KR20010044214A - User interfacing method using navigation bar - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A user interface method is provided to make it easy executing application programs, collecting information over the internet or moving to other linked site by using a navigation bar although a specific application is being executed. CONSTITUTION: The method comprises steps of displaying an input search word, a search result output window, and a navigation bar with a plurality of reduced icons(S20), displaying a pointer on a video display(S30), detecting if a pointer event is generated by locating the pointer at the reduced icons(S40), determining if an initial mode of the application corresponding to the reduced icon is a search mode or a display mode in the case that the first pointer event is generated(S50), converting the search/display window into a search mode and calling a web page corresponding to the address or the search word input in the search/display window in the case that the initial mode is the search mode(S52,S54), converting the search/display window into a display mode and executing a web browser in the case that the initial mode is the display mode(S56,S58), and outputting a menu window near the reduced icons, calling a web site corresponding to a selected web site and performing a corresponding task in the case that the second event is generated(S60,S62).

Description

USER INTERFACING METHOD USING NAVIGATION BAR}

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a user interface of a computer system, and more particularly, to a method of user interfacing using a navigation bar that facilitates execution of various applications including Internet communication.

One of the major advances in computer systems is the development of a Graphical User Interface (GUI). The GUI allows the user to communicate with the computer system more conveniently by using a user interface device such as a mouse to move or click the pointer displayed on the video display. Operating systems using such GUIs (EX. Windows) basically display a plurality of icons corresponding to each application on the screen so that when the user clicks a specific icon, the corresponding application is executed or separately. Use the file manager program (EX, Windows Explorer) to select the application program.

However, in the GUI-based operating system, the following inconveniences exist in executing another application while one or more applications are running on the video display. In other words, to launch a new application, you need to close the window of the running application and click on the icon shown in the video display, or if it is not found, locate the application through a file manager program such as Explorer. There are several steps involved in running a program.

This inconvenience is more pronounced in conducting Internet communications. For example, if a user of a computer system using one application wants to run an Internet browser because it requires information from a particular website, close the window of the running application and click the icon of the Internet browser or open Explorer to select it. There is an inconvenience in lowering work efficiency, such as driving an internet browser and entering a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or a search word and moving to a corresponding web site.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a user interfacing method using a navigation bar to facilitate the execution of another application or the collection of information using Internet communication even when the application is running.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a user interfacing method using a navigation bar in order to facilitate a search using an internet communication and a movement to a specific web site.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a computer system having an input device, a video display device, a control device and a plurality of applications, comprising: (a) a search / display window for inputting search text and outputting text information; Outputting a navigation bar having a plurality of shortcut icons corresponding to an application on the video display; (b) displaying a pointer on the video display; (c) converting the search / display window into a preset search mode or display mode when a pointer event occurs due to a pointer on the shortcut icon; (d) providing a user interface method using a navigation bar, comprising: executing an application corresponding to the shortcut icon.

In addition, the present invention provides a computer system having a plurality of applications including an input device, a video display device, a control device and an internet browser, comprising: (a) a search / display window for inputting search text and outputting text information; Outputting a navigation bar having a plurality of shortcut icons on the video display; (b) displaying a pointer on the video display; (c) determining whether a preset pointer event occurs by placing a pointer on the shortcut icon; (d) determining whether the initial mode of the application corresponding to the shortcut icon is a search mode or a display mode when the first event set in step (c) occurs; (e) If it is determined in step (d) that the initial mode is the search mode, the search / display window is switched to the search mode, and the web browser corresponding to the search word or address entered in the search / display window is operated by running the Internet browser. Calling; (f) if it is determined in step (d) that the initial mode is a display mode, switching the search / display window to a display mode and calling the web site by driving the Internet browser; and (g) outputting a menu window at a position adjacent to the shortcut icon on the video display when a second event set in advance in step (c) occurs. The present invention provides a method for interfacing a user using a navigation bar, comprising: driving the Internet browser to call a web site corresponding to a menu selected by a user or perform a corresponding task.

1 is a block diagram of a computer system for implementing a user interfacing method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

2 illustrates a navigation bar output on a video display according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a flowchart illustrating a user interfacing method using a navigation bar according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

4 illustrates a navigation bar anchored in place of a video display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a flowchart illustrating a re-anchor process of a navigation bar according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a case where an Internet domain address is input after clicking an internet icon of a navigation bar with a left button of a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

6B is a diagram illustrating a case in which an internet icon of a navigation bar is clicked with a right button of a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention;

7A illustrates a case in which a search word is input after clicking a dictionary icon of a navigation bar with a left button of a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention;

7B is a diagram illustrating a case where a search word is entered into a search / display window of a navigation bar according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A illustrates a case in which a search word is input after clicking a phone icon of a navigation bar with a left button of a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

8B is a diagram illustrating a case in which a telephone icon of a navigation bar is clicked with a right button of a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention;

9A illustrates a case in which a search word is input after clicking a news icon of a navigation bar with a left button of a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention;

9B is a diagram illustrating a case in which a news icon of a navigation bar is clicked with a right mouse button according to an embodiment of the present invention;

10A illustrates a case in which a search term is input after a user clicks a stock icon of a navigation bar with a left button of a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention;

10B is a view showing a case in which the stock icon of the navigation bar is clicked with the right mouse button according to an embodiment of the present invention;

11 is a view showing a case in which an email icon of a navigation bar is clicked with a second button of a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention;

12 is a diagram illustrating a case where a setting icon of a navigation bar is clicked by a second button of a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention;

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: central processing unit 200: system memory

310: mouse 410: video display

800: navigation bar 820: search / display

830: shortcut icon 840: search button

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

1 is a block diagram of a computer system for implementing a user interfacing method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a computer system 1 for implementing a user interfacing method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes at least one central processing unit 100 and the central processing unit 100. System Memory (200), Mouse 310 / Keyboard 320, Video Display (410) and Secondary Memory (Secondary Memory) 500). The computer system 1 is also connected to the Internet 2 and the server 3 via a network interface 700.

The central processing unit 100 includes an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) for performing calculations and logic functions thereof, a register having a temporary data storage function, and a control unit for commanding / controlling program execution. ).

The system memory 200 includes a read only memory (ROM) 210 and a random access memory (RAM) 220. The ROM 210 stores a basic input / output system (BIOS) 212 having basic routines to help exchange information between components during system startup.

The RAM 220 includes an operating system 230, a navigation bar application 240 which is various applications, an internet browser 250, a dictionary application 260, a phone application 262, an email application 264, and a news application 266. ), The securities application 268 and application data 270, which is a database required for the execution of the applications, are stored. The navigation bar application 240 is one of the features of the present invention and includes routines related to the operation of outputting the navigation bar on the video display and the operation of the output navigation bar. The internet browser 250

The mouse 310 is a user input interface device suitable for a GUI. The mouse 310 outputs a pointer event signal corresponding to a position movement of a pointer on a video display and a button click by a user after the pointer is positioned on a shortcut icon. . For example, in a mouse having two buttons, a different pointer event signal is output when a left button click and a right button click are performed. The keyboard 320 is also one of the user input interface devices, and outputs a corresponding key signal by the user's key typing. In the present invention, the keyboard 320 is used as a means for inputting a search word into a search / display window of a navigation bar output on a video display. do. The mouse 310 and the keyboard 320 are connected to the system bus 600 through the input interface 300.

The video display 410 is an essential component for implementing a GUI between a user and a computer system. The video display 410 is connected to the system bus 600 through a video adapter 400. The video adapter 400 outputs text and graphics on the video display 410 according to an indication signal from the central processing unit 100. The video display 410 outputs a navigation bar, which is a feature of the present invention, so that a user can execute a corresponding application using the navigation bar.

The secondary memory 500 is a sub memory that assists the system memory 200. The secondary memory 500 is divided into an external type and an internal type, and reproduces or stores information stored on a hard disk drive or a magnetic disk. Magnetic disk drives for recording, optical disk drives for reproducing information stored in the optical disk, and the like.

2 illustrates a navigation bar output on a video display according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the navigation bar 800 according to an aspect of the present invention includes a search / display window 820, a plurality of shortcut icons 830, and a search button 840. After being output on the video display, the navigation bar 800 of the present invention does not overlap with other output screens so that the user can always use the screens regardless of whether or not the screens of other programs are output.

