as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2010/0058212 Al
`
`(43) Pub. Date: Mar.4, 2010
`Belitz et al.
`
`US 20100058212A1
`
`(54) USER INTERFACE, DEVICE AND METHOD
`FOR DISPLAYING SPECIAL LOCATIONS ON
`A MAP
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug.28, 2008
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Sanna Maarit Belitz, Helsinki (FI);
`Jorma Tapio Suutarinen, Porvoo
`(FID); Ari Pekka Hirvonen,Helsinki
`(FD
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Perman & Green, LLP
`99 Hawley Lane
`Stratford, CT 06614 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`NOKIA CORPORATION,Espoo
`(FD
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/200,413
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G06F 3/048
`(52) U.S. C1. cc ceeeseseeesersereeceeceeceeceeceeeneenes 715/766
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Auserinterface comprising a controller configured to display
`amap andto displayat least one marked location on said map.
`The location is associated with at least one graphical object.
`The controller is further configured to determine whether a
`first graphical object will overlap a second graphical object
`whenrendered andif so said controller is configured to create
`a third graphical object being associated with said first and
`second graphical objects and render said third graphical
`object.
`
`410a
`
`410b
`
`410c
`
`403
`
`410d
`
`409
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`SAMSUNG 1006
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`SAMSUNG 1006
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Fig 1
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`202
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`Fig 3
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`Patent Application Publication
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` eanEtae
`arsa
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`PaO ”
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`penLS
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`Y
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`ZoKy| U
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`Fig. 4b
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`403
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`413
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`414
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`410b
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`410d
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` 510
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`FETCH
`NEIGHBOR
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`560
`REPEAT FOR
`NEXT OBJECT
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`920
`OVERLAP?
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`YES
`Y
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`530
`STACK
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`|
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`540
`NEIGHBORS?
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`NO
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`550
`RENDER
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`Fig 5
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`Patent Application Publication
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`°p38 6100"
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`Fig 6a
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`Fig 6d
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`US 2010/0058212 Al
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`Mar. 4, 2010
`
`USER INTERFACE, DEVICE AND METHOD
`FOR DISPLAYING SPECIAL LOCATIONS ON
`A MAP
`
`FIELD
`
`[0001] The present application relates to a userinterface, a
`device and a method for showing locations on a map, and in
`particular to a user interface, a device and a method for
`showing clustered locations on a map.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`creating a third graphical object being associated with said
`first and second graphical objects and means for rendering
`said third graphical object.
`[0008]
`In one embodimentof the above user interfaces the
`controller is configured to not render said first and second
`graphical object when the associated graphical object is ren-
`dered.
`
`In one embodiment graphical object has a visual
`[0009]
`representation being displayed when rendered, said visual
`representation being an image.
`[0010]
`In one embodiment the visual representation is
`indicative of the association between the graphical object and
`the location or of the marked location itself. This provides a
`user with an indication of what is special about the marked
`location.
`
`[0002] More and moreelectronic devices such as comput-
`ers, mobile phones, and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
`are being used for navigation and general map browsing. It is
`common to mark special locations on a map by associating a
`Inone embodimentthe imageis a minimization (for
`[0011]
`graphical object with that location. Examples of such loca-
`example a thumbnail) of a photograph. This provides a user
`tionsare service points, restaurants, tourist attractions, visited
`with an indication ofthe contentofthe graphical object, ie the
`places etc and examplesof graphical objects are photographs
`photograph, associated with the markedlocation.
`taken at such a location or an image of sucha location. Ifmany
`[0012]
`In one embodiment the third graphical object’s
`locations are located close to one another they overlap and the
`visual representation is a visual representation of a graphical
`view of the associated images become cluttered and it is
`object being associated with said third graphical object. This
`difficult to discern between the various objects andthe useris
`provides a user with an indication of what graphical objects
`not provided with a good view of whatlocation is associated
`are comprised in the third graphical object.
