WO2005078565A1

WO2005078565A1 - Control device and method for navigating in a web page

Info

Publication number: WO2005078565A1
Application number: PCT/SE2005/000165
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anders Olsson
Original assignee: Obigo Ab
Priority date: 2004-02-11
Filing date: 2005-02-10
Publication date: 2005-08-25
Also published as: SE0400310D0; SE528287C2; SE0400310L

Abstract

A control device and method for navigation on a web page, shown on a communication terminal display (4), by means of a web browser, wherein the control device is controllable with at least first controlling frequencies and second controlling frequencies, and the control device at the first controlling frequencies is arranged to accomplish, by means of the web browser, a first navigation method on a web page shown on said display (4) and at the second controlling frequencies is arranged to accomplish, by means of the web browser, a second navigation method on the web page shown on said display (4).

Description

CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR NAVIGATION ON A WEB PAGE

Technical Field The present invention relates to a control device and a method for navigation on a web page, shown at a communication terminal display, by means of a web brow- ser, wherein the control device is controllable with at least first controlling frequencies and second controlling frequencies.

Background of the invention Today there are mobile phones equipped with a touch screen and without a traditional key pad. When a user is browsing the Internet using such mobile phones, a hyperlink is opened by gently hitting the touch screen with a pointer device and a web page is scrolled by using ano- ther control device, e.g. a scroll wheel. The drawback is that the user thereby has to use both hands when browsing web pages - one hand for holding the pointer device and one hand for holding the mobile phone. Today there are two navigation methods for web pages for mobile phones. Mobile phones with a small display, which is not a touch screen, use a web browser, that navigates a web page by jumping from one hyperlink to the next hyperlink. Today there are further developed mobile phones with a large display that is capable of showing large web pages. These mobile phones are equipped with a web browser that allows for scrolling upwards and downwards on a web page in the same way as it is done on a computer terminal using traditional web browsers. The latter mobile phones are equipped with touch screens and the drawback is thus that they require both hands during navigation on a web page as mentioned above. WO, 01/27734 describes a portable electronic arrangement, which is arranged to scroll through objects presented to a user, wherein the input arrangement pro- vides at least two scrolling speeds. A first scrolling speed is chosen when the input arrangement is placed in a first position and a second scrolling speed is chosen when the input arrangement is placed in the first posi- tion and is pressed into the portable electronic arrangement. Preferably, the input arrangement is a joystick. US, 2003/0098885, Al describes a scroll control arrangement for controlling the scrolling on a display and a method for using the scroll control arrangement, wherein the scroll control arrangement comprises a scroll button for initialization of scrolling and a control device for performing control in such a way that, when the scroll button has been depressed continuously for a certain time, an automatic scroll mode is activated, and when the scroll button has been depressed further the scrolling speed is increased additionally. US, 6 509 907, Bl describes a communication terminal comprising a display that displays text messages, a control arrangement that scrolls a text message with two scrolling speeds and a input arrangement that, depending on the intensity of the user' s grip around the communication terminal, gives a signal to the control arrangement regarding which scrolling speed that shall be chosen. US, 5 736 703, A describes a control device of a mobile communication arrangement or similar where the control device accomplishes step or speed scrolling for arrangement functions in order to make choice of function using one hand easier. US, 2003/0236109, Al describes a mobile phone with a pointer arrangement which includes a pointer control button with a displacement area within a given plane, wherein the pointer control button may be depressed and displaced within a displacement area by controlling with one finger and the pointer function of the pointer arrangement is accomplished by displacement and/or depression of the pointer control button. It is desirable to be able to browse web pages shown on a display of a mobile phone with one hand only and to be able to combine the two navigation methods mentioned above and to alternate between these. There is thus a need for combining the two mentioned navigation methods, i.e. jumping from one hyperlink to the next hyperlink and a scrolling upwards or downwards on a web page, so that it is possible to alternate between these in a user- friendly way and that this can be accomplished with only one hand and even with a single control device.

Object of the invention The object of the present invention is thus to provide a control device and a method that accomplishes a navigation on a web page during which navigation it is possible to alternate between two or more navigation methods, and that the controlling action that executes said navigation can be performed with only one hand and even with a single control device.

