WO2001096998A1

WO2001096998A1 - A method of providing data items on a visual user interface

Info

Publication number: WO2001096998A1
Application number: PCT/DK2001/000400
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacob Berg; Uffe Lunding Berg
Original assignee: Ulb Aps
Priority date: 2000-06-16
Filing date: 2001-06-11
Publication date: 2001-12-20
Also published as: AU2001273876A1

Abstract

A method of providing a number of data items on a visual user interface, the method comprising: defining a plurality of predefined areas on the user interface, providing the data items to be provided on the user interface, providing a data item in each of the predefined areas, in each area of the user interface, automatically replacing the data item provided therein with a data item not provided in an area, the user selecting an area by entering information relating to the area, and interrupting the automatic replacing in the selected area. In this manner, the user may 'freeze' one or more data items in order to compare these or scroll to earlier data items in the same areas. Subsequently, an area may again be released for further replacements.

Description

Title: A method of providing data items on a visual user interface

Technical field .

The present invention relates to a method of providing data items on a visual user interface and more specifically a method of how to present a number of data items larger than what may normally be represented on the visual user interface at any one time.

Background art

A problem of this type may be seen in any type of presentation of data. A normal solution thereof is to provide simple lists of headings of the data items, where a simple clicking thereon will normally replace the present list with information relating to the selected data item. Examples of this may be seen as the results of e.g. Internet searches where the headings will be titles and a clicking downloads a corresponding home page. Other examples will be standard database searches.

In total, this makes comparison between individual data items difficult.

Brief description of the invention

The present invention relates to a solution thereto, and in a first aspect, the invention relates to a method of providing a number of data items on a visual user interface, the method comprising:

1) defining a plurality of predefined areas on the user interface, 2) providing the data items to be provided on the user interface, 3) providing a data item in each of the predefined areas,

4) in each area of the user interface, automatically replacing the data item provided therein with a data item not provided in an area,

5) the user selecting an area by entering information relating to the area and 6) interrupting the automatic replacing in the selected area.

The data items are generated by a server system and displayed on a client system, after the client system has informed the server system what data items should be presented on the client system's user interface.

First, the server system presents a number of different categories or types of data items on the client system's interface that the client can choose from. The client selects the types of data items he would like to see presented on the client system's interface and submits these criteria to the server system. The server system then sends to the client system the data items that match these selections in an HTML document, typically generated from a database, and presents these within the same frame or screen picture of the client server's user interface. Each data item is presented within a number of predefined spaces on the client server's user interface and is automatically replaced by a new data item within a specified period of time, so that the client will not need to scroll or page (change screen picture) to have all data items presented. At any time, the client can select any of the data items after which the client system sends a message to the server system to freeze or hold this data item on the screen, so that it is not replaced by a new data item but remains in its predefined field on the client system 's user interface, while the other data items are still replaced by new data items.

By clicking on a selected data item, the user can call up further information about it. The client system then calls the server system, which then generates the additional information about the data item on the client system's user interface within a HTML document, typically as a pop-up window. Thus, firstly a number of the data items are provided on the user interface at the same time. Normally, there will be more data items than predefined areas, whereby the replacing is required. However, due to the fact that the data items of the areas change, the user is able to actually compare a number of data items now corresponding to the number of areas. Also, by selecting one or more areas, the automatic replacing therein is interrupted so that the user may analyse the respective data item in more detail.

In the present context, the "automatic" replacing is a replacement that is performed when the user has not indicated that this should not take place.

The frequency of replacing the data item of an area will depend on the number of areas on the user interface and the difficulty of the user in sufficiently understanding the contents of a displayed data item. It will normally take the user a longer time to understand the contents of a text based data item than of an image. A frequency of 0.1-10 replacements per second per area when 2-10 areas are provided may be suitable for most purposes.

A " data item" may be or represent any type of data. Naturally, the use of a visual user interface will make illustrations, images, pictures or the like a suitable choice. The present invention is, though, not limited thereto in that any text or description (such as trademark or expression describing or identifying e.g. a product) may also or in addition be provided.

The data items may relate to e.g. any type of information or product. In one preferred embodiment, the data items relate to products such as washing machines, footwear, clothes, cars, etc.

During interruption of the replacing of one or more areas, step 4) may comprise, subsequent to step 6), replacing data items in areas with data items related to a data item of a selected area. In this manner, the selection of an area and a data item may influence the replacement in that data items related to, such as having one or more features in common with, the selected area are provided before other data items. Such features may be shape, prize, colour, contents, manufacturer, and/or brand.

Preferably, the interruption of the replacement may be aborted, such as by: 7) subsequent to step 6), the user entering additional information relating to the area and 8) subsequently resuming the automatic replacing therein.

Naturally, any area or any combination of areas may have the replacement interrupted at the same time.

The visual user interface may be a monitor, such as that of a computer, a TV, the screen of a mobile telephone, or any other apparatus adapted to visually provide information to a user. This user interface will normally be adapted to provide visual information via a predetermined, limited area, and the predefined areas will be positioned there within - preferably and normally non-overlapping.

Any type of selecting of an area may be used. Thus, steps 5) and/or 7) may comprise the user entering information by:

- positioning a cursor within the area and operating a selecting device,

- activating the user interface at the area - such as when using a touch screen, and/or

- entering using a keyboard, optically, and/or vocally information identifying the area.

When the replacing within an area has been interrupted, the data item or the area may be further amended or changed in any suitable manner. One manner is to have, subsequent to step 6), the data item provided in the area replaced with another data item, by interaction of the user. This " another" data item may be a data item previously provided in the area or a data item to be provided in the area. Thus, if the user did not interrupt the replacing before the desired data item had been replaced, the user may " scroll back" to the former or any former data item provided in the selected area. Also, future data items to be provided in the area may be "scrolled forward" to. To this use, selected areas may be provided with a menu, such as scrolling icons or areas, which the user may activate in order to scroll the data items.

Another manner of operating a selected area is to, subsequent to step 6), provide additional information on or at the user interface, such as at or in the area, the additional information relating to the data item of the area. Thus, in order to keep the areas sufficiently small, the information provided therein during replacing may be less than that actually preferably provided to the user. Interrupting the replacing and thereby select- ing a data item may indicate that the user is particularly interested in that data item and that additional information is desired.

In one embodiment, the data items are mainly images of e.g. products, and the additional information may relate to manufacturer, brand, price, distributor, shop/super market selling the product, etc.

In addition, it may be preferred that the user is able to also indicate that he wishes to buy /rent e.g. a product relating to a data item of a selected area.

One typical manner of actually providing the data items is one wherein step 2) comprises:

- providing an amount of information, - the user providing a request for data items from the amount of information, and

- identifying the data items.

The amount of information may e.g. be that obtainable on the Internet or on any database. The step of providing the request may comprise providing information relating to desired contents, characteristics, and/or context relative to the data items. This is standard for database queries or search requests on the Internet. Also, the step of identifying the data items may comprise searching in the amount of information and identify- ing data items corresponding to the request.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus for providing a number of data items to a user, the apparatus comprising:

- a visual interface comprising a number of predefined areas,

- means for providing the data items, - means for providing a data item in each of the areas,

- means for automatically replacing data items provided in each area with a data item not provided in an area,

- means operable by the user and for selecting at least one of the areas, and

- means for interrupting the replacing in an area selected by the user.

Naturally, the providing means may comprise receiving means, such as any type of communicating means, such as a modem, for receiving data items transmitted from a second computer.

Also, the user operable means may comprise a keyboard, such as that of a computer, a remote control or a mobile device, such as a telephone, a mouse, a microphone, and/or a touch-screen.

Naturally, the apparatus will comprise means for performing any of the steps described in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

In a third aspect, the invention relates to a computer program comprising computer program code means adapted to perform all the steps of the above method, when said program is run on a computer.

Also, the invention relates to the above computer program embodied on a computer readable medium.

