Abstract:
A mobile communication apparatus including a display and means for navigating among items displayed on the display, arranged to display a first list of items belonging to a higher hierarchical level on the display and being capable of enabling selection of a first item among the higher hierarchical level items by the means for navigation is disclosed. Upon selection of the first item, being arranged to insert and display a second list including at least one item belonging to a lower hierarchical level between the first item and subsequent higher hierarchical level items for enabling selection of a second item from the second list, wherein the second list is hierarchically associated with the first item. A corresponding application, apparatus and computer program is also disclosed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The disclosed embodiments relate to methods for displaying and selecting items in a portable apparatus, a rendering application, a portable apparatus comprising a display and means for navigating, and a computer-readable medium having computer-executable components. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Many times, items are stored in a device with processing and storage capabilities, such as a computer, a portable media player, and nowadays also mobile communication apparatuses, arranged in a hierarchical tree structure. The items in the tree structure are assigned a hierarchical level, and each item, except items on the top or ‘root’ level, is associated with another item on a higher level. As the number of items increases, and/or the complexity of the tree structure increases, it becomes more cumbersome for a user to manage browsing the items and to keep track of its position in the hierarchical tree structure. This is especially problematic in an apparatus with a small physical size, since the display of the device accordingly provides less displaying area. U.S. Pat. No. 6,928,433 B2, which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a solution for organizing and selecting tracks for a playlist in a portable music player. However, it is believed that improvements can be made that facilitates for a user to select among a plurality of items. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In view of the above, it would be advantageous to solve or at least reduce the problems discussed above. In particular, an objective is to provide a user friendly and display space efficient selection and browsing of items in a portable apparatus. 
         [0004]    According to a first aspect of the disclosed embodiment, there is provided a method for a portable apparatus, comprising: 
         [0005]    displaying a first list of items belonging to a higher hierarchical level in a display view; 
         [0006]    enabling selection of a first item among said higher hierarchical level items; and 
         [0007]    upon selection of said first item, inserting a second list in said display view, comprising at least one item belonging to a lower hierarchical level between said first item and subsequent higher hierarchical level items for enabling selection of a second item from said second list, wherein said second list is hierarchically associated with said first item. 
         [0008]    The method may comprise displaying a further list (a third list, fourth list, fifth list, etc.) in said display view, upon selection of a previous item, such as said item from second list (or item from a third list, fourth list, fifth list, etc.), in a previous inserted list (or a third list, fourth list, fifth list, etc.), the further list comprising at least one item belonging to a lower hierarchical level between said previous item and previous subsequent items, for enabling selection of a item from said further list, wherein said further list is hierarchically associated with said previous item. 
         [0009]    The method may comprise displaying a further list in a display view other than said display view, upon selection of said previous item, the further list comprising at least one item, belonging to the lowest hierarchical level between said previous item and subsequent previous items, for enabling rendering of a further item from said further list belonging to the lowest hierarchical level, wherein said further list is hierarchically associated with said previous item. 
         [0010]    The method may comprise indenting said inserted second list compared to said first list. 
         [0011]    The method may comprise indenting said inserted further list compared to said previous list. 
         [0012]    The method may comprise rendering a media item belonging to the lowest hierarchical level, associated with said previous item, upon selection of said media item belonging to the lowest hierarchical level. 
         [0013]    The method may comprise scrolling items such that said first item is displayed uppermost of the displayed items. 
         [0014]    The method may comprise providing symbols as visual cues to differentiate between said lists. 
         [0015]    The method may comprise providing symbols, at the top of said display view, as visual cues to indicate active level in the hierarchical structure. 
         [0016]    The method may comprise providing arrows as visual cues to indicate the existence of selectable sub levels containing hierarchical connected items. 
         [0017]    The method wherein said items are items of the group comprising: 
         [0018]    a media library item, a playlist item, and a tracklist item. 
         [0019]    The method may comprise selection from any list in the hierarchical structure. 
         [0020]    According to a second aspect of the disclosed embodiments, there is provided a media rendering application for a portable apparatus comprising a display and a navigation means, said application causing a first list of items belonging to a higher hierarchical level to be displayed in a display view and being capable of enabling selection of a first item among said higher hierarchical level items by said navigation means, wherein, upon selection of said first item, being arranged to cause insertion in said display view of a second list comprising at least one item belonging to a lower hierarchical level between said first item and subsequent higher hierarchical level items for enabling selection of a second item from said second list, wherein said second list is hierarchically associated with said first item. 
