US 7,127,679 B2Granted

Method for generating and navigating a plurality of menus using a database and a menu template

AssigneeSoftrek, Inc.

InventorGerald I. Cohen

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Abstract

Menus are created that facilitate access to data in a menu database. Preferably, the menus include a plurality of menus items laid out so as to duplicate the spatial organization of keys on a numeric keypad, such that a one-to-one relationship exists between the keys on the keypad and the menu items. The amount of memory required to store database records relating to individual menus is reduced, because a menu template provides general formatting information. Thus, database records need not include formatting details. When a menu is required, a menu template modifier uses the menu template and the corresponding database record to generate the desired menu. The menus are employed for accessing data in the menu database. An edit function is provided in the menu template modifier to enable custom menus to be developed and modified.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method for utilizing a plurality of menus to access selected data in a menu database opened with a database program, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of database records, a menu template, and a menu template modifier, such that each database record:
(i) corresponds to a previously developed menu that includes a plurality of menu items;
and
(ii) can be used to re-create the corresponding previously developed menu for display to a user, by using the menu template modifier to modify the menu template in accord with the contents of the database record, the menu template defining the format of the previously developed menu;
(b) enabling a user to select one of the previously developed menus;
(c) using said menu template modifier, said menu template, and a database record corresponding to the previously developed menu selected by the user to re-create the previously developed menu selected by the user, said database record corresponding to the previously developed menu selected by the user defining an appearance and a functionality of the menu items included within the previously developed menu selected by the user;
(d) displaying the recreation of the previously developed menu to the user to enable the user to select at least one of said plurality of menu items, the database record corresponding to the previously developed menu selected by the user including at least one event associated with the menu item that was selected;
and
(e) in response to the menu item being selected by the user, causing said at least one event associated with the menu item that was selected, to occur.

6 more elements

An article of manufacture adapted for use with a computing device, is comprising:

(a) a memory medium;
and
(b) a plurality of machine instructions stored on the memory medium, which when executed by a processor of the computing device, cause the processor to:
(i) enable a user to select a database record corresponding to a previously developed menu in a menu database opened in a database program, the previously developed menu having been saved as a database record that can be used in conjunction with a menu template and a menu template modifier to re-create the previously developed menu, to reduce an amount of memory required to store the previously developed menu;
(ii) access the menu template, the menu template modifier, and the database record corresponding to the previously developed menu, the database record including data that define an appearance of the previously developed menu, and an appearance and functionality for a plurality of menu items included in the previously developed menu;
(iii) use the menu template, the menu template modifier, and the database record corresponding to the previously developed menu to recreate the previously developed menu;
(iv) display the recreation of the previously developed menu to a user to enable a user to select at least one of a plurality of menu items;
and
(v) enable at least one of a plurality of events associated with the menu item that was selected to occur in response to the selection of the menu item.

6 more elements

A system for enabling a user to access data in a menu database opened with a database program, using a plurality of predefined menus, comprising:

(a) a memory in which a plurality of machine instructions are stored;
(b) a display;
(c) a keyboard input device comprising a plurality of keys;
and
(d) a processor that is coupled to the display and to the memory to access the machine instructions, said processor executing said machine instruction to implement a plurality of functions, including:
(i) enabling a user to select a database record corresponding to a previously developed menu from the menu database, said previously developed menu including a plurality of menu items, the previously developed menu having been saved as a database record that can be used in conjunction with a menu template that defines a format of the previously developed menu, and a menu template modifier, to re-create the previously developed menu, in order to reduce an amount of memory required to store the previously developed menu;
(ii) using the menu template that defines the format of the desired menu, the menu template modifier, and the database record selected from the menu database, recreating the previously developed menu, said database record including data that define an appearance and functional parameters of the menu items;
(iii) displaying said re-creation of the previously developed menu to the user, and enabling the user to select at least one of a plurality of menu items, the data defining each menu item in the database record specifying any events associated with the menu item;
and
(iv) enabling at least one of a plurality of events associated with the menu item that was selected by the user to occur.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.