`with what. Being able to clearly show the associated images
`[0013]
`In one embodimentthe controller is further config-
`for a cluster of locations thus become important. In prior art
`ured to receive a selection command for a third graphical
`solutions, it has been knownto provide such an overview by
`object and to display said visual representationsofa first and
`grouping closely located locations in clusters marked by a
`a second graphical objects being associated with said third
`single object and as such an objectis selected, the associated
`graphical object in response thereto. This allows a user to
`graphical objects are shown in a separate window.
`view the graphical objects associated with the marked loca-
`[0003] Another solution has been to arrange the associated
`tions without zoomingin or out even if the locationsor their
`graphical objects in a row below or over the map. This does
`images would overlap.
`not provide the user with an overview of which graphical
`object is associated with which location exactly.
`[0014]
`In one embodimentthe controller is configured to
`[0004]
`Thusit would be useful to be able to present a user
`display said visual representations of said associated graphi-
`with an overview of associated images to special locations
`cal objects in a window and wherein said controller is further
`which enablesto user to clearly see the associations.
`configured to display one of said visual representations of
`said associated graphical objects inafirst size and the other of
`SUMMARY
`said visual representations of said associated graphical
`objects in a second size wherein saidfirst size is larger than
`said secondsize. This provides the user with a preview of the
`associated images which can be scrolled through and each
`shown temporarily in a larger size. This provides a user with
`a quick and easy mannerof viewing visual content associated
`with a location without additional zooming operations or
`selections or executions of additional applications.
`[0015]
`In one embodiment the visual representation of a
`graphical object contains a numberindicating the numberof
`associated graphical objects. This gives a user an indication
`how manyobjects are associated with said object and if fur-
`ther investigations of said objects would provide additional
`information.
`
`[0005] On this background, it would be advantageous to
`provide a user interface, a device and a method that over-
`comesor at least reduces the drawbacks indicated above by
`providing a device configured to render graphical objects
`associated with a geographical location on a map by stacking
`the graphical objects if they overlap thus providing a clear
`view ofthe locations.
`
`[0006] The disclosed embodiments providea user interface
`comprising a controller configured to display a map and to
`display at least one marked location on said map, said loca-
`tion being associated with at
`least one graphical object
`wherein said controller is further configured to determine
`whethera first graphical object will overlap a second graphi-
`cal object when rendered and if so said controller is config-
`ured to create a third graphical object or a graphical group
`object being associated with said first and second graphical
`objects and rendersaid third graphical object.
`[0007] The aspects of the disclosed embodiments are also
`directed to providing a user interface comprising means for
`displaying a map and for displaying at least one marked
`location on said map, said location being associated with at
`least one graphical object wherein said user interface further
`comprises means for determining whethera first graphical
`object will overlap a second graphical object when rendered
`and if so said user interface further comprises means for
`
`the association between a
`In one embodiment
`[0016]
`graphical object and a location exist in a correlation of geo-
`graphical coordinates. This enables a photographto be asso-
`ciated with the location in which it was taken and as a mapis
`displayedall or a selected numberof photographs stored ina
`device can thus be marked on the map to give a user an
`overview of the shown map area.
`[0017]
`In one embodimentthe controller is configured to
`determine whether a graphical object overlaps another
`graphical object by determining if said graphical objects’
`visual representations would overlap when rendered. This
`further improves the view of the map and the marked loca-
`
`7
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`

`

`US 2010/0058212 Al
`
`Mar. 4, 2010
`
`In one embodimentof any of the devices above, the
`[0030]
`device is amobile communicationsterminal, a mobile phone,
`a personal digital assistant (PDA), a navigation device, a
`camera, a computer or a laptop computer.
`[0031]
`Further objects, features, advantages and properties
`of device, method and computer readable medium according
`to the present application will become apparent from the
`detailed description.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`tions as it will be easy to see the associated graphical objects
`as noneof their visual representations overlap.
`[0018] The aspects of the disclosed embodiments are also
`directed to providing a device incorporating and implement-
`ing a user interface according to above.
