Patent Publication Number: US-2006010395-A1

Title: Cute user interface

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/586,855, filed Jul. 9, 2004. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention is generally related to the field of graphical user interfaces. In particular, the disclosed embodiments are related to a user interface for a mobile computing device.  
      2. Brief Description of Related Developments  
      A graphical user interface generally provides a means by which a user can control a device, such as for example a computing system or a mobile telephone.  
      A goal of software producers is not only to produce a great source code that operates without error, but also to produce a product with which the consumer interacts with satisfaction, quickly and easily. Graphical user interfaces, including icons, cursors, windows, and menus, have always played large parts in elevating the user&#39;s ease of interaction with the software program.  
      Traditional menu systems arrange a list of selections in a top-to-bottom linear configuration. The user typically uses the keyboard or mouse to point out and select a desired menu item. Popular selections are frequently placed at the top of the menu, with a descending order of usage for the remaining items. However, when a list of menu items becomes long, it becomes difficult for the average user to quickly review the list and even more difficult to recall from prior selections the exact content and positions of menu items. Prior art systems break the list into multiple smaller lists. In some cases, the lists are organized by general menu headings. Upon selection of a specific general heading, an additional menu list referred to as a “child menu” or a sub-menu becomes visible on the user&#39;s screen. Usually the second list represents more specific items within the general menu headings and partially overlaps the originally selected menu item.  
      Problems with linear list menus are many. First of all, people are generally bad with lists. A grocery list is good for a few items, however as the list becomes longer, the first few items are remembered, with the lower items being forgotten. As the list becomes longer, the case of memory recall becomes increasingly more difficult. When selecting items from a long list, the bottom items require traversal of the list from top-to-bottom, therefore creating a distance and consequentially time delay effect on menu selections. What is needed is a distance and time invariant arrangement.  
      One popular type of graphical user interface (“GUI”) display is based on a visual metaphor which defines a monitor screen to be a workspace known as a “desktop”, in which the contents of files and documents are presented in relocatable regions known as “windows”. In addition to windows, the graphical user interface typically includes icons that represent various objects in a computer system. In this context, the term “object” refers to any software entity that exists in the memory of the computer and constitutes a specimen of a particular class. For example, an object can be a data file, which contains the contents of a document. It can also be an application program or other type of service provider, such as a hardware driver. An object can also be a container for other objects, such as a folder or a window.  
      One of the advantages offered by the graphical user interface, in terms of making the computer easier to use, is the ability for the user to directly and effortlessly manipulate objects of interest by moving, or otherwise acting upon, their icon representations. For example, a graphical user interface typically includes a cursor, or a similar type of pointing and selection device, that is controlled by the user to select objects. By actuating a button or key while the cursor is positioned over an icon, for example by clicking a mouse button, the user can select the object to perform an action upon it. If the icon represents an application program, the action might be to launch the program. If the icon represents a data file, the action might cause the file to be opened within the application program that was used to create it. Alternatively, the file can be copied, moved into a folder, deleted, or the like.  
      A content driven mobile application framework for a user interface can include a platform  100  based on personal content life cycle. The applications can allow users to collect information, collaborate together and connect and communicate. The use of media allows users to get information, enjoy information, maintain information and share information. Other themes related to user interfaces include scaleable user interfaces and scalable vector graphics (SVG), zoomable user interfaces and user interface description languages, such as for example, extended mark-up language (“XML”).  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for navigating information in a mobile terminal. In one embodiment the method includes displaying, on a graphical user interface of the mobile terminal, a plurality of window regions, wherein each region is a container for objects and provides an overview of contents of the terminal and a status of the terminal. Receiving a first user input to make a selection of one of the regions and in response to the first user input, displaying at least one object corresponding to a selected region as the predominant object displayed on the graphical user interface and displaying other non-selected regions that have a relationship to the selected region in a secondary manner. At least one management tool for accessing information related to the selected region is displayed and, upon activation of the at least one management tool, the information selected is displayed.  
      In another aspect the present invention is directed to a method for providing and accessing menu functions on a display of an electronic device. In one embodiment the method comprises providing on the display, one or more menu functions in a menu structure where the menu structure includes a primary object and at least one secondary object. Upon selection of one of the menu functions, the selected menu function is reformatted to be displayed as the primary object on the display. It is determined which of non-selected menu functions have a relationship with the selected menu function, and those menu functions or object regions are reformatting to be displayed as secondary objects relative to the primary object on the display.  
      In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a graphical user interface for a terminal device. In one embodiment the graphical user interface includes a display screen, a user input device, and a processor arranged to display information on the display screen. The information generally includes a plurality of regions, each region providing information related to a contents of the terminal and a status of the terminal. The processor is also arranged to display a primary region and at least one secondary region. The primary region is displayed in a more predominant manner on the graphical user interface than the at least one secondary region.  
      In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a computer program product. In one embodiment the computer program product includes a computer useable medium having computer readable code means embodied therein for causing a computer to generate a user interface for a terminal device. The computer readable code means in the computer program product can include computer readable program code means for causing a computer to generate a background region and a plurality of window regions; computer readable program code means for causing a computer to arrange the plurality of window regions as a primary region and a plurality of secondary regions; computer readable program code means for causing a computer to display in the primary region during an idle state of the terminal device, an object including information pertaining to location services, proximity and context; computer readable program code means for causing a computer to present, in a first of the secondary regions, information pertaining to a content of the terminal device; computer readable program code means for causing a computer to present, in a second of the secondary regions, a calendaring function of the terminal device; computer readable program code means for causing a computer to present, in a third of the secondary regions, information pertaining to contacts stored in the terminal device; and computer readable program code means for causing a computer to present, in a fourth of the secondary regions, information pertaining to non-content related applications stored in the terminal device.  
