Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20040141008?dq=7,173,247
Timestamp: 2016-05-04 10:52:11
Document Index: 363708142

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 10']

Patent US20040141008 - Positioning of areas displayed on a user interface - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsThe invention relates to a method for controlling a data processing system via a user interface on which user interface image objects can be displayed in a plurality of areas. The user interface image object call is associated with the execution of a defined function of the data processing system. The...http://www.google.com/patents/US20040141008?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20040141008 - Positioning of areas displayed on a user interfaceAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20040141008 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 10/471,098PCT numberPCT/DE2002/000680Publication dateJul 22, 2004Filing dateFeb 25, 2002Priority dateMar 7, 2001Also published asCN1535414A, CN100538606C, DE10110943A1, DE10110943B4, EP1374027A2, WO2002071198A2, WO2002071198A3Publication number10471098, 471098, PCT/2002/680, PCT/DE/2/000680, PCT/DE/2/00680, PCT/DE/2002/000680, PCT/DE/2002/00680, PCT/DE2/000680, PCT/DE2/00680, PCT/DE2000680, PCT/DE2002/000680, PCT/DE2002/00680, PCT/DE2002000680, PCT/DE200200680, PCT/DE200680, US 2004/0141008 A1, US 2004/141008 A1, US 20040141008 A1, US 20040141008A1, US 2004141008 A1, US 2004141008A1, US-A1-20040141008, US-A1-2004141008, US2004/0141008A1, US2004/141008A1, US20040141008 A1, US20040141008A1, US2004141008 A1, US2004141008A1InventorsAlexander Jarczyk, Birgit OttoOriginal AssigneeAlexander Jarczyk, Birgit OttoExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (20), Referenced by (24), Classifications (4), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetPositioning of areas displayed on a user interface
[0037] [0037]FIG. 1 shows a part 10 of a user interface at three different instants in time. Part 10 of the user interface is shared by the three areas PERSONS, DOCUMENTS, and PROGRAMS. [0038] The PERSONS area is activated at a first instant in time. [0039] At a second instant in time the PROGRAMS area is activated through a user selection. By means of the method for controlling the data processing system by which the user interface is displayed, the PROGRAMS area is then displayed at a preferred position on the user interface approximately in the center of part 10 of the user interface, while the other DOCUMENTS and PERSONS areas are grouped around the activated PROGRAMS area. The other areas are grouped around the activated area by being repositioned. The PROGRAMS area which is activated is shown in a larger format. The previously activated PERSONS area is deactivated and reduced in size. [0040] The three areas are separate, meaning they do not overlap. [0041] At a third instant in time the DOCUMENTS area is activated through a user selection by means of an instrument for pointing that is not shown here. This is done by pointing with the instrument for pointing at the DOCUMENTS area being activated and marking it by depressing the instrument for pointing or a corresponding key. [0042] The DOCUMENTS area being activated is then displayed at the same preferred position approximately in the center of part 10 of user interface shared by the areas. The other PERSONS and PROGRAMS areas are grouped around the activated area by being displayed along that area's top or bottom edge. This means that no more than one deactivated area at a time is displayed between the activated area and the edge of part 10 of the user interface shared by the areas. [0043] By dwelling for an extended period of time over a deactivated area with the instrument for pointing, or by applying another suitable interaction motion, the user triggers a shifting (scrolling) of the areas resulting in scrolling to the next deactivated area, in particular with use being made of the rolling effect. Scrolling proceeds to the deactivated area situated on the opposite side of part 10 by activating the previously deactivated area over which the instrument for pointing is positioned by the user and displaying this in large format in the center. The previously activated area is deactivated and the other previously deactivated areas are displayed at the location of the previously deactivated area over which the instrument for pointing is positioned by the user. The method then pauses for an instant and the user can decide whether to drag the instrument for pointing, where applicable along with a user interface image object associated with it, into the now newly activated area in order to marry the user interface image object with a user interface image object in this area. Or the user can opt not to move the instrument for pointing and instead continue holding it over the still deactivated area that has arrived at a position below the instrument for pointing through scrolling. Scrolling then resumes after the pause. [0044] The embodiment cited in the last paragraph is especially suitable for a sizable number of deactivated areas in particular if, contrary to the exemplary embodiment, the method is implemented such that more than one deactivated area is displayed between the activated area and the edge of part 10 of the user interface shared by the areas. By dwelling for an extended period of time over a deactivated area with the instrument for pointing, or by applying another suitable interaction motion, the user here triggers a shifting (scrolling) of the areas resulting in scrolling to another deactivated area in a specified sequence. [0045] Part 10 of the user interface shared by the areas occupies the entire user interface. [0046] In FIG. 2 also, part 10 of the user interface can be seen at three different instants of time. In contrast to FIG. 1, user interface image objects are in this case also displayed which were initially omitted