JP2004503857A - User interface with dynamic menu option configuration - Google Patents

Abstract

A graphical user interface for a data processing device or system has a plurality of menu options arranged in a plurality of pages. The menu options are dynamically distributed among the pages according to user history, reducing user navigation effort between the options. Dynamically applicable GUIs relate to remote controls, Internet portals, or e-commerce sites.

Description

[0001]
RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 434,155, filed Nov. 4, 1999, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The following patent applications are also hereby incorporated by reference:
U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 062,364, filed Apr. 17, 1998 U.S. Ser. No. 09/128839, filed Aug. 4, 1998 U.S. Ser. U.S. Application No. 09 / 271,200 filed on March 17, 1999 U.S. Application No. 09/311128 filed on May 13, 1999 filed on Dec. 11, 1998 U.S. Application No. 09/210416 filed on December 21, 1998 U.S. Application No. 09/544666 U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,025 filed on Apr. 6, 2000 0002
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to user interfaces for use with data processing devices, and more particularly, to configuring menu options within such user interfaces.
[0003]
BACKGROUND ART A user interface (UI), such as a graphical user interface (GUI), determines the user friendliness and effectiveness of an interactive device. For example, the GUI relieves the user from using a command language. This is especially relevant for devices in a consumer electronics (CE) environment.
[0004]
An example of such a CE facility is PRONTO ™ manufactured by Philips Electronics. PRONTO ™ is a universal programmable remote control that was launched on the market in September 1998 and has most function selection buttons pictorially displayed as menu options on a touch screen. The menu options can be distributed among several searchable and displayable pages one at a time. The user can fully program the PRONTO ™ with regard to IR and / or RF codes assigned to hard keys and soft buttons and with which keys are provided on which pages. Additional information about PROTON ™ can be found on the website <http: // www. pronto. phillips. com>.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A disadvantage of a fixed graphical user interface that includes multiple pages is that the consumer may spend a long time scanning through the pages in an attempt to find a desired menu option. PRONTO ™ is an improvement in allowing the user to freely configure menu options and arrange the pages. The present invention takes this one step further and enhances the UI in terms of user convenience. Further, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an even more user friendly UI.
[0006]
To this end, the present invention provides an apparatus or system comprising a UI whose operation is managed by an adapter. The adapter is configured to dynamically arrange the menu options of the UI, thereby reducing the time a user must spend in navigating between the options. As used herein, "dynamically" or "dynamically" refers to a past, determined during a previous operational use of the UI, without the user having to select a menu reordering or reprogramming option. According to some other embodiments, which mean rearranging options according to the active user pattern, the user pattern is most commonly recorded in some kind of user history or profile. In a GUI with multiple pages, this object is achieved, according to one embodiment, by dynamically assigning a particular one of the menu options to a particular one of the plurality of pages. The invention has certain advantages in different contexts. For example, the user friendliness of the CE equipment means that the user does not have to worry about menu navigation, especially during control of the CE equipment with respect to video, audio or multimedia, as the appearance of this control prevents enjoying this entertainment If it does, it will be extremely high.
[0007]
As another example, a graphical representation of an electronic program guide (EPG) as downloaded to a user's device becomes more user-friendly by using the present invention. The EPG typically presents menu options in a grid-like appearance that includes a channel display and the type of content information available per channel or per time slot, and records or tunes with simple activities by the user. Enable. Give the channel, time slot and / or content type with the highest score in the scoreboard of the most frequently used menu options, eg a graphical arrangement of high score options in the first panel, and a customary EPG in other panels To reduce the user navigation. Channel zapping, ie changing the channel to a relatively high degree, is preferably ignored in the procedure, forming a customized EPG representation and not affecting the score.
[0008]
As another example, portals on the Internet can be customized to give individual users quick access to his / her preferences as obtained from his / her user history or profile.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an apparatus or system in which the present invention can be used. The device includes a display 1 for displaying a GUI. The display comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) or some other suitable display device. The device comprises a data processor or microcontroller 2 and a memory 3, which may be volatile or non-volatile and contains data and / or control software. There may be multiple memory devices. For example, volatile memory may contain data entered by a user, and non-volatile memory may contain control software. User input 4 may occur via a button (hard or soft key), a pointer device, or some other suitable mode. Alternatively or additionally, user input may be achieved via the touch-sensing function of display 1. The device has an output such as a control output 5. The output 5 may be a CE device, for example a remote control infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) output of a television receiver, video recorder, DVD player and / or other device. The output unit 5 may include a wired or wireless function for downloading data from or uploading data to some other data processor or server. The output unit 5 may include a plurality of components such as an IR transmitter and a socket for inserting a download cable.
[0010]
FIG. 2 is a diagram of a device 101 that can use the interface of the present invention. The device 101 comprises a touch-sensitive LCD screen 102 and buttons displayed on the screen comprising a remote control comprising several actuable mechanical buttons 103 and 104, and functions between the mechanical buttons. The split is determined according to the needs of the intended use of the device and is outside the scope of the present invention. In any case, at least one button, whether displayed or mechanical, indicates switching between pages of the GUI.
[0011]
The screen displays a GUI. The GUI includes menu options divided into pages. The menu options may be displayed in the form of buttons or icons, or in other suitable display formats. Generally, in this application, when referring to any one of these menu option types, all are meant as possible options. The term menu option, as used herein, should be understood to include any form of selectable interaction item.
[0012]
The IR and some other outputs in this example are on the side that is not visible in the view of FIG. A remote control, such as Philips Electronics' PRONTO ™, may have the general appearance of FIG. The remote memory 3 and the processor 2 shown in FIG. 2 are usually built-in, and are therefore generally invisible from the outside.
[0013]
FIG. 3 shows a part of a procedure for forming a GUI according to the preferred embodiment. This part concerns the formation of the user history. At 201, a counter is initialized. The counter may be an array having individual values for individual buttons. At 202, a test is performed to determine if any screen buttons have been pressed. If the screen button has not been pressed, the test to detect such press continues. If a screen button has been pressed, at 203, an individual counter for the button is incremented.
[0014]
While it may not be necessary to remember how many times the mechanical button was pressed, those skilled in the art can easily extend the method of the present invention to label the mechanical (physical) button ( The assignment of functions to the (soft) buttons may be changed according to the user history. Such extensions may include including, within the graphical user interface, indications of changed functionality for the mechanical buttons, such as, for example, arrows pointing to these buttons, or indications such as backlight patterns.
[0015]
At 204, a test is made to update the assignment of the menu option to the page. Keeping this assignment updated may not be desirable because certain movements of menu options can be confusing to the user. One skilled in the art may devise any number of different trial and errors to select the update time. An example is that when a power is supplied to the device, after a predetermined time interval, such as one hour, one week or one month, the count value of the use of the button is that which button is more important, Including taking into account drawing statistically relevant conclusions about which buttons are not, and so on. Preferably, if the user is satisfied with the current button arrangement and does not want to keep the button moving around, there should be an option to turn off button rearrangement. If not, control returns to box 202. When updating assignments, assign buttons to pages according to the user profile. For example, the most frequently used buttons are clustered as indicated by these counter values and assigned to the top page.
[0016]
Although the above procedure has been described with a simple counting mechanism, more sophisticated artificial intelligence type techniques for establishing a user history may be used. Artificial intelligence technology for editing a user history is disclosed in Virusus and M.S. This is described in Pasani, "Learning Expected User Model," May 14, 1997. This document is described in, for example, http: // www. dkfi. uin-sb. de / @ bauer / um-ws / Final-Versions / Billsus / ProbUserModels. html. The simple mechanism of the preferred embodiment is usually preferred for consumer devices, such as television remote controls, because it requires less computational power and memory.
[0017]
In the procedure of FIG. 3, the buttons corresponding to the control functions related to the same control content may be treated as a group, and these may have a single counter assigned to them. For example, it is inconvenient to assign numeric TV channel buttons to different pages. Therefore, they are preferably all treated as one button, and all are assigned to the same page, preferably in a fixed arrangement, based on their combined use frequency.
[0018]
The designer may devise other trial and error techniques that are desirable to change the assignment of buttons to pages, other than pure usage considerations. For example, in a telephone having a GUI according to the present invention, the button for automatically dialing 911 may be always on the top page, even if it is rarely used.
[0019]
FIG. 4 illustrates box 205 in more detail. First, the individual internal button expressions are arranged in a list by individual counter values. Preferably, the alignment is by reducing the count so that the most frequently used buttons appear at the top of the list. Next, at 302, the list is divided into M portions, each having a maximum of N items, where N is the number of buttons that can be conveniently fitted on the screen and M is used in the GUI. Number of possible pages. Next, if any of the grouped buttons do not fit on the screen, at 303, the buttons may have to be repositioned on the page to make them fit. Alternatively, if the buttons are not grouped in terms of counts, they may then be rearranged according to some predetermined grouping. Alternatively, if some of the buttons have different sizes on the display, some of the pages may have different numbers of buttons, or the buttons may be resized.
[0020]
The same remote may be used by multiple individual users, such as family members. Each user may have different preferences for button placement. Some users may use the scan keys to switch channels, while other users may use the numeric channel keys. Some users may use the VCR frequently and others may rarely use it. Some users may use the PIP button frequently. Other users may not use it.
