US006976228B2
`
`(12)
`
`United States Patent
`Bernhardson
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,976,228 B2
`*Dec. 13, 2005
`
`(54)
`
`GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
`COMPRISING INTERSECTING SCROLL
`BAR FOR SELECTION OF CONTENT
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Marcus Bernhardson, Linképing (SE)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: Nokia Corporation, Espoo (FI)
`
`6,483,548 BL *
`6,594,825 BL*
`6,597,358 B2*
`
`.........ceeceeeee 348/564
`11/2002 Allport
`7/2003 Goldschmidt Iki et al.
`.... 725/53
`7/2003) Miller
`...........c:c0ceee00. 345/427
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`EP
`WO
`
`0 845 604
`0645604
`0065429
`
`3/1995
`B/L99S
`W1/2000
`
`veces GOIC 21/20
` v.eeeeeees GO6F 3/033
`
`(*)
`Notice:|Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`* cited by examiner
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 639 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`Appl. No.: 09/891,330
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 27, 2001
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2003/0001898 Al
`
`Jan. 2, 2003
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`Int. Cl? occeeceeeneeee GO6F 3/00; GOGF 9/00;
`GO6F 17/00
`ULS. Ch. cee 715/830; 715/841; 715/836;
`715/833; 715/786; 725/40; 725/53
`Field of Search ..0.......ccccceceee 345/841, 427,
`345/336; 725/40, 53; 348/564; 715/830,
`715/833, 786
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,059,965 A
`§,283,560 A
`5,289,573 A
`5,452,414 A *
`5,623,613 A *
`5,677,708 A
`5,737,029 A
`5,812,123 A
`6,243,071 BL
`6,412,110 B1*
`
`LO/L99L Geiser oo... eeeeeeeeeeee 340/995
`2/1994 Bartlett 2.0... eeeeeeeeeee 345/113
`............. 395/156
`2/1994 Kataoka et al.
`
`.
`- 345/836
`9/1995 Rosendahlet al.
`
`4/1997 Rowe et al... 345/841
`10/1997 Matthews,III et al.
`..... 345/115
`4/1998 Ohkuraetal.
`9/1998 Roweetal.
`6/2001 Shwartset al.
`6/2002 Schein et al.
`
`................. 725/40
`
`Primary Examiner—Kristine Kincaid
`Assistant Examiner—Boris Pesin
`(74) Altorney, Agent, or Firm—Antonelli, Terry, Stout and
`Kraus, LLP.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`interactive television set has a graphical user
`A digital
`interface for displaying content from a plurality of different
`sources on its screen e.g. from digital satellite or cable
`broadcasts or through the Internet, the interface comprising:
`a focus region (16), and horizontally and vertically extend-
`ing scroll bars (H, V) which each comprise a plurality of
`scroll bar elements that can be scrolled successively through
`the focus region, the scroll bar elements of the horizontal
`scroll bar signifying groupings of content sources. Elements
`ofthe horizontal scroll bar are scrolled individually into the
`focus region, and the scroll bar elements ofthe vertical scroll
`bar signify content sources which are included within a
`grouping thereof associated with the individual element of
`the horizontal scroll bar, so that the scroll bar elements of the
`vertical scroll bar can then be scrolled through the focus
`region to select a content source of the grouping. The scroll
`bar elements of the horizontal scroll bar comprise a three
`dimensional depiction of more than one ofthe content
`source groupings, and an individual one of the groupings
`may be selected from the three dimensional depiction for the
`focus region. The three dimensional elements are the hori-
`zontal scroll bar may comprise rectangular blocks that are
`rotatable about a commonlongitudinal axis.
