WO2010136625A1

WO2010136625A1 - Method for browsing data networks

Info

Publication number: WO2010136625A1
Application number: PCT/ES2010/070250
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ander HERNÁNDEZ SAN SEBASTIAN
Original assignee: Hernandez San Sebastian Ander
Priority date: 2009-05-29
Filing date: 2010-04-22
Publication date: 2010-12-02
Also published as: ES2356537A1; ES2356537B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for browsing data networks, which comprises the following steps: creating a main document with a main content layer (1) having a size greater than that corresponding to the resolution of a standard screen (3); defining said layer (1) according to three axes, where X and Y are width and height values, while Z determines the level at which said layer (1) is floating in space; creating a number of sub-layers (2) that are smaller than the main layer (1), identical to one another and make maximum use of the space generated in the main layer (1); providing each sub-layer (2) with the property allowing same to call up other documents or files in an independent manner; and generating link elements within the sub-layers (2) for calling up other files, addresses or documents, which are displayed as buttons (4) on the screen.

Description

METHOD OF NAVIGATION IN DATA NETWORKS OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, as expressed in the statement of this specification, refers to a method of navigation in data networks, especially applicable as an internet tool, whose essential purpose is to provide greater comfort in the handling of data tools of the corresponding data network, and in facilitating faster browsing while than conventional methods allow. For this, the method of the invention provides a navigation system that using a single window of any browser gives the possibility to navigate individually in different parts of it, globalizing the contents in a single navigation window. The method of the invention is usable mainly with web pages or multimedia applications, loading all the contents at once in a document configured as a large canvas; being irrelevant the character of the content of these pages or applications, as well as their possible formats. In addition to the aforementioned greater comfort and speed during navigation, the method of the invention greatly facilitates the comparison of contents of the different navigation areas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, when browsing data networks, such as the Internet, if you want to open new pages other than the one being viewed, it is necessary to open them either in new windows or in new tabs. This generates inconveniences that if you want to compare the content of several of the windows that are open, you have to alternate between them without the possibility of having all open at the same time to be able to compare the content in a comfortable way of them, or to perform operations in several of them quickly and conveniently without having to be closing and opening the window in which it stops operating and the window in which you want to operate respectively.

We do not know in the current state of the art any method of navigation for data networks that facilitates a procedure by which several different pages can be opened simultaneously to enable comparison of contents, as well as comfort and speed in performing the operations that they want to make; as provided by the method of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the objectives and avoid the inconveniences indicated in previous sections, the invention consists of a method of navigation in data networks, especially applicable as an internet tool, to operate on web pages, multimedia applications, sending and receiving commands or others; being capable of being used in conjunction with a conventional browser.

Novelly, according to the invention, the method thereof has steps of:

- Creation of a main document that includes the way to navigate, creating in this document a main container layer whose size is larger than the one corresponding to the resolution of a standard screen; so that it will cause that in a single window of an explorer only a small part of it is visualized, and to be able to discover the hidden parts it is given the property of being able to click on it and without releasing the drag button of the mouse or analog drag it to the desired location.

Definition of that principal layer spatially by means of three axes, corresponding to the X and Y axes the values of horizontal and vertical size, that is, width and height, while the third Z axis determines at what level this layer floats in space. - Creation of a number of sub-layers or layers smaller than the main one, equal to each other, and with maximum use of the space generated in the main layer, so that the main container layer is subdivided into a mesh of independent sub-layers, which at consist within the main layer inherit the property of being able to be punctured and dragged in block, in order to allow independent navigation in different parts of the main layer.

- Provide each sublayer with the property of calling other documents or files independently, so that the loading of said documents is also independent, being able to navigate individually in each sublayer without having to wait for the loading to end and thus making it possible to navigate in Different sub-layers simultaneously.

Generation of link elements within the sub-layers to call other files, addresses or documents, which will visually be displayed as on-screen buttons, so that the user can click on them when they need to navigate.

For the preferred embodiment of the invention, the destination where a new file is loaded is the sublayer where it is currently being navigated; given, however, the option to make the destination of the file upload to another sublayer to allow maintaining the sublayer in which it is navigated in the state of loading in which it is located; so that when loading in said other sublayer, the main container layer will move to the corresponding X, Y coordinates so that the loaded file is displayed, and while loading it is allowed to click and drag to another coordinate of the main container layer to work on another sublayer.

Furthermore, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, when the loads and navigation are independent and simultaneous, the user is only allowed influence the visible part of the container layer, in order to avoid the chaos that a rapid and simultaneous navigation can generate; also creating a layer called a preview in which the entire container layer is shown on a small scale.

The referred preview layer has the following characteristics:

- Its size is proportional to that of the container layer but not its scale that is smaller.

- It is displayed in a higher hierarchy, so that the Z value is greater than that of the container layer.

When a specific X, Y coordinate of the preview layer is clicked, the user causes the container layer to move to said coordinate showing that part of it and its corresponding sublayer.

