Electronic document display

Methods, systems, devices, are described for displaying a document. In one view, a first substantially rectangular shape containing a current page of the document may be displayed adjacent to a second substantially rectangular shape containing a number of pages other than the current page. A rotational motion input may be received at the device, and the first and second shapes may be updated based on a new current page identified by the rotational motion input. In another view, a number of curved shapes may be displayed in a nested arrangement defined by a spiral, each of the curved shapes being associated with a portion of the document. A current page may be stored, and a rotational motion input may be received. The current page may be updated according to at least an end point of the received rotational motion input.

BACKGROUND

The following relates generally to electronic documents, and more specifically to the rendering and display of electronic documents for viewing on a device. Modern electronic devices are capable of storing a large amount of data in a small amount of space. Because of their size and portability, large numbers of consumers are using electronic devices to view content traditionally published on physical media such as books, newspapers, and magazines. Examples of devices used to store and display electronic documents include smartphones, tablet devices, e-readers, laptop computers, and the like.

However, the display of documents on electronic devices is not without challenges. Many devices used to display electronic documents have relatively small display areas. For example, some smartphones and e-readers have screens that are smaller than an average page from a book or magazine. Thus, efficient use of screen real estate may be a significant driving factor in how pages from documents are displayed on an electronic device. Additionally, navigating through a document on an electronic device can be less intuitive than navigating through the same document published on printed media. For instance, when reading a book, a reader may use her fingers to quickly flip back and forth between two sections of the book. However, electronic devices do not typically provide a digital analog to this type of navigation.

SUMMARY

The described features generally relate to one or more improved systems, methods, and/or apparatuses for displaying a document. Further scope of the applicability of the described methods and apparatuses will become apparent from the following detailed description, claims, and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the description will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

In a first set of embodiments, a method of displaying a document on a device may include displaying a first substantially rectangular shape including a current page of the document; displaying a second substantially rectangular shape substantially adjacent to the first substantially rectangular shape, the second substantially rectangular shape including a plurality of pages other than the current page; receiving a rotational motion input at the device; displaying a new current page in the first substantially rectangular shape responsive to the rotational motion input, and updating the second substantially rectangular shape based on the new current page in the document identified by the rotational motion input. In certain examples, the second substantially rectangular shape may share a side with the first substantially rectangular shape. The first substantially rectangular shape may, in some examples, be a square, and the second substantially rectangular shape may be a rectangle having a length-to-width ration substantially equal to φ (i.e., a golden rectangle).

The second substantially rectangular shape may include, for example, a third substantially rectangular shape having a page immediately previous to the current page. The second substantially rectangular shape may further include a fourth substantially rectangular shape adjacent to the third substantially rectangular shape, the fourth substantially rectangular shape sharing a side with the third substantially rectangular shape and comprising a plurality of pages prior to the page displayed in the third substantially rectangular shape. In certain examples, each of the pages in the second substantially rectangular shape is displayed at a size proportional to a distance of that page from the current page in the document. The second substantially rectangular shape may, in certain examples, include at least one page of the document selected by the user for bookmarking. In certain examples, the method may include receiving a selection of one of the pages other than the current page and updating the current page based on the selected page.

The rotational motion input may be received, for example, at a touchscreen display configured to display the first and second substantially rectangular shapes. The current page may be updated in real-time as the rotational motion input is received to navigate the pages in the document based on the received rotational motion input. In certain examples, the direction of the navigation may be controlled based on a direction of the received rotational input.

In certain examples, the method may further include receiving a request to display a chapter view of the document; displaying a number of curved shapes arranged according to a spiral, each of the curved shapes representing a portion of the document; receiving a second rotational motion input; and based on an end point of the received second rotational motion input and the displayed representation of the different chapters of the document, updating the current page of the document. In certain examples, the spiral may be a logarithmic spiral having a growth factor substantially equal to φ (i.e., a golden spiral). The method may further include allowing a user to navigate through a magnified representation of a selected chapter and updating the current page based on a page selected by the user from the magnified representation of the selected chapter.

In a second set of embodiments, a system of displaying a document on a device may include an interface module, an input module, and a current page module. The interface module may be configured to display a first substantially rectangular shape including a current page of the document and a second substantially rectangular shape substantially adjacent to the first substantially rectangular shape, the second substantially rectangular shape including a plurality of pages other than the current page. The input module may be configured to receive a rotational motion input at the device. The current page module may be configured to display a new current page in the first substantially rectangular shape responsive to the rotational motion input and update the second substantially rectangular shape based on the new current page in the document identified by the rotational motion input.

