(19) United States
`(2) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0001898A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jan. 2, 2003
`Bernhardson
`
`US 20030001898A1
`
`(54) GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE DEVICE
`AND METHOD
`(76) Inventor: Marcus Bernhardson, Linkoping (SE)
`Correspondence Address:
`ANTONELLITERRY STOUT AND KRAUS
`SUITE. 1800
`1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
`ARLINGTON, VA 22209
`(21) Appl. No.:
`09/891,330
`(22) Filed:
`Jun. 27, 2001
`Publication Classification
`
`sources on its screen e.g. from digital satellite or cable
`broadcasts or through the Internet, the interface comprising:
`a focus region (16), and horizontally and vertically extend
`ing scroll bars (H, V) which each comprise a plurality of
`scroll bar elements that can be scrolled successively through
`the focus region, the scroll bar elements of the horizontal
`scroll bar signifying groupings of content sources. Elements
`of the horizontal scroll bar are scrolled individually into the
`focus region, and the scroll bar elements of the vertical scroll
`bar signify content sources which are included within a
`grouping thereof associated with the individual element of
`the horizontal scroll bar, so that the scroll bar elements of the
`vertical scroll bar can then be scrolled through the focus
`region to select a content source of the grouping. The scroll
`bar elements of the horizontal scroll bar comprise a three
`(51) Int. Cl." … G06F 3/00
`dimensional depiction of more than one of the content
`(52) U.S. Cl. … 345/786
`source groupings, and an individual one of the groupings
`may be selected from the three dimensional depiction for the
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`focus region. The three dimensional elements are the hori
`zontal scroll bar may comprise rectangular blocks that are
`A digital interactive television set has a graphical user
`interface for displaying content from a plurality of different
`rotatable about a common longitudinal axis.
`
`
`
`Channel 6
`
`t
`
`É
`;
`
`| Father-News
`
`programming content
`
`25
`
`Father
`Business
`
`information text area
`
`Page 1 of 8
`
`SONY EXHIBIT 1013
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 2, 2003 Sheet 1 of 3
`
`US 2003/0001898A1
`
`
`
`User interface
`
`Page 2 of 8
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 2, 2003 Sheet 2 of 3
`
`US 2003/0001898 A1
`
`
`
`g
`
`É
`É (b.
`
`programming content
`
`othef-Fashion? Mothef-Drama re?
`22 assessessssessessee were sº? PTMother. Heath
`| Father-News || Father-Sport º Internet
`Father-
`Drama
`ºf nº
`information text area
`
`Father
`Business
`
`
`
`28
`
`Z
`
`27
`
`Mother-Health
`
`Page 3 of 8
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 2, 2003 Sheet 3 of 3
`
`US 2003/0001898 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Father-
`News
`#"News
`: Channel 3
`
`H3
`
`H5
`
`Father-
`internet
`
`
`
`Father
`Business
`
`^ TRoizonE?sading GreakºT Y
`
`J— — — — — — — — — — — — — .
`
`Father
`Weather
`
`
`
`
`
`H0
`
`
`
`
`
`Mother-
`garden
`
`Mother
`shopping
`; Shopping"
`: Channel 3
`
`; Cartoon”
`i Channel 2
`
`
`
`H0
`
`
`
`
`
`----X
`
`H3
`
`H4
`
`H5
`
`?º ? --- ----X
`
`Y
`
`Page 4 of 8
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`

`

`US 2003/0001898 A1
`
`Jan. 2, 2003
`
`GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE DEVICE AND
`METHOD
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`[0001] This invention relates to providing a graphical user
`interface for selecting content from a plurality of content
`sources and has particular but not exclusive application to an
`interactive multi-channel television set for selecting content
`from a variety of different sources such as digital television
`broadcast channels, pre-recorded content and the Internet.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`[0002] Multiple channel television sets which can receive
`a multiplicity of digital broadcast channels via terrestrial
`broadcasts, satellite or cable are becoming popular. Very
`large numbers of channels can be transmitted by digital
`techniques, and so improved channel management systems
`are needed to enable the viewer to make an informed
`selection without having to surf all of the available channels.
`The television set can also be used to provide Internet access
`so it is desirable to provide a system which can bookmark
`individual web sites and pages that are of interest to the user.
