Navigation of an N-dimensional hierarchical structure using a 2-dimensional controller | Patent Publication Number 20050268253
US 20050268253 A1Blackberry Ltd
Eric Johnson
A system and method for navigating a multi-hierarchical menu system using a two-dimensional controller, comprising displaying an Nth level of the multi-hierarchical menu system having a plurality of icons in proximity to a pointer on a portion of a display, scrolling the icons in a first dimension relative to the pointer responsive to operating the controller in the first dimension, and one of either selecting one of the icons in closest proximity to the pointer responsive to operating the controller in a first direction of a second dimension, or displaying a N+1th level of the multi-hierarchical menu system relative to one of the icons in closest proximity to the pointer responsive to operating the controller in an opposite direction of the second dimension.
- 1. A method for navigating a multi-hierarchical menu system using a two-dimensional controller, comprising: ndisplaying an Nth level of said multi-hierarchical menu system having a plurality of icons in proximity to a pointer on a portion of a display; scrolling said icons in a first dimension relative to said pointer responsive to operating said controller in said first dimension; and selecting one of said icons in closest proximity to said pointer responsive to operating said controller in a second dimension.
- 10. A system for navigating a multi-hierarchical menu system of a device having a primary function, comprising: na display; a two-dimensional controller for facilitating control of said primary function, whereupon results of said primary function are presented on said display; and a processor for (i) executing said primary function, (ii) causing display of an Nth level of said multi-hierarchical menu system having a plurality of icons in proximity to a pointer on a portion of a display, (iii) scrolling said icons in a first dimension relative to said pointer responsive to operating said controller in said first dimension, and (iv) selecting one of said icons in closest proximity to said pointer responsive to operating said controller in a second dimension.
- 14. The system of 10, wherein said icons represent context-sensitive functions.
The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/570,066 file May 12, 2004, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein.
1. Field
The present specification is directed generally to the navigation of a graphical user interface (GUI), and more particularly to the navigation of a multi-hierarchical menu system using a two-dimensional controller.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a typical GUI, a user is provided with a system of hierarchical menus that must be navigated using a mouse or other pointing device (e.g. trackball, digitizing tablet, directional keypad, etc.). Although such menu system navigation is relatively straightforward when using a conventional desktop or laptop computer, significant impediments to usage arise when the GUI operates on a small electronic apparatus, such as a wireless communication device and/or GPS receiver, where space limitations dictate use of a pointing device with limited directional control (e.g. a 4-directional cross-shaped keypad or a five-way selector on wireless communication device). Moreover, the presentation of layered hierarchical menus on such a device may detract from its primary use and limit interaction with the device (e.g. where the device is a GPS receiver, the presentation of layered hierarchical menus tends to clutter the display of map information, interfere with pan functions, etc.).
It is an aspect of the present specification to set forth a system and method for navigating a multi-hierarchical menu system of an electronic device with limited display area using a two-dimensional controller, such as a four-directional cross-shaped control pad or other limited input device.
To that end, a system and method are provided for navigating an N-dimensional hierarchical menu structure using a two-dimensional controller, by displaying a Nth level of the hierarchical menu structure in proximity to a pointer on a portion of a display by operating the controller in a first dimension, and one of either selecting a function related to an icon within the Nth level or displaying a (N+1)th level of the hierarchical menu structure by operating the controller in a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension, or moving the Nth level of the hierarchical menu structure relative to the pointer by operating the controller in the first dimension.
According to another aspect, the menu system may be navigated without interfering with a primary function of the electronic device. To that end, the menu system may be activated only after a predetermined period of primary function inactivity. For example, where the primary function is panning of a map navigation system, the menu system may be automatically displayed after a time-out period after the user ceases to operate the controller for the purpose of panning. Furthermore, after the timeout period, but before displaying the menu, the direction of controller operation can be advantageously used to direct the relative location and orientation of the menu on the display so as to minimize interference with the display.
These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
In
Turning to
If the user releases the controller 110, the primary function (e.g. map panning) ceases, and the display 100 remains static for a predetermined time-out period (step 215). Although as illustrated the timeout period is 3 seconds, it is envisaged that those of ordinary skill in the art can use other timeout periods to adapt
In response to the user operating the controller 110 in the same dimension (step 225) as the icons 120 are displayed (i.e. left or right, in
Of course, rather than being displayed horizontally, as shown in
In response to the user operating the controller 110 (step 240) in a direction perpendicular to the presentation of the icons 120 (i.e. up or down in
If, on the other hand the icon closest to cursor 130 relates to the next (i.e. deeper) menu level (a YES at step 250), then the index N is incremented (step 255) and the second level (N=2) of the hierarchical menu is displayed (step 220) revealing a new set of selectable icons related to the icon closest to pointer 130. Process flow then returns to step 225. Thus, for the search function (icon 120A) discussed above, the next menu level may consist of three further icons 120A, 120B and 120C. The second-level icon 120A may represent a ‘filter’ function to search between features currently in-view on the display 100 or ‘world’ features outside of the display area. The second-level icon 120B may represent a ‘category’ function to search for features based on category (e.g. hospitals, parks, lakes, major highways, secondary highways, etc.). The second-level icon 120C may represent an ‘index’ function to facilitate searching through an alphabetical list using fine and coarse-grained controls, as set forth for example in a PCT application filed at the Canadian Receiving Office on Mar. 11, 2005, by Redsky Mobile Inc., entitled Restricted User Interface Navigation.
Of course, rather than representing search, waypoint and location return functions, as set forth above, the icons 120 may represent any context-sensitive functions or features. For example, if the pointer 130 is adjacent an area of interest (e.g. a restaurant) after a period of controller inactivity following panning of the map (a YES decision at step 215), the icons 120 for the first level of the menu may represent user functions associated with the area of interest. Thus, where the device is a wireless communications device with GPS functionality, icon 120A may represent, for example, a restaurant menu, icon 120B may initiate a wireless phone call to the restaurant (e.g. to make a reservation), and 120C may, as before, depict a ‘U-turn’ graphic for causing the map to return to the GPS current location. A person of skill in the art will appreciate that there are numerous context-sensitive functions and menu hierarchies, all of which are navigable using the methodology presented herein.
Therefore, as set for the herein, a user is able, by simple operation of the two-dimensional controller 110, to navigate multiple (i.e. nested) levels of a hierarchical menu system and to select or initiate specific context-sensitive functions with only one hand. Moreover, the menu system may be navigated without interfering with a primary function of the electronic device.
The present specification describes an implementation that employs GPS positioning. As discussed above, the principles set forth herein are not restricted to GPS-enabled devices (or any other location-enabled devices, such as cellular devices with location determined via triangulation, Bluetooth or other short-range location-enabled devices, etc.). Rather, this specification is directed to a system and method for navigating hierarchical menu systems with a two-dimensional controller, irrespective of the application. It is envisaged that a person of ordinary skill in the art, in view of the present specification and drawings, could adapt the present techniques to operate with other controllers than a two-dimensional controller. For example, a roller wheel and an auxiliary input could be combined to provide a two-dimensional controller whereby when the roller wheel is actuated independent of the auxiliary input the roller wheel controls one dimension, and when the roller wheel is actuated in conjunction with the auxiliary input the roller wheel controls another dimension. Such adaptations fall within the contemplated scope of the techniques taught by this specification and drawings.
Many features and advantages will be apparent from this specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to impose any limit to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described herein, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the claims.