In a third set of embodiments, a system of displaying a document on a device may include means for displaying a first substantially rectangular shape including a current page of the document; means for displaying a second substantially rectangular shape substantially adjacent to the first substantially rectangular shape, the second substantially rectangular shape including a plurality of pages other than the current page; means for receiving a rotational motion input at the device; means for displaying a new current page in the first substantially rectangular shape responsive to the rotational motion input; and means for updating the first substantially rectangular shape and the second substantially rectangular shape based on a new current page in the document identified by the rotational motion input.

In a fourth set of embodiments, a computer program product configured to display a document on a device may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The medium may include code to display a first substantially rectangular shape including a current page of the document; code to display a second substantially rectangular shape substantially adjacent to the first substantially rectangular shape, the second substantially rectangular shape including a plurality of pages other than the current page; code to receive a rotational motion input at the device; code to display a new current page in the first substantially rectangular shape responsive to the rotational motion input; and code to update the first substantially rectangular shape and the second substantially rectangular shape based on a new current page in the document identified by the rotational motion input.

In a fifth set of embodiments, a method of displaying a document on a device includes displaying a plurality of curved shapes in a nested arrangement defined by a spiral, each of the curved shapes associated with a portion of the document; storing a current page of the document; receiving a rotational motion input at the device; navigating to a selected page in the document based on at least an endpoint of the rotational motion input; and updating the current page of the document to the selected page.

In certain examples, the spiral may be a logarithmic spiral with a growth factor substantially equal to φ (i.e., a golden spiral).

In certain examples, the method may further include displaying an indication of the current page over a curved shape of the plurality of curved shapes associated with the current page. The curved shape associated with the current page may be magnified. A preview of the current page may be displayed. In certain examples, the method may also include continuously updating the current page based on the rotational motion input as the rotational motion input is received.

In certain examples, the method may further include receiving a request to switch to a page view of the document, displaying a first substantially rectangular shape including the current page of the document, and displaying a second substantially rectangular shape substantially adjacent to the first substantially rectangular shape. The second substantially rectangular shape may include a plurality of pages other than the current page. The first substantially rectangular shape may be a square, and the second substantially rectangular shape may be a rectangle with a length-to-width ration substantially equal to φ (i.e., a golden rectangle). In certain examples, the method may further include receiving a second rotational motion input at the device, updating the current page of the document based on the second rotational motion input, and updating the first substantially rectangular shape and the second substantially rectangular shape based on the updated current page.

In a sixth set of embodiments, a system of displaying a document on a device may include an interface module, an input module, and a current page module. The interface module may be configured to display a plurality of curved shapes in a nested arrangement defined by a spiral, each of the curved shapes associated with a portion of the document. The input module may be configured to receive a rotational motion input at the device. The current page module may be configured to store a current page of the document, navigate to a selected page in the document based on at least an end point of the rotational motion input, and update the current page of the document to the selected page.

In a seventh set of embodiments, a system of displaying a document on a device may include means for displaying a plurality of curved shapes in a nested arrangement defined by a spiral, each of the curved shapes associated with a portion of the document; means for storing a current page of the document; means for receiving a rotational motion input; means for navigating to a selected page in the document based on at least an end point of the rotational motion input; and means for updating the current page of the document to the selected page.

In an eighth set of embodiments, a computer program product configured to display a document on a device may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The medium may include code to display a plurality of curved shapes in a nested arrangement defined by a spiral, each of the curved shapes associated with a portion of the document; code to store a current page of the document; code to receive a rotational motion input; code to navigate to a selected page in the document based on at least an end point of the rotational motion input; and code to update the current page of the document to the selected page.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes systems, devices, methods, and computer program products for displaying electronic documents using an intuitive and functionally aesthetic navigation interface. In one example, a first rectangle containing a current page of the document is displayed adjacent to a second rectangle containing a number of pages of the document other than the current page. The first and second rectangles may share a side. A rotational motion input may be received from a user, and the first rectangle and the second rectangle may be updated based on a new current page in the document identified by the rotational motion input. In some examples, a user may toggle between the above described page mode and a chapter mode, in which representations of various sections of the document are arranged within a logarithmic spiral.

Referring now to the Figures,FIG. 1is a diagram100of an example mobile device105is shown displaying an electronic document. The mobile device105may be, for example, a tablet computer or a smartphone. The mobile device105includes a display110configured to display pages from the electronic document. The display110may include a microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based display, such as a MIRASOL display available from QUALCOMM, INC. In other examples, the display110may include a light-emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), or any other display that may suit a particular application of the principles described herein. In certain examples, the display110may include a touchscreen that displays content and receives touch input at the same two-dimensional surface.

The page view ofFIG. 1includes a prominent display of a current page (9-54) and less prominent display of pages prior to the current page. For example, the device may display a first rectangle115containing the current page, and a second rectangle120adjacent to the first rectangle, the second rectangle containing a number of pages previous to the current page. The perimeter of the second rectangle120in the current view may be defined by the shapes of pages9-53,9-52,9-51, and9-50. In the present example, the second rectangle120shares a side with the first rectangle115. Pages in the electronic document may include text, images, or other content.

