Flower look interface

A user interface includes menu items arranged in a flower-like configuration. A number of menu items are peripherally arranged around a central item and mapped to selectable elements of an input device. Then, a display image including the menu is transmitted to a display. Subsequently, in response to a received selection, a corresponding action may be performed such as execution of a task, modification of the display image, and so on. In certain implementations, the menu items may be selected utilizing a cursor. The menu items may include a smaller portion located closer to the central item and a larger portion located further away. In still other implementations, the menu may also include a number of menu items that are not peripherally arranged around the central item. In response to a received selection, the menu items which are peripherally arranged around the central item may be altered.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates generally to user interfaces, and more specifically to user interfaces with menu items arranged in a flower-like configuration.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure discusses systems and methods for providing user interfaces with menu items arranged in a flower-like configuration. Such user interfaces may be provided by generating a menu that includes a number of menu items peripherally arranged around a central menu item, mapping menu items to selectable elements of an input device, and transmitting a display image that includes the menu to a display device. A selection of the selectable elements may then be received. In response to the selection, an action may be performed that is associated with the menu item corresponding to the selection. Such actions may include performing a task, altering the menu, generating a new menu, returning to a previous menu, exiting the menu, and so on. In this way, a user may be able to understand and utilize the user interface much faster than a user interface including hierarchical lists of menus.

In certain implementations, the selectable elements may include keys of a device such as a keyboard, virtual keyboard, remote control, numeric keypad, and so on. In other implementations, the menu items may include a selectable area that may be selected utilizing a cursor mapped to elements of a track pad, mouse, touch screen, and so on. In such implementations, the selectable area of the menu items may include a smaller portion located closer to the central menu item and a larger portion located further away from the central menu item. In this way, the cursor may be rotated a minimum of distance around the central menu item in order to select any of the menu items.

In still other implementations, in addition to including the number of menu items peripherally arranged around the central menu item, the menu may also include a number of menu items that are not peripherally arranged around the central menu item. In such implementations, one or more of the menu items may be associated with an action that alters which of the menu items are peripherally arranged around the central menu item. If a selection associated with such menu items is received, the menu items peripherally arranged around the central menu item may be altered, providing additional menu flexibility.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are for purposes of example and explanation and do not necessarily limit the present disclosure. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate subject matter of the disclosure. Together, the descriptions and the drawings serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The description that follows includes sample systems and methods that embody various elements of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the described disclosure may be practiced in a variety of forms in addition to those described herein.

Computing devices are devices that manipulate data by executing instructions stored in a machine-readable media utilizing one or more processing units. Examples of such devices include desktop computers, television receivers, personal digital assistants, content streaming devices in satellite transmission systems, and so on. Computing devices typically interact with users through interfaces such as menus. Standard menus may be implemented as a hierarchical list of menus. Users may be familiar with navigating hierarchical lists, but such menus may not be the fastest configuration.

The present disclosure involves systems and methods that provide user interfaces arranged with menu items arranged in a flower-like a configuration. A computing device may generate a menu that includes multiple menu items peripherally arranged around a central menu item. The menu items may be circularly arranged around the central menu item, triangularly arranged around the central menu item, and so on. The computing device may map the menu items to selectable elements of an input device. Finally, the computing device transmits a display image that includes the menu to a display device. If a selection of one or more selectable elements is received, the computing device may perform an associated action, such as executing a task, generating a display image that includes an altered menu, generating a display image that includes a new or previous menu, generating a display image that does not include a menu, and so on.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating a system100for providing a user interface, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system100includes a computing device101. The computing device101may be any kind of computing device such as a television receiver, a set-top box, and so on. The computing device101includes at least one or more processing units102, a storage medium103(which may be any machine-readable storage medium), a transmitter component104, and a receiver component105. The transmitter component104may be wired and/or wirelessly coupled to an output device which may be a display device such as a liquid crystal display, a cathode ray tube display, and so on. The transmitter component104may be a port with a hardwired connection to the output device. The receiver component105may be wired and/or wirelessly coupled to an input device (not shown) such as a keyboard, a keypad, a virtual keyboard, a virtual keypad, a touch screen, a remote control, a mouse, a trackball, a track pad, and so on. The one or more processing units104may execute software instructions stored in the storage medium103to generate and provide user interfaces.

