Elizabeth G Sanders

US Patent:

57745404, Jun 30, 1998

Filed:

Nov 15, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/559517

Inventors:

Joanne W. Davidson - Keansburg NJ
William F. Dudley - Jackson NJ
David A. Fishman - Lakewood NJ
David M. Gresham - East Hampton NY
Kenneth Kasiske - Jackson NJ
Michael L. Moroze - Broomfield CO
Elizabeth Bauer-Nilsen Sanders - Columbus OH
Alessandro A. Subrizi - San Francisco CA
Susan L. Tuttle - East Windsor NJ

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

H04M 100

US Classification:

379387

Abstract:

A user of a telephone terminal with an interactive display is provided complete access to all feature choices in a hierarchical menu through a minimum number of menu keys. These menu keys include a "Next" key, a "Back" key, a "Select" key and a "Home" key. These menu keys occupy minimal space on the housing of the telephone terminal, yet enable the user of the terminal to easily scroll to and select every feature in the interactive display. The user is able to quickly develop a mental model of the feature choices and easily navigate through these menu selections. Context-sensitive functionality also is provided for using the interactive display. As a user completes a command function, the feature choice presented to the user for this function is the one most likely to be accessed by the user, thus advantageously avoiding the necessity of having a dedicated key for allowing the user to select this feature choice.

US Patent:

58418555, Nov 24, 1998

Filed:

Nov 15, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/559516

Inventors:

Joanne W. Davidson - Keansburg NJ
William F. Dudley - Jackson NJ
David M. Gresham - East Hampton NY
Michael L. Moroze - Broomfield CO
Elizabeth Bauer-Nilsen Sanders - Columbus OH
Alessandro A. Subrizi - San Francisco CA
Susan L. Tuttle - East Windsor NJ

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

H04M 100
H04M 342

US Classification:

379387

Abstract:

A menu level indicator facilitates ease of use of a telephone terminal by a user by providing easily understandable information about selectable menu options available in an interactive display on the telephone terminal. The menu level indicator provides a visual indication for permitting the user to directly determine the number of menu options available while at one of multiple selectable menu levels in the menu. The menu level indicator also provides a visual indication for the user as to the relative position of a displayed, selectable menu option with respect to other selectable menu options commonly located at one of the multiple selectable menu levels. As a user maneuvers through the menu levels, such user is able to quickly develop a mental model of the feature menus and easily navigate through these menu selections.