Patent ID: 6031471
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A machine-user interface, comprising:a matrix-reduction selection keypad with corresponding user pushbuttons representing ""up"", ""right"", ""down"", ""left"", and ""middle"";an alphanumeric display proximate to the matrix-reduction selection keypad and providing for the display of a first two-dimensional matrix of individual characters;a selection indication connected to the alphanumeric display for highlighting a second two-dimensional matrix of individual characters that is a subset of said first two-dimensional matrix of individual characters; anda processor connected to the alphanumeric display and the matrix-reduction selection keypad, and programmed to generate a screen display of said first and second two-dimensional matrices of individual characters;wherein, the matrix-reduction selection keypad is recursively used to reduce said first two-dimensional matrices of individual characters to said second two-dimensional matrices of individual characters, and if such is not a 1.times.1 matrix with a single member, then further to an nth subset of two-dimensional matrices of individual characters, and said user pushbuttons representing ""up"", ""right"", ""down"", ""left"", and ""middle"" are used to select a next succeeding subset from its parent subset.