`
`23 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`Internetrepey
`
`programming content
`
`Business
`
`P.1
`
`SONY - Ex.-1007
`Sony Corporation - Petitioner
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`*Dec, 13,2005
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`US 6,976,228 B2
`
`
` Soreldaeeenee
`ROLLSATELEADUT
`
`
`
`
`
` |iteresserrk —_—eeeRTeee
`
`P.2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`*Dec. 13,2005
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`US 6,976,228 B2
`
`
`
`25
` programmingcontent
`
` Father-News
`
`[aberSport
`|
`if
`
`
`
`
`
`H2
`-_—-
`News
`v2
`
`Channel 4
`rt
`
`Mother-Health =
`
`te
`
`
`
`P.3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`*Dec. 13, 2005
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`US 6,976,228 B2
`
`H3
`
`H4
`
`H5
`
`
`
`>Mother-Drama7
`
`
`
`
`
`
`gnOfeTSPODDING[exe
`
`er Spater
` —
`
`
`
`Father-
`Internet
`
`Father-
`Drama
`
`a:
`
`~holizontalserolingdirection-20-“S
`
`Father-
`Business
`
`anf eX
`
`
`
`Shopping
`H4
`H5
`HO
`
`
`Channel 1 H1==H2 H3
`
`
`
`
`<<SormhobbyAPs063oonsg
`
`
`
`ewesewes
`
`ees Mother-ees Health
`
`
`Mother-Fashion
`
`Mother-Drama
`
`Mother-Soaps
`ab
`
`
`§Shopping
`? Channel 3
`
`
`?Cartoon)
`: Channel 2
`
`Cartoon
`Channel1
`
`H1
`
`H2
`
`H3
`
`H4
`
`H5
`
`
`
`
`
`Fig. 4C
`
`P.4
`
`

`

`
`1
`
`
`
`GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
`
`
`COMPRISING INTERSECTING SCROLL
`
`
`
`
`
`BAR FOR SELECTION OF CONTENT
`
`
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`This invention relates to providing a graphical userinter-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`face for selecting content from a plurality of content sources
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and has particular but not exclusive application to an inter-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`active multi-channeltelevision set for selecting content from
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a variety of different sources such as digital
`television
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`broadcast channels, pre-recorded content and the Internet.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Multiple channel
`television sets which can receive a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`multiplicity of digital broadcast channels via terrestrial
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`broadcasts, satellite or cable are becoming popular. Very
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`large numbers of channels can be transmitted by digital
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`techniques, and so improved channel management systems
`are needed to enable the viewer to make an informed
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`selection without havingto surfall of the available channels.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Thetelevision set can also be used to provide Internet access
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`so it is desirable to provide a system which can bookmark
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`individual websites and pages that are of interest to the user.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Proposals have been made to provide a conventional
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`computer keyboard for connectionto a television set in order
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to enable managementof the Internet and channel access.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`However, conventional television sets are usually provided
`with a handheld remote control device that communicates
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`with the television set through an infrared link. The hand-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`held device has limited functionality as compared with a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`conventional keyboard but is more convenient to use than
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the keyboard in most viewingsituations.
`
`
`
`
`
`International Published Application WO 00/65429 dis-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`closes a graphical user interface for display on a screen such
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`as the monitor of a television set, in which object fields
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`corresponding to pre-defined choices of content sources is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`displayed in a vertical column of object fields and a hori-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`zontal row of subordinate object fields. The row and the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`column extend along vertical and horizontal side edges of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the display screen respectively. The row and the column
`intersect in a focus area and are each scrollable that is act as
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scroll bars so that the individual object fields can be scrolled
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`into the focus area. Each of the object fields in the column
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`may define a general group of content sources and thus may
`act as a folder which contains a number of individual
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`bookmarks for Internet sites and channels ofinterest to the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`user. When the individual object field or folder is brought
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`into the focus area by scrolling the vertical scroll bar, the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`horizontal scroll bar is populated with bookmarksassociated
`with the folder. The user can then scroll the horizontal scroll
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`bar to bring the bookmarks into the focus area and then
`select the bookmark in the focus area. The bookmark in the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`focus area may itself contain a numberof sub-objectfields,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and if so, these are then displayed in the object fields of the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`vertical scroll bar so that the vertical scroll bar can again be
`scrolled in order to make a selection from them.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`This configuration has the advantage that the scroll bars,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`which extend vertically and horizontally, can conveniently
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`be controlled by the conventional vertical and left and right
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scrolling or arrow keys of the handheld remote control
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`device and thus can be operated intuitively by the user.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`However, the arrangementhas the disadvantage that because
`successive selections of the vertical and horizontal scroll
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`bars need to be made, the user can become confused by the
`
`
`navigational process.
