Patent ID: 6812940
Filing Date: 2004-11-02
Classification: G06F,H04M

Abstract:
Apparatus for selecting a character from a predetermined set of characters comprising:a means for presenting to a user a first plurality of selectable choices, at least one of which represents a sub-set of said set of characters; input means that is a directional input means having a predetermined number of predetermined directional inputs for selecting one of said first plurality of selectable choices, the predetermined number matching with the number of the selectable choices and each of the directional inputs being associated with a respective one on the first plurality of choices so that a user may select a particular choice by selecting a respective directional input; wherein the means for presenting further presents to a user a second plurality of selectable choices, at least one of which represents a character of said selected choice, the second plurality of selectable choices comprising less than the predetermined number of choices so that each of the choices in the second plurality of choices is associated with a respective directional input selected from the group of directional inputs excluding the previously selected directional input; and wherein the input means further functions for selecting a character from said second plurality of selectable choices.