Data input

A method for controlling a user interface to select an item from a predetermined set of items organized in a menu comprising a first and second menu levels starting from the first menu level followed by the second menu level, the user interface comprising an input having a plurality of actuators, and an output;

• the method comprising:
• controlling the user interface to provide a first menu selection corresponding to the first multi level and comprising a first number of menu items nor exceeding the number of actuators;
• associating different menu items with different actuators;
• in response to operation of the actuators, selecting from the menu a first item associated with the operated actuator,
• controlling the user interface to provide, corresponding to the second menu level, a second menu selection comprising a second number of menu items in response to selection of the first item and to represent a subset of the first item, wherein the second number is less than the first number and the actuator operated to select the first item is never associated with a menu item of the second menu selection.

An apparatus for selecting an item from a predetermined set of menu items organized in a menu comprising a first menu level and a second menu level, the apparatus comprising:

• a user interface comprising an input having a plurality of actuators, and an output;
• control means for controlling the user interface to provide a first menu level comprising no more menu items than the number of actuators, wherein different actuators are associated with different menu items;
• selection means responsive to operation of any one of the actuators for selecting from the first menu level a menu item to which the operated actuator is associated,
• wherein the control means is configured to control the user interface to provide a second menu level, dependent upon the identity of the selected menu item, that has less menu items than the number of actuators and wherein one or more of the actuators, but never the actuator operated to select the first item, are each associated with a different menu item of the second level.

An apparatus for selecting an item from a predetermined set of menu items organized in a menu comprising a first menu level and a second menu level, the apparatus comprising:

• a user interface comprising an input having a plurality of actuators, and an output;
• control means for controlling the user interface to provide a first menu level comprising no more menu items than the number of actuators, wherein different actuators are associated with different menu items;
• selection means responsive to operation of any one of the actuators for selecting from the first menu level a menu item to which the operated actuator is associated;
• wherein the control means is configured to control the user interface to provide for each of the menu items of the first level, when selected, a second menu level, dependent upon the identity of the selected menu item, that has less menu items than the number of actuators and wherein one or more of the actuators, but not the actuator operated to select the first item, are each associated with a different menu item of the second level.

An apparatus for selecting an item from a predetermined set of menu items organized in a menu comprising a first menu level and a second menu level, the apparatus comprising:

• a user interface comprising an input having a plurality of actuators, and an output;
• control means for controlling the user interface to provide a first menu level comprising no more menu items than the number of actuators, wherein different actuators are associated with different menu items;
• selection means responsive to operation of any one of the actuators for selecting from the first menu level a menu item to which the operated actuator is associated;
• wherein the control means is configured to control the user interface to provide a second menu level, dependent upon the identity of the selected menu item, that has less menu items than the number of actuators, wherein each menu item of the second level is associated with a different actuator chosen from the group comprising the plurality of actuators but excluding the actuator operated to select the first item.