Each of the pages inside of the second rectangle120may be displayed within its own rectangle at a size that is proportionate to the distance of that page from the current page in the document. For example, inFIG. 1, the rectangle containing page9-54is larger than the rectangle containing page9-53, which is larger than the rectangle containing page9-52, which is larger than the rectangle containing page9-51, and so forth.

The page display ofFIG. 1may be recursive in nature. For instance, the first rectangle115contains the current page9-54, and adjacent to the first rectangle is the second rectangle120containing a number of pages prior to the current page. Within the second rectangle120is a third rectangle containing page9-53, and adjacent to the third rectangle is a fourth rectangle containing a number of pages prior to page9-53. Within the fourth rectangle is a fifth rectangle containing page9-52, and adjacent to the fifth rectangle is a sixth rectangle containing a number of pages prior to page9-52.

In the example ofFIG. 1, the recursive page display is enabled through the use of squares and golden rectangles. A golden rectangle is defined a rectangle having a length-to-width ratio substantially equal to φ, also known as the golden ratio, which has an approximate value of 1.61803399. In the example ofFIG. 1, Each rectangle containing a single page, including the first rectangle115, is a square. Each rectangle containing multiple pages, including the second rectangle120, is a golden rectangle. The geometric properties of golden rectangles allow for a recursive spiral arrangement of squares for the simultaneously displayed pages.

While the second rectangle120in the example ofFIG. 1contains pages that immediately precede the current page displayed in the first rectangle115, in other examples the granularity of the displayed pages may be different. For example, the second rectangle120may display pages in steps of 5 from the current page (i.e., a page that is five pages before the current page, a page that is 10 pages before the current page, a page that is 15 pages before the current page, etc.). In certain examples, the granularity may increase or decrease with each page displayed. Thus, the second rectangle120may show the three pages immediately prior to the current page, a page that is 10 pages prior to the current page, and a page that is 20 pages prior to the current page. In additional or alternative examples, the second rectangle120may display one or more pages that follow the current page.

A user may navigate the electronic document by providing tactile touchscreen input to the display110or input from one or more physical controls125. Based on the input from the touchscreen or physical controls125, a new current page of the document may be selected and the contents of the displayed rectangles115,120may change accordingly. In certain examples, the geometric characteristics of the layout shown inFIG. 1may be particularly amenable to input provided as a circular motion of the finger. The direction of navigation may be determined by the direction of rotation (i.e. clockwise or counterclockwise).

The display110may continuously update as the motion is made, thereby allowing the user to view the navigation through the pages in real-time. In some examples, the speed and granularity of navigation through the pages may increase or decrease based on the length of time the motion is made and the current distance from the page at which navigation began. Using this method of navigation, the user may glance back and forth between multiple pages of multiple chapters without the distraction or delay associated with other navigation systems.

Additionally, the user may quickly navigate to any of the pages shown in the second rectangle120by simply selecting that particular page in the display. For example, the user may tap on touchscreen display110over the selected page in the second rectangle120. Alternatively, the user may manipulate the one or more physical controls125to identify and select a page from those displayed in the second rectangle120The selected page in the second rectangle120may then be set as the current page, and the first and second rectangles115,120may be updated accordingly.

FIG. 2AandFIG. 2Bare diagrams200showing an example mobile device105-aat different points during an operation for navigating through the electronic document. The mobile device105-amay be an example of the mobile device105described above with reference toFIG. 1. AtFIG. 2A, the current page displayed in the first rectangle115-ais9-54, and the second rectangle displays representations of the four pages (9-53,9-52,9-51, and9-50) immediately preceding the current page at sizes proportional to their relative distances from the current page. A rotational input is received from the user in the form of a circular motion on the touchscreen display110-a, as indicated by the arrow inFIG. 2A.

Based on the endpoint, speed, direction, and/or duration of the rotational input, the mobile device105-amay select a new current page of the electronic document and update the first and second rectangles115-a,120-aof the display110-ato reflect the new current page. In the example ofFIG. 2B, the rotational input provided to the touchscreen display110-aadvances the position in the electronic document by one page such that page9-55is now the current page. Accordingly, the first rectangle115-anow displays page9-55, and the second rectangle120-anow displays pages9-54,9-53,9-52, and9-51, which immediately precede the new current page.

FIG. 3is a diagram300showing a mobile device105-bfor displaying an electronic document. The mobile device105-bmay be an example of the mobile devices105described above with reference toFIG. 1,FIG. 2AorFIG. 2B. As with the previous examples, the display110-bof the mobile device105-bin the present example may show a first rectangle115-band a second rectangle120-b. The first rectangle115-bmay be a square, and the second rectangle120-bmay be a golden rectangle sharing a side with the first rectangle115-b.