in FIG. 1 for better clarity. In the exemplary embodiment the user interface image objects are divided into three separate categories in keeping with the three separate areas PERSONS, PROGRAMS, and DOCUMENTS. Elements can be found in the PERSONS category in the form of persons PERSON 1, PERSON 2, PERSON 3, and PERSON 4, and groups of persons GROUP 1 and GROUP 2. Other groups and persons can be accessed through the possibility of scrolling through the activated PERSONS area on part 10 of the user interface by means of a scroll bar 20. [0047] The elements, groups, and persons are assigned user interface image objects which, in the case of persons, are advantageously embodied as an image of the respective person's head. Instead of this, the user interface image object of a person can also be a general person-related pictogram associated with the person's name. [0048] Elements that do not belong to the category of the activated area but which are to be available in the activated area are made available in the activated area by means of a display of a user interface image object representing the relevant element at the edge of the activated area bordering the display of the area to whose category the element belongs. At the first instant in time in FIG. 2, the DOCUMENT 1 document is made accessible in the activated PERSONS area by means of a display of a user interface image object D1 belonging to the DOCUMENT 1 document at the edge of the PERSONS area bordering the DOCUMENTS area. [0049] Instead of at the edge, the user interface image object could also be displayed close to the edge or on it. Instead of the display in the activated area, user interface image objects that are to be made accessible in other areas can also be displayed in the deactivated area if this takes place at the edge toward the activated area or close to the edge toward the activated area. [0050] In the exemplary embodiment shown, elements that are to be made accessible to another area are in each case displayed in bubbles in the form of circles in order to illustrate for the user the attachment of the relevant user interface image object at the edge of the other area. [0051] If, at the first instant in time, the GROUP 1 group is selected with the aid of an instrument for pointing (not shown), dragged into the PROGRAMS area, and dropped there, this action will activate the PROGRAMS area. The method for controlling the data processing system will then display the PROGRAMS area in enlarged format at the preferred position in the center of part 1 of the user interface shared by the areas. The previously activated PERSONS area is deactivated and displayed reduced in size at the edge of the activated PROGRAMS area at which it was displayed when the PERSONS area was activated and the PROGRAMS area was deactivated. The DOCUMENTS area remains deactivated and reduced in size. However, its representation is moved to part 1 of the user interface so it can continue being displayed at the edge of the PROGRAMS area where it was located before the PROGRAMS area was activated. This edge is formed by conceptually bringing together part 1 of the user interface at its respectively opposite open sides. [0052] Element 1 is made accessible to the activated PROGRAMS area by selecting, dragging, and dropping the user interface image object belonging to the GROUP 1 element. For this, a user interface image object belonging to the GROUP 1 element is displayed in a bubble at the edge between the activated PROGRAMS area and previously activated and now deactivated PERSONS area. [0053] The user interface image object D1 of the DOCUMENT 1 element is further displayed in a bubble at the edge of the PROGRAMS area toward the DOCUMENTS area. This element had been made accessible in a preceding step (not shown) to the PROGRAMS area. [0054] Because the GROUP 1 and DOCUMENT 1 elements were made accessible to the activated area via the associated user interface image objects, users of the data processing system can easily marry the elements with the elements in the PROGRAMS area. In contrast to users of the prior art, they no longer have to note which element they have cut and can optionally also make several elements accessible in another area. They can, for example, marry the GROUP 1 element with the PROGRAM 2 program by dragging the user interface image object belonging to the GROUP 1 element over to the user interface image object P2 of the PROGRAM 2 element and dropping it there. [0055] The function then executed by the data processing system is substantially determined by the nature of the PROGRAM 2 program. For example, in an embodiment of the PROGRAM 2 program as a communication program a conference circuit can be set up to the persons belonging to the GROUP 1 element. [0056] If, on the other hand, the DOCUMENT 1 element is married with the PROGRAM 4 program by dragging the user interface image object D1 over to the user interface image object P4 and dropping it there, it is possible to call up a word processing operation and execute it on the D1 document. [0057] Finally, another conceivable action is to marry both the GROUP 1 element and the DOCUMENT 1 element with a program in order, for instance, to send a mail to all persons belonging to the GROUP 1 element. [0058] If, at the second instant in time, the user interface image objects P1, P3, and P4 of the PROGRAM 1, PROGRAM 3, and PROGRAM 4 programs are marked by means of the instrument for pointing and dragged into the deactivated DOCUMENTS area, this DOCUMENTS area will be activated in the previously described manner and the PROGRAM 1, PROGRAM 3, and PROGRAM 4 programs will be made available by a display of associated user interface image objects P1, P3, and P4 in bubbles at the edge between the DOCUMENTS area and PROGRAMS area. [0059] If an element is to cease being made available to an area to which it does not belong, the user simply selects the associated user interface image object with