U.S. patent application number 12/242308 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-05 for apparatus, methods and computer program products providing menu expansion and organization functions.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB. Invention is credited to James B. Cunningham, Karin Spalink.
Application Number | 20090037846 12/242308 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34620175 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090037846 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spalink; Karin ; et
al. |
February 5, 2009 |
APPARATUS, METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS PROVIDING MENU
EXPANSION AND ORGANIZATION FUNCTIONS
Abstract
Display of menu items on a display of an electronic device, such
as a cellphone or other portable device, is managed by defining
first and second menus including respective first and second groups
of menu items (e.g., graphic icons and/or text), wherein the first
group of menu items is a subset of the second group of menu items.
The device transitions from display of the first menu to display of
the second menu responsive to user activation of a menu expansion
function. Menu items may be organized responsive to user input.
Inventors: |
Spalink; Karin; (Durham,
NC) ; Cunningham; James B.; (Raleigh, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MYERS BIGEL SIBLEY & SAJOVEC, P.A.
P.O. BOX 37428
RALEIGH
NC
27627
US
|
Assignee: |
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications
AB
|
Family ID: |
34620175 |
Appl. No.: |
12/242308 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10724941 |
Dec 1, 2003 |
7454713 |
|
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12242308 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/825 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/72469 20210101;
H04M 1/72427 20210101; G06F 3/0482 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/825 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048 |
Claims
1. A method of managing display of menu items on a display of an
electronic device, the method comprising: displaying a first
two-dimensional array of menu items on the display; identifying one
of the menu items responsive to a user input; accepting user
activation of a menu rearrangement function; providing a user
interface for identification of a new array location for the
identified menu item responsive to user activation of the menu
rearrangement function; identifying a new array location for the
identified menu items responsive to a user input; and displaying a
second two-dimensional array of the menu items with the identified
menu item in the new array location.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein accepting user activation
of a menu rearrangement function comprises: displaying an options
menu including a menu rearrangement menu item responsive to a user
input; and accepting user selection of the menu rearrangement menu
item.
3. A method according to claim 1: wherein providing a user
interface for identification of a new array location comprises:
displaying the first two-dimensional array; and moving a graphic
indicator to the new array location responsive to a user command;
and wherein identifying a new array location comprises accepting
user selection of the new array location.
4. A method according to claim 1: wherein displaying a first
two-dimensional array of menu items on the display comprises
displaying the first menu item at a first array location and a
second menu item at a second array location; wherein identifying
one of the menu items comprises identifying the first menu item;
wherein identifying a new array location for the identified menu
item comprises identifying the second array location; and wherein
displaying a second two-dimensional array of the menu items
comprises displaying the first menu item at the second array
location and the second menu item at the first array location.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the menu items comprise
at least one of graphic icons and text.
6. An electronic device, comprising: a display; a user input
device; and a processor operatively associated with the user input
device and the display, the processor configured to display a first
two-dimensional array of menu items on the display, to identify one
of the menu items responsive to a user input, to accept user
activation of a menu rearrangement function via the user input
device, to provide a user interface for identification of a new
array location for the identified menu item responsive to user
activation of the menu rearrangement function, to identify a new
array location for the identified menu items responsive to a user
input and to display a second two-dimensional array of the menu
items with the identified menu item in the new array location.
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the processor is
operative to display an options menu including a menu rearrangement
menu item responsive to a user input, and to accept user selection
of the menu rearrangement menu item via the user input device.
8. A device according to claim 6, wherein the processor is
operative to display the first two-dimensional array, to move a
graphic indicator to the new array location responsive to a user
command via the user input device, and to accept user selection of
the new array location via the user input device.
9. A device according to claim 6, wherein the menu items comprise
at least one of graphic icons and text.
10. A device according to claim 6, wherein the user input device
comprises at least one of a key, a trackpointer, a touch pad, a
joystick, and a touchscreen.
11. A program product for managing display of menu items on a
display of an electronic device, the program product comprising
code embodied in a processor-accessible medium, the code
comprising: code configured to display a first two-dimensional
array of menu items on the display; code configured to identify one
of the menu items responsive to a user input; code configured to
accept user activation of a menu rearrangement function; code
configured to provide a user interface for identification of a new
array location for the identified menu item responsive to user
activation of the menu rearrangement function; code configured to
identify a new array location for the identified menu items
responsive to a user input; and code configured to display a second
two-dimensional array of the menu items with the identified menu
item in the new array location.