The search / display window 820 may input a search word or an internet domain address in the search mode, and in the display mode, various character information is output. Switching of the search / display mode of the search / display window 820 is determined according to an application corresponding to the shortcut icon. That is, the search / display window 820 is switched to the search mode when the shortcut icon corresponding to the application requiring the search word is clicked, and the display mode when the shortcut icon corresponding to the application requiring the output of the text information is clicked. Is switched to. In addition, even if there is no click on a specific shortcut icon, the search / display window 820 switches to the search or display mode according to the designated application if an application to be driven simultaneously with the output of the navigation bar is designated by default.

The shortcut icon 830 may include an internet icon 831, a dictionary icon 832, a phone icon 833, a news icon 834, a stock icon 835, an email icon 836, and a corresponding icon, respectively. Includes a setting icon 837. The type and arrangement of the shortcut icon 830 may be changed according to an application.

The search button 870 allows a user to execute a search or move to a web site corresponding to an Internet domain address when the user clicks the mouse. According to an application example, a character may be input into the search / display window 820 without clicking the search button 870, and then the same function may be performed through the enter key of the keyboard.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a user interfacing method using a navigation bar according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a user interfacing method using a navigation bar according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a navigation bar output process (S20), a pointer display process (S30), and a pointer event determination process (S40). do.

In addition, according to the determination result in the pointer event determination process (S40), go through a mode switching determination process (S50), a search mode switching process (S50) and an application execution process (S52), or a menu window output process (S62) and The selection menu is executed (S64).

The navigation bar output process S20 is a process of outputting the navigation bar 800 on the video display. The output location of the initial navigation bar 800 is determined through the initial setting of the navigation bar application. For example, when a navigation bar application is registered as a startup program, the navigation bar 800 may be output at a position that was output at the end of the final computer system. In addition, if a basic date / time output function is selected at the time of initial setting, date / time information may be output through the search / display window 820 when the navigation bar 800 is initially output.

The pointer display process S30 is a process of displaying the pointer 850 at a proper position on the video display. The pointer 850 generates an event such as a position movement and a button click by a user input interface device, typically a mouse.

In the pointer event determining process S40, the pointer 850 displayed on the video display is positioned on the shortcut icon 830 of the navigation bar 800 or in the search / display window 820, and then a pointer such as a button click is operated by a user. It is a process of determining whether an event has occurred. Examples of such pointer events include left mouse click, right mouse click, and the like.

In the mode switching determination process S50, when a preset first event (eg, a left mouse button click) occurs among pointer events, the mode switching determination process (S50) may be performed when the application corresponding to the shortcut icon where the first event occurs is performed. The initial mode of the search / display window 820 determines whether a search mode or a display mode is required.

In the search mode switching process (S52), when it is determined that the switch to the initial search mode is determined in the mode switching determination process (S50), the search / display window 820 of the navigation bar 800 is switched to the search mode to input a search word. It is the process of making it as possible. That is, the applications corresponding to the Internet icon, the phone icon, the stock icon, etc., respectively, after the search word is inputted into the search / display window 820, the search is performed by moving to a predetermined website according to each application according to the driving of the Internet browser. Switching to the search mode of the search / display window 820 is required.

The application execution process S54 is a process of executing an application corresponding to a shortcut icon where a pointer event occurs. That is, when a specific shortcut icon is left-clicked by a mouse, and a search word is input to a search / display window which is switched to a search mode in the search mode switching process 850, an internet browser is driven to perform a search operation. Depending on the application, the user is taken to a preset website and the search results are output via the video display.

In the display mode switching process S56, when it is determined that the switch to the initial display mode is determined in the mode switching determination process S50, the search / display window is switched by switching the search / display window 820 of the navigation bar 800 to the display mode. The process of making the character information output possible through That is, the applications corresponding to the news icon, etc., while text information is output to the search / display window, and when the search button is clicked, the application moves to a predetermined website according to each application according to the driving of the Internet browser. Switching to the display mode is required.

The menu window output process S60 may include a menu window corresponding to a shortcut icon in which the second event occurs when a preset second event (ex. Right-click of a mouse) occurs among pointer events in the pointer event determination process S40. This is the process of outputting on a video display.

The selection menu performing process S62 is a process of performing a task corresponding to a pull-down menu selected by a user's operation among menu windows output on the video display. For example, if the selected menu moves to a specific web site, the web browser is moved to the selected web site by running an internet browser. The menu window has a cascade menu window which is a sub menu according to the menu.