[0021]
Preferably, the remote unit has a different button configuration for each user. Thus, there is preferably some mechanism to identify the current user. The mechanism may be a button on the GUI top page, or an external identification device, such as a voice print or fingerprint biometric system, or a user personal identification number (PIN). Typically, remote units used in consumer electronics require a lower level of security than some other devices. For example, a PDA or mobile phone may require more security because the consequences of a security breach are more severe. An example of a low level security is a 1-bit PIN.
[0022]
The user history according to the invention is typically stored in a memory, for example at reference 3 of the device of FIG. The memory for storing the user history may be volatile or non-volatile. If the memory is volatile, the user history may be prepared for uploading to a device having a non-volatile memory such as a PC. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a socket for connecting a cable to a PC to be uploaded can be provided in the remote unit. In such a case, the software should be prepared on a PC that accepts the upload.
[0023]
Software for executing the procedures of FIGS. 3 and 4 is similarly stored in the memory 3 of the apparatus of FIG. The software is preferably stored in a non-volatile memory. Alternatively, the procedure may be performed in dedicated hardware, such as a gate array in the device.
[0024]
FIG. 5 illustrates a server architecture for use with the present invention. The server 501 is adapted to perform a dynamic update of the GUI on a device such as 503. Server 501 may include software or hardware adapted to perform the steps of FIGS. Apparatus 503 may be of any type discussed with reference to FIGS. The server communicates with the device via network connections 502, 504, which may be wired or wireless. The wireless connection 504 may communicate with another device 503 not shown. The network connection may be over the Internet or an internal connection such as a LAN or home network. The server 501 and the device 503 preferably include a local memory as shown in FIG. 1 and some input and output devices.
[0025]
Within this context, reference is made to the above-mentioned continuation-in-part application Ser. No. 09 / 434,155. This patent document relates to a remote control device that starts searching for a predetermined control configuration from a storage unit. For example, back up the reference or default control mode so that the user can always return to the reference configuration without too much effort. This default or reference mode may be stored by the manufacturer or retailer on the remote, or the mode may be retrieved at a later time when desired in a communication procedure initiated by the remote. From the external storage unit, for example, a user's PC. Alternatively or additionally, the device to be controlled serves as a housing for the control arrangement of the device itself. The remote unit retrieves the configuration from the device when necessary. In this way, the remote is highly user friendly, truly versatile and serves as a potential interface to nearby equipment.
[0026]
Here, in the present invention, the user profile itself can be a component of a control configuration that can be downloaded from a device to be controlled or, for example, from a home server. User profile information based on the operative use of the remote unit by a particular user determines the distribution of menu options in the GUI for use by this particular user. By making this profile an integral part of the downloadable control arrangement of a device, a cluster of devices, or an entire home network, user friendliness is increased because individual users are considered. Thus, a portable device may not require an on-board counter. The counting function and the configuration of the page can be performed in the server based on the counter value recorded in the server. Then, a control code for the reconstructed page or reconstruction is sent back to the device.
[0027]
When operating the procedures of FIGS. 3 and 4, the processor 2 or the server 501 functions as an adapter for reconfiguring the GUI.
[0028]
What has been described above with respect to the portable remote control device can also be used in a different context, ie in the context of a website GUI. Consider a site on the World Wide Web that is the main starting site when a user is connected to the Web. Such sites are commonly referred to as "portals" or "gateways." Examples of such portals are Yahoo, Exit, AOL, and Lycos. Typically, such sites provide multiple services of various categories. The servers are represented as icons or clickable links arranged in a menu, for example, a linear menu having a hierarchy of options below each option in the main menu. Individual users are typically only interested in certain of the services, and in particular, only in particular sub-categories. For example, certain users are mainly interested in "books", "hardware tools", "science", "nature" and "toys", but "stocks", "movies" and "politics" Am not interested. Under “Nature”, the user is particularly interested in “Sea Beast”. Under "toys", users are mainly interested in "model trains" and only in the category "O-scale engine models". Based on the history of this particular user's interaction with the server providing the portal site, the server may render the personalized representation of the portal, the icon or link in the hierarchical menu, , By arranging to reduce the navigational effort while reaching the category or sub-category he / she used most frequently. For example, the subcategories in the associated pull-down menu are arranged in the order that this particular user has used it most often. The portal or homepage, or parts thereof, from a kit of appropriate parts (advertising banners, collection of hyperlinks, decorations, etc.) based on the user's profile or user history, supplied by the server , Customized for each user individually. The profile may also include information from the access client device identifying its potential and configuration. Within this context, U.S. patent application Ser. How to individualize "will be helpful. This patent document states that a web server is accessible over a network by a web browser, and describes the presumed needs, declared or recorded topics of interest, access to information, and the user's environment. , A system that takes into account when presenting a web page to a user's web browser. A web page is dynamically created based on the user's relationship with the institution or patient, the user's function or job, and information access privileges. Further, the web page is dynamically created based on the user's computer capabilities, computer bandwidth connection, display characteristics, browser capabilities, and the like. To accomplish this, the web server must be provided with information about the user and his environment. This information can be obtained by web forms, automatic detection of the requesting client's IP address, server-browser communication, smart cards and / or active badges. Information about user preferences, the user's physical and computer environment, and usage profiles is stored at the server. The server can use all of this information to generate personalized content.