12. A program product according to claim 11, wherein the code
configured to accept user activation of a menu rearrangement
function comprises: code configured to display an options menu
including a menu rearrangement menu item responsive to a user
input; and code configured to accept user selection of the menu
rearrangement menu item.
13. A program product according to claim 11: wherein the code
configured to provide a user interface for identification of a new
array location comprises: code configured to display the first
two-dimensional array; and code configured to move a graphic
indicator to the new array location responsive to a user command;
and wherein the code configured to identify a new array location
comprises code configured to accept user selection of the new array
location.
14. A program product according to claim 11: wherein the code
configured to display a first two-dimensional array of menu items
on the display comprises code configured to display the first menu
item at a first array location and a second menu item at a second
array location; wherein the code configured to identify one of the
menu items comprises code configured to identify the first menu
item; wherein the code configured to identify a new array location
for the identified menu item comprises code configured to identify
the second array location; and wherein the code configured to
display a second two-dimensional array of the menu items comprises
code configured to display the first menu item at the second array
location and the second menu item at the first array location.
15. A program product according to claim 11, wherein the menu items
comprise at least one of graphic icons and text.
16. A program product according to claim 11, configured to be
processed in a processor of a portable electronic device.
Description
REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a divisional application of and
claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/724,941,
filed Dec. 1, 2003, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to displays for portable
electronic devices, and more particularly, to management of menu
items on a display screen of a portable electronic device.
[0003] Portable electronic devices, such as cellphones, that have
relatively small displays typically use a concept-based menu
structure. A typical menu structure includes a top-level (or
"main") menu, which provides a list of menu items that categorizes
features of the cellphone. Lower level menus that provide functions
falling within a category corresponding to a main menu item are
typically accessed by selecting that main menu item. Commonly, menu
items are provided in a scrollable list format, and labeling
typically follows a predetermined sorting order, such as
alphabetical order or date of creation.
[0004] Several conventional devices provide for limited
"personalization" of menus. For example, some cellphones provide
the user with the capability to change the order in which lists of
menu items are displayed. Such a feature may be used, for example,
to place more frequently used items at the top of a list to reduce
the amount of user scrolling. Electronic devices with more
sophisticated graphics capabilities, such as personal digital
assistants (PDAs) (which may or may not have wireless
communications capability), may provide a user with a capability to
move menu items on a metaphorical desktop and/or among
user-selectable (e.g., tabbed) menus. In this manner, menu items
could for example, be placed on a particular menu tab that is
tailored to a specific environment, e.g., a business or personal
use environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to some embodiments of the present invention,
display of menu items on a display of an electronic device, such as
a cellphone or other portable device, is managed by defining first
and second menus including respective first and second groups of
menu items (e.g., graphic icons and/or text), wherein the first
group of menu items is a subset of the second group of menu items.
The device transitions from display of the first menu to display of
the second menu responsive to user activation of a menu expansion
function. For example, the first menu may include a menu expansion
function menu item, and transitioning from display of the first
menu to display of the second menu may occur responsive to user
selection of the menu expansion function menu item. In some
embodiments, the first menu includes a first array of icons having
a first number of rows and a first number of columns, and the
second menu includes a second array of icons having a second number
of rows and a second number of columns, wherein the second number
of rows is greater than the first number of rows and/or the second
number of columns is greater than the first number of columns.
[0006] According to further embodiments, the electronic device
transitions from display of the second menu to display of the first
menu responsive to user activation of a menu reduction function.
For example, the second menu may include a menu reduction function
menu item, and transitioning from display of the second menu to
display of the first menu may occur responsive to user selection of
the menu reduction function menu item.
[0007] In further embodiments of the present invention, defining
first and second menus includes assigning a menu item to the first
menu or the second menu responsive to a user input. For example, a
menu item may be assigned to the first menu or the second menu
responsive to frequency of usage of a function corresponding to the
menu item.
