Scaling and Layout Methods and Systems for Handling One-To-Many Objects

Abstract

Systems and methods according to the present invention provide layout structures and methods for user interfaces.

1 . A user interface displayed on a screen comprising:
 a plurality of control elements, at least some of said plurality of control elements having at least one alphanumeric character displayed thereon;   a textbox for displaying alphanumeric characters entered using said plurality of control elements; and   a plurality of groups of displayed items,   wherein a layout of said plurality of groups on said user interface is based on a first number of groups which are displayed, and wherein a layout of said displayed items within a group is based on a second number of said items displayed within that group.   
   
   
       2 . The user interface of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of control elements are laid out in two horizontal rows. 
   
   
       3 . The user interface of  claim 1 , wherein said text box is displayed above said plurality of control elements and said groups of displayed items are displayed below said plurality of control elements. 
   
   
       4 . The user interface of  claim 1 , wherein said displayed items are images. 
   
   
       5 . The user interface of  claim 4 , wherein said images are movie covers. 
   
   
       6 . The user interface of  claim 1 , wherein said layout of groups involves placing a center point of each group at a location on said user interface, which location is determined based on the number of groups to be displayed. 
   
   
       7 . The user interface of  claim 6 , wherein each of said displayed items associated with one of said groups is displayed within a rectangular region disposed at a respective center point. 
   
   
       8 . The user interface of  claim 1 , wherein said number of groups changes based upon search results entered using said plurality of control elements. 
   
   
       9 . The user interface of  claim 1 , wherein said groups do not overlap and at least some of said items within each group do overlap. 
   
   
       10 . A method for laying out items in a user interface comprising the steps of:
 laying out a plurality of groups of items within a group display space, said groups being laid out within said display space in a pattern which varies as a function of the number of said plurality of groups; and   laying out, for each of said plurality of groups, a plurality of items within an item display space associated with a respective one of said plurality of groups, said items being laid out within a respective item display space in a pattern which varies as a function of the number of said plurality of items.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of:
 performing said steps of laying out said plurality of groups and plurality of items in accordance with at least one set of layout rules.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said layout rules are applied recursively to said steps of laying out said plurality of groups and said plurality of items. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said user interface is displayed on a television and said items are movie cover images, wherein selection of one of said movie cover images by a user results in additional information being displayed on said user interface for a movie associated therewith. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of:
 providing a plurality of control elements on said user interface, at least some of said plurality of control elements having at least one alphanumeric character displayed thereon; and   providing a textbox for displaying alphanumeric characters entered using said plurality of control elements on said user interface.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said layout of groups involves placing a center point of each group at a location on said user interface, which location is determined based on the number of groups to be displayed. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein each of said displayed items associated with one of said groups is displayed within a rectangular region disposed at a respective center point. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said number of groups changes based upon search results entered using said plurality of control elements. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said groups do not overlap and at least some of said items within each group do overlap.