WO2009121420A2 - Method, apparatus and computer program product for improved user interface - Google Patents

Method, apparatus and computer program product for improved user interface Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009121420A2
WO2009121420A2 PCT/EP2008/055218 EP2008055218W WO2009121420A2 WO 2009121420 A2 WO2009121420 A2 WO 2009121420A2 EP 2008055218 W EP2008055218 W EP 2008055218W WO 2009121420 A2 WO2009121420 A2 WO 2009121420A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
content
user interface
display
input device
interface element
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2008/055218
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2009121420A3 (en
Inventor
Piiastiina Tikka
Päivi HEINO
Ari Tourunnen
Original Assignee
Nokia Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nokia Corporation filed Critical Nokia Corporation
Publication of WO2009121420A2 publication Critical patent/WO2009121420A2/en
Publication of WO2009121420A3 publication Critical patent/WO2009121420A3/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
    • G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0484—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
    • G06F3/0485—Scrolling or panning
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2250/00—Details of telephonic subscriber devices
    • H04M2250/22—Details of telephonic subscriber devices including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector

Definitions

  • the present invention genera ⁇ y relates to user interfaces and more particularly to a method, an apparatus and a computer program product for improving user interfaces for muttipte uses.
  • Mobile terminals or mobile (cellular) telephones, for mobile telecommunications systems like GSM, UMTS, D-AMPS and CDMA2000 have been used for many years. In the older days, mobile terminals were used almost exclusively for voice communication with other mobile terminate or stationary telephones. Gradually, the use of mobile terminals has been broadened to include not just voice communication, but also various other services and applications such as www/wap browsing, video telephony, electronic messaging (e.g. SMS, MMS, email, instant messaging), digital image or video recording, FM radio, music playback, electronic games, calendar/organizer/time planner, word processing, etc.
  • electronic messaging e.g. SMS, MMS, email, instant messaging
  • digital image or video recording e.g. SMS, MMS, email, instant messaging
  • FM radio e.g., FM radio, music playback, electronic games, calendar/organizer/time planner, word processing, etc.
  • an aspect of the present invention is Io provide a method, an apparatus, a computer program product and a user interface which preferably seek to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the deficiencies discussed above singly or in any combination.
  • H would be advantageous to provide an improved way to handle user input in mobile terminals with touch screens.
  • a method comprising, displaying, on a display of an apparatus, content and a user interface element for bidirectional movement of said content; detecting an actuation of a positional user input device of said apparatus in a start position corresponding to said user interface element; detecting a rotational motion using said positional user input device; when said rotational motion is detected to be a clockwise motion, scrolling said content in a first direction; and when said rotational motion is detected to be an anticlockwise motion, scrolling said content in a second direction.
  • the method may allow for scrolling through said list Hems.
  • an apparatus comprising said display may sometimes not comprise a scroll wheel, as may be the case for apparatuses with a touch screen display. Then said user interface element shown on the display may simplify the operation of scrolling.
  • Said content and said user interface element together may use a minority of screen area of said display.
  • said content and said user interface element together may use less than 50 percent of the total screen area of said display.
  • Said content and said user interface element together may preferably use about 5-40 percent of the of the total screen area of said display, more preferably about 10-30 percent of the of the total screen area of said display, and even more preferably about 15-20 percent of the of the total screen area of said display.
  • screen space may be saved for showing other activities for the user. For instance, when using a mobile telephone for a video caR, all of the screen area may already be completely in use.
  • the method may further comprise: detecting an actuation of said positional user input device on said display in a selection position corresponding to said content; and invoking software code associated with said selection position.
  • Said content may comprise characters, wherein each character is associated with a dual-tone multi-frequency signal; and said invoking software code involves invoking software code for transmitting a dual-tone multi- frequency signal associated with said selection position.
  • the user interface element may be in the shape of a jog dial, the jog dial comprising a pointer; and said invoking software code may involve invoking software code for causing a rotational movement, with regard to a center of the jog dial, of the pointer to a position of the jog dial associated with said selection position.
  • said invoking software code may involve invoking software code for causing clockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a first direction and for causing the anticlockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a second direct bn.
  • Said displaying may involve rendering at least part of said user interface element and said content using alpha blending with previously displayed content on said display.
  • Said user interface element and content may be positioned above said previously displayed content, such as a video call. Then, advantageously, said user interface element may have some degree of transparency, so that said previously displayed content is still visible under said user interface element and content.
  • said user interface element and content may be opaque.
  • the method may further comprise, after said delecting a rotational motion, detecting a deactuation of said positional user input device, wherein between said actuation and said deactuation no other deactuation of said positional user input device is detected.
  • Said positional user input device may be a touch sensitive display, wherein said position is detected by detecting a tap on said touch sensitive display.
  • Said positional user input device may be a device selected from the group comprising a mouse and a track ball.
  • Said user interface element may be a jog dial and said content may be a slider bar, such as a scrollbar.
  • Said apparatus may be a communication apparatus, a portable or handheld radio communication apparatus, a moble radio terminal, a mobile phone, a cellphone, a smartphone, an electronic organizer such as a
  • an apparatus comprising: a display * , a positional user input device; a controller; said controller being adapted to display, on said display, content and a user interface element for bidirectional movement of said content; ⁇ aid controller being further adapted to detect an actuation of said positional user input device in a start position corresponding to said user interface element; said controller being further adapted to detect a rotational motion using said positional user input device; said controller being further adapted to, when said rotational motion is detected to be a clockwise motion, scroll said content in a first direction; and said contro ⁇ er being further adapted to, when said rotational motion is detected to be an anticlockwise motkm. scroll said content in a second direction.
  • Said controller may be adapted to display said content and said user interface element in such way that said content end said user interface element together use a minority of screen area of said display.
  • Said controller may be adapted to detect an actuation of said positional user input device on said display in a selection position corresponding to said content, and further to invoke software code associated with said selection position.
  • Said content may comprise characters, wherein each character is associated with a dual-tone mufti-frequency signal; and said controller may be further adapted to invoke software code for transmitting a duaMone multi- frequency signal associated with said selection position.
  • the controller may be adapted to display said user interface element in the shape of a jog dial, the jog dial comprising a pointer and the controller may be further adapted to invoke software code for causing a rotational movement, with regard to a center of the jog dial, of the pointer to ⁇ position of the jog dial associated with said selection position.
  • the controller may further be adapted to invoke software code for causing clockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a first direction and for causing anticlockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrotiing said content is determined to be in a second direction.
  • the controller may be adapted to display said user interface element and content by rendering at least part of said user interface element and said content using alpha blending with previously displayed content on said display.
  • the controller may further be adapted to detect after said detecting a rotational motion, ⁇ deactuation of said positional user input device, wherein between said actuation and said deactuation no other deactuation of said positional user input device is detectable.