[0029]
The invention can also be used for websites related to e-commerce. For example, the site allows a user to browse through various categories of books or music and organizes its title and catalog information in a hierarchical manner, for example, where higher-level categories have multiple subcategories. Personalize the site by having the user's favorite categories more easily accessible than the number of user interactions required to obtain the information. Again, this is accomplished by user profiling or user history, preferably changing the GUI and notifying the user after providing better service.
From reading the present disclosure, other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such changes may include other features that are known in the design, manufacture, and specifications of the graphical user interface and may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein. Although the claims are expressed herein as to specific combinations of features, the scope of the disclosure is to cover any novel features or novel combinations of features, either explicitly or implicitly disclosed herein, or any combination thereof. It is to be understood that any generalization of any one of the above includes any or all of the same technical problems as practicing the invention. Applicants point out that this allows new claims to be made of such features during the filing of the present application or any other application derived therefrom.
[0031]
The word "comprise" used here should not be considered as excluding additional elements. The singular article used herein should not be considered as excluding more than one element.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram of an apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of an apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for forming a GUI according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for forming a GUI according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram of a server architecture for use with the present invention.

Claims (20)

In a data processing system,
A display having a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows user interaction with a plurality of menu options;
An adapter for automatically and dynamically arranging menu options in the GUI and reducing user navigation between the options. The data processing system according to claim 1,
The GUI comprises a plurality of pages,
A data processing system, wherein the adapter dynamically places a particular one of the menu options on a particular one of the plurality of pages. 2. The data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the adapter arranges the menu options according to a history of user interaction with the GUI. The data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the adapter arranges the menu options according to a user profile. The data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the adapter is capable of relocating the menu options individually for each of a plurality of users. 6. The data processing system according to claim 5, wherein said GUI comprises a user identification selector that allows said adapter to identify between said plurality of users. 7. The data processing system of claim 6, wherein the user identification selector comprises an individual user selectable representation of each of the plurality of users at a predetermined location on the display. system. 3. The data processing system according to claim 2, wherein the adapter assigns the first and second menu options as a group to one of the plurality of pages. The data processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a remote control unit for controlling a user of a household electrical appliance using the GUI. In software for configuring a GUI having a menu with a plurality of user selectable options, the software automatically changes the GUI with respect to individual users and menu options in the GUI to reduce user navigation between the options. Software that operates so as to be dynamically individualized by being dynamically arranged. The software according to claim 10,
The GUI comprises a plurality of pages,
The software, wherein the software dynamically assigns a particular one of the menu options to a particular one of the plurality of pages. The software of claim 10, wherein the dynamic personalization is dependent on a user history of an individual user interacting with the GUI. In a method for allowing a GUI to be personalized dynamically, the method comprises:
Determining a user profile during operational use of the GUI;
Automatically and dynamically forming the GUI in response to the user profile. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the user profile comprises determining a user history of interaction with the GUI. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein
The GUI comprises a plurality of selectable interaction items;
The GUI comprises a plurality of pages,
The method of claim 1, wherein the forming comprises assigning a particular one of the menu options to a particular one of the plurality of pages. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein
Storing the user profile on a server;
A method wherein the GUI is configured at the server for downloading to a control device. A remote control device for controlling a household appliance, the device comprising a display for displaying a GUI enabling user interaction with a menu, wherein the GUI is used by a user controlling the appliance for operation of the device. A remote control device characterized in that it can be automatically and dynamically personalized for a user based on the following. 18. The remote control device according to claim 17, further comprising an adapter for automatic and dynamic personalization of the GUI. The remote control device according to claim 18,
The menu has a plurality of menu options and a plurality of pages,
A remote control device, wherein the adapter assigns a particular one of the menu options to a particular one of the plurality of pages. The remote control device according to claim 17,
The facility comprises an adapter for automatic and dynamic personalization of the GUI;
A remote control device, comprising: an input unit that receives the GUI from the facility.