User definable interface system and method

Abstract

In a cursor-based computing environment having a display, a user definable interface (UDI) is displayed upon activation by a user. The UDI has a plurality of levels each having a plurality of buttons and is displayed in a selectable position about a pointer position in a display area to reduce pointer commute. The user selects a visual appearance and shape of the UDI, and the number of buttons. The user assigns a command to each of the plurality of buttons at each of the plurality of levels by dragging and dropping from one or more applications of the apparatus.

1 . A system, comprising: 
 a display that displays a user definable interface (UDI), the UDI having a plurality of levels each having a plurality of command regions, wherein the visual appearance of the UDI remains substantially the same for each of the plurality of levels, wherein only one of the levels appears at a given time;    a selecting device that selects a visual appearance of the UDI including a shape and number of the command regions; and    an assigning device that assigns a command to each of the plurality of command regions for each respective one of the plurality of levels from one or more applications associated with the system.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display, selecting device, and assigning device are in a hand-held device.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display, selecting device, and assigning device are in video equipment.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display, selecting device, and assigning device are in a home entertainment system.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display, selecting device, and assigning device are in a camera.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display, selecting device, and assigning device are in a wireless telephone.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display, selecting device, and assigning device are in a copier.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display, selecting device, and assigning device are in a remote control.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display, selecting device, and assigning device are in a household appliance.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display, selecting device, and assigning device are in a commercial appliance.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an interaction device that is one of one or more buttons, one or more rotary dials, a touch screen, a voice input system, or combinations thereof, the interaction device being used to choose one of the command regions at each of the levels.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 an application window is displayed as part of the UDI upon a user choosing one of the command regions that was assigned to the application;    the application window allows the user to interact with the application; and    the command regions are accessible to the user after the application window is displayed.    
   
   
       13 . A method, comprising: 
 (a) managing a visual appearance of a UDI, which includes a shape and number of command regions, the visual appearance remaining substantially the same at each of a plurality of levels, wherein only one of the levels appears at a given time;    (b) assigning application functions to each of the command regions; and    (c) managing the UDI in response to interactions with the command regions.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed in a hand-held device.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed in video equipment.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed in a home entertainment system.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed in a camera.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed in a wireless telephone.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed in a copier.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed in a remote control.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed in a household appliance.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed in a commercial appliance.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 (d) interacting with one of one or more buttons, one or more rotary dials, a touch screen, a voice input system or combinations thereof, the interacting step being used to choose one of the command regions at each of the levels.    
   
   
       24 . A user definable interface (UDI), comprising: 
 a display device that displays a user-selectable geometric arrangement of command regions that remains substantially the same at each of a plurality of levels, wherein only one of the plurality of levels appears at a given time; and    an associating device that allows one or more functions to be associated by a user or pre-assigned to each command region, so as to define the plurality of levels of the command regions.