US5896133A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Graphical user interface for navigating between street, hallway, room, and function metaphors
Assignee: Ben Franklin Patent Holding LLC
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Filing: 1997-10-27
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Granted: 1999-04-20
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Expires: 2017-10-27
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin M. Lynch
- 👤 Andrew J. Hertzfeld
- 👤 William D. Atkinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:11
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for navigating within a graphical user interface of a computer system having a central processing unit coupled to a display device, the method comprising the steps of: providing a hallway navigation level and a room navigation level; displaying on the display device, when the hallway navigation level is accessed, the hallway level navigation scene using a physical metaphor of a hallway of a building, the physical metaphor of the hallway including a metaphor for an entrance, the entrance providing access to the room navigation level; displaying on the display device, when the room navigation level is accessed, a room level navigation scene using a physical metaphor of a room, the room including physical metaphors corresponding to the plurality of function level functions, the room providing a superview for the plurality of function level functions; accessing a lower navigation level from the hallway navigation level by actuating the entrance; and accessing the room navigation level from a function navigation level by stepping back from the function navigation level.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for navigating within a graphical user interface of a computer system having a central processing unit coupled to a display device, the method comprising the steps of: providing a hallway navigation level and a room navigation level; displaying on the display device, when the hallway navigation level is accessed, the hallway level navigation scene using a physical metaphor of a hallway of a building, the physical metaphor of the hallway including a metaphor for an entrance, the entrance providing access to the room navigation level; displaying on the display device, when the room navigation level is accessed, a room level navigation scene using a physical metaphor of a room, the room including physical metaphors corresponding to the plurality of function level functions, the room providing a superview for the plurality of function level functions; accessing a lower navigation level from the hallway navigation level by actuating the entrance; and accessing the room navigation level from a function navigation level by stepping back from the function navigation level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: accessing the hallway navigation level from the room navigation level by stepping back from the room navigation level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: providing a function navigation level, the function navigation level including a plurality of functions; displaying on the display device, when the function navigation level is accessed, a function level navigation scene, the function level navigation scene including a functional metaphor representing one of the plurality of functions; and accessing a function level function from the room navigation level by actuating a corresponding physical metaphor of the first level function.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: the stepping back is provided by accessing a step back function, the step back function being presented on the display device external to a displayed navigation scene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: the room navigation level is extensible by adding metaphors of additional entrances to the hallway level navigation scene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: the hallway is lengthened to include the additional entrances.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 6 wherein: when the hallway is lengthened so that the hallway is not entirely visible on the display device, the hallway that is not visible is accessed by actuating an arrow indicating a direction of movement down the hallway.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
184 words
An information handling apparatus comprising: a central processing unit; a display device coupled to the central processing unit; means for displaying a graphical user interface on the display device; means for providing the graphical user interface with a hallway navigation level and a room navigation level; means for displaying on the display device, when the hallway navigation level is accessed, the hallway level navigation scene using a physical metaphor of a hallway of a building, the physical metaphor of the hallway including a metaphor for an entrance, the entrance providing access to the room navigation level; means for displaying on the display device, when the room navigation level is accessed, a room level navigation scene using a physical metaphor of a room, the room including physical metaphors corresponding to the plurality of function level functions, the room providing a superview for the plurality of function level functions; means for accessing a lower navigation level from the hallway navigation level by actuating the entrance; and means for accessing the room navigation level from a function navigation level by stepping back from the function navigation level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
184 words
An information handling apparatus comprising: a central processing unit; a display device coupled to the central processing unit; means for displaying a graphical user interface on the display device; means for providing the graphical user interface with a hallway navigation level and a room navigation level; means for displaying on the display device, when the hallway navigation level is accessed, the hallway level navigation scene using a physical metaphor of a hallway of a building, the physical metaphor of the hallway including a metaphor for an entrance, the entrance providing access to the room navigation level; means for displaying on the display device, when the room navigation level is accessed, a room level navigation scene using a physical metaphor of a room, the room including physical metaphors corresponding to the plurality of function level functions, the room providing a superview for the plurality of function level functions; means for accessing a lower navigation level from the hallway navigation level by actuating the entrance; and means for accessing the room navigation level from a function navigation level by stepping back from the function navigation level.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The information handling apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: means for accessing the hallway navigation level from the room navigation level by stepping back from the room navigation level.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
84 words
The information handling apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: means for providing a function navigation level, the function navigation level including a plurality of functions; means for displaying on the display device, when the function navigation level is accessed, a function level navigation scene, the function level navigation scene including a functional metaphor representing one of the plurality of functions; and means for accessing a function level function from the room navigation level by actuating a corresponding physical metaphor of the first level function.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The information handling apparatus of claim 9 wherein: the stepping back is provided by accessing a step back function, the step back function being presented on the display device external to a displayed navigation scene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The information handling apparatus of claim 9 wherein: the room navigation level is extensible by adding metaphors of additional entrances to the hallway level navigation scene.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The information handling apparatus of claim 12 wherein: the hallway is lengthened to include the additional entrances.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The information handling apparatus of claim 13 wherein: when the hallway is lengthened so that the hallway is not entirely visible on the display device, the hallway that is not visible is accessed by actuating an arrow indicating a direction of movement down the hallway.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-04-19 | 2002-10-19 | 2003-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-19 | 2006-10-19 | 2007-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-19 | 2010-10-19 | 2011-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |