# US 7,079,115 B2 · Data input > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,079,115 B2 - Document ID: US7079115B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 09/893,419 - Filed: 2001-06-29 - Published: 2002-03-14 - Granted: 2006-07-18 - Earliest claimed: 2000-06-30 - Assignees: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd. - Inventors: Steve Arnold - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7079115B2 ## CPC - G06F 3/04842: Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements (G06F3/0482 takes precedence) - G06F 3/0236: {using selection techniques to select from displayed items} - G06F 3/0482: Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus - H04M 1/72466: with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device - H04M 1/724: User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones - H04M 2250/70: methods for entering alphabetical characters, e.g. multi-tap or dictionary disambiguation - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) ## Abstract An apparatus is disclosed for selecting an item from a predetermined set of items. The apparatus comprises a user interface comprising an input having a plurality of actuators, and an output. It further comprises control means for controlling the user interface to provide a first menu selection comprising a plurality of items not exceeding the number of actuators, and selection means responsive to operation of the actuators for selecting the item from the menu associated with the operated actuator. The control means controls the user interface to provide a further menu selection in response to selection of an item, at least one item of the further menu selection representing a subset of the selected item. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for selecting an item from a predetermined set of menu items organized in a menu comprising a first and second menu levels, 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 selection corresponding to the first menu level and comprising a first number of menu items not exceeding the number of actuators, wherein different menu items are associated with different actuators; and selection means responsive to operation of any one of the actuators for selecting from the menu a first item associated with the operated actuator; wherein the control means is configured to control 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 so that at least one menu item of the second menu selection represents a subset of the first item, the second number being less than the first number and the actuator operated to select the first item is never associated with a menu item of the second selection. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first input comprises key means. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein plurality of actuators of the key means are keys. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input comprises a multipositional device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the multipositional device is a joystick. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second menu selection comprises less items than the number of actuators. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the further menu selection comprises a plurality of items not exceeding the number of actuators. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the further menu selection comprises a plurality of items not exceeding the number of actuators. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the further menu selection comprises a plurality of items not exceeding the number of actuators. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the further menu selection comprises a plurality of items not exceeding the number of actuators. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the further menu selection comprises a plurality of items not exceeding the number of actuators. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means has been further configured to control the user interface to associate one of the actuators with a buck function and on operation of the key associated with the back function to return from the second menu level to the first menu level. ### Claim 13 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. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second menu selection comprises a plurality of items not exceeding the number of actuators. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, further comprising associating one of the actuators with a back function and on operation of the key associated with the back function returning from the second menu level to the first menu level. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the input is a multipositional device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, wherein the multipositional device is a joystick. ### Claim 18 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. ### Claim 19 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. ### Claim 20 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.