US7624355B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for controlling a user interface
Assignee: III Holdings 1 LLC
•
Filing: 2004-05-27
•
Granted: 2009-11-24
•
Expires: 2024-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A system and method permits user control of a graphical user interface displayed to the user. The system comprises a user input device communicatively connected to a computing device. The computer device includes a display to display a graphical user interface, and a controller configured to partition the graphical user interface into a plurality of objects. The controller sets a focus to one of the objects responsive to a user input signal, and is configured to change the focus between the objects provided a user generates subsequent user input signals before a predetermined period of time expires. After the predetermined period of time expires and no user input signals have been received, the controller automatically selects the object having the current focus.
Inventors
- 👤 Robin C. Baneth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0488; G06F3/04886
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of navigating a graphical user interface associated with a user application, the method comprising: executing a third-party application having a graphical user interface on a computing device; and executing a navigation application on the computing device such that the navigation application operates independently of the third-party application, the navigation application being configured to: overlay a grid on the graphical user interface of the third-party application to partition the graphical user interface into a plurality of regions; set a focus to one of the regions; receive user input signals from a hands-free user input device; change the focus between the regions responsive to receiving the user input signals; and automatically select the region having the focus after a predetermined period of time in which no user input signals are received from the hands-free user input device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of navigating a graphical user interface associated with a user application, the method comprising: executing a third-party application having a graphical user interface on a computing device; and executing a navigation application on the computing device such that the navigation application operates independently of the third-party application, the navigation application being configured to: overlay a grid on the graphical user interface of the third-party application to partition the graphical user interface into a plurality of regions; set a focus to one of the regions; receive user input signals from a hands-free user input device; change the focus between the regions responsive to receiving the user input signals; and automatically select the region having the focus after a predetermined period of time in which no user input signals are received from the hands-free user input device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the navigation application is further configured to overlay a grid on the selected region to further partition the selected region into a plurality of sub-regions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the navigation application is further configured to set the focus to one of the sub-regions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the navigation application is further configured to change the focus between the sub-regions responsive to user input signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the navigation application is further configured to automatically select the sub-region having the focus after a predetermined period of time in which no user input signals are received.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the selected sub-region includes a plurality of graphical user interface objects, and wherein the navigation application is further configured to set the focus to an object in the selected sub-region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the navigation application is further configured to change the focus between the objects responsive to user input signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the navigation application is further configured to automatically select the object having the focus after a predetermined period of time in which no user input signals are received.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the navigation application is further configured to restart the predetermined timer after each selection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the navigation application is further configured to communicate signals to the third-party application to control the third-party application to change focus and to automatically select the region having the focus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the third-party application comprises an operating system executing on the computing device that controls the execution of the navigation application.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising executing an operating system on the computing device to control the operation of the third-party application and the navigation application.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the navigation application is further configured to automatically select a representation of a keyboard displayed on a display.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the representation of a keyboard comprises a subset of the keys available with a keyboard.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the navigation application is further configured to indicate to the user which region is receiving the focus when the navigation application changes the focus between the regions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the navigation application generating the user input signals responsive to the user's aspirations.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of navigating a graphical user interface associated with a third-party application, the method comprising: executing a third-party application having a graphical user interface on a computing device; and executing a navigation application on the computing device such that the navigation application operates independently of the third-party application, the navigation application being configured to: receive user input signals from a hands-free user input device; overlay a grid on the graphical user interface of the third-party application to partition the graphical user interface into a plurality of hierarchical levels, each hierarchical level including one or more selectable objects; set a focus to one of the selectable objects within the scope of a first level; automatically select the object having the focus after a predetermined period of time in which no user input signals are received from the hands-free user input device; and transition from the first level to a second level.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of navigating a graphical user interface associated with a third-party application, the method comprising: executing a third-party application having a graphical user interface on a computing device; and executing a navigation application on the computing device such that the navigation application operates independently of the third-party application, the navigation application being configured to: receive user input signals from a hands-free user input device; overlay a grid on the graphical user interface of the third-party application to partition the graphical user interface into a plurality of hierarchical levels, each hierarchical level including one or more selectable objects; set a focus to one of the selectable objects within the scope of a first level; automatically select the object having the focus after a predetermined period of time in which no user input signals are received from the hands-free user input device; and transition from the first level to a second level.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the navigation application is further configured to set the focus to one of the selectable objects within the scope of the second level.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the navigation application is further configured to automatically transition from the second level to a third level after a predetermined period of time in which no user input signals are received.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the navigation application is further configured to navigate between the one or more selectable objects responsive to user input signals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the navigation application is further configured to navigate between the one or more selectable objects by changing the focus between the one or more selectable objects if the user input signals are generated before the predetermined period of time expires.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the navigation application is configured to partition the first level into one or more regions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the regions are selectable objects in the first level.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the grid overlaid on the graphical user interface defines the boundaries of the regions in the first level.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the navigation application is further configured to partition a second level below said first level into regions, and wherein the regions in the second level form sub-regions within the regions at the first level.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the grid overlaid on the graphical user interface defines the boundaries of the sub-regions in the second level.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the sub-regions are selectable objects in the second level.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 25 further including a third level having a plurality of desktop level objects.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 28 wherein subsets of the desktop level objects are included in each sub-region of the second level.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the navigation application is further configured to transition back to the first level from the second level responsive to user input.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the navigation application is further configured to generate user input responsive to the user's aspirations.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