  • Said positional user input device may be a touch sensitive display, wherein said position is detectable by detecting a tap on said touch sensitive display.
  • Said positional user input device may be a device selected from the group comprising a mouse and a track ball.
  • Said user interface element may be a jog dial and said content may be a slider bar, such as a scroll bar.
  • Said apparatus may be a a communication apparatus, a portable or handheld radio communication apparatus, a mobile radio terminal, a mobile phone, a cellphone, a smartphone, an electronic organizer such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a computer, a media player such as a MP3- player. a digital camera device or a navigation device.
  • PDA Personal Digital Assistant
  • an apparatus comprising: means for displaying, on a display of an apparatus, content and a user interface element for bidirectional movement of said content; means for detecting an actuation of a positional user input device of said apparatus in a start position corresponding to said user interface element; means for detecting a rotational motion using said positional user input device; means for scrolling, when said rotational motion is detected to be a clockwise motion, said content in a first direction; and means for scrolling, when said rotational motion is detected to be an anticlockwise motion, said content in a second direction.
  • the apparatus may further comprise means for displaying said content and said user interface element in such way that said content and said user interface element together occupy a minority of screen area of said display.
  • the apparatus may further comprise means for detecting an actuation of said positional user input device on said display in a selection position corresponding to said content, and means for invoking software code associated with said selection position.
  • Said content may comprise characters, wherein each character is associated with a dual-tone multi-frequency signal; and said means for invoking software code comprises means for invoking software code for transmitting a dual-tone multi-frequency signal associated with said selection position.
  • the apparatus may further comprise means for displaying said user interface element in the shape of a jog dial, the jog dial comprising a pointer, and means for invoking software code for causing a rotational movement, with regard to a center of the jog dial, of the pointer to a position of the Jog dial associated with said selection position.
  • the means for invoking software code may comprise means for invoking software code for causing clockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a first direction and for causing anticlockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a second direction.
  • the apparatus may also comprise means for rendering at least part of said user interface element and said content using alpha blending with previously displayed content on said display.
  • the apparatus may further comprise means for detecting, after said detecting a rotational motion, a deactuation of said positional user input device, wherein between said actuation and said d ⁇ ctuation no other deactuation of said positional user input device is detectable.
  • Said positional user input device may be a touch sensitive display * wherein said position is detectable by detecting a tap on said touch sensitive display.
  • Said positional user input device may be a mouse or a track ball.
  • Said user interface element may be a jog dial and said content may be a slider bar, such as a scrollbar.
  • Said apparatus may be a communication apparatus, a portable or handheld radio communication apparatus, a mobile radio terminal, a mobile phone, a cellphone, a smartphon ⁇ , an electronic organizer such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a computer, a media player such as a MP3- player, a digital camera device or a navigation device.
  • PDA Personal Digital Assistant
  • a user interface comprising: a display; a positional user input device; said user interface being adapted to display, on said display, content and a user interface element for bidirectional movement of said content; said user interface being further adapted to detect an actuation of said positional user input device in a start position corresponding to said user interface element; sakj user interface being further adapted to detect a rotational motion using said positional user input device; sakj user interface being further adapted to, when said rotational motion is detected to be a clockwise motion, scroll said content in a first direction; and said user interface being further adapted to, when said rotational motion is detected to be an anticlockwise motion, scroll said content in a second direction .
  • Said user interface may be adapted to display said content and said user interface element in such way that said content and said user interface element together use a minority of screen area of said display.
  • Said user interface may be adapted to detect an actuation of saki positional user input device on said display in a selection position corresponding to said content, and further to invoke software code associated with said selection position.
  • Said content may comprise characters, wherein each character is associated with a dual-tone mufti-frequency signal; and said user interface may further be adapted to invoke software code for transmitting a dual-tone mutti-freq ⁇ ency signal associated with said selection position.
  • the user interface may be adapted to display said user interface element in the shape of a jog dial, the jog dial comprising a pointer, and the user interface may further be adapted to invoke software code for causing a rotational movement, with regard to a center of the jog dial, of the pointer to a position of the jog dial associated with said selection position.
  • the user interface may further be adapted to invoke software code for causing clockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrot ⁇ ng said content is determined to be in a first direction and for causing anticlockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a second direction.
  • the user interface may be adapted to display said user interface element and content by rendering at least part of said user interface element and said content using alpha blending with previously displayed content on said display.
  • the user interface may further be adapted to detect, after said detecting a rotational motion, a deactuation of said positional user input device, wherein between said actuation and said deact ⁇ ctbn no other deactuation of said positional user input device is detectable.
  • Said positional user input device may be a touch sensitive display, wherein said position is detectable by detecting a tap on said touch sensitive display.
  • Said positional user input device may be a mouse or a track ball.
  • Said user interface element may be a jog dial and said content may be a slider bar. such as a scroll bar
  • the user Interface may be suitable for use in an apparatus such as, e.g., a communication apparatus, a portable or handheld radio communication apparatus, a mobile radio terminal, a mobile phone, a cellphone, a smartphone, an electronic organizer such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a computer, a media player such as a MP3-player, a digital camera device or a navigation device.
  • a communication apparatus e.g., a communication apparatus, a portable or handheld radio communication apparatus, a mobile radio terminal, a mobile phone, a cellphone, a smartphone, an electronic organizer such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a computer, a media player such as a MP3-player, a digital camera device or a navigation device.
  • PDA Personal Digital Assistant
  • the second, third, fourth and fifth aspects may generally have the same features and advantages as the first aspect.
  • Fig 1 is a schematic illustration of a cellular telecommunication system, as an example of an environment m which the disclosed embodiments of the present invention may be applied.
  • Fig 2 is a schematic front view illustrating a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig 3 is a schematic block diagram representing an internal component, software and protocol structure of the mobile terminal shown in Fig 2.
  • Figs 4a-c illustrate schematic screen views of a user interface in the mobile terminal of Fig 2.
  • Fig 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the present invention to be executed in the mobile terminal of Fig 2.
  • Fig 1 illustrates an example of a cellular telecommunications system in which the disclosed embodiments of the invention may be applied.
  • various telecommunications services such as cellular voice calls, www/wap browsing, cellular video calls, data calls, facsimile transmissions, music transmissions, still image transmissions, video transmissions, electronic message transmissions and electronic commerce may be performed between a mobile terminal 100 according to the disclosed embodiments of the present invention and other devices, such as another mobile terminal 106 or a stationary telephone 119.
  • a mobile terminal 100 may be performed between a mobile terminal 100 according to the disclosed embodiments of the present invention and other devices, such as another mobile terminal 106 or a stationary telephone 119.
  • different ones of the telecommunications services referred to above may or may not be available; the invention is not limited to any particular set of services in this respect.
  • the mobile terminals 100, 106 may be connected to a mobile telecommunications network 110 through RF links 102, 108 via base stations 104, 109.
