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`WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
`International Bureau
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`INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`(51) International Patent Classification 7 :
`(11) International Publication Number:
`WO 00/65429
`G06F 3/033
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`(43) International Publication Date:
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`2 November 2000 (02.11.00)
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`
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`(21) International Application Number: PCT/EP00/03637|(81) Designated States: AE, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG,
`BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, EE,
`ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU,ID,IL,IN,IS, JP,
`KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA,
`MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU,
`SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG,
`US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW, ARIPO patent (GH, GM, KE,
`LS, MW,SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZW), Eurasian patent (AM,
`AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), European patent (AT,
`BE, CH, CY, DE, DK,ES, FI, FR, GB, GR,IE, IT, LU,
`MC, NL,PT, SE), OAPI patent (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM,
`GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
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`(22) International Filing Date:
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`20 April 2000 (20.04.00)
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`(30) Priority Data:
`9901443~-3
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`22 April 1999 (22.04.99)
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`SE
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`(71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): NOKIA
`MULTIMEDIA TERMINALS OY [FI/FI]; Keilalahdentie
`4, FIN-02150 Espoo (FI).
`
`(72) Inventors; and
`(75) Inventors/Applicants (for US only): TORNQVIST, Tomas|Published
`[SE/SE]; Slevringevigen 10, S-597 31 Atvidaberg (SE).
`With international search report,
`MARMOLIN, Hans
`[SE/SE]; Nygatan 31A, S-58224
`Before the expiration of the time limit for amending the
`Linképing (SE). LINDBLOM,Kristofer [SE/SE]; Barn-
`claims and to be republished in the event of the receipt of
`hemsgatan 12, S-58228 Linképing (SE). LINDBLOM,
`amendments.
`Jakob [SE/SE); Arrendegatan 37, S-~-58131 Linképing (SE).
`AHLSTROM, Bengt (SE/SE]; Varbruksgatan 25, S-58332
`Linkdéping (SE).
`
`(74) Agent: STENDEL, Klaus; Nokia GmbH, Patent Department,
`Meesmannstrasse 103, D-44807 Bochum (DE).
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`(54) Titles METHOD AND AN ARRANGEMENT FOR SCROLLABLE CROSS POINT NAVIGATION IN A USER INTERFACE
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`COLUMN
`OF OBJECT
`FIELDS
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`fields in the focus area (30) select a feature connected to a combination of fields, which is chosen by a confirmation action.
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`BACKGROUND PICTURE
`eg TV, GRAPHICS etc
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`FEEDINTOFOCUS
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`4
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`ROW OF SUB-
`ORDINATE OBJECT
`FIELDS
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`ialPol«le||eeloe
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`< FEED INTO FOCUS
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`I—G_][INFORMATION TEXT AREA
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`(57) Abstract
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`The invention relates to a method and an arrangement(10)for scrollable cross point navigation on a user interface (26) in order to
`select a feature by combining object fields. Bars (32, 34), where at least one of them is scrollable, have object fields which overlap and
`combine each other when scrolled or put to a visible focus area (30) in the user interface at the cross point of the bars (32, 34). Object
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`36
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`34
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`P.1
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`SONY - Ex.-1011
`Sony Corporation - Petitioner
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`FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY
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`Codes used to identify States party to the PCT on the front pages of pamphlets publishing international applications under the PCT,
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`Method and an arrangementfor scrollable cross point navigation in a user
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`The present invention pertains to a method and an arrangementfor scrollable
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`cross point navigation in a user interface in order to select a feature by combining two
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`object fields each belonging to each onebar.
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`Priorart
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`Traditionalselection of services or adjustmentof, for example, TV, set-top box,
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`domestic appliances settings, and other like device settings has the disadvantage of
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`covering an entire display area and requiring a lot of key-presses. This constitutes a
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`major problem for most users of such equipment, but especially for disabled persons
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`reading manuals.
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`Another problem with todaydevice settings, relating to manuals, is the
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`understand for a technician, but perhaps hard to grasp for others.
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`Furthermore, some devices sold do not have a manual teaching settings in a
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`language of a buyer of the same, or in a language of a non-native purchaser.
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`Still further, it is a well known fact that remote control devices, such as forthe setting
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`overcome drawbacks and problemsrelated to today appliance control interfaces.
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`An aspectof the present invention is to provide a method and an arrangement
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`that brings a solution to above problems and others related to the setting of appliances
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`controlled by remote control devices such as wireless and pointing devices or even
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`voice control devices. Suitable appliances to be controlled are amongstothers, e.g.
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`television sets, satellite receivers, set-top boxes, computers, household equipment,
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`telephones, mobile phones, personal digital assistants, CD-players, stereo equipment
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`etc, especially appliances provided with user interfaces such as display screens for
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`interaction with remote control and other key pad devices.
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`In order to present a solution to said problemsthe present invention sets forth a
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`method forscrollable cross point navigation on a user interface in orderto selecta
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`feature by combining two object fields. Two bars are provided, where at least one of
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`them is scrollable, each of them having at least one object field which overlap and
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`combine each other whenscrolled to a visible focus area in the user interface at the
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`cross point of the bars. Thus, it is accomplished that object fields in the focus area
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`select a feature connected to the combination of fields when chosen by a confirmation
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`action.
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`In one embodimentof the invention, one feature function is defined as a sub
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`cross point navigation method, 1.e., another level of scrollable cross point navigation.
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`Another embodimentof the invention provides object fields that are visible, but
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`where some maybeinvisible object fields in the bars, which are connected in a cyclic
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`mannerto each other.
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`Scrolling is accomplished by feeding or “zapping” up and downorleft or right
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`in order to move objects to the focus.
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`In still another embodiment an information field is displayed in the user
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`interface comprising text describing the feature connected to the focusarea.
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`In yet another embodiment the focus area is marked.
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`Yet another embodiment comprises that the bars are small thus making an
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`image display on the screen possible even whenall bars are visible. Also, the bars
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`maybe visibly transparent.
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`Preferably, in one embodiment, features in bar objectfields are displayed in
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`sequencein object fields in one of the bars whenfocus is confirmed.
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`An embodiment comprises that confirmation andscroll action is accomplished
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`by actuating one of five function commandsleft, right, up, down, and OK orlike
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`confirmation.
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`In a further embodiment the focus area enables to show (bring about) all
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`functions for any apparatus guided by cross point navigation through the function
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`commands.
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`Furthermore, the present invention sets forth an arrangementfor scrolled cross
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`point navigation on a user interface in orderto select a feature by combining two
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`object fields, whereby it comprises:
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`two bars, where at least one of them is scrollable, each of them having atleast
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`one objectfield which overlap and combine each other when scrolled to a visible focus
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`area in the user interface at the cross pointof the bars; and
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`whereby object field meansare used to select a feature connected to the
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`combination of object fields in the focus area, which is chosen by confirmation and
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`interaction interpreter between said input device and a graphic generator which is
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`connected to a graphic library for creating the bars and by them comprised function
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`features or finite features.
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`Another embodiment comprisesthat said object field means further include a
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`content database connected to said graphic generator and a user interface objects
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`database connectedto said library and to said generator.
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`One embodimentincludesthat the arrangement according to the present
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`invention is comprised in a set-top box.
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`The arrangement of the present invention is also able to accomplish
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`embodiments of said method as claimedin the attached dependent arrangementclaims.
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`Brief description of the drawings
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`For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further
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`aspects and advantagesthereof, reference may now be had to the following description
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`taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
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`Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of means used
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`to accomplish an arrangement in accordance with the present invention; and
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`Fig. 2a and 2b schematically illustrating a user interface in accordance with the
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`present invention.
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`Detailed description of preferred embodiments
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`The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement forscrollable
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`cross point navigation on a user interface in order to select a feature comprised in a
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`combination of two object fields. A cross point navigation ensures a creation of a
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`system that allows a user of appliances such as digital TV set-top boxes to navigate
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`and select different types of services in an easy way without disturbing the actual
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`viewing experience ofthe user. It is also designed to assist the user in the forthcoming
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`expansion of both TV-channels and digital TV Services. There is a clear need for a
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`system allowing cross point navigation as described.
