Navigating and accessing large sets of data

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a method and user interface for efficiently navigating and accessing large datasets on electronic devices, particularly those with limited screen space (like smartphones or tablets). The invention introduces a virtual 'rotatable view,' such as a circular disk or helix, where data groups are positioned around the center and individual items along the periphery. Users can rotate this virtual disk or helix to browse categories and slide it outward to zoom into more detailed data or subcategories. The system is particularly well-suited to touchscreens and can be operated with one hand, combining intuitive navigation with both manual and automatic zooming.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Browsing large contacts lists or address books on smartphones or tablets
• Navigating music or media libraries by genres, artists, and albums
• Organizing and searching through vast document archives or file systems
• Navigating e-books or encyclopedic datasets by category, chapter, and entry
• Implementing efficient navigation in infotainment or home entertainment systems with remote controls or joysticks
• Exploring product catalogs in e-commerce applications on mobile devices
• Managing photo galleries or image archives with hierarchical sorting

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables fast and efficient navigation through large datasets, even on small screens
• Reduces user confusion by visually and interactively indicating the current level of detail
• Allows intuitive, one-handed operation, particularly important for mobile devices
• Supports both manual and automatic zooming for better user customization
• Compatible with a wide variety of input devices: touchscreens, buttons, joysticks, remote controls
• Provides seamless, visually engaging transitions between data categories and individual items
• Acoustic feedback can further guide and inform the user during navigation
• Organizes and displays hierarchically structured data in an easily understandable way
• Improves usability and accessibility of complex data for all users

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

A method for navigating and accessing a set of data being stored in a memory of an electronic device (79) which has a screen (719) and a control unit (719), comprises the steps of: obtaining sorted groups of the set of data according to a predefined criteria; providing a virtual rotatable view (1; 10; 19) having the groups arranged around its center (5; 50; 59) and having the single data arranged along its periphery (90; 99) in correspondence with the groups; displaying a section of the virtual rotatable view (1; 10; 19) near its center (5; 50; 59) on the screen (719) wherein at least one group is visible on the screen (719); turning the virtual rotatable view (1; 10; 19) when a predefined turn signal is detected on the control unit (719); and sliding the virtual rotatable view (1; 10; 19) into a peripheral direction to display single data of the set of data. Such a method allows for a comparably fast and efficient navigation of the data set and also for conveniently processing large data sets. Further, the it also allows supporting automatic zooming, manual zooming as well as combinations of manual and automatic zooming. Thereby, a user may directly control only the turning movement (whether by means of a touch sensitive display, direction buttons or whatever other control unit) and the sliding rotatable view position (thus the zoom level) is adjusted automatically to a suitable level of detail. Still further, the method also allows preventing a user loosing feel for the current level of detail.