`[0003] Proposals have been made to provide a conven
`tional computer keyboard for connection to a television set
`in order to enable management of the Internet and channel
`access. However, conventional television sets are usually
`provided with a handheld remote control device that com
`municates with the television set through an infrared link.
`The handheld device has limited functionality as compared
`with a conventional keyboard but is more convenient to use
`than the keyboard in most viewing situations.
`[0004] International Published Application WO 00/65429
`discloses a graphical user interface for display on a screen
`such as the monitor of a television set, in which object fields
`corresponding to pre-defined choices of content sources is
`displayed in a vertical column of object fields and a hori
`zontal row of subordinate object fields. The row and the
`column extend along vertical and horizontal side edges of
`the display screen respectively. The row and the column
`intersect in a focus area and are each scrollable i.e. act as
`scroll bars so that the individual object fields can be scrolled
`into the focus area. Each of the object fields in the column
`may define a general group of content sources and thus may
`act as a folder which contains a number of individual
`bookmarks for Internet sites and channels of interest to the
`user. When the individual object field or folder is brought
`into the focus area by scrolling the vertical scroll bar, the
`horizontal scroll bar is populated with bookmarks associated
`with the folder. The user can then scroll the horizontal scroll
`bar to bring the bookmarks into the focus area and then
`select the bookmark in the focus area. The bookmark in the
`focus area may itself contain a number of sub-object fields,
`and if so, these are then displayed in the object fields of the
`vertical scroll bar so that the vertical scroll bar can again be
`scrolled in order to make a selection from them.
`[0005] This configuration has the advantage that the scroll
`bars, which extend vertically and horizontally, can conve
`niently be controlled by the conventional vertical and left
`and right scrolling or arrow keys of the handheld remote
`control device and thus can be operated intuitively by the
`user. However, the arrangement has the disadvantage that
`
`because successive selections of the vertical and horizontal
`scroll bars need to be made, the user can become confused
`by the navigational process.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a graphi
`cal user interface which may be used to select content
`sources which is easier for the user to navigate.
`[0007] Broadly stated, the invention provides a device to
`provide a graphical user interface for selecting content from
`a plurality of sources thereof, the user interface comprising:
`a focus region, and first and second transversely extending
`scroll bars which each comprise a plurality of scroll bar
`elements that can be scrolled successively through the focus
`region, the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar signi
`fying groupings of content sources, such that when elements
`of the first scroll bar are scrolled individually into the focus
`region, the scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar
`signify content sources which are included within a group
`ing thereof associated with the individual element of the first
`scroll bar, whereby the scroll bar elements of the second
`scroll bar can be scrolled through the focus region to select
`a content source of the grouping, at least one of the scroll bar
`elements of the first scroll bar comprising a multiple depic
`tion of more than one of said content source groupings,
`whereby an individual one of the groupings may be selected
`from the multiple depiction for the focus region.
`[0008] The multiple depiction of the content source group
`ings may comprise a three dimensional depiction such that
`the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar include facets
`that signify the individual groupings of the content sources.
`The facets may be associated with respective different users
`such as different family members
`[0009] The scroll bar elements may be polygonal and
`rotatable about a common axis extending longitudinally of
`the first scroll bar and the elements may be rotatable in
`unison about the axis.
`[0010] A controller, such as a wireless remote controller
`may be provided to enable a user to scroll the scroll bars
`individually through the focus region. The invention has
`particular application to digital television sets and set top
`boxes.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0011] Further objects and advantages of the invention
`will be better understood from the following detailed
`description given in conjunction with the accompanying
`drawings, in which
`[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a television set
`and an associated infrared remote controller;
`[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the
`circuitry of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1;
`[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an display of
`the graphical user interface provided on the television set,
`showing vertical and horizontal scroll bars;
`[0015] FIGS. 4A-C illustrate successive steps in the opera
`tion of the horizontal scroll bar shown in FIG. 3; and
`[0016] FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate alternative configura
`tions for the scroll bar elements.
`
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`

`US 2003/0001898 A1
`
`Jan. 2, 2003
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a home entertainment device
`1 includes a television display monitor 2, control unit 3 and
`a handheld remote controller 4 coupled through a wireless
`link e.g. infrared, to the control unit 3.