`[0019] The aspects of the disclosed embodiments are also
`directed to providing a method for displaying a map and
`special locations and associated graphical objects on a dis-
`play comprising determining whethera first graphical object
`will overlap a second graphical object when both are rendered
`and if so create a third graphical object associated with both
`first and second graphical object and rendering said third
`graphical object.
`[0020] The method above and the embodiments below
`share the advantages discussed above and below.
`[0021]
`In one embodiment the method further comprises
`receiving a selection commandfor a third graphical object
`and displaying said visual representations of a first and a
`second graphical objects being associated with said third
`graphical object in responsethereto.
`[0022]
`In one embodiment the method further comprises
`determining whether a graphical object overlaps another
`graphical object by determining if visual representations of
`said graphical objects would overlap when rendered.
`[0023] The aspects of the disclosed embodiments are also
`directed to providing a device incorporating and implement-
`ing a method according to above.
`[0024] The aspects of the disclosed embodimentsare also
`directed to providing a computer readable medium including
`at least computer program code for controlling a user inter-
`face comprising a display, said computer readable medium
`comprising software code for displaying a map andfor dis-
`playing at least one marked location on said map, said loca-
`tion being associated with at least one graphical object, soft-
`ware code for determining whether a first graphical object
`will overlap a second graphical object when rendered and if
`so said creating a third graphical object being associated with
`said first and second graphical objects and for rendering said
`third graphical object.
`[0025] The computer readable medium above and the
`embodiments below share the advantages discussed above
`and below.
`[0040] FIG.1illustrates an example ofa cellular telecom-
`
`[0026]
`In one embodiment the computer readable medium
`munications system in which the teachings of the present
`further comprises software code for receiving a selection
`application may be applied. In the telecommunication system
`of FIG. 1, various telecommunications services such as cel-
`command for a third graphical object and for displaying
`visual representationsof a first and a second graphical objects
`lular voice calls, www or Wireless Application Protocol
`being associated with said third graphical object in response
`(WAP) browsing, cellular video calls, data calls, facsimile
`thereto.
`transmissions, music transmissions, still
`image transmis-
`sions, video transmissions, electronic message transmissions
`and electronic commerce may be performed between a
`mobile terminal 100 accordingto the teachings ofthe present
`application and other devices, such as another mobile termi-
`nal 106 or a stationary telephone 132. It is to be noted that for
`different embodiments of the mobile terminal 100 and in
`different situations, different ones ofthe telecommunications
`services referred to above may or may notbe available; the
`teachings of the present application are not limited to any
`particular set of services in this respect.
`[0041] The mobile terminals 100, 106 are connected to a
`mobile telecommunications network 110 through Radio Fre-
`quency, RF links 102, 108 via base stations 104, 109. The
`mobile telecommunications network 110 may be in compli-
`ance with any commercially available mobile telecommuni-
`cations standard, such as Group Spéciale Mobile, GSM, Uni-
`
`In the following detailed portion of the present
`[0032]
`description, the teachings of the present application will be
`explained in more detail with reference to the example
`embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:
`[0033]
`FIG. 1 is an overview of a telecommunications sys-
`tem in which a device according to the present application is
`used according to an embodiment,
`[0034]
`FIG. 2 isa plane front view of a device according to
`an embodiment,
`[0035]
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the general
`architecture of a device of FIG. 2 in accordance with the
`
`present application,
`[0036]
`FIG. 4a, 6 and care screen shots of a device accord-
`ing to an embodiment,
`[0037] FIG.5isa flow chart describing a method according
`to an embodiment, and
`[0038]
`FIGS. 6a, 5, c, d and e are diagrams showing how
`graphical objects are merged according to an embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Inthe following detailed description, the device, the
`[0039]
`method and the software product according to the teachings
`for this application in the form of a cellular/mobile phonewill
`be described by the embodiments. It should be noted that
`although only a mobile phoneis described the teachings of
`this application can also be usedin any electronic device such
`as in portable electronic devices such as laptops, PDAs,
`mobile communication terminals, electronic books and note-
`pads and other electronic devices offering access to informa-
`tion.