         [0021]    An application arranged to display a further list in said display view, upon selection of said previous item in a previous inserted list, the further list comprising at least one item belonging to a lower hierarchical level between said previous item and previous subsequent items for enabling selection of a item from said further list, wherein said further list is hierarchically associated with said previous item. 
         [0022]    An application arranged to display a further list in a display view other than said display view, upon selection of said previous item, the further list comprising at least one item, belonging to the lowest hierarchical level between said previous item and subsequent previous items, for enabling rendering of a further item from said further list belonging to the lowest hierarchical level, wherein said further list is hierarchically associated with said previous item. 
         [0023]    According to a third aspect of the disclosed embodiments, there is provided an apparatus comprising a display and a navigation device arranged to navigate among items displayed on said media player display, arranged to display a view comprising a first list of items belonging to a higher hierarchical level on said display and being capable of enabling selection of a first item among said higher hierarchical level items by said navigation device, wherein upon selection of said first item, being arranged to insert into said view a second list on said display comprising at least one item belonging to a lower hierarchical level between said first item and subsequent higher hierarchical level items for enabling selection of a second item from said second list, wherein said second list is hierarchically associated with said first item. 
         [0024]    An apparatus arranged to display a further list in said display view, upon selection of said previous item in a previous inserted list, the further list comprising at least one item belonging to a lower hierarchical level between said previous item and previous subsequent items for enabling selection of a item from said further list, wherein said further list is hierarchically associated with said previous item. 
         [0025]    An apparatus arranged to display a further list in another display view, upon selection of said previous item, the further list comprising at least one item, belonging to the lowest hierarchical level between said previous item and subsequent previous items, for enabling rendering of a further item from said further list belonging to the lowest hierarchical level, wherein said further list is hierarchically associated with said previous item. 
         [0026]    According to a fourth aspect of the disclosed embodiments, there is provided a computer-readable medium having computer-executable components comprising instructions for displaying a first list of items in a display view belonging to a higher hierarchical level in a display view; 
         [0027]    enabling selection of a first item among said higher hierarchical level items; and 
         [0028]    upon selection of said first item, inserting in said display view, a second list comprising at least one item belonging to a lower hierarchical level, between said first item and subsequent higher hierarchical level items for enabling selection of a second item from said second list, wherein said second list is hierarchically associated with said first item. 
         [0029]    A computer-readable medium having computer-executable components comprising instructions for displaying a further list in said display view, upon selection of said previous item in a previous inserted list, the further list comprising at least one item belonging to a lower hierarchical level between said previous item and previous subsequent items for enabling selection of a item from said further list, wherein said further list is hierarchically associated with said previous item. 
         [0030]    A computer-readable medium having computer-executable components comprising instructions for displaying a further list in a display view other than said display view, upon selection of said previous item, the further list comprising at least one item, belonging to the lowest hierarchical level between said previous item and subsequent previous items, for enabling rendering of a further item from said further list belonging to the lowest hierarchical level, wherein said further list is hierarchically associated with said previous item. 
         [0031]    The second, third and fourth aspects of the present invention may be combined in any way with the features of the first aspect of the disclosed embodiments. 
         [0032]    Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated. 
         [0033]    Other features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will appear from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached dependent claims as well as from the drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]    The above, as well as additional, features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein: 
           [0035]      FIG. 1  shows a mobile communication apparatus according to one embodiment; 
           [0036]      FIG. 2 ,  a - c , shows exemplary display views according to another embodiment; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  illustrates a hierarchical structure used in one embodiment; 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment; 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  shows a display view; 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  shows a display view; 
           [0041]      FIG. 7  shows a display view; 
           [0042]      FIG. 8  shows a display view; and 
           [0043]      FIG. 9  shows a display view. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0044]      FIG. 1  shows a mobile communication apparatus  100  comprising a display  102  and means  104  for navigating among items (not shown) displayed in a display area  102 . The navigation means  104  can be a rotating input, a joystick, a touch pad, but can also be implemented using a touch sensitive display, wherein the displayed items directly can be tapped by a user for selection, or be voice activated via a headset or a built-in microphone. The mobile communication apparatus can also comprise other elements normally present in such an apparatus, such as a keypad  106 , a speaker  108 , a microphone  110 , a processor (not shown), a memory (not shown), etc. 
