Microsoft patents EXTENSIBLE and FILTERED LISTS FOR MOBILE DEVICE USER INTERFACE

Abstract
The subject disclosure pertains to systems and methods for providing an improved user interface for mobile devices. Access to data and services from multiple software applications can be provided through a group or list of items. Each group or list can include multiple items, which can be associated with data or tasks from multiple applications. The set of groups of items can be both customizable and extensible to allow users to locate and utilize data and tasks relevant to the particular user. The set of item groups can provide users with a filtered view of content available through the mobile device, enhancing access to subset of data and tasks available on the mobile device.

Description

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/424,713, filed Jun. 16, 2006, entitled "EXTENSIBLE, FILTERED LISTS FOR MOBILE DEVICE USER INTERFACE", which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 60/718,187 entitled "ENHANCED PORTABLE DEVICE NAVIGATION TOOLS" and filed Sep. 16, 2005, the entirety of these applications are incorporated herein by reference. This application is also related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/424,720, (Atty. Docket No. MS315059.01/MSFTP1352US), entitled, "SEARCH INTERFACE FOR MOBILE DEVICES", filed Jun. 16, 2006; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/424,706, (Atty. Docket No. MS315061.01/MSFTP1354US), entitled, "CONTENT SHARING USER INTERFACE FOR MOBILE DEVICES", filed Jun. 16, 2006; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/424,733, (Atty. Docket No. MS315063.01/MSFTP1355US), entitled, "TILE SPACE USER INTERFACE FOR MOBILE DEVICES", and filed Jun. 16, 2006. The entireties of the above-noted applications are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Mobile or portable devices have become increasingly popular and prevalent in today's society. Many users utilize a mobile device, such as a cell phone, as their primary means of communication and carry such devices with them constantly. Mobile devices can include multiple functions such as cellular phone service, voice over Internet protocol ("VoIP") phone service, software applications, email access, Internet capabilities, calendar functions, music players and the like. Functions, features and capabilities have increased both the utility and complexity of mobile devices. It is likely that functions will continue to be added to mobile devices further increasing both usefulness and intricacy.

[0003] While consumers desire additional functionality, the sheer volume of information and features make it difficult for users to access commonly used data and functions. The complexity also makes it difficult for users to fully exploit the capabilities of such devices. The problem is exacerbated by the generally limited user interfaces of mobile devices. Such devices are designed to be small, lightweight and easily portable. Consequently, mobile devices typically have limited display screens, keypads, keyboards and/or other input devices. Due to the size of the user input devices and display screens, it may be difficult for users to enter, retrieve and view information using mobile devices.

[0004] Users may have difficulty in accessing the information or function they desire due to organization of the volume and variety of information that may be contained in or accessed by the mobile device, as well as the growing number of functions such devices are capable of supporting. Conventional menu structures for mobile devices require users to remember a hierarchy of functions or applications to reach the desired data or task. Information is frequently organized based upon the application software that provides or manages the information. Consequently, users can be required to access information based upon the various software applications rather than based upon user utility. Users can become frustrated when they are unable to locate the desired information or tasks and may be unable to fully exploit the functions and advantages of the mobile device.

SUMMARY

[0005] The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0006] Briefly described, the provided subject matter concerns an improved user interface for mobile devices such as smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and the like. Selected data and services provided by multiple software applications can be accessed through a group or list of items. Each group or list can include multiple items that provide access to data or tasks from multiple applications. For example, a list centered around a user's current day can include items corresponding to meetings scheduled for that day using a calendar application, email received on that day through an email application, and a weather forecast for the day provided by a weather service application.

[0007] A customizable set of lists of items can be defined to allow users to quickly access relevant content such as commonly used data or tasks. Users can add, delete, reorder and/or edit lists or items to personalize and increase usability of the mobile device. For example, in addition to the list based upon a user's day described above, a user can define a list to manage music or audio files and a separate, second list to manage pictures or images. Items in lists can be updated based upon specific user selections. In addition, the items can be dynamically updated based upon changes in the underlying data or services provided by software applications.

[0008] The set of lists can provide users with a filtered view of content and tasks available using the mobile device. While the full extent of underlying software applications remains available through the applications, the set of lists can enhance usability by providing a user with the ability to quickly access the most relevant or commonly used data or tasks. For example, a user may have data for hundreds of contacts or persons stored in the mobile device. However, the user typically communicates with only ten of those contacts on a daily basis. Those ten contacts can be maintained in a list of items. Information for the ten contacts can be accessed directly from the list rather than through the contact application. The full set of contacts can remain accessible through the contact application.

[0009] In addition, a shortcut display can be provided to facilitate navigation of a horizontal list, such as the set of lists. A shortcut display can reorganize elements of the horizontal list as a vertical list, which typically allows additional items to be displayed. Selection of an item or element of the shortcut list triggers a return to the parent, horizontal list. On return, the parent list is updated such that the item selected within the shortcut list has focus in the parent list. The shortcut list allows users to navigate rapidly through the parent list.

[0010] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the claimed subject matter are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of various ways in which the subject matter may be practiced, all of which are intended to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other advantages and novel features may become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.