4 is a view showing a navigation bar anchored in place of a video display according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a flow chart showing a re-anchor process of the navigation bar in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the navigation bar 800 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may move to a specific position on the video display 410 according to a user's mouse operation. That is, in order to move the navigation bar 800 output at the lower N1 position, which is the initial position on the video display 410, to the right N2 position or the upper N3 position, the user performs an operation as illustrated in FIG. 5. First, the pointer is moved on the navigation bar using a mouse (S70). Subsequently, while dragging the navigation bar to a desired position while pressing a specific button (ex. The left button) of the mouse (S72), the navigation bar is dropped while releasing the pressed button (S74).

6A is a diagram illustrating a case where an Internet domain address is input after clicking an internet icon of a navigation bar with a left button of a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B illustrates an internet of a navigation bar according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the case where the icon was clicked by the right button of a mouse.

As shown in FIG. 6A, when the pointer 850 is moved over the Internet icon 831 of the navigation bar displayed on the video display and clicked with the left mouse button, the search / display window 820 switches to the search mode. do. Subsequently, when the user moves the pointer 850 into the search / display window 820 and clicks it, after inputting an Internet domain address using a keyboard and pressing the Enter key or clicking the search button, an Internet browser is started while Go to the website.

On the other hand, when the pointer 850 is moved over the internet icon 831 of the navigation bar displayed on the video display as shown in FIG. 6B and then clicked with the right mouse button, the pointer 850 is pulled down to one side. The menu window 900 is output. Subsequently, when the user moves the pointer 850 to select a desired menu, the Internet browser is driven to move to the web site registered in the selected menu.

FIG. 7A illustrates a case in which a dictionary icon of a navigation bar is clicked with a right button of a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7B illustrates a search word displayed on a search / display window of a navigation bar according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the case.

As shown in FIG. 7A, when the pointer 850 is moved over the dictionary icon 832 of the navigation bar displayed on the video display and clicked with the right button of a mouse, a pull-down menu window is directed to one side of the pointer 850. 900 is output. Subsequently, when the user moves the pointer 850 to select a desired dictionary menu, the user moves to the preset website provided according to the selected dictionary menu.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the user moves the pointer 850 into the search / display window 820 and clicks it, the user inputs a term to search using a keyboard and presses the enter key or clicks the search button. In this case, the webpage corresponding to the search term is moved from the moved web site.

FIG. 8A illustrates a case in which a search word is input after clicking a phone icon of a navigation bar with a left button of a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B illustrates a phone icon of a navigation bar according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure shows the case of clicking by the right button of a mouse.

When the pointer 850 is moved over the telephone icon 833 of the navigation bar output on the video display as shown in FIG. 8A and clicked with the left mouse button, the search / display window 820 switches to the search mode. do. Subsequently, after the user moves the pointer 850 into the search / display window 820 and clicks it, the user inputs a business name to search by using a keyboard and presses the enter key or clicks the search button. A phone number search is performed by going to a website where phone number search is possible.

On the contrary, when the pointer 850 is moved over the telephone icon 833 of the navigation bar displayed on the video display as shown in FIG. 8B and then clicked with the right button of a mouse, the pointer 850 is pulled down to one side. The menu window 900 is output. Subsequently, when the user moves the pointer 850 to select a desired menu, the user searches for a list of stored phone numbers according to the selected menu and performs a call function, or moves to a web site where a preset phone search can be performed while an Internet browser is started. do.

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a case after clicking a news icon of a navigation bar with a left button of a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9B is a right button of a mouse clicking a news icon of a navigation bar according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the case where it clicked.

As shown in FIG. 9A, when the pointer 850 is moved over the news icon 834 of the navigation bar output on the video display and clicked with the left button of a mouse, the search / display window 820 provides a constant interval. News information is output. In addition, when the search button is clicked while the specific news information is outputted, an Internet browser is started to move to the web site provided with the news information. The collection and output of the news information is done by a separately programmed news application.

On the contrary, when the pointer 850 is moved over the news icon 834 of the navigation bar displayed on the video display and clicked with the right mouse button, as shown in FIG. 9B, the pointer 850 is pulled down to one side. The menu window 900 is output. Subsequently, when the user moves the pointer 850 to select a desired menu, the user moves to the preset news-related web site according to the selected menu.

FIG. 10A illustrates a case where a search term is input after a user clicks a stock icon of a navigation bar with a left button of a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10B illustrates a stock icon of a navigation bar according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure shows the case of clicking by the right button of a mouse.

