Browser navigation for devices with a limited input system

Claim 2

In either a wireless telephone or personal digital assistant configured for browsing content received from a content source, and having a display area and input system that is limited as compared to pointing devices and displays often found in more traditional browsing systems, and wherein one or more interactive elements within content received from the content source may behave differently in a browsing context than the one or more interactive elements behave in an operating system shell context, a method of browsing content that includes one or more interactive elements, the method comprising acts of: displaying at least a portion of the content on a display area of a browsing system; receiving a direction input generated by activating a navigation key; while the direction input is being received, if less than all of the content is displayed and no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content, automatically scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the direction input; selecting an interactive element that is at least partially visible, the selection being based on the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content, wherein said interactive element can be only partially visible; and highlighting the interactive element to indicate that the interactive element is selected.

Claim 3

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.

Claim 4

A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein browsing includes a navigation mode and an edit mode, the navigation mode being characterized by selection of interactive elements and the edit mode being characterized by interaction with a single interactive element.

Claim 5

A method as recited in claim 3 , wherein the interactive element accepts character input, the method further comprising an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving a character input.

Claim 6

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, the method further comprising an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving an action input.

Claim 7

A method as recited in claim 3 , further comprising the acts of: browsing in edit mode; and switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving an action input.

Claim 8

A method as recited in claim 3 , wherein the interactive element does not accept a direction input, the method further comprising the acts of: browsing in edit mode; and switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving the direction input.

Claim 9

A method as recited in claim 3 , wherein the interactive element is part of form content that does not include a submit element, the method further comprising the acts of: browsing in edit mode; and submitting the form content upon receiving an action input.

Claim 10

A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the interactive element is capable of representing two states, the method further comprising an act of switching from one state to the other upon receiving an action input.

Claim 11

A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the interactive element comprises a link, the method further comprising an act of following the link upon receiving an action input.

Claim 12

A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the interactive element exceeds the width of available browsing system display area, the method further comprising an act of adjusting the width of the interactive element to be less than or equal to the width of available browsing system display area.

Claim 13

A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the interactive element is only partially visible in the browsing system display area, the method further comprising acts of: adjusting the width of the interactive element to be less than or equal to the width of available browsing system display area if the width of the interactive element exceeds the width of available browsing system display area; and scrolling the browsing system display area until the interactive element is completely visible.

Claim 14

A method as recited in claim 3 , wherein the selected interactive element is a previously selected interactive element, the method further comprising the acts of: receiving a subsequent direction input that corresponds to scrolling the browsing system display area, the subsequent direction input being generated by activating a navigation key; while the subsequent direction input is being received, if less than all of the content is displayed and no other interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the subsequent direction input, scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the subsequent direction input; selecting a next interactive element that is at least partially visible, the selection being based on the subsequent direction input relative to the previously selected interactive element; removing highlighting from the previously selected interactive element to indicate that the previously selected interactive element is no longer selected; and highlighting the next interactive element to indicate that the next interactive element is selected.

Claim 15

A method as recited in claim 13 wherein the subsequent direction input is a horizontal direction input, and wherein the next interactive element is selected based on the next interactive element being (i) a closest interactive element in the direction of the horizontal direction input, that is (ii) at substantially the same vertical level as the previously selected interactive element.

Claim 16

A method as recited in claim 13 wherein the subsequent direction input is a vertical direction input, and wherein the next interactive element is selected based on the next interactive element being at the next vertical level, from the previously selected interactive element, in the direction of the vertical direction input.

Claim 17

A method as recited in claim 15 , wherein multiple interactive elements are displayed at the next vertical level, the next interactive element being selected based on the next interactive element being an interactive element that is closest in horizontal direction to the beginning of the previously selected interactive element.

Claim 18

In either a wireless telephone or personal digital assistant having a display area and input system, the input system including a direction key and an action key, wherein the input system and display area are limited as compared to a pointing device and larger display area often found in more traditional browsing systems, and wherein one or more interactive elements within content received from a content source may behave differently in a browsing context than the one or more interactive elements behave in an operating system shell context, a method of browsing content that contains one or more interactive elements, wherein the browsing includes an edit mode and a navigation mode, the met hod comprising acts of: starting in the navigation mode; displaying at least a portion of the content on the wireless telephone or personal digital assistant display area; receiving a direction input generated by the direction key of the wireless telephone or personal digital assistant; while the direction input is being received, if less than all of the content is displayed and no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content, scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the direction input; selecting an interactive element that is at least partially visible, the selection being based on the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content; and placing a selection box around the interactive element to indicate that the interactive element is selected.

Claim 19

In either a wireless telephone or personal digital assistant having a display area and input system, the input system including a direction key and an action key, wherein the input system and display area are limited as compared to a pointing device and larger display area often found in more traditional browsing systems, and wherein one or more interactive elements within content received from a content source may behave differently in a browsing context than the one or more interactive elements behave in an operating system shell context, a method of browsing content that contains one or more interactive elements, wherein the browsing includes an edit mode and a navigation mode, the met hod comprising acts of: starting in the navigation mode; displaying at least a portion of the content on the wireless telephone or personal digital assistant display area; receiving a direction input generated by the direction key of the wireless telephone or personal digital assistant; while the direction input is being received, if less than all of the content is displayed and no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content, scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the direction input; selecting an interactive element that is at least partially visible, the selection being based on the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content; and placing a selection box around the interactive element to indicate that the interactive element is selected.

Claim 20

A method as recited in claim 17 , 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.

Claim 21

A method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the interactive element accepts character input, the method further comprising an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving a character input.

Claim 22

A method as recited in claim 17 , 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, the method further comprising an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving an action input.

Claim 23

A method as recited in claim 17 , the method further comprising the acts of: browsing with the wireless telephone or personal digital assistant in edit mode; and switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving an action input.

Claim 24

A method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the interactive element does not accept a direction input, the method further comprising the acts of: browsing with the wireless telephone or personal digital assistant in edit mode; and switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving the direction input.

Claim 25

A method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the interactive element is part of form content that does not include a submit element, the method further comprising the acts of: browsing with the wireless telephone or personal digital assistant in edit mode; and submitting the form content upon receiving an action input.

Claim 26

A method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the interactive element is capable of representing two states, the method further comprising an act of switching from one state to the other upon receiving an action input while in navigation mode.

Claim 27

A method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the interactive element comprises a link, the method further comprising an act of following the link upon receiving an action input.

Claim 28

A method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the interactive element exceeds the width of available wireless telephone or personal digital assistant display area, the method further comprising an act of adjusting the width of the interactive element to be less than or equal to the width of available wireless telephone or personal digital assistant display area.

Claim 29

A method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the interactive element is only partially visible in the wireless telephone or personal digital assistant display area, the method further comprising acts of: adjusting the width of the interactive element to be less than or equal to the width of available wireless telephone or personal digital assistant display area if the width of the interactive element exceeds the width of available wireless telephone or personal digital assistant display area; and scrolling the wireless telephone or personal digital assistant display area until the interactive element is completely visible.

Claim 30

A method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the selected interactive element is a previously selected interactive element, the method further comprising the acts of: receiving a subsequent direction input that corresponds to scrolling the wireless telephone or personal digital assistant display area, the subsequent direction input being generated by activating a navigation key; while the subsequent direction input is being received, if less than all of the content is displayed and no other interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the subsequent direction input, scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the subsequent direction input; selecting a next interactive element that is at least partially visible, the selection being based on the subsequent direction input relative to the previously selected interactive element; removing highlighting from the previously selected interactive element to indicate that the previously selected interactive element is no longer selected; and highlighting the next interactive element to indicate that the next interactive element is selected.

Claim 31

A method as recited in claim 28 wherein the subsequent direction input is a horizontal direction input, and wherein the next interactive element is selected based on the next interactive element being (i) a closest interactive element in the direction of the horizontal direction input, that is (ii) at substantially the same vertical level as the previously selected interactive element.

Claim 32

A method as recited in claim 28 wherein the subsequent direction input is a vertical direction input, and wherein the next interactive element is selected based on the next interactive element being at the next vertical level, from the previously selected interactive element, in the direction of the vertical direction input.

Claim 33

A method as recited in claim 30 wherein multiple interactive elements are displayed at the next vertical level, the next interactive element being selected based on the next interactive element being an interactive element that is closest in horizontal direction to the beginning of the previously selected interactive element.

Claim 34

In either a wireless telephone or personal digital assistant configured for browsing content received from a content source, and having a display area and input system that is limited as compared to pointing devices and displays often found in more traditional browsing systems, and wherein one or more interactive elements within content received from the content source may behave differently in a browsing context than the one or more interactive elements behave in an operating system shell context, a method of browsing content that includes one or more interactive elements, wherein the browsing includes an edit mode and a navigation mode, the method comprising steps for: presenting at least a portion of the content on a display area of a browsing system; receiving a direction input generated by activating a navigation key; upon receiving a direction input, determining an interactive element has been selected based on the direction input, wherein the interactive element is only partially visible; visually indicating that the interactive element is selected; 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 is completely visible.

