KR20080007463A - Apparatus and method to enhance navigation in a user interface for mobile devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile device (30) comprising a primary user interface (39) and a secondary user interface (40) provided as an adjunct to the primary user interface (39), wherein the secondary user interface is configured to perform user navigation operations in the mobile device (30) in less time than is required to perform said user navigation operations via the primary user interface.

Description

Apparatus and method for enhancing navigation in a user interface for a mobile device {APPARATUS AND METHOD TO ENHANCE NAVIGATION IN A USER INTERFACE FOR MOBILE DEVICES}

The present invention is incorporated by reference in U.S. May 19, 2005, incorporated herein by reference. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60 / 682,639 and U.S. Patent Application, filed June 29, 2005. Patent Application Serial No. 60 / 695,088 claims priority.

The present invention generally relates to accessing information stored on a mobile device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a supplemental user interface that provides fast user interaction / navigation actions for accessing information stored on a mobile device.

Users have become accustomed to the convenience provided by mobile devices such as GPS receivers, mobile phones, PDAs, ebook readers and laptops. The technology has made it possible to provide electrophoretic displays for these devices of the current generation. The electrophoretic display comprises an electrophoretic medium (electro ink) containing charged particles of liquid, a plurality of display elements (pixels) arranged in a matrix, first and second electrodes associated with each pixel and a voltage driver, the voltage The driver applies the potential difference to the electrodes of each pixel, depending on the value and duration of the potential difference applied to display the image or other information, so that the charged particles occupy positions between these electrodes. For example, a display device of this type has the title Full Color Reflective Display with Multichromatic Sub-Pixels, and is published in International Patent Application WO 99 / published on April 9, 1999 by E Ink Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts, US. Published from 53373 WO.

Despite this, an important problem provided by such electrophoretic displays is fast navigation in response to user-oriented navigation / scrolling functions. In detail, for a display screen based on the electric ink material, the response time for the user-directed navigation / scrolling function is slow. This drawback is most noticeable when the scrolling or navigating list is long. Slow response time can be a permanent source of failure for users who have to spend additional time processing information of interest. Failure is especially evident in the case of intelligent users who need to handle the device's functionality well and tolerate the slow response time of the device.

Therefore, it is necessary to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above.

The present invention addresses the above mentioned and other prior art deficiencies by providing a second (supplementary) user interface in a mobile device, wherein the second (supplementary) user interface is compared to the response time of the device's first user interface. Faster response time for navigation actions (eg scrolling, selection, etc.). Faster response time is achieved by using faster technology for the second user interface (eg, LCD technology) as compared to the slower technology used for the first user interface (eg, electrophoretic technology).

According to one aspect, the mobile device comprises a first user interface comprising a first display means and a first selection means. The first user interface functions according to the first technique. The mobile device further comprises a second user interface comprising secondary display means and secondary selection means. The second user interface functions according to the second technology. The second user interface has a response time for a faster user navigation action than the first interface.

According to another aspect, a method of performing a user navigation action in a mobile device having a first and a second user interface comprises: (1) displaying an ordered list on a first display of a first user interface, the ordered list And (2) selecting at least one menu item from an ordered list via a second user interface, wherein the selection is via a first user interface. This results in a faster response time than selecting at least one menu item. Selecting at least one menu item from an ordered list via the second user interface comprises displaying a menu item identifier on a display associated with the second user interface and displaying a second user interface via selection means associated with the second user interface. Selecting at least one menu item from the.

According to one embodiment, the second user interface comprises a display device based on LCD technology and a scroll wheel as selection means. The first display device comprises a display device and selection means based on electrophoretic technology. The second user interface based on the LCD has a faster response time for user navigation action than the first user interface based on electrophoretic technology.

According to yet another embodiment, the second user interface comprises a display device consisting of a series of icons focused on an outer surface of the first display device of the first user interface. This icon is based on the same electrophoresis technique as used in the first display device, but with a much shorter switching time. Note that shorter switching times can be realized in one way by using direct drive icons that function with higher drive voltages. Alternatively, the icon of the display device may be based on faster switching electrophoresis technology. As a better alternative, the icon may be based on LC, OLED or electrowetting technology. The means for selecting the second user interface is embodied as an up / down item selector for controlling the scrolling function associated with the icon of the second user interface display device. The first display device and the selection means are based on electrophoretic technology. The second user interface based on the series of icons and the selection means associated therewith have a faster response time for user navigation actions than the first user interface based on electrophoretic technology.

