Methods and systems for semantic zooming

Abstract

A navigation interface display system generates a navigation element that organizes television programming data in an easy-to-use manner. The navigation element employs a hierarchical display protocol for a plurality of selection items that represent the various television programs, channels, and/or networks. The hierarchical display scheme displays a limited number of active selection items at a first magnification level and additional active selection items at a second magnification level. In addition, the selection items are displayed on distinctive areas or features of the navigation element, where such features represent different content genres or categories. Subcategories can also be displayed in a hierarchical manner, thus providing additional information related to the content as the magnification level of the navigation element changes.

1 - 26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . A method for providing a user interface comprising the steps of: 
 displaying a plurality of objects at a first level of magnification;    receiving a first selection input;    zooming in, based on said first selection input, on at least one of said plurality of objects by progressively scaling and displaying said at least one of said plurality of objects to provide a visual impression of movement of said at least one of said plurality of objects toward an observer; and    displaying, after said zooming step, said at least one of said plurality of objects associated with said selectable media items at a second level of magnification, wherein said second level of magnification is greater than said first level of magnification, wherein said displaying further includes:    changing a visual characteristic of said at least one of said plurality of objects in addition to changes associated with said step of progressively scaling from said first level of magnification to said second level of magnification.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said plurality of objects are associated with at least one of: broadcast information, television networks, pay per view programs, video on demand programs, locally recorded video, television channels, television programs, and service providers.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said plurality of objects are at least one of: symbols and icons.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said step of changing, in addition to said changes associated with progressively scaling from said first level of magnification to said second level of magnification, said visual characteristic of at least one of said plurality of objects, further comprises the step of: 
 changing, as said visual characteristic, a position of said at least one of said plurality of objects relative to others of said second number of objects.    
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein said step of changing, in addition to said changes associated with progressively scaling from said first level of magnification to said second level of magnification, a visual characteristic of at least one of said plurality of objects, further comprises the step of: 
 changing, as said visual characteristic, a grouping of said at least one of said plurality of objects relative to others of said plurality of objects.    
   
   
       32 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein said step of changing, in addition to said changes associated with progressively scaling from said first level of magnification to said second level of magnification, a visual characteristic of at least one of said plurality of objects, further comprises the step of: 
 changing, as said visual characteristic, at least one of shape, size, color, design, orientation, text label, visibility factor or motion.