Patent Application
20060174214
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The present invention relates generally to the field of user interfaces for use with a computer system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and a method for providing an improved user interface that allows for the navigation of content in multiple display regions.
Providing users of computers with useful and understandable controls for navigating content presented upon a computer display has become increasingly complex as today's software seeks to place a greater quantity of useful information on a computer screen. To facilitate this increase in displayed content, software developers often divide a display area into multiple regions called panes. For example, Microsoft Corporation's WINDOWS® 2000™ operating system includes a utility named WINDOWS® EXPLORER™ which enables users to browse a file system by providing a first pane showing the folders in the file systems and second pane displaying the contents of a selected folder. Such a display allows the user simultaneously to view the location of a particular file on the computer and to view the details of a selected folder.
Another example of a multi-pane environment is found in WINDOWS®PAINT™, a software application included with the WINDOWS® 2000™ operating system. PAINT™, which is capable of viewing image files, includes a thumbnail view pane that allows a user to simultaneously view different perspectives of an image. While navigation on the main pane causes related navigation in the thumbnail view pane, each of these panes displays a different view of the same image and the image cannot be navigated independently within the thumbnail view pane. Similarly, software applications which allow for viewing of relational databases or tree structures often display multiple views of the same set of content; one pane may display the high level organization of the data, while a second pane may show the details of a lower level. A limitation of these various display schemes is that users cannot navigate multiple sets of content with a single input.
Many users find it difficult to navigate content in multi-pane environments such as the screen display shown in
The multi-pane environment also leads to diminished user interaction with content not originally presented on a screen. Such “hidden” content is viewable only when a user affirmatively navigates to the information. For instance, a user may never scroll down in a certain pane and, thus, will never become aware of that pane's “hidden” content. Often in multi-pane environments the user must proactively seek out the content in each pane, and thus, never becomes aware of useful information hidden out of view.
Another problem with the prior art is that high priority content is often scrolled out of view making it more difficult for a user to utilize such content. For example, two frequently used items of content may be located such that the user is forced to constantly navigate to and from such content. This frequent scrolling leads to inefficiency and decreased usability of a computer system. In a multi-pane environment, the utility of the screen area must be optimized, and thus, navigation away from such high value content is undesirable.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved user interface that eliminates the user confusion associated with the multi-pane environment. There is also a need for an interface that provides for greater interaction with available content. Finally, there is a need for techniques that provide a mechanism for keeping certain higher priority items always in view.
The present invention meets the above needs and overcomes one or more deficiencies in the prior art by providing a user interface in which multiple display regions may be navigated by a unitary navigation control. One aspect of the present invention is a graphical user interface embodied on a computer-readable medium and executable on a computer. The graphical user interface includes a navigation control that allows simultaneous navigation of two or more sets of content in response to a user input. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a single scrollbar, and a user may scroll through multiple sets of content by interaction with the single scrollbar. This user interface eliminates the need for multiple scrollbars and increases the likelihood that “hidden” content will be placed in a user's view.
In a further aspect of the present invention, a computer-implemented method is provided which performs user-requested navigational actions on a plurality of sets of content. One such method includes receiving a user input representing a navigational action and performing said navigational action simultaneously on two or more sets of content.
In still a further aspect of the present invention, a navigation control for simultaneously scrolling through multiple panes on a display screen is provided. This control includes a user input component for obtaining the desired scrolling direction and a rate component for determining scrolling rates for each of the multiple panes. The user input and the scrolling rates are used by an output component for generating instructions for executing a navigation action on multiple panes.
In another aspect of the present invention, a computer-implemented method is provided which performs navigational actions on a first set of content without performing any navigational actions on a second, related set of content.
In a further aspect of the present invention, a graphical user interface is provided which includes related sets of content. While a set of content is navigated via a navigation control, the other set of content is remains static with respect to the pane in which it is displayed.
The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
The present invention provides an improved user interface that allows for the navigation of content in multiple regions of a display device. An exemplary operating environment for the present invention is described below.
Referring to the drawings in general and initially to
The invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced with a variety of computer-system configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable-consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The invention may also be practiced in distributed-computing environments where tasks are performed by remote-processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed-computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer-storage media including memory storage devices.