`
`
`
`US 6,976,228 B2
`
`
`
`
`2
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`
`
`15
`
`
`
`20
`
`
`
`25
`
`
`30
`
`
`
`35
`
`
`
`40
`
`
`
`45
`
`
`50
`
`
`
`55
`
`
`
`60
`
`
`
`65
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The invention provides a graphical user interface which
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`may be used to select content sources which is easier for the
`
`
`
`user to navigate.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Broadly stated, the invention provides a device to provide
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a graphical user interface for selecting content from a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`plurality of sources thereof, the user interface comprising: a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`focus region, and first and second transversely extending
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scroll bars which each comprise a plurality of scroll bar
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`elements that can be scrolled successively through the focus
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`region, the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar signi-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`fying groupings of content sources, such that when elements
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of the first scroll bar are scrolled individually into the focus
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`region,
`the scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`signify content sources which are included within a group-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ing thereof associated with the individual elementof thefirst
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scroll bar, whereby the scroll bar elements of the second
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scroll bar can be scrolled through the focus region to select
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a content source of the grouping,at least one of the scroll bar
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`elements of thefirst scroll bar comprising a multiple depic-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion of more than one of the content source groupings,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`whereby an individual one of the groupings maybeselected
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`from the multiple depiction for the focus region.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The multiple depiction of the content source groupings
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`may comprise a three dimensional depiction such that the
`scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar include facets that
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`signify the individual groupings of the content sources. The
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`facets may be associated with respective different users such
`
`
`
`
`as different family members
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The scroll bar elements may be polygonal and rotatable
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`about a common axis extending longitudinally of the first
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scroll bar and the elements mayberotatable in unison about
`the axis.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A controller, such as a wireless remote controller may be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`providedto enable a user to scroll the scroll bars individually
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`through the focus region. The invention has particular appli-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cation to digital television sets and set top boxes.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Further objects and advantages of the invention will be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`better understood from the following detailed description
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
`which
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a television set and an
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`associated infrared remote controller;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`circuitry of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an display of the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`graphical user interface provided on the television set,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`showing vertical and horizontal scroll bars;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIGS. 4A-C illustrate successive steps in the operation of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the horizontal scroll bar shown in FIG. 3; and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate alternative configurations for
`the scroll bar elements.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`
`
`
`INVENTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Referring to FIG. 1, a home entertainment device 1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`includesa television display monitor 2, control unit 3 and a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`handheld remote controller 4 coupled through a wireless link
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`for example infrared, to the control unit 3.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The TV monitor 2 is configured to display content from
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a plurality of a different sources such assatellite transmis-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sions, cable transmissions and materials received through
`
`
`
`.5
`
`
`P. 5
`
`

`

`
`
`3
`4
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scroll bar elements H.-H, comprise depictions of three
`the Internet as well as locally stored content. Thus, the TV
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`dimensional elements which include more than one object
`monitor 2 may comprise a conventional television set and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`field. In the example of FIG. 3,
`the horizontal elements
`the control unit 3 may comprise a set top box providing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`comprise polygonal elements, in the form of a three dimen-
`suitable signals to the television set 2. Alternatively, the TV
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sional rectangular block for which the individual faces or
`monitor 2 may be solely a monitor and the control unit 3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`facets comprise individual object fields. The horizontal
`provides data for direct display on the monitor. As another
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scroll bar H can be scrolled left and right in horizontal
`alternative, the units 2,3 may comprise a personal computer.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scrolling direction 20 under the control of “left” and “right”
`In the following example, the TV monitor 2 comprises a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scrolling buttons 21, 22 on the remote controller 4 shown in
`conventional television set with a display screen 5 and the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 1. Thus, the horizontal scroll bar can be scrolled so as
`control unit 3 comprises a set top box configured to receive
`to move the individual scroll bar elements into the focus
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`multi-channel digital broadcast transmissions via satellite
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`region 16. The user interface is so arranged that when an
`and cable, and also is provided with an Internet connection.
`individual horizontal scroll bar element is moved into the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The major circuit components of the set
`top box are
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`focus region 16, the objects fields for the vertically extend-
`shown in more detail in FIG. 2. The set top box 3 shown
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ing scroll bar elements V are populated with a group of
`within dotted outline receives digital satellite multi-channel
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`transmissions fromasatellite source 6 shown schematically. objects which signify individual content sources i.e. to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Similarly, cable digital
`transmissions are received from
`provide details concerning content sourcesthat fall within a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`source 7. The set top box 3 also has an Internet connection
`group associated with the individual horizontal scroll bar
`
`8.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`element displayed in the focus region 16. The population of
`
`the individual vertical scroll bar elements with the content
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The set top box 3 mayalso include a device for retrieving
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`source information is initiated by depressing a select button
`digital data from a pre-recorded source, such as a DVD or
`
`
`
`23 on the remote controller 4 shown in FIG. 1. As will be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`hard disc shown schematically as data store 9.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`explained in more detail hereinafter, the horizontal scroll bar
`Programming content data from the sources 6, 7, 8 and 9
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`elements can be personalized for individual users of the
`is fed to content data control circuitry 10 which appropri-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`home entertainment device. For example in a family, the
`ately passes or otherwise prepares the data from the indi-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scroll bar can be configured for use by father, mother, son
`vidual source for display on the screen 5 of the TV monitor
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and daughter. In the example of FIG. 3, the horizontal scroll
`2. Selection of the programming content data to be displayed
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`bar has been configured for use by the father and a horizontal
`is made by meansofthe infrared controller 4, which controls
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scroll bar element H, concerning “news” has been horizon-
`operation of a program controlled processor 11. The con-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tally scrolled into the focus region 16. Then, by depressing
`trolling program provides the graphics user interface. The
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the select button 23 on the remote controller, the vertical
`program may be stored in ROM inthe processor11 or in the
`data store 14.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scroll bar elements are populated with details concerning
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`content sources that the father has selected to form a group
`The data selected by the processor 11 is fed to drive
`associated with “news”for the horizontal scroll bar element
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`circuitry 12 to render the data in an appropriate form for
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`H,. Having selected the scroll bar element H, for “news” in
`display by the TV display 5. As well knownin theart, the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the focus region 16, the user can then operate the vertical
`data also includes audio data which is fed to a loudspeaker
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scrolling keys 17, 18 on the controller 4 to scroll the vertical
`shown schematically by loudspeaker 13. It will be under-
`scroll bar V so as to move one of the vertical scroll bar
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`stood that the circuitry includes appropriate D to A convert-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`elements V into the focus region 16. As shownin FIG. 3, the
`ers although these are not shown in order to simplify the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`vertical scroll bar elements may individually signify differ-
`description. The loudspeaker 13 may comprise a conven-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ent sources of news programming content or example broad-
`tional loudspeaker in the TV monitor rather than in the set
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cast news channel 1 (V.,) which may be conventional
`top box 3 as shown.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`broadcast channel, cable news channel 2 (V;), received
`
`In accordance with the invention, the set top box 3 is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`through the cable programming source 7 (FIG. 2), an
`configured to provide a graphical user interface on the
`45
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Internet news site (V,) accessible through the Internet
`display screen 5 to enable the user to select the content
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`source 8 andasatellite news channel (V;) for which content
`source to be displayed. Data for the graphical user interface
`
`
`is received from the source 6 shown in FIG. 2. When the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`is held in a data store 14 and is supplied to the processor 11
`desired vertical scroll bar element has beenscrolled into the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`by graphics display circuitry 15, so as to be included in the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`display on screen 5.