      In one more aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for providing a graphical user interface for a terminal device. In one embodiment the method includes providing on a display of the terminal device a plurality of objects, one of the objects comprising a primary object and a remainder comprising secondary objects. The primary object is generally displayed as a predominant object in comparison to the secondary objects. The initial primary object is generally an environments region that provides proximity services, context services, and indicators for available content and service. The secondary objects being displayed generally include a content region that presents an available content of the terminal device including a gallery of content of the terminal device and at least one content creation application, a contact region that provides a contact list, a calendaring region that provides calendar, task and appointment services, and an applications region that identifies third-party applications stored in the terminal device. When a contact from the contact list is within a certain proximity to the terminal device, a contact identifier for the contact and a proximity of the contact from the terminal device can be displayed in the environment region. When a task from the calendaring region is selected, one or more contacts related to the task can be highlighted in the contact list. Upon selection of the highlighted one or more contacts in the contact list, a communication pathway is established with the one or more contacts. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of one embodiment of an electronic device incorporating features of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of one embodiment a user interface incorporating features of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3A  is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a mobile device incorporating features of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3B  is an illustration of one embodiment of a device that includes a user interface incorporating features of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3C  is an illustration of interaction with one embodiment of a user interface incorporating features of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a visual illustration of one embodiment of features and functions of a content region of a user interface incorporating features of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a visual illustration of one embodiment of features and functions of a user&#39;s region of a user interface incorporating features of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  is a visual illustration of one embodiment of features and functions of a task&#39;s region of a user interface incorporating features of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  is a visual illustration of one embodiment of features and functions of an environment region of a user interface incorporating features of the present invention.  
       FIGS. 8   a - 8   c  are illustrations of one method of navigating with one embodiment of a user interface incorporating features of the present invention.  
       FIG. 9  is a visual illustration of one embodiment of a user interface incorporating features of the present invention.  
       FIG. 10  is an illustration of another embodiment of an object layout in a user interface incorporating features of the present invention.  
       FIG. 11  is an illustration of one embodiment of an icon arrangement in a Content region of a user interface incorporating features of the present invention.  
       FIG. 12  is an illustration of scaling a user interface incorporating features of the present invention.  
       FIG. 13  is a block diagram of one embodiment of an architecture that can be used to practice the present invention.  
       FIG. 14  is a visual illustration of one embodiment of features and functions of a Content region of a user interface incorporating features of the present invention.  
       FIG. 15  is a visual illustration of one embodiment of features and functions of a camera application region of a user interface incorporating features of the present invention.  
       FIG. 16  is a visual illustration of one embodiment of features and functions of a Contacts region of a user interface incorporating features of the present invention.  
       FIG. 17  is a visual illustration of one embodiment of features and functions of an applications region of a user interface incorporating features of the present invention.  
       FIG. 18  is a visual illustration of one embodiment of features and functions of a web browser application a user interface incorporating features of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , a schematic diagram of a system  100  incorporating features of the present invention is illustrated. Although the present invention will be described with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used.  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , the present invention is generally directed to a user interface  200  that is designed for content and task driven mobile terminals. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the user interface  200  generally comprises a plurality of window regions,  210 - 250 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a visual arrangement of a menu structure of a user interface according to one embodiment of the invention. Although five window regions are shown in  FIG. 2 , it will be understood that the scope of the invention can include any suitable number of window regions.  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , each region  210 - 240  is a circular region that intersects with region  250  to indicate a relationship. In alternate embodiments, any suitable arrangement or geometric shapes can be utilized and the regions do not need to intersect. The user interface layout  200  can depend on the user interface description file and the I/O capabilities. These can be context sensitive and the containers shape, size and other properties are defined in the user interface description file.  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , the present invention also includes a background section  202 . At least one function symbol or other identifier can be located in each of the regions  210 - 240  to identify a function or content. The regions are generally defined as “Content”  210 , “Users”  220 , “Tasks”  230 , “Environment”  250  and “Applications”  240 . The terms are merely exemplary, and the scope of the invention is not limited to these terms or the functionality they provide. The user interface  200  generally provides an overview of the terminal, or mobile device, and its contents and status. This arrangement is suitable for use with a controller device having navigating buttons, such as for example a rocker switch that can navigate to and between the menu items, or directions, such as for example a joystick that can move a cursor in more than one direction. The user is able to provide an input to the user interface by using a controller device such as a rocker switch controller or a joystick having several optional directions to be moved. In alternate embodiments, the user is able to provide inputs by using voice commands or by using a touch sensitive display of the device or other known input means. If the user makes a selection of one of the regions  210 - 240 , the device executes a task relating to that selection executing at least one function related to that selection.  
       FIGS. 2, 7  and  9  generally illustrate what will be referred to herein as the main screen or “idle state” of the user interface of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the “idle state” generally comprises a Content area  210 , a Users area  220 , a Tasks area  230 , an Applications area  240  and an Environment area  250 . The content area  210  generally provides a gallery and content creation area. Personal content of the terminal device can be accessed in several views that can be based on metadata, such as for example, a file name, the creator, location of creation or age related information. The Content area  210  can also provide tools for creating, managing and editing personal content. These tools can comprise for example a camera; drawing pad; file and WWW browser; or text viewer; or image viewer or editor.  