The first rectangle115-bof the mobile device105-bmay show the current page (i.e. page9-54). However, unlike the examples described above, the second rectangle120-bof the present example may contain a number of pages from different locations of the electronic document, both before and after the current page. The pages shown in the second rectangle120-bmay include pages that the user has previously bookmarked while browsing the electronic document. The size of each bookmarked page may be based on the chronological order in which the bookmarks were created, the distance of the bookmarked pages from the current page, a user preference, or any other applicable criterion.

The user may navigate to a bookmarked page displayed in the second rectangle120-bby tapping over that page on the display110-bor by manipulating the physical control125-bto identify and select the desired bookmarked page. The user may also navigate through the document by providing input through the display110-bor the physical control125-bto advance or regress the current page in the document as described above with respect to previous examples. In certain examples, as the first rectangle115-bis updated during navigation to reflect a changing current page, the bookmarked pages shown in the second rectangle120-bmay remain static.

In addition, the display110-bmay provide controls for adding pages in the electronic document to the bookmarks displayed in the second rectangle120-b. In the example ofFIG. 3, these controls may include an add bookmark button305and a delete bookmark button310. For instance, when a user taps or otherwise selects the add bookmark button305, the current page may be added to the bookmarked pages shown in the second rectangle120-b. Similarly, when the delete bookmark button310is selected, the current page may be removed from the bookmarked pages shown in the second rectangle120-b.

In certain examples, a drag-and-drop functionality may be used to manage the bookmarked pages. For instance, the current page may be added to the bookmarks displayed in the second rectangle120-bby dragging the current page over to the second rectangle120-band dropping the current page onto the second rectangle120-b. Additionally or alternatively, a bookmarked page may be removed from the bookmarks of the second rectangle120-bby dragging that page to a designated area of the display (e.g., a trash can icon or the delete bookmark button310).

FIG. 4is a diagram400showing a mobile device105-cfor displaying an electronic document. The mobile device105-cmay be an example of the mobile devices105described above with reference toFIG. 1,FIGS. 2A-2B, orFIG. 3. As with the previous examples, the display110-cof the mobile device105-cin the present example may show a first rectangle115-cand a second rectangle120-c. The first rectangle115-cmay be a square, and the second rectangle120-cmay be a golden rectangle sharing a side with the first rectangle115-c. The second rectangle120-cmay contain a number of bookmarked pages (e.g., pages12-53,8-16,1-2, and9-55) from the electronic document. The display110-cmay also include buttons305-a,310-afor managing the bookmarked pages displayed in the second rectangle120-c, as described above with reference to the example ofFIG. 3.

Additionally, the display110-cmay show a home button405for returning to a home menu for the mobile device105-c. The home menu may allow a user to select a different electronic document to view or execute an application separate for another purpose. The chapter view button410may allow the user to toggle from a page view, as shown inFIGS. 1-4, to a chapter view in which the user is able to view a representation of the entire electronic document and navigate to a new current page based on that representation. Examples of such chapter views are given inFIGS. 5A-5BandFIGS. 6A-6B.

FIGS. 5A and 5Bare diagrams500of an example mobile device105-dwith a display110-dshowing example an example chapter view of an electronic document at different points in time. The mobile device105-dof the present example may be an example of the mobile devices105described above with reference toFIG. 1,FIGS. 2A-2B,FIG. 3, andFIG. 4.

In the example ofFIGS. 5A and 5B, the chapter view includes a display of multiple curved shapes505in a nested arrangement that is defined by a spiral515. In certain examples, the spiral515may be a golden spiral, defined as a logarithmic spiral with a growth factor substantially equal to φ. Each of the curved shapes505may represent a particular portion (i.e. a chapter) of the electronic document.

As shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, each curved shape505may be arranged such that it is bowed outward toward an enclosing portion of the spiral515. Invisible or real rays may extend outward at different angles from a central point of the spiral515such that each curved shape505begins at the intersection of one of the rays and spiral515. Additionally, each of the curved shapes505may end at the point where that curved shape505intersects with a ray defining the end point for all of the curved shapes505.