  • the mobile telecommunications network 110 may be in compliance with any commercially available mobile telecommunications standard, such as GSM 1 UMTS, D-AMPS, CDMA2000, FOMA and TD-SCDMA.
  • Communication between the two mobile terminals 100, 106 can thus occur ufting voice communication, video communication, data communication or any combination of these.
  • the mobile telecommunications network 110 may be operativety connected to a wide area network 112, which may be internet or a part thereof.
  • a server 115 may have a data storage 114 and may be connected to the wide area network 112, as is an internet client computer 116.
  • a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 118 may be connected to the mobile telecommunications network 110 in a familiar manner.
  • Various telephone terminate, including the stationary telephone 119, may be connected to the PSTN 118.
  • the mobile terminal 200 comprises a speaker or earphone 222, a microphone 225, a touch- sensitive display 223 and a set of keys 224.
  • the internal component, software and protocol structure of the mobile terminal 200 will now be described with reference to Fig 3.
  • the mobile terminal has a controller 331 which is responsible for the overaB operation of the mobile terminal and is preferably implemented by any commercial y available CPU ("Central Processing Unit”). DSP ("Digital Signal Processor”) or any other electronic programmable logic device.
  • the controBer 331 may have associated electronic memory 332 such as RAM memory, ROM memory, EEPROM memory, flash memory, hard d ⁇ ve, optical storage or any combination thereof.
  • the memory 332 may be used for various purposes by the controller 331 , one of them being for storing data and program instructions for various software in the mobile terminal.
  • the software may include a real-time operating system 336, drivers for a man- machine interface (MMI) 339, an application handler 338 as well as various applications.
  • MMI man- machine interface
  • the applications can include a video telephony application 340, a media player application 341 , as well as various other applications 342, such as applications for voice calling, messaging (including short messaging, multimedia messaging and e-maH), web browsing, document reading and/or document editing, an instant messaging application, a phone book application, a calendar application, a control panel application, one or more video games, a notepad application, etc.
  • the MMI 339 may also include one or more hardware controllers, which together with the MMI drivers may cooperate with the display 323/223, keypad 324/224, as wel as various other I/O devices 329 such as microphone, speaker, vfcrator, ringtone generator. LED Indicator, etc.
  • the user may operate the mobile terminal through the man- machine interface thus formed.
  • the software may also include various modules, protocol stacks, drivers, etc., which are commonly designated as 337 and which provide communication services (such as transport, network and connectivity) for an RF interface 333, and optionally a Bluetooth interface 334 and/or an IrOA interface 335 for local connectivity.
  • a camera 345 may be provided.
  • the RF interface 333 may comprise an internal or external antenna as well as appropriate radio circuitry for establishing and maintaining a wireless link to a base station (e.g., the link 102 and base station 104 in Fig 1)
  • the radio circuitry may comprise a series of analogue and digital electronic components, together forming a radio receiver and transmitter. These components may include, i.a., band pass filters, amplifiers, mixers, local oscillators, low pass filters, AD/DA converters, etc.
  • the mobile terminal may also have a SIM card 330 and an associated reader.
  • the SIM card 330 may comprise a processor a ⁇ well as local work and data memory. Now follows a scenario presenting a user interface according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figs 4a-c illustrate schematic screen views of a user interface in the mobile terminal of Fig 2.
  • indicators may be shown, e.g. a signal strength indicator and/or a battery level indicator, while a bottom section 463 may provide labels for menus, in this example, a video call application is currently active and a main display area 462 shows the picture received from the party with which communication is active. In this example, the face of the other party is shown.
  • Fig 4b shows a screen view for an example where the user wishes to send a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal.
  • the user may invoke the user interface for DTMF selection, using an input known per se, e.g. by using a menu option, by double tapping on the touch sensitive screen. It should of course be appreciated that it is not necessary that the tapping involves double tapping. Equally possible, it could involve a single tap.
  • the single tap could have a short duration or a long duration.
  • a long duration is used to mean a duration of at least 500 me. e.g. in the range of 500-1500 ms.
  • a short duration is used to mean a duration which is below 500 ms, e.g. in the range of about 100-300 ms.
  • the user may invoke the user interface for DTMF selection, using an input known per se, e.g. by using a menu option, by performing any other suitable user input using e.g. a mouse or a track bail.
  • a user interface element in the shape of a jog dial, or virtual jog dial, 464 is then displayed on the screen.
  • content 466 may be displayed.
  • the content comprises symbols for various OTMF signals. In order to save screen space, not all content is displayed simultaneously.
  • the jog dial 464 may be used to scroll through the symbols.
  • the content 466 is scrolled left and the screen view as seen in Fig 4c is displayed.
  • the scroll bar 467 can be used to scroll the content In Fig 4c, the user is then able to tap in a position 468, corresponding to the symbol '6'.
  • Software code associated with this action may thus be executed.
  • software code for sending a DTMF signal for the symbol '6' can be executed.
  • the invoking of the software code involves invoking software code for causing a rotational movement, with regard to a center of the jog dial 464 , of a user interface element in the shape of a pointer denoted 469 to a position of the jog dial 464 associated with the selection position 468.
  • invoking the software code may involve invoking software code for causing clockwise rotational movement of the pointer 469 when scrolling the content 466 Is determined to be in a first direction, e.g. to the right in Figs. 4a-c, and for causing anticlockwise rotational movement of the pointer 469 when scrolling the content 466 is determined to be in a second direction, e.g.
  • the jog dial 464 and the content 466 may be interlinked such that when a user moves the stylus in an anti-clockwise direction around the center of the jog dial 464, the content 466 ia scrolled left and the screen view as seen in Fig 4c is displayed and, likewise, when the scroti bar 467 is used to scroll the content left in Fig 4c this results in the pointer 469 moving in an anticlockwise direction of the jog dial 464.
  • This provides a user-friendly and intuitive user interface .
  • Fig 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention executable in the mobile terminal of Fig 2.
  • This method corresponds to the scenario disclosed above in conjunction with Fig 4a-c.
  • content and Ul element such as a jog dial and possibly also a pointer of the jog dial, is displayed on the display 223.
  • the Ul element is meant to enable scrolling of the content.
  • Opttonatty, alpha blending is used to allow the user to simultaneously view the Ul element and content previously shown on the display in the position where the Ul element is rendered.
  • a detect tap on Ul element step 552 a tap is detected on the Ul element or within a predetermined region surrounding the Ul element. If a mouse or a track bail is used, a click of the mouse/track ball button is detected here, with the related position being on the Ul element or within a predetermined region surrounding the Ul element.
  • a rotational motion of the stylus is detected.
  • the movement does not need to be a strict circular motion; it is sufficient with an angular motion with regard to the center of the jog dial.