`
`In one embodiment the computer readable medium
`[0027]
`further comprises software code for displaying said visual
`representations of said associated graphical objects in a win-
`dow and comprising software code for displaying one ofsaid
`visual representations of said associated graphical objects in
`a first size and the other of said visual representations of said
`associated graphical objects in a second size wherein saidfirst
`size is larger than said secondsize.
`[0028]
`In one embodiment the computer readable medium
`further comprises software code for determining whether a
`graphical object overlaps another graphical object by deter-
`mining if visual representations of said graphical objects
`would overlap when rendered.
`[0029] The aspects of the disclosed embodimentsare also
`directed to providing a device incorporating and implement-
`ing a computer readable medium according to above.
`
`8
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`US 2010/0058212 Al
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`Mar. 4, 2010
`
`versal Mobile Telecommunications System, UMTS, Digital
`Advanced Mobile Phone system, D-AMPS, The code divi-
`sion multiple access standards COMA and CDMA2000,
`Freedom Of Mobile Access, FOMA, and Time Division-
`Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access, TD-SCDMA.
`[0042] The mobile telecommunications network 110 is
`operatively connected to a wide area network 120, which may
`be Internetor a part thereof. An Internet server 122 has a data
`storage 124 andis connectedto the wide area network 120, as
`is an Internetclient computer 126. The server 122 may host a
`World Wide Web (www) or Wireless Application Protocol
`(wap) server capable of serving www/wap content to the
`mobile terminal 100.
`
`[0043] A public switched telephone network (PSTN) 130 is
`connected to the mobile telecommunications network 110 in
`
`a familiar manner. Various telephone terminals, including the
`stationary telephone 132, are connected to the PSTN 130.
`[0044] The mobile terminal 100 is also capable of commu-
`nicating locally via a local link 101 to one or more local
`devices 103. The local link can be any type of link with a
`limited range, such as Bluetooth, a Universal Serial Bus
`(USB)link, a Wireless Universal Serial Bus (WUSB)link, an
`IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network link, a Radio Stan-
`dard link for example an RS-232 serial link, etc. The local
`devices 103 can for example be various sensors that can
`communicate measurementvaluesto the mobile terminal 100
`over the local link 101.
`
`[0045] An embodiment 200 of the mobile terminal 100 is
`illustrated in more detail in FIG. 2. The mobile terminal 200
`comprises a speaker or earphone 202, a microphone 206, a
`main orfirst display 203 and a set of keys 204 which may
`include a keypad 204a@ of common ITU-T type (alpha-nu-
`merical keypad representing characters “0”-“9”’, ““*” and “¢”)
`and certain other keys such as soft keys 2046, 204c and a
`joystick 205 or other type of navigational input device.
`[0046] The internal component, software and protocol
`structure of the mobile terminal 200 will now be described
`with reference to FIG. 3. The mobile terminalhas a controller
`
`300 which is responsible for the overall operation of the
`mobile terminal and may be implemented by any commer-
`cially available CPU (“Central Processing Unit”), DSP
`(“Digital Signal Processor’’) or any other electronic program-
`mable logic device. The controller 300 has associated elec-
`tronic memory 302 such as Random Access Memory (RAM)
`memory, Read Only memory (ROM) memory, Electrically
`Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM)
`memory, flash memory, or any combination thereof. The
`memory 302 is used for various purposes by the controller
`300, one of them being for storing data used by and program
`instructions for various software in the mobile terminal. The
`
`software includes a real-time operating system 320, drivers
`for a man-machineinterface (MMI) 334, an application han-
`dler 332 as well as various applications. The applications can
`include a messagetext editor 350, a notepad application 360,
`as well as various otherapplications 370, such as applications
`for voice calling, video calling, sending and receiving Short
`Message Service (SMS) messages, Multimedia Message Ser-
`vice (MMS) messages or email, web browsing, an instant
`messaging application, a phone bookapplication, a calendar
`application, a control panel application, a camera application,
`one or more video games, a notepad application, etc. It should
`be noted that two or moreofthe applications listed above may
`be executed as the same application
`
`[0047] The MMI334 also includes one or more hardware
`controllers, which together with the MMIdrivers cooperate
`with thefirst display 336/203, and the keypad 338/204as well
`as various other Input/Output devices such as microphone,
`speaker, vibrator, ringtone generator, LED indicator, etc. As is
`commonly known,the user may operate the mobile terminal
`through the man-machineinterface thus formed.