Because each of the curved shapes505represent a chapter in the electronic document, a user may quickly navigate to a particular portion of the document by selecting (e.g., via touchscreen display110-dor physical control125-d) a curved shape505associated with a desired chapter and tracing the user's finger along that curved shape505until a desired portion of the chapter has been reached. At that point, the user may lift the user's finger to select that portion of the chapter, and the current page of the electronic document may be updated to the page corresponding to the point at which the user's finger was lifted. Once the current page has been updated, the display110-dmay revert to a page view, such as the examples shown inFIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 5Bshows one example of navigating to a particular point of an electronic document using the chapter view of the present example. In this example, a user has selected curved shape505-c, corresponding to Chapter 9 of the electronic document. Consequently, curved shape505-chas been temporarily magnified, and an indicator520of a current selected point in the electronic document is displayed. The indicator520may track the position of the user's finger on the touchscreen display110-d. Additionally, a preview525is provided of the current page corresponding to the currently selected point in the electronic document. The preview may show a scaled down view of the current page in its entirety. In alternate examples, the preview may show a larger view of a portion of the text or images on the current page.

As the user's finger moves along the curved shape505-ccorresponding to Chapter 9, the current page may be automatically updated based on the rotational input received from the user's finger. Coinciding with the dynamic updating of the current page, the indicator520may move and the preview525may be updated to reflect the current page. Once the user has selected the page to which the user desires to navigate, the user's finger may be removed from the touchscreen display110-d. At this point, the display110-dmay revert to a page view, such as the page views shown inFIGS. 1-4. In additional or alternate examples, the user may select the curved shape505-ccorresponding to Chapter 9, navigate along the curved shape505-cto a desired page, and select the desired page as the new current page using a physical control125-d. In certain examples, after selecting a page in this manner, the user may be prompted with a choice to either open the page view of the selected current page or continue navigating to select a new current page.

FIGS. 6A and 6Bare diagrams600of an example mobile device105-dwith a display110-dshowing an example chapter view of an electronic document at different points in time. The mobile device105-dof the present example may be an example of the mobile devices105described above with reference toFIG. 1,FIGS. 2A-2B,FIG. 3,FIG. 4, orFIGS. 5A-5B.

As with the chapter view ofFIGS. 5A-5B, the chapter view of the present example includes a number of nested curved shapes505, each curved shape505representing a chapter, disposed according to a spiral515-b. In certain examples, the spiral515-bmay be a golden spiral. The curved shapes505may be two-dimensional projections of three-dimensional shapes disposed such that each curved shape505begins at the intersection of a real or imaginary ray emanating from a common point and the spiral515. Additionally, each of the curved shapes505may end at the point where that curved shape505intersects with a ray defining the end point for all of the curved shapes505.

FIG. 6Bshows one example of navigating to a particular point of an electronic document using the chapter view of the present example. In this example, a user has selected curved shape505-f, corresponding to Chapter 9 of the electronic document. Consequently, curved shape505-fhas been temporarily magnified, and an indicator520-aof the current selected point in the electronic document is displayed. The indicator520-amay track the position of the user's finger on the touchscreen display110-d. Additionally, preview525-ais provided of the current page corresponding to the currently selected point in the electronic document. The preview may show a scaled down view of the current page in its entirety. In alternate examples, the preview may show a larger view of a portion of the text or images on the current page.

The user may select a new current page using touchscreen input or another type of input as described above with reference toFIGS. 5A-5B. Once the new current page has been selected, the display110-emay automatically switch to a page view based on the new current page (e.g., as shown inFIGS. 1-4). Alternatively, once the new current page has been selected, the display110-emay prompt the user to either toggle to the page view or continue navigating within the chapter view.

FIG. 7is a block diagram700of components in an example mobile device105-f. The mobile device105-fmay be an example of any of the mobile devices105described above with reference toFIG. 1, 2A-2B, 3-4, 5A-5B, or6A-6B. The mobile device105-fof the present example includes an interface module705, an input module710, a current page module715, and a document data store720. Each of these components may be in communication, directly or indirectly.

The mobile device105-fmay be used to display an electronic document to a user. The interface module705may be configured to generate a page view interface for the document by displaying a first rectangle containing a current page of the electronic document and a second rectangle adjacent to the first rectangle. The second rectangle may share a side with the first rectangle, and may include a number of pages other than the current page, as illustrated in the examples ofFIG. 1,FIGS. 2A-2B,FIG. 3, andFIG. 4.

In certain examples, each of the pages contained by the second rectangle may be displayed at a size proportional to the distance of that page from the current page in the document (i.e. the page displayed in the first rectangle). Thus, the farther away from the current page that a page of the second rectangle is, the smaller that page will be displayed in the second rectangle. In other examples, the size of the pages displayed in the second rectangle may be based at least partially on an order selected by a user, an order in which each page was added to the second rectangle for display, or any other criterion that may suit a particular application of these principles.