  • the conditional clockwise motion step 555 it is determined whether the rotational motion detected in the previous step is clockwise or not. If the rotational motion is clockwise, the procedure continues to a scroll content right step 556. Otherwise, the rotational motion is anti-ciockwise and the procedure continues to a scroll content left step 557. Alternatively, clockwise motion results the scroll content left step 557 and anti-clockwise motion results in the scroll content right step 556. in the scroll content right step 556, the content is scrolled to the right.
  • the content is scrolled to the left.
  • the scroll content right step 556 and scroll content left step 557 when the end of the content is reached, the content loops to the first item of the content
  • the scrolling may stop when the last Hem of the content has been reached.
  • a d ⁇ actuation of positional user input is detected. For instance, if a stylus and a touch screen is used, a lift of the stylus is detected. Similarly, if a mouse or a track ball is used, a release of a mouse/track ball button is detected, in other words, when the user has tapped in a position of the Ul element, performed a rotational motion, it is here detected a deactuation, and therefore the rotation is stopped.
  • the detect tap selection step 559 it is detected that a selection has been made of the desired content item in a selection position, that is, a tap is performed on the desired content item. This results in software code associated with the content item being invoked. For example, software code for sending a DTMF signal for the selected symbol can be executed.
  • tap is mentioned herein, it is to be construed as a tap on a touch sensitive screen, a click of a button of a mouse or a track ball in a corresponding position, or any other suitable activation of a position using a positional user input device.
  • the invention has above been described using an embodiment in a mobile terminal, the invention is applicable to any type of portable apparatus, including portable mp3-piayers, cameras, pocket computers, portable gaming devices, etc.

Abstract

It Is presented a method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for improving user interfaces, In particular, it is presented a method which may allow for an improved way to handle user input in mobile terminals with touch screens. The method comprises displaying, on a display of an apparatus, content and a user interface element for bidirectional movement of said content; detecting an actuation of a positional user input device of said apparatus in a start position corresponding to said user interface element; detecting a rotational motion using said positional use input device; when said rotational motion is detected to be a clockwise motion, scrolling said content in a first direction; and when said rotational motion is detected to be an anticlockwise motion, scrolling said content in a second direction, A corresponding apparatus, a computer program product and a user interface are also presented.

Description

METHOD. APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR IMPROVED USER INTERFACE
Technical Field
The present invention generaβy relates to user interfaces and more particularly to a method, an apparatus and a computer program product for improving user interfaces for muttipte uses.
Background
Mobile terminals, or mobile (cellular) telephones, for mobile telecommunications systems like GSM, UMTS, D-AMPS and CDMA2000 have been used for many years. In the older days, mobile terminals were used almost exclusively for voice communication with other mobile terminate or stationary telephones. Gradually, the use of mobile terminals has been broadened to include not just voice communication, but also various other services and applications such as www/wap browsing, video telephony, electronic messaging (e.g. SMS, MMS, email, instant messaging), digital image or video recording, FM radio, music playback, electronic games, calendar/organizer/time planner, word processing, etc.
The use of touch screens in mobile terminals has increased considerably in recent years. Some mobile terminals do not even comprise a keypad. Therefore, new solutions have been developed in order to facilitate tor the user the navigation on the touch screen.
Nevertheless, there are strH deficiencies with the available solutions, such as e.g. when a user wants to enter a user input when the entire or almost the entire screen area of a display of the mobile terminal is occupied by some application, e.g. a video application.
Summary
In view of the above, an aspect of the present invention is Io provide a method, an apparatus, a computer program product and a user interface which preferably seek to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the deficiencies discussed above singly or in any combination. In particular, H would be advantageous to provide an improved way to handle user input in mobile terminals with touch screens. According to a first aspect of the present invention there has been provided a method comprising, displaying, on a display of an apparatus, content and a user interface element for bidirectional movement of said content; detecting an actuation of a positional user input device of said apparatus in a start position corresponding to said user interface element; detecting a rotational motion using said positional user input device; when said rotational motion is detected to be a clockwise motion, scrolling said content in a first direction; and when said rotational motion is detected to be an anticlockwise motion, scrolling said content in a second direction. If , for instance, a user may want to navigate through a great deal of list items in a content list, the method may allow for scrolling through said list Hems. Moreover, an apparatus comprising said display may sometimes not comprise a scroll wheel, as may be the case for apparatuses with a touch screen display. Then said user interface element shown on the display may simplify the operation of scrolling.
Said content and said user interface element together may use a minority of screen area of said display. For example, said content and said user interface element together may use less than 50 percent of the total screen area of said display. Said content and said user interface element together may preferably use about 5-40 percent of the of the total screen area of said display, more preferably about 10-30 percent of the of the total screen area of said display, and even more preferably about 15-20 percent of the of the total screen area of said display. By using only a minority area of said display, screen space may be saved for showing other activities for the user. For instance, when using a mobile telephone for a video caR, all of the screen area may already be completely in use. If, then, during the call It would for example become necessary to send dual-tone multi-frequency, OTMF1 tones, it may not be possible to open the specific touch dialer application on top of the video. The dialer would cover the entire screen or almost the entire area of said display. In such cases, a user may navigate through the list of ITU-T standard keys in a compact and less disruptive manner by means of this method.
The method may further comprise: detecting an actuation of said positional user input device on said display in a selection position corresponding to said content; and invoking software code associated with said selection position. Said content may comprise characters, wherein each character is associated with a dual-tone multi-frequency signal; and said invoking software code involves invoking software code for transmitting a dual-tone multi- frequency signal associated with said selection position. The user interface element may be in the shape of a jog dial, the jog dial comprising a pointer; and said invoking software code may involve invoking software code for causing a rotational movement, with regard to a center of the jog dial, of the pointer to a position of the jog dial associated with said selection position. For example, said invoking software code may involve invoking software code for causing clockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a first direction and for causing the anticlockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a second direct bn.
Said displaying may involve rendering at least part of said user interface element and said content using alpha blending with previously displayed content on said display. Said user interface element and content may be positioned above said previously displayed content, such as a video call. Then, advantageously, said user interface element may have some degree of transparency, so that said previously displayed content is still visible under said user interface element and content. In some embodiments, said user interface element and content may be opaque.
The method may further comprise, after said delecting a rotational motion, detecting a deactuation of said positional user input device, wherein between said actuation and said deactuation no other deactuation of said positional user input device is detected.
Said positional user input device may be a touch sensitive display, wherein said position is detected by detecting a tap on said touch sensitive display.
Said positional user input device may be a device selected from the group comprising a mouse and a track ball.
Said user interface element may be a jog dial and said content may be a slider bar, such as a scrollbar.
