CN101246409A - Graded in-place menu with navigation menu - Google Patents

Abstract

Hierarchical situ menus with navigation menus use navigation menus to preserve the prior chosen menu items, when suitable menu items are selected from father menu, the sub-menu is indicated to displace the father menu and the father menu items are preserved in the navigation menus, when suitable menu items are selected from the navigation menus, the father menu is indicated to displace the sub-menu and the father menu items are deleted from the navigation menus. The father menu items selected from the father menu indicates as the linkage returning to the prior father menu in the navigation menus. The advantages of the received hierarchical situ menus system with navigation menus comprise a device which is capable of changing screen size, realizing hierarchical menu on small screen device and preserving prior chosen menu history to make user navigate to arbitrary indicated menu prior in hierarchical menus.

Description

Graded in-place menu with navigation menu

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to menu, relate in particular to a kind of navigation information and be kept at graded in-place menu in the special-purpose navigation menu.

Background technology

The most conventional application program is a menu-drive, and is opposite with command driven.Menu-drive is used the tabulation of may ordering of providing that the user can therefrom select or option, and command driven application need user imports clear and definite order.Thus, menu-drive is used the average level user is generally used easier than command driven.Menu is implemented as the text that the user can therefrom select or the tabulation of figure selecting item (that is menu item) usually.Thus, menu allows the user for example to select a menu item by using item of mouse-pointing to click then on this.The example of other method of choice menus item comprises that item of highlight knocks " returning " key or " carriage return " key then, and presses menu item by touch sensitive screen.

A kind of Menu Type that is particularly useful is a hierarchical menu.Fig. 1 shows an example of conventional hierarchical menu 100.As shown in Figure 1,hierarchical menu 100 presents the father'smenu 102 with the optional individual event of triming vegetables for cooking usually.The selection of each menu item makes usually at other another menu or thesubmenu 104 of showing of the menu ofcurrent demonstration.Submenu 104 has an other menu relevant with the item of selected father's menu of the demonstration that causes submenu and selects.The degree of depth of hierarchical menu can extend to multistage submenu in this way.

The illustrated menu of Fig. 1 show elected when triming vegetables for cooking uniterming conventionalhierarchical menu 100 generally how from left to right to arrange across display screen.This menu format provides various advantages, as keep previous and the current set of menu on display screen at synchronization.Be used as that menu is selected and during across its corresponding submenu of screen display, this provides history menu figure.Thus, the user can look back the menu before done and select, and advances to the menu of nearest demonstration simultaneously, allows to easily to move between different menu items and different menu level.

Although this class hierarchical menu provides useful advantage, yet still have the situation that they can't carry out.Such situation is a situation of using hierarchical menu on the device of small display having.The problem that is presented when attempting to realize conventional hierarchical menu on devices with small screens has generally hindered the use of hierarchical menu on this class device.Fig. 2 shows the example howhierarchical menu 100 of Fig. 1 may manifest on the display screen of devices with small screens.

As mentioned above, hierarchical menu is generally from left to right arranged across display screen.On devices with small screens, the insufficient space on the screen is enough in to hold all menus, and menu is arranged on both direction across screen, from left to right and then once returns.In this situation, menu begins crossover each other usually, thereby has caused variety of issue.

The menu that problem is a crossover is chaotic to the user, wants to illustrate as Fig. 2.The menu that the menu of crossover makes the user be difficult to distinguish previous is selected, and then is difficult to determine how to be back to previous menu and makes different menus and select.Thus, when on devices with small screens, realizing hierarchical menu, can damage one of expection benefit of hierarchical menu.

The menu of crossover also can cause employing based on input pen or based on the problem of the devices with small screens (and other device) of the touch sensitive screen of recording pointer.Use this class device, when the menu crossover, often be difficult to the contact continuity between the menu on the maintenance screen.In other words, use the small screen,, often be easy to remove menu based on the device that touches.If when having lost continuity when a menu moves to another, menu often disappears from screen, cause the user to return and again in the past a menu activate this menu.When use " tracking " based on the device of input pen the time, this problem worsens." tracking " is when input pen is mobile on screen, even input pen contact screen not, the cursor on the screen is also followed moving of (tracking) input pen.Too far can lose tracking if input pen is dragged to frame out.Thus, when adopting hierarchical menu, the device based on input pen of " tracking " is often lost more menu.

