Entry selection from long entry lists
View Patent ↗A method, device, and computer program product for locating a desired entry in a list containing multiple list entries for use with a limited text display is described. A list of entries is partitioned into a number of sub-parts such that the desired entry is contained in one of the list sub-parts. At least one of the sub-parts is characterized within a limited text display to prompt a user for feedback regarding the location of the desired entry in the sub-parts. The user feedback is received from a view input element. In response to the user feedback, the sub-part containing the desired entry is selected. The partitioning, characterizing, receiving, and selecting steps are re-performed one or more times until a final sub-part is generated that contains a limited number of entries including the desired entry.
1. A method of locating a desired entry in an ordered list having a plurality of sequential list entries on a limited text display having only a single line of text, the method comprising:
in a processor, partitioning a current part of the ordered list into two equal list sub-parts each containing a plurality of sequential list entries such that the desired entry is contained in one of the list sub-parts;
characterizing at least one of the list sub-parts within the single line of the limited text display to prompt a user for feedback regarding the location of the desired entry in the list sub-parts;
receiving user feedback from a view input element;
in response to the user feedback, in the processor, selecting one or more of the list sub-parts including the list sub-part containing the desired entry; and
re-performing the partitioning, characterizing, receiving, and selecting one or more times to generate a final list sub-part of the list with a limited number of entries including the desired entry.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the partitioning, characterizing, receiving, and selecting are re-performed a predetermined number of times.
3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the ordered list of sequential entries is in alphabetical order.
4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the ordered list of sequential entries is initially selected by using a command word associated with the list.
5. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
displaying entries in the final list sub-part within the limited single line text display.
6. A method according to claim 5 , further comprising:
accepting a user selection in response to the display of the final list sub-part; and
selecting the desired entry in response to the user selection.
7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the method is performed on any one of a cellular phone, a smart phone, a personal assistant, a navigation device, or a media player.
8. A device for locating a desired entry in an ordered list having a plurality of sequential list entries, the device comprising:
a digital memory for storing the plurality of sequential list entries;
a processor for partitioning a current part of the ordered list into two equal list sub-parts each containing a plurality of sequential list entries such that the desired entry is contained in one of the list sub-parts;
a limited text display having only a single line of text for characterizing at least one of the list sub-parts to prompt a user for feedback regarding the location of the desired entry in the list sub-parts; and
a view input element for receiving user feedback regarding the location of the desired entry in the list sub-parts,
wherein the processor, in response to the user feedback, selects one or more of the list sub-parts including the list sub-part containing the desired entry and re-performs the partitioning, characterizing, receiving, and selecting one or more times to generate a final list sub-part of the list with a limited number of entries including the desired entry.
9. A device according to claim 8 , wherein the processor re-performs the partitioning, characterizing, receiving, and selecting a predetermined number of times.
10. A device according to claim 8 , wherein the ordered list of sequential entries is in alphabetical order.
11. A device according to claim 8 , wherein the ordered list is initially selected by using a command word associated with the list.
12. A device according to claim 8 , wherein the limited single line text display displays entries in the final list sub-part.
13. A device according to claim 12 , wherein the view input element accepts a user selection in response to the display of the final list sub-part and the processor selects the desired entry in response to the user selection.
14. A device according to claim 8 , wherein the device is incorporated into any one of a cellular phone, a smart phone, a personal assistant, a navigation device, or a media player.
15. A computer program product for use on a computer system for locating a desired entry in an ordered list having a plurality of sequential list entries using a limited text display having only a single line of text, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having computer readable code thereon, the computer readable program code comprising:
computer code for partitioning a current part of the ordered list into two equal list sub-parts each containing a plurality of sequential list entries such that the desired entry is contained in one of the list sub-parts;
computer code for characterizing at least one of the list sub-parts within the limited text display having only a single line of text to prompt a user for feedback regarding the location of the desired entry in the list sub-parts;
computer code for receiving user feedback from a view input element;
computer code for, in response to the user feedback, selecting one or more of the list sub-parts including the list sub-part containing the desired entry; and
computer code for re-performing the partitioning, characterizing, receiving, and selecting one or more times to generate a final list sub-part of the list with a limited number of entries including the desired entry.
16. A computer program product according to claim 15 , wherein the partitioning, characterizing, receiving, and selecting are re-performed a predetermined number of times.
17. A computer program product according to claim 15 , wherein the ordered list of sequential entries is in alphabetical order.
18. A computer program product according to claim 15 , wherein the ordered list of sequential entries is initially selected by using a command word associated with the list.
19. A computer program product according to claim 15 , further comprising:
computer code for displaying entries in the final list sub-part within the limited text display.
20. A computer program according to claim 19 , further comprising:
computer code for accepting a user selection in response to the display of the final list sub-part; and
computer code for selecting the desired entry in response to the user selection.
21. A computer program product according to claim 15 , wherein the computer program product is configured for use on any one of a cellular phone, a smart phone, a personal assistant, a navigation device, or a media player.