[0008] According to further aspects of the present invention,
display of menu items on a display of an electronic device is
managed by displaying a first two-dimensional array of menu items
on the display, identifying one of the menu items responsive to a
user input, accepting user activation of a menu rearrangement
function, providing a user interface for identification of a new
array location for the identified menu item responsive to user
activation of the menu rearrangement function, identifying a new
array location for the identified menu items responsive to a user
input, and displaying a second two-dimensional array of the menu
items with the identified menu item in the new array location.
Accepting user activation of a menu rearrangement function may
include displaying an options menu including a menu rearrangement
menu item responsive to a user input and accepting user selection
of the menu rearrangement menu item. Providing a user interface for
identification of a new array location may include displaying the
first two-dimensional array and moving a graphic indicator to the
new array location responsive to a user command. Identifying a new
array location may include accepting user selection of the new
array location.
[0009] According to further embodiments, the first menu item is
displayed at a first array location and a second menu item is
displayed at a second array location. The first menu item is
identified for movement to the second array location. The first
menu item replaces the second menu item at the second array
location and the second menu item replaces the first menu item at
the first array location.
[0010] In further embodiments of the present invention, an
electronic device includes a display and a user input device. The
device further includes a processor operatively associated with the
user input device and the display. The processor is configured to
define first and second menus including respective first and second
groups of menu items, the first group of menu items a subset of the
second group of menu items. The processor is operative to
transition from display of the first menu to display of the second
menu responsive to user activation of a menu expansion function via
the user input device.
[0011] In additional embodiments of the present invention, an
electronic device includes a display and a user input device. A
processor is operatively associated with the user input device and
the display. The processor is configured to display a first
two-dimensional array of menu items on the display, to identify one
of the menu items responsive to a user input, to accept user
activation of a menu rearrangement function via the user input
device, to provide a user interface for identification of a new
array location for the identified menu item responsive to user
activation of the menu rearrangement function, to identify a new
array location for the identified menu items responsive to a user
input and to display a second two-dimensional array of the menu
items with the identified menu item in the new array location.
[0012] In still further embodiments of the present invention, a
program product for managing display of menu items on a display of
an electronic device is provided. The program product includes code
embodied in a processor-accessible medium. The code includes code
configured to define first and second menus including respective
first and second groups of menu items, wherein the first group of
menu items is a subset of the second group of menu items. The
program product further includes code configured to transition from
display of the first menu to display of the second menu responsive
to user activation of a menu expansion function.
[0013] In other embodiments of the present invention, a program
product for managing display of menu items on a display of an
electronic device includes code configured to display a first
two-dimensional array of menu items on the display, code configured
to identify one of the menu items responsive to a user input, code
configured to accept user activation of a menu rearrangement
function, code configured to provide a user interface for
identification of a new array location for the identified menu item
responsive to user activation of the menu rearrangement function,
code configured to identify a new array location for the identified
menu items responsive to a user input, and code configured to
display a second two-dimensional array of the menu items with the
identified menu item in the new array location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate exemplary menus and menu expansion
operations according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0015] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate exemplary menus and menu expansion
operations for a cellphone according to further embodiments of the
present invention.
[0016] FIGS. 7-10 illustrate exemplary menus and menu organization
operations according to further embodiments of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portable
electronic device according to further embodiments of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Specific exemplary embodiments of the invention now will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This
invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and
should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth
herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the
scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the
drawings, like numbers refer to like elements. It will be
understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected"
or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or
coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be
present.
[0019] The present invention is described below with reference to
block diagrams and display illustrations that illustrate methods,
apparatus and computer program products according to some
embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that block
diagrams and screen displays can be implemented in code that may be
provided, for example, to a processor of a portable electronic
device, such as a cellphone, personal digital assistant (PDA),
pager, e-book reader, or the like, to produce a machine, such that
the code, when processed by the processor, embodies data structures
and/or means for implementing acts specified in the figures. Such
code may also be embodied in a storage medium, such as a random
access memory (RAM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), memory
stick, SIM card, web server or the like, or a signal propagation
medium, such as a wireline or wireless signal propagation medium
over which code may be transferred, that can direct a processor to
operate in a particular manner, such that the instructions embodied
in the storage or propagation medium produce an article of
manufacture including code configured to implement the data
structures and or acts specified in the figures. The code may also
be loaded onto a processor to cause a series of operational steps
to be performed on the processor to produce a process such that the
code executed on the processor implements the acts specified in the
figures.