Therefore, because the demand of the devices with small screens that can move day by day complicated application is constantly increased, need a kind of mode to realize overcoming the hierarchical menu of the various shortcomings of conventional hierarchical menu.

There are two defectives in the graded in-place menu scheme of Microsoft (application number CN200410056712.1): 1, want the turnup screen to the top, could select father's menu item of the current set of menu, when menu item more for a long time, cause the inconvenience of navigation.2, father's menu item and Submenu Items are placed in the same menu, obscure easily, especially for the menu that uses multiple lines and multiple rows Icon mode to show, are not easy to realize.

Summary of the invention:

The objective of the invention is to overcome the above-mentioned various shortcomings of conventional hierarchical menu.

For realizing this purpose, the present invention proposes a kind of graded in-place menu with navigation menu.

Graded in-place menu with navigation menu shows the current set of menu, uses another special-purpose navigation menu to show all parent menus in the menu level of the current set of menu.Select father's menu option to replace this father's menu in uncle's menu, in navigation menu, increase by a menu item simultaneously and point to this father's menu item with submenu.Can from navigation menu, select this menu option to turn back to this father's menu.

According to a realization, navigation menu is that response user's requirement shows.The form of described navigation menu includes but not limited to: pop-up menu, drop-down list formula menu, its response user's button operation show, select for the user.Navigation menu is as navigating to the transfer menu of father's menu from submenu, promptly when submenu navigates to father's menu, access navigation menu earlier, selects father's menu item in navigation menu, replaces current submenu and/or navigation menu with father's menu of correspondence.Navigation menu can show separately, also can show in the mode that partly covers submenu.

According to a realization, father's menu comprises the forwarding pointer related with father's menu option, and its indication selects father's menu option to replace this father's menu with submenu from this father's menu, increases this father's menu option simultaneously in navigation menu.

According to another realization, navigation menu comprises related with father's menu option back to pointer, its indication selects father's menu option to replace current submenu with father's menu from this navigation menu, is in all menu options of sub level simultaneously in navigation menu in this father's menu option of deletion and the menu level.

Described menu can be the display mode of effective form, includes but not limited to: tabulation formula menu, the menu that multiple lines and multiple rows Icon mode shows.Described menu can be the mode menu, also can be the nonmodal menu.

Further invention of the present invention is, the level of expansion navigation menu, make it not only show all parent menu items of the current set of menu, and all sub level menu items of the selection of demonstration the current set of menu, thereby constitute the complete storehouse of menu items at different levels, the last time menu item that select and that can constitute lineal father and son's menu series that contains menus at different levels in the storehouse, thereby enlarge the scope of navigation, from navigation menu, can navigate to arbitrary grade of menu of this lineal father and son's menu series, current rank menu item uses the mode that is different from other menu items to show to show difference, selects the sub level menu item will show the sub level menu from navigation menu.

Further invention of the present invention is, uses two navigation menus, all parent menu items that show the current set of menu, and another shows all sub level menu items of the current set of menu, selects the sub level menu item will show the sub level menu from navigation menu.

The present invention improves by the foregoing invention to Microsoft, the history of using special-purpose Pop-up navigation menu to preserve the menu item of previous selection, when the user will navigate to the menu of previous demonstration arbitrarily, use soft key or hard button to access navigation menu earlier, from navigation menu, select the previous menu that shows again.Increased the practicality of graded in-place menu.

Description of drawings

In the accompanying drawing, use identical label to identify identical assembly and feature.

Fig. 1 shows conventional hierarchical menu.

Fig. 2 shows the trial that realizes the conventional hierarchical menu of Fig. 1 on the small screen calculation element.

Fig. 3 shows the various examples of calculation element of the proper environment of the graded in-place menu of realizing having navigation menu.

Fig. 4 shows the exemplary embodiment of computing machine with the form of the PDA of the graded in-place menu that is used to realize to have navigation menu.

Fig. 5 shows the exemplary graded in-place menu with navigation menu that can realize on such as the such computing machine of the PDA of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 and 7 shows the example implementation of graded in-place menu on such as the small screen computer installation of the PDA of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 show be used for such as the computer installation of PDA or have a small display curtain other similarly realize the illustrative methods of graded in-place menu on the device.