The processing unit102may generate a display image that includes a menu, the menu including multiple menu items peripherally arranged around a central menu item. The processing unit102may also map the menu items to selectable elements of an input device. Then, the processing unit102may transmit the display image to an output device via the transmitter component104. Subsequently, the processing unit102may receive a selection of one or more selectable elements of the input device via the receiver component105. The processing unit102may perform one or more actions based on the received selection. One such action may include executing a task corresponding to the selection, such as playing a movie file. Other such actions may include modifying the menu, generating a new menu, returning to a previous menu, exiting the menu, and so on. In this case the processing unit102may generate a new display image based on the received selection and transmit it to the display device via the transmitter component104.

FIGS. 2A and 2Billustrate a first method200of providing a user interface which may be performed by the processing unit102of the computing device101loading and executing one or more instructions embodied in a computer-readable and/or machine-readable medium, such as the storage media103and/or another storage medium.

The flow begins at block201and proceeds to block202. At block202, the processing unit102generates menu including multiple menu items peripherally arranged around a central menu item and the flow proceeds to block203. The menu items may be circularly arranged around the central menu item, triangularly arranged around the central menu item, and so on. At block203, the processing unit102maps menu items to selectable elements of the input device and the flow proceeds to block204. At block204, the processing unit102transmits a display image that includes the menu to a display device via the transmitter component104and the flow proceeds to block205. At block205, the processing unit102waits for a selection of one or more selectable elements of the input device to be received. The flow then proceeds to block206. At block206, the processing unit102determines whether a selection has been received via receiver component105. If a selection has been received, the flow proceeds to block207. If a selection has not been received, the flow proceeds to block205.

At block207, the processing unit102determines whether the selection specifies to execute a task or alter the menu. If the selection specifies to execute a task, the flow proceeds to block208. If the selection specifies to alter the menu, the flow proceeds to block210. At block208, the processing unit102executes the specified task and the flow proceeds to block209and ends.

At block210, the processing unit102determines whether the selection specifies to exit the menu, return to a previous menu, or generate a new menu (such as a submenu for a selected menu item). If the selection specifies to exit the menu, the flow proceeds to block211. If the selection specifies to return to a previous menu, the flow proceeds to block212. If the selection specifies to generate a new menu, the flow proceeds to block215. At block211, the processing unit102transmits an updated display image that does not include the menu to the display device via the transmitter component104. The flow then proceeds to block209.

At block212, the processing unit102generates the previous menu including previous multiple menu items and the flow proceeds to block213. At block213, the processing unit102maps the previous menu items to selectable elements of the input device and the flow, proceeds to block214. At. block214, the processing unit102transmits an updated display image that includes the previous menu to the display device via the transmitter component104. The flow then proceeds to block206.

At block215, the processing unit102generates the new menu including new multiple menu items and the flow proceeds to block216. At block216, the processing unit102maps the new menu items to selectable elements of the input device and the flow proceeds to block217. At block217, the processing unit102transmits an updated display image that includes the new menu to the display device via the transmitter component104. The flow then proceeds to block206.

FIG. 3Aillustrates a first sample user interface300A, including a menu301A, which may be provided by the method200. As illustrated, the menu301A includes a number of menu items peripherally arranged around a central menu item. In this example, the menu items are circularly arranged around the central menu item. Each menu item includes a menu item action indicator (Menu Item A through Menu Item H and Back) and an associated selectable element indicator (1through9). Each selectable element indicator is mapped to selection elements of an input device, which in this example may be numeric keys1through9of an input device that includes numeric keys such as a keyboard, virtual keyboard, remote, numeric keypad, and so on. As the menu items are peripherally arranged around the central menu item to imitate the arrangement of the selectable elements of the input device, the menu items essentially describe portions of the input device. This enables a user to navigate the menu301A quickly, as the information aids the user in associating menu elements with the appropriate selectable elements.