[0020] FIGS. 1-3 illustrates a series of exemplary menus 100, 200,
300 that may be provided on a display of an electronic device, for
example, a portable electronic device, such as a cellphone or PDA,
according to some embodiments of the present invention. In the
first display 100, a first menu including a group of menu items
110, 120 and 130 are displayed concurrent with a menu expansion
function menu item 140. As shown, the menu items of the group of
menu items 110, 120, 130 correspond to respective call record, text
message and sound setting functions. In the illustrated embodiments
of FIG. 2, the menu items 110, 120, 130, 140 are displayed as a
2.times.2 array.
[0021] User selection of the menu expansion function menu item 140
causes a transition to display of the menu 200 of FIG. 2, which
includes the original group of menu items 110, 120, 130, along with
an additional column of menu items 150, 160 corresponding to
respective organizer and call information functions. As shown, the
original group of menu items 110, 120, 130 retain their original
mutual relationships, which can ease user interaction with the new
menu. A menu expansion function menu item 140 is also displayed,
indicating that at least one more level of menu expansion is
available.
[0022] User selection of the menu expansion function menu item 140
leads to display of the menu 300 of FIG. 3. The menu 300 includes
the menu items 110, 120, 130, 150, 160 of FIG. 2, which retain
their mutual relationships. The expanded menu 300 further includes
an additional row of menu items 170, 180, 190, which correspond to
respective account information, phone settings, and security
functions of the device. In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS.
1-3, the menu 300 represents the maximum menu expansion. The menu
300 includes a menu reduction function menu item 140' that leads
back to the reduced-order menu 100 of FIG. 1, i.e., such that the
menus 100, 200, 300 can be traversed in a cyclical fashion. It will
be appreciated, however, that other traversals may be provided
within the scope of the present invention. For example, instead of
offering only a menu expansion function in the intermediary menu
200, the menu 200 could include both expansion and reduction
function menu items, which could be used to traverse to the menu
300 of FIG. 3 and the menu 100 of FIG. 1, respectively. In such a
configuration, the menu reduction function menu item 140' of FIG. 3
might be used to traverse directly to the intermediary menu 200. It
will be further appreciated that a wide variety of traversal
techniques may be used with the present invention, and that more
than 3 orders of menus may be provided.
[0023] FIGS. 4-6 illustrates exemplary menu management in a
cellphone 402 according to further embodiments of the present
invention. The cellphone 402 includes a display 403 and a user
input device in the form of a joystick 401. In FIG. 4, a first menu
of functional icons including a call list function icon 410, a
phonebook function icon 420, a text message function icon 430, and
a menu expansion function icon 440 are provided. Referring to FIG.
2, selection of the menu expansion function icon 440 (e.g., using
the joystick 401) causes transition to display of a second menu of
function icons including the original icons 410, 420, 430, and an
addition column of icons including an organizer function icon 450
and a sounds function icon 460. Re-selection of the menu expansion
function icon 440 leads to the display of a further expanded menu
of FIG. 6, which includes the icons 410, 420, 430, 450, 460, and an
additional row of icons including an internet function icon 470, a
games function icon 480 and a settings function icon 490. In this
last menu, the menu expansion function icon 440 is replaced with a
menu reduction function icon 440', which may be used in a manner
similar to that described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3.
[0024] It will be appreciated that the apparatus and operations
illustrated in FIGS. 4-6 are provided for exemplary purposes, and
that many variations of the illustrated apparatus and operations
fall within the scope of the present invention. For example,
although embodiments of invention implemented in small-screen
applications, such as in a cellphone, PDA or similar portable
device, may be particularly advantageous, it will be appreciated
that the present invention is also applicable to other
applications, such as in desktop, notebook and laptop computers
(e.g., in web portals and portlets), personal digital assistants
(PDAs), in pagers, in e-book devices, and in electronic messaging
devices (e.g., BlackBerry.RTM.). It will also be appreciated that
the present invention is generally applicable to the management of
menus including textual items, iconic items, and combinations
thereof. It will be further understood that arrangement of the
various menu items shown in the menus of FIGS. 4-6 may occur
responsive to user input (e.g., as described below with reference
to FIGS. 7-11) and/or may be automatically performed by the
portable electronic device responsive to, for example, a
determination of the relative frequencies at which the respective
functions associated with the function icons are invoked by a user.
In this manner, the placement of icons in the menus can be tailored
to the needs of the user, e.g., by placing more frequently used
menu items at locations that provide display of these icons when
the menu order is reduced.
[0025] FIGS. 7-10 show a series of menus 700, 800, 900, 1000 that
illustrate exemplary menu organization operations according to
further aspects of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, the
menu 700 includes an array of menu items including an accounts
function menu item 710, an organizer function menu item 720, a call
information function menu item 730, a settings function menu item
740, a call record menu item 750, a sounds function menu item 760,
a security function menu item 770, a messages function menu item
780 and a games function menu item 790. As indicated by the
highlighting in FIG. 7, a user may identify (e.g., using a joy
stick, trackpointer, keypad, or other user input device) one of the
menu items 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 770, 780, 790 for
rearrangement. Responsive to selection of the identified menu item
(e.g., by pressing an "options" key), an options menu 800 as
illustrated in FIG. 8 may be displayed. As shown, the user may then
identify and select a "Move Item" function, resulting in redisplay
of the menu array of FIG. 7 in a menu 900. The user may move a
graphic indicator (as shown, a highlight box) to a desired new
array location in the menu 900. Upon identification of the desired
new array location (e.g., via an appropriate input to a joystick or
keypad), the rearranged menu 1000 of FIG. 10 is displayed, with the
selected menu item 710 moved to the array location formally
occupied by the menu item 780, and the menu item 780 moved to the
array location previously occupied by the menu item 710.
Optionally, the device may additionally prompt the user for a
confirmation of the new menu arrangement.
[0026] It will be appreciated that the menu management operations
of FIGS. 7-10 are provided for exemplary purposes, and that
variations of these menus and operations fall within the scope of
the present invention. It will be appreciated, for example, that
menu management operations as described above may be used with
textual items, iconic items, and combinations thereof. It will be
further appreciated that the invention is not limited to the
cellphone-type applications illustrated, and that the menu
organization operations described herein are equally applicable to
other environments, such as in computers, pagers and PDAs. It will
also be understood that the invention is not limited to rectilinear
arrays of menu items, and is equally applicable to other menu item
arrangements.
[0027] It will also be understood that, according to further
embodiments of the present invention, the menu expansion/reduction
operations described above with reference to FIGS. 1-6 may be
combined with the menu organization operations described with
reference to FIGS. 7-10. For example, menu organization operations
along the lines described with reference to FIGS. 7-10 may be used
to arrange menu items in a menu such as the fully expanded menus
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6. In this manner, a user may, for
example, tailor which menu items would appear in the subarrays
shown in the reduced-order menus displayed in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5.
For example, a user may arrange menu items such that more
frequently used items, such as the items displayed in FIGS. 1 and
4, appear in reduced order menus, while less frequently used items
are arranged such that they only appear when the menus are
expanded. It will be appreciated that such arrangement may occur
responsive to user input, for example, as described with reference
to FIGS. 7-10, or may be automatically performed by the electronic
device responsive to, for example, a determination of the frequency
with which a user invokes particular functions of the device.
[0028] FIG. 11 illustrates an electronic device 1100 in which
embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. The device
1100 includes a display 1120 and a user input device 1130 (e.g., a
joystick, keypad, touchpad, trackpointer, touchscreen or the like)
that are operatively associated with a processor 1110 (e.g., at
least one microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor
(DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)). The
processor 1110 may be configured using, for example, software
and/or firmware (not shown) stored in memory (not shown) and/or
downloaded or otherwise transferred to the processor 1110, to
provide menu management operations according to the present
invention, such as the menu management operations described above
with reference to FIGS. 1-10.
[0029] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed
exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Although specific
terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive
sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the
invention being defined by the following claims.
* * * * *