Said apparatus may be a communication apparatus, a portable or handheld radio communication apparatus, a moble radio terminal, a mobile phone, a cellphone, a smartphone, an electronic organizer such as a
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a computer, a media player such as a MP3- player, a digital camera device or a navigation device. According to a second aspect of the present invention there has been provided an apparatus comprising: a display*, a positional user input device; a controller; said controller being adapted to display, on said display, content and a user interface element for bidirectional movement of said content; βaid controller being further adapted to detect an actuation of said positional user input device in a start position corresponding to said user interface element; said controller being further adapted to detect a rotational motion using said positional user input device; said controller being further adapted to, when said rotational motion is detected to be a clockwise motion, scroll said content in a first direction; and said controβer being further adapted to, when said rotational motion is detected to be an anticlockwise motkm. scroll said content in a second direction.
Said controller may be adapted to display said content and said user interface element in such way that said content end said user interface element together use a minority of screen area of said display.
Said controller may be adapted to detect an actuation of said positional user input device on said display in a selection position corresponding to said content, and further to invoke software code associated with said selection position. Said content may comprise characters, wherein each character is associated with a dual-tone mufti-frequency signal; and said controller may be further adapted to invoke software code for transmitting a duaMone multi- frequency signal associated with said selection position.
The controller may be adapted to display said user interface element in the shape of a jog dial, the jog dial comprising a pointer and the controller may be further adapted to invoke software code for causing a rotational movement, with regard to a center of the jog dial, of the pointer to Θ position of the jog dial associated with said selection position. For example, the controller may further be adapted to invoke software code for causing clockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a first direction and for causing anticlockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrotiing said content is determined to be in a second direction.
The controller may be adapted to display said user interface element and content by rendering at least part of said user interface element and said content using alpha blending with previously displayed content on said display. The controller may further be adapted to detect after said detecting a rotational motion, β deactuation of said positional user input device, wherein between said actuation and said deactuation no other deactuation of said positional user input device is detectable. Said positional user input device may be a touch sensitive display, wherein said position is detectable by detecting a tap on said touch sensitive display.
Said positional user input device may be a device selected from the group comprising a mouse and a track ball. Said user interface element may be a jog dial and said content may be a slider bar, such as a scroll bar.
Said apparatus may be a a communication apparatus, a portable or handheld radio communication apparatus, a mobile radio terminal, a mobile phone, a cellphone, a smartphone, an electronic organizer such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a computer, a media player such as a MP3- player. a digital camera device or a navigation device.
According to a third aspect of the present Invention there has been provided an apparatus comprising: means for displaying, on a display of an apparatus, content and a user interface element for bidirectional movement of said content; means for detecting an actuation of a positional user input device of said apparatus in a start position corresponding to said user interface element; means for detecting a rotational motion using said positional user input device; means for scrolling, when said rotational motion is detected to be a clockwise motion, said content in a first direction; and means for scrolling, when said rotational motion is detected to be an anticlockwise motion, said content in a second direction. The apparatus may further comprise means for displaying said content and said user interface element in such way that said content and said user interface element together occupy a minority of screen area of said display. The apparatus may further comprise means for detecting an actuation of said positional user input device on said display in a selection position corresponding to said content, and means for invoking software code associated with said selection position.
Said content may comprise characters, wherein each character is associated with a dual-tone multi-frequency signal; and said means for invoking software code comprises means for invoking software code for transmitting a dual-tone multi-frequency signal associated with said selection position.
The apparatus may further comprise means for displaying said user interface element in the shape of a jog dial, the jog dial comprising a pointer, and means for invoking software code for causing a rotational movement, with regard to a center of the jog dial, of the pointer to a position of the Jog dial associated with said selection position. The means for invoking software code may comprise means for invoking software code for causing clockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a first direction and for causing anticlockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a second direction.
The apparatus may also comprise means for rendering at least part of said user interface element and said content using alpha blending with previously displayed content on said display.
The apparatus may further comprise means for detecting, after said detecting a rotational motion, a deactuation of said positional user input device, wherein between said actuation and said dββctuation no other deactuation of said positional user input device is detectable. Said positional user input device may be a touch sensitive display* wherein said position is detectable by detecting a tap on said touch sensitive display.
Said positional user input device may be a mouse or a track ball. Said user interface element may be a jog dial and said content may be a slider bar, such as a scrollbar.
Said apparatus may be a communication apparatus, a portable or handheld radio communication apparatus, a mobile radio terminal, a mobile phone, a cellphone, a smartphonβ, an electronic organizer such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a computer, a media player such as a MP3- player, a digital camera device or a navigation device.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there has been provided a computer program product comprising software instructions that, when executed in a mobflβ communication apparatus, performs the method according to the first aspect. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there has been provided a user interface comprising: a display; a positional user input device; said user interface being adapted to display, on said display, content and a user interface element for bidirectional movement of said content; said user interface being further adapted to detect an actuation of said positional user input device in a start position corresponding to said user interface element; sakj user interface being further adapted to detect a rotational motion using said positional user input device; sakj user interface being further adapted to, when said rotational motion is detected to be a clockwise motion, scroll said content in a first direction; and said user interface being further adapted to, when said rotational motion is detected to be an anticlockwise motion, scroll said content in a second direction .
Said user interface may be adapted to display said content and said user interface element in such way that said content and said user interface element together use a minority of screen area of said display.
Said user interface may be adapted to detect an actuation of saki positional user input device on said display in a selection position corresponding to said content, and further to invoke software code associated with said selection position.
Said content may comprise characters, wherein each character is associated with a dual-tone mufti-frequency signal; and said user interface may further be adapted to invoke software code for transmitting a dual-tone mutti-freqυency signal associated with said selection position.
The user interface may be adapted to display said user interface element in the shape of a jog dial, the jog dial comprising a pointer, and the user interface may further be adapted to invoke software code for causing a rotational movement, with regard to a center of the jog dial, of the pointer to a position of the jog dial associated with said selection position.
The user interface may further be adapted to invoke software code for causing clockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrotøng said content is determined to be in a first direction and for causing anticlockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a second direction.
The user interface may be adapted to display said user interface element and content by rendering at least part of said user interface element and said content using alpha blending with previously displayed content on said display.
The user interface may further be adapted to detect, after said detecting a rotational motion, a deactuation of said positional user input device, wherein between said actuation and said deactυctbn no other deactuation of said positional user input device is detectable.
Said positional user input device may be a touch sensitive display, wherein said position is detectable by detecting a tap on said touch sensitive display.
Said positional user input device may be a mouse or a track ball.
Said user interface element may be a jog dial and said content may be a slider bar. such as a scroll bar
The user Interface may be suitable for use in an apparatus such as, e.g., a communication apparatus, a portable or handheld radio communication apparatus, a mobile radio terminal, a mobile phone, a cellphone, a smartphone, an electronic organizer such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a computer, a media player such as a MP3-player, a digital camera device or a navigation device. The second, third, fourth and fifth aspects may generally have the same features and advantages as the first aspect.