`[0048] The software also includes various modules, proto-
`col stacks, drivers, etc., which are commonly designated as
`330 and which provide communication services (such as
`transport, network and connectivity) for an RF interface 306,
`and optionally a Bluetooth interface 308 and/or an IrDA
`interface 310 for local connectivity. The RF interface 306
`comprises an internal or external antenna as well as appro-
`priate radio circuitry for establishing and maintaining a wire-
`less link to a base station (e.g. the link 102 and basestation
`104 in FIG.1). As is well knownto a manskilled in theart, the
`radio circuitry comprises a series of analogue and digital
`electronic components, together forming a radio receiver and
`transmitter. These components include, band pass filters,
`amplifiers, mixers, local oscillators, low pass filters, Analog
`to Digital and Digital to Analog (AD/DA)converters, etc.
`[0049] The mobile terminal also has a Subscriber Identity
`Module (SIM)card 304 and an associated reader. As is com-
`monly known, the SIM card 304 comprises a processor as
`well as local work and data memory.
`[0050]
`It should be noted that although the device described
`above is a mobile phonethe teachings herein can be applied
`equally well in other devices such as personal digital assis-
`tants, computers, laptop computers navigation devices such
`as hand held GPS (Global Positioning System) devices, other
`navigation devices such as radar monitors and cameras, both
`photographic and videographic cameras.
`[0051]
`FIG. 4a is a screenshot of a display 403 of a device
`or a user interface according to the teachings herein. A map
`409 is displayed of a town called Roskilde. A location 408 is
`marked by a graphical object 410. In this embodiment the
`location 408 is marked with an arrow on the graphical object
`410 indicating the location 408 on the map 409.
`[0052] The graphical object 410 has a visual representation
`411 which in this embodimentis a photograph thatis associ-
`ated with the location. The nature of the association can vary
`and dependon various applications. Examples ofassociations
`are photographs that have been taken at those coordinates.
`Pictures that have been explicitly associated with the loca-
`tion, for example pictures of an apartmentare associated with
`the location of the apartmentor perhaps pictures of a person
`are associated with the address of that person. Another
`example is a trademark belongingto an establishment located
`at a specific location.
`[0053]
`In one embodimentthe visual representation 411 is
`indicative of the nature of the association with the marked
`location or ofthe markedlocationitself. This is the case when
`
`for example the visual representation 411 is a photograph of
`the location.
`
`Inthis embodimentthe graphical object 410 carries
`[0054]
`a numberindicator 412 which presents a viewer with a num-
`ber. The numberindicates how many graphical objects 410
`are associated with that location and are stacked into one
`graphical object 410. In this embodiment13 graphical objects
`are stacked into one graphical object 410. The graphical
`objects stackedin the displayed graphical object or graphical
`group object 410 need not be associated with the same loca-
`tion, but can be associated with other locations that are in
`
`9
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`

`US 2010/0058212 Al
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`Mar. 4, 2010
`
`close proximity to the marked location 408. These locations
`maybeso close that if the graphical objects associated with
`each location were to be displayed separately they would
`overlap which would clutter the view and be confusing to a
`user. Instead a controller (not shown) is configured to deter-
`mine whethertwo graphical objects 410 would overlap when
`rendered on the display 403 and if so the two graphical objects
`are stacked or grouped into one graphical object 410. This
`third graphical object is then associated with either one of the
`graphical objects’ locations or a location in between the two
`locations.
`
`FIG. 4is another screenshotof a display 403 of a
`[0055]
`device or a user interface according to the teachingsherein. In
`this screenshot the map 408 has been zoomed in showing the
`area in greater detail. When displaying the zoomed in map
`409 the controller is configured to determine whether the
`graphical objects overlap or not and in this embodiment the
`graphical object 410 displayed in FIG. 4a which comprised
`13 other graphical objects has now been split up into 4 graphi-
`cal objects 410a, 4105, 410c and 410d each consisting of1, 6,
`4 and 2 graphical objects respectively.
`[0056]
`Should a user zoom out from FIG. 46 the display
`would return to the screenshot sown in FIG. 4a and the
`
`graphical objects 410a, 4105, 410c and 410d would again be
`determined to overlap and be stacked in a group graphical
`object 410.
`the controller determines
`[0057]
`In one embodiment
`whether two graphical objects overlap by calculating whether
`the visual representations 411 of two graphical objects 410
`would visually overlap when rendered onthe display 403. In
`one embodimenttwovisual representations 411 are deemed
`to overlap even if they would no, but would be so closely
`displayed thatit would still be perceived as cluttered by a user.
`[0058]
`In one embodiment two graphical objects 410 are
`deemed to overlap if they are close to each other and would
`hide too muchofthe underlying map 409 when displayed in
`which case a user would not be able to see the map 409.
`[0059]
`In one embodimentat least some of the graphical
`objects 412 are pictures associated with the samelocation.
`[0060]
`FIG. 4c is another screenshot of a display 403 of a
`device or a user interface according to the teachingsherein. In
`this screenshot a graphical object 410c has been selected by a
`user, possibly by tapping on it with a stylus if the display 403
`is a touch screen or by placing a cursor aboveit and clicking
`it. In this embodimenta popup window 413 is displayed over
`or instead of the graphical object 410c. The popup window
`showsat least some of the visual representations 411 of the
`graphical object 410c. One 414 ofthe visual representations
`411 or imagesas they are in this embodiment is shown in a
`larger size than the others which are shownina list 415. A user
`can easily scroll back and forth among these associated
`images and preview them in the popup window 413. In one
`embodimentthe image can be openedin full size by clicking
`or double clicking or tapping on it which launches an image
`browsing or editing application.
`[0061]
`Inone embodimentthe graphical objects 410 can be
`scrolled through by the controller receiving user input
`instructing it to do so, such as clicking on arrow orscroll keys
`or by clicking or tapping on a dedicated area on the graphical
`objects 410.
`[0062]
`In one embodimentall graphical objects are photo-
`graphsthat are associated with the location where they were
`taken. The visual representations are thumbnails of the pho-
`tographs. Photographs taken close by to each other are
`
`stacked together depending on the zoom level. Ifauser zooms
`in, the stacks will be split up and if the user zooms out the
`stacks will be merged.
`[0063]
`In one embodiment the visual representations are
`always of the same size which provides a uniform and less
`confusing user interface view.
`[0064]
`FIG. 5 showsa flowchart of a method according to
`the teachings herein. The methodis performedby a controller
`as a mapis to be displayed.
`[0065] Thecontroller starts in step 510 by fetching a neigh-
`boring or second graphical objectto a first graphical object. In
`one embodimentthe graphical objects are stored ina memory
`structure according to their associated locations which sim-
`plifies the determination of which graphical objects are
`neighboring. In step 520 it is determined whether the render-
`ing of the graphical object would result in an overlap the two
`graphical objects. If so, a third graphical object is created in
`step 530. The controller then checks whether there are any
`neighboring graphical objects to the third graphical object in
`step 540. If not, the third graphical object is rendered on the
`display in step 550. Ifthere are neighboring graphical objects
`the controller returns to step 510. As a graphical object has
`been renderedthe controller continues with the next graphical
`object in a step 560 until all graphical objects have been
`investigated and either rendered or stacked with a second
`graphical object in a third graphical object.
`[0066]
`It should be understood that the graphical objects
`comprising stacked graphical objects need not be recreated
`for each rendering of the map view. They can be maintained
`as they are if it
`is determined that the graphical objects
`stackedstill overlap.
`[0067] Also as two graphical objects each containing
`stacked graphical objects are t be merged into one stacked
`graphical object these two graphical objects can be deleted
`and their respective stacked graphical objects be merged into
`one graphical object.
`[0068]
`To illustrate further FIG. 6a showsthree graphical
`objects that all overlap one another. Starting with a graphical
`object marked “1” 610a the controller (not shown) deter-
`minesthat it is overlapping a graphical object marked “2”
`6105. A new graphical object marked “1+2” 620 is thus
`created incorporating the first and second graphical objects
`610a and 6104, see FIG. 6b. The controller then determines
`whether the new graphical object marked “1+2” 620 overlaps
`another graphical object and as it overlaps the graphical
`object marked “3”61 0c a new graphical object marked “1+2+
`3” 630 is created incorporating the graphical objects 620 and
`610c and thus incorporating all three graphical objects 610a,
`6104 and 610c, see FIG. 6c. As no more graphical objects
`overlap the third graphical object 630 is displayed or rendered
`on a screen (not shown).
`[0069]
`FIG. 6d shows another situation in which three
`graphical objects all overlap one another. Starting with a
`graphical object marked “1” 610a the controller (not shown)
`determines that it is overlapping a graphical object marked
`“2” 6106. A new graphical object marked “1+2” 620 is thus
`created incorporating the first and second graphical objects
`610a and 6104, see FIG. 6e. The controller then checks
`whether the new graphical object marked “1+2” 620 overlaps
`another graphical object and as it does not overlap any other
`graphical object the two graphical objects 620 and 610c are
`displayed or rendered on a screen (not shown).
`[0070] The various aspects of what is described above can
`be used aloneor in various combinations. The teachingofthis
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`US 2010/0058212 Al
`
`Mar. 4, 2010
`
`
`application may be implemented by a combination of hard- 2.A user interface according to claim 1 whereinagraphical
`ware and software, but can also be implemented in hardware
`object has a visual representation being displayed when ren-
`or software. The teaching of this application can also be
`dered, said visual representation being an image.
`embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable
`3. Auser interface according to claim 2 wherein said image
`medium.It should be noted that the teaching of this applica-
`is a minimization (thumbnail) of a photograph Gives user an
`tion is notlimitedto the use in mobile communication termi-
`indication of content
`
`nals such as mobile phones, but can be equally well applied in
`Personal digital Assistants (PDAs), game consoles, MP3
`players, personal organizers or any other device designed for
`providing information while maintaining low power con-
`sumption.
`[0071] The teaching of the present application has numer-
`ous advantages. Different embodiments or implementations
`mayyield one or more ofthe following advantages. It should
`be noted that this is not an exhaustive list and there may be
`other advantages which are not described herein. For
`example, one advantage ofthe teaching ofthis application is
`that a user will be provided with an overview of special
`locations marked on a map which overviewis not cluttered by
`clusters of locations.
`
`[0072] Another exemplary advantage ofthe teaching of the
`present applicationis that the need for zooming andscrolling
`actionsis greatly reduced which makesthe userinterface and
`a device incorporating such a user interface less time-con-
`suming and confusing to use.
`[0073] Although the teaching ofthe present application has
`been described in detail for purposeofillustration,it is under-
`stoodthat such detailis solely for that purpose, and variations
`can be madetherein by those skilled in the art without depart-
`ing from the scopeofthe teaching ofthis application.
`[0074]
`For example, although the teaching of the present
`application has been described in terms of a mobile phone,it
`should be appreciatedthat the teachings of the present appli-
`cation may also be applied to other types of electronic
`devices, such as music players, palmtop computers and the
`like. It should also be noted that there are many alternative
`ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the
`teachings of the present application.
`[0075]
`Features described in the preceding description may
`be used in combinations other than the combinations explic-
`itly described.
`[0076] Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification
`to draw attentionto those features ofthe invention believed to
`be of particula