Fast geometry-based list-entry selection providing associated data retrieval for use in hand-held and other devices

Abstract

A method for selecting an entry from a list of entries on an electronic device is described. The method includes a displaying at least a portion of a list of entries along with a plurality of distinct, non-overlapping groups of text characters, the groups displayed in a geometric pattern. Additional retrievable data can be associated with each entry and retrieved when that entry is selected. A group selection event selects a particular group of characters. A matching operation compares text characters of the selected group with those of each entry in the list. A smaller, modified list is created comprising entries comprising at least one text character of the selected group. At least a portion of the modified list is displayed, highlighting text characters matching text characters of the selected group. Group selection can result from user operation of geometrically associated keys, a touch sensitive display, or other directional input device.

1 . A method for selecting an entry from a list of entries on an electronic device, the method comprising:
 displaying at least a portion of a list of a plurality of entries on the screen of an electronic device, the list and the entries comprising at least text characters, wherein some entries comprised by the list are currently displayed;   displaying on the screen a plurality of distinct, non-overlapping groups of a plurality of at least text characters, the displayed groups arranged in a geometric pattern;   receiving a group selection event for selecting a particular group from the plurality of groups;   performing a matching operation, the matching operation comparing at least text characters of the selected group to the at least text characters of each entry in the list;   producing a modified list from the list by removing entries that do not comprise at least one of the at least text characters of the selected group, the modified list thus comprising entries that do comprise at least one of the at least text characters of the selected group;   displaying at least a portion of the modified list on the screen of the electronic device, and   highlighting at least one text character in each entry of the modified list of entries, the highlighted characters being those matching at least one of the at least text characters of the selected group.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein additional retrievable data is uniquely associated with at least a plurality of the entries. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least one entry comprised by the list is not displayed prior to receiving the group selection event. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least one entry comprised by the list is not displayed after receiving the group selection event. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the method is used again, the modified list being used as the list in the second use of the method, the second use of the method producing a new modified list differing from the modified list resulting from the first use of the method. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the method is used iteratively to sequentially reduce the number of entries that can be displayed. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein one of the displayed entries is selected by an entry selection event. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein additional retrievable data is retrieved when an entry is selected. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the selection event is automatically generated as a result of there being only one entry in the modified list. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least a plurality of the entries represent the name of a person. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least a plurality of the entries represent a word. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least a plurality of the entries represent a song title. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least a plurality of the entries represent a file name. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the particular entries from the list that are displayed can be changed responsive to a scrolling operation. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the group selection event is produce by user operation of an associated key from a plurality of keys on the electronic device. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of keys on the electronic device are associated with the plurality of groups. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the electronic device comprises a plurality of keys arranged in a geometric pattern that is associated with the geometric pattern of the displayed groups. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the group selection event results from user operations of a directional input device. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the directional input device is responsive to touch of a touch sensitive display. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the directional input device comprises use of a touch sensitive display.