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`Henceforth describing embodiments of the present invention by way ofthe
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`setting control of a digital TV set-top box, the present invention is notrestricted to
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`such appliances. All kind of appliances with key pads, wireless or other remote control
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`P.5
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`WO 00/65429
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`PCT/EP00/03637
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`LA
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`functions can make use of the present invention, especially if they are equipped with a
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`user interface such as a screen or display area and other interfaces where the control of
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`an appliancesis visually prompted. A Cross point navigation system according to the
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`present invention could be used in many other contexts where the display area is
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`important to the user. The system could be displayed in infinite ways, allowing it to be
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`adaptable for most cases of operation. Expansion possibilities of the system are
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`unlimited which allows users to understand and interact with the system in very
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`complex environments andstill feel confident that they are in fully controlof the
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`interaction.
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`Cross point navigation is meant to allow a user of an appliance as much control
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`as possible. Navigation principles according to the present invention allow the user to
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`navigate to e.g. a TV channel or Service, herein described as features, desired with
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`only four navigation keys on a remote control device. No confirmation is required until
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`the requested object is in focus. This is accomplished by pressing, for example, an Ok
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`button orthe like on the remote control.
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`Also, cross point has the benefit of being easily adaptable by users. Interaction
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`is self-explanatory and once a user has madea first selection it is obvious how to
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`proceed with other system possibilities of it. Every step of the interaction provides an
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`immediate feedback.
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`Illustrated in Fig. 1 1s a schematic block diagram showing means used to
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`accomplish an arrangement 10 in accordance with the present invention which in one
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`embodimentof the invention comprises an UI objects database 12, a Graphic library
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`14, a Graphic generator 16, an Externally supplied data means 18, a Content database
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`20, an Interaction interpreter 22, an Input device 24, and a User Interface 26.
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`The Input device 24 depicted in Fig. 1 is a means for controlling a User
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`Interface 26. It could amongst others be a remote control for a set-top box, a keyboard
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`for a PC or a control panel for a microwave oven. Whena user wants to change the
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`setting of the Interface 26 it is manipulated to transmit a signal to an Interaction
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`interpreter 22.
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`An Interaction interpreter interprets signals from the Input device 24 and sends
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`a corresponding action to a Graphic generator 16. The Interaction interpreter 22
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`transforms commands from the Input device 24 to actions provided by the Graphic
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`generator 16.
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`Furthermore a Content database 20 is provided that contains information which
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`can be presented in the User Interface 26. Samples of such information could be e.g.
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`names of object fields (shown in Fig. 2a and 2b) containing function objects orfinite
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`P.6
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`P. 6
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`WO 00/65429
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`PCT/EP00/03637
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`objects and help-texts that should be presented to users in a given context. A function
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`object is mostly a more complex setting not directly leading to a setting of a feature for
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`an appliance and a finite object mostly leads to a direct setting of a feature for an
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`appliance. All material in the Content database 20 can be altered or edited by a content
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`provider.
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`Externally supplied data 18 is a symbolic representation of any contentthat is
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`inserted into the Content database 20 from any source.
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`Still further, the UI objects 12 database contains types of graphical objects that
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`can be presented in the User Interface 26. Said database supplies a Graphic library 14
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`with generic representations of said types. Hence, the Graphic library 14 contains
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`functions to manipulate the UI objects in the Interface 26. It supplies the Graphic
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`generator 16 with specific instances from the UI objects 12 database.
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`The Graphic generator 16 handles the presentation of the User Interface 26 as
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`well as manipulation accomplished by a user. Thereby it performs actions signaled by
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`the Interaction interpreter 22 through collecting content from the Content database 20
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`and by merging the content with the Graphic library 14 and delivering presentation of
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`a desired action to the User Interface 26. The User Interface 26 presents feedback of
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`any action performedby usersofthe Interface 26.
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`Fig. 2a and 2b are schematically illustrating a user interface 26 in accordance
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`with the present invention.
