain various telephony logic 142 for providing
functionality for the mobile phone 12, such as placing calls and
the like. The mobile phone 12 may include a storage 144 for holding
programs and data. The programs may include application programs
146 and a web browser 148. The web browser 148 may be a WML browser
that enables the user to gain access from the Internet for display
on the display 30 on the mobile phone 12. The web browser 148 may
contain a WML interpreter and other suitable mechanisms including a
cache. The storage 144 may hold buffered decks 150 or cards
152.
[0042] It should be appreciated that the illustrative embodiment
need not be implemented in software but rather may also be
implemented in hardware, firmware or a combination of software,
firmware and hardware. In an example depicted in FIG. 7, the mobile
phone 12 may include logic circuitry 154 for implementing the
functionality described for the illustrative embodiment of the
present invention.
[0043] The illustrative embodiment may also be employed to display
service options to a user of an electronic device, such as a mobile
phone 12. FIG. 8 depicts an example of a screen display 160 that is
shown on display 30 of a mobile phone 12 where each of the regions
is associated with a given service option. The service options are
identified by graphics. The highlighted region 162 is associated
with a film option for locating a nearest movie theater and
presenting move times and the like. Option 164 is associated with a
service for ordering a pizza. To select the option associated with
region 162, the user would select the 3 button 166 shown at FIG.
8.
[0044] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the steps that are
performed for use to gain access to services in the illustrative
embodiment. Initially, the service options are displayed on the
display (step 180 in FIG. 9). For an example case, depicted FIG. 8,
screen 160 is shown on display 30 to itemize the service options.
The user then chooses one of the options by selecting an associated
key or button (step 182 in FIG. 9). For example, in FIG. 8, the
user may press 3 mbutton 166 to select the option associated with
region 162. The display of a sequence associated with the option is
then initiated (step 184 in FIG. 9). This sequence may vary
depending upon the nature of the service that is selected and the
nature of the application.
[0045] FIG. 10 serves an example screen 190 that may be displayed
when the user selects an option to purchase some soda. The user may
be presented with a number of different types of soda to purchase
and different sizes ranging from a 12 oz. can to a 2-liter bottle.
FIG. 11A shows an example of a screen 192 that may be displayed
when the user selects the option associated with region 164 of FIG.
8 to order a pizza. The user may be asked by the screen 192 to
select the size of the pizza. It is worth noting that there are
only 4 options in this case and that the identity of the associated
button is shown in phantom form as part of the background of the
region on the screen 192. The application may also contain
intelligence or simplifying the task of ordering a pizza. As shown
in FIG. 11B, the user may be prompted to request "the usual," which
refers to what the user typically orders. It is noteworthy that the
region 196 is associated with buttons 1, 2 and 3 on the keypad 32.
Region 198 prompts the user to order the same pizza as was most
recently ordered. This region is associated with button 4, 5 and 6.
Lastly region 200 may be selected for the user to order an entirely
new pizza. Region 200 is associated with buttons 7, 8 and 9.
[0046] While this discussion has focused primarily on example
instances wherein the electronic device is a mobile telephone 12.
FIG. 12 depicts an example wherein the electronic device is a
television system 18. The television system 18, may be an
interactive television system that facilitates access to the
Internet. The television system 18 includes a remote control 201
that may communicate with a settop box 204 by way of a wireless
communication path. The remote control 201 may, for example,
communicate with a settop box 204 by way of infra-red
communications. Remote control 201 includes a keypad 202. For
example depicted in FIG. 12, the keypad 202 contains keys numbered
1 through 9. The keypad may also contain additional keys and those
skilled in the art will appreciate the keypad need not be numbered
but rather may contain another sequence of characters or keys. The
settop box 204 contains a processor 212 upon which a web browser
214 may operate to render web pages 216 on a television 206. The
display in the television 206 is presumed in the illustrative
embodiment to be partitioned into logical regions, as has been
discussed above. For the example depicted in FIG. 12, the
television 206 has a display that is partitioned into nine regions
associated with the nine buttons. This is intended to be merely
illustrative and not limiting of the present invention. The
processor 212 may also have access to pages of content 216. These
may be HTML pages, XML pages or pages in a suitable content for
rendering on the television 206 by the settop box 204. Various
application programs 218 may also be operative on the processor
212. The settop box 204 communicates over a network 208, such as a
cable network or a combination of a cable network and a computer
network to gain access to a server 210. The server 210 may, for
example, be resident at a cable station. The server 210 includes a
processor 220 that executes programs 222 for interacting with a
settop box 204. The server 210 may also have access to content 224
such as the pages 216 that are rendered by the television 206 in
other varieties of content.
[0047] An instance of a television system 18 is shown in FIG. 12.
The display is on the television 206 and the keypad 202 is on the
remote control 200. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate
there may be instances where the keypad is on the settop box 204.
The display shown on the television 206 is logically partitioned
into regions that are associated with the keys in the keypad 202 of
the remote control 201 so as to provide the behavior such as has
been described above.
[0048] While the present invention has been described with
reference to an illustrative embodiment thereof, those skilled in
the art will appreciate that various changes in form and detail may
be made without departing from the intended scope of the present
invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *