DESC:RELATED APPLICATION
The present invention claims benefit of the Indian Provisional Application No. 2965/CHE/2015 titled "A METHOD TO PREVIEW LARGE NUMBER OF ITEMS AND EASY SELECTION ON A CIRCULAR DISPLAY DEVICE” by Samsung R&D Institute India – Bangalore Private Limited, filed on 12th June 2015, which is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to display device and more particularly relates to a smart display device for providing customized preview and selection of item on a display screen efficiently when large number of items are present.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, computing, mobile and wireless communications technologies are advancing to provide increased personal computer desktop-like functionality while both decreasing size and power requirements. Some of the capabilities of the devices like personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellular phones, pagers are being incorporated into wrist watches. However, only special wearable watch devices are available that, besides time keeping functions, may possess a compass, or a Global Positioning System (GPS), or barometer, heart rate monitor, Personal Handy System (PHS) phone, pager, etc. The shortcomings in these existing special function watches is that most of them are bulky, are mostly unconnected to the Internet or other PC/network devices, have limited battery life, and, are difficult to use. These available special function wearable devices such as wrist watches but not limited to it, additionally have user interfaces that are quite limited in what they can display.

Over the time Wearable devices such as watches are appearing in the markets that have slightly richer display characteristics. The design of a wearable device for mobile computing applications offers a significant challenge because the wearables like watch is a small device. In an electronic device such as a cellular phone, a personal computer or such, having various functions together in a single unit has a problem of how to search for a function thereof. To make it selectable rapidly is an important factor in order to efficiently operate these devices.

Although these electronic devices have many convenient functions, advantages therefrom may be reduced by half if a user cannot access the functions efficiently. As per the existing technology, if the size of device is small and number of items to be displayed is more onto the device, it will be tedious to search and select or operate on the item. The devices could be circular display devices which include but not limited to any wearables, mobiles, home automation, car display unit, etc. or any regular rectangular displays.

Existing circular display devices or rectangular display devices limit to preview only very few items. The multiple items in a group are shown in different type of arrangements like list, grid, etc. Also, multiple items could be divided into multiple categories.

Thus, there is a need for display device which enables to preview large number of items and select one or more items efficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The various embodiments of the present invention disclose a smart display device. The smart display device comprises an input mechanism adapted for receiving user’s input, a processing unit connected to the input mechanism for performing one or more control actions based on the received user’s input, and a circular display screen connected to the processing unit for rendering contents in response to the performing one or more control actions, the circular display screen adapted to customize the screen area into a circular preview region on periphery of the circular display screen for rendering one or more items, at least one selection region surrounded by the circular preview region for rendering enlarged view of the one or more items and enabling a user to interact with the one or more items, one or more selection pointers on the circular preview region for selecting and rendering the one or more items on the at least one selection region, and at least one filtering region at center of the circular display screen for enabling the user to customize the content to be rendered on the circular preview region.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the smart display device further comprises the input mechanism comprises at least one of a touch screen, rotatable crown, and rotatable bezel, the user’s input is provided to the input mechanism by one of a rotate event and tap gesture, thereby moving a list of items in the circular preview region.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the smart display device further comprises the input mechanism enables the user to rotate the one or more items in one of a clockwise direction and anticlockwise direction on the circular preview region for shifting a selected item to nearest selection pointer.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the smart display device further comprises the circular preview region further comprises one or more angular slots adjacent to each of the selection pointer for shifting the item to background and bringing out the background item on to the circular preview region, when number of the items exceeds a predefined number of the items rendered/displayed on the circular preview region.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the smart display device further comprises the filtering region enables the user to customize the display/rendering of the items on the circular preview region based on one or more predefined categories or custom filtered items.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the smart display device further comprises the at least one selection pointer divides the circular preview region into two or more sections.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the smart display device further comprises each of the item grow from small to large and shrink form large to small as and when the item pass through the at least one selection pointer from preview area to selection area

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the smart display device further comprises the items are selected from a group comprising a file list, contacts, messages, application list, date, and months.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention describes a method of pre-viewing one or more items on a circular display screen. The method comprises rendering the one or more items on the circular preview region on a periphery of the circular display screen, and receiving input from a user for selecting at least one item of the one or more items, wherein the at least one item is rendered in an enlarged view enabling the user to interact with one or more items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation illustrating circular display device for presenting items on the circular preview region, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation illustrating generation of rotate event by dragging or flicking the circular preview region, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic representation illustrating grouping of items into categories, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic representation illustrating rotational movement of the circular preview region for moving the items in and out of menu, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic representation illustrating circular display device for presenting items on the circular preview region in dynamically tilted angle, stacking around the outer circle area, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 illustrates a flow chart of a method of pre-viewing one or more items on a circular display screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Although specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others, this is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. The present invention can be modified in various forms. Thus, the embodiments of the present invention are only provided to explain more clearly the present invention to the ordinarily skilled in the art of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals are used to indicate like components.

The specification may refer to “an”, “one” or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations. This does not necessarily imply that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations and arrangements of one or more of the associated listed items.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Figure 1 is a schematic representation illustrating circular display device for presenting items on the circular preview region, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to the present invention, a user is enabled to preview variable number of items on an outer most circle of a circular display screen 105, which is a circular preview region 102. A filtering region 103 represents a category to which the items in the circular preview region 102 belong to. The circular preview region 102 comprises of one or more selection pointers such as S1, S2, S3 and S4 (indicated as Arrow) as shown in the Figure 1. The circular preview region 102 is configurable and could be dragged around to generate the rotate event. The rotate event is generated by a bezel 101, rotatable crown or through touch screen by dragging or flicking on the circular preview region 102. The items are rotated around and the required items are moved to an inner area surrounded by the circular preview region 102, which is a selection region 104 through the selection pointers. It is possible to rotate in clock wise and anti-clock wise direction to make the search and selection procedure of the items faster. In one embodiment, the item is an application icon.

Further, when the items move into the selection region 104 they are enlarged for providing better visibility to do any action on it by the user and the existing items move out to circular preview region 102 or the background pool. The enlarged items in the selection region 104 are provided as the selection option and based on the user’s choice. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the items could be menu screen, file list in gallery, connected device list, etc.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation illustrating generation of rotate event by dragging the circular preview region, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to the present invention, when the rotate event is generated, the items that displayed/rendered on the circular preview region 102 move into the slots of the selection region 104 through the selection pointers. The number of slots in the selection region 104 could be configured. The items that are moved to the slots grow from small to large and shrink from large to small when they move out from the slots of the selection region 104. Also, the number of items that move to the slots, their preview position and the angle to enlarge are configurable.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the circular preview region 102 is rotated, the items 201, 202, 203 and 204 that are placed before the selection pointers of the circular preview region 102 move inside into the selection region 104 after being enlarged. Further, the items 205, 206, 207 and 208 that were previously in the selection region 104 shrink to small size and move out to the circular preview region 102, which are positioned after the selection pointers.

Figure 3 is a schematic representation illustrating grouping of items into categories, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to the present invention, the large numbers of items are grouped into categories, so that they could be searched easily and conveniently by the user. As shown in the Figure 3, the filtering region 103 indicates “All” 301 which represents that all the categories are listed. Clicking on one 302 of the categories, selects the same and all the items that are part of the selected category are displayed/rendered on the circular preview region 102. There is also a “more” button 303 that is provided to list more categories which are not displayed/rendered on the circular display screen 105 due to lack of space on the same. Categories of items like app icons, file icons, images or groups could be changed by clicking on the corresponding button. All menu items or files could be previewed and also menu items belonging to individual categories could be displayed/ rendered.

Figure 4 is a schematic representation illustrating rotational movement of the circular preview region for moving the items in and out of menu, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to the present invention, if there are more number of items in a particular category than what could be displayed/ rendered on the circular preview region 102, then these extra items will be present in a background pool 403. The angular slots are provided adjacent to each of the selection pointers for shifting the items to the background pool and bringing out the items from the background pool on to the circular preview region 102. The items on the circular preview region 102 are updated continuously as and when there is a rotation, which helps in covering as many items as possible.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when there is a rotation the item 401 which is on the circular preview region 102 moves out to the background pool 403. Whereas, the item 402 which is present in the background pool 403, moves onto the circular preview region 102. Thus, the circular preview region 102 and the background pool 403 are updated continuously as and when the rotation happens.

