AU706792B2 - Man/machine interface for search word selection - Google Patents

Abstract

The selection system uses a search procedure incorporating a number of pages (P0,P1-P9,P1.1-P9.1) arranged in a hierarchy system with a tree structure, allowing search movements within a selected page and jumping from one page to a further page in a lower hierarchy level. Further jumps can be made between different pages in the same hierarchy level. Pref. the key or mouse is used for jumping from one page to a lower hierarchy page, with two keys used for the search procedure within a page and a further key used for jumping to a different page in the same hierarchy level.

Description

This invention relates to a method for selecting information or actions in which the information or actions are grouped as search words into pages which are arranged hierarchically as a tree structure, where there is provision both for search movements within the selected page and for jumps to the higher-level page and to a lower-level page.

Such methods, as well as system components and program modules form the so-called user interface, or man/machine interface, of a user- controlled equipment.

Examples of this are information systems such as the television video text system or public timetable information systems, or shopping systems, for example via video text, where an article is first searched for and then subsequently its purchase is initiated.

With information systems also, an action can take place after the search, for example programming a video recorder for the selected transmission, or printing out the S" selected information.

The search words are arranged systematically in a hierarchical tree structure S and can be selected by moving along this structure. In addition, provision is often made for the direct addressing of a search word, either by entering the search word itself or by entering a number allocated to the search word.

If the search words and the tree structure are well designed, as is assumed here but which is not necessary for the invention, then a search in this tree structure is a very effective. Nevertheless, it can happen that the direction in which the search is proceeding does not lead to the goal. This is above all the case when one wishes to find several search words one after the other, for example in order to set up ones own sequence of television programs, or to order several articles at once.

In such cases it is first necessary to go back within the hierarchy, and then to search forwards again. This is cumbersome, and also often time-consuming because a waiting time may be associated with calling up each page. However, direct addressing by entering the search word itself, or a number allocated to the search word, presumes that the correct search word or the associated number is known. If the entry does not take place by speech, the input means also have to change (from cursor control or mouse to use of numerical or even alphanumeric keys).

According to the invention there is provided a method for selecting information or actions in which the information or actions are grouped as search words into pages which are arranged hierarchically as a tree structure, where there is provision both for search movements within the selected page and for jumps to the higher-level page and to a lower-level page, wherein a jump can be executed into an adjacent page, lying in the same hierarchy level.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a system component for a system for selecting information or actions in which the information or actions are grouped as search words into pages which are arranged hierarchically as a tree structure, where there is provision both for search movements within the selected page and for jumps to the higher-level page and to a lower-level page, wherein means are provided by which a jump can be made into an adjacent page lying in the same hierarchy level.

According to a still further aspect of the invention there is provided a program module for a system for selecting information or actions in which the information or actions are grouped as search words into pages which are arranged hierarchically as a tree structure, where there is provision both for search movements within the selected page and for jumps to the higher-level page and to a lower-level page, wherein program components are provided by means of which a jump can be made into an adjacent page lying in the same hierarchy level.

It should be noted especially that the user may build up a special user-page.

This page can then for example contain his personal television program list or his own ordering list. This page can also lie outside the hierarchy.

5 In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, an embodiment thereof will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows the pages arranged hierarchically in the form of a tree structure, and the search movements which are possible therein.

Figure 2 shows a key arrangement suitable for this.

Figure 1 contains three hierarchy levels HO, H1 and H2. The hierarchy level HO contains one page PO, four pages P1, P4, P5 and P9 are shown in the hierarchy level H1 and others are indicated lying between them, and seven pages P1. P4.1, P5_1, P5.3, P5.4, P5.8 and P9.1 are shown in the hierarchy level H2 with others indicated as lying between them. Page PO has entries 1 to 9 which point to pages P1 to P9, together with explanations which are not shown. Correspondingly, the page P5 has entries 5.1 to 5.8 which point to pages P5.1 to P5.8, and page P5.4 has entries 5.4.1 to 5.4.9. Furthermore, transitions are shown between the hierarchy levels HO and H1 on the one hand, and H1 and H2 on the other hand. For example, a transition is shown between the entry 5.3 on page P5 to page P5.3, which can also be considered as a transition back from page P5.3 to page In accordance with the invention, jumps S1 and S2 as well as SS1 and SS2, are also shown. These jumps take place between pages of the hierarchy level H2. The jump S1 takes place from page P5.4 to page P5.3; the jump S2 takes place from page P5.1 to page P5.8. The jump SS1 takes place out of page P5.4 into page P4.1; the jump SS2 takes place out of page P1.1 into page P9.1i. Additional jumps, not shown, are also possible, both in the hierarchy level H2 and in the hierarchy level H1.

The key arrangement of Figure 2 has three concentric circles. The innermost circle has a key TO. The two additional circles form two rings, each of which is each 'i divided into four equal sectors. Each sector carries a key, T1 to T4, and T 11, T22, T33 and T44. The inner ring has the key T1 at the top, the key T2 on the right, the key T3 .0 at the bottom and the key T4 on the left. In the outer ring, key T1 Iis associated with key T1, key T22 with key T2, key T3 with key T33 and key T4 with key T44.

