Data input
First Claim
1. Apparatus for selecting a character from a predetermined set of characters comprising:
- a means for presenting to a user a first plurality of selectable choices, at least one of which represents a sub-set of said set of characters;
input means that is a directional input means having a predetermined number of predetermined directional inputs for selecting one of said first plurality of selectable choices, the predetermined number matching with the number of the selectable choices and each of the directional inputs being associated with a respective one on the first plurality of choices so that a user may select a particular choice by selecting a respective directional input;
wherein the means for presenting further presents to a user a second plurality of selectable choices, at least one of which represents a character of said selected choice, the second plurality of selectable choices comprising less than the predetermined number of choices so that each of the choices in the second plurality of choices is associated with a respective directional input selected from the group of directional inputs excluding the previously selected directional input; and
wherein the input means further functions for selecting a character from said second plurality of selectable choices.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a method and an apparatus for selecting a character from a predetermined set of characters. An apparatus for selecting a character from a predetermined set of characters includes a means for presenting to a user a first plurality of selectable choices, at least one of which represents a sub-set of said set of characters; input means for selecting one of said first plurality of selectable choices; wherein the means for presenting further presents to a user a second plurality of selectable choices, at least one of which represents a character of said selected choice; and wherein the input means further functions for selecting a character from said second plurality of selectable choices.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. Apparatus for selecting a character from a predetermined set of characters comprising:
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a means for presenting to a user a first plurality of selectable choices, at least one of which represents a sub-set of said set of characters;
input means that is a directional input means having a predetermined number of predetermined directional inputs for selecting one of said first plurality of selectable choices, the predetermined number matching with the number of the selectable choices and each of the directional inputs being associated with a respective one on the first plurality of choices so that a user may select a particular choice by selecting a respective directional input;
wherein the means for presenting further presents to a user a second plurality of selectable choices, at least one of which represents a character of said selected choice, the second plurality of selectable choices comprising less than the predetermined number of choices so that each of the choices in the second plurality of choices is associated with a respective directional input selected from the group of directional inputs excluding the previously selected directional input; and
wherein the input means further functions for selecting a character from said second plurality of selectable choices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of selecting a character from a predetermined set of characters comprising:
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presenting to a user a first plurality of selectable choices, at least one of which represents a sub-set of said set of characters;
associating each choice in the first plurality of selectable choices with a respective directional input;
selecting one of said first plurality of selectable choices with a respective directional input;
presenting to a user a second plurality of selectable choices comprising at least one less choice than the first plurality of selectable choices, at least one of which represents a character of said selected choice;
associating each choice in the second plurality of choices with one of the directional inputs so that each of the choices in the second plurality of choices is associated with a respective directional input selected from the group of directional inputs excluding the previously selected directional input; and
selecting a character from said second plurality of selectable choices. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification