METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NAVIGATING A PLURALITY OF MENUS USING HAPTICALLY DISTINGUISHABLE USER INPUTS
First Claim
1. A method for enabling a user to select a specific menu item from among a plurality of different menu items being displayed, to access data in a database that has been opened by a database program, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an input device having a plurality of user actuatable switches that are tactilely distinguishable from each other;
(b) creating a menu that comprises a plurality of menu items, wherein there is a one-to-one relationship between each menu item and a different user actuatable switch from among the plurality of user actuatable switches, and wherein the menu items are each associated with data in the database;
(c) displaying the menu to a user on a display, wherein said display does not comprise said user actuatable switches; and
(d) enabling the user to select a menu item to access the data in the database associated with the menu item that was selected, by actuating a user actuatable switch that corresponds to said menu item, a tactile sensation experienced by the user touching the user actuatable switches enabling the user to identify each user actuatable switch being touched.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Menus are created that facilitate access to data in a menu database. The menus include a plurality of menus items laid out so as to duplicate a spatial organization of keys on a numeric keypad, such that a one-to-one relationship between the keys on the keypad and the menu items exists and is apparent to a user. The amount of memory required to store database records relating to individual menus is reduced, because a menu template provides general formatting information. Thus, database records need not include formatting details. When a menu is required, a menu template modifier uses the menu template and the corresponding database record to generate the required menu. The menus are employed for accessing data in the menu database. An edit function is provided in the menu template modifier to enable custom menus to be developed and modified.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for enabling a user to select a specific menu item from among a plurality of different menu items being displayed, to access data in a database that has been opened by a database program, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an input device having a plurality of user actuatable switches that are tactilely distinguishable from each other;
(b) creating a menu that comprises a plurality of menu items, wherein there is a one-to-one relationship between each menu item and a different user actuatable switch from among the plurality of user actuatable switches, and wherein the menu items are each associated with data in the database;
(c) displaying the menu to a user on a display, wherein said display does not comprise said user actuatable switches; and
(d) enabling the user to select a menu item to access the data in the database associated with the menu item that was selected, by actuating a user actuatable switch that corresponds to said menu item, a tactile sensation experienced by the user touching the user actuatable switches enabling the user to identify each user actuatable switch being touched. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for enabling a user to select a specific menu item from among a plurality of different menu items being displayed on a screen by using a numeric keypad, to access data in a database, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a keyboard input device that includes a numeric keypad having a plurality of keys numbered sequentially;
(b) creating a menu that comprises a plurality of menu items such that each menu item corresponds to a different one of the keys on the numeric keypad;
(c) displaying said menu to a user so as to indicate a one-to-one relationship between each menu item and a specific corresponding key on the numeric keypad that is in the one-to-one relationship with the menu item; and
(d) enabling a user to select a menu item to access data. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A device configured to enable a user to rapidly select a specific menu item from among a plurality of different menu items being displayed on a screen, comprising:
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(a) a memory in which a plurality of machine instructions are stored;
(b) a display;
(c) an input device comprising a plurality of keys, at least some of which are tactilely distinguishable from each other; and
(d) a processor that is coupled to the display and to the memory to access the machine instructions, said processor executing said machine instructions and implementing a plurality of functions, including;
(i) creating a menu that comprises the plurality of different menu items and providing a one-to-one relationship between each menu item and a corresponding key;
(ii) displaying the generated menu to a user; and
(iii) enabling a user to select at least one menu item by actuating the key corresponding to the menu item, where the menu provides information sufficient to enable a user to select the corresponding key based on a tactile sensation. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification