Modal display, smooth scroll graphic user interface and remote command device suitable for efficient navigation and selection of dynamic data/options presented within an audio/visual system

Abstract

The efficient and intuitive presentation, navigation, and selection of available AV information in a graphical user interface (GUI) that is displayed on a display apparatus of an AV system and controlled through user manipulation of a scrolling mechanism of a navigation and selection device of the AV system. Related AV information is organized as items within lists that correspond to various navigable fields of a status bar of the GUI during the GUI interactive mode. A highlighted navigable field of the status bar displays its list of related AV information and the items of the list are scrolled through the navigable field by a user causing the scrolling mechanism to move in a scroll. A different field of the status bar may be selected by the user moving the scrolling mechanism in a lateral movement. Activation of the selection mechanism of the navigation and selection device will cause an AV device of the system to be controlled in accordance with the AV options displayed within the status bar fields at the time the selection mechanism is activated.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS [0001] This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 615,871, filed Jul. 13, 2000 to Proehl, et al, which is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to the use of audio / visual (AV) information on display apparatus of AV systems, and more particularly to the efficient and intuitive presentation, navigation, and selection of available AV information in a graphical user interface (GUI) that is displayed on a display apparatus of an AV system and controlled through judicious manipulation of a scrolling mechanism and selection mechanism of a navigation and selection device of the AV system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The continued growth of the numerous AV options available for viewing and / or listening by users of AV systems, has made it necessary and desirable for the users of such AV systems to be able to efficiently and intuitively navigate through t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] It is accordingly an object of the invention to be able to quickly and intuitively view, navigate, and select available AV options and information of an AV system.

[0007] Therefore, according to the present invention, an improved method, navigation and selection device, GUI and system are presented. In an AV system having one or more AV devices, a display apparatus capable of displaying interactive AV information, a navigation and selection device having an integral scrolling mechanism, and a GUI displayed on the display apparatus, a user of the system is able to quickly, intuitively, and efficiently navigate available AV options displayed during an interactive mode of the GUI through appropriate manipulation of the scrolling mechanism. Related AV options are organized by management software of the navigation and selection device as items within lists that, in turn, correspond to navigable fields of a status bar of the GUI during the GUI interactive mode. The AV options of a list are related in the sense that they will generally share one or more identifiable characteristics. A field of the status bar that is highlighted by a cursor of the GUI will display its list of related AV information options arranged as items within the list, assuming the highlighted field is navigable. Items within the list may be navigated by the user simply engaging the scrolling mechanism of the navigation and selection device to scroll the items through the highlighted field of the GUI status bar. A different field of the status bar may be selected by the user moving the scrolling mechanism in a lateral movement. Activation of the selection mechanism of the navigation and selection device will cause an AV device of the system to be controlled in accordance with the AV options displayed within the status bar fields at the time the selection mechanism is activated.

Problems solved by technology

The sources of such programming can today provide hundreds of stations to viewers who must navigate through myriad broadcasting choices, a prospect that is both time-consuming and frustrating.

This is a cumbersome and unsatisfactory solution, however, in that it requires the user to use these buttons many times to reach a desired on-screen option in the guide.

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