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`20
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`A userof an Interface 26 through the Input device 24 may, for example, select a
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`combination of an object field comprising objects such as function features defining a
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`setting and a finite object field comprising finite features, by feeding the objectfield
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`comprising functions or the finite object field comprising finite features into a focus-
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`area 30 with the User Interface 26. Ifa field with function features is located ina
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`vertical bar, object fields A — G in Fig. 2a, is in focus 30 its function features/ finite
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`features are displayed in the horizontal bar 34. Likewise if a function feature in the
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`horizontal bar 34, object fields FO — FS in Fig. 2a, is in focus 30,its finite features/
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`function features are displayed in the vertical bar 32. Whenever an object field
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`comprising objects such as function features is fed into the focus area 30 its content
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`overwrites the content of the opposite (other) bar 32, 34.
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`Such interaction allows a user to navigate to a desired combination of object
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`fields A-G and e.g. FO-F5 (shownin Fig. 1), AO-A5 (not shown), DO-D5 (not shown)
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`etc without the manipulation of other keys than Right, Left, Up and Down on a
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`keyboard or pad. A user then selects combined features in focus 30 by using a
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`manipulation key or button such as Ok, confirm,selectetc.
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`P.7
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`P. 7
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`WO 00/65429
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`PCT/EP00/03637
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`According to above a user can interact with the cross point method and/or
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`arrangement according to the present invention in a zapping mode as comparingto the
`prior art of moving in a channellist.
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`Further, in one embodimentof the invention only the Focus Area 30 and an
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`information field 36, not entire bars 32, 34 are displayed in the user interface 26. Also,
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`if entire bars 32, 34 are shown they can be transparent, thus allowing a more detailed
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`view of a background picture e.g. TV picture 36, graphics etc. Bars 32, 34 do not
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`necessarily need to be elongated in a straight line, the important feature is that the so
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`called bars 32, 34 make up a focus area 30 when crossing each other. Moreover, the
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`focus area 30 may be marked, highlighted, shadowed etc, makingit easier to observe
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`for users.
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`Nowreferring to Fig. 2b illustrating an example of one possible change in the
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`bars 32, 34, A-G and FO-F5 in Fig. 2a, when object fields FO and F2 are combined in
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`focus 30 making up object field F2:0 in focus 30. The combination was accomplished
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`by feeding the bar 34 object field F2 to the focus area 30, thus overwriting object field
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`FO in bar 32, which combination makes up a vertical bar 32 with new object fields
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`F2:0-F2:5. The feeding direction is indicated by index 2:0 in F2:0, 1.e., horizontal bar
`34 fed to focus and F2 overlapping F:0.
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`Now referring to Fig. 2a and 2b for an example of one possible embodimentof
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`the present invention of setting a feature for a TV set equipped with a set-top box.
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`Supposing that the vertical object field FO in Fig. 2a comprises or contains the finite
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`feature of making up a personal TV program or channellist with channels listed from
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`program places 1, 2, 3, 4 ..., and that the horizontal object field F2 containsthe finite
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`feature of channel CNN™. Hence, by feeding the field F2 to FO with the key for left or
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`right (circular bars) feeding with a key pad and thus overlapping field FO and confirm
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`the setting by pressing a confirmation key it is accomplished that object fields A-FO in
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`the vertical bar 32 are changed to comprise the object fields F2:0-F2:5 which contain a
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`sequenceoffinite features defining a place in a personal channellist. By feeding F2:1
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`with the downor up key of the key pad 24 down to the focus area 30 and pressing the
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`confirmation key, the channel CNN™is placed at position 1 in the personal channel
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`list.
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`Moreover, giving an example of a function feature for a set-top box such a
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`function could be to arrange all news channels available in series at a special position
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`in the channellist, for example, at program positions 10-15 in the personal channel
`list. This would be accomplished automatically when confirming the function feature
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`with a confirmation key.
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`P.8
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`P. 8
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`WO 00/65429
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`PCT/EP00/03637
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`Summarized, the invention may be described as follows:
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`An electronic apparatus comprises a display on which a focusareais provided.
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`The focus area is dedicated to display information which is necessary for a user to
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`control the functions of the electronic apparatus.
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`The information to be shownto the user is divided into a numberofindividual
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`items. These items are arranged in one or morelevels. In any of the levels, the
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`accompanying items are of similar detail.