`focus region 16, the select button 23 of the controller 4 is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`An example of the graphical user interface is shown in
`operated, which results in the programming source being
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 3. The interface comprises a vertically extending scroll
`selected and displayed on the display 5. Textual information
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`bar V which extends generally vertically adjacent to the left
`concerning the selected programming source is displayed
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`hand side edge of screen 5, together with a horizontally
`optionally in a text area 24 on the display. The programming
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`extending scroll bar H that extends generally horizontally
`content itself for the selected source is initially display in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`adjacent to the lowermost horizontal edge of screen 5. The
`region 25. Thereafter, the graphical user interface can be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scroll bars intersect in a focus region 16 in the lowerleft
`switched off and the programming content displayed over
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`hand comerof the display 5.
`the entire area of the screen 5. This maybeat the control of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Eachofthe scroll bars V, H compriseaseries of scroll bar the user or after a predetermined time following operation of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`elements V,.—V,, and H,-Hy. Considering the vertical scroll
`the select button 23. Also, the programming content when
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`bar V, the scroll bar elements V.—V,, comprise individual
`displayed in region 25 maybe used to provide a preview of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`object fields in which information concerning sources of
`the content of individual programming sources. Thus, by
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`program content can be displayed. In this example,
`the
`scrolling the vertical scroll bar, individual scroll bar ele-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`vertical scroll bar elements comprise essentially two-dimen-
`ments can be moved into the focus region 16 and their
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sional rectangular displays. The scroll bar elements V can be
`corresponding content displayed as a preview.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In accordance with the invention, the horizontal scroll bar
`scrolled vertically through the focus region 16 by use ofthe
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`“up” and “down”scroll buttons 17 and 18, so as to achieve
`elements H comprise three-dimensional depictions of more
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scrolling in the direction of arrow 19 shownin FIG. 3. The
`than one content source grouping. Thus, in the example of
`
`
`
`P.
`
`6
`
`
`
`US 6,976,228 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`
`
`15
`
`20
`
`
`
`25
`
`
`30
`
`
`
`35
`
`
`
`40
`
`
`
`50
`
`
`
`55
`
`
`
`60
`
`
`
`65
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`P. 6
`
`

`

`
`
`US 6,976,228 B2
`
`
`5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 3, the horizontal bar elements each provide content
`
`
`
`
`
`
`source groupings for individual family members—father,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mother, son, daughter. The groupings for individual family
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`memberscan be selected by rotating the horizontal scroll bar
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`about its longitudinal axis as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4A
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`illustrates the configuration of scroll elements shownin FIG.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3, with father’s content source groupings, facing forwardly;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`hence father’s groupings are active. In order to activate the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`groupings for other family members,the scroll baris rotated
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`about longitudinal axis X—X' in the direction of arrow Y.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`This may be achieved by operating the controller 4. For
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`example, a “rotate” button 26 may be depressed, which
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`causes the horizontal scroll barto rotate through 90° into the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`configuration shown in FIG. 4B, with mother’s groupings
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`facing forward and hence active. Considering the scroll bar
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`elements H,
`that is located in the focus region 16,
`the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`grouping “mother-shopping”is broughtinto the active focus
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`region bythe rotation of the horizontal scroll bar. Then,if the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`select button 23 is depressed,
`the vertical scroll bar is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`populated with programming sources concerning shopping,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`as shown in FIG. 4b. Furthermore, the horizontal scroll bar
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`can then be scrolled to bring other horizontal scroll bar
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`elements into the focus region 16 for example element H,,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`in which case the vertical scroll bar element can be popu-
`
`
`
`
`
`lated with programming source information concerning
`
`
`
`
`
`“fashion”. Thereafter, an individual programming source
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`can be selected by scrolling the vertical scroll bar as previ-
`
`
`ously described.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Content groupings for the other family members can be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`selected by further rotating the horizontal scroll bar H. As
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`shown in FIG. 4C, thr groupings for “son” are rendered
`active. It will be understood that a further rotation of the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scroll bar will select the groupings for “daughter”.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The naming of the facets for the individual horizontal
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scroll bar elements can be carried out using keys of the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`remote controller 4 and the user may use the remote con-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`troller to select the groups of programming content sources,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and the sources to be included in the groups during an initial
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`setting up operation. Thus, the users: father, mother etc can
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`select their groupings and sources to be included in the
`
`groupings.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Many modifications and variations of the graphical user
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`interface fall within the scope of the invention. For example,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the horizontal scroll bar elements H may be rotatable
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`individually rather than in unison. The program may pro-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`duce drive signals to speaker 13 to provide a distinctive
`sound each time the horizontal scroll bar is rotated. Further-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`more, the scroll bar elements of the vertical scroll bar may
`
`
`
`
`
`
`comprise sub-groupings of program source information con-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tained in the corresponding horizontal scroll bar element,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`rather than data concerning a single programming source.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Thus, the individual vertical scroll bar elements may com-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`prise three dimensional depictions of a plurality of program
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sources, in the mannerof the horizontal scroll bar elements,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`which are individually rotatable to select an individual
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`program sourceto be scrolled vertically into the focus region
`16.