      The Users area  220  generally provides the user with a contact list and different ways to communicate with contacts on the list, which can include rich call, chat and messaging. The User&#39;s area  220  can also include a phone book and presence information, for example. The Tasks area  230  generally provides calendar services for current and future events/tasks including a to-do list, journal and a call log for example. The Tasks area can also be used to display context events and active applications in the terminal. The Applications area  240  in the idle state displays applications not related to any content in the terminal and other third party-applications. The applications area  240 , if selected and activated, will provide the user with access to the applications stored in the terminal.  
      The Environment area  250  is generally displayed in a central portion of the user interface while the user interface is in the idle mode. In the idle mode, the environment area  250  generally displays context information, location-based services or proximity services. As shown in  FIG. 9 , for example, in one embodiment, time, date and location information are displayed, together with for example an indication of a nearby contact “(John (&lt;1Om)”, or some other such message. For example, an action item can be displayed, such as the “vote: Best slogan” icon  908 , which allows the user to respond for some purpose. In addition, in  FIG. 9 , availability of location-based service for downloading new ringing tone (“Get new ringing tone”)  911  is displayed. Thus, in the idle state, the user interface of the present invention at least provides an overview of the terminal contents and its status, a visualization of the personal content stored in the terminal, proximity and context information, awareness of persons and events of interest and the relationship between different objects present on the user interface. As shown in  FIG. 2 , each region  210 - 250  can have a direct or indirect relation with another region.  
      The user interface is provided on a display of an electronic device, such as for example, a portable terminal device like a mobile telephone.  FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of an electronic device  100  incorporating features of the present invention. The device  100  can be a wireless terminal device operating in a communication system such as for example, a GSM, GPRS, UMTS or Bluetooth system. The electronic device can also be for example a hand-held, portable or desktop computer or a game device or console, or a personal digital assistant (“PDA”). In alternate embodiments, the user interface of the present invention can be implemented on any content and task driven electronic device. The device  100  generally comprises a processor  101  and a memory  102  for operating tasks of the device  100  and for running applications stored in the device. For operating in a communications system, the device can include a transceiver  104  and an antenna  105 . For data input, the device  100  can include a keyboard  106 , which can be a soft key keyboard or touch sensitive area on a surface of the device providing visual symbols or other indicators for the user to select by touching the symbol. The device  100  can also include other input means, such as for example a joystick, a rocker switch controller, a touch sensitive display or voice command ability. For data output, the device  100  includes a display  107  that can be a monochrome or color display, an LCD panel, a touch sensitive panel or other suitable display as well as vibration motors for tactile output. If the user wants to use the functions provided in the menu of the user interface, the user selects a region, such as for example “Content”  210  of  FIG. 2  by moving a controller device in the appropriate direction, for example, by moving a joystick controller to the “up” direction or by pressing the appropriate, key, switch or soft key, if it is assumed to correspond. Another possibility is to tap the touch sensitive display on appropriate location. The user interface will then launch the “Content” application and the user can access the features of “Content” as will be described below.  
      For example, referring to  FIG. 3C , a five-way joystick  350  is illustrated as being used to navigate between the different windows of the user interface. Movement and positioning of the joystick  350  allows the user to choose between and select the different regions appearing on the user interface. These positions are generally identified on the joystick  350  as MY CONTENT  366 , MY TASKS  369 , MY APPS  368  and USERS  367 . The different positions of the joystick  350  can be soft keys or buttons, the functionality of which changes and adapts to the particular window(s) displayed on the user interface at the time.  
      In the first window  360  of  FIG. 3C , the joystick  350  is used to select the “MY CONTENT” region  362 , which is selected by activation of the MY CONTENT key  366  of the joystick  350 . The “MY CONTENT” application window  370  is then displayed on the user interface. As shown in  FIG. 3C , the window  370  can have for example three sections, Tools  371 , New  372  and Browse  373 , each of which provides certain functionality related to the selected region. The window may be divided to as many sections as needed.  
      In secondary relationships, the Current Environment region  362 , MY TASKS  363 , MY APPLICATIONS  364  and USERS  365  are displayed surrounding the central area of the display  370 , which is the “MY CONTENT” functional window  370 .  
      The functionality of each position of the joystick  350  is adapted to correspond to the MY CONTENT window  370 . The joystick  350  allows a user to select a Tools view  376  to select tools from window  371  related to the application(s) in the MY CONTENT region, a browse view  377  to browser applications in window  373  and/or files stored in the terminal device, a back to idle selection  378  which allows a user to revert the user interface to the original idle mode display  360  and a create new view selection  379  which allows a user to create new content from window  372 , such as digital image, drawing, document, song, or game play session.  
      If the user activates the browse view selection  377 , the Browse functionality appears as a window in display  380  and allows the user to browse any application or files stored in the terminal device. The browse view may display the applications and/or content by using a list, a grid or any other suitable method. The secondary windows  362 - 365  remain the same. The functionalities of the different positions of the joystick  350  can change or adapt to correspond to the layout of the window  380 . Selections  386  and  388  for example, allow a user to navigate within the content (e.g. scroll up and down), selection  387  allows the user to move to the “USERS” application window, which is the displayed on the user interface. Selection  389  allows a user to move to the “TASKS” application window, which is then displayed as the primary window or region on the user interface. Selection  389  made with, e.g., the soft key, back to the previous screen  370  and the windows displayed thereon.  