Figure 5 is a schematic representation illustrating circular display device for presenting items on the circular preview region in dynamically tilted angle, stacking around the outer circle area, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to the present invention, the items that are displayed/ rendered on the circular preview region 102 are dynamically tilted and stacked so that they occupy optimum or minimum space in the circular display screen 105. The items are dynamically tilted and stacked in circular fashion to also accommodate more number of items, where the tilt angle depends upon device resolution and/or the item visibility. The items that are displayed/rendered in the selection region 104, could also be displayed/rendered in blur as indicated in 501 under the selection pointers.

Figure 6 illustrates a flow chart of a method of pre-viewing one or more items on a circular display screen, according to an embodiment of the present invention. At step 601, the one or more items on the circular preview region on a periphery of the circular display screen are rendered. At step 602, an input from a user is received for selecting at least one item of the one or more items. The at least one item is rendered in an enlarged view enabling the user to interact with one or more items.

In one embodiment, the items on the circular preview region is rendered on receiving the input from the user on a filtering region based on one or more predefined categories or custom filtered items. The input of the user is provided by one of a gesture touch screen dragging, flicking on the circular preview region, rotating the crown, and rotating a bezel to generate a rotate event, there by moving a list of items in the circular preview region. The rotate event moves the one or more items from its position on the circular preview region, either clockwise or anticlockwise.

Although the invention of the device has been described in connection with the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is not limited thereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. ,CLAIMS:
1. A smart display device, comprising:
an input mechanism adapted for receiving user’s input;
a processing unit connected to the input mechanism for performing one or more control actions based on the received user’s input; and
a circular display screen connected to the processing unit for rendering contents in response to the performing one or more control actions, the circular display screen adapted to customize the screen area into
a circular preview region on periphery of the circular display screen for rendering one or more items;
at least one selection region surrounded by the circular preview region for rendering enlarged view of the one or more items and enabling a user to interact with one or more items;
one or more selection pointers on the circular preview region for selecting and rendering the one or more items on the at least one selection region; and
at least one filtering region at center of the circular display screen for enabling the user to customize the content to be rendered on the circular preview region.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input mechanism comprises at least one of a touch screen, rotatable crown, and rotatable bezel,
where the user’s input is provided to the input mechanism by one of a gesture touch screen dragging, flicking on the circular preview region, rotating the crown, and rotating the bezel to generate a rotate event, there by moving a list of items in the circular preview region.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input mechanism enables the user to rotate the one or more items in one of a clockwise direction and anticlockwise direction on the circular preview region for shifting a desired item to nearest selection pointer.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circular preview region further comprises one or more angular slots adjacent to each of the selection pointer for shifting the item to background and bringing out the background item on to the circular preview region, when number of the items exceeds a predefined number of the items rendered on the circular preview region.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filtering region enables the user to customize the rendering of the items on the circular preview region based on one or more predefined categories or custom filtered items.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one selection pointer divides the circular preview region into two or more sections.

7. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rotate event moves the one or more items from its position on the circular preview region, either clockwise or anticlockwise.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the items grow from small to large and shrink form large to small as and when the item passes through the at least one selection pointer on the circular preview region..

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more items are selected from a group comprising a file list, contacts, messages, application list, device list, date, and months.

10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more rendered items are dynamically tilted to make the item to occupy optimum space in the screen and accommodate optimum number items, where angle of the tilt depends upon at least one of device resolution and item visibility.

11. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the items are rendered as blur whenever the item passes through the at least one selection pointer during the rotate event.

12. A method of pre-viewing one or more items on a circular display screen, comprising:
rendering the one or more items on the circular preview region on a periphery of the circular display screen; and
receiving input from a user for selecting at least one item of the one or more items, wherein the at least one item is rendered in an enlarged view enabling the user to interact with one or more items.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12 further comprising customizing rendering of the items on the circular preview region on receiving the input from the user on a filtering region based on one or more predefined categories or custom filtered items.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the input of the user is provided by one of a gesture touch screen dragging, flicking on the circular preview region, rotating the crown, and rotating a bezel to generate a rotate event, there by moving a list of items in the circular preview region.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the rotate event moves the one or more items from its position on the circular preview region, either clockwise or anticlockwise.