As shown in FIG. 10A, when the pointer 850 is moved over the stock icon 835 of the navigation bar displayed on the video display and clicked with the left mouse button, the search / display window 820 switches to the search mode. do. Subsequently, when the user moves the pointer 850 into the search / display window 820 and clicks it, inputs a company name to obtain information using a keyboard and presses the enter key or clicks the search button. When the browser starts, it goes to the web site that provides the stock information and prints out the relevant information.

On the other hand, when the pointer 850 is moved over the stock icon 835 of the navigation bar displayed on the video display as shown in FIG. 10B and then the right mouse button is clicked, it is pulled down to one side of the pointer 850. The menu window 900 is output. Subsequently, when the user moves the pointer 850 to select a desired menu, the user moves to the securities related web site preset according to the selected menu. In addition, according to the basic setting, the stock price change of a specific company may be always output through the search / display window 820 of the navigation bar 800.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a case in which an email icon of a navigation bar is clicked by a right button of a mouse according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, when the pointer 850 is moved over the e-mail icon 836 of the navigation bar 800 displayed on the video display and clicked with the right button of a mouse, the pointer 850 is pulled to one side. The down menu window 900 is output. Subsequently, when the user moves the pointer 850 to select a desired menu, an e-mail application is driven to output a screen according to the selected menu. In addition, the email icon 836 may be provided with a mail reception display function such as flickering to have a function of notifying whether the email is received at a predetermined time period.

12 is a diagram illustrating a case in which a setting icon of a navigation bar is clicked by a right button of a mouse according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, when the pointer 850 is moved over the setting icon 837 of the navigation bar 800 displayed on the video display and clicked with the right mouse button, the pointer 850 is pulled to one side. The down menu window 900 is output. Subsequently, when the user moves the pointer 850 and selects a desired menu, a screen for selecting basic navigation settings for the navigation bar and each shortcut icon is output.

As described above, the user interfacing method using the navigation bar according to the embodiment of the present invention facilitates the execution of other applications even when the application is running, in particular, the collection of information or the movement to a specific website using Internet communication. It provides convenience to perform work using, thereby improving the work efficiency.

Claims (7)

In a computer system having an input device, a video display device, a control device and a plurality of applications, (a) outputting a search / display window for inputting search text and outputting text information, and a navigation bar having a plurality of shortcut icons corresponding to each application on the video display; (b) displaying a pointer on the video display; (c) converting the search / display window into a preset search mode or display mode when a pointer event occurs due to a pointer on the shortcut icon; and (d) executing the application corresponding to the shortcut icon. The method of claim 1, The navigation bar of step (a) further comprises a search button for performing a search when a search character is input to a search / display window. The method of claim 1, Pointer event of the step (c) is a user interfacing method using a navigation bar, characterized in that each click the first button or the second button. A computer system having a plurality of applications including an input device, a video display device, a control device and an internet browser, (a) outputting a search / display window for inputting search text and outputting text information, and a navigation bar having a plurality of shortcut icons corresponding to each application on the video display; (b) displaying a pointer on the video display; (c) determining whether a preset pointer event occurs by placing a pointer on the shortcut icon; (d) determining whether the initial mode of the application corresponding to the shortcut icon is a search mode or a display mode when the first event set in step (c) occurs; (e) If it is determined in step (d) that the initial mode is the search mode, the search / display window is switched to the search mode, and the web browser corresponding to the search word or address entered in the search / display window is operated by running the Internet browser. Calling; (f) if it is determined in step (d) that the initial mode is a display mode, switching the search / display window to a display mode and calling the web site by driving the Internet browser; and (g) outputting a menu window at a position adjacent to the shortcut icon on the video display when a second event set in advance in step (c) occurs. And invoking a web site corresponding to a menu selected by a user by performing the operation of the Internet browser, or performing a corresponding operation. The method of claim 4, wherein The navigation bar of step (a) further comprises a search button for performing a search when a search character is input to a search / display window. The method of claim 4, wherein Pointer event of the step (c) is a user interfacing method using a navigation bar, characterized in that each click the first button or the second button. The method of claim 4, wherein The menu window of step (g) is a user interface using a navigation bar, characterized in that the direction in which the navigation bar is pulled down according to the output position on the video display is output.