      The invention may be embodied in various forms. One embodiment includes a mobile device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile terminal, or the like, having a navigation display of an organizational model. The organizational model graphically represents features of a computer program for the device. As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the mobile device  310  generally includes a display  312 , a memory  314 , a processor  316 , and a keypad  318 . The keypad may include a left movement button  320 , a right movement button  322 , an up arrow button  324 , a down arrow button  326 , an input wheel  328 , and other input keys  330 . The keys  320 ,  322 ,  324  and  326  could also comprise soft keys, the function of which adapts to the status of the user interface. The input wheel  328  can rotate for providing rotary inputs to the device and can be depressed as a whole, like a button, for providing selector inputs. In another embodiment, the input wheel is located on the keypad as a rotatable button that can be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise, as well as depressed as a whole.  
      The display  312  shows an organizational model  332  of a computer program  333  stored in the memory  314 . The memory  314  also contains instructions for displaying the organizational model  332  and for navigating within the computer program  333  using the organizational model. A computer program as used herein may refer to any computer program within which an operator may navigate features of the program, such as operating systems, word processors, spreadsheets, email, telephone computer programs, games etc. In operation, the processor  316  processes the instructions in the memory  314  in accordance with the computer program  333  and receives inputs from the keypad  318  for modifying the view shown on the display  312  as is known in the art for graphical user interfaces (GUIs). The keypad  318 , display  312  and processor  316  may be referred to collectively as a graphical user interface through which the user can interact with the device  310 . The user navigates through the computer program and its features using the model  332  and the GUI.  
      The user interface  200  of  FIG. 2  visualizes personal content stored in the terminal, displays proximity and content information (content, services and people), and provides awareness information about persons and events of interest and show relationships between different objects. Each region  210 - 240  is generally a container for objects.  
      The level of detail provided by each region  210 - 240  depends in part on the zoom level setting and the size and shape of the screen of the terminal. Each region  210 - 240  can provide the same high level features, such as for example, browse and search, create and tools for management.  
      When an object(s) from a container  210 - 240  is highlighted, other related object(s) in other regions are highlighted as well, but in a secondary relationship to the selected object. For example, referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the user has selected the Content region  210 . The “Content” then becomes the main or primary window of the user interface as shown in  FIG. 4 . The main or primary window  410  is generally larger in size or view when compared to the secondary windows  420 - 440 . The primary window  410  can be displayed in any location on the user interface and be of any suitable size or shape. Generally, the positioning, size or other highlighting (color, bold, shape) will identify the window  410  as the selected and primary window. Non-selected, secondary window regions  420 - 440  could be shaped or generally less conspicuous in comparison to the primary window  410 . In addition to the “Browse Content” window  410 , the secondary and related regions of “Users”  420 , “Tasks”  430 , and “Environment”  440  are shown along the periphery of the “Browse Content”  410 . The functionality of each of these regions,  420 ,  430  and  440  is displayed, in addition to the features of the Content region  410 . The secondary regions can display relationships between regions and objects and filter out objects that have no relation to the highlighted object. In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 4 , the region  410  contains a collection of images and region  430  displays the date  431  (18.3.2004) when the images were created as well as small indicators about the creation time of each image. Similarly, region  420  displays secondary highlights  422 ,  424  for persons with whom the selected image is shared.  
      When an object in  FIG. 2  is selected or activated, the selection can initiate an animated view transition, such as for example, an animated view transition (zoom, pan, etc.). The animated view transition can be a navigation step, or application launch or a probe for displaying detailed information about the selected object.  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , the content region  210  of the user interface  200  generally provides the functionality for applications that can be used or accessed with the terminal device. Applications can be stored in or downloaded to the terminal device. In one embodiment, examples of these applications can include a camera, composer, gallery, media player, note pad or paint brush application, which might also be referred to as Java applications. The applications could also be more visual oriented applications, such as for example, radio, TV, games, and World Wide Web (WWW) browser. In alternate embodiments, any suitable application that can be downloaded and stored on a terminal device can be used.  
      By selecting or activating the Content  210  icon or the user interface  200  shown in  FIG. 2 , the user of the terminal can be presented with a “Browse Content” display  400  shown in  FIG. 4 . Some of the main features of the content page or window  410  include the ability to browse, view and create images, drawings, presentations, collections or documents. Audio and video can be played (title, stream, broadcast) can be viewed. Games can be played, Internet pages displayed and presentations displayed. The user can maintain, archive, synchronize and backup content. The user can also send, share and receive content.  
      In one embodiment, the content page  410  of  FIG. 4  interacts with or relates to the users region  220  of  FIG. 2 . Thus, in  FIG. 4 , the browse content window  400  includes a users window  420  that displays the functionality and features of the users region  220  of  FIG. 2 . The users section  420  can include a contact list or people, indicate users located online as well as their identity, as well as for example, a user identification or identifier (e.g. nickname and/or personal image, icon, or avatar). Indicator icon  422  may be used for showing the preferred mean of communication for a contact at that time and the icon  424  may display the contact&#39;s online status. In alternate embodiments, any suitable indicators or icons can be used to present a desired functionality associated with a contact. The users are generally identified from a previously stored contact list as will be described below.  
      The content page or window  400  also interacts with and relates to the Tasks region  230  of  FIG. 2 . Thus, in  FIG. 4 , the features of the Tasks regions, calendaring services, call log, etc., are displayed in window  430 . This window  430  can include the time and date, as well as schedules and appointment periods or times.  
      The content page  400  also displays proximity services related to the Environment region  250  of  FIG. 2 . Generally, the contact list can again be used to identify possible contacts, events, objects (e.g. file downloads) and services (e.g. printing) in a certain region or geographical area. Also, in this window  440  of  FIG. 4 , a physical location of the terminal as well as other context and proximity related information can be displayed, such as the name of the current location for example “Home (Tampere”).  
