Patent · US Expired

Graphical user interface for navigating between street, hallway, room, and function metaphors

US5896133A · kind A · utility

115Cited by
13References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 27, 1997
Grant dateApr 20, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 27, 2017

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 may incorporate navigation levels. Each navigation level is based on a physical real-word metaphor. The navigation system includes a three four levels: a individual object level, a room level, a building level, a town level. An individual object level is the lowest navigation level and corresponds to specific function. The room level provides a user with options of specific functions. The building level includes a hallway metaphor where the user has options of choosing room objects through a doorway. The town level provides the user with options of choosing various building objects connect by a street metaphor.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.