Fig. 9 shows the example calculation environment that is fit to realize illustrative computer shown in Figure 3

Embodiment

General introduction:

Below discuss at when selecting suitable menu item in uncle's menu and the submenu, show that submenu substitutes father's menu, and father's menu replaces the hierarchical menu system of submenu.Thus, also alternately show father's menu and submenu separately; Or show father's menu and submenu separately, and response user's button operation, access navigation menu at the submenu interface, from navigation menu, select father's menu item will replace the submenu and/or the navigation menu of current demonstration, thereby a kind of " original place " hierarchical menu is provided with father's menu of correspondence.Father's menu item of selecting in uncle's menu will be kept in the navigation menu.Previous father's menu item of selecting uses the back to show to pointer in navigation menu, and indication selects father's menu item will replace the submenu of current demonstration with father's menu of correspondence from navigation menu.Father's menu item in father's menu can show with forwarding pointer, selects father's menu item to replace father's menu with the submenu of correspondence in the indication uncle menu.

The benefit of the graded in-place menu system with navigation menu that discloses is included in the device with variable screen size, comprises the ability that realizes hierarchical menu on the devices with small screens.The graded in-place menu with navigation menu that discloses allows each hierarchical menu that shows, and the history that still keeps the previous menu item of selecting makes the user can navigate to the menu of arbitrary previous demonstration in the hierarchical menu system in special navigation menu.The hierarchical menu system that discloses permits application developer with typical hierarchical approaches design application menu, and needs a shirtsleeve operation system call its hierarchical menu to be embodied as the graded in-place menu with navigation menu at most.

Exemplary environments:

Fig. 3 shows the various examples as thecalculation element 300 of the environment of the graded in-place menu that is adapted at wherein realizing having navigationmenu.Computing machine 300 can be carried out common computing function usually, browses or the like as Email, calendar, taskings, word processing,web.Computing machine 300 can move open platform operating system, as the Windows operating system from Microsoft.Computingmachine 300 may be implemented as any of various calculation elements that has display screen and support GUI (graphic user interface).This class calculation element can comprise, for example, cell phone, PDA, have touch sensitive screen based on input pen and/based on the computing machine, notebook computer, kneetop computer, desktop computer, workstation, the server that touch and comprise large scale computer of display or the like.Hereinafter with reference Fig. 9 has described an exemplary realization ofcomputing machine 300 in more detail.

Among the described hereinafter embodiment, generaldiscussion computing machine 300 is implemented as the small screen, handheld apparatus, as cell phone or PDA (personal digital assistant: as, the PoeketPC of operation Microsoft, the device of the Palmtop of Hewlett-Packard, PalmPilot of 3Com or the like).This class device generally provides more limited computational power than typical personal computer, as is used for individual or commercial information storage and retrieval ability, comprises holding time table calendar and address book information.This class device provides the operating system of a certain version usually, as Windows CE, and general available various application with to typical personal computer can with ripe version compare the function that provides limited.Thus, thecomputing machine 300 that is embodied as the small screen, hand-held mobile computer can comprise the limited version that Email, phone, SMS (Short Message Service), manager and web use.

Exemplary embodiment

Fig. 4 shows the exemplary embodiment of thecomputing machine 300 of graded in-place menu that be fit to realize having navigationmenu.Computing machine 300 generally is implemented as devices with small screens, as the PDA in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 4 300 (personal digital assistant).PDA 300 comprises that processor 400, volatile storage 402 are (that is, RAM) and nonvolatile memory 404 (that is, ROM, hard disk, floppy disk, CD-ROM or the like).Nonvolatile memory is generally the storage that PDA 300 provides computer/processor-readable instructions, data structure, program module andother data.PDA 300 also can comprise various I/O 406 equipment.The example (not shown) of input equipment 406 can comprise and be used for moving cursor and mouse that makes one's options or trace ball, touches quick display screen, is used for making the recording pointer that the menu input selects, structural hard button ofPDA 300 or the like on the quick display screen touching of the soft key of display menu options and/or GUI (graphic user interface).The example (not shown) of output device 406 can comprise display screen, touch quick display screen, audio tweeter or the like.Hereinafter with reference Fig. 9 has described the exemplary realization ofPDA 300 in more detail.

PDA 300 realizes operating system (OS) 408 from volatile storage 402 on processor 400.OS 408 is stored in the storer 404, and is loaded into volatile storage 402 by the start-up routine (not shown) from storer 404 at first.OS 408 generally is configured to manage other application program 410 that is stored in equally in the storer 404 and can carries out from volatile storage 402 on processor 400.OS 408 bears the request of being made by application program 410 to service by predefined application programming interfaces (API, not shown).More specifically, OS 408 determine usually a plurality of application programs 410 the order of carrying out on the processor 400 and the execution time, diode-capacitor storage 402 of distributing to each application program 410 sharing between a plurality of application programs 410, processor and the hardware device that is connected certainly (as, hard disk, printer, dialing port) input and output or the like.In addition, the user usually can by such as user interfaces such as command language or graphic user interface directly and OS 408 mutual.

PDA 300 realizes being stored in the storer 404 and executable various application programs 410 on processor 400 usually.These application programs 410 can comprise realization, as, the software program of word processor, electrical form, browser, file sharing program, data base management system (DBMS) (DBMS), peer application, multimedia player, cad tools etc.Most of application programs 410 are menu-drivens, and what provide that the user can therefrom select may order or the tabulation of option, to realize various application functions onPDA 300.

Make mode that menu selects and often depend on thecomputer installation 300 of 410 the particular type of running application.For example, have mouse as thedesktop computer 300 of input equipment 406 on input menu select and can take place by using the mouse-pointing menu item on this menu item, click then.Many the smallscreen calculation elements 300 as the PDA 300 of Fig. 4, are realized GUI (graphic user interface) on touch sensitive screen, by touch sensitive screen can warp-wise the menu option of expectation press input pen or recording pointer and make menu and select.Other method of choice menus item comprises that for example, the highlighted menu item knocks " returning " or " carriage return " key then.The method that accesses pop-up menu comprises, clicks hard button or soft key.

The menu task is generally carried out by the menu subsystem of the operating system of carrying out on computing machine 300.Therefore, shown in the PDA 300 of Fig. 4 embodiment, will " graded in-place menu module " 412 realize as the part of operating system 408 with navigation menu.Generally speaking, menu module 412 is configured to receive menu call from various application programs 410, and operates these by the parameter display menu on display screen that provides according to the application program 410 of making menu call and call.Menu module 412 is also managed the menu of making under the GUI 414 that is supported by operating system 408 and is selected.Although being shown, module 412 and 414 is the part of operating system 408, notes that this generic module also can be used as the standalone module that is stored in the storer 404 and can carries out and works on processor 400.Generally speaking, although preferably module 412 and 414 parts as operating system 408 are worked, this does not mean realized their restriction bycomputing machine 300.

Except that the typical menu function of management, the graded in-place menu that " the graded in-place menu module with navigation menu " 412 has navigation menu according to application program 410 realizations of supporting hierarchical menu.Thus, to being designed to provide the application program 410 of hierarchical menu, menu module 412 is configured to these hierarchical menus are embodied as the graded in-place menu with navigation menu.Hierarchical menu can subtend operating system 408 be made arbitrary application that hierarchical menu calls as the realization of the graded in-place menu with navigation menu and is taken place automatically, perhaps can be based on taking place from the particular request that hierarchical menu is embodied as the graded in-place menu with navigation menu of application program 410.Thus, the small screen computer installation manufacturer can be configured as device application developer the menu of the graded in-place with navigation menu is provided automatically.This makes application developer design hierarchical menu in typical mode, and does not need its application source code is made more changes.As an alternative, the small screen computer installation manufacturer can be configured to device default or provide the menu of the graded in-place with navigation menu based on the request of application developer.This makes application developer design hierarchical menu in typical mode, and whether further allows them determine by make simple a selection through its application source code application menu is implemented as the graded in-place menu with navigation menu.

Fig. 5 shows the exemplary graded in-place menu 500 with navigation menu that can realize on such as thecomputing machine 300 of thePDA 300 of Fig. 4.As shown in Figure 5, the graded in-place menu 500 with navigation menu comprises having the top of the optional individual event of triming vegetables for cooking or father'smenu 502, comprises a navigation menu 514 (the navigation menu item number may be sky).In addition, select each father's menu item to cause usually and show another menu or submenu 504.The same with typical hierarchical menu, the degree of depth that can extend the graded in-place menu 500 with navigation menu in this way is to multistage submenu, and as secondary, three grades, level Four and Pyatyi, submenu is father's menu of other submenu.Yet with typical hierarchical menu (as themenu 100 of Fig. 1) contrast, the graded in-place menu 500 with navigation menu does not show the other menu (as submenu 504) on the menu of current demonstration (as father's menu 502) next door.As an alternative, the graded in-place menu 500 with navigation menu is replaced the menu (as father's menu 502) of current demonstration with new menu (assubmenu 504).It shows new menu in " original place " of the menu of current demonstration.Navigation menu can show simultaneously with submenu, two overlapping menus of same screen display this moment, and navigation menu will partly cover submenu.Navigation menu also can cover submenu fully and show.