In some examples, the first rectangle may be a square, and the second rectangle may be a golden rectangle with a length-to-width ratio substantially equal to φ. This arrangement may make it possible to neatly arrange the rectangles into a recursive pattern with efficient use of space and aesthetic appeal. For example, a third rectangle may be shown within the second rectangle that contains a page immediately previous to the current page or a bookmarked page. Also shown within the third rectangle may be a fourth rectangle adjacent to the third rectangle, the fourth rectangle sharing a side with the third rectangle and containing a number of additional pages. The third rectangle may be a square and the fourth rectangle may be a golden rectangle. This pattern may repeat such that each page displayed by the interface module705is displayed as a square and each golden rectangle includes a number of pages.

In additional or alternative examples, the interface module705may be configured to generate a chapter view of the document by displaying a number of curved shapes arranged according to a spiral, with each of the curved shapes representing a portion (e.g., a chapter) of the document. The document may be navigated in the chapter view by selecting one of the curved shapes corresponding to a desired portion of the document, and navigating along the selected curved shape to reach a selected current page.

The input module710may be configured to receive a rotational motion input or other input at the device used to select a new current page based on the page view or chapter view interface displayed by the interface module705. For example, the input received at the input module710may include a substantially circular finger movement to advance or regress a current page of the document. Additionally or alternatively, the input received at the input module710may be received from one or more separate hardware controls, such as buttons or touchpads.

The current page module715may keep track of the current page of the document based on the input received at the input module710. The current page module715may be configured to interpret the input received from the input module710to determine a new current page. In certain examples, such as when a customer provides a continuous finger motion on a touchpad, the current page module715may dynamically update the current page of the document as the motion progresses to allow a user to navigate the pages in the document in real-time based on touch input. In certain examples, the current page module715may track a direction associated with the input received at the input module710and navigate forward or backward in the document based on the direction of the input.

The document data store720may store the electronic document. The document data store720may be a single database, or may be made up of any number of separate and distinct databases. The document data store720may include one, or more, relational databases or components of relational databases (e.g., tables), object databases, or components of object databases, spreadsheets, text files, internal software lists, or any other type of data structure suitable for storing data. Thus, it should be appreciated that a data store may each be multiple data storages (of the same or different type), or may share a common data storage with other data stores.

The current page module715may communicate with the document data store720as the current page module715navigates through the document. Additionally, the document data store720may provide to the interface module705the content of the current page for rendering in the first rectangle of the interface and the content of pages selected for viewing in the second rectangle for rendering in the second rectangle of the interface.

FIG. 8is a block diagram800of components in an example mobile device105-g. The mobile device105-gmay be an example of any of the mobile devices105described above with reference toFIG. 1, 2A-2B, 3-4, 5A-5B, 6A-6B, or7. The mobile device105-gof the present example includes an interface module705-a, an input module710-a, a current page module715, a document data store720-a, a bookmark data store805, a transceiver/receiver module830, and an antenna835. Each of these components may be in communication, directly or indirectly. The interface module705-a, input module710-a, current page module715, and document data store720-amay be examples of, respectively, the interface module705, the input module710, the current page module715, and the document data store720ofFIG. 7.

The interface module705-aof the present example may include a page view submodule810configured to generate a page view interface and a chapter view submodule815configured to generate a chapter view interface. The page view interface may include a first rectangle containing the current page of the document and the second rectangle adjacent to the first rectangle which contains a number of pages other than the current page, as described above. The chapter view may include a number of curved shapes arranged according to a spiral, each of the curved shapes representing a portion (e.g., a chapter) of the document, as described with respect to previous Figures. In certain examples, the page view of the document may be displayed by default, and the chapter view may be displayed upon receiving a request at the input module710-ato switch to the chapter view. Alternatively, the chapter view of the document may be the default view, and a user may request the page view through the input module710-a.

The transmitter/receiver module830of the mobile device105-gin the present example may be communicatively coupled with one or more antennas835to enable wireless communications between the mobile device105-gand other system and devices. In certain examples, the mobile device105-gmay communicate with one or more central server computer systems over a cellular, WLAN, or other wireless network to receive data related to the display of the document. For instance, the electronic document may be downloaded over a wireless network and stored in the document data store720-aprior to the interface module705-agenerating a page view or chapter view interface for displaying the document to a user. In some examples, various aspects of the interface may be provided to the mobile device105-gover the one or more mobile networks.

Additionally or alternatively, information from the one or more mobile networks may be used to synchronize a display of the document across multiple devices. For example, a user may begin reading a particular electronic document on a first device, and then transition to the mobile device105-gto continue reading the document. The mobile device105-gmay receive a last accessed page of the electronic document from the first device or another source and the current page module715-amay set the current page to the received page in the document to allow the user to resume reading the document where the user left off.

FIG. 9is a block diagram of an example mobile network system900which may be used to display electronic documents on one or more mobile devices105. In certain examples, a central server computer system930may be configured to perform one or more of the functions that are performed by the example mobile devices105ofFIGS. 7 and 8. For example, the central server computer system930may store electronic documents and generate page view or chapter view interfaces for display at the mobile devices105. The content of the electronic documents and/or interfaces may be communicated to the mobile devices105over a core network925and a system of cellular base stations915.

