Method and apparatus for navigating a plurality of menus using haptically distinguishable user inputs

A method for enabling a user to select a specific menu item from among a plurality of different menu items being displayed on a screen by using a numeric keypad, to access data in a database, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a keyboard input device that includes a numeric keypad having a plurality of keys numbered sequentially and tactilely distinguishable from each other;
• (b) creating a menu that comprises a plurality of menu items such that each menu item corresponds to a different one of the keys on the numeric keypad, wherein the one-to-one relationship is established by formatting an appearance of each of the icons associated with each of the menu items to correspond with tactile properties of each of the corresponding keys;
• (c) displaying said menu to a user so as to indicate a one-to-one relationship between each menu item and a specific corresponding key on the numeric keypad that is in the one-to-one relationship with the menu item based on a correspondence between a layout of the menu items of the menu and the keys on the numeric keypad;
• and
• (d) enabling a user to select a menu item to access data by actuating the specific corresponding key on the numeric keypad that is in the one-to-one relationship with the menu item being selected, based on tactile properties of the specific corresponding key.

A device configured to enable a user to rapidly select a specific menu item from among a plurality of different menu items being displayed on a screen, comprising:

• (a) a memory in which a plurality of machine instructions are stored;
• (b) a display;
• (c) an input device comprising a plurality of keys, at least some of which are tactilely distinguishable from each other;
• and
• (d) a processor that is coupled to the display and to the memory to access the machine instructions, said processor executing said machine instructions and implementing a plurality of functions, including:
• (i) creating a menu that comprises the plurality of different menu items and providing a one-to-one relationship between each menu item and a corresponding key, wherein the one-to-one relationship is established by formatting an appearance of each of the icons associated with each of the menu items to correspond with tactile properties of each of the corresponding keys;
• (ii) displaying the menu created to a user;
• and
• (iii) enabling a user to select at least one menu item by selecting and actuating the key corresponding to the menu item, based on a tactile sensation experienced by the user from simply touching the corresponding key.