Method and device for browsing information on a display

Abstract

The idea of the present invention is to browse information on a display device of a hand-held device naturally and logically. Characteristic of the invention is that information is browsed on the display device essentially in a mirror-like way. In other words, the portion of the virtual data object displayed on the display device is moved in the same direction as the hand-held device is tilted. In other words, the movements of the portion of the virtual data object displayed on the display device depends on the orientation of the hand-held device. An important feature of the invention is also that a certain orientation of the hand-held device always displays the same portion of the virtual data object on the display device. The browsing method described above is extremely logical, and the movements and responses to the movements are natural.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to display devices where information can be browsed. In particular, the present invention relates to a novel and improved method and system for browsing information with hand-held devices with a display device.[0002] Various electronic mobile devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA, comprise displays. The transfer of the information to be viewed on the display is executed at least partially by a processor. A device typically comprises also a keypad with which the user of the device enters various commands. There are also touch-sensitive displays (touch screens). There a separate keypad is not needed. A device is controlled by touching the touch screen.[0003] The display of a mobile device is capable of showing only limited amount of information at a time. Because of the size of the display, e.g. a large image must be viewed part by part. In order to view such an image, the user of the device controls the display, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] The present invention is most applicable with hand-held devices with a display when a large data object is displayed by parts on the display. With the present invention, a large data object can be browsed naturally and logically from the user's perspective. The position memory of the muscles of a human body makes it easier to return to previously browsed points and to the starting point.

[0016] The present invention also reduces the need to use exterior mechanical switches, keypad or other known control mechanisms for browsing information on the display device. Therefore the use of a hand-held device is easier and more simple. The basic functionalities of the present invention can be implemented with mass production components, and with moderate processing power. Thus, the features described in the present invention can be taken in use in consumer products without notable expense increase.

Problems solved by technology

There are, however, drawbacks in the prior-art devices in the usability of the device, especially in the browsing of information with the device.

When the information to be viewed on the display must be viewed by parts, it is difficult and slow to browse the whole information part by part.

It is, for example, difficult to display a wide panorama picture on the display, while at the same time quickly and easily browsing the picture.

For the user of a mobile hand-held device it is difficult to perceive visual entireties that can not be displayed at a time on the display.

The movement in the plane is a bit problematic.

In the plane movement the necessary movements may be quite remarkable / large, and it may be difficult to maintain the display device in a proper position for reading or browsing.

However, to move the screen image fluently and to return from some point to the initial point of browsing is difficult because controlling a discontinuous motion requires continuous and precise handling of the display device.

To use a virtual camera model in a hand-held device is not so straightforward because displaying peripheries of a large screen image results in a disadvantageous viewing angle.

In prior-art solutions the browsing of information on the display device is slow and awkward because the solutions are based on artificial logic.

Images