Graphical user interface for navigating between levels displaying hallway and room metaphors

摘要

A graphical navigation user interface for enabling user control of a computer system incorporating navigation levels, each of which is based on a physical real-world metaphor. The navigation system includes a first navigation level, a second navigation level and a third navigation level. The first navigation level includes a plurality of first level objects having a respective plurality of functions. When the first navigation level is accessed, a first level object is displayed. The presentation of the first level object is based on the appearance of a corresponding real- world device. From the first level, the second level is accessed by actuating a step back control. The second navigation level includes a second level object which represents a room or a similar architectural structure. This second level object includes a plurality of objects representing first navigation level objects. From the second level room object, navigation to a first level is performed by actuating one of the first level objects. From the second navigation level, the third navigation level is accessed by actuating a step back control. The third navigation level includes a third level object which depicts a hallway or similar commonly understood continuous structure for linearly moving between locations. From the third navigation level, the second navigation level is accessed by touching an object representing the second level. The third level object can be extended lengthwise to provide navigation space for new second level and first level objects.