Summary of the Invention The above mentioned object of the present invention is achieved by providing a control device of the kind disclosed in the introducing part of claim 1, where the control device at the first controlling frequencies is arranged to accomplish, by means of the web browser, a first navigation method on a web page, shown on said display, and at the second controlling frequencies is arranged to accomplish, by means of the web browser, a second navigation method on the web page, shown on said display. According to an advantageous embodiment of the control device according to the present invention, the control device is arranged to accomplish, as the first navigation method, a jumping from one hyperlink to the next hyperlink, and accomplish, as the second navigation method, a scrolling upwards or downwards on the web page. According to a further advantageous embodiment of the control device according to the present invention, the first controlling frequencies are lower than the second controlling frequencies, and the control device is arranged to accomplish the second navigation method when the time difference between two consecutive controlling actions of the controlling device is shorter than a certain value, e.g. 0.06 seconds. According to another advantageous embodiment of the control device according to the present invention, the control device in a certain control method is arranged to accomplish by means of the web browser a third navigation method on a web page shown on said display. Advantageously, the control device is arranged to accomplish as the third navigation method an opening of a marked hyperlink. This third navigation method may also be associated with a second control device, separate from the above mentioned control device and placed at a to the user user- friendly position, wherein this second control device at a specific controlling action, for example a depression if the second control device is a pushing button, is arranged to accomplish the third navigation method by means of the web browser. According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the control device according to the present invention, the control device comprises a scroll wheel, a ball device, a joystick, or comprises a first pressing area for hyperlink jumping and scrolling upwards on a web page and a second pressing area for hyperlink jumping and scrolling downwards on a web page. Said pressing areas may be placed on a control device at the side of e.g. the mobile phone or at a plate-shaped control device at the mobile phone front. In the definition of a pressing area also pushing buttons are included. As regards the scroll wheel and the ball device, the controlling frequency means e.g. the number of revolutions per time unit or angular speed, and a controlling action can e.g. be constituted by a specific angle of rotation. As regards pressing areas, the controlling frequency is e.g. the number of depressions per time unit, and a controlling action of the same is a depression. For the joystick, controlling frequency means e.g. the number of displacements per time unit in a specific direction. When a pressing area is kept depressed continuously for a period of time, or a joystick is displaced to an end position and is kept in the end position for a period of time, this is to be regarded as a high controlling frequency, perhaps even the highest. As shown in a preferred embodiment below, the time between depression and subsequent release of the pressing area may determine for how long such a high controlling frequency exists. The scroll wheel, the ball device and the joystick may also be controllable laterally in relation to their control actions directed upwards and downwards. The directions upwards and downwards are related to the displaying of a web page on a display and the orientation of the information shown on the web page. In an advantageous embodiment of the control device according to the present invention, the control device is arranged to be installed in a mobile communication terminal or a computer terminal. The present invention also provides a mobile communication terminal comprising a display arranged to show web pages by means of a web browser, where the mobile communication terminal comprises a control device according to any of the claims 1 to 10. The above mentioned objects of the present invention are also accomplished by providing a method of the kind mentioned in the introducing part of claim 13, where a first navigation method on a web page is accomplished by said control device being controlled with the first con- trolling frequencies, and a second navigation method on the web page is accomplished by said control device being controlled with the second controlling frequencies. According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the first navigation method is a jumping from one hyperlink to the next hyperlink, and the second navigation method is a scrolling upwards or downwards on the web page. According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the first controlling frequencies are lower than the second controlling frequencies, the time difference between two consecutive controlling actions of the controlling device is measured, and the second navigation method is accomplished when two consecutive controlling actions of the controlling device are performed with a measured time difference being shorter than a specific value. The present invention also provides a method for navigation on a web page, shown on a mobile communication terminal display, by means of a web browser, wherein the method comprises the special measures according to any of the claims 13 to 15.