         [0045]      FIG. 2  shows the displaying of items  202  on a display  200  in the form of a list, wherein  FIG. 2   a  shows the display  200  displaying a number of items, indicated by the patterned bars, in a first list. Assume that the third uppermost item  204  is selected. The selected item  204  will preferably be displayed on the top of the display view and the entire items list is thus scrolled, indicated by the scroll bar  206 , in such way that the selected item  204  ends up on the top of the display view, as shown in  FIG. 2   b . Further, upon selection of the item  204 , a second list of items is inserted between the selected item  204  and the successive items of the first list in the display view, illustrated in  FIG. 2   b , wherein the items of the second list are hierarchically associated with the selected item  204 . The hierarchical associations with item  204  can further be emphasized by e.g. indenting the second list of items as shown in  FIG. 2   b . A user is thus also enabled to select items also from the second list. If the selected item  204  is re-selected in the state shown in  FIG. 2   b , the second list is preferably concealed, and the view according to  FIG. 2   a  is once again displayed. If another item from the first list is selected in the state shown in  FIG. 2   b , another indented list of items is inserted between the another selected item and the successive items of the first list, wherein the items of the another indented list are hierarchically associated with the other selected item. If an item  208  from the second list is selected a third indented list of items is inserted between the selected item  208  and the following items, as is illustrated in  FIG. 2   c , wherein the items of the third list are hierarchically associated with the selected item  208 . Depending on the number of levels in the hierarchy the item selection and list insertion procedure can continue in the same manner until the level above the lowest level in the hierarchy is reached. If an item  209  from the third list, which in  FIG. 2   c  is an item on the level above the last level in the hierarchy, is selected a fourth indented list  210  of items is displayed in a new display view, with item  209  at the top, and a new list of items  210  as illustrated in  FIG. 2   d , wherein the items of the fourth list  210  are hierarchically associated with the selected item  209 . For facilitating navigation of long item lists, a scroll bar  206  can be displayed on the display  200 . 
         [0046]    The items in  FIG. 2  have been assigned patterns instead of real information text to make the disclosure more clear and not to obstruct the principle by text examples only giving understanding to few familiar with knowledge of relations between the items of an example. Similarities between patterns in items in different hierarchical levels are not an illustration of relationship. Thus, same pattern in same hierarchical level illustrates that it is the same item, and items placed below another item but with a slight indent illustrates hierarchical relationship with the item above. 
         [0047]    To illustrate the hierarchy in the example in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3  shows a part of the hierarchical structure  300  in the example, wherein the structure can be considered to have an imaginary ‘root’ under which all of the top items  302  belonging to the highest level of the structure. Among these top items  302 , we take a closer look at item  303 , which is hierarchically associated to items  304  at the one step lower level in the hierarchy. Among these items  304 , we take a closer look at item  305 , which is hierarchically associated to items  306  at the further one step lower level in the hierarchy. Among these items  306 , we take a closer look at item  307 , which is hierarchically associated to items  308  at the lowest level in the hierarchy, which can be referred to as the ‘leaf’ level in the hierarchical tree structure. As readily can be seen, the above discussed items  302 - 308  correspond to the items displayed in the example of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating a method according to one embodiment. It is readily understood that the complexity of the method will increase as the number of levels in a corresponding hierarchical structure increases. Thus, the method illustrated by  FIG. 4  should be regarded as exemplary, and similar methods related to more or less complex hierarchical structures are readily understood when reading the description below with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0049]    In a displaying step  400 , a first list of items belonging to a higher hierarchical level is displayed. Thus, in a selection enablement step  402 , a user is enabled to make a selection of a first item among the higher hierarchical level items, wherein it is checked  404  whether any selection is made. Thus, selection enablement step  402  is processed until there has been a selection. It can also be checked  406  if selection indicates that information associated with the selected item should be rendered directly. If that is the case, a rendering step  408  will be processed. Otherwise, a second list of items is inserted and displayed between the first item and subsequent items of the higher hierarchical level in the display view in displaying step  410 , wherein the second list comprises items hierarchically associated with the selected first item. Thus, in a second selection enablement step  412 , a user is enabled to make a selection of a second item among the displayed items, wherein it is checked  414  whether any selection is made. Thus, the selection enablement step  412  is processed until there has been a selection. 
