Methods and devices for selecting items such as data files
First Claim
1. A method for allowing a user to select one of a variable number of items, the method employing a device having a display area and, separately from the display area, a data input means which registers a selection made by the user within a loop-shaped range,the method including:
- displaying within the display area a variable number of regions equal to the variable number of items;
defining within the range a variable number of sections equal to the variable number of items, the arrangement of said sections corresponding to the arrangement of said regions of the display area, each section corresponding to a respective region,whereby the user can select one of said items by selecting a respective one of said sections.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method is described for allowing a user to select one of a plurality of items. The user employs a device having a display area, and a joystick or a contact sensitive area. The device displays a number of regions equal to the number of items, and defines a number of sections in the angular range of the joystick, or sections within the contact sensitive area, equal to the number of items, and arranged corresponding to the arrangement of the regions of the display area. The user selects one of said items by selecting the corresponding section.
27 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for allowing a user to select one of a variable number of items, the method employing a device having a display area and, separately from the display area, a data input means which registers a selection made by the user within a loop-shaped range,
the method including: -
displaying within the display area a variable number of regions equal to the variable number of items; defining within the range a variable number of sections equal to the variable number of items, the arrangement of said sections corresponding to the arrangement of said regions of the display area, each section corresponding to a respective region, whereby the user can select one of said items by selecting a respective one of said sections. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 28)
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2. A method for allowing a user to select one of a variable number of items, the method employing a device having a display area and, separately from the display area, a data input means which registers a selection made by the user within a loop-shaped range,
the method including at least once performing the steps of: -
(a) displaying within the display area a variable number of regions, each region corresponding to one of the variable number of items, (b) defining a variable number of subsets of said regions; (c) defining within the range a variable number of sections equal to the variable number of subsets, the arrangement of said sections corresponding to the arrangement of the respective subsets of regions, whereby the user can select one of said subsets by selecting the respective one of said sections; (d) at least once defining a variable number of subsets of said selected subset of regions; and defining within the range a variable number of sections equal to the variable number of subsets, the arrangement of said sections corresponding to the arrangement of the respective subsets of regions, whereby the user can select one of said subsets by selecting the respective one of said sections; and (e) defining within the range a variable number of sections equal to the variable number of items in the said selected one of the respective subsets of regions, the arrangement of said sections corresponding to the arrangement of the respective regions representing the items, whereby the user can select one of said items by selecting the respective one of said sections.
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18. A device for allowing a user to select one of a variable number of items, the device having:
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a display area, for displaying a variable number of regions equal to the number of items; data input means, separate from said display area, which registers a selection made by the user within a loop-shaped range; and a processor for (i) defining within the range a variable number of sections equal to the variable number of items, the arrangement of said sections corresponding to the arrangement of said regions of the display area, and each section corresponding to a respective region, and (ii) upon a user selecting a respective one of the sections, determining the corresponding item. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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19. A device for allowing a user to select one of a variable number of items, the device having:
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a display area for displaying a variable number of regions, each region corresponding to one of the number of items; a data input means which registers a selection made by the user within a loop-shaped range; and a processor for (a) defining a variable number of subsets of said variable number of regions; (b) dividing the loop-shaped range into a variable number of sections equal to the variable number of subsets, the arrangement of said sections in the loop-shaped range corresponding to the arrangement of the respective variable number of subsets of regions, whereby the user can select one of said variable number of subsets by selecting the respective one of said sections; (c) at least once defining a variable number of subsets of said selected subset of regions; and dividing the loop-shaped range into a variable number of selectable sections equal to the variable number of subsets, the arrangement of said selectable sections corresponding to the arrangement of the respective variable number of subsets of regions, whereby the user can select one of said variable number of subsets by selecting the respective one of said variable number of sections; and (d) dividing the loop-shaped range into a number of selectable sections equal to the variable number of items in the previously selected subset, the arrangement of said selectable sections corresponding to the arrangement of the respective regions representing the items, whereby the user can select one of said items by selecting the respective one of said sections.
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Specification