- When the user navigates within a sublayer, the change generated is reflected in the preview layer as a sneak, for which a visual code is created such as icons or colored dots, which will distinguish, on the one hand, the different types of files that are loaded, and on the other, the state of loading them; said code being placed in the X, Y coordinates corresponding to the sublayer on which the user is affecting; so that the user knows at all times which sub-layers are being navigated when the changes have finished loading, and how to return to a sub-layer in which the changes were finished loading.

In addition, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, a method of selecting the sublayer shown at startup is included in the method thereof, when the files containing the container layer are first loaded in the corresponding work session .

Also according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the main container layer and the sub-layers have a rectangular geometry. With the structure that has been described, the navigation method of this invention has relative advantages in that it allows several pages to be kept open simultaneously while browsing the data network, greatly facilitating the comparison of contents and the speed and convenience in performing diverse operations in these several pages, since to act on them it is not necessary to close them and open them since all of them are open simultaneously.

Next, in order to facilitate a better understanding of this descriptive report and forming an integral part thereof, a unique figure is attached in which the object of the invention has been represented by way of illustration and not limitation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

Figure 1.- Schematically represents a screen in a data network navigation using the method of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Next, a description of an example of the invention is made with reference to the numbering adopted in the figure.

Thus, Figure 1 shows a screen 3 in which the navigation method of the invention is being used, which is based on the creation of a large canvas or main container layer 1 that is divided into sub-layers 2 by way of meshing, each sublayer 2 corresponding to a navigation window, or web page, that remains open and is activated on screen 3 when positioned on it, all sub-layers 2 of the main container layer 1 being represented as a small map in a zone such as that corresponding to a vertex of screen 3, as shown in figure 1; so that said screen 3 can show the content of several sub-layers 2 Simultaneously open, by way of a computer geographic map, including buttons 4 for sub-layers 2 to call other files, addresses or documents.

As shown in Figure 1, the said mesh that divides the main container layer 1 into sub-layers 2 is carried out giving said layer and sub-layers a rectangular geometry, other forms not being ruled out in other examples of the invention.

In the present example, it is possible to select the sublayer 2 that is shown at the beginning of the work session, when the files containing the main container layer 1 are loaded for the first time.

Although all initial contents are loaded in a single operation, only part of the main layer 1 will be shown on screen 3, which can serve as the main page.

In order to navigate and access the hidden parts represented in the upper right area of the screen, simply click and drag anywhere on the main layer 1 until the desired area or page is obtained in large size.

By dragging and displaying the hidden parts of the main layer 1, the parts that were demonstrated so far are hidden, so that the window or area that shows in miniature the entire main container layer 1 subdivided into sub-layers 2 is permanently .

That area in the upper right corner of the screen 3 where the miniature layer 1 is shown can have a sneak indicating the exact exact situation that is being displayed in large size on the screen 3.

Like other conventional applications, the window showing the set of sub-layers 2 or main layer 1 can have an area that is punctured to be dragged as a whole towards another area of the screen 3. On the other hand, you can click on an area of the representation of the main layer 1 to instantly access the desired sub-layers.

You can also drag the entire screen contained in large size, as depicted in the thick arrows in Figure 1.

Each sublayer 2 has the ability to allow a classic navigation, that is, by clicking on buttons and loading additional information of the character that is required, supporting all kinds of formats.

The sub-canvases or sub-layers 2 are a mesh of zones or layers that together form the main layer 1, and in this way you can use the area that is visible to perform the procedures or operations required by the user and load a page or information, and go to another area or layer of interest, performing other operations while the first zone is loaded or operated regardless of what is done in the rest of the zones of the main layer.

Sub-layers 2 can be adapted both in number and in dimensions depending on the needs.

Thus, sub-layers 2 are independent in themselves, although they are part of the main container layer 1.

To facilitate the type of navigation described, the method of the present example uses at least the following five stages:

- First stage: creation of a main document that includes the way to navigate, creating in this document a main container layer 1 whose size becomes larger than the one corresponding to the resolution of a standard screen, which will cause that in a single window from a browser only a small part of it is displayed. In order to discover the hidden parts, it is given the property of being able to click on it without releasing the drag button of the mouse or similar device, dragging it to the desired location. - Second stage: definition of that main layer in a spatial way by means of three axes, the X and Y axes being width and height values, while the Z axis determines the level at which the referred layer floats in space.

- Third stage: creation of a number of sub-layers 2 or layers smaller than the main size, equal to each other and with maximum use of the space generated in the main layer, so that the main container layer 1 is subdivided into a sub-layer mesh independent 2 which, when contained within it, inherit the property of being able to puncture and drag them in block, in order to allow independent navigation in different parts of the main layer 1.

- Fourth stage: provide each sub-layer with the property of calling other documents or files independently, which implies that the loading of said documents is also independent, being able to navigate individually in each sub-layer without having to wait for the load to end and making it possible to navigate in different sub-layers simultaneously.

Fifth stage: generation of link elements within the sub-layers to call other files, addresses or documents, which are visually displayed as buttons 4 on screen 3, so that the user can click on them when they need to navigate.