the aid of the instrument for pointing, drags it back into the area to which it belongs, and drops it there. As an option for this operation, the area in which the user interface image object is dropped can be activated or the activated area from which the user interface image object was removed can remain activated. [0060] Finally, part 10 of the user interface shared by the areas is also provided with a field 30 which the user can select to exit the method and go to other applications. [0061] FIGS. 3 to 10 show how the activated area and other areas can be positioned so as to produce a rolling effect. The method is disclosed for n=3, 4, 6, and 9 areas. However, the method can basically also be implemented with any number of areas n provided the number of areas n is dimensioned so that rotation loops can be formed in both directions of roll. However, the recommendation is to minimize the number of areas n in the interest of achieving a clearly arranged presentation, which is also of practical benefit in terms of space. n=3 has proved a very suitable number of areas in practice. [0062] [0062]FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the rolling effect for three areas. As in the examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the activated area is displayed here in large format in the center while one of the two deactivated areas is displayed in small format above the activated area and the other of the two deactivated areas is displayed in small format below the activated area. To illustrate the rolling effect, the top side of the display can be mentally visualized as being linked to its lower side. In the first illustration of FIG. 3 this means that the top side of area 1 and be thought of as bounding the lower side of area 3. This adjacency relationship will be retained when any deactivated area is activated. The same applies to all other adjacency relationships among the areas. So regardless of which area happens to be activated, the lower side of area 1 will always border the top side of area 2, the lower side of area 2 will always border the top side of area 3, and the lower side of area 3 will always border the top side of area 1. The degrees of freedom with which the areas can be positioned must be restricted exactly as if the areas were located on the surface of a roll. Rolling or rotating of the roll is in each case possible in both directions. [0063] The rolling effect can be particularly advantageously employed for a number n≧3 because it is recognized here by the user as such and makes the user's orientation significantly easier. [0064] [0064]FIG. 4 shows the rolling effect for a number of areas n=4. Both directions of roll are used here. As a result, there is still no more than one deactivated area at a time between the respectively activated area and the side of the part of the user interface shared by the areas. Although it would still be possible to use only one direction of roll for a number of areas n=4, as shown in FIG. 3, the display would then be less clearly arranged and, in particular, it would be more difficult to drag user interface image objects accurately from one area to another. [0065] The two directions of roll are arranged vertically one above the other. The three deactivated areas are arranged to the left, to the left above, and directly above the activated area. As a result, they are always in the field of vision of right-handed users, not being obscured by the hand used for operation. The method or data processing system can be changed round accordingly for left-handed operation. [0066] This exemplary embodiment also impressively illustrates how the invention makes it possible at any time to reach any other area from the larger-format, activated area or to drag a user interface image object from the activated area into another area. [0067] [0067]FIG. 5 illustrates the flow of motion if the area situated in the corner of the previously activated area is activated. The rolling effect here comprises two mutually perpendicular rolling motions, which, however, are executed not in succession but simultaneously. FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate the rolling effect for a number of areas n=6. As can be seen, for each motion horizontally and vertically there are groups of areas which are moved with each other. These are the above-mentioned rotation loops. They are shown in the Figures by means of rectangles drawn for combining purposes around the areas represented by circles. [0068] [0068]FIG. 8 in turn shows the flow of motion if a previously deactivated area situated in the corner of the previously activated area is activated. The diagonal motions occurring here are combinations of horizontal and vertical motions executed simultaneously. [0069] [0069]FIGS. 9 and 10 finally show the rolling effect for a number of areas n=9. The flow of motion for over-corner activation is also shown here as an example. 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Inc.Content display and navigation interface* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification715/781International ClassificationG06F3/0481Cooperative ClassificationG06F3/0481European ClassificationG06F3/0481Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionFeb 20, 2004ASAssignmentOwner name: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, GERMANYFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:JARCZYK, ALEXANDER;OTTO, BIRGIT;REEL/FRAME:014992/0806Effective date: 20030912Apr 15, 2008ASAssignmentOwner name: NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKS GMBH & CO. KG, GERMANYFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT;REEL/FRAME:020838/0205Effective date: 20080307Owner name: NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKS GMBH & CO. KG,GERMANYFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT;REEL/FRAME:020838/0205Effective date: 20080307RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services