Each menu that dottedline 506 indications of Fig. 5 have the graded in-place menu 500 of navigation menu shows apart from each other.The father's menu and the submenu that have in the graded in-place menu 500 of navigation menu do not show at synchronization on same computer display.As an alternative, elected when triming vegetables for cooking individual event, have the menu mutual alternative on computer display in the graded in-place menu 500 of navigation menu.Therefore, father's menu (as, 502) in menu item can have related forwarding pointer (as, arrow), indication selects this menu item will cause comprising the demonstration of the submenu of the other menu option relevant with this menu item.For example, the father's menu item shown in father'smenu 502 " starting is used " comprisesforwarding pointer 508, and indication submenu when selecting " starting is used " in uncle'smenu 502 will be replaced father's menu 502.Note, according to current which menu that shown, menu can be father's menu be again submenu.This notion generally may be used on whole discussion.

Submenu 504 is examples of the submenu of replaceable father'smenu 502 when selecting " starting is used " in uncle's menu 502.Navigation menu 514 illustrated in addition the graded in-place menu 500 with navigation Lay list how to keep previous selected father's menu item (as, " starting is used ", and from the navigation menu of previous selected menu item gained (as, 514) in show them.Previous selected father's menu item (as, contain in thesubmenu 504 corresponding navigation menus in " starting use " menu item, thesubmenu 510 corresponding navigation menus contain contain in " starting is used " and " multimedia " menu item, thesubmenu 512 corresponding navigation menus " starting is used ", " multimedia " and " camera instrument " navigation menu (as, 514) middle demonstration.In addition.The previous selected father's menu item that shows in the navigation menu has the back topointer 516 of association.Indication father's menu when the previous selected father's menu item of selection in this navigation menu will be replaced the submenu and/or the navigation menu of current demonstration.For example, innavigation menu 514, select " starting is used " will cause replacingsubmenu 504 and/ornavigation menus 514, and father's menu item delete from navigation menu or hiding with the previous father's menu that shows 502.Notice that " starting is used " in thenavigation menu 514 has related back to pointer (as, arrow), indicates this selection that demonstration is turned back to corresponding father'smenu 502.

Fig. 6 and 7 shows the graded in-place menu 500 with navigation menu and how to go up the example that realizes at the small screen computer installation (or screen apparatus of arbitrary dimension).With the demonstration of the single menu box of graded in-place menu with navigation menu make the small screen need not as under conventional hierarchical menu (as, thehierarchical menu 100 of Fig. 1) situation across the various different stages of on-screen display menus level.Yet navigation menu still provides history menu figure by showing the menu item that previous uncle's menu is selected, and makes the arbitrary place of user in can " rebound " menu level whereby.

Fig. 6 shows father'smenu 502 of the Fig. 4 that is shown as single menu box on the screen of PDA 300.Fig. 7 shows the result that uncle'smenu 502 is selected " starting is used " menu item.The result of this menu selection replaces father'smenus 502 withsubmenu 504 on the screen ofPDA 300, the while preserves in navigation menu and demonstration " starting is used " Submenu Items that selection is relevant.Thesubmenu 504 of Fig. 7 shows the graded in-place menu 500 with navigation menu and how permit realizing hierarchical menu on devices with small screens, the historigram that keeps menu to select simultaneously, and it allows the previous menu of user's rebound easily.Navigation menu wherein is associated with a certain hard switching button, promptly selects this hard button will show this navigation menu, and can cover or the part cover submenu, the hard button of Continuous Selection is embodied as the switching function of demonstration/Hide Navigator menu.Navigation menu among Fig. 7 ejects, and submenu is the nonmodal menu, and navigation menu partly covers submenu.

Illustrative methods

The flow chart description of main reference Fig. 8 realization now has the exemplary method of the graded in-place menu of navigation menu.This method generally is applied to the exemplary embodiment of above being discussed with reference to figure 1.7.The element of the method for describing can be carried out by arbitrary suitable device, comprises as by hardware logic blocks on the ASIC or the execution by the processor instructions that defines on the processor readable medium.