In response to a user selection of one or more of the numeric keys1through9, the action indicated by the menu item action indicator associated with the corresponding selectable element indicator may be performed. For example, menu item action indicator “Menu Item A” may indicate the action of playing a tutorial video. If a user selects the numeric key2, the tutorial video may be played.

By way of another example, menu item action indicator “Menu Item E” may indicate the action of generating an submenu. If a user selects the numeric key6, the sample user interface300B that includes the submenu301B may be generated, as illustrated inFIG. 3B. As illustrated, the submenu301B includes a number of submenu items peripherally arranged around a central submenu item. Each submenu item includes a submenu item action indicator (Menu Item E1through Menu Item E8and Back) and an associated selectable element indicator (1through9). The selection elements of the input device may be remapped to the selectable element indicators. In response to a user selection of one or more of the numeric keys1through9, the action indicated by the submenu item action indicator associated with the corresponding selectable element indicator may be performed. For example, submenu item action indicator “Back” may indicate the action of returning to the previous menu301A. If a user selects the numeric key5, the previous menu301A may be generated and the selection elements of the input device may be remapped again to the selectable element indicators, as illustrated inFIG. 3A.

Referring again toFIG. 3A, menu item action indicator “Back” may indicate the action of exiting the menu301A. If a user selects the numeric key5, the sample user interface300C that does not include the menu301A may be generated, as illustrated inFIG. 3C. In this example the sample user interface300C is a display screen for video programming content and therefore the sample user interface300C that does not include the menu301A displays the video programming content.

Although the present example illustrates the menu301A-301B as occupying the majority or entirety of the sample user interface300A-300C, it is understood that other implementations may involve overlaying menus over other content, such as video programming content, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, the menu may occupy a portion of a display, such as a corner of the display. Moreover, although the present example illustrated the menu action item indicators and associated selectable element indicators as text, in some implementations action item indicators and/or associated selectable element indicators may be presented as icons, images, and so on.

FIG. 4Aillustrates a second sample user interface400A, including a menu401A, which may be provided by the method200. As illustrated, the menu401A includes a cursor402A and a number of menu items peripherally arranged around a central menu item. In this example, the menu items are circularly arranged around the central menu item. Each menu item includes a menu item action indicator (Menu Item A through Menu Item H and a back arrow) and an associated selectable area. The selectable area of the menu items is selectable utilizing the cursor402A by moving the cursor402A over the respective selectable area and selecting, and is thus mapped to selection elements of an input device that are mapped to the cursor402A, such as the selection and cursor movement elements of a track pad, mouse, touch screen, and so on.

As illustrated, the selectable area of the menu items, other than the central menu item, each have a smaller portion located closer to the central menu item and a larger portion located further from the central menu item. As the portion of each selectable area close to the central menu item is smaller, a minimum amount of movement of the cursor402A is needed to move the cursor402A closely around the central menu item in order to select among the different menu items. However, because the portion of each selectable area further from the central menu item is larger, more space is available for displaying the respective menu item action indicators. Thus, more space is available to display the respective menu item action indicators while minimal movement of the cursor402A is needed to select among the different menu items.

In response to a user selection of a selectable area associated with one of more of the menu items, the action indicated by the menu item action indicator associated with the corresponding selectable area may be performed. For example, menu item action indicator “Menu Item H” may indicate the action of playing an on-demand movie. If a user selects the selectable area associated with “Menu Item H”, the on-demand movie may be played.