151 words
An electronic device comprising: a display to display a graphical user interface of a third-party application; a hands-free user input device to generate user input signals; and a controller communicatively connected to the display and to the hands-free user input device, and configured to execute the third-party application to display the graphical user interface, and to execute an independent navigation application to: receive the user input signals generated by the hands-free user input device; overlay a grid on the graphical user interface of the third-party application to partition the graphical user interface into a plurality of objects; set a focus to one of the objects; change the focus between the objects responsive to user input signals received from the hands-free user input device; and automatically select the object having the focus after a predetermined period of time in which no user input signals are received from the hands-free user input device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
151 words
An electronic device comprising: a display to display a graphical user interface of a third-party application; a hands-free user input device to generate user input signals; and a controller communicatively connected to the display and to the hands-free user input device, and configured to execute the third-party application to display the graphical user interface, and to execute an independent navigation application to: receive the user input signals generated by the hands-free user input device; overlay a grid on the graphical user interface of the third-party application to partition the graphical user interface into a plurality of objects; set a focus to one of the objects; change the focus between the objects responsive to user input signals received from the hands-free user input device; and automatically select the object having the focus after a predetermined period of time in which no user input signals are received from the hands-free user input device.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 32 wherein the overlay grid on the display defines the boundaries of the objects to the user.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 33 wherein the third-party application comprises an operating system that controls the execution of the navigation application.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 32 wherein the controller is further configured to execute the navigation application to change the focus between the objects if the user input signals are generated before the predetermined period of time expires.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 32 wherein the objects are associated with one or more third-party application functions executable by the controller.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 32 wherein the objects comprise regions.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 32 wherein the objects comprise sub-regions.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 38 wherein the sub-regions are within the scope of the regions.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 32 wherein the objects comprise third-party application desktop level controls.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 40 wherein the desktop level controls are within the scope of the sub-regions.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 32 further comprising a port communicatively connected to the controller to receive the user input signals.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 42 wherein the port comprises a wireless interface.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 32 wherein the electronic device comprises a computing device.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
156 words
A system comprising: a hands-free user input device to generate user input signals; an electronic device to receive the user input signals; a display associated with the electronic device to display a graphical user interface of a third-party application; and a controller in the electronic device configured to execute the third-party application to display the graphical user interface, and to execute an independent navigation application to: receive the user input signals generated by the hands-free user input device; overlay a grid on the graphical user interface of the third-party application to partition the graphical user interface into a plurality of objects; set a focus to one of the objects; change the focus between the objects responsive to receiving the user input signals from the hands-free user input device; and automatically select the object having the focus after a predetermined period of time in which no user input signals are received from the hands-free user input device.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
156 words
A system comprising: a hands-free user input device to generate user input signals; an electronic device to receive the user input signals; a display associated with the electronic device to display a graphical user interface of a third-party application; and a controller in the electronic device configured to execute the third-party application to display the graphical user interface, and to execute an independent navigation application to: receive the user input signals generated by the hands-free user input device; overlay a grid on the graphical user interface of the third-party application to partition the graphical user interface into a plurality of objects; set a focus to one of the objects; change the focus between the objects responsive to receiving the user input signals from the hands-free user input device; and automatically select the object having the focus after a predetermined period of time in which no user input signals are received from the hands-free user input device.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 45 wherein the hands-free input device generates the user input signals responsive to a user's aspirations.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 46 wherein the controller is configured to execute the navigation application to cycle the focus between the objects in a clockwise direction responsive to a user's aspirations.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 46 wherein the controller is configured to execute the navigation application to cycle the focus between the objects in a counter-clockwise direction responsive to the user's aspirations.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 46 wherein the controller is configured to execute the navigation application to change the speed of movement of a cursor proportionally to the force with which the user aspirates into the user input device.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 45 wherein the user input device comprises a microphone that generates the user input signals responsive to a user's predetermined voice command.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 45 wherein the user input device comprises a remote control.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 45 wherein the controller is further configured to execute the navigation application to change the focus between the objects if the controller receives the user input signals before the predetermined period of time expires.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 45 wherein the controller is further configured to vary the predetermined period of time according to user customizations.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 45 wherein the electronic device comprises a port communicatively connected to the user input device and the controller.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 54 wherein the port comprises a wireless transceiver that communicates with a corresponding wireless transceiver associated with the user input device.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 45 wherein the graphical user interface comprises an on-screen keyboard having one or more keys and a word prediction section, and wherein the controller is configured to execute the navigation application to partition the keys and the word prediction section into groupings of selectable objects.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 56 wherein the controller is configured to execute the navigation application to permit substantially simultaneous focus between the on-screen keyboard and a third-party application object displayed on the graphical user interface.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 56 wherein the on-screen keyboard includes a plurality of layouts, and wherein the controller is configured to execute the navigation application to switch between different on-screen keyboard layouts responsive to user input.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 56 wherein the controller is configured to execute the navigation application to alter the degree of transparency of the on-screen keyboard responsive to user input.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 56 wherein the controller is configured to execute the navigation application to move the position of the on-screen keyboard on the graphical user interface responsive to user input.
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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) | 2012-11-23 | 2013-05-25 | 2013-11-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2016-11-23 | 2017-05-25 | 2017-11-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2020-11-23 | 2021-05-25 | 2021-11-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |