Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-07
2001-03-13
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2773)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S182000, C345S215000, C345S215000, C345S215000, C345S950000, C701S036000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06201540
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to in-dash automotive accessories having bit-mapped graphical display panels, and to operator interfaces used in such automotive accessories. More particularly, the invention relates to menus of available application programs and to graphical control elements that are available to such application programs from an operating system of an automotive accessory.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Microsoft Corporation has developed specifications and software for an automotive entertainment and computer accessory system that includes a variety of different elements such as a security subsystem, a navigation subsystem, and an entertainment subsystem. These elements are implemented in part by computer programs that execute under the control and supervision of an operating system.
The operating system implements a graphical user interface (GUI) similar to popular desktop operating systems. Such operating systems typically have application programming interfaces (APIs) for use by application programs. Application programs can use the APIs to easily create different types of operator interface controls. For example, the operating system might make available a “list box” control. A list box is used to display a list of choices, such as text, color, icons, or other graphics, from which the user can select one or more items. A variety of other controls are also available as described in Simon, Richard,
Windows
95
Win
32
Programming API Bible, Book
1, Waite Group Press, 1996. This reference is hereby incorporated by reference.
Although such controls have been very effective in the desktop environment, they are difficult to work with in an automotive accessory having a relatively small display size. The invention embodiment described below has a color graphics panel with a resolution of only 256×64 pixels. No more than about four lines of text can be legibly displayed on such a panel. This factor makes it very difficult to work with traditional controls such as list boxes, drop-dowm list boxes, combo boxes, etc.
In addition, there are other factors that must be considered when designing an effective operator interface in the automotive environment. For example, the lighting in an automobile often results in high display contrast and glare, accompanied by generally low light levels that make it difficult to discern small graphical elements, especially on LCD displays. Furthermore, the user of the operator interface is often the driver of the automobile, who should be able to perceive presented information with little more than a quick glance.
With these factors in mind, the inventors have sought to design an interface and associated controls that are more effective in the automobile environment than traditional interfaces and controls.
SUMMARY
The invention is implemented in an automotive accessory having a small display panel visible to the driver or other user of the vehicle. A user or operator interface in accordance with the invention includes a start menu having a horizontal row of application icons that are scrollable in response to user commands. The icons correspond to applications supported by the underlying hardware and software system, including after-market applications that are installed by users. The start menu has a fixed, centered focus position, with the icons being scrolled in either direction past the focus position.
There are several ways for a user to navigate to different icons. A “start” key initiates the start menu. After pressing the “start” key, left and right arrow keys can be used to scroll in either direction. Alternatively, pressing the “start” key repeatedly scrolls through the icons in one direction. If the focus is left on a particular icon for a predetermined duration, the icon and its corresponding application is automatically activated.
The automotive accessory has numeric keys that also serve as shortcut keys. The user can establish a correspondence between any shortcut key and an application icon. Pressing the shortcut key (after pressing the “start” key to initiate the start menu) immediately activates the corresponding icon and its application. Within the scrolled list, any application icons assigned to shortcut keys are displayed in the order of their shortcut keys.
The invention also includes a visual control, implemented by an operating system, for use by application programs, which allows a variety of different input items to be listed in the same control. Such a control includes any specified combination of items of the following types: (a) an edit item having a variable that is editable in response to a user select command; (b) an adjustable item having a variable that is changeable through a series of predefined values in response to user adjustment commands; (c) a selection item that opens a secondary control in response to a user select command; and (d) a combination item having a variable that is changeable through a series of predefined values in response to user adjustment commands, the combination item opening a secondary control in response to a user selection command.
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Gallup Robert
Masters Steven P.
McKenzie Bob
Rabelos Benjamin N.
Vong William
Bautista X. L.
Bayerl Raymond J.
Lee & Hayes PLLC
Microsoft Corporation
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