With the aid of these two figures, the operation according to the invention will now be described. The keys T1 and T3 are used as with a customary cursor control to move within a page from one entry to another, forwards or backwards.

5 The centre key TO executes whatever corresponds to the indicated entry. For example, for the entry 5.4 on page P5 this is the transition to page P5.4. In the case of entry 5.4.1 in page P5.4 this may be the programming of a video recorder for a particular transmission.

Since multiple entries in the same row are not provided here, the keys T2 and T4 are not required for sideways movement. The key T4 is therefore used to move back to the higher-level page, for example from one of the entries 5.4.1 to 5.4.9 back to page The key T2 is now used for the jumps to adjacent pages in accordance with the invention. From any one of the entries 5.4.1 to 5.4.9, the jump S1 can take place from page P5.4 to page P5.3; corresponding jumps then result in page P5.2 and P5.1. In this example the jump S2 then takes place from page P5.1 to page P5.8, so that by using key T2 all the pages subordinate to page P5 can be reached.

In this example the keys of the outer ring have similar functions to those of the inner ring, but with bigger steps. With the keys Ti 1 and T33 movements with bigger steps can be made within the page. This is, for example, then useful when a page has many more entries than can be made visible simultaneously on the screen. The key T44 then always provides the return jump into page PO.

With key T22 jumps are achieved within the same hierarchy level, but beyond the range which is subordinate to the current higher-level page. The figure shows the jumps SS1 from page P5.4 into page P4.1, and the jump SS2 from page P1.1 into 1 t5 page P9.1.

o o By using keys T2 and T22, every page is accessible in the same hierarchy level, in the example hierarchy level H2. By means of keys T1 and T3, as well as T11 and T33, every entry in the current page can be reached. The hierarchy levels are changed by means of keys TO, T4 and T44.

i: .2O Some possible variations of the example shown: Within a page, there can be entries which lead to other pages, entries which result in actions and entries which are dead-ends and only provide information. Thus S• a very irregular tree structure results, as is in fact usual in such procedures and systems.

It is possible to find the same search word systematically at different places, and even in different hierarchy levels. For example, an entry 9.3 on page P9 can have the identical content as entry 4.1.5 on page P4.1. This is not special to the invention, but must also be considered.

The latter characteristic of multiple entries can be used to form a special userpage (or even several pages). Then any entry found from any page in any hierarchy level can be placed in the special user-page, for example by means of a key especially provided for this purpose. The corresponding action can be initniated from 6 this user-page, for example a selected television program can be started.

The key arrangement of Figure 2 can also be varied: The outer ring can also be omitted entirely. However, then key T2 alone must be used to reach all pages of the respective hierarchy level, one after the other.

The centre key can be split into a left and right half, where the left half then takes on the function of T4. By means of key T4 jumps can then be made in the other direction from side to side. Correspondingly, bigger jumps in the other direction can then be made with the key T44.

Instead of the key arrangement of Figure 2, any other suitable key arrangement can be used, for example one suitable for cursor control. Other suitable input means are also possible, such as mouse, touch screen, light pen or speech input.

The representation of the pages can also be chosen arbitrarily. Many 1* possibilities exist, from screen representations such as videotext via alphanumeric displays to speech output.

With a screen display, a representation is also possible in which each page is represented as a rotating drum on which the individual entries are visible through a window, in a manner similar to that of poker machines. When changing to an adjacent page, the adjacent drum then moves into the picture and pushes the current page aside. The window can be made semi-transparent so that both the previous and the subsequent entries, as well as the left and right adjacent drum, are recognisable.

The adjacent drums can turn too, or they can be fixed in a basic position. The transition to a higher-level page or lower-level page (or drum) can be represented by 5 zoom techniques.

For the implementation of the operating methods described, no fundamentally unknown components are required. In any case, the control of such methods is achieved by means of programs. The special means required for implementing the invention can just as well be particular program modules as suitable key arrangements. Their preparation can perhaps require more effort, but certainly lies within the range of commercial expertise, starting from the methods described here.

Inventive further developments are naturally also not excluded.

In the following, some further details will be discussed which are useful for the implementation of the present invention, but in part are independent of the invention.

The present invention is initially intended for a trial for "interactive television".

For this purpose, in addition to the home television set, an auxiliary device is provided which is inserted between the television set and the broadband cable connection. A remote control is also provided with which the auxiliary device is controlled, and thereby indirectly the television set. The auxiliary device is implemented as a system component according to the invention, containing a program module according to the invention, in order to carry out the method according to the invention.

When activating the auxiliary device, a greeting appears on the screen of the television set (Figure It says "Welcome to Interactive Television". By means of an audio-visual display, the remote control is shown on the screen and its operation is then demonstrated. A picture of a hand is used as the cursor. It is first moved by the .9,09.