Brief Description of the drawings The present invention will now be described, for exemplary purposes, in more detail by way of embodiments and with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which: Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of the control device according to the present invention in the form of a scroll wheel arranged at a mobile phone, Fig. 2 schematically shows an embodiment of the control device according to the present invention in the form of a ball device arranged at a mobile phone, Fig. 3 schematically shows an embodiment of the control device according to the present invention in the form of a pressing button with a first pressing area and a second pressing area arranged at a mobile phone, Fig. 4 shows a schematic block diagram for an embodiment of the method according to the present invention, Fig. 5 shows a block diagram for a second embodiment of the method according to the present invention, and Fig. 6 shows a block diagram for a third embodiment of the method according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows a scroll wheel 1 according to the present invention arranged at one side 2 of a mobile phone 3. The mobile phone 3 comprises a display 4 which dis- plays web pages using a web browser. The scroll wheel 1 is controllable in the upwards direction 5 and in the downwards direction 6 with low controlling frequencies and high controlling frequencies. When the scroll wheel 1 is rolled with a low controlling frequency or speed. in the upwards direction 5 the web browser jumps from one hyperlink to the next hyperlink on the web page that is shown on the display 4 of the mobile phone 3 in the upwards direction 5. If the controlling frequency with which the scroll wheel 1 is rolled is increased so that the time difference between two consecutive controlling actions of the scroll wheel 1 is shorter than 0,06 seconds, the web page is scrolled by the web browser in the upwards direction 5. If the scroll wheel 1 is pressed in the direction towards the longitudinal center line of the mobile phone, a marked hyperlink on the displayed web page is opened. The corresponding is performed for a controlling of the scroll wheel 1 in the downward direction 6, except from that the navigation then is performed in the downward direction 6 on the web page. Fig. 2 shows a ball device 7 according to the present invention arranged at one side 22 of a mobile phone 23. The ball device 7 has the same effect and function as the scroll wheel in fig. 1 but may also be controlled in directions 8, 9 lateral relative to the upwards 25 and downwards 26 directions. Fig. 3 shows a pressing device 10 with a first pressing area 11 for hyperlink jumping and scrolling in the upwards direction 35 on a web page and a second pressing area 12 for hyperlink jumping and scrolling in the downwards direction 36 on a web page. When the pressing area 11 is depressed with a low depression frequency the web browser jumps from one hyperlink to next the hyperlink in the upwards direction 35 on the web page that is shown on the display 34 of the mobile phone 33. If the depression frequency, with which the pressing area 11 is depressed, is increased so that the time difference between two consecutive depressions of the pressing area 11 is shorter than a certain value, the web page is scrolled by the web browser in the upwards direction 35. The corresponding is performed for the other pressing area 12 of the pressing device, with the exception that the navigation then is performed in the downward direction 36 on the web page. All mentioned control devices may also be installed at a computer terminal. Fig. 4 shows a schematic block diagram for the method according to the present invention applied on a communication terminal with a scroll wheel and a display upon which web pages are shown by means of a web browser. In position 13 the method is initialized when the user starts to control the scroll wheel. Immediately after this position, the method transits to position 14 where a navigation method in the form of a jumping from one hyperlink to the next hyperlink upwards or downwards is accomplished. Also, at position 14 the time t between two consecutive controlling actions of the scroll wheel is measured. If the time t is less than 0,06 seconds, the method transits to position 15 where a navigation method in the form of a scrolling upwards or downwards on the web page is accomplished. If the time t is equal to or exceeds 0,06 seconds, the method remains in position 14. Also in position 15 the time t between two consecutive controlling actions of the scroll wheel is measured. If the time t is less than 0,06 seconds the method remains in position 15 but if the time t is equal to or exceeds 0,06 seconds the method transits to position 14. Fig. 5 shows a block diagram for a second embodiment of the method according to the present invention applied on a communication terminal with a scroll wheel and a display upon which web pages are shown by means of a web browser. In position 40 the method is initialized when the user starts the web browser or opens a new document in an already started web browser. Thereafter a variable for storing the point of time of the preceding controlling action is initialized 42 to a value that corresponds to that no such point of time exists, for example a large negative value. Next, the method waits 44 for a controlling action. When a controlling action has occurred the point of time for this is stored 46 as the latest point of time, whereafter the difference between the last and the previous controlling action is calculated 48. The method chooses 50, depending on the size of the difference, to handle the controlling action in up to three different ways. When the difference is between short and moderately long, the action of jumping one hyperlink 52 in the direction corresponding to the controlling action is chosen. When the difference is shorter than that, the action of scrolling 54 one step in the direction corre- sponding to the controlling action is chosen. When the difference is larger than moderately large the action of waiting 56 until a new controlling action occurs, but no longer than a short time, is chosen. After that waiting the method chooses 58 to, if no new controlling action occurred while the method waited, to jump one hyperlink 52. Else, the method chooses to store 60 the point of time of the latest controlling and scroll 54 one step. Regardless of how long the difference in step 50 turned out to be, the method will then copy 62 the latest point of time to the variable for the preceding and then wait 44 for the next controlling action. This second embodiment of the method will, due to the steps 56, 58 and 60, have the feature of, when quite a long time has passed since the latest controlling action, being able to distinguish whether the user has the intention of scrolling or only jumping one hyperlink with the new controlling action. If such an ability to distinguish is not necessary, this second embodiment may be simplified by letting all differences that are larger than short be handled by 52. Since it may be difficult and tiring for a user to depress a pressing area in a rhythm that is fast enough to produce frequencies that are high enough for scroll- ling, a third alternative embodiment may be used. Fig. 6 shows a block diagram for a third embodiment of the method according to the present invention applied on a communication terminal with a number of pressing surfaces and a display upon which web pages are shown by means of a web browser. In position 70 the method is initialized when the user starts the web browser or opens a new docu- ment in an already started web browser. Then a variable for storing whether the latest depression has been interpreted as a request for scroll or not is initialized 72. Next, the method waits 74 for a depression of a pressing area. When a depression has occurred, the method transits to waiting 76 until a ceasing of depression occurs, but no longer than a small time. Such a small time is long enough so that a user that wants to jump a hyperlink will have the time for ceasing to depress the pressing area, but not much longer in order to avoid a slow behavior of the method. After this waiting the method chooses 78 to, if a ceasing of depression occurred during the wait, to consider 80 a jump of a hyperlink. Provided that the latest depression was not interpreted 80 as a request for scroll, the method will jump 82 one hyperlink. The method returns, after resetting 72 the variable, to waiting 74 for a new depression. If no ceasing of depression occurred during the wait, the method will interpret that as maximum frequency, scroll 84 one step and store 86 this interpretation. Then the method again waits 76 at most a small time for the pressing area to cease to be depressed. This third embodiment of the method will, due to the steps 72, 80 and 86, have the feature of being able to distinguish whether the user had the intention of finishing a scrolling or only jumping one hyperlink with the ceasing of the depression. If such an ability to distinguish is not necessary, this third embodiment may be simplified by letting all ceases of depression be followed by a jumping 82 of a hyperlink. The invention is not restricted to the described embodiments. It may be varied within the scope of the appended claims. For example, it is possible to, instead of navigating with a web browser on a website, use the invention in connection with navigation in some other kind of docu- ment or in some user interface, wherein the first navigation method may be an element-wise or row-wise stepping and the second navigation method may be scrolling. A digital joystick, i.e. a joystick which in addition to its central position only has a quantified number of distinguishable directions from the central position, may function as pressing surfaces for all its distinguishable directions. Using for example a two-dimensional joystick, four geometrically appropriately arranged pressing surfaces or a ball device, it may be possible for a user to more or less simultaneously perform controlling actions in two dimensions like upwards-downwards and left-right, respectively. It is quite possible to perform simultaneous independent scrolling in two such dimensions. It is pos- sible to perform two simultaneously or almost simultaneously requested jumps of hyperlinks in sequence. Therefore it is quite possible to perform two, basically inde- pendent, simultaneous navigation methods - one for upwards/downwards and one for left/right with a predictable behavior.