" the processor readable medium " that the present invention uses can be arbitrary device that can comprise, store, transmit, propagate or transmit by the instruction of processor use or execution.The processor readable medium can be, but be not limited to electronics, magnetic, optics, electromagnetism, infrared or semiconductor system, device, equipment or propagation medium.The more specifically example of processor readable medium comprises electrical connection (electronics) with one or more lines, portable computer diskette (magnetic), random-access memory (ram) (magnetic), ROM (read-only memory) (ROM) (magnetic), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber (optics) but rewriteable compact disc (CD-RW) (optics) and portable compact disk ROM (read-only memory) (CDROM) (optics).

Fig. 8 shows such as PDA or have anillustrative methods 800 of the graded in-place menu of realizing having navigation menu on thecomputer installations 300 such as other similar device ofsmall display.Method 800 has been described and can have been surmounted the hierarchical menu process that submenu number that this method discussed in itself continues operational excellence.Thus,method 800 should be as restriction, and on the contrary,method 800 general expressions can realize having the mode of the graded in-place menu of navigation menu with lower and size and sophistication higher degree.

Piece 802 inmethod 800 shows top level menu on the computer screen such as the small screen PDA 300.Top level menu also is the father's menu to one or more submenus.Top level menu is usually by user input, as clicks the mouse or quick display screen is pressed input pen or recording pointer starts to touching.Atpiece 804, first menu that receives top (or father) level menu is selected.This selection is the top level menu items that shows in toplevel menu.At piece 806, select in response to first menu, show that second-level menu (or submenu) replaces top level menu; Simultaneously, preserve this top level menu items in navigation menu so that the navigation menu At time of eject can show this top level menu items.

No longer show top level menu on the display screen.Yet navigation menu is preserved the selected top level menu items that starts this second-level menu.Therefore, navigation menu has kept the link of arriving previous menu in the level of menu.Second-level menu comprises the second-level menu item.Second-level menu item one or more are connected to other other submenu oflevel.At piece 808, receive second selection of the top level menu items of navigation menu.Select to be equivalent to the user from second of the top level menu items of this navigation menu and want rebound top level menu the menu level.Thus, atpiece 810,, show that top level menu replaces second-level menu in response to second selection; At this moment, all menu items are deleted or hiding in the navigation menu.

Atpiece 812, receive second selection of the second-level menu item of second-level menu.Select to be equivalent to the other submenu that the user wants forward direction to jump to provide the menu level the more multiselect item relevant with the second-level menu item from second of the second-level menu item of second-level menu.Therefore, atpiece 814,, show that three-stage menu replaces second-level menu in response to these second selections; Preserve this second-level menu item simultaneously in navigation menu.At this moment, navigation menu comprises top level menu items, second-level menu item.Top level menu items and second-level menu item provide the link that turns back to menu previous in the menu level, and three-stage menu item one or more provide the link of arriving other correlator menu forward.

Atpiece 816, receive the 3rd selection of the top level menu items of navigation menu.Select to be equivalent to the user from the 3rd of the top level menu items of navigation menu and want rebound top level menu the menu level.Therefore, atpiece 818,, show that top level menu replaces three-stage menu in response to this 3rd selection; At this moment, all menu items are deleted or hiding in the navigation menu, still contain top level menu items.

Atpiece 820, receive the 3rd selection of the second-level menu item of navigation menu.Select to be equivalent to the user from the 3rd of the second-level menu item of navigation menu and want rebound second-level menu the menu level.Therefore, atpiece 822,, show that second-level menu replaces three-stage menu in response to these the 3rd selections; At this moment, the second-level menu item is deleted or hiding in the navigation menu.

Atpiece 824, receive the 3rd selection of the three-stage menu item of three-stage menu.Select to be equivalent to the user wants to jump to forward the menu option that provides other the menu level new submenu from the 3rd of the three-stage menu item of three-stage menu.Therefore, atpiece 826,, show that the level Four menu replaces three-stage menu in response to these the 3rd selections.At this moment, should comprise top level menu items, second-level menu item, three-stage menu item in the navigation menu.

Although disclosed one or more methods with the literal related, should be appreciated that and unnecessaryly carry out them, and other order can obtain confers similar advantages with the order that presents these pieces with the piece of process flow diagram by process flow diagram.In addition, this method is not exclusive, can carry out separately or carry out with other method combination.And, before the selection of the menu item of reception navigation menu, must access navigation menu.

Illustrative computer Fig. 9 shows example calculation environment that be fit to realize as mentioned thecomputing machine 300 discussed with reference to figure 1.8.Although figure 9 illustrates a concrete configuration, computingmachine 300 can calculate configuration with other and realize.

Computing environment 900 comprises the general-purpose computing system with computingmachine 902 forms.The assembly of computingmachine 902 can include but not limited to, one ormore processing units 904,system storage 906 and the sorts of systems assembly comprised thatsystem storage 904 is coupled to thesystem bus 908 ofsystem storage 906.

Any of some kinds of types of bus structure ofsystem bus 902 expression one or more comprise memory bus or Memory Controller, peripheral bus, Accelerated Graphics Port and the processor or the local bus that use several types of bus structures.An example ofsystem bus 908 is peripheral component interconnect (pci) buses, is also referred to as the Mezzanine bus.

Computing machine 902 generally includes various computer-readable mediums.This class medium can be to comprise the non-volatile medium of easily becoming estranged, removable and not removable medium by arbitrary available media of computingmachine 902visits.System storage 906 comprises the computer-readable medium with the volatile storage form, as random-access memory (ram) 910, and/or nonvolatile memory, as ROM (read-only memory) (ROM) 912.Basic input/output (BIOS) 914 comprises as help the basic routine of transmission information between the element of computingmachine 902 when starting, and is stored among the ROM912.RAM910 comprises addressable immediately and/or current data of operating ofprocessing unit 904 and/or program module usually.

Computing machine 902 also can comprise other removable/not removable, easy mistake/non-volatile computer storage media.As example, Fig. 9 shows thehard disk drive 916 that is used for not removable, non-volatile magnetic medium (not shown) is read and write, be used for to removable, non-volatile disk 920 (as, " floppy disk ")disc driver 918 read and write and being used for to removable, nonvolatileoptical disk 924, the CD drive of reading and writing as CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other wide medium 922.Each ofhard disk drive 916,disc driver 918 and CD drive 922 all is connected tosystem bus 908 by one or more data medium interfaces 925.As an alternative,hard disk drive 916,disc driver 918 and CD drive 922 can be linked tosystem bus 908 by the scsi interface (not shown).

Disk drive and related computer-readable medium thereof provide the non-volatile memory of computer-readable instruction, data structure, program module and other data for computing machine 902.Although this example showshard disk 916, moveablemagnetic disc 920 andremovable CD 924, be appreciated that, also can use to store and to come realization example computing system and environment by the computer-readable medium of other type of the data of computer access, as magnetic tape cassette or other magnetic storage apparatus, flash card, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical storage, random-access memory (ram), ROM (read-only memory) (ROM), Electrically Erasable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) or the like.

The program module of any amount can be stored amonghard disk 916,disk 920,CD 924,ROM 912 and/or the RAM 910, as example, comprises operating system 926, one or more application program 928, other program module 930 and routine data 932.Each of these operating systems 926, one or more application program 928, other program module 930 and routine data 932 (or its a certain combination) can comprise the embodiment of the cache mode that is used for subscriber network access information.

Computing machine 902 can comprise the various computer/processor-readable mediums that are designated communication media.Communication media comprises computer-readable instruction, data structure, program module or other data usually in the modulated message signal such as carrier wave or other transmission mechanism, and comprises that arbitrary information transmits medium.Term " modulated message signal " refers to be provided with or change in the mode that the information in the signal is encoded the signal of its one or more features.As example but not limitation, communication media comprises wired medium, as cable network or directly line connect, and wireless media is as acoustics, RF, infrared and other wireless media.Above-mentioned arbitrary combination also should be included within the scope of computer-readable medium.

The user can by such askeyboard 934 and sensing equipment 936 (as, " mouse ") input equipment tocomputer system 902 input commands and information.Other input equipment 938 (not specifically illustrating) can comprise microphone, operating rod, game mat, satellite dish, serial port, scanner and/or its analog.These and other input equipment is connected toprocessing unit 904 by the input/output interface 940 that is coupled tosystem bus 908, but also can be connected with bus structure by other interface, as parallel port, game port or USB (universal serial bus) (USB).

