US 6,976,228 B2 · Graphical user interface comprising intersecting scroll bar for selection of content

Abstract

A digital interactive television set has a graphical user interface for displaying content from a plurality of different sources on its screen e.g. from digital satellite or cable broadcasts or through the Internet, the interface comprising: a focus region (16), and horizontally and vertically extending scroll bars (H, V) which each comprise a plurality of scroll bar elements that can be scrolled successively through the focus region, the scroll bar elements of the horizontal scroll bar signifying groupings of content sources. Elements of the horizontal scroll bar are scrolled individually into the focus region, and the scroll bar elements of the vertical scroll bar signify content sources which are included within a grouping thereof associated with the individual element of the horizontal scroll bar, so that the scroll bar elements of the vertical scroll bar can then be scrolled through the focus region to select a content source of the grouping. The scroll bar elements of the horizontal scroll bar comprise a three dimensional depiction of more than one of the content source groupings, and an individual one of the groupings may be selected from the three dimensional depiction for the focus region. The three dimensional elements are the horizontal scroll bar may comprise rectangular blocks that are rotatable about a common longitudinal axis.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A device to provide a graphical user interface for selecting content from a plurality of sources thereof, the user interface comprising:

first and second transversely extending and intersecting scroll bars which each comprise a plurality of scroll bar elements that can be scrolled successively through a focus region positioned at an intersection between the first and second scroll bars;
the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar signifying groupings of content sources, such that when elements of the first scroll bar are scrolled individually into the focus region, the scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar signify content sources which are included within a grouping thereof associated with the individual element of the first scroll bar, whereby the scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar can be scrolled through the focus region to select a content source of the grouping;
at least one of the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar being preprogrammed to comprise a multiple depiction of more than one of said content source groupings, whereby an individual one of the groupings may be selected from the multiple depiction for the focus region;
and
a viewing region for viewing the contents associated with said content sources selected in dependence on the depiction in the focus region.

2 more elements

An interactive display device for displaying content from a plurality of different sources thereof on a display screen, comprising:

circuitry to be coupled to the display screen for providing thereon a graphical user interface device for selecting content from the sources thereof, the user interface comprising first and second transversely extending and intersecting scroll bars which each comprise a plurality of scroll bar elements that can be scrolled successively through a focus region positioned at an intersection between the first and second scroll bar, the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar signifying groupings of content sources, such that when elements of the first scroll bar are scrolled individually into the focus region, the scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar signify content sources which are included within a grouping thereof associated with the individual element of the first scroll bar, whereby the scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar can be scrolled through the focus region to select a content source of the grouping, at least one of the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar being pre-programmed to comprise a multiple depiction of more than one of said content source groupings whereby an individual one of the groupings may be selected from the multiple depiction for the focus region, and a viewing region for viewing the contents associated with said content sources selected in dependence on the depiction in the focus region;
and
a controller operable by a user to control operation of said circuitry such that the scroll bars of the graphical user interface are scrolled individually through the focus region so that the user can select a content source to be displayed in the viewing region of the display screen.

A storage medium provided with a program for execution by a processor to provide a graphical user interface for selecting content from a plurality of sources thereof, the user interface comprising first and second transversely extending and intersecting scroll bars which each comprise a plurality of scroll bar elements that can be scrolled successively through a focus region positioned at an intersection between the first and second scroll bars, the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar signifying groupings of content sources, such that when elements of the first scroll bar are scrolled individually into the focus region, the scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar signify content sources which are included within a grouping thereof associated with the individual element of the first scroll bar, whereby the scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar can be scrolled through the focus region to select a content source of the grouping, at least one of the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar being pre-programmed to comprise a multiple depiction of more than one of said content source groupings, whereby an individual one of the groupings may be selected from the multiple depiction for the focus region and a viewing region for viewing the contents associated with said content sources selected in dependence on the depiction in the focus region.

A method of operating a graphical user interface to select content from a plurality of sources thereof, the user interface comprising:

first and second transversely extending and intersecting scroll bars which each comprise a plurality of scroll bar elements that can be scrolled successively through a focus region positioned at the intersection of the scroll bars, the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar signifying groupings of content sources, such that when elements of the first scroll bar are scrolled individually into the focus region, the scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar signify content sources which are included within a grouping thereof associated with the individual element of the first scroll bar, at least one of the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar being pre-programmed to comprise a multiple depiction of more than one of said content source groupings, whereby an individual one of the groupings may be selected from the multiple depiction for the focus region and a viewing region for viewing the contents associated with said content sources selected in dependence on the depiction in the focus region, the method comprising:
selecting an individual one of the groupings from the multiple depiction for the focus region;
moving the selected grouping into the focus region;
displaying sources associated with the grouping in the scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar;
and
scrolling the second scroll bar through the focus region whereby to select a source therefrom.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Graphical user interface comprising intersecting scroll bar for selection of content

Life of this patent

Graphical user interface comprising intersecting scroll bar for selection of content

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23