         [0050]    Optionally, there can be checked  416  if the selection is made of an item from the first list, wherein a list of items hierarchically associated with the selected item is inserted and displayed between the selected item and subsequent items of the higher hierarchical level, or, if the selected item is the first item, concealing the second list and thus returning to displaying step  400 . 
         [0051]    It can also be checked  418  if selection indicates that information associated with the selected item should be rendered directly. If that is the case, a rendering step  408  will be processed. Otherwise, a third list of items is inserted and displayed between the selected item and subsequent items in the displaying view in displaying step  420 . This selection process continue until the lowest level in the hierarchical tree structure, the leaf level, is reached and a selected item can be rendered. 
         [0052]      FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a common display view in a mobile communication apparatus  500  comprising a general status indication section  501 , a softkey bar  502  and a general display area  507 . The general status indication section  501  can for example include symbols for battery status, reception quality, speaker on/off, present mode, clock time, etc. The status indication section is not in any way limited to only include these symbols. Thus, other symbols in any shape, form or colour can occur. The softkey bar  502 , situated at the bottom of the display view, is operable using the navigation means  104  mentioned in conjunction with  FIG. 1 . The function of these softkeys are not limited by the functions indicated in the figure. 
         [0053]    The preferred function of the general display area  507 , residing between the status indication section  500  at the top and the softkey bar  502  at the bottom, is to display information from running applications in the mobile communication apparatus. In our case the display area  507  displays lists of items which are manoeuvrable with the aid of the navigation means  104  in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0054]    Throughout this disclosure, references have been made to a hierarchical structure. The hierarchical structure can be fixed by a specification or application, or dynamically assigned, as will be discussed below. 
         [0055]    The navigation and the dynamics of the hierarchy structure will be explained by an series of examples, all in a context of a music library. However, as will be readily understood by a skilled person, the principle applies in a similar way to other contexts, such as phone books, photo albums, web link collections, To Do lists, etc. 
         [0056]    A music track can have a set of meta data associated. The meta data can comprise name of artist, song title, album title, composer, producer, genre, etc. 
         [0057]    In our example in  FIG. 5 , the display area further comprises a hierarchical item lists of meta data categories  503  with associated arrows  504  indicating further selectable sub levels of the hierarchically associated items. The user of the mobile communication apparatus can be prompted to select one of the meta data categories define as the highest level in the hierarchy. For example, the meta data category ‘Genre’ have been selected to be the top level. In view  1  a list of sub level items can then be displayed, such as ‘Pop’, ‘Rock’, ‘Country’, and ‘Jazz’. If a user then selects one of the items from the list, for example ‘Country’, a new display view appears, view  2 , displaying a new sub level with, in this case, an item list of country artists  503 . A further selection by the user, for example ‘Artist  2 ’, will in its turn display a new display view, view  3 , where a new hierarchical item list of albums, from that particular artist, which are hierarchical associated with the selected artist item is displayed. If the user for example selects the item ‘Album  2 ’ a new display view, view  4 , showing a list of items of songs hierarchically related to the selected album list item appears. The songs, which in this particular example is on the lowest level in the hierarchy, can be rendered. 
         [0058]    Note that in most mobile communication apparatuses, such as in the example above, the hierarchy association between meta data categories are predefined and not user configurable. 
         [0059]    When the amount of items in the meta data categories, such as artists, albums and songs, increases rapidly, as they tend to do in nowadays mobile communication apparatuses with large storage space, the navigation among the hierarchical ordered items becomes cumbersome to navigate and it is easy to lose ones bearings of where in the hierarchical structure one are. 
         [0060]    One way of reducing the navigation difficulties and mitigating the feeling of being lost when navigating large amounts of hierarchical structured items, in a in a mobile communication apparatus, or other apparatus with a limited display area such as a PDA, portable media player, etc., is presented in the following examples of the embodiments. 