15 program, later by means of the remote control. In addition to the audible explanation, the function being explained is always indicated by a key word, here "Main Menu Also, the words "Start with key'M"' are shown in order to indicate that one can transfer to the main menu at any time.

After pressing key'M', one is in the hierarchy level HO and page PO appears, as shown in Figure 4. In this example the heading "Select Your Service" appears, and six lines numbered 1 to 6. In this example the "services" are called Television of the Day, Top Films, Video Library, Shopping, Education and Tele-Information. Associated with each entry, at the right next to the selection number, there is a box in which status information may be given, in the example the word "Code", in order to indicate that the system is waiting for the entry of an access rights identification number for a service carrying a fee.

Along the bottom edge there are four fields for additional selection possibilities. The field "More Services" leads to additional entries, e.g. 7 to 9, on the same page PO in the hierarchy level HO. The field "My Program" leads to a special user-page which is intended for setting up a personal program of television transmissions. The field "System Info" leads to an internal service with which information is provided about handling this "Interactive Television", for example about costs, the special user-page "My Program", setting up authorisations or the system access described with the aid of Figure 3. The field "Terminate" allows services with a fee to be ended.

The page P1 ("Television of the Day") in the hierarchy level H1 is shown in Figure 5. It has five entries with the names "News", "Magazine", "Entertainment", "Premieres" and "Children's Channel". Entry number 5, "Premiere", has already been selected, the corresponding program is already running; the box at the right shows "active". Along the bottom edge here are the fields "Main Menu" and "My Program".

Selecting the main menu brings one back to page PO as in Figure 4.

The bottom edge can also be utilised during running programs. It then has the fields "Main Menu", "My Program" and "Terminate". Furthermore, information regarding costs and the remaining time can be shown.

:%so, °ot5 The screen background should be neutral, but not of a single dramatic colour, and preferably moving. As an example one can think of beaches with waves, where the waves can then also be reproduced acoustically. In any case, some unobtrusive acoustic background should be provided. So-called "screen savers" are also suitable for the background.

0:20 For a lighter effect, from time to time short scenes are displayed instead of the menus, for example using the logo of the service provider.

For certain pages it is advantageous not just to divide the display into lines. In that case, a switch is made automatically to normal cursor control. The cursor (the hand) does then not need to be positioned very precisely on the selected field. The areas acting as target fields are larger than the displayed fields.

A remote control is also envisaged which has an additional keyboard on its lower surface, for example an alphanumeric key pad.

The claims defining the invention are as follows:- 1. A method for selecting information or actions, where the information or actions are integrated as search words on pages which are arranged hierarchically in a tree format, where search motions within the selected page and jumps to the superior page and to a subordinate page are provided, and where a jump to a neighbouring page which is in the same hierarchy level can be conducted, wherein a distinction is made between jumps into neighbouring pages, which are subordinate to the same superior page and those into neighbouring pages which are not subordinate to the same superior page.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein additional jumps based on addressing are possible.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein certain search words do not have subordinate pages but actions to be carried out, assigned to them.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an own page is provided, into which search words found in other pages can be inserted so that one can continue to search with these search words from this own page, or carry out the associated actions.

System components for a system for selecting information or actions, where the information or actions are integrated as search words on pages, which are arranged hierarchically in a tree format, where search motions within the selected page and jumps to the superior page and to a subordinate page are provided, and where first means are provided by means of which a jump to a neighbouring page which is in the same hierarchy level can be conducted, wherein second means are provided, by means of which a distinction can be made between jumps into neighbouring pages, which are subordinate to the same superior page and those into neighbouring pages °:045 which are not subordinate to the same superior page.

6. A program module for a system for selecting information or actions, where the information or actions are integrated as search words on pages which are arranged hierarchically in a tree format, where search motions within the selected page and jumps to the superior page and to a subordinate page are provided, and where first program components are provided by means of which a jump to a neighbouring page which is in the same hierarchy level can be conducted, wherein second program c components are provided, by means of which a distinction can be made between

-I,

Claims (2)

1. 7. A method substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 2 of the accompanying drawings.
2. 9. A program module substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 2 of the accompanying drawings. A system component substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 2 of the accompanying drawings. 0 DATED THIS FOURTEENTH DAY OF APRIL 1999 ALCATEL N.V. C p Co4 ,3 C C U CW 0 C g A j A2 -0 <NTO ABSTRACT A method for selecting search words for user-controlled equipment, such as, for example, television video text systems, shopping systems or public timetable information systems. In such user controlled equipment search words are arranged systematically in pages in a hierachical tree structure and can be selected by moving along this structure, jumping to a superordinate page, or to a selected subordinate page. The method according to the present invention permits jumps (S1, S2; SS1, SS2) to adjacent equal-level (H2) pages (P5.1, P4.1, P5.8, P9.1). 0 0 C o ooot•