In another embodiment, the second user interface comprises a second display device consisting of a series of LEDs focused on an outer surface of the first display device of the first user interface. The means for selecting the second user interface is embodied as an up / down item selector for controlling the scrolling function associated with the second LED based display device. The first display means and the selection means are based only on electrophoretic technology.

In another embodiment, the second user interface includes a second user display device configured as a series of LEDs or icons focused on the exterior of the display of the first display device of the first user interface, as mentioned above. However, the present embodiment is the embodiment described above in that the selecting means of the second user interface is embodied as a mechanical selector (eg, a slider or dial on the side of the first display) for selecting at least one item. Is different.

In each embodiment described herein, a better responsive second user interface may interact faster in a mobile device than can be provided by using only a slower first user interface based on electrophoretic technology. / Provide navigation behavior to the user.

The foregoing description, other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. This detailed description and drawings merely illustrate the invention rather than limit the scope of the invention and its equivalents, as defined by the appended claims.

1 is an enlarged view of a rollable display device that includes a first and a second user interface, wherein the second user interface includes a scroll wheel / selector and an LCD in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. .

FIG. 2 is an expanded form of a rollable display device including first and second user interfaces, wherein the second user interface includes an up / down selector and a plurality of icons according to an embodiment of the present invention. Drawing.

3 is an enlarged view of a rollable display device including first and second user interfaces, wherein the second user interface includes an up / down selector and a plurality of LEDs in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Drawing.

4 is an expanded form of a rollable display device comprising a first and a second user interface, wherein the second user interface includes a dial selector in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a rollable display device including first and second user interfaces, wherein the second user interface includes a mechanical slider in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

It is a primary feature of the present invention to provide a mobile device with a faster response time for user navigation actions by using a second (supplementary) user interface as an accessory to the first user interface of the device, wherein the faster response time is the first. It is realized by using the technology for the second user interface having a better response speed than the technology used for the user interface.

In one embodiment, the first user interface is based on electrophoretic technology, while the second user interface is based on faster LCD technology.

It is well known that displays based on electronic ink materials (ie, electrophoretic techniques) typically show slow response times with regard to user interaction / navigation behavior. The disadvantage of the slow response time experienced by the user is that the user is required to spend additional time processing certain information from the device. The problem is most noticeable when the user scrolls or navigates through a long list. For example, given ten items of the example list, assume that the user wants to select the last item from the list. In the case of a display based on an electronic ink material (electrophoretic technique) that scrolls one step at a time, the response time of the electronic ink display will be approximately 5.4 seconds (9 steps x 0.6 seconds / step). In comparison, an LCD display can perform the same function, on the order of 20 to 50 milliseconds (about 100 times faster).

In order to overcome the slow response times associated with user interfaces based on electrophoretic techniques, the present invention provides a slower first user based solely on electrophoretic techniques to improve or speed up user interaction / navigation times required to access information. As an accessory to the interface, a second (supplementary) user interface based on a different technology than electrophoresis is provided.

Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to FIGS. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein, with reference to these drawings, is for the purpose thereof, as the present invention is described beyond these limited embodiments.

1 through 5 where like elements share like reference numbers are user interface diagrams made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

First embodiment

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a display device 30 is shown that can be rolled up in an unfolded form, wherein the electrophoretic based viewing portion 39 of the rollable device 30 is presented to the user. It is rotated to display the information. As used herein, the terms “extended” and “extended configuration” refer to the separation of the first and second housings 32, 34 of the display device 30 that can be wound, as shown. The electrophoretic based viewing portion 39 of the display device 30, which is defined in configuration and can be rolled up, is expanded, which viewing portion 39 is visible to the user. The viewing portion 39 is defined as the first user interface of the display device 30 that can be wound here.

