MXPA99009364A - A hierarchical menu graphical user interface - Google Patents

Abstract

A disclosed processing device, including an on-screen User interface display, incorporates a means for generating a display of a plurality of hierarchically ordered menus (500). The menus include a current menu (555) and a preceding parent menu (535, 540, 545, 550) showing a selection path (545, 555) from the parent menu to the current menu. Also a menu selection item (555) within the hierarchical menu display provides a User at least one of, a) a display of control information for the device, and b) control parameter data entry capability. The processing device also incorporates a means for updating the on-screen display in response to User menu item selection (555). The processing device may also include a means for altering the device operation in response to an updated operating parameter value. Also, the selection path may indicate menu entry (510) and exit (540) points separated by at least one intervening menu item (505).

Description

A GRAPHICAL INTERFACE OF THE USER'S HIERARCHICAL MENU Field of the Invention This invention relates to graphic visual display interfaces of the User driven by the menu.

Background of the Invention Consumer electronic devices, such as the breeder's. Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), devices in combination of personal computer and television (PC / TV systems), satellite receivers, and Internet compatible devices (eg, NETPCs), involve more and more complex interactive tasks with the User. These tasks include the initial establishment of the device, the selection of operative functions, the programming of the User's preferences, the determination of the conditional access, and the User's right to the programs. Other tasks include operating application programs, selecting audio / visual features, selecting communication functions, and obtaining help or instructions from the User from a manual, for example. A problem arises because of the need to devise a User interface for these devices, which supports these complex interactive tasks with the user, while providing a simple command interface suitable for the general public. This problem, and the problems arising therefrom, are solved by a system in accordance with the present invention.

Compendium of the Invention A system that includes a visual display of the User's interface on the screen generates a visual display of multiple hierarchically ordered menus. The menus include a current menu, and a preceding parent menu that shows a selection path from the parent menu to the current menu. A menu selection item within the visual display of the hierarchical menu provides a User with at least one of: a) a visual display of the control information for the device, and b) the ability to input data of control parameters. Visual display on the screen is updated in response to the selection of the item from the User's menu.

Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawing: Figure 1 shows a Versatile Disk system Digital (DVD) that provides a visual display of user interface on the screen in the form of a set of visual displays of hierarchical control and interactive information with the user, in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 shows a visual display of the user interface on the screen indicating an enhanced navigation path through three hierarchical DVD operating menus, in accordance with the invention. Figure 3 shows a visual display of the user interface on the screen that allows the user to enter an operational parameter (a password) into a hierarchical menu structure, in accordance with the invention. Figure 4 shows a visual display of user interface on the screen that displays an operational parameter (subtitle activation state) within a hierarchical menu structure, in accordance with the invention. Figure 5 shows a visual display of user interface on the screen illustrating the automatic scrolling operation to maintain the possibility for the user to see the currently selectable menu items in a hierarchical menu structure, in accordance with the invention. Figure 6 shows a visual display of the user interface on the screen illustrating the use of a hierarchical menu structure to provide a user with operating instructions or guidance of the type normally presented in a user's operating manual, in accordance with the invention. Figure 7 shows a visual display of the user interface on the screen according to the invention, which allows a user to control the operation of a television by means of the introduction of the operational parameter within a hierarchical menu structure. Figure 8 shows a visual display of the user interface on screen that allows a user to sequence the execution of the program by means of the introduction of the operational parameter within a hierarchical menu structure, in accordance with the invention. Figure 9 shows a visual display of user interface on screen to sequence the adjustment by the user of the characteristics of the television image by means of the introduction of the operational parameter within a hierarchical menu structure, according to the invention . Figure 10 shows a visual display of the user interface on the screen that allows a user to adjust the audio characteristics by means of the introduction of the operative parameter within a hierarchical menu structure, according to the invention. Figure 11 shows a visual display of user interface on screen that allows a user to adjust the content evaluation limits for adults, by means of the introduction of the operational parameter within a hierarchical menu structure, in accordance with the invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings The inventors have recognized that a hierarchically ordered menu structure conveniently provides a simple graphical User interface for interactive operation by the User of the apparatus, including consumer electronic devices, such as a DVD player, for example. A hierarchically ordered menu structure also conveniently provides a simple interface for the operation by the User of Application programs that run on Personal Computers (PCs) or other devices. The inventors have further recognized that a significant advantage can be had by continuously displaying a hierarchical menu structure for the duration of an operation by the User of a device or application program. The ability of a User to navigate through multiple menus and operational tasks is improved by keeping the menu structure visible and on screen for the duration of the operation of the device or program. This menu system allows a User to know when he / she is inside a complex multi-level menu structure, and to be able to easily advance and retreat through the structure. The hierarchical menu structure scrolls automatically in order to maintain a menu currently active screen. In addition, both the entry and exit points of the menu, and previously selected menu items, are identified (for example, by highlighting), to make it possible for a User to easily see the navigation path of the menu and the sequence of operation that has followed. The entry and exit points of the menu are also identified, separated by one or more items from the menu that intervene. The individual menus within the hierarchy comprise one or more selectable items, which may display the control parameters of the device, or make it possible for the User to enter the control parameters of the device. As such, the user interface accommodates the visual display and the introduction of functions that support the control parameters, including device establishment, device operation and adjustment, user preference selection, conditional access and user right management, selection of audio / visual characteristic, initiation of the communication function, and help or instruction to the User, for example. The interface can also be used to guide a User through a previously determined sequence of functions, for example, adjusting the brightness of the visual display, the contrast, and so on. The interface can also be used in a program guide application to make it possible for a User to navigate through the program selection, for example. A User can select a program, a program (for example, movies from options that also include news, documentaries, sports, etc.) in a first menu, and then navigate to a successive menu for the selection of a topic (for example, example, comedy from the options that also include suspense, science fiction, romance, etc.).