In addition, another feature, in addition to the above, of the method of the present example of the invention is that the destination where a new file is loaded is the sublayer where it is currently being navigated, giving, however, the option to make that the destination of the file upload is made in another sublayer other than the current navigation, to allow maintaining the sublayer in which it is navigated in the state of loading in which it is located; so that when loading in said other sublayer, the main container layer it moves to the corresponding coordinates to display the loaded file. While this file is loading, it is allowed to click and drag to another coordinate of the main container layer to work on another sublayer.

Another additional feature of the present example is that when loads and navigation are independent and simultaneous, the user is only allowed to influence the visible part of the container layer, in order to avoid the chaos that rapid and simultaneous navigation could generate ; additionally creating a layer called the preview layer, in which the entire container layer is shown to a small leak.

The aforementioned preview layer has at least the following four characteristics: a) its size is proportional to that of the container layer but not its scale that is smaller. b) It is displayed in a higher hierarchy, so that the Z value is greater than that of the container layer. c) When clicking on an X, Y coordinate, specific to the preview layer, the user causes the container layer to move to that coordinate showing that part of it and its corresponding sublayer. d) When the user navigates within a sublayer, the change generated is reflected in the preview layer as a sneak, for which a visual code such as icons or color dots is created, which will distinguish on the one hand the different types of files that are loaded, and on the other, the state of their loading, said code being placed in the X, Y coordinates corresponding to the sublayer on which the user is affecting; so that the user knows at all times which sublayer is browsing when the changes have finished loading, and how to return to a sublayer in which the changes were finished loading.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- NAVIGATION METHOD IN DATA NETWORKS, especially applicable as an internet tool, to operate on web pages, multimedia applications, sending and receiving commands or others; being capable of being used in conjunction with a conventional browser; characterized in that it presents stages of:

- Creation of a main document that includes the way of navigating, creating in this document a main container layer (1) whose size is larger than that corresponding to the resolution of a standard screen (3); so that it will cause that in a single window of an explorer only a small part of it is visualized, and to be able to discover the hidden parts it is given the property of being able to click on it and without releasing the drag button of the mouse or analog drag it to the desired location; definition of that principal layer spatially by means of three axes, corresponding to the X and Y axes the values of horizontal and vertical size, this is width and height, while the third Z axis determines at what level this layer floats in space;

- creation of a number of sub-layers (2) or layers smaller than the main one (1), equal to each other, and with maximum use of the space generated in the main layer, so that the main container layer is subdivided into a mesh of independent sub-layers that, when contained within it, inherit the property of being able to puncture and drag them in block, in order to allow independent navigation in different parts of the main layer;

- provide each sublayer with the property of calling other documents or files independently, so that the loading of said documents is also independent, being able to navigate individually in each sublayer without having to wait for the load to end and thus allowing navigation in different sub-layers simultaneously; generation of link elements within the sub-layers to call other files, addresses or documents, which will visually be displayed as buttons (4) on the screen (3), so that the user can click on them.

2.- NAVIGATION METHOD IN DATA NETWORKS, according to claim 1, characterized in that the destination where a new file is loaded is the sublayer where it is currently being browsed, also giving the option of making the destination of the file upload be carried out in another sublayer to allow maintaining the sublayer in which it is navigated in the state of loading in which it is located; so that when loading in said other sublayer, the main container layer moves to the corresponding X, Y coordinates so that the loaded file is displayed, and while loading said file it is allowed to click and drag to another coordinate of the layer main container to work on another sublayer.

3.- NAVIGATION METHOD IN DATA NETWORKS, according to claim 2, characterized in that when the loads and navigation are independent and simultaneous, the user is only allowed to influence the visible part of the container layer, in order to avoid chaos that a quick and simultaneous navigation can generate; also creating a layer called a preview in which the entire container layer is shown on a small scale.

4.- NAVIGATION METHOD IN DATA NETWORKS, according to claim 3, characterized in that said preview layer has the following characteristics:

- its size is proportional to that of the container layer but not its scale that is smaller; - is displayed in a higher hierarchy, so that the Z value is greater than that of the main container layer; when a specific X, Y coordinate of the preview layer is clicked, the user causes the container layer to move to said coordinate showing that part of it and its corresponding sublayer;

- when the user navigates within a sublayer, the change generated is reflected in the preview layer as a sneak, for which a visual code is created such as icons or colored dots, which will distinguish, on the one hand, the different types of files that are loaded, and on the other, the state of loading them; said code being placed in the X, Y coordinates corresponding to the sublayer on which the user is affecting; so that the user knows at all times in which sublayer he is browsing when the changes have finished loading, and how to return to a sublayer in which the changes were finished loading.

5.- NAVIGATION METHOD IN DATA NETWORKS, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a step of selecting the sublayer shown at startup is included, when the files containing the container layer are first loaded into the corresponding work session.

6.- NAVIGATION METHOD IN DATA NETWORKS, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main container layer and the sub-layers have a rectangular geometry.