The system900may include base stations915(or cells), mobile devices105, a base station controller920, a core network925, and the central server computer system930(the controller920and central server computer system930may be integrated into the core network925). The mobile devices105may be examples of the mobile devices105described above with reference toFIGS. 1-8. The system900may support operation on multiple carriers (waveform signals of different frequencies).

The base stations915may wirelessly communicate with the mobile devices105via a base station antenna (not shown). The base stations915may communicate with the mobile devices105under the control of the base station controller920via multiple carriers. Each of the base station915sites may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic area. The coverage area for each base station915here is identified as910-a,910-b, or910-c. The coverage area for a base station may be divided into sectors (not shown, but making up only a portion of the coverage area). The system900may include base stations915of different types (e.g., macro, micro, and/or pico base stations). There may be overlapping coverage areas for different technologies.

The mobile devices105may be dispersed throughout the coverage areas910. The mobile devices105may be referred to as mobile stations, mobile devices, access terminals (ATs), user equipments (UEs), subscriber stations (SSs), or subscriber units. The mobile devices105may include cellular phones and wireless communications devices, but may also include personal digital assistants (PDAs), other handheld devices, netbooks, notebook computers, etc.

Thus, using the system900of the present example, the central server computer system930may communicate with individual mobile devices105to provide document content, generate interfaces, receive user input, and/or perform any other action relevant to displaying a document according to the principles of the present description. In certain examples, the central server computer system930may simply communicate with one or more mobile devices105to allow the mobile devices105to download electronic documents over the cellular network, and the mobile devices105may autonomously manage the display and navigation of the electronic documents. In additional or alternate examples, one or more mobile devices105may function as a thin client that relays user input to the central server computer system930over the cellular network and receives a generated interface to display to the user from the central server computer network930.

FIG. 10shows a flowchart diagram of an example method1000of displaying a document on a device. The method1000may be performed, for example, by any of the mobile devices105ofFIGS. 1-9.

At block1005, a first rectangle containing a current page of a document is displayed. In certain examples, the first rectangle may be a square. At block1010, a second rectangle is displayed adjacent to the first rectangle, the second rectangle sharing a side with the first rectangle. The second rectangle may contain a plurality of pages of the document other than the current page.

In certain examples, the second rectangle may contain a number of pages immediately prior to the current page displayed in the first rectangle. Additionally or alternatively, the second rectangle may contain a number of pages leading up to the current page in linear or nonlinear steps. In other additional or alternative examples, the second rectangle may contain one or more bookmarked pages from the document that remain static regardless of the current page. In certain examples, the size of each page displayed in second rectangle may be based at least partially on the distance of that page from the current page in the document. Additionally or alternatively, the size of each page displayed in the second rectangle may be based on at least one of a user selection, an order in which the pages were added to the second rectangle, a content of the pages, or any other criterion that may suit a particular application of these principles.

In certain examples, the first and second rectangle may be part of a recursive pattern for displaying the pages. For example, the method may include displaying within the second rectangle a third rectangle containing a page immediately previous to the current page, and a fourth rectangle adjacent to the third rectangle containing a number of pages prior to the page immediately previous to the current page. By making each rectangle that contains a single page (e.g., the first rectangle, the third rectangle, etc.) a square and each rectangle that contains multiple pages (e.g., the second rectangle, the fourth rectangle, etc.) a golden rectangle, the rectangles may be arranged in an aesthetically pleasing manner that maximizes the efficiency of screen real estate.

At block1015, a rotational motion input is received at the device. In certain examples, this rotational motion input may be a circular touch input received at a touchscreen. Additionally or alternatively, the rotational motion input may be received through a hardware control, such as a touchpad or a wheel. At block1020, the first rectangle and the second rectangle are updated based on a new current page in the document identified by the rotational motion input. In certain examples, the current page may be continuously updated as the rotational input is received, thereby allowing for real-time navigation through the pages of the document based on the rotational input. The direction of the navigation may be based at least in partially on a direction of the rotational motion input.

FIG. 11shows a flowchart diagram of another example method1100of displaying a document on a device. The method1100may be performed, for example, by any of the mobile devices105ofFIGS. 1-9. The method1100may be an example of the method1000described above with reference toFIG. 10.

At block1105, a square is displayed on a touchscreen, the square containing a current page of a document. At block1110, a golden rectangle is displayed adjacent to the square, the length of the golden rectangle being defined by a side of the square. The golden rectangle may contain a number of pages of the document other than the current page displayed in the square.