Figure 1 shows a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) system, in accordance with the invention, which provides a visual display of the user interface on the screen in the form of a set of interactive visual displays, hierarchical, control, and information , of the User. This DVD system is capable of playing both DVDs and audio CDs. The decoder 100 reads and writes the data via the interface 15 on a disk storage medium 10 in response to the User commands. The commands are • entered by a User with the remote control unit 70 via the remote interface 65, and are processed by the controller 60. The decoder 100 also decodes MPEG-compatible audio and video data to be reproduced in the unit. of audio 55 and in the 50 video display. The data compatible with MPEG (Moving Pictures Expert Group), (Expert Group of Moving Images) are encoded according to an image coding standard, referred to hereinafter as the "MPEG standard". The MPEG standard is comprised of a coding section of the system (ISO / IEC 13818-1, June 10, 1994), and a video coding section (ISO / IEC 13818-2, January 20, 1995), referred to subsequently in the present as the "MPEG system standard" and "MPEG video standard", respectively. The interactive visual displays, hierarchical, control, and information presented in the unit 50, make possible the selection of function and the introduction of the control parameters of the device (including the operating parameters) for the operation by the user of the decoder of DVD 100. The individual menus within the hierarchy accommodate the introduction and visual display of the control parameters to support the functions of the decoder 100, including the establishment of the device, the operation and adjustment of the device, the selection of the User preference. , the conditional access and administration of the User's right, the selection of the audio / visual characteristic, the initiation of the communication function, and the help and instruction for the User, for example. Other menus are used to guide a User through a previously determined sequence of functions, for example brightness adjustment of visual display, contrast, and so on. Although the user interface system disclosed is described in the context of a system for operating an electronic consumer device, this is exemplary only. The principles of the invention can be applied in user interface systems to operate other electronic devices that are not of the consumer, and to operate application programs in personal computers (PCs) or other devices, for example. In addition, the principles of the invention may be used in a User interface for systems not compatible with MPEG that process data, such as telephone messages, computer programs, Internet data, or other communications, for example. Considering the operation in read mode of the system (DVD) of Figure 1, the representative data of the program from the storage medium 10 are demodulated, de-interleaved, the error in Reed-Solomon is corrected, and they are demixed by the interface unit 15. The resulting decoded data stream is provided to the demultiplexer 20. A User operates the DVD decoder 100 by selecting the options displayed in a set of hierarchical menus displayed in the unit 50. The options are selected using commands introduced with the remote control unit 70, by means of the remote interface 65. In this way, the User selects a program to view, and initiates the functions related to the establishment, operation, and adjustment-of the DVD system. The entered commands are processed by the controller 60, controls the operation of the decoder elements 100, "using a bidirectional data and control signal bus C. The controller 60 controls the functions of the individual elements inside the decoder 100, establishing control register values within these elements, using the control busbar C. The output of the decoded data stream in packets from the interface 15, contains video and audio data representing a selected movie, for example, and also contains sub picture data Sub picture data derived from the storage medium 10 contain picture elements associated with the programs stored in the storage medium, such as commands for visual display, subtitling, content menus , descriptive text, selectable menu options or other items, for example. The packets containing video, audio, and