Menu item selection method for small-sized information terminal apparatus

A menu item selection method comprising:

• a step of displaying first to Nth (N≧3) menu items on a display section in order of menu item numbers, as well as a cursor for designating any one of the menu items;
• a first movement step of, each time a first operator is activated, moving said cursor, in a predetermined direction along an arrangement of said first to Nth menu items, to designate the menu item displayed next to the menu item currently designated by said cursor;
• a second movement step of, each time a second operator is activated, moving said cursor, in said predetermined direction, to designate the menu item displayed a predetermined number nj (nj≧2) of menu items ahead of the menu item currently designated by said cursor;
• a step of detecting whether a selection button has been activated while any one of said first to Nth menu items is being designated by said cursor;
• and
• a step of selecting the menu item being designated by said cursor, in response to detection, by said step of detecting, activation of said selection button.

An information terminal apparatus comprising:

• a display section;
• a display unit for displaying first to Nth (N≧3) menu items on said display section in order of menu item numbers, as well as a cursor for designating any one of the menu items;
• first to fourth operators for controlling movement, on said display section, of said cursor;
• a first movement section for, each time said first operator is activated, moving said cursor, in a first direction from said first menu item toward said Nth menu item, to designate the menu item next to the menu item currently designated by said cursor;
• a second movement section for, each time said second operator is activated, moving said cursor, in said first direction, to designate the menu item displayed a predetermined number nj (nj≧2) of menu items ahead of the menu item currently designated by said cursor;
• a third movement section for, each time said third operator is activated, moving said cursor, in a second direction from said Nth menu item toward said first menu item, to designate the menu item next to the menu item currently designated by said cursor;
• a fourth movement section for, each time said fourth operator is activated, moving said cursor, in said second direction, to designate the menu item displayed the predetermined number nj of menu items ahead of the menu item currently designated by said cursor;
• a selection operator for selecting a desired one of said first to Nth menu items;
• a detection section for detecting whether said selection operator has been activated while any one of said first to Nth menu items is being designated by said cursor;
• and
• a selection section for selecting the menu item being designated by said cursor, in response to detection, by said detection section, activation of said selection operator.