The first housing 32 of the rollable display device 30 is a base housing that covers an electronic circuit that performs a calculation function for the rollable display device 30. The first housing 32 includes, in front, an LCD display 42 and a scroll wheel / selector 44, which scroll wheel / selector 44 and display 42 can be collectively wound. And a second (supplementary) user interface 40 of 30. Scroll wheel / selector 44 allows the user to interact with LCD display 42 via rotational movements (+,-). As the scroll wheel / selector 44 scrolls in the (+,-) direction, the item identifier 52 is displayed on the LCD display 42 continuously. For example, scrolling the scroll wheel / selector 44 in the positive direction causes the LCD display 42 to continuously display item identifiers {01, 02, 03, etc.}. The first housing 32 includes a back knob 46 on the front side. This back knob 46 has the function of restoring the previous layer of the selected menu when the scroll wheel / selector 44 is operated by mistake.

For example and not by way of limitation, an electrophoretic based viewing portion 39 of the display device 30 in which an ordered list 50 of menu items 54 and item descriptions 52 associated therewith may be wound in FIG. 1. (Ie, first interface 39). In the example square list 50 of FIG. 1, the various menu items 54 show a table of content consisting of 12 entries (rows).

Two methods are used to scroll through the list of menu items 54. According to one approach, the first user interface 39 is used exclusively for scrolling linearly through the menu item 54. However, this method causes drawbacks. In detail, the navigation / selection method is an undesirable method in that it is a waste of time, and thus disappoints the user. This is mainly due to the fact that the electrophoretic technique on which the first user interface 39 is based is quite slow, as described in the background. Simply repeated, the time required to scroll linearly across each menu item 54 of the square list 50 using only the first user interface 39 is approximately 0.6 seconds per row for a typical electrophoretic display. . Thus, in the present example, selecting the (last) 12th item from the list may take approximately 0.6 * 12 = 7.2 seconds.

To overcome this drawback, the present invention provides a mobile device 30 with a second method of performing navigation / selection to access the information stored therein. In detail, the mobile device 30 of FIG. 2 includes a second (supplementary) user interface 40 as an attachment to the first user interface 39. In this embodiment, the second user interface 40 includes a scroll wheel / selector 44, an LCD display 42 and a back knob 46. Second user interface 40 facilitates quick identification and selection of menu item 54 from an ordered list 50 when compared to the exclusive use of first user interface 39. The menu item identifier 54 is displayed on the LCD display 42 of the second user interface 40 and is selected using the scroll wheel / selector 44 as described above. The second user interface 40 provides an even more important advantage when the list of menu items is particularly long.

By providing a second user interface 40, it is possible for the mobile device 30 to provide the user with faster interaction / navigation capabilities to access information stored in the mobile device 30. Thus the large latency associated with the exclusive use of the first interface 39 is overcome.

Second embodiment

As shown in FIG. 2, in the second embodiment, the display device 30 that can be wound is such that the electrophoretic based viewing portion 39 of the display device 30 that can be wound displays information to the user. It has an expanded form to expand. The first housing 32 of the rollable display device 30 is a base housing that covers an electronic circuit that performs a calculation function for the rollable display device 30. The first housing 32 includes an up / down selector 64 on the front side. This up / down selector 64 further includes a second or secondary user further comprising an icon row 66 located to the left of the first user interface 39 (ie, viewing portion) of the display device 30 that can be rolled up. It forms one part of the interface 40. As shown, each icon in icon row 66 is associated with an ordered list 50 of each column.

For example and not by way of limitation, an ordered list 50 is displayed on the electrophoretic based viewing portion 39 of the display device 30 which can be wound as shown in FIG. 2. The exemplary square list 50 of FIG. 2 is a table of 12 rows of content, each row comprising an item identifier 52 and a corresponding item description 54 (eg, chapter 03-1). .

Two methods are used to scroll through the list of menu items 54. As shown above, it is not desirable to exclusively use the first user interface 39 to scroll linearly across the menu item 54. A more preferred approach is for the user to quickly identify and select the item description 54 from the ordered list 50 via the first or secondary user interface 40, which interface 40 is to the left of the first interface 39. It consists of an up / down selector 64 and a plurality of icons 66 located at. The up / down selector 64 illuminates and selects a desired icon from the plurality of icons 66. It should be noted that each icon 66 is associated with each column of the ordered list 50. Although the ordered list 50 shown in FIG. 2 includes 12 entries, astute readers will understand that the ordered list 50 can be significantly expanded (approximately tens or hundreds of items). The second user interface 40 provides for faster interaction / navigation to the mobile device 30 than is possible using only the first interface 39 of the mobile device 30 to quickly traverse a long list to the user. Offers the possibility. This is accomplished by using a better response technique for the second user interface 40, thus preliminarily excluding the latency associated with the slower first interface 39 of the mobile device 30.

