Patent ID: 7890862
Filing Date: 2011-02-15
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for entering data into a computing device, the apparatus comprising: a graphical user interface configured to display menus in a menu structure of at least two hierarchy levels, the menu structure including a topmost menu at a topmost hierarchy level and a further menu at at least one further hierarchy level; at least two haptic keys, each configured to receive a pressure to be pressed down, and each providing an increased force-feedback opposing the pressure as the respective haptic key is pressed further down, wherein the graphical user interface displays a graphical indication moving through the topmost menu or the further menu displayed on the graphical user interface, the graphical indication parallel in a position in the topmost menu or the further menu to a position of one of the at least two haptic keys resulting from the pressure opposing the increased force-feedback of the one of the at least two haptic keys; and control means for generating input data depending on an item of the menu structure selected using the one of the at least two haptic keys, wherein said control means generates input data causing the graphical user interface to move through the topmost menu on the topmost hierarchy level when a first haptic key of the at least two haptic keys receives the pressure, said control means generates input data causing the graphical user interface to move through the further menu on said at least one further hierarchy level when a second haptic key of the at least two haptic keys receives the pressure, the one of the at least two haptic keys is configured to be mechanically locked when the item of the menu structure is selected, and said control means generates input data causing the graphical user interface to return to a hierarchy level of the menu structure with a single operation of applying a pressure to one of the at least two haptic keys corresponding to the hierarchy level, whereby the one of the at least two haptic keys corresponding to the hierarchy level and each haptic key corresponding to a lower hierarchy level of the at least two hierarchy levels are disengaged.