Brief description of the drawing

In the following, a preferred embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the drawings wherein:

Fig 1 shows how various kinds of information are presented in an Internet browser on a computer screen display,

Fig 2 shows a presentation field and the extra options that become available after a product or particular information has been reserved on the screen,

Fig 3 shows a window that appears on top of the Internet Browser when a product that has been put on hold has several sound or video sequences available to the user,

Fig 4 shows an information window that appears on top of the Internet Browser when the user wants more information about a particular product, and

Fig 5 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

Best mode for carrying out the invention

Fig 1 shows a window on computer screen where an unlimited number of products from a database are being presented within the same screen picture. Before entering the screen picture it is assumed that the user has typed a search criteria or chosen a particu- lar category of information to be presented (in this instance bicycles). The products matching the search criteria are presented on the screen one by one within six presentation fields 1 with an interval of one second between each. Each product is presented with a product picture 2, a product name 3 and a product price 4.

The number of fields 1, the frequency of replacement and the order in which the data items or the products are provided will be fully controllable by the owner of the application - or maybe even by the user.

Each product is displayed on the screen for 6 seconds whereafter it disappears and is replaced with another product. Like this the product presentation continues until all products/information matching the user's search criteria or choice of information has been presented on the screen.

The same product is never shown more than once and is only shown in one presentation field. When all products have been shown the last six products stay on the screen and a message appears telling the user that the product presentation is over but giving the user the opportunity to see the same product presentation again.

It may be preferred that the providing of information may be controlled by the users selections so that, e.g. if the user selects a blue bicycle, all remaining blue bicycles are provided before any other bicycles. In addition or alternatively, bicycles produced by the same manufacturer may be provided first. ^•

To each presentation field there is the following functionality by which the user can interact with and control the presentation:

The user can put a product on hold 7 so that it is not replaced with another product but stays (freezes) on the screen. When a product is on hold the "hold" button is activated but can at any time be deactivated by clicking on the button again. When the hold button is deactivated the product is no longer on hold and will be replaced with another product when it is time for the product in the particular field to be shifted.

When a product is reserved, cf Fig 2, and if it includes video and/or sound sequences the user can play these by selection sound 19 or video 20 which appear on the screen once the product is put on hold. If there is more than one sound and/or video sequence a pop up window appears, cf Fig 3 , where the user chooses what sequence to be played.

To see a product that has previously been presented on the screen the user clicks back 5 in the presentation field whereafter the product previously shown in that particular field is shown again. This way the user can go back through all the products previously shown in a particular field. Previously shown products being presented again through this feature are presented in the same manner as a new product, with the same functionality and at the same length of time. If the product is not put on hold a previously non- presented product will replace it when its presentation time runs out.

When the back 5 functionality is used, an additional forward 6 button appears in the presentation field allowing the user to jump forward again to the product shown after this previously shown product. This way the user can page back and forth through all products already shown in a presentation field.

Another way of seeing previously shown products is by selecting "Go Backwards" 13 reversing the presentation and showing all the previously shown products once again (without showing any new products).

By saving 8, a product the product continues to be available to the user in the "saved" area 16 on the screen even after it disappears from the presentation field (saving a product does not put it on hold 7). In the illustration, cf Fig 1, a saved product appears with a thumbnail picture and a product name in the saved area 16 but it could be listed with any kind of information. A saved product can always be deleted 17 after which it disappears from the saved area 16 and gets status as a previously shown product. In the illustration, cf fig 2, a saved product is put into the shopping basket by clicking on "Buy" 18, imagining this product presentation page to be part of an e-commerce website.

To get further information about any of the products than what is presented on the presentation screen the user clicks on Info 9 at which a window, cf fig 4, opens up on top of the presentation window, cf Fig 1. As in the product presentation field, cf Fig 2, the information window also contains the Hold 7, the save 8, the sound 22 and the video 23 features.

In the product presentation window, cf Fig 1, the user can choose whether the product presentation should pause or keep going when an information window is open by the means of the pause/non pause selection 21.

