Nested User Interfaces for Multiple Displays

Abstract

In embodiments, nested user interfaces for multiple displays includes a plurality of user interface panels that can be individually displayed on a small display screen, as well as displayed together to form a nested user interface on a display device that is larger than the small display screen. Each of the user interface panels can be sequentially displayed as individual user interface panels that encompass the small display screen. The plurality of user interface panels can be displayed proximate one another to form the nested user interface on the display device.

1 . A method, comprising:
 receiving user interface panels each configured for individual display on a small display screen, each user interface panel encompassing the small display screen when displayed and each user interface panel representing a page of a nested user interface;   displaying the nested user interface that includes a plurality of the user interface panels, including at least a first user interface panel and a second user interface panel, displayed together on a display device that is larger than the small display screen, the plurality of the user interface panels displayed proximate one another to form the nested user interface; and   responsive to a user selection of the first user interface panel, transitioning a focus of the nested user interface from the first user interface panel to the second user interface panel.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the user interface panels are configured for display one at a time on the small display screen as a cascading menu of media content choices. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a selectable input via the first user interface panel of the nested user interface; and   said transitioning from the first user interface panel to the second user interface panel in the nested user interface in response to receiving the selectable input.   
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 modifying a display of the first user interface panel in the nested user interface when said transitioning the focus to the second user interface panel.   
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said modifying the display of the first user interface panel includes displaying the first user interface panel as a background of the nested user interface. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said modifying the display of the first user interface panel includes fading the display of the first user interface panel. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 communicating the at least first and second user interface panels to the display device that displays the nested user interface.   
     
     
         8 . A nested user interface system, comprising:
 at least a processor and a memory having instructions executable by the processor to implement:   a first user interface panel configured for individual display on a small display screen, the first user interface panel encompassing the small display screen when displayed;   at least a second user interface panel configured to replace the first user interface panel for individual display on the small display screen, the first and second user interface panels configured for sequential, individual display on the small display screen; and   a nested user interface that includes a plurality of the user interface panels, including the first user interface panel and the at least second user interface panel, configured for display together on a display device that is larger than the small display screen, the plurality of the user interface panels displayed proximate one another to form the nested user interface.   
     
     
         9 . The nested user interface system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the nested user interface includes the plurality of the user interface panels displayed together on the display device as a cascading menu of media content choices. 
     
     
         10 . The nested user interface system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein a content provider generates and communicates the plurality of the user interface panels to the display device. 
     
     
         11 . The nested user interface system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the small display screen is integrated in a portable device that is configured to display the first user interface panel and the at least second user interface panel one at a time on the small display screen. 
     
     
         12 . The nested user interface system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein a display of the first user interface panel in the nested user interface is configured to be modified when transitioning focus from the first user interface panel to the at least second user interface panel. 
     
     
         13 . The nested user interface system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the first user interface panel is configured to be modified for display as a background of the nested user interface. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 receiving a user interface panel configured for individual display on a small display screen, and as part of a nested user interface on a display device that is larger than the small display screen;   receiving one or more subsequent user interface panels each configured for sequential, individual display on the small display screen, the one or more subsequent user interface panels further configured for display together as part of the nested user interface on the display device;   displaying the nested user interface to include the user interface panel and the one or more subsequent user interface panels displayed together on the display device proximate one another to form the nested user interface; and   transitioning a focus from a first of the user interface panels to a second of the user interface panels in response to a selection of a menu item in the first user interface panel, the transitioning including at least repositioning one of the first and second user interface panels in the nested user interface.   
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the nested user interface includes all of the user interface panels displayed together on the display device. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 communicating the user interface panel and the one or more subsequent user interface panels from a portable device integrated with the small display screen to the display device.   
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein a display of the first user interface panel in the nested user interface is modified when said transitioning the focus from the first user interface panel to the second user interface panel. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the first user interface panel is said modified to display as a background of the nested user interface. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the first user interface panel is said modified to display as a faded user interface panel in the nested user interface. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 modifying the display of the second user interface panel to include a background associated with the menu item that is selected in the first user interface panel.