The display device ofmonitor 942 or another type also by interface, is connected tosystem bus 908 as video adapter 944.Except that monitor 942, other output peripherals can comprise the assembly such as loudspeaker (not shown) 30 andprinter 946, can be connected to computingmachine 902 by input/output interface 940.

Computing machine 902 can use one or more remote computers, operates in the networked environment that connects as the logic of remote computing device 948.As example,remote computing device 948 can be personal computer, portable computer, server, router, network computer, peer device or other common network node or the like.

It is to comprise here the portable computer of many or all elements and the characteristics ofcomputer system 902 descriptions relatively thatremote computing device 948 is shown.

The logic of describing betweencomputing machine 902 and theremote computer 948 is connected toLocal Area Network 950 and general wide area network (WAN) 952.This class network environment is common in office, enterprise-wide. computer networks, Intranet and the Internet.When realizing in the lan network environment, computingmachine 902 is connected to LAN (Local Area Network) 950 by network interface or adapter 954.When realizing in the WAN network environment, computingmachine 902 generally includes modulator-demodular unit 956 or other device, is used for setting up communication by wide area network 952.Modulator-demodular unit 956 can be internal or external, is connected tosystem bus 908 by input/output interface 940 or other suitable mechanism.Be appreciated that it is exemplary that the network that illustrates connects, and can use other device of setting up communication link betweencomputing machine 902 and 948.

In networked environment,, can be stored in the remote memory storage device with respect to computingmachine 902 described program modules or its part as shown with computing environment 900.As example,remote application 958 resides on the memory devices of remote computer 948.For the purpose of illustration, application program and other executable program components are shown, as the piece of operating system, although will be appreciated that here for dispersing, this class method resides in the different memory modules ofcomputer system 902 in the different moment with assembly, and is carried out by the data processor of computing machine.

Sum up

Although with to the specific language description of architectural feature and/or method action the present invention, be appreciated that the present invention who defines in the appended claims is unnecessary to be confined to described concrete feature or action.On the contrary, disclosed concrete characteristics and action exemplary form for the invention of realization prescription.

Claims (10)

1. processor readable medium, it is characterized in that: it comprises processor executable, be configured to: show father's menu, in response in described father's menu to the selection of father's menu item, the demonstration submenu is replaced described father's menu, and the stack of in another Pop-up navigation menu, safeguarding previous father's menu item of selecting, each of father's menu item of described previous selection is configured to show that corresponding father's menu replaces described submenu and/or navigation menu.

2. processor readable medium as claimed in claim 1, its feature also is: it also comprises processor executable, is configured to show described father's menu in response to select previous selected father's menu item from described navigation menu.

3. method is characterized in that it comprises:

The father's menu that shows hierarchical menu, receiving first of described father's optional items of menu selects, select in response to described first, the submenu that shows described hierarchical menu is replaced described father's menu, and the menu item that described menu item is shown as the previous selection that can select to jump back to described father's menu in another Pop-up navigation menu.

4. method as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that it also comprises: in response to the selection that receives in the described navigation menu the previous menu item of selecting, show that described father's menu replaces described submenu.

5. as claim 3,4 described methods, it is characterized in that, it also comprises: in response to the selection that receives Submenu Items, the secondary sub-menu that shows described hierarchical menu is replaced described submenu, simultaneously, described navigation menu comprises the menu item of the previous selection that can select to jump back to described father's menu and the described Submenu Items that can select to jump back to described submenu.

6. hierarchical menu that comprises father's menu, submenu and Pop-up navigation menu, it is characterized in that: navigation menu has father's menu option, described father's menu option can be selected replacing described father's menu with submenu from described father's menu, and described father's menu option can be selected to replace described submenu and/or navigation menu with described father's menu from described navigation menu.

7. hierarchical menu as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that: described father's menu comprise the forwarding pointer related with described father's menu option with the indication select described father's menu option to replace described father's menu from described father's menu with described submenu.

8. hierarchical menu as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that: described navigation menu comprises that back to pointer indicate from described navigation menu related with described father's menu option select described father's menu option to replace described submenu and/or navigation menu with described father's menu.

9. hierarchical menu as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that: it is configured to make father's menu and submenu to be shown by split screen, the single menu of promptly each demonstration, and described single menu is selected from described father's menu, or described submenu.

10. hierarchical menu as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that, described navigation menu is the transfer that submenu navigates to father's menu, can all or part of covering submenu.

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