Graphical user interface for navigating between levels displaying hallway and room metaphors
US5689669A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 1994 |
| Grant date | Nov 18, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 29, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0481
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A graphical navigation user interface for enabling user control of a computer system incorporating navigation levels, each of which is based on a physical real-world metaphor. The navigation system includes a first navigation level, a second navigation level and a third navigation level. The first navigation level includes a plurality of first level objects having a respective plurality of functions. When the first navigation level is accessed, a first level object is displayed. The presentation of the first level object is based on the appearance of a corresponding real-world device. From the first level, the second level is accessed by actuating a step back control. The second navigation level includes a second level object which represents a room or a similar architectural structure. This second level object includes a plurality of objects representing first navigation level objects. From the second level room object, navigation to a first level is performed by actuating one of the first level objects. From the second navigation level, the third navigation level is accessed by actuating a step back control. The third navigation level includes a third level object which depicts a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.