      Referring to  FIG. 5 , the user has selected the “Users” region  220  of  FIG. 2 . Thus, in  FIG. 5 , the Users window  500  is more predominantly displayed relative to windows  530 ,  540  and  550 . The users region  220 , of  FIG. 2  generally provides the user of the terminal with a launch pad for social interaction. Using a contact list stored in the terminal device, the Users window  500  of  FIG. 5  can display whether any users from the contact list are online, for example, as well as provide their identities. The area  510  generally displays the number of users that are online, the users being identified from the contact list  520 . The list  520  can include contact data and information as desired. In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 5 , the region  560  may provide detailed information about the selected contact. For example, in the list  520 , the contact name “Jenna James” ( 521 ) is selected by the user using a cursor or touch selection (tapping), for example. This activation or selection can highlight the contact identifier  521  and cause the details associated with the contact  521  to be displayed in an area  560 . In addition to personal information, such as contact details, area  560  may also display, in one embodiment, the time, date and duration  570  of the last time a call or communication occurred with the contact  521 , together with a total duration of all calls. The number of messages with the contact  521  may also be displayed in  580 , as well as when the last message occurred. In area  590 , an indication of files transferred with the contact  521  is shown, as well as the date of the last file transfer. It may display also available applications that facilitate conversations between users. These “conversation” or “interaction” applications can include for example, rich call, push-to-talk or chat applications. In alternate embodiments, any suitable application that facilitates conversation type communication between users can be used. The application could also include messaging applications, such as for example, short messaging service (SMS), multi media messaging service (MMS), instant messaging (IM), email and SAM.  
      As shown in  FIG. 5 , in one embodiment, the user window  500  relates to the content region  210  of  FIG. 2  and provides a display region  550  for displaying content that is shared or received recently from the selected contact. Region  550  can also provide means for creating new or editing old content in collaboration with the selected content, as well as the possibility to start a multi-player game session.  
      Referring to  FIG. 5 , the users window  500  also relates to the calendaring service and provides a listing of time occupation, such as for example appointments and meetings. The Users window  500  could also include a communications journal  540  that interacts with the tasks region  230  of  FIG. 2 . in such a way that the recent calls, missed calls etc. between the user and the selected contact are displayed in the task (calendar) view  540 . In addition, indicators, such as  570 ,  580 , and  590 , can be used for providing an overview of the social interaction (e.g. calls, messages and file transfers) between the owner of the terminal and the selected contact. In alternate embodiments, any suitable indicators or icons can be used to show any interaction between the user and a contact that is capable of being displayed on a terminal device.  
      List view  560  could also provide a link to the mobile weblog (blog) of the selected contact. Activating that link would open the web browser in the selected web address in the content area  550 .  
      The user window  500  also relates to the environment region  250  of  FIG. 2  by displaying, in region  530 , the presence and/or location of people. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the environment region  530  of page  500  indicates the location of the terminal (“Central Square”) as well as the presence of two people (“Cameron” and “Natalie”) from the user&#39;s contact list nearby the user.  
      The tasks region  230  of  FIG. 2  generally provides calendar services as well as other services that contain temporal dimension e.g. call log. These service or features are shown in the tasks page  600  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The basic calendaring applications are shown in the display region  630  which is now the prominent window displayed on the user interface. These services can include for example, time and date, and a daily calendar divided by time segments or periods. The calendar  630  can include events  632  shared by users. This means that the user can see the calendar information of the selected subject(s) and make an appointment that is visible to all the associated persons. If calendars of several people are visible at the same time in  630 , the associated contacts in the region  620  will be highlighted in such a way (e.g. color-coding or icon) that the user can recognize who is the owner of each event. For example, in the list  620 , the user has selected “John Doe”. In the calendar view  630 , a meeting with John Doe in region  632  is highlighted. Also, the region  610  could then display content objects related to the meeting with John Doe. To-do lists can also be shared.  
      The tasks page  600  might also include a journal and phone log and communication history as superimposed over the calendar region  630 . Depending on the region  630  settings it may contain different kind of temporal data related to, e.g., calendar events, to-do events, application usage history, and call logs. The content region  610  of the tasks display  600  generally displays the content related to currently selected event of the region  630 .  
      A feature of the tasks page  600  is to display the calendar  630  as a timeline UI component for other regions. For example, referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the task region  430  and  540 , respectively, is shown as a time line component on a portion of the page.  FIG. 4 . shows an example where the region  410  contains a collection of images and the timeline component  430  displays indicators (small dots) when these images are taken and the user may see who the visible collection is spanned. On the other hand, the user may change the length of the timeline and by doing so interact with the collection increasing/decreasing the number of images  
      The environment region  250  of  FIG. 2  generally provides access to proximity and location based services and information. Services may be related to, e.g., wayfinding; gaming; advertising; printing; and public announcements and annotations; and transportation (timetables). As shown in  FIG. 7 , the environment page  700 , generally provides navigation and location information in region  710 , the more predominant window on the screen. Also included in region  710  can be navigation aids, maps and landmarks and distances between contacts or objects of interest. For example, in the map region  710 , “Jenny” is identified as being 1.5 km from the location of the terminal while “Barbara” is 3.0 km away. Their respective positions can be represented by icons or text on the map region  710 . The location determination is generally a function of the position locating services and functionality of the terminal device. For example, it may be a feature of the terminal device to use a global positioning service (“GPS”) to identify a geographical location of the terminal device. By interacting with a service provider associated with the terminal device, the user can identify contacts from  720 , for which geographical locations or positions are desired. This information could then be determined and transmitted back to the terminal device. In alternate embodiments any suitable positioning or location device or service can be used then will provide a location of one terminal device to another terminal device.  