Other aspects, features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention wiO appear from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached claims as well as from the drawings. Generally, aH terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. Afl references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etcf are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail, reference being made to the enclosed drawings, in which:
Fig 1 is a schematic illustration of a cellular telecommunication system, as an example of an environment m which the disclosed embodiments of the present invention may be applied.
Fig 2 is a schematic front view illustrating a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig 3 is a schematic block diagram representing an internal component, software and protocol structure of the mobile terminal shown in Fig 2.
Figs 4a-c illustrate schematic screen views of a user interface in the mobile terminal of Fig 2.
Fig 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the present invention to be executed in the mobile terminal of Fig 2.
Detailed Description of Embodiments The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may. however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
Fig 1 illustrates an example of a cellular telecommunications system in which the disclosed embodiments of the invention may be applied. In the telecommunication system of Fig 1 , various telecommunications services such as cellular voice calls, www/wap browsing, cellular video calls, data calls, facsimile transmissions, music transmissions, still image transmissions, video transmissions, electronic message transmissions and electronic commerce may be performed between a mobile terminal 100 according to the disclosed embodiments of the present invention and other devices, such as another mobile terminal 106 or a stationary telephone 119. It is to be noted that for different embodiments of the mobile terminal 100 and in different situations, different ones of the telecommunications services referred to above may or may not be available; the invention is not limited to any particular set of services in this respect.
The mobile terminals 100, 106 may be connected to a mobile telecommunications network 110 through RF links 102, 108 via base stations 104, 109. The mobile telecommunications network 110 may be in compliance with any commercially available mobile telecommunications standard, such as GSM1 UMTS, D-AMPS, CDMA2000, FOMA and TD-SCDMA.
Communication between the two mobile terminals 100, 106 can thus occur ufting voice communication, video communication, data communication or any combination of these.
The mobile telecommunications network 110 may be operativety connected to a wide area network 112, which may be internet or a part thereof. A server 115 may have a data storage 114 and may be connected to the wide area network 112, as is an internet client computer 116.
A public switched telephone network (PSTN) 118 may be connected to the mobile telecommunications network 110 in a familiar manner. Various telephone terminate, including the stationary telephone 119, may be connected to the PSTN 118.
An embodiment 200 of the mobile terminal 100 is ilustrated in more detail in Fig 2. According to this exemplary embodiment, the mobile terminal 200 comprises a speaker or earphone 222, a microphone 225, a touch- sensitive display 223 and a set of keys 224. The internal component, software and protocol structure of the mobile terminal 200 will now be described with reference to Fig 3. According to this exemplary embodiment, the mobile terminal has a controller 331 which is responsible for the overaB operation of the mobile terminal and is preferably implemented by any commercial y available CPU ("Central Processing Unit"). DSP ("Digital Signal Processor") or any other electronic programmable logic device. The controBer 331 may have associated electronic memory 332 such as RAM memory, ROM memory, EEPROM memory, flash memory, hard dήve, optical storage or any combination thereof. The memory 332 may be used for various purposes by the controller 331 , one of them being for storing data and program instructions for various software in the mobile terminal. The software may include a real-time operating system 336, drivers for a man- machine interface (MMI) 339, an application handler 338 as well as various applications. The applications can include a video telephony application 340, a media player application 341 , as well as various other applications 342, such as applications for voice calling, messaging (including short messaging, multimedia messaging and e-maH), web browsing, document reading and/or document editing, an instant messaging application, a phone book application, a calendar application, a control panel application, one or more video games, a notepad application, etc. The MMI 339 may also include one or more hardware controllers, which together with the MMI drivers may cooperate with the display 323/223, keypad 324/224, as wel as various other I/O devices 329 such as microphone, speaker, vfcrator, ringtone generator. LED Indicator, etc. As is commonly known, the user may operate the mobile terminal through the man- machine interface thus formed.
The software may also include various modules, protocol stacks, drivers, etc., which are commonly designated as 337 and which provide communication services (such as transport, network and connectivity) for an RF interface 333, and optionally a Bluetooth interface 334 and/or an IrOA interface 335 for local connectivity. Optionally, a camera 345 may be provided. The RF interface 333 may comprise an internal or external antenna as well as appropriate radio circuitry for establishing and maintaining a wireless link to a base station (e.g., the link 102 and base station 104 in Fig 1) As is well known to a person skilled in the art, the radio circuitry may comprise a series of analogue and digital electronic components, together forming a radio receiver and transmitter. These components may include, i.a., band pass filters, amplifiers, mixers, local oscillators, low pass filters, AD/DA converters, etc.
The mobile terminal may also have a SIM card 330 and an associated reader. As is commonly known, the SIM card 330 may comprise a processor aβ well as local work and data memory. Now follows a scenario presenting a user interface according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Figs 4a-c illustrate schematic screen views of a user interface in the mobile terminal of Fig 2. In a top section 461 of the screen 460, indicators may be shown, e.g. a signal strength indicator and/or a battery level indicator, while a bottom section 463 may provide labels for menus, in this example, a video call application is currently active and a main display area 462 shows the picture received from the party with which communication is active. In this example, the face of the other party is shown.
Fig 4b shows a screen view for an example where the user wishes to send a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal. The user may invoke the user interface for DTMF selection, using an input known per se, e.g. by using a menu option, by double tapping on the touch sensitive screen. It should of course be appreciated that it is not necessary that the tapping involves double tapping. Equally possible, it could involve a single tap. The single tap could have a short duration or a long duration. As used herein, a long duration is used to mean a duration of at least 500 me. e.g. in the range of 500-1500 ms. A short duration is used to mean a duration which is below 500 ms, e.g. in the range of about 100-300 ms. Alternatively, the user may invoke the user interface for DTMF selection, using an input known per se, e.g. by using a menu option, by performing any other suitable user input using e.g. a mouse or a track bail. A user interface element in the shape of a jog dial, or virtual jog dial, 464 is then displayed on the screen. Furthermore, content 466 may be displayed. In this exemplary case, the content comprises symbols for various OTMF signals. In order to save screen space, not all content is displayed simultaneously. The jog dial 464 may be used to scroll through the symbols. For example, if the user taps the stylus in the position 465 of the jog dial, and moves the stylus in an anti-ctockwise direction around the center of the jog dial 464, the content 466 is scrolled left and the screen view as seen in Fig 4c is displayed. Alternatively, the scroll bar 467 can be used to scroll the content In Fig 4c, the user is then able to tap in a position 468, corresponding to the symbol '6'. Software code associated with this action may thus be executed. In this example, software code for sending a DTMF signal for the symbol '6' can be executed.
Additjonaly or alternatively, the invoking of the software code involves invoking software code for causing a rotational movement, with regard to a center of the jog dial 464 , of a user interface element in the shape of a pointer denoted 469 to a position of the jog dial 464 associated with the selection position 468. For instance, invoking the software code may involve invoking software code for causing clockwise rotational movement of the pointer 469 when scrolling the content 466 Is determined to be in a first direction, e.g. to the right in Figs. 4a-c, and for causing anticlockwise rotational movement of the pointer 469 when scrolling the content 466 is determined to be in a second direction, e.g. to the left in Figs. 4a-c. Thus, the jog dial 464 and the content 466 may be interlinked such that when a user moves the stylus in an anti-clockwise direction around the center of the jog dial 464, the content 466 ia scrolled left and the screen view as seen in Fig 4c is displayed and, likewise, when the scroti bar 467 is used to scroll the content left in Fig 4c this results in the pointer 469 moving in an anticlockwise direction of the jog dial 464. This provides a user-friendly and intuitive user interface .
Fig 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention executable in the mobile terminal of Fig 2. This method corresponds to the scenario disclosed above in conjunction with Fig 4a-c. in the initial display content and Ul element step 550, content and Ul element, such as a jog dial and possibly also a pointer of the jog dial, is displayed on the display 223. The Ul element is meant to enable scrolling of the content. Opttonatty, alpha blending is used to allow the user to simultaneously view the Ul element and content previously shown on the display in the position where the Ul element is rendered. in a detect tap on Ul element step 552, a tap is detected on the Ul element or within a predetermined region surrounding the Ul element. If a mouse or a track bail is used, a click of the mouse/track ball button is detected here, with the related position being on the Ul element or within a predetermined region surrounding the Ul element.
In a detect rotational motion step 554, a rotational motion of the stylus is detected. The movement does not need to be a strict circular motion; it is sufficient with an angular motion with regard to the center of the jog dial. in the conditional clockwise motion step 555, it is determined whether the rotational motion detected in the previous step is clockwise or not. If the rotational motion is clockwise, the procedure continues to a scroll content right step 556. Otherwise, the rotational motion is anti-ciockwise and the procedure continues to a scroll content left step 557. Alternatively, clockwise motion results the scroll content left step 557 and anti-clockwise motion results in the scroll content right step 556. in the scroll content right step 556, the content is scrolled to the right. In the scroll content left step 557, the content is scrolled to the left. In one embodiment, in both the scroll content right step 556 and scroll content left step 557, when the end of the content is reached, the content loops to the first item of the content In another embodiment, the scrolling may stop when the last Hem of the content has been reached.
In the detect deactuation of user input step 558. a dβactuation of positional user input is detected. For instance, if a stylus and a touch screen is used, a lift of the stylus is detected. Similarly, if a mouse or a track ball is used, a release of a mouse/track ball button is detected, in other words, when the user has tapped in a position of the Ul element, performed a rotational motion, it is here detected a deactuation, and therefore the rotation is stopped. In the detect tap selection step 559, it is detected that a selection has been made of the desired content item in a selection position, that is, a tap is performed on the desired content item. This results in software code associated with the content item being invoked. For example, software code for sending a DTMF signal for the selected symbol can be executed.
Whenever the term tap is mentioned herein, it is to be construed as a tap on a touch sensitive screen, a click of a button of a mouse or a track ball in a corresponding position, or any other suitable activation of a position usinga positional user input device.
Although the invention has above been described using an embodiment in a mobile terminal, the invention is applicable to any type of portable apparatus, including portable mp3-piayers, cameras, pocket computers, portable gaming devices, etc.
The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.

Claims

1. A method, comprising: displaying, on a display of an apparatus, content and a user interface element for bidirectional movement of said content; detecting an actuation of a positional user input device of said apparatus in a start position corresponding to said user interface element; detecting a rotational motion using said positional user input device; when said rotational motion is detected to be a clockwise motion, scrolling said content in a first direction; and when said rotational motion is detected to be an anticlockwise motion, scrolling said content in a second direction.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein in said displaying content and said user interface element, said content and said user interface element together use a minority of screen area of said display.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: detecting an actuation of said positional user input device on said display in a selection position corresponding to said content and invoking software code associated with said selection position.
4. The method according to claim 3. wherein said content comprises characters, wherein each character is associated with a dual-tone multi- frequency signal; and said invoking software code involves invoking software code for transmitting a dual-tone multi-frequency signal associated with said selection position.
5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said user interface element is in the shape of a jog dial, the jog dial comprising another user interface element in the shape of a pointer and wherein said invoking software code involves invoking software code for causing a rotational movement, with regard to a center of the jog dial, of the pointer to a position of the jog dial associated with said selection position.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said invoking software code involves invoking software code for causing clockwise rotational movement cf said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a first direction and for causing the anticlockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a second direction.
7. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein said displaying involves rendering at least part of said user interface element and said content using alpha blending with previously displayed content on said display.
8. The method according to any of the previous claims, further comprising, after said detecting a rotational motion, detecting a deactuation of said positional user input device, wherein between said actuation and said deactuation no other deactuation of said positional user input device is detected.
9. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein said positional user input device is a touch sensitive display, wherein said position is detected by detecting a tap on said touch sensitive display.
10. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein said positional user input device is a device selected from the group comprising: a mouse and a track ball.
11. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein said user interface element is a jog dial and said content is a slider bar, such as a scrollbar.
12. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein said apparatus is an apparatus from the group comprising: a communication apparatus, a portable or handheld radio communication apparatus, a mobile radio terminal, a mobile phone, a cellphone, a smartphone, an electronic organizer such as a Personal Digital Assistant, a computer, a media player such as a MP3-player, a portable gaming device, a digital camera device, and a navigation device.
13. An apparatus comprising: a display; a positional user input device; a controller, said controller being adapted to display, on said display, content and a user interface element for bidirectional movement of said content; said controller being further adapted to detect an actuation of said positional user input device in a start position corresponding to said user interface element; said controller being further adapted to detect a rotational motion using said positional user input device; said controller being further adapted to, when said rotational motion is detected to be a clockwise motion, scroll said content in a first direction; and said controller being further adapted to, when said rotational motion is detected to be an anticlockwise motion, scroll said content in a second direction.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13« wherein said controller is adapted to display said content and said user interface element in such way that said content and said user interface element together use a minority of screen area of said display.
15. The apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said controller is adapted to detect an actuation of said positional user input device on said display in a selection position corresponding to said content, and further to invoke software code associated with said selection position.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said content comprises characters, wherein each character is associated with a dual-tone mufti-frequency signal; and said controller is further adapted to invoke software code for transmitting a duaMone multi-frequency signal associated with said selection position.
17. The apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the controller is adapted to display said user interface element in the shape of a jog dial, the jog dial comprising another user interface element in the shape of a pointer, and the controller i& further adapted to invoke software code for causing a rotational movement, with regard to a center of the jog dial, of the pointer to a position of the jog dial associated with said selection position.
18. The apparatus according to daim 17, wherein the controller is further adapted to invoke software code for causing clockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a first direction and for causing anticlockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a second direction.
19. The apparatus according to any of the claims 13-18. wherein the controller is adapted to display said user interface element and content by rendering at least part of said user interface element and said content using alpha blending with previously displayed content on said display.
20. The apparatus according to any of the claims 13-19. wherein the controller is further adapted to detect, after said detecting a rotational motion, a deactuabon of said positional user input device, wherein between said actuation and said deactuation no other deactuatton of said positional user input device is detectable.
21. The apparatus according to any of the claims 13-20, wherein said positional user input device is a touch sensitive display, wherein said position is detectable by detecting a tap on said touch sensitive display.
22. The apparatus according to any of the claims 13-21 , wherein said positional user input device is a device selected from the group comprising: a mouse and a track ball.
23. The apparatus according to any of the claims 13-22, wherein said user interface element is a jog dial and said content is a slider bar, such as a scroll bar.
24. The apparatus according to any of the claims 13-23. wherein said apparatus is an apparatus from the group comprising: a communication apparatus, a portable or handheld radio communication apparatus, a mobile radio terminal, a mobile phone, a cellphone, a smartphone, an electronic organizer such as a Personal Digital Assistant a computer, a media player such as a MP3-piayer, a portable gaming device, a digital camera device, and a navigation device.
25. An apparatus comprising: means for displaying, on a display of an apparatus, content and a user interface element for bidirectional movement of said content; means for detecting an actuation of a positional user input device of said apparatus in a start position corresponding to said user interface element; means for detecting a rotational motion using said positional user input device; means for scrolling, when said rotational motion is detected to be a clockwise motion, said content in a first direction; and means for scrolling, when said rotational motion is detected to be an anticlockwise motion, said content in a second direction.
26. The apparatus according to darn 25, comprising: means for displaying said content and said user interface element In such way that said content and said user interface element together occupy a minority of screen area of said display.
27. The apparatus according to damn 25 or 26, comprising: means for detecting an actuation of said positional user input device on said display )n a selection position corresponding to said content, and means for invoking software code associated with said selection position.
28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said content comprises characters, wherein each character is associated with a dual-tone multi-frequency signal; and said means for invoking software code comprises means for invoking software code for transmitting a dual-tone mutti-frequency signal associated with said selection position.
29. The apparatus according to claim 27 or 28, comprising: means for displaying said user interface element in the shape of a jog dial, the Jog dial comprising a pointer, and means for invoking software code for causing a rotational movement, with regard to a center of the jog dial, of the pointer to a position of the jog dial associated with said selection position.
30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the means for invoking software code comprises means for invoking software code for causing clockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a first direction and for causing anticlockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a second direction .
31. The apparatus according to any of the claims 25-30, comprising, means for rendering at least part of said user interface element and said content using alpha blending with previously displayed content on said display.
32. The apparatus according to any of the claims 25-31 , further comprising: means for detecting, after said detecting a rotational motion, a deactuation of said positional user input device, wherein between said actuation and said deactuation no other deactuation of said positional user input device is detectable.
33. The apparatus according to any of the claims 25-32, wherein said positional user input device is a touch sensitive display, and wherein said position is detectable by detecting a tap on said touch sensitive display.
34. The apparatus according to any of the claims 25-33, wherein said positional user input device is a mouse or a track ball.
35. The apparatus according to any of the claims 25-34, wherein said user interface element is a jog dial and said content is a slider bar, such as a scrollbar.
36. The apparatus according to any of the claims 25-35, wherein said apparatus is an apparatus from the group comprising: a communication apparatus, a portable or handheld radio communication apparatus, a mobile radio terminal, a mobile phone, a cellphone, a βmartphone, an electronic organizer such as a Persona) Digital Assistant, a computer, a media player such as a MP3-player, portable gaming device, a digital camera device and a navigation device.
37. A computer program product comprising software instructions that, when executed in a mobile communication apparatus, performs the method according to any of the claims 1-12.
38. A user interface, comprising: a display; a positional user input device, said user interface being adapted to display, on said display, content and a user interface element for bidirectional movement of said content; said user interface being further adapted to detect an actuation of said positional user input device in a start position corresponding to said user interface element; said user interface being further adapted to detect a rotational motion using said positional user input device; said user interface being further adapted to, when said rotational motion is detected to be a clockwise motion, scroll said content in a first direction; and said user interface being further adapted to, when said rotational motion is detected to be an anticlockwise motion, scroll said content in a second direction.
39. The user interface according to claim 38, wherein the user interface is adapted to display said content and said user interface element in such way that said content and said user interface element together use a minority of screen area of said display.
40. The user interface according to daim 38 or 39, wherein the user interface is adapted to detect an actuation of said positional user input device on said display in a selection position corresponding to said content, and further to invoke software code associated with said selection position.
41. The user interface according to claim 40, wherein said content comprises characters, wherein each character is associated with a duaMone muiti-frequency signal; and said user interface is further adapted to invoke software code for transmitting a duaMone muiti-frequency signal associated with said selection position.
42. The user interface according to claim 40 or 41 , wherein the user interface is adapted to display said user interface element in the shape of a jog dial, the jog dial comprising another user interface element in the shape of a pointer, and the user interface is further adapted to invoke software code for causing a rotational movement, with regard to a center of the jog dial, of the pointer to a position of the jog dial associated with said selection position .
43. The user interface according to claim 42, further being adapted to invoke software code for causing clockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a first direction and for causing anticlockwise rotational movement of said pointer when scrolling said content is determined to be in a second direction.
44. The user interface according to any of the claims 38-43, being adapted to display said user interface element and content by rendering at least pert of said user interface element and said content using alpha blending with previously displayed content on said display.
45. The user interface according to any of the claims 38-44, being adapted to detect, after said detecting a rotational motion, a deactuation of said positional user input device, wherein between said actuation and said deactuation no other deactuation of said positional user input device is detectable.
4β. The user interface according to any of the daims 38-45, wherein said positional user input device is a touch sensitive display, wherein said position is detectable by detecting a tap on said touch sensitive display.
47. The user interface according to any of the claims 38-46, wherein said positional user input device is a mouse or a track ball.
48. The user interface according to any of the claims 38-47, wherein said user interface element is a jog dial and said content is a slider bar, such as a scroll bar.
49. The user interface according to any of the claims 38-48, wherein the user is used in an apparatus from the group comprising: a communication apparatus, a portable or handheld radio communication apparatus, a mobile radio terminal, a mobile phone, a cellphone, a smartphone, an electronic organizer such as a Personal Digital Assistant, a computer, a media player such as a MP3-ptayer. a portable gaming device, a digital camera device, and a navigation device
PCT/EP2008/055218 2008-04-02 2008-04-29 Method, apparatus and computer program product for improved user interface WO2009121420A2 (en)

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