Claim 35

In either a wireless telephone or personal digital assistant configured for browsing content received from a content source, and having a display area and input system that is limited as compared to pointing devices and displays often found in more traditional browsing systems, and wherein one or more interactive elements within content received from the content source may behave differently in a browsing context than the one or more interactive elements behave in an operating system shell context, a method of browsing content that includes one or more interactive elements, wherein the browsing includes an edit mode and a navigation mode, the method comprising steps for: presenting at least a portion of the content on a display area of a browsing system; receiving a direction input generated by activating a navigation key; upon receiving a direction input, determining an interactive element has been selected based on the direction input, wherein the interactive element is only partially visible; visually indicating that the interactive element is selected; 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 is completely visible.

Claim 36

A method as recited in claim 32 , 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.

Claim 37

A method as recited in claim 32 , further comprising a step for changing the mode of the browsing system.

Claim 38

A method as recited in claim 34 , 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.

Claim 39

A method as recited in claim 34 , 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.

Claim 40

A method as recited in claim 34 , 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.

Claim 41

A method as recited in claim 34 , 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.

Claim 42

A method as recited in claim 34 , 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.

Claim 43

A method as recited in claim 32 , wherein the interactive element is capable of representing two states, the method further comprising an act of switching from one state to the other upon receiving an action input while in navigation mode.

Claim 44

A method as recited in claim 32 , wherein the interactive element comprises a link, the method further comprising an act of following the link upon receiving an action input.

Claim 45

A method as recited in claim 32 , wherein the interactive element exceeds the width of available browsing system display area, the method further comprising a step for controlling the width of the interactive element.

Claim 46

A method as recited in claim 42 , wherein the step for controlling the width of the interactive element comprises the acts of: adjusting the width of the interactive element to be less than or equal to the width of available browsing system display area if the width of the interactive element exceeds the width of available browsing system display area.

Claim 47

A method as recited in claim 32 , wherein the step for determining an interactive element for selection based on a direction input comprises acts of: receiving a direction input that corresponds to scrolling the browsing system display area, the direction input being generated by activating a navigation key; while the direction input is being received, if less than all of the content is displayed and no interactive element is at least partially visible, scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the direction input; and selecting an interactive element that is at least partially visible, the selection being based on the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, of no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content.

Claim 48

A method as recited in claim 44 , wherein the selected interactive element is a previously selected interactive element, and wherein the step for determining an interactive element for selection based on a direction input further comprises acts of: receiving a subsequent direction input that corresponds to scrolling the browsing system display area, the subsequent direction input being generated by activating a navigation key; while the subsequent direction input is being received, if less than all of the content is displayed and no other interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the subsequent direction input, scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the subsequent direction input; selecting a next interactive element that is at least partially visible, the selection being based on the subsequent direction input relative to the previously selected interactive element.

Claim 49

A meted as recited in claim 45 wherein the step for indicating that the interactive element is selected comprises acts of: removing highlighting from the previously selected interactive element to indicate that the previously selected interactive element is no longer selected; and highlighting the next interactive element to indicate that the next interactive element is selected.

Claim 50

A method as recited in claim 45 wherein the subsequent direction input is a horizontal direction input, and wherein the next interactive element is selected based on the next interactive element being (i) a closest interactive element in the direction of the horizontal direction input, that is (ii) at substantially the same vertical level as the previously selected interactive element.

Claim 51

A method as recited in claim 45 wherein the subsequent direction input is a vertical direction input, and wherein the next interactive element is selected based on the next interactive element being at the next vertical level, from the previously selected interactive element, in the direction of the vertical direction input.

Claim 52

A method as recited in claim 48 wherein multiple interactive elements are displayed at the next vertical level, the next interactive element being selected based on the next interactive element being an interactive element that is closest in horizontal direction to the beginning of the previously selected interactive element.

Claim 53

In either a wireless telephone or personal digital assistant configured for browsing content received from a content source, and having a display area and input system that is limited as compared to pointing devices and displays often found in more traditional browsing systems, and wherein one or more interactive elements within content received from the content source may behave differently in a browsing context than the one or more interactive elements behave in an operating system shell context, a computer program product for implementing a method of browsing content that includes one or more interactive elements, the computer program product comprising: a computer readable medium for carrying machine-executable instructions for implementing the method; and wherein said method is comprised of machine-executable instructions performing acts of: displaying at least a portion of the content on a display area of a browsing system; receiving a direction input generated by activating a navigation key; while the direction input is being received, if less than all of the content is displayed and no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content, automatically scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the direction input; selecting an interactive element that is at least partially visible, the selection being based on the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content, wherein said interactive element can be only partially visible; and highlighting the interactive element to indicate that the interactive element is selected.