      The background area  760  of the display  700  can be used to display information about the terminal. Signal strengths can be indicated as bars  762 . The signal strength indicators may also indicate the security level of the connection. For example, if the connection is encrypted an indicator  772  is displayed on the right side of the bar. Another option is that that if the connection is with someone listed in the contact list, a small “buddy indicator”  770  is displayed. Traffic to and from the terminal can be shown as bars  764 . In one embodiment the indicators  764  could be shown with color coding, where no traffic is indicated as, e.g., unfilled rectangle  764 . Although rectangles are shown, any suitable type of indicator, including size or shape, can be used.  
      In one embodiment, battery strength indicators  768  can also be provided.  
      Applications that do not necessarily relate directly to other regions shown in  FIG. 2 , may also be found in the Applications region  240 . These applications could include for example, currency and temperature converters, a calculator application, or third party applications. For example, in  FIG. 7 , some other applications are illustrated as icons  751  and  752  in window  750 .  
      The user interface of the present invention can also be adapted to be used with gestures, such as performing a gesture and using 2D/3D acceleration sensors for sensing movement. Then an action is performed based on the recognized gesture (e.g. moving terminal up direction and then shaking it would navigate to “Browse content” region) and voice commands.  
      One example of interaction with a user interface incorporating features of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 8A-8C . A user interface  800  is shown in an idle state in  FIG. 8A . The user interface comprises a central “Environment” region  810 . Surrounding the environment region  810  are four other regions, Content  812 , Users  814 , Applications  816  and Tasks  818 . A 5-way joystick  820 , with one soft key is used as the selection and input device. As illustrated in  FIG. 8A , the user selects the “CONTENT” region  812  by selecting and activating key  822 .  
      The content page  830  is then displayed as illustrated in  FIG. 8B . The content page  830  comprises a center section  832  that allows a user to create new content object; start application, or browse existing applications or content objects. Content object may be, e.g., a movie, image, game, slideshow, document, web page, audio file, spreadsheet, or a collection of objects. The user can either browse  834  for existing applications or content objects; or select a “new”  836  and create a new content object or start an application that can be uploaded or downloaded to the terminal. Surrounding the center section  832  are a Tools region  838 , a Users region  840 , Environment region  842  and a Tasks region  844 . The tools region  838  generally comprises features for searching, archiving, editing, synchronizing and backing up information.  
      In  FIG. 8B , the user uses the joystick keys  820  to select the “Browse” function  834  by activating key  824 .  
      The “Browse Content” display  850  is illustrated in  FIG. 8C . This would be the main screen on the display of the user interface in this mode. Here, the center section  852  displays the available programs and applications that can be selected. The buttons  822  and  826  are re-programmed or reassigned the scroll-up and scroll-down functionalities, the button  828  is used for moving to Tasks region  844  and the button  824  is used for moving to Users region  852 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 9 , another embodiment of a visual layout of a user interface incorporating features of the present invention is illustrated. In this idle state, the Environment region  910  is the main or predominant window, highlighted as a complete circle in the center portion of the display area. The secondary application or windows  912 ,  914 ,  916  and  918  are shown as portions of circles, in the corner of the display. The user interface  900  shown in  FIG. 9 , is generally adapted to allow frequently performed tasks to be carried out with one hand. Thus, while a user is for example holding a terminal that has a user interface  340 , the user can interact with the user interface by acting on a touch screen display on the terminal. In one embodiment the interaction could be carried out using a stylus. Alternatively, any suitable means for interacting with a touch screen display can be used.  
      In another embodiment, a rotator device can be used to move a cursor or other activator or selection device about the user interface  900  to the different regions  912 - 918 . The rotator could comprise for example, a jog wheel with rocker keys. In a further embodiment, a joystick on the terminal could be used to move the cursor or other activation or selection device about the screen of the user interface  900 . Generally, a 5-way joystick would be required to be able to select and activate each of the regions  912 - 918 . In an alternate embodiment, keys or buttons  320 - 326  of  FIG. 3C  could be used to manipulate a cursor about the display of the user interface. Also, if the display of the user interface is touch sensitive, a finger or other pointing device, such as stylus  327  of  FIG. 3A , could be used to make the selection.  
      There are five regions illustrated in  FIG. 9 . A central region  910 , surrounded by regions  912 ,  914 ,  916  and  918  in the corners of the display. The center region  910  can be a circle, while each corner region  912 - 918  is a semi circle portion. In alternate embodiments, any suitable shapes can be used. Also, number of regions may vary, e.g., in some cases region  914  may be missing. As will be discussed below, the user interface of the present invention can scale to any size or orientation of display screen. Thus, while the regions  912 - 918  can comprise complete circles in one embodiment, in a smaller embodiment, only a partial portion of the circle or other geometric shape might be present. In one embodiment the size of the region may reflect the number of objects that are available for user interaction.  
      The central region  910  shown in  FIG. 9  can comprise the Environment region. The time, date, proximity and location related information could be displayed in this region. The proximity information can relate to or interface with the Content region  918  and indicate that some content-related object is available now, such as for example a new ringing tone as indicated by the icon  911 . It can also relate to or interface with the Tasks region  912  and indicate that some action that is, e.g., valid for a certain time period can be performed here. For example, the region  910  can relate to or interface with an action illustrated by the icon  908  “Vote: Best slogan!” which is a public poll where the use has a possibility to vote for the best slogan for some purpose. The region  910  can also relate to or interface with the Contacts region  916  to identify that a contact is nearby, as illustrated by the icon  909  that John is less than 10 m away. The region  910  can also inform a user about services, such as a free wi-fi hotspot or printing service.  
