System and method for focused navigation within a user interface

Abstract

A sequence of cards is stored that graphically represents available options within an information system. In response to a single user action, the sequence of cards is successively displayed within a focus area of the user interface. In response to a subsequent user action, the successive display is discontinued to display a particular card representing a selected option.

1 . A method for navigating options within a user interface presented on a display device, comprising:
 displaying a plurality of graphical representations of options in a first sequence along a first axis of the user interface;   enabling scrolling of the first sequence of graphical representations through a spatially-fixed focus area of the user interface;   in response to a graphical representation being scrolled into the focus area, enlarging the graphical representation relative to the other graphical representations displayed along the first axis;   displaying a second sequence of graphical representations of options along a second axis of the user interface, the second axis being perpendicular to the first axis; and   enabling scrolling of the second sequence of graphical representations along the second axis, wherein no graphical representation of an option from the first sequence is also included in the second sequence.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising replacing the second sequence along the second axis with a third sequence along the second axis in response to a different graphical representation of an option from the first sequence being scrolled into the focus area. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical representations of options in the first sequence respectively represent different application programs. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical representations of options in the first sequence respectively represent different types of media. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical representations of options in the second sequence respectively represent different television programming sources. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical representations of options in the second sequence respectively represent different television programs. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein scrolling of the first sequence is initiated by first user action and proceeds until being terminated by a second user action. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical representations of options from the second sequence respectively represent television programming sources in a particular broadcast time slot, the method further comprising replacing the second sequence with a third sequence in response to a single user command, each graphical representation of an option of the third sequence representing television programming sources in a progressively later broadcast time slot. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical representations of options of the first sequence represent selectable categories of options and wherein the graphical representations of options of the second sequence represent options from a selected category. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sequences intersect to form quadrants within the user interface, the method further comprising displaying, in at least one of the quadrants formed by the intersecting sequences, supplemental information related to the graphical representation within the focus area. 
   
   
       11 . A system for navigating a options within a user interface presented on a display device, comprising:
 a user input detector configured to detect input of a user; and   a processor, coupled to the user input detector, configured to scroll a first sequence of graphical representations of options along a first axis through a spatially-fixed focus area of the user interface in response to a first user input, wherein the processor is further configured to enlarge the graphical representation in the focus area relative to the other graphical representations in the first sequence, and wherein the processor is further configured to scroll a second sequence of graphical representations of options along a second, perpendicular axis through the focus area in response to a second user input, the first and second sequences having no graphical representations in common.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to replace the second sequence of graphical representations of options along the second axis with a third sequence of graphical representations of options along the second axis in response to a different graphical representation of an option from the first sequence being scrolled by the user into the focus area. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the graphical representations of options in the first sequence respectively represent different application programs. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the graphical representations of options in the first sequence respectively represent different types of media. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the graphical representations of options in the second sequence respectively represent different television programming sources. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the graphical representations of options in the second sequence respectively represent different television programs. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the graphical representations of options from the second sequence respectively represent television programming sources in a particular broadcast time slot, and wherein the processor is further configured to replace the second sequence with a third sequence in response to a single user command, each graphical representation of an option of the third sequence representing television programming sources in a progressively later broadcast time slot. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the graphical representations of options of the first sequence represent selectable categories of options and wherein the graphical representations of options of the second sequence represent options from a selected category. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second sequences intersect to form quadrants within the user interface, and wherein the processor is further configured to display, in at least one of the quadrants formed by the intersecting sequences, supplemental information related to the graphical representation within the focus area. 
   
   
       20 . An apparatus for navigating a plurality of options within a user interface, comprising:
 means for displaying a plurality of graphical representations of options in a first sequence along a first axis of the user interface;   means for scrolling of the first sequence of graphical representations through a spatially-fixed focus area of the user interface;   means for enlarging a graphical representation being scrolled into the focus area relative to the other graphical representations displayed along the first axis;   means for displaying a second sequence of graphical representations of options along a second axis of the user interface, the second axis being perpendicular to the first axis; and   means for scrolling of the second sequence of graphical representations along the second axis, wherein no graphical representation of an option from the first sequence is also included in the second sequence.   
   
   
       21 . A computer-readable storage medium comprising program code for performing a method for navigating a plurality of options within a user interface, the method comprising:
 displaying a plurality of graphical representations of options in a first sequence along a first axis of the user interface;   enabling scrolling of the first sequence of graphical representations through a spatially-fixed focus area of the user interface;   in response to a graphical representation being scrolled into the focus area, enlarging the graphical representation relative to the other graphical representations displayed along the first axis;   displaying a second sequence of graphical representations of options along a second axis of the user interface, the second axis being perpendicular to the first axis; and   enabling scrolling of the second sequence of graphical representations along the second axis, wherein no graphical representation of an option from the first sequence is also included in the second sequence.