With reference to
Computer 110 typically includes a variety of computer-readable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computer-storage media and communication media. Examples of computer-storage media include, but are not limited to, Random Access Memory (RAM); Read-Only Memory (ROM); Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM); flash memory or other memory technology; CD-ROM, digital versatile discs (DVD) or other optical or holographic disc storage; magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices; or any other medium that can be used to store desired information and be accessed by computer 110. The system memory 130 includes computer-storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as ROM 131 and RAM 132. A Basic Input/Output System 133 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer 110 (such as during start-up) is typically stored in ROM 131. RAM 132 typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit 120. By way of example, and not limitation,
The computer 110 may also include other removable/nonremovable, volatile/nonvolatile computer-storage media. By way of example only,
The drives and their associated computer-storage media discussed above and illustrated in
A display device 191 is also connected to the system bus 121 via an interface, such as a video interface 190. Display device 191 can be any device to display the output of computer 110 not limited to a monitor, an LCD screen, a Thin Film Transistor (TFT) screen, a flat-panel display, a conventional television, or screen projector. In addition to the display device 191, computers may also include other peripheral output devices such as speakers 197 and printer 196, which may be connected through an output peripheral interface 195.
The computer 110 in the present invention will operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer 180. The remote computer 180 may be a personal computer, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to the computer 110, although only a memory storage device 181 has been illustrated in
When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 110 is connected to the LAN 171 through a network interface or adapter 170. When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 110 typically includes a modem 172 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN 173, such as the Internet. The modem 172, which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus 121 via the network interface 170, or other appropriate mechanism. Modem 172 could be a cable modem, DSL modem, or other broadband device. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 110, or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. By way of example, and not limitation,
Although many other internal components of the computer 110 are not shown, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that such components and the interconnections are well-known. For example, including various expansion cards such as television-tuner cards and network-interface cards within a computer 110 is conventional. Accordingly, additional details concerning the internal construction of the computer 110 need not be disclosed in connection with the present invention.
When the computer 110 is turned on or reset, the BIOS 133, which is stored in ROM 131, instructs the processing unit 120 to load the operating system, or necessary portion thereof, from the hard disk drive 141 into the RAM 132. Once the copied portion of the operating system, designated as operating system 144, is loaded into RAM 132, the processing unit 120 executes the operating-system code and causes the visual elements associated with the user interface of the operating system 134 to be displayed on the display device 191. Typically, when an application program 145 is opened by a user, the program code and relevant data are read from the hard disk drive 141 and the necessary portions are copied into RAM 132, the copied portion represented herein by reference numeral 135.
As previously mentioned, the present invention may be described in the general context of computer-useable instructions. Computer-useable instructions include functions, procedures, schemas, routines, code segments, and modules useable by one or more computers or other devices. The computer-useable instructions form an interface to allow a computer to react according to a source of input. The instructions cooperate with other code segments to initiate a variety of tasks in response to data received in conjunction with the source of the received data.
Turning to
The present invention allows for navigation of content through user interaction with a navigation control. A user may input commands into the navigation control through interaction with a scrollbar 340. Such interaction may be via a variety of input devices including a mouse, a keyboard and a screen with user input capability. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the scrollbar 340 is a visual aid which assists a user in the navigation of content and that a scrollbar is not necessary to practice the instant invention. For example, user input to the navigation control may be accepted through keyboard navigation controls such “Page Up” or through utilization of a mouse scroll wheel. Furthermore, while the scrollbar 340 is a vertical scrollbar, those skilled in the art will appreciate that scrollbars which other orientations, such as horizontal, are also applicable to the current invention.
Display 310 is divided into display regions 320 and 330. The display regions 320 and 330 each present a set of content that may be navigated via interaction with the scrollbar 340.
Navigation of the sets of content associated with the regions 320 and 330 is accomplished through user interaction with the scrollbar 340. The scrollbar 340 comprises a scrollbar column 342 and a scroll indicator 344. Such scrollbars are widely known in the art. Content is moved into or out of the display regions by displacement of the scroll indicator 344 within the column 342.
Upon receiving a user input indicating a navigational direction, the content displayed in the regions 320 and 330 is scrolled. The regions 320 and 330 each have an associated set of content. A portion of this content is initially viewable on the display 310, while a portion remains “hidden” until a user navigates to it. For example, referring to
The navigation resulting from a user input may be varied according to the present invention. For example, the speed in which the content in a display region is scrolled may differ from region to region. In one embodiment, the content in each region is scrolled at an independent rate depending upon the ratio of display area versus the area of the unseen content.