At block1115, a counterclockwise rotational touch input is received on the touchscreen. At block1120, the current page of the document is advanced based on the direction of the rotational touch input received. This advancement of the current page continues for the duration of the rotational touch input (block1125, Yes). When the rotational touch input has finished (block1125, No), the contents of the square and the golden rectangle are updated based on a new current page in the document identified by the rotational motion input at block1130. In certain examples, the contents of the square and the golden rectangle may be continuously updated as the rotational touch input is received.

FIG. 12shows a flowchart diagram of another example method1200of displaying a document on a device. The method1200may be performed, for example, by any of the mobile devices105ofFIGS. 1-9. The method1200may be an example of the method1000described above with reference toFIG. 10or the method1100described above with reference toFIG. 11.

At block1205, a first rectangle ids displayed containing a first page of a document as the current page. At block1210, a second rectangle is displayed adjacent to the first rectangle, the second rectangle sharing a side with the first rectangle. The second rectangle may contain a number of pages of the document other than the current page. In certain examples, the first rectangle is a square and the second rectangle is a golden rectangle.

At block1215, a request is received to bookmark the first page. The request may be received from a user through a physical or soft control. Additionally or alternatively, the request may be received by the user performing a specified gesture (e.g., dragging and dropping the current page to the second rectangle) on a touchscreen. At block1220, a location of the first page is stored in a bookmark data store. At block1225, the second rectangle is updated to display at least the first page as a bookmarked page.

At block1230, a rotational motion input is received at the device. The rotational motion input may be received through a touchscreen, a hardware control, or another type of control. At block1235, the first rectangle is updated to display a second page of the document as the new current page in the document, the second page being identified by the rotational motion input. At block1240, a selection of the first page in the second rectangle is received. The selection may be received as a touch input on a touch screen or as some other type of input. At block1245, the first rectangle is updated to display the first page of the document as the current page in the document.

FIG. 13shows a flowchart diagram of another example method1300of displaying a document on a device. The method1300may be performed, for example, by any of the mobile devices105ofFIGS. 1-9. The method1300may be an example of the method1000described above with reference toFIG. 10, the method1100described above with reference toFIG. 11, or the method1200described above with reference toFIG. 12.

The method1300ofFIG. 13may be directed to displaying a chapter view of the document, consistent with the principles described herein. At block1305, a number of curved shapes are displayed in a nested arrangement defined by a logarithmic spiral, each curved shape being associated with a section of a document, such as a chapter. In certain examples, the logarithmic spiral may be a golden spiral, that is, a spiral having a growth factor substantially equal to φ.

At block1310, a current page of the document is stored. At block1315, a rotational motion input is received. In certain examples, the rotational motion input may be received subsequent to a selection of one of the curved shapes. Alternatively, a selection of a curved shape may be implicit in a current page of the document. An indication of the current page may be displayed over the selected curved shape, and the selected curved shape may be magnified.

At block1320, the device navigates to a selected page in the document based on at least an end point of the rotational motion input. The selected page may be further determined based on at least one of a direction of the rotational motion, a speed of the rotational motion, or a duration of the rotational motion. At block1325, the current page of the document is updated to the selected page. In certain examples, the current page is continuously updated based on the rotational motion input as the rotational motion input is received, thereby allowing for real-time navigation through the document. In certain examples, a preview of the current page may be displayed before, during, and/or after the navigation to the new current page.

FIG. 14shows a flowchart diagram of another example method1400of displaying a document on a device. The method1400may be performed, for example, by any of the mobile devices105ofFIGS. 1-9. The method1400may be an example of the method1000described above with reference toFIG. 10, the method1100described above with reference toFIG. 11, the method1200described above with reference toFIG. 12, or the method1300described above with reference toFIG. 13.

At block1405, a square containing a current page of the document is displayed on a touch screen in a page view of the document. At block1410, a golden rectangle is displayed adjacent to the square in the page view, the length of the golden rectangle being defined by a side of the square. The golden rectangle may include a number of pages of the document other than the current page (e.g., pages immediately prior to or following the current page, bookmarked pages, etc.). At block1415, a first rotational touch input is received on the touchscreen. At block1420, the current page of the document is advanced based on the rotational touch input. At block1425, the contents of the square and the golden rectangle are updated based on the new current page in the document identified by the rotational motion input.

At block1430, a request is received to display a chapter view of the document. At block1435, a number of curved shapes are displayed in a nested arrangement defined by a logarithmic spiral, each of the curved shapes being associated with a section of the document. At block1440, a second rotational motion input is received. At block1445, the device navigates to a selected page in the document based at least in part on an end point of the rotational motion input. At block1450, the stored current page of the document is updated based on the selected point. At block1455, the page view is updated based on the updated current page, and the updated page view is displayed. In certain examples, the updated page view may be displayed following a direct or implicit request to toggle from the chapter view to the page view.