`[0018] The TV monitor 2 is configured to display content
`from a plurality of a different sources such as satellite
`transmissions, cable transmissions and materials received
`through the Internet as well as locally stored content. Thus,
`the TV monitor 2 may comprise a conventional television set
`and the control unit 3 may comprise a set top box providing
`suitable signals to the television set 2. Alternatively, the TV
`monitor 2 may be solely a monitor and the control unit 3
`provides data for direct display on the monitor. As another
`alternative, the units 2, 3 may comprise a personal computer.
`In the following example, the TV monitor 2 comprises a
`conventional television set with a display screen 5 and the
`control unit 3 comprises a set top box configured to receive
`multi-channel digital broadcast transmissions via satellite
`and cable, and also is provided with an Internet connection.
`[0019] The major circuit components of the set top box are
`shown in more detail in FIG. 2. The set top box 3 shown
`within dotted outline receives digital satellite multi-channel
`transmissions from a satellite source 6 shown schematically.
`Similarly, cable digital transmissions are received from
`source 7. The set top box 3 also has an Internet connection
`8.
`[0020] The set top box 3 may also include a device for
`retrieving digital data from a pre-recorded source, such as a
`DVD or hard disc shown schematically as data store 9.
`[0021] Programming content data from the sources 6, 7, 8
`and 9 is fed to content data control circuitry 10 which
`appropriately passes or otherwise prepares the data from the
`individual source for display on the screen 5 of the TV
`monitor 2. Selection of the programming content data to be
`displayed is made by means of the infrared controller 4,
`which controls operation of a program controlled processor
`11. The controlling program provides the graphics user
`interface. The program may be stored in ROM in the
`processor 11 or in the data store 14.
`[0022] The data selected by the processor 11 is fed to drive
`circuitry 12 to render the data in an appropriate form for
`display by the TV display 5. As well known in the art, the
`data also includes audio data which is fed to a loudspeaker
`shown schematically by loudspeaker 13. It will be under
`stood that the circuitry includes appropriate D to A convert
`ers although these are not shown in order to simplify the
`description. The loudspeaker 13 may comprise a conven
`tional loudspeaker in the TV monitor rather than in the set
`top box 3 as shown.
`[0023] In accordance with the invention, the set top box 3
`is configured to provide a graphical user interface on the
`display screen 5 to enable the user to select the content
`source to be displayed. Data for the graphical user interface
`is held in a data store 14 and is supplied to the processor 11
`by graphics display circuitry 15, so as to be included in the
`display on screen 5.
`[0024] An example of the graphical user interface is
`shown in FIG. 3. The interface comprises a vertically
`extending scroll bar V which extends generally vertically
`
`adjacent to the left hand side edge of screen 5, together with
`a horizontally extending scroll bar H that extends generally
`horizontally adjacent to the lowermost horizontal edge of
`screen 5. The scroll bars intersect in a focus region 16 in the
`lower left hand corner of the display 5.
`[0025] Each of the scroll bars V, H comprise a series of
`scroll bar elements Vo-VM and Ho-Hs. Considering the
`vertical scroll bar V, the scroll bar elements Vo-VM com
`prise individual object fields in which information concern
`ing sources of program content can be displayed. In this
`example, the vertical scroll bar elements comprise essen
`tially two-dimensional rectangular displays. The scroll bar
`elements V can be scrolled vertically through the focus
`region 16 by the use of “up” and “down” scroll buttons 17
`and 18, so as to achieve scrolling in the direction of arrow
`19 shown in FIG. 3. The scroll bar elements Ho-Hs
`comprise depictions of three dimensional elements which
`include more than one object field. In the example of FIG.
`3, the horizontal elements comprise polygonal elements, in
`the form of a three dimensional rectangular block for which
`the individual faces or facets comprise individual object
`fields. The horizontal scroll bar H can be scrolled left and
`right in horizontal scrolling direction 20 under the control of
`“left” and “right” scrolling buttons 21, 22 on the remote
`controller 4 shown in FIG. 1. Thus, the horizontal scroll bar
`can be scrolled so as to move the individual scroll bar
`elements into the focus region 16. The user interface is so
`arranged that when an individual horizontal scroll bar ele
`ment is moved into the focus region 16, the object fields for
`the vertically extending scroll bar elements V are populated
`with a group of objects which signify individual content
`sources i.e. to provide details concerning content sources
`that fall within a group associated with the individual
`horizontal scroll bar element displayed in the focus region
`16. The population of the individual vertical scroll bar
`elements with the content source information is initiated by
`depressing a select button 23 on the remote controller 4
`shown in FIG. 1. As will be explained in more detail
`hereinafter, the horizontal scroll bar elements can be per
`sonalised for individual users of the home entertainment
`device. For example in a family, the scroll bar can be
`configured for use by father, mother, son and daughter. In the
`example of FIG. 3, the horizontal scroll bar has been
`configured for use by the father and a horizontal scroll bar
`element H1 concerning “news” has been horizontally
`scrolled into the focus region 16. Then, by depressing the
`select button 23 on the remote controller, the vertical scroll
`bar elements are populated with details concerning content
`sources that the father has selected to form a group associ
`ated with “news” for the horizontal scroll bar element H1.
`Having selected the scroll bar element H, for “news” in the
`focus region 16, the user can then operate the vertical
`scrolling keys 17, 18 on the controller 4 to scroll the vertical
`scroll bar V so as to move one of the vertical scroll bar
`elements V into the focus region 16. As shown in FIG. 3, the
`vertical scroll bar elements may individually signify differ
`ent sources of news programming content e.g. broadcast
`news channel 1 (V2) which may be conventional broadcast
`channel, cable news channel 2 (V3), received through the
`cable programming source 7 (FIG. 2), an Internet news site
`(Va) accessible through the Internet source 8 and a satellite
`news channel (Vs) for which content is received from the
`source 6 shown in FIG. 2. When the desired vertical scroll
`bar element has been scrolled into the focus region 16, the
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`US 2003/0001898 A1
`
`Jan. 2, 2003
`
`select button 23 of the controller 4 is operated, which results
`in the programming source being selected and displayed on
`the display 5. Textual information concerning the selected
`programming source is displayed optionally in a text area 24
`on the display. The programming content itself for the
`selected source is initially displayed in region 25. Thereafter,
`the graphical user interface can be switched off and the
`programming content displayed over the entire area of the
`screen 5. This may be at the control of the user or after a
`predetermined time following operation of the select button
`23. Also, the programming content when displayed in region
`25 may be used to provide a preview of the content of
`individual programming sources. Thus, by scrolling the
`vertical scroll bar, individual scroll bar elements can be
`moved into the focus region 16 and their corresponding
`content displayed as a preview.
`[0026] In accordance with the invention, the horizontal
`scroll bar elements H comprise three-dimensional depictions
`of more than one content source grouping. Thus, in the
`example of FIG. 3, the horizontal bar elements each provide
`content source groupings for individual family members—
`father, mother, son, daughter. The groupings for individual
`family members can be selected by rotating the horizontal
`scroll bar about its longitudinal axis as shown in FIG. 4.
`FIG. 4A illustrates the configuration of scroll elements
`shown in FIG. 3, with father’s content source groupings
`facing forwardly; hence father’s groupings are active. In
`order to activate the groupings for other family members, the
`scroll bar is rotated about longitudinal axis X-X' in the
`direction of arrow Y. This may be achieved by operating the
`controller 4. For example, a “rotate” button 26 may be
`depressed, which causes the horizontal scroll bar to rotate
`through 90° into the configuration shown in FIG. 4B, with
`mother’s groupings facing forward and hence active. Con
`sidering the scroll bar element H1 that is located in the focus
`region 16, the grouping “mother shopping” is brought into
`the active focus region by the rotation of the horizontal scroll
`bar. Then, if the select button 23 is depressed, the vertical
`scroll bar is populated with programming sources concern
`ing shopping, as shown in FIG. 4b. Furthermore, the hori
`zontal scroll bar can then be scrolled to bring other hori
`zontal scroll bar elements into the focus region 16 e.g.
`element Hs, in which case the vertical scroll bar element can
`be populated with programming source information con
`cerning “fashion”. Thereafter, an individual programming
`source can be selected by scrolling the vertical scroll bar as
`previously described.
`[0027] Content groupings for the other family members
`can be selected by further rotating the horizontal scroll bar
`H. As shown in FIG. 4C, thr groupings for “son” are
`rendered active. It will be understood that a further rotation
`of the scroll bar will select the groupings for “daughter”.
`[0028] The naming of the facets for the individual hori
`zontal scroll bar elements can be carried out using keys of
`the remote controller 4 and the user may use the remote
`controller to select the groups of programming content
`sources, and the sources to be included in the groups during
`an initial setting up operation. Thus, the users: father, mother
`etc can select their groupings and sources to be included in
`the groupings.
`[0029] Many modifications and variations of the graphical
`user interface fall within the scope of the invention. For
`example, the horizontal scroll bar elements H may be
`rotatable individually rather than in unison. The program
`may produce drive signals to speaker 13 to provide a
`
`distinctive sound each time the horizontal scroll bar is
`rotated. Furthermore, the scroll bar elements of the vertical
`scroll bar may comprise sub-groupings of program source
`information contained in the corresponding horizontal scroll
`bar element, rather than data concerning a single program
`ming source. Thus, the individual vertical scroll bar ele
`ments may comprise three dimensional depictions of a
`plurality of program sources, in the manner of the horizontal
`scroll bar elements, which are individually rotatable to select
`an individual program source to be scrolled vertically into
`the focus region 16.
`[0030] Alternative forms of scroll bar element are shown
`in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative form
`of the horizontal scroll bar element H2 shown in FIG. 3. As
`previously explained, four rectangular facets of the three
`dimensional rectangular block shown in FIG. 3 signify
`individual program source groupings. In the modification of
`FIG. 5, the four facets are configured as a three dimensional
`stack of files 27-30 which contain the four individual
`groupings associated with block H2 i.e. father—sport,
`mother—health, son—games and daughter—children’s TV.
`Operation of the rotate button 26 on controller 4 causes the
`facets to be shuffled so that the first, active file is taken to the
`back of the stack. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, the file 27 is
`currently active and on operation of the button 26, is moved
`in the direction of arrow Z to the back of the stack, so as to
`reveal file 28—mother—health. Further operations of the
`rotate button 26 offer the other files in the stack for selection.
`[0031] In the modification of FIG. 6, the three dimen
`sional rectangular block H2 is depicted in a more schematic
`form, with only two of the facets being shown, so as to
`display to the user the active face 27 together with the next
`available face 28 available for selection. Operation of the
`rotate button 26 causes facet 28 to move into the position of
`facet 27, which itself moves out of view. Facet 28 then
`becomes replaced by facet 29. In FIG. 6, the facets 27, 28
`are shown as if they were part of a rectangular block but the
`angular disposition need not be at right angles; a non
`rectangular configuration could be used if desired.
`[0032] Another modification is shown in FIG. 7 in which
`the individual scroll bar elements are configured to rotate
`about a vertical axis rather than the horizontal axis X-X
`shown in FIG. 4. Thus, successive operations of the rotate
`button 26 of the controller 4 causes the block to rotate about
`the vertical axis in the direction of arrow Z to select the
`facets as previously described.
`[0033] It will be understood that any of the modifications
`of FIGS. 5 to 7 could be applied to the vertical scroll bar
`elements. Furthermore, other scroll bar element configura
`tions can be used, for example non-rectangular polygonal
`elements. Whilst the invention has been described in relation
`to a home entertainment device, it will be understood that
`the graphical user interface can be used in other situations,
`for example in connection with a home computer, gaming
`devices and vending machines. Thus, it will be evident that
`the content sources need not necessarily be remote broadcast
`sources and the content need not necessarily be programmed
`content data.
`
`I claim
`1. A device to provide a graphical user interface for
`selecting content from a plurality of sources thereof, the user
`interface comprising: a focus region, and first and second
`transversely extending scroll bars which each comprise a
`plurality of scroll bar elements that can be scrolled succes
`sively through the focus region, the scroll bar elements of
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`US 2003/0001898 A1
`
`Jan. 2, 2003
`
`the first scroll bar signifying groupings of content sources,
`such that when elements of the first scroll bar are scrolled
`individually into the focus region, the scroll bar elements of
`the second scroll bar signify content sources which are
`included within a grouping thereof associated with the
`individual element of the first scroll bar, whereby the scroll
`bar elements of the second scroll bar can be scrolled through
`the focus region to select a content source of the grouping,
`at least one of the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar
`comprising a multiple depiction of more than one of said
`content source groupings, whereby an individual one of the
`groupings may be selected from the multiple depiction for
`the focus region.
`2. The device of claim 1 wherein the multiple depiction of
`said more than one content source groupings comprises a
`three dimensional depiction thereof.
`3. The device of claim 1 wherein the scroll bar elements
`of the first scroll bar include facets that signify individual
`groupings of the content sources.
`4. The device of claim 1 wherein the elements are
`polygonal and are rotatable about a common axis extending
`longitudinally of the first scroll bar.
`5. The device of claim 4 wherein the elements are
`rotatable in unison about said axis.
`6. The device of claim 3 wherein the elements each
`include a facets associated with respective different users.
`7. The device of claim 1 further including a controller
`operable by a user to scroll the scroll bars individually
`through the focus region
`8. The device of claim 7 wherein the controller includes
`a selector device to select a content source corresponding to
`an individual scroll bar element when scrolled into the focus
`region.
`9. An interactive display device for displaying content
`from a plurality of different sources thereof on a display
`screen, comprising:
`circuitry to be coupled to the display screen for providing
`thereon a graphical user interface device for selecting
`content from the sources thereof, the user interface
`comprising: a focus region, and first and second trans
`versely extending scroll bars which each comprise a
`plurality of scroll bar elements that can be scrolled
`successively through the focus region, the scroll bar
`elements of the first scroll bar signifying groupings of
`content sources, such that when elements of the first
`scroll bar are scrolled individually into the focus
`region, the scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar
`signify content sources which are included within a
`grouping thereof associated with the individual element
`of the first scroll bar, whereby the scroll bar elements
`of the second scroll bar can be scrolled through the
`focus region to select a content source of the grouping,
`at least one of the scroll bar elements of the first scroll
`bar comprising a multiple depiction of more than one of
`said content source groupings, whereby an individual
`one of the groupings may be selected from the multiple
`depiction for the focus region, and
`a controller operable by a user to control operation of said
`circuitry such that the scroll bars of the graphical user
`interface are scrolled individually through the focus
`region so that the user can select a content source to be
`displayed on the display screen.
`10. The device of claim 9 further including the display
`device.
`
`11. The device according to claim 9 comprising a control
`unit for a multi-channel television set.
`12. The device according to claim 11 and comprising a set
`top box.
`13. The device of claim 9 configured to receive program
`ming data selected from a group consisting of satellite
`transmissions, cable transmissions, the Internet and pre
`recorded digital data.
`14. The device of claim 9 wherein the controller com
`prises a handheld device connected to the circuitry by a
`wireless link.
`15. The device of claim 9 wherein the multiple depiction
`of said more than one content source groupings comprises a
`three dimensional depiction thereof
`16. A data carrier provided with a program to be run by
`a processor to provide a graphical user interface for selecting
`content from a plurality of sources thereof, the user interface
`comprising: a focus region, and first and second transversely
`extending scroll bars which each comprise a plurality of
`scroll bar elements that can be scrolled successively through
`the focus region, the scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar
`signifying groupings of content sources, such that when
`elements of the first scroll bar are scrolled individually into
`the focus region, the scroll bar elements of the second scroll
`bar signify content sources which are included within a
`grouping thereof associated with the individual element of
`the first scroll bar, whereby the scroll bar elements of the
`second scroll bar can be scrolled through the focus region to
`select a content source of the grouping, at least one of the
`scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar comprising a
`multiple depiction of more than one of said content source
`groupings, whereby an individual one of the groupings may
`be selected from the multiple depiction for the focus region.
`17. A method of operating a graphical user interface to
`select content from a plurality of sources thereof, the user
`interface comprising: a focus region, and first and second
`transversely extending scroll bars which each comprise a
`plurality of scroll bar elements that can be scrolled succes
`sively through the focus region, the scroll bar elements of
`the first scroll bar signifying groupings of content sources,
`such that when elements of the first scroll bar are scrolled
`individually into the focus region, the scroll bar elements of
`the second scroll bar signify content sources which are
`included within a grouping thereof associated with the
`individual element of the first scroll bar, at least one of the
`scroll bar elements of the first scroll bar comprising a
`multiple depiction of more than one of said content source
`groupings, the method comprising:
`selecting an individual one of the groupings from the
`multiple depiction for the focus region,
`moving the selected grouping into the focus region,
`displaying sources associated with the grouping in the
`scroll bar elements of the second scroll bar, and
`scrolling the second scroll bar through the focus region
`whereby to select a source therefrom.
`18. The method of claim 16 wherein the selecting of the
`groupings from the multiple depiction includes rotating the
`elements of the first scroll bar.
`19. The method of claim 16 wherein the selecting of the
`groupings from the multiple depiction includes shuffling
`facets which signify the groupings.
`
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