Claims

1. Control device for navigation on a web page, shown on a communication terminal display, by means of a web browser, wherein the control device is controllable with at least first controlling frequencies and second controlling frequencies, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the control device at the first controlling frequencies is arranged to, by means of the web browser, accomplish a first navigation method on a web page, shown on said display, and at the second controlling frequencies is arranged to, by means of the web browser, accomplish a second navigation method on the web page, shown on said display.

2. Control device according to claim 1, c h a r - a c t e r i z e d in that the control device is arranged to, as the first navigation method, accomplish a jumping from one hyperlink to the next hyperlink, and, as the second navigation method, accomplish a scrolling upwards or downwards on the web page.

3. Control device according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the first controlling frequencies are lower than the second controlling frequencies, and that the control device is arranged to accomplish the second navigation method when the time difference between two consecutive controlling actions of the controlling device is shorter than a certain value.

4. Control device according to any of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the control device in a certain control method is arranged to, by means of the web browser, accomplish a third navigation method on a web page, shown on said display.

5. Control device according to claim 4, c h a r- a c t e r i z e d in that the control device is arranged to, as the third navigation method, accomplish an opening of a marked hyperlink.

6. Control device according to any of claims 1 to 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the control device comprises a scroll wheel.

7. Control device according to any of claims 1 to 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the control device comprises a ball device.

8. Control device according to any of claims 1 to 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the control device comprises a joystick.

9. Control device according to any of claims 1 to 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the control device comprises a first pressing area for hyperlink jumping and scrolling upwards on a web page, and a second pressing area for hyperlink jumping and scrolling downwards on a web page.

10. Control device according to any of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the control device is arranged to be installed in a mobile communication terminal.

11. Control device according to any of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the control device is arranged to be installed in a computer terminal.

12. Mobile communication terminal comprising a display, arranged to show web pages by means of a web browser, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the mobile communication terminal comprises a control device according to any of the claims 1 to 10.

13. Method for navigation on a web page, shown on a communication terminal display, by means of a web browser, wherein the communication terminal comprises a control device controllable with at least first controlling frequencies and second controlling frequencies, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a first navigation method on a web page is accomplished by said control device being controlled with the first controlling frequencies, and that a second navigation method on the web page is accomplished by said control device being controlled with the second controlling frequencies.

14. Method according to claim 13, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the first navigation method is a jumping from one hyperlink to the next hyperlink and that the second navigation method is a scrolling upwards or downwards on the web page.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, c h a r - a c t e r i z e d in that the first controlling fre- quencies are lower than the second controlling frequencies, that the time difference between, two consecutive controlling actions of the controlling device is measured, and that the second navigation method is accomplished when two consecutive controlling actions of the controlling device are performed with a measured time difference being shorter than a certain value.

16. Method for navigation on a web page, shown on a mobile communication terminal display, by means of a web browser, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the method comprises the special measures according to any of the claims 13 to 15.