Claim 54

In either a wireless telephone or personal digital assistant configured for browsing content received from a content source, and having a display area and input system that is limited as compared to pointing devices and displays often found in more traditional browsing systems, and wherein one or more interactive elements within content received from the content source may behave differently in a browsing context than the one or more interactive elements behave in an operating system shell context, a computer program product for implementing a method of browsing content that includes one or more interactive elements, the computer program product comprising: a computer readable medium for carrying machine-executable instructions for implementing the method; and wherein said method is comprised of machine-executable instructions performing acts of: displaying at least a portion of the content on a display area of a browsing system; receiving a direction input generated by activating a navigation key; while the direction input is being received, if less than all of the content is displayed and no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content, automatically scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the direction input; selecting an interactive element that is at least partially visible, the selection being based on the direction input relative to a previously selected interactive element or, if no interactive element has been previously selected, based on the direction input relative to the beginning of the displayed portion of the content, wherein said interactive element can be only partially visible; and highlighting the interactive element to indicate that the interactive element is selected.

Claim 55

A computer program product as recited in claim 50 , wherein the interactive element comprises one of a link, single line textbox, a multiple line textbox, a spinners a radio button, a checkbox, a button, and a picker.

Claim 56

A computer program product as recited in claim 50 , wherein browsing includes a navigation mode and an edit mode, the navigation mode being characterized by selection of interactive elements and the edit mode being characterized by interaction with a single interactive element.

Claim 57

A computer program product as recited in claim 52 , wherein the interactive element accepts character input, the method further comprising an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving a character input.

Claim 58

A computer program product as recited in claim 52 , 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, the method further comprising an act of switching from navigation mode to edit mode upon receiving an action input.

Claim 59

A computer program product as recited in claim 52 , the method further comprising the acts of: browsing in edit mode; and switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving an action input.

Claim 60

A computer program product as recited in claim 52 , wherein the interactive element does not accept a direction input, the method further comprising the acts of: browsing in edit mode; and switching from edit mode to navigation mode upon receiving the direction input.

Claim 61

A computer program product as recited in claim 52 , wherein the interactive element is part of form content that does not include a submit element, the method further comprising the acts of: browsing in edit mode; and submitting the form content upon receiving an action input.

Claim 62

A computer program product as recited in claim 50 , wherein the interactive element is capable of representing two stares, the method further comprising an act of switching from one state to the other upon receiving an action input.

Claim 63

A computer program product as recited in claim 50 , wherein the interactive element comprises a link, the method further comprising an act of following the link upon receiving an action input.

Claim 64

A computer program product as recited in claim 50 , wherein the interactive element exceeds the width of available browsing system display area, the method further comprising tin act of adjusting the width of the interactive element to be less than or equal to the width of available browsing system display area.

Claim 65

A computer program product as recited in claim 50 , wherein the interactive element is only partially visible in the browsing system display area, the method further comprising acts of: adjusting the width of the interactive element to be less than or equal to the width of available browsing system display area if the width of the interactive element exceeds the width of available browsing system display area; and scrolling the browsing system display area until the interactive element is completely visible.

Claim 66

A computer program product as recited in claim 50 , wherein the selected interactive element is a previously selected interactive element, the method further comprising the acts of: receiving a subsequent direction input that corresponds to scrolling the browsing system display area, the subsequent direction input being generated by activating a navigation key; while the subsequent direction input is being received, if less than all of the content is displayed and no other interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction of the subsequent direction input, scrolling the display of the content in the direction of the subsequent direction input; being selecting a next interactive element that is at least partially visible, the selection being based on the subsequent direction input relative to the previously selected interactive element; removing highlighting from the previously selected interactive element to indicate that the previously selected interactive element is no longer selected; and highlighting the next interactive element to indicate that the next interactive element is selected.

Claim 67

A computer program product as recited in claim 62 wherein the subsequent direction input is a horizontal direction input and wherein the next interactive element is selected based on the next interactive element being (i) a closest interactive element in the direction of the horizontal direction input, that is (ii) at substantially the same vertical level as the previously selected interactive element.

Claim 68

A computer program product as recited in claim 62 wherein the subsequent direction input is a vertical direction input, and wherein the next interactive element is selected based on the next interactive element being at the next vertical level, from the previously selected interactive element in the direction of the vertical direction input.

Claim 69

A computer program product as recited in claim 62 wherein multiple interactive elements are displayed at the next vertical level, the next interactive element being selected based on the next interactive element being an interactive element that is closest in horizontal direction to the beginning of the previously selected interactive element.