      The “MY TASKS” region  912  generally provides calendar and other related services. In one embodiment, the MY TASKS region  912  could include additional icons or objects  913  that indicate for example, a missed call that requires a return call or an indicator for an upcoming event. In alternate embodiments any suitable number of indicators can be utilized.  
      The “APPLICATIONS” region  916  shown in  FIG. 9  generally provides the user with information related to Applications stored in the terminal device. Generally, a category of applications can be stored and displayed, including for example, games.  
      In the “MY CONTACTS” region  916  shown in  FIG. 9 , contact list information can be stored and accessed. Information on conversations and messages between contacts can be accessed as well as information and data persons for who to share some content (e.g. images).  
      The “MY CONTENT” region  918  shown in  FIG. 9  generally allows a user to create, edit, annotate information and data, documents, images, audio, video and applications. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the MY CONTENT region  918  can also include additional icons or objects  920  that allow a user to access additional functions related to the MY CONTENT region. These could include for example, changing and filtering a view.  
      The battery strength, signal strength and other operational aspects of the terminal device can be displayed for example in region  930 .  
       FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate other embodiments of a user interface incorporating features of the present invention where for example, rectangular regions in other window locations are used.  
      In  FIG. 10 , the Content, Tasks, Applications, and Contacts are rectangular regions arranged in a vertical hierarchy. A round selection device  1020  allows the user to move between and/or select a desired region. In  FIG. 11 , the Content region  1110  has been selected and is displayed in  1110 . The icons  1112  are applications that can be selected.  
      One example of navigation in a user interface incorporating features of the present invention is illustrated with respect to  FIGS. 7, 14  and  15 . The home or idle screen  700  is shown in  FIG. 7 . If for example, a user wishes to access a camera application of the associated terminal device, and the camera application is displayed as icon  731  in the Content region  730  of  FIG. 7 , the user selects the Content region  730  of  FIG. 7 . This results in a display  1400 , such as that shown in  FIG. 14 , where the Content region  730  of  FIG. 7  is the predominant region  1410  in the screen  1400 . The Content region  1410  allows the user to choose between creating “New” content or application use sessions  1420  or to browse existing content or applications  1430  stored on the terminal device. To activate the camera application  1421  in the “New” region  1420 , the user can select the icon  1421 . This enables the cameral application and provides, via the display, the functionality of the camera.  
      As shown in  FIG. 15 , the camera application can interact with the Tasks region  1520 . For example, a user may desire to do a timed image capture with a contact from the contact list  1530 . Alternatively the user could schedule a calendar event containing a captured image, or even attach an image to an existing event. The user can also select people from the contact list  1530  with whom to share a captured image. In one embodiment, the user could select the contact name or an associated icon in order to share the image. Alternatively, or in conjunction with the above, the user might select the contact or icon  1531  to initiate a conversation or messaging dialogue with the contact once the image is captured and shared.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 7, 14 , and  18 , one embodiment of navigating features, function and applications of a user interface incorporating features of the present invention will be described. The display  700  of  FIG. 7  is generally referred to as the idle state and presents a general overview of the contents and status of the terminal device. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the user is presented, via the user interface, with a display that allows access to each of the regions Content  730 , People  720 , Applications  750  and Tasks  740 , that generally defines the functionality of the terminal device. To enter or access the content region  730 , the user activates the region  730  by manipulating a cursor and selecting the region  730 . Upon selection of the region  730 , the region  730  expands to become a predominant region on the display as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . Here, the contents of the content region  1410  are displayed. In one embodiment, this is illustrated by the content region  730  expanding or shifting downward, displacing the environment region  710 . The environment region  710  can replace the applications region  750  to become a secondary region in relation to the content region  1410 , as the environment region  710  has a relationship with the content region  730 . The user then has the ability to select and activate any one of the functions or applications in the New region  1420  or Browse Newest region  1430 . This could occur by the user selecting and “clicking” on a displayed icon or moving the cursor to a specific icon. For example, if an image  1405  is selected, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a larger version of the image is shown at  401 . The contacts  402 ,  404 ,  406  and  408  from the contact list  420  with whom the image is shared, are highlighted in some fashion.  
      If, referring to  FIG. 14 , the user desires to enter another region, by moving a cursor left, right or down, or tapping on the respective areas or regions, the user could select one of the regions  1412 ,  1414  and  1416 , enabling that selected region to become the predominant region.  
      If, from the idle state screen  700  of  FIG. 7 , the People or Contact section  720  is selected, that region becomes the predominant region on the interface as shown in  FIG. 16 . More details on each contact are displayed in region  1610 . By selecting a specific contact, in one embodiment further details on the contact can be displayed, as for example shown in  FIG. 5 . In one embodiment, a feature of the user interface can be to establish a communication line such as telephone connection with a particular contact, when that contact is selected. The icons displayed along the column  1601  in  FIG. 16  can inform the user if such a feature is available or enabled.  
      Referring to  FIG. 6 , the Tasks region  740  of  FIG. 7  has been selected or activated. A more detailed calendar  630  is displayed. The level of detail associated with the calendar presentation can be expanded or contracted as desired.  
      In  FIG. 17 , the Applications region  750  of  FIG. 7  is selected. The activation expands the Applications region so it is the predominant region  1710  in the user interface. The user can then browse through and select any one of the displayed applications.  