Other features

In situations where the products are presented with or together with sound the user can turn this feature on and off 10.

In situations where the products are presented with or together with video (moving pictures) the user can turn this feature on and off 11.

The user can at any time stop 12 the product presentation at which all existing information stays on the screen but no new products appear.

A drop down menu 14 allows the user to adjust how many different products are shown on the screen at the time.

A time control 15 allows the user to decide the time interval between each product is presented and thereby the speed of the presentation. Clear all fields 19 deletes all information from the page including all saved information, stops the product presentation and clears the page.

Restart 20 makes the ongoing product presentation start all over again.

A counter 24 shows the user how many products have been shown in the presentation fields and out of how many. Every time a new product is shown in one of the presentation fields the counter goes one number up.

Fig 5 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment supports the presentation of data items over the Internet using the World Wide Web. The server system 210 includes a server engine 211, an inventory database 212 and various Web pages 213. The server engine receives HTTP requests to access Web pages to various client systems. The inventory database 212 contains a description of the various data items that may be presented to the user. The client system 220 contains a browser and its assigned client identifier 222. The client identifier is stored in a file, referred to as a "cookie". In one embodiment, the server system assigns and sends the client identifier to the client system once when the client system first interacts with the server system. From then on, the client system includes its client identifier with all messages sent to the server system so that the server system can identify the source of the message. The server and client system interact by exchanging information via communications link 230, which may include transmission via the Internet.

One skilled in the art would appreciate that the technique of presenting considerable data items within the same client server interface can be used in various environments other than the Internet. For example, the technique can also be used on mobile phones and on television screens. Further, various communication channels may be used such as local area network, wide area network, mobile network, or point-to-point dial up connection. In addition, a server system may comprise any combination of hardware that can generate data items on a user interface. A client system may comprise any combination of hardware and or software that can interact with the server system. These systems may include television-based systems, mobile phone-based systems or various other consumer products with a digital user interface.

Claims

1. A method of providing a number of data items on a visual user interface, characterised by the method comprising:

1) defining a plurality of predefined areas on the user interface, 2) providing the data items to be provided on the user interface,

3) providing a data item in each of the predefined areas,

2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that it further comprises the step of

7) subsequent to step 6), the user entering additional information relating to the area and 8) subsequently resuming the automatic replacing therein.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that steps 5) and/or 7) comprise the user entering information by: ^*

- positioning a cursor within the area and operating a selecting device,

- activating the user interface at the area, and/or - entering using akeyboard, optically, and/or vocally information identifying the area.

4. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that subsequent to step 6), the data item provided in the area, by interaction of the user, is replaced with another data item.

5. A method according to claim 4, characterised in that the data item is replaced by a data item previously provided in the area.

6. A method according to claim 4, characterised in that the data item is replaced by a data item to be provided in the area.

7. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that subsequent to step 6), step 4) comprises replacing data items in areas with data items related to a data item of a selected area.

8. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that step 2) comprises:

- identifying the data items.

9. A method according to claim 8, characterised in that the step of providing the request comprises providing information relating to desired contents, characteristics, and/or context relative to the data items.

10. A methodaccording to claim 8, characterised inthat the step of identifying the data items comprises searching in the amount of information and identifying data items corresponding to the request.

11. A method according to any of claims 1-3, characterised in that subsequent to step 6), additional information is provided on or at the user interface, the additional information relating to the data item of the area.

12. An apparatus for providing a number of data items to a user, characterised by the apparatus comprising: - a visual interface comprising a number of predefined areas,

- means for providing the data items,

- means for providing a data item in each of the areas,

- means operable by the user and for selecting at least one of the areas, and

- means for interrupting the replacing in an area selected by the user.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the providing means comprise receiving means for receiving data items transmitted from a second computer.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in t-hat the user operable means comprise a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, and/or a touch-screen.

15. A computer program comprising computer program code means adapted to perform all the steps of any one of claims 1-11 when said program is run on a computer.

16. A computer program as claimed in claim 15 embodied on a computer readable medium.