`
`Alternative forms of scroll bar element are shown in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative form of the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`horizontal scroll bar element H, shown in FIG. 3. As
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`previously explained, four rectangular facets of the three
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`dimensional rectangular block shown in FIG. 3 signify
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`individual program source groupings. In the modification of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 5, the four facets are configured as a three dimensional
`
`stack of files 27-30 which contain the four individual
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`groupings associated with block H, 1e.
`father—sport,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mother—health, son—games and daughter—children’s TV.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`
`
`15
`
`
`
`20
`
`
`
`25
`
`
`30
`
`
`
`35
`
`
`
`40
`
`
`
`45
`
`
`50
`
`
`
`55
`
`
`
`60
`
`
`
`65
`
`
`
`
`
`6
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Operation of the rotate button 26 on controller 4 causes the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`facets to be shuffled so that the first, active file is taken to the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`back of the stack. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, the file 27 is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`currently active and on operation of the button 26, is moved
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`in the direction of arrow Z to the back of the stack, so as to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`reveal file 28—mother—health. Further operations of the
`rotate button 26offer the otherfiles in the stack for selection.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In the modification of FIG. 6,
`the three dimensional
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`rectangular block H, is depicted in a more schematic form,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`with only two of the facets being shown,so as to display to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the user the active face 27 together with the next available
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`face 28 available for selection. Operation of the rotate button
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`26 causes facet 28 to move into the position of facet 27,
`which itself moves out of view. Facet 28 then becomes
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`replaced by facet 29. In FIG. 6, the facets 27, 28 are shown
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`as if they were part of a rectangular block but the angular
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`disposition need not be at right angles; a non-rectangular
`
`
`
`
`
`
`configuration could be used if desired.
`
`Another modification is shown in FIG. 7 in which the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`individual scroll bar elements are configured to rotate about
`a vertical axis rather than the horizontal axis X—X' shown in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 4. Thus, successive operations of the rotate button 26
`of the controller 4 causes the block to rotate about the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`vertical axis in the direction of arrow Z to select the facets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`as previously described.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`It will be understood that any of the modifications of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIGS. 5 to 7 could be applied to the vertical scroll bar
`
`
`
`
`
`
`elements. Furthermore, other scroll bar element configura-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tions can be used, for example non-rectangular polygonal
`elements. Whilst the invention has been described in relation
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to a home entertainment device, it will be understood that
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the graphical user interface can be used in other situations,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`for example in connection with a home computer, gaming
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`devices and vending machines. Thus, it will be evident that
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the content sources need not necessarily be remote broadcast
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sources and the content need not necessarily be programmed
`content data.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`I claim:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1. A device to provide a graphical user interface for
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`selecting content from a plurality of sources thereof, the user
`
`
`interface comprising:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`first and second transversely extending and intersecting
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scroll bars which each comprisea plurality ofscroll bar
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`elements that can be scrolled successively through a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`focus region positioned at an intersection between the
`
`
`
`
`
`first and second scroll bars;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar signifying
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`groupings of content sources, such that when elements
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of the first scroll bar are scrolled individually into the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`focus region,
`the scroll bar elements of the second
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scroll bar signify content sources which are included
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`within a grouping thereof associated with the individual
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`element of the first scroll bar, whereby the scroll bar
`elements of the second scroll bar can be scrolled
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`through the focus region to select a content source of