      Referring to  FIG. 18 , in one embodiment, the user interface incorporating features of the present invention can be used to navigate the world wide wed (“WWW”), or the Internet. In the Browse Content mode referred to with respect to  FIG. 14 , the user selects the WWW application. The user can expand the interface to view the www browser in a full screen mode as illustrated in  FIG. 18 . For example, a soft key can be used to toggle between a normal view and an expanded view. In  FIG. 18 , the Nokia.com web page is illustrated. The secondary regions are identified by the “P” icon  1810  for contacts; the “T” icon  1820  for the tasks region; and the “E” icon  1830  (in the middle of the screen on the bottom) for “Environment”.  
      As shown in  FIG. 15 , the control device  1540  can be adapted or configured to allow the user to use the control device to activate zoom feature  1541 ,  1542  when viewing the image. The control device  1540  could also be adapted to allow the user to activate a key  1543  of the device  1540  to capture the image. Positions or buttons  1544  and  1545  could be adapted to allow the user to select the People region  1530  and Task regions  1520 , respectively. In a similar fashion the display of the user interface and control device can be adapted to display and control the functionality of each application  1502 - 1506 , illustrated in the “New” region  1501  of  FIG. 15 . Some of the possible applications in the gallery of content  1501  shown in  FIG. 15  can include for example, a camera or image recorder or photo application  1502 , a text application editor or creator program  1503 , a video application  1504 , an audio application  1505  and a game application  1506 . In alternate embodiments any suitable application or program that is capable of being stored or downloaded to the terminal device can be part of the content of the terminal device.  
      In one embodiment, the present invention generally makes use of XML-based user interface description language. As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the use of XML-based description language allows for scaling the user interface for different screen sizes and shapes. For example, for a square style display screen  1210 , the user interface is scaled to fit in a square relationship as shown in  1212 . In the square display  1212 , the corners  1214  are only a portion of a semi-circle as the object. In a rectangular shaped screen  1220 , such as a 16:9 aspect display, the display  1222  has substantially complete semi-circles  1224  in the corner regions as the object. The objects  1214  and  1224  level of detail will depend on the available screen size. Thus, for example, a small screen list item may use one line, but on a larger screen, four lines could be used. The number of lines used will depend upon the screen size. Generally, the regions and objects of the user interface of the present invention can be of any suitable size and shape. The user interface could also be made to be more than two dimensional, and can include 2.5 and 3 dimensional views.  
      It is a feature of the present invention to adapt the screen orientation (portrait/landscape) on a non-square screen and use one layout definition to adapt to different screen sizes. By changing the layout and properties of user interface widgets or objects from the user interface description files, there is a separation of the logic and presentation. The application does not need to rebuild to change the layout and each user widget or object adapts its content according to the given size if necessary.  
      The user interface description language generally comprises widget or object declaration and layout information. This supports multiple views within a same application. For example, grid layout algorithms, similar to HTML tables, may be used and nested grids can be used to achieve finer control over layout and positioning. In one embodiment, the user interface incorporating features of the present invention comprises a zoomable user interface (“ZUI”). A ZUI does not use windows. Rather, it comprises a canvas, where the images on the display are drawn to fit a size of the display. Thus, the level of detail of the use interface screen on the display depends upon the level of zoom. Navigating in a zoomable user interface generally occurs by zooming in and out and panning the viewpoint. Thus, in this embodiment, the ZUI has only regions and not windows.  
      The present invention may also include software and computer programs incorporating the process steps and instructions described above that are executed in different computers. In the preferred embodiment, the computers are connected to the Internet.  FIG. 13  is a block diagram of one embodiment of a typical apparatus incorporating features of the present invention that may be used to practice the present invention. As shown, a computer system  1300  may be linked to another computer system  1302 , such that the computers  1302  and  1304  are capable of sending information to each other and receiving information from each other. In one embodiment, computer system  1302  could include a server computer adapted to communicate with a network  1304 , such as for example, the Internet. In an alternate embodiment, the system  1300  could comprise a peer-to-peer (“P2P”) network, where each computer forms a network node and acts as both client and server at the same time. Computer systems  1302  and  1304  can be linked together in any conventional manner including a modem, hard wire connection, or fiber optic link. Generally, information can be made available to both computer systems  1302  and  1304  using a communication protocol typically sent over a communication channel or through a dial-up connection on ISDN line. Computers  1302  and  1304  are generally adapted to utilize program storage devices embodying machine readable program source code that is adapted to cause the computers  1302  and  1304  to perform the method steps of the present invention. The program storage devices incorporating features of the present invention may be devised, made and used as a component of a machine utilizing optics, magnetic properties and/or electronics to perform the procedures and methods of the present invention. In alternate embodiments, the program storage devices may include magnetic media such as a diskette or computer hard drive, which is readable and executable by a computer. In other alternate embodiments, the program storage devices could include optical disks, read-only-memory (“ROM”) floppy disks and semiconductor materials and chips.  
      Computer systems  1302  and  1304  may also include a microprocessor for executing stored programs. Computer  1300  may include a data storage device  1306  on its program storage device for the storage of information and data. The computer program or software incorporating the processes and method steps incorporating features of the present invention may be stored in one or more computers  1302  and  1304  on an otherwise conventional program storage device. In one embodiment, computers  1302  and  1304  may include a user interface  1307 , and a display interface  1308  from which features of the present invention can be accessed. The user interface  1307  and the display interface  1308  can be adapted to allow the input of queries and commands to the system, as well as present the results of the commands and queries.  
      It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims.