Data Input

• US 20020030700A1
• Filed: 06/29/2001
• Published: 03/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Arnold, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 7,079,115 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/810
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/70 methods for entering alphabetical characters, e.g. multi-tap or dictionary disambiguation

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for selecting an item from a predetermined set of items. The apparatus comprises a user interface comprising an input having a plurality of actuators, and an output. It further comprises control means for controlling the user interface to provide a first menu selection comprising a plurality of items not exceeding the number of actuators, and selection means responsive to operation of the actuators for selecting the item from the menu associated with the operated actuator. The control means controls the user interface to provide a further menu selection in response to selection of an item, at least one item of the further menu selection representing a subset of the selected item.

Claims

1. An apparatus for selecting an item from a predetermined set of items, the apparatus comprising:

a user interface comprising an input having a plurality of actuators, and an output;

control means for controlling the user interface to provide a first menu selection comprising a plurality of items not exceeding the number of actuators; and

selection means responsive to operation of the actuators for selecting the item from the menu associated with the operated actuator;

wherein the control means controls the user interface to provide a further menu selection in response to selection of an item, at least one item of the further menu selection representing a subset of the selected item.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input comprises key means.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein plurality of actuators of the key means are keys.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input comprises a multipositional device.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input is a multipositional device.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the multipositional device is a joystick.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the further menu selection comprises a plurality of items not exceeding the number of actuators.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the further menu selection comprises less items than the number of actuators.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control means controls the user interface such that the actuator operated has no item associated with it in the further menu selection.

10. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as illustrated in, any one or any combination of the accompanying drawings.

11. A method for controlling a user interface to select an item from a predetermined set of items, the user interface comprising an input having a plurality of actuators, and an output;

the method comprising;

controlling the user interface to provide a first menu selection comprising a plurality of items not exceeding the number of actuators;

in response to operation of the actuators, selecting the item from the menu associated with the operated actuator;

controlling the user interface to provide a further menu selection in response to selection of an item, at least one item of the further menu selection representing a subset of the selected item.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the further menu selection comprises a plurality of items not exceeding the number of actuators.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the further menu selection comprises less items than the number of actuators.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein controlling the user interface such that the actuator operated has no item associated with it in the further menu selection.

15. A method for controlling a user interface to select an item from a predetermined set of items, the user interface comprising an input having a plurality of actuators, and an output, the method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as illustrated in, any one or any combination of the accompanying drawings.