         [0061]      FIG. 6  shows one embodiment where the common display area is the same as in the example in  FIG. 5 , and the same hierarchically associated item lists with meta data are used as in the example in  FIG. 5 . A user can be prompted to selects one of several meta data categories, such as ‘Pop’, ‘Country’, ‘Rock’ and ‘Jazz’, to define the top or root level in the hierarchy. If a user selects the meta data item ‘Country’  600 , in display view  1 , from the top hierarchical items list, the whole items list with will be scrolled, within view  1 , so that item ‘Country’ is positioned at the top  600  of the display view  1  and an indented items list of artists  601  is inserted, between the items ‘Country’ and ‘Jazz’, in display view  1 . The scrolling of items indicated by a scroll bar  604  placed at the right hand side of the display view. If a user chooses to select item ‘Artist  2 ’ from said indented list of items, a new indented list of album items are inserted between said ‘Artist  2 ’ and ‘Artist  3 ’  602  in said display view  1 . If item ‘Album  2 ’ is selected a new display view with an indented items list comprising ‘Song’ items  606  hierarchically related to the ‘Album  2 ’ items are inserted in the same manner, in said view  2 . The name of the ‘Album  2 ’ item is placed on the top of display view  2  to give a reference of the hierarchical belonging of the ‘Song’ items. The displaying of the hierarchical associated items ‘Country’, ‘Artist  2 ’ and ‘Album  2 ’, are all displayed as an indented tree structure in the same view of the display area, not in separate views as in the example in  FIG. 5 , while the items ‘Song’ is placed in a separate display view. The hierarchical tree structure, consisting of the levels associated with the items ‘Country’, ‘Artist  2 ’ and ‘Album  2 ’, is scrollable in the same view as indicated by the scroll bar  604 . The ‘Song’ items in display view is also scrollable via a scroll bar  604 . 
         [0062]    The tree structure makes navigating among the items very user friendly and it clearly shows how items are related to each other and where in the structure one are, which mitigates the effect of feeling lost in the tree structure. Note that this example comprises a plurality of levels, but the user can choose to have fewer, as well as more, levels for the dynamically selected hierarchy, depending on the desires of the user. In the example discussed above, a user has been able to set up the dynamically assigned hierarchy tree structure, but it is readily understood that this set-up can be made by an administrator of the media library, or which type of items to be structured, a service provider, or an operator. 
         [0063]      FIG. 7  illustrates a similar embodiment as in  FIG. 6 , showing a hierarchical tree structure with indented list items of meta data  700 . The embodiment in  FIG. 7  have a hierarchical address bar  701  showing, in display view  2 , the selections made throughout the hierarchical tree structure down to the leaf level where the ‘Song’ items are displayed. This will enhance the perceptual view of where the user is in the hierarchical tree structure. 
         [0064]    One way of enhancing the indented tree structure, and to give the user more visual cues of where in the hierarchical tree structure one resides, is to add a visual cue, such as an symbol, in front of similar items on the same level in the hierarchical structure.  FIG. 8  shows an embodiment with added visual cues to similar items in the tree structure. In the example in  FIG. 8  the visual cues are made up of different symbols. The ‘Country’ item on the top level in the tree structure is marked by a square checkered object  800  and the ‘Artist  1 ’ item is marked with a “crowd of people” object  801 . However, visual cues are not limited to the symbols presented in the example in  FIG. 8 , or even symbols for that matter. They could consist of any type of differentiating object or marking such as animated objects, different font styles, different colorations of the fonts or different backgrounds of items belonging to the same level, etc. This enhancement to the indented tree structure is especially efficient to use in handheld devices such as smart phones, PDAs, etc. 
         [0065]    If the display area of the mobile communication apparatus is extremely precious, such as in a small sized cell phone, an alternative way of communicating the hierarchical level information is by using visual cues only and removing the indenting and thereby compacting the display space needed for the hierarchical structure. One example of this is shown in  FIG. 9  where the visual cues are represented by symbols as in the example in  FIG. 8 . Each item list belonging to a specific hierarchical level share the same icon. For example the ‘Country’ item is indicated by a square checkered object  900  in front of the item name, the item ‘Artist  1 ’ has a ‘crowd of people’ object  901  and so on. The symbol will in this case serve as a visual cue, and group similar items and indicate which level in the hierarchical tree structure the item or the group of items belongs to. To enhance the compacted hierarchical structure presented in  FIG. 9  even more, a hierarchical address bar  902 , similar to the one in  FIG. 8 , consisting of the visual cues, is placed on the top of the display area. Thereby, showing the user on which level in the hierarchical structure one are. In the example in  FIG. 9  the symbols  902  in display view  2  communicate that the user have previous selected the ‘Country’ level, ‘Artist’ level, ‘Album’ level and are currently at the ‘Song’ level. As in the case of the examples in  FIG. 8  the visual cue does not have to be in the form of symbols only.