Patent ID: 7810048
Filing Date: 2010-10-05
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for displaying information from an information source, the information being indexed by a hierarchical directory structure, the apparatus comprising: at least one display for displaying information and user selectable menu items, each menu item corresponding to a directory of said directory structure or to information in the information source; a user input device for receiving user selections of displayed menu items; and a display controller for controlling said at least one display to provide a first display area for a first set of menu items and a second display area for a second set of menu items, to allow a user to navigate through at least part of the directory structure by selection of menu items to obtain information from the information source, wherein said display controller is configured to be able to display preview information corresponding to at least some of said menu items, and the display controller being configured such that during said navigation, in response to a user selection of a menu item from either one of the first or second display areas, if the selected menu item has preview information, the preview information is displayed in the other one of the first or second display areas, and a second user selection results in the preview information being replaced by a sub-set of menu items corresponding to directories or information at the level of the hierarchy below said selected menu item; and if the selected menu item does not have preview information, a sub-set of menu items corresponding to directories or information at the level of the hierarchy below said selected menu item is displayed in the other of the second or first display areas.