Method and apparatus for fluid graphical user interface

Abstract

A method including causing, at least in part, display of selectable objects on a graphical user interface, where each of the selectable objects corresponds to data or an application accessible via the graphical user interface. The method further includes detecting a touch gesture on the graphical user interface and causing, at least in part, display of the selectable objects in motion travelling across the graphical user interface responsive to the detected touch gesture, where the selectable objects are displayed based on a category of the selectable object or context dependent data. The method further includes allowing user selection and manipulation of the selectable objects displayed on the graphical user interface.

1 . A method comprising:
 detecting a touch gesture on a graphical user interface;   displaying, via the graphical user interface, one or more selectable objects as corresponding icons in motion travelling in a first direction across the graphical user interface responsive to the detected touch gesture, wherein one or more of the selectable objects corresponds to data or an application;   designating one or more of the selectable objects into a source, wherein the source produces a flow of content related to the designated selectable object; and   displaying, via the graphical user interface, the content as one or more symbols in motion travelling in a second direction across the graphical user interface.   
     
     
         2 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the selectable objects are displayed based on a category of the selectable object or context dependent data, the method further comprising:
 allowing user selection and manipulation of the one or more selectable objects displayed on the graphical user interface; and   allowing user manipulation to provide the designation of the one or more of the selectable objects into the source.   
     
     
         3 . A method of  claim 2 , wherein the user selection and manipulation includes allowing a user to select a first selectable object of the one or more selectable objects, and to fix the first selectable object at a location on the graphical user interface, and
 wherein the user selection and manipulation further includes allowing the user:
 to activate media playback of the first selectable object; or 
 to activate an editor or a viewer associated with the first selectable object. 
   
     
     
         4 . A method of  claim 2 , wherein the user selection and manipulation includes allowing a user to remove a particular one of the one or more selectable objects from being displayed in the motion of the selectable objects on the graphical user interface, and
 wherein the removed selectable object is reduced in priority of display as compared to other ones of the selectable objects.   
     
     
         5 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the manipulation of the one or more selectable objects displayed on the graphical user interface is defined by a function of metadata linked to a respective selectable object. 
     
     
         6 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the touch gesture includes a swiping motion to control a direction, a speed, a pattern, a combination thereof, of the motion of the one or more selectable objects. 
     
     
         7 . A method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 activating the source from which the content related to the source flow; and   allowing user manipulation to define a location of the source, a direction of the flow, a boundary of the source, a combination thereof,   wherein the source corresponds to an area of the graphical user interface.   
     
     
         8 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein an order of the display of the selectable objects is based, at least in part, on user usage history, and wherein the user usage history includes a frequency with which the selectable objects are selected. 
     
     
         9 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical user interface is provided on a mobile device, the method further comprising:
 allowing a user to set the flow, wherein the setting includes speed of travel, direction of travel, and number of contents that are caused to be displayed simultaneously; and   causing a pause of the motion of the selectable objects displayed on the graphical user interface.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code,   the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:
 detect a touch gesture on a graphical user interface; 
 display, via the graphical user interface, one or more selectable objects as corresponding icons in motion travelling in a first direction across the graphical user interface responsive to the detected touch gesture, wherein one or more of the selectable objects corresponds to data or an application; 
 designate one or more of the selectable objects into a source, wherein the source produces a flow of content related to the designated selectable object; and 
 display, via the graphical user interface, the content as one or more symbols in motion travelling in a second direction across the graphical user interface. 
   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the selectable objects are displayed based on a category of the selectable object or context dependent data, the apparatus being further caused to:
 allow user selection and manipulation of the one or more selectable objects displayed on the graphical user interface; and   allow user manipulation to provide the designation of the one or more of the selectable objects into the source.   
     
     
         12 . An apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the user selection and manipulation includes allowing a user to select a first selectable object of the one or more selectable objects, and to fix the first selectable object at a location on the graphical user interface, and
 wherein the user selection and manipulation further includes allowing the user:
 to activate media playback of the first selectable object; or 
 to activate an editor or a viewer associated with the first selectable object. 
   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the user selection and manipulation includes allowing a user to remove a particular one of the one or more selectable objects from being displayed in the motion of the selectable objects on the graphical user interface, and
 wherein the removed selectable object is reduced in priority of display as compared to other ones of the selectable objects.   
     
     
         14 . An apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the manipulation of the one or more selectable objects displayed on the graphical user interface is defined by a function of metadata linked to a respective selectable object. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the touch gesture includes a swiping motion to control a direction, a speed, a pattern, a combination thereof, of the motion of the one or more selectable objects. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
 activate the source from which the contents related to the source flow; and   allow user manipulation to define a location of the source, a direction of the flow, a boundary of the source, a combination thereof,   wherein the source corresponds to an area of the graphical user interface.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein an order of the display of the selectable objects is based, at least in part, on user usage history, and wherein the user usage history includes a frequency with which the selectable objects are selected. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the graphical user interface is provided on a mobile device, the apparatus being further caused to:
 allow a user to set the flow, wherein the setting includes speed of travel, direction of travel, and number of contents that are caused to be displayed simultaneously; and   pause of the motion of the selectable objects displayed on the graphical user interface.   
     
     
         19 . A system comprising:
 a user interface widget configured to detect a touch gesture on a graphical user interface, and to present, via the graphical user interface, one or more selectable objects as corresponding icons in motion travelling in a first direction across the graphical user interface responsive to the detected touch gesture, wherein one or more of the selectable objects corresponds to data or an application,   wherein the one or more of the selectable objects are designated as a source that produces a flow of content related to the designated selectable object,   wherein the user interface widget is further configured to present, via the graphical user interface, the content as one or more symbols in motion travelling in a second direction across the graphical user interface.   
     
     
         20 . A system of  claim 19 , wherein the user interface widget is part of a mobile device configured to communicate over a network to receive the contents.