Hierarchical menu graphical user interface

A processing device, including a User interface for

• displaying and selecting device operating parameters, comprising:
• means for generating a display of hierarchically ordered set of control menus for presentation in a merged display including a window for a concurrent Application program initiated via said menus, said menus including a current menu and a preceding parent menu showing a displayed selection path that connects from said parent menu to said current menu and and showing a display menu entry and menu exist points incorporating:
• A) a menu item for displaying a first operating parameter of said device, and
• B) a menu item enabling a User to enter an updated value of a second operating parameter of said device;
• and
• means for altering said processing device operation in response to said updated value.

A processing device, including an on-screen User interface display, comprising

• means for generating a display of a plurality of hierarchically ordered menus including a first menu, a second menu preceding said first menu and a third menu preceding said second menu, said display showing a selection path from said third menu to said first menu and said selection path indicating entry and exit points of said second menu, wherein
• said entry and exit points are separated by at least one intervening menu item and said selection path entry point is indicated by an entry icon of variable location within said second menu and said entry icon is located adjacent to a menu item first selected by a user from a plurality of items in said second menu;
• and
• means for accessing a database supporting the update of said display.

A method for generating an on-screen User interface display, comprising:

• generating a plurality of hierarchically ordered menus for presentation in a merged display including a window for a concurrent Application program initiated via said menus, said menus including a current menu and a preceding parent menu showing displaying a selection path that connects from said parent menu to said current menu and showing a display menu entry and menu exist points wherein
• a menu selection item within said parent menu provides a User at least one of:
• A) a display of control information for a device, and
• B) control parameter data entry capability;
• and
• updating said on-screen display in response to User menu item selection.

A method for producing a User interface for displaying and selecting device operating parameters, comprising:

• generating a display of hierarchically ordered set of control menus for presentation in a merged display including a window for a concurrent Application program initiated via said menus, said menus including a current menu and a preceding parent menu showing a selection path that connects from said parent menu to said current menu and and showing a display menu entry and menu exist points incorporating,
• A) d a menu item for displaying a first operating parameter of said device, and
• B) a menu item enabling a User to enter an updated value of a second operating parameter of said device;
• and
• altering said processing device operation in response to said updated value.

A method for generating an on-screen User interface display comprising:

• generating a display of a plurality of hierarchically ordered menus including a first menu, a second menu preceding said first menu and a third menu preceding said second menu, said display showing a displayed selection path from said third menu to said first menu and said selection path indicating entry and exit points of said second menu, wherein
• said entry and exit points are separated by at least one intervening menu item and said selection path entry point is indicated by an entry icon of variable location within said second menu and said entry icon is located adjacent to a menu item first selected by a user from a plurality of items in said second menu;
• and
• accessing a database supporting the update of said display.

Apparatus including an on-screen display User interface, comprising:

• means for generating a display of multiple hierarchically ordered menus including a current menu and a preceding parent menu, showing a displayed selection path that connects from said parent menu to said current menu and showing a display menu entry and menu exist points wherein
• said display generating means provides a continuously visible display of said selection path in a period comprising at least one of:
• A) the duration of a User's interactive operation of said apparatus
• B) the duration of a User's interactive operation of an Application program, and
• C) the duration of a User's operation of said apparatus exclusive of periods of Application program operation;
• and
• means for updating said on-screen display User interface in response to User menu item selection.