Third embodiment

In a third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the display device 30 that can be rolled is such that the electrophoretic-based viewing portion 39 of the display device 30 that can be rolled causes the user to display information to the user. Has an expanded form. The first housing 32 of the rollable display device 30 is a base housing that covers an electronic circuit that performs a calculation function for the rollable display device 30. The first housing 32 includes an up / down selector 64 on the front side. This up / down selector 64 allows the user to interact with the LED row 76, integrated with the electrophoretic based viewing portion 39 of the display device 30, which can be rolled up. It should be noted that each LED 76 of the second user interface is associated with each column of the ordered list 50.

For example and not by way of limitation, the ordered list 50 is displayed on the electrophoretic based viewing portion 39 of the display device 30 which can be wound as shown in FIG. 3 and described above.

Two methods are used to scroll through the list of menu items 54. According to one approach, the first user interface 39 is used exclusively for scrolling linearly through the menu item 54. However, as mentioned above, this method is undesirable due to the slow response time that occurs. Alternatively, the user is provided with the ability to quickly identify and select the item description 54 from the ordered list 50 via the first or auxiliary user interface 40. In this embodiment, the second user interface 40 includes an up / down selector 74 and a plurality of LEDs 76 located on the left side of the first user interface 39. The second user interface 40 is controlled by the user through an up / down selector 74 that highlights or highlights one LED from the plurality of LEDs 76. Note that each LED 76 is associated with each column of the ordered list 50. Although the ordered list 50 shown in FIG. 3 includes 12 entries, astute readers will understand that the ordered list 50 can be significantly expanded (approximately tens or hundreds of items) in some cases. The second user interface 40 advantageously provides the user with a faster list of interactions / navigations than is possible using only the first interface 39 of the mobile device 30 to quickly give the user a long list. Provides the ability to traverse. This is accomplished by using a better response technique (ie, LED technique) for the second user interface 40, thus preliminarily excluding the latency associated with the slower first interface 39 of the mobile device 30. do.

Fourth embodiment

In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the display device 30 that can be rolled is such that the electrophoretic based viewing portion 39 of the display device 30 that can be rolled causes the user to display information to the user. Has an expanded configuration. The first housing 32 of the rollable display device 30 is a base housing that covers an electronic circuit that performs a calculation function for the rollable display device 30. The first housing 32 includes a mechanical dial selector 84 on the front side. This mechanical dial selector 84 incorporates a row of LEDs, in which the user is integrated with the first user interface 30 (ie, the electrophoretic based viewing portion 39 of the display device 30 which can be wound). Allow interaction with (76). Each LED 76 is associated with each column of the ordered list 50.

For example and not by way of limitation, the ordered list 50 is based on the electrophoresis of the first user interface 30 (ie, the display device 30 which can be rolled up) as illustrated in FIG. 4, as described above. Viewing portion 39}. The user has an item description from the square list 50 via a second user interface consisting of a mechanical dial selector 84 and a plurality of LEDs 76 located on the left side of the viewing portion 39 of the first user interface 39. 54) have the ability to quickly identify and select. In detail, the user using the mechanical dial selector 84 highlights one LED 76 from a plurality of LEDs 76 located on the left side of the viewing portion 39 of the display device 30 that can be rolled up. (And then optionally select it). Each LED 76 is associated with each column of the ordered list 50.

The second user interface 40 quickly traverses a long list to the user by providing the mobile device 30 with faster interaction / navigation than is possible using only the first interface 39 of the mobile device 30. To provide performance. This is accomplished by using a better response technique (ie, LED technique) for the second user interface 40, thus preliminarily excluding the latency associated with the slower first interface 39 of the mobile device 30. do.

Fifth Embodiment

In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the display device 30 that can be rolled is such that the electrophoretic based viewing portion 39 of the display device 30 that can be rolled causes the user to display information to the user. It has an extended form that is rotated for. The first housing 32 of the rollable display device 30 is a base housing that covers an electronic circuit that performs a calculation function for the rollable display device 30. The first housing 32 includes a mechanical slider / selector 94 on the front side. This mechanical slider / selector 94 allows the user to integrally integrate the first user interface (ie electrophoretic based viewing portion 39 of the display device 30 that can be wound) with the LED row ( 76). Each LED 76 is associated with an ordered list 50 of each column.

By way of example but not of limitation, the ordered list 50 is based on the electrophoresis of the first user interface 30 (ie, the display device 30 that can be rolled up) as illustrated in FIG. 5, as described above. Viewing portion 39}. The user can be arranged from the square list 50 via a second (supplementary) user interface consisting of a mechanical dial selector 94 and a plurality of LEDs 76 located on the left side of the viewing portion 39 of the first user interface 30. Has the ability to quickly identify and select item description 54. In detail, the user using the mechanical slider / selector 94 highlights one LED 76 from a plurality of LEDs 76 located on the left side of the viewing portion 39 of the display device 30 that can be rolled up. (And then optionally select it). Note that each LED 76 is associated with each column of the ordered list 50.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood that many variations are reclassified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. It is intended that the scope of the invention be set forth in the appended claims, which embraces all changes that occur within the meaning and scope of equivalents herein. The description and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded as illustrative in nature and do not limit the scope of the appended claims.

In interpreting the appended claims,

a) The term "comprising" does not exclude the existence of other components or operations than those listed in a given claim;

b) components described in the singular form do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such components;

c) Any reference signs in the claims do not limit the scope of the claims;

d) some "means" are represented by the same item or structure or function implemented in hardware or software;

e) any disclosed component may consist of a hardware portion (eg, including discrete and integrated electronic circuits), a software portion (eg, computer programming), and any combination thereof;

f) the hardware portion may consist of one or both of the analog and digital portions;

g) any of the disclosed devices or portions thereof may be joined together or may be separated into additional portions unless otherwise specified;

h) Unless specifically indicated, no sequence of actions will be required at all.

As noted above, the present invention is generally available for accessing information stored on a mobile device, and in more detail, the present invention provides a fast user interaction / navigation action for accessing information stored on a mobile device. Available for supplemental user interface.

Claims (13)

A mobile device (30) comprising a first user interface (39) and a second user interface (40) provided as an attachment thereto, wherein the second user interface performs user navigation actions via the first user interface (39). And configured to perform the user navigation action in the mobile device (30) within a shorter time than required to implement. 2. The user interface of claim 1, wherein the second user interface 40 performs a user navigation action substantially in approximately 0.02 seconds based on LCD technology, and the first user interface 39 is approximately 0.5 based on electrophoretic technology. And execute the user navigation action in seconds. 2. Mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the first user interface (39) is based on electrophoretic technology. 2. Mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the second user interface (40) is based on LCD technology. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the second user interface consists of selection means and display means. 6. Mobile device according to claim 5, wherein the display means is an LCD display (42) and the selection means is a scroll wheel / selector (44). 6. Mobile device according to claim 5, wherein the display means is an icon row (66) and the selection means is an up / down selector (64). 8. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the icon row (66) is based on one of LC, OLED or electrowetting techniques. 6. Mobile device according to claim 5, wherein the display means is an LED row (76) and the selection means is an up / down counter (74). 6. Mobile device according to claim 5, wherein the display means is one of an LED row (76) and an icon row (66), the selection means being a mechanical dial selector (84). 6. Mobile device according to claim 5, wherein the display means is one of an LED row (76) and an icon row (66), wherein the selection means is a mechanical slider / selector (94). A method of performing a user navigation action in a mobile device having first and second user interfaces, the method comprising: (1) displaying an ordered list on a first display of a first user interface, the ordered list including this menu item identifier corresponding to a menu item; (2) selecting at least one menu item from an ordered list via a second user interface, wherein the selection results in a faster response time than selecting at least one menu item via the first user interface. step Comprising a user navigation action. The method of claim 12, wherein said selecting step: a. Displaying a menu item identifier on a display associated with a second user interface; b. Selecting at least one menu item from the second user interface display via selection means associated with the second user interface And further comprising a user navigation action.

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