Browser navigation for devices with a limited input system

Abstract

Methods, system, and computer program products for browsing content with a display area and input system that may be limited in comparison to more traditional browsing systems. Movement between and selection of interactive elements generally occurs in a navigation mode, whereas interaction with a single interactive element generally occurs in an edit mode. In navigation mode, a direction input selects the next interactive element in the direction indicated. If no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction indicated or if a selected interactive element is only partially visible, the display scrolls. Switching between navigation mode and edit mode is based on the input received, in view of the input supported, by a particular interactive element. Interactive elements may be limited to the width of available display area.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . In either a wireless telephone or personal digital assistant configured for browsing content received from a content source, a method of browsing content that includes one or more interactive elements, the method comprising:
 presenting at least a portion of the content on a display area of a browsing system;   receiving input selecting an interactive element that is only partially visible;   and   automatically scrolling the browsing system upon determining that the interactive element has been selected and that the interactive element is only partially visible in the browsing system display area, wherein the browsing system display area is automatically scrolled until the interactive element becomes completely visible.   
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the interactive element comprises one of a link, single line textbox, a multiple line textbox, a spinner, a radio button, a checkbox, a button, and a picker. 
     
     
         3 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a step for changing the mode of the browsing system. 
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the interactive element accepts character input, and wherein the step for changing the mode of the browsing system comprises an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving a character input. 
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the interactive element accepts character input or allows for one or more items to be selected from a group of one or more items, and wherein the step for changing the mode of the browsing system comprises an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving an action input. 
     
     
         6 . A method as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the step for changing the mode of browsing comprises the acts of:
 browsing in edit mode; and   switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving an action input.   
     
     
         7 . A method as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the interactive element does not accept a direction input, and wherein the step for changing the mode of browsing comprises the acts of:
 browsing in edit mode; and   switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving the direction input.   
     
     
         8 . A method as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the interactive element is part of form content that does not include a submit element, and wherein the step for changing the mode of browsing comprises an acts of:
 browsing in edit mode; and   submitting the form content upon receiving an action input.   
     
     
         9 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further including a step for visually indicating that the interactive element is selected. 
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the step for indicating that the interactive element is selected includes highlighting the interactive element. 
     
     
         11 . A method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the step for indicating that the interactive element is selected includes removing highlighting from a previously selected interactive element. 
     
     
         12 . A computer program product for use in either a wireless telephone or personal digital assistant configured for browsing content received from a content source, the computer program product comprising one or more computer readable media having computer-executable instructions for implementing a method of browsing content that includes one or more interactive elements, the method comprising:
 presenting at least a portion of the content on a display area of a browsing system;   receiving input selecting an interactive element that is only partially visible; and   automatically scrolling the browsing system upon determining that the interactive element has been selected and that the interactive element is only partially visible in the browsing system display area, wherein the browsing system display area is automatically scrolled until the interactive element becomes completely visible.   
     
     
         13 . A computer program product as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the interactive element comprises one of a link, single line textbox, a multiple line textbox, a spinner, a radio button, a checkbox, a button, and a picker. 
     
     
         14 . A computer program product as recited in  claim 12 , the method further comprising a step for changing the mode of the browsing system. 
     
     
         15 . A computer program product as recited in  claim 12 , the method further including a step for visually indicating that the interactive element is selected. 
     
     
         16 . A computer program product as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the step for indicating that the interactive element is selected includes highlighting the interactive element. 
     
     
         17 . A computer program product as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the step for indicating that the interactive element is selected includes removing highlighting from a previously selected interactive element.