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`The itemsofa first level are very general. In a secondlevel, the items are more
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`detailed than in the first level, but are still some kind of general. In a third level, the
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`items are even more detailed than in the second level. And so on.
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`Furthermore, the items are linked according to their contents. This meansthat
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`an item of the first level is linked to one or more items of the second level. As well, an
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`item of the second levelis linked to one or more itemsof the third level. And so on.
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`The items to be shownto the user may therefore be arranged as follows:
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`first level:
`ABCDE...
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`second level:
`AO Al A2... BO B1...COC1... DO... EO...
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`third level:
`A0:0 AO:1 ... BO:0 BO:1 ... C0:0 ... DO:0 ...
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`fourth level:
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`wherein
`A, B, C, ... AO, Al, ... BO, ... A0:0, AO:1, ... are items in the variouslevels,
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`A, AO, AO:1, ... are items which are linked together wherein the linkage is
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`expressed by the use of the same character.
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`With the above described structure, the items are arranged in a tree-like manner
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`with any branch of the tree constituting a further level.
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`The electronic apparatus 1s provided with an input device for changing the items
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`shown in the focus area. With this input device, a user is able to change the items of
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`the focus area as follows:
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`On one hand, the user may changethe items of the focus area within one and
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`the samelevel. In this case, the user may change e.g. from A to B to C or from C1 to
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`CO orthe like.
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`Onthe other hand, the user may change the items of the focus area from one
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`level to another. In this case, the user may change e.g. from B to B1 or from D0:2 to
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`DO to D orthe like.
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`For changing between the items of the various levels, there are at least two keys
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`provided on the input device. The user may start to change between the items of the
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`P.9
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`P. 9
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`WO 00/65429
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`8
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`PCT/EP00/03637
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`first level by pressing the first key. Then, for changing to the second level, the second
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`key is pressed. For changing between the items of the secondlevel, the user continues
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`to press the second key. Then, for changing to the third level, the first key is used
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`again. For changing between the items of the third level, the user continues to press the
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`first key. And so on.
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`As aresult, the user may start with item A in the first level and may change
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`within this level to all other itemsB, C,... of this level by pressing the first key. Doing
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`that, the user is able to read all items of this level and to select that item whichis
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`actually important for her/him. The selection is performed by bringing the important
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`item into the focus area of the display.
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`If the important item is within the focus area, the user may change to the second
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`level by pressing the second key. Dueto the fact that the user has selected a specific
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`item of the first level before changing to the secondlevel, the displayed items in the
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`secondlevel areall linked to this specific item of the first level. E.g., if the user has
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`selected item C in the first level, one of the linked items CO, C1, C2, ... of the second
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`level is displayed after pressing the second key.
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`Then, the user may change within this secondlevel to all linked items CO, C1,
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`C2, ... of this second level by pressing the second key. The user may select that item
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`which is important for her/him. This selection is performed by bringing the important
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`item into the focusarea of the display. If the important item is within the focusarea,
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`the user may changeto the third level by pressing the first key again. And so on.
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`This leads to the following example of subsequent changes of items in the focus area:
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`A
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`co
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`C4
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`C4:0
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`C4:1
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`C4:2
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`first key
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`second key
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`second key
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`second key
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`second key
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`first key
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`first key
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`first key
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`With such a sequence of changes of items within the focusarea, the useris able
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`to select at the end that item which correspondsto the function of the electronic
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`P. 10
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`WO 00/65429
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`PCT/EP00/03637
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`35
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`apparatus required by the user. Then, the user presses e.g. a confirmation key on the
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`input device so that the required function is performed bythe electronic apparatus.
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`Aslongas there is a possibility to change fromone level to a next lowerlevel, a
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`combination of two items of these two levels is displayed in the focus area. Thefirst
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`item of the combination belongsto that level in which the useris actually performing
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`changes. Thefirst items, therefore, correspond to the items as described above. The
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`second item of the combination of two items belongs to the next lower level. The two
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`items to be displayed are linked together as described above.
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`As examples, the following combinations of two items may be displayed in the
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`focus area:
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`B+B1
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`F+FO
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`D3+D3:5.
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`With the described first key of the input device, the user may changethe
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`combination displaye