Process and Apparatus for Selecting an Item from A Database

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for selecting database items from a database, where the database items are indexed by a list of item identifiers. The item identifiers may be in the form of text. An initial display is generated which includes one or more parts of the item identifiers. Selection of the one or more parts may be made and results in the generation of a display of a further one or more parts for selection. The further one or more parts may be selected in order to add to the selected one or more parts to build a larger part or whole of an item identifier. Selection from a large list of item identifiers may be carried out in a relatively short time period.

1 . A method of selecting database items from a database, the database items being indexed by a list of item identifiers, the method comprising the steps of:
 generating an initial display including one or more parts of item identifiers for selection,   enabling selection of the one or more parts and in response to selection of the one or more parts,   generating a display of a further one or more parts for selection, and   enabling selection of the further one or more parts in order to add to the selected one or more parts to build a larger part or whole of an item identifier.   
     
     
         2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , comprising the further step of iterating the selection steps until an item identifier is completed, and enabling selection of the item identifier to select the database item. 
     
     
         3 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the step of generating the initial display includes selecting the one or more parts to be displayed based on predetermined criteria. 
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined criteria is the frequency of selection of database items associated within the item identifier parts. 
     
     
         5 . A method in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined criteria is a ranking of the one or more parts in relation to a tree hierarchy classification of one or more parts of item identifiers. 
     
     
         6 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the step of enabling display of one or more parts of item identifiers includes the step of displaying a plurality of parts of item identifiers. 
     
     
         7 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the step of generating the display includes the step of generating a display of an entire item identifier. 
     
     
         8 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the item identifier includes one or more alphanumerics. 
     
     
         9 . A method in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the item identifier is a text string. 
     
     
         10 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the item identifier is a word. 
     
     
         11 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the v database is stored in a memory of a computing device. 
     
     
         12 . A method in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the computing device is a mobile telephone. 
     
     
         13 . A method in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the computing device is a PDA. 
     
     
         14 . A method in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the step of enabling selection allows selection of the one or more parts by way of a joystick. 
     
     
         15 . A method of selecting database items from a database, the database items being indexed by a list of item identifiers, comprising the steps of enabling a display of one or more parts of item identifiers for selection, the item identifiers being generated on a display being chosen for generation in accordance with predetermined criteria. 
     
     
         16 . A method in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein a predetermined criteria is frequency of selection of the database item associated with the item identifier. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for selecting database items from a database, the database items being indexed by a list of item identifiers, the apparatus comprising a display, an input means, a generating means for generating an initial display including one or more parts of item identifiers for selection, means for enabling selection via the input means of the one or more parts, means responsive to selection of the one or more parts for generating a display of a further one or more parts for selection, means enabling selection via the input means of the further one or more parts, and addition means to add the further one or more parts to the selected one or more parts to build a larger, or whole of an item identifier. 
     
     
         18 .- 32 . (canceled)