Multi-layer user interfaces

摘要

Multi-layer user interfaces are provided. A user may traverse a hierarchy of information by accessing information in different branches of the hierarchy without having to traverse back up the current branch to access the new branch. A multi-layer user interface (UI) may comprise a set of UIs, each of which corresponds to a navigation layer and a level of the hierarchy. Each UI may comprise a set of UI controls that allow the user to traverse within a level or to a different level of the hierarchy. The UI controls may be configured such that a visual clue as a breadcrumb and user path history may also be provided.

主权项

1. A system for browsing a hierarchy of information on a display, comprising: a display comprising a display area; a processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium operatively coupled to the processor and having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to: display on all of the display area a first user interface screen, the first user interface corresponding to a first level of the hierarchy and comprising a set of first user interface controls for selecting information of the first level of the hierarchy that is associated with each of a plurality of content items; receive data generated by a user selecting information associated with a first of the plurality of content items while the first user interface screen is displayed; in response to receiving the data, display on all of the display area a second user interface screen that includes additional information associated with the first of the plurality of content items, the second user interface corresponding to a second level of the hierarchy and comprising a set of second user interface controls for navigating information of the second level of the hierarchy associated with each of the plurality of content items without navigating back to the first user interface; wherein the second user interface screen is semitransparent such that the first user interface screen is seen through the second user interface screen.