Turning now to
To achieve the scrolling scheme discussed above, the rate of content scrolling for each individual display region must be calculated. Generally, the smaller the fraction of viewable area of a display region versus the content area, the greater the rate of content scrolling. For example, if two display regions of equal size have content associated with them with viewable areas of 10 square inches and 20 square inches, the region with the 20 square inches will have a scroll rate that is approximately twice the speed of the other region.
The rate of content scrolling refers to the displacement of an item of content per navigational input. For example, a navigational input may comprise a one-inch displacement of a scroll indicator in a scroll column. If such displacement causes an individual item of content on the display to travel 2 inches, the scrolling rate is 2 inches of content displacement per one inch of scroll indicator displacement.
As an example and returning to
When a scrollbar is utilized to control the navigation, the dimensions of the scrollbar may also be considered when determining the scroll rate. The ratio of displacement experienced by the scroll indicator versus the scroll column length may relate to the rate of content displacement in the various display regions.
In another embodiment of the invention, the navigation in a particular region may be suspended while the navigation continues in other panes.
Interruption instructions associated with this embodiment dictate that, when the final element of a set of content is navigated onto the display region, the navigation in that display region will cease until the navigational direction instructions are changed. Similarly, the instructions provide that navigation will cease when the first content element is navigated onto the top of the display region.
Turning now to
Embodiments of the present invention may have a uniform scroll rate shared by two or more display regions. In one embodiment where a uniform scroll rate is utilized, the scroll rate is computed with reference to the display region with the longest content length. A region's content length refers to the displacement experienced by a content element over a complete scroll; it is the distance the final element of hidden content must travel to reach the lower edge of the display region. In the case of vertical scrolling, such a length is computed by dividing the content area of a set of content by the width of a display region. For horizontal scrolling, such a length is computed by dividing the content area of a set of content by the height of a display region. Once the content length for each display region is calculated, the display region with the greatest content length is used to calculate the uniform scroll rate. This rate may be a function of the content length and the length of the scroll column. For example, the rate may be calculated such that the set of content in the display region with the greatest content length will not achieve a complete scroll until the scroll indicator has traveled the entire length of the scrollbar. As expected, the other sets of content may achieve a complete scroll before the scroll indicator reaches the bottom of the scroll column because such sets, scrolling at a constant rate, have shorter content lengths.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the instant invention may be just one aspect of a user interface's navigational scheme. For example, additional navigation controls may be included in the user interface. These additional navigation controls may allow a user to navigate an individual set of content independently. For example, one embodiment may provide both a scrollbar according to the instant invention and additional functionality which allows for scrolling of an individual set of content in response to a user's utilization of a mouse scroll wheel or keyboard navigation controls. In another example, the navigational control of the instant invention may include the ability to suspend navigation of a set of content in response to a user input. Such controls may “freeze” the scrolling in a certain pane, while allowing navigation to continue for a single user input in the other regions. The above examples are merely for illustration and any number of additional navigational controls or combinations thereof may be utilized with the current invention.
Turning to
The pane 710 is not navigated via the unitary navigation control. The content shown in this pane remains static and viewable despite navigation in other panes. In one embodiment of the invention, pane 710 displays items of content which are related to the content in panes 720 and 730 and which navigation away from such items would be undesirable. A user or computer software program may place “frozen” content in the pane 710. The software may choose which items based off a determination that the items are of high utility to a user, which thus enables the user to scroll through the lower value content while continuing to view the higher value content. In one embodiment, items in the pane 710 are tasks which are associated with the content displayed in other panes on the screen display 700. In this embodiment, a user may click on an item of unfrozen content and drag it on to one of the tasks in the pane 710. Such action may cause the task to be preformed on the selected unfrozen content. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention contemplates utilizing pane 710 with varying numbers of panes which are navigated by various types of navigational controls.
At 830, the method 800 performs the input navigational action on two or more sets of content. Such navigation may be at a uniform rate across all display regions or at variable rates. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method 800 includes determining a scroll rate for each individual set of content. In determining such a scroll rate, the viewable area of a display region and the content area of the associated set of content may be considered. If the navigational control includes a scrollbar, the length of the scrollbar column may also be considered in a scroll rate calculation. In another embodiment, a set of interruption conditions may be determined. If such conditions are met for a set of content, the navigation of that set of content will be interrupted until the navigational input is altered.
Alternative embodiments and implementations of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon review of the specification, including the drawing figures. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description.