By way of another example, menu item action indicator “Menu Item C” may indicate the action of generating an submenu. If a user selects the selectable area associated with “Menu Item C”, the sample user interface400B that includes the submenu401B may be generated, as illustrated inFIG. 4B. As illustrated, the submenu401B includes the cursor402B and a number of submenu items peripherally arranged around a central submenu item. Each submenu item includes a submenu item action indicator (Menu Item C1through Menu Item C8and a back arrow) and an associated selectable area. The cursor402B is remapped to the selection elements of the input device such that the cursor402B may be utilize the select the selectable area of one or more of the submenu items. The selectable area of the submenu items, other than the central submenu item, each have a smaller portion located closer to the central submenu item and a larger portion located further from the central menu item.

In response to a user selection of one or more of the selectable areas, the action indicated by the submenu item action indicator associated with the corresponding associated selectable element indicator may be performed. For example, submenu item action indicator “back arrow” may indicate the action of returning to the previous menu401A. If a user selects e selectable area associated with “back arrow”, the previous menu401A may be generated and the cursor402A is remapped again to the selection elements of the input device such that the cursor402A may be utilize the select the selectable area of one or more of the menu items, as illustrated inFIG. 4A.

Referring again toFIG. 4A, menu item action indicator “back arrow” may indicate the action of exiting the menu401A. If a user selects the selectable area associated with “back arrow”, the sample user interface400C that does not include the menu401A may be generated, as illustrated inFIG. 4C. In this example the sample user interface400C is a display screen for video programming content and therefore the sample user interface400C that does not include the menu401A displays the video programming content.

FIGS. 5A and 5Billustrate a second method500of providing a user interface which may be performed by the processing unit102of the computing device101loading and executing one or more instructions embodied in a computer-readable and/or machine-readable medium, such as the storage media103and/or another storage medium.

The flow begins at block501and proceeds to block502. At block502, the processing unit102generates menu including multiple menu items peripherally arranged around a central menu item and the flow proceeds to block503. In this example, the menu items are circularly arranged around the central menu item. At block503, the processing unit102maps menu items to selectable elements of the input device and the flow proceeds to block504. At block504, the processing unit102transmits a display image that includes the menu to a display device via the transmitter component104and the flow proceeds to block505. At block505, the processing unit102waits for a selection of one or more selectable elements of the input device to be received. The flow then proceeds to block506. At block506, the processing unit102determines whether a selection has been received via receiver component105. If a selection has been received, the flow proceeds to block507. If a selection has not been received, the flow proceeds to block505.

At block507, the processing unit102determines whether the selection specifies to execute a task, alter the menu, or modify the menu. If the selection specifies to execute a task, the flow proceeds to block508. If the selection specifies to modify the menu, the flow proceeds to block510. If the selection specifies to alter the menu, the flow proceeds to block513. At block508, the processing unit102executes the specified task and the flow proceeds to block509and ends.

At block510, the processing unit102modifies the previous menu as specified and the flow proceeds to block511. At block511, the processing unit102remaps the modified menu items to selectable elements of the input device and the flow proceeds to block512. At block512, the processing unit102transmits an updated display image that includes the modified menu to the display device via the transmitter component104. The flow then proceeds to block506.

At block513, the processing unit102determines whether the selection specifies to exit the menu, return to a previous menu, or generate a new menu (such as a submenu for a selected menu item). If the selection specifies to exit the menu, the flow proceeds to block514. If the selection specifies to return to a previous menu, the flow proceeds to block515. If the selection specifies to generate a new menu, the flow proceeds to block518. At block514, the processing unit102transmits an updated display image that does not include the menu to the display device via the transmitter component104. The flow then proceeds to block509.

At block515, the processing unit102generates the previous menu including previous multiple menu items and the flow proceeds to block516. At block516, the processing unit102maps the previous menu items to selectable elements of the input device and the flow proceeds to block517. At block517, the processing unit102transmits an updated display image that includes the previous menu to the display device via the transmitter component104. The flow then proceeds to block506.

At block518, the processing unit102generates the new menu including new multiple menu items and the flow proceeds to block519. At block519, the processing unit102maps the new menu items to selectable elements of the input device and the flow proceeds to block520. At block520, the processing unit102transmits an updated display image that includes the new menu to the display device via the transmitter component104. The flow then proceeds to block506.

FIG. 6Aillustrates a third sample user interface600A, including a menu601A, which may be provided by the method500. As illustrated, the menu601A includes a number of menu items peripherally arranged around a central menu item and a number of menu items that are not peripherally arranged around the central menu item. Each menu item includes a menu item action indicator (Menu Item A through Menu Item L, Back, up, and down). The menu items that are peripherally arranged around the central menu item (the menu items that respectively include the menu item action indicators Menu Item A through Menu Item C and Menu Item G through Menu Item I) and the central menu item also include an associated selectable element indicator (1through9). Each selectable element indicator is mapped to selection elements of an input device, which in this example may be numeric keys1through9of an input device that includes numeric keys such as a keyboard, virtual keyboard, remote, numeric keypad, and so on. In response to a user selection of one or more of the numeric keys1through9, the action indicated by the menu item action indicator associated with the corresponding selectable element indicator may be performed. For example, menu item action indicator “Menu Item I” may indicate the action of playing a tutorial video. If a user selects the numeric key2, the tutorial video may be played.

By way of another example, menu item action indicator “Menu Item B” may indicate the action of generating an submenu. If a user selects the numeric key4, the sample user interface600B that includes the submenu601B may be generated, as illustrated inFIG. 6B. As illustrated, the submenu601B includes a number of submenu items peripherally arranged around a central submenu item and a number of submenu items that are not peripherally arranged around the central submenu item. Each submenu item includes a submenu item action indicator (Menu Item B1through Menu Item B8, Back, up, and down). The submenu items that are peripherally arranged around the central submenu item (the submenu items that respectively include the submenu item action indicators Menu Item B1through Menu Item B3and Menu Item B5through Menu Item B7) and the central submenu item also include an associated selectable element indicator (1through9). The selection elements of the input device may be remapped to the selectable element indicators of the central submenu item and the submenu items that are peripherally arranged around the central submenu item. In response to a user selection of one or more of the numeric keys1through9, the action indicated by the submenu item action indicator associated with the corresponding selectable element indicator may be performed. For example, submenu item action indicator “Back” may indicate the action of returning to the previous menu601A. If a user selects the numeric key5, the previous menu601A may be generated and the selection elements of the input device may be remapped again to the selectable element indicators the central menu item and the menu items that are peripherally arranged around the central menu item, as illustrated inFIG. 6A.

Referring again toFIG. 6A, menu item action indicator “Back” may indicate the action of exiting the menu601A. If a user selects the numeric key5, the sample user interface600C that does not include the menu601A may be generated, as illustrated inFIG. 6C. In this example the sample user interface600C is a display screen for video programming content and therefore the sample user interface600C that does not include the menu601A displays the video programming content.

Referring again toFIG. 6A, menu item action indicator “down” may indicate the action of altering which of the menu items are peripherally arranged around the central menu item. If a user selects the numeric key8, the sample user interface600D may be generated, as illustrated inFIG. 6D. Thus, the menu items are altered to be peripherally arranged around the central menu item as illustrated inFIG. 6D. As illustrated, the menu items that respectively include the menu item action indicators Menu Item D through Menu Item F and Menu Item J through Menu Item L are peripherally arranged around the central menu item rather than the menu items that respectively include the menu item action indicators Menu Item A through Menu Item C and Menu Item G through Menu Item I. Also as illustrated, the menu items that respectively include the menu item action indicators Menu Item D through Menu Item F and Menu Item J through Menu Item L now include an associated selectable element indicator (1,4,7,3,6, and9) whereas the menu items that respectively include the menu item action indicators Menu Item A through Menu Item C and Menu Item G through Menu Item I now do not include associated selectable element indicators.

With respect to the sample user interface600D, menu item action indicator “up” may indicate the action of altering which of the menu items are peripherally arranged around the central menu item. If a user selects the numeric key8, the sample user interface600A may be generated, as illustrated inFIG. 6A. Thus, the menu items are altered to be peripherally arranged around the central menu item again as illustrated inFIG. 6A.