sub-image data are identified in the decoded data stream from the interface 15 by the demultiplexer 20, using values of Packet Identifiers (PID) contained in their respective packet headers . The demultiplexer 20 couples the PIDs of the input packets in the data stream from the interface 15, with the PID values previously loaded in the control registers inside the unit 20 by the controller 60. The demultiplexer 20 provides the video packets , audio, and sub-image to the MPEG 25 video decoder, the audio processor 35, and the sub-image processor 30, respectively. The decoder 25 decodes and decompresses the video data into MPEG-compatible packets from the unit 20, and provides data of program-representative pixels decompressed to the NTSC 45 encoder via the multiplexer 40. In a similar manner, the audio processor 35 decodes the audio data in packets from the unit 20, and provides the decoded and amplified audio data synchronized with the associated decompressed video data, to the device 55 for audio reproduction. The processor 30 decodes and decompresses the sub-image data received from the unit 50, to provide mapped data in decompressed pixels to the on-screen display (OSD) and the graphics generator 37. The unit 37 creates a set of visual displays. of interactive, hierarchical, control, and information menus, to be presented in unit 50. These visual menu displays include, for example, the visual displays shown in Figures 2 through 11, which make it possible to select function and introduction of the operative parameters of the device for the operation by the User of the DVD decoder 100. The visual displays of the hierarchical menu are generated in the form of pixel map data superimposed by the OSD generator 37 under the direction of the controller 60. The controller 60 employs a database that supports the update of the visual display of the unit 50 menu. The base of the atos links particular menus in the hierarchical structure with selectable menu option icons in the menu currently displayed in the unit 50. The controller 60 is thus enabled to determine and generate the next hierarchical menu to be displayed in the unit 50 , in response to the selection by the User of a current menu option icon. The controller 60 executes pre-programmed instructions that constitute an operating system tailored for the operation of the DVD decoder 10O0. In the execution of the instructions, the controller 60, together with the unit 37, generates a hierarchical sequence of 'scrolling' menus to continuously display, in unit 50, the duration of the interactive operation of a User of the DVD 100 device. The controller 60, with the unit 37, automatically displaces the displayed portion of the continuous hierarchical menu structure, both horizontally and vertically, in order to maintain the currently active portion of the menu structure on the screen of the unit 50. As a User navigates through the menus, the currently active and most recently selected menu moves horizontally to the left of the visual display window of unit 50, displaying the previous menus to the right of the current menu. The controller 60 removes the structure of the menu displayed on the unit 50 after the activation of certain functions, such as, for example, when a User initiates the execution of a movie. However, upon completion of the selected function, for example, at the end of a movie, the controller 60, together with the unit 37, again generates a menu to be displayed in the unit 50., and returns the User interface displayed to the comprehensive hierarchical menu structure. In addition, the operating system of the controller 60 operates continuously within the context of the hierarchical menu structure, and retains a record of the selected menu options at the end, even when the menu structure is not displayed, for example, during the execution of the movie. In this way, the controller 60 can re-establish the last selected menu, and retain the location within the menu structure upon completion of a function external to the menu structure, such as at the end of a movie playback, for example -. In an alternative way, the controller 60, in another embodiment, can return the operation of the decoder 100 to a different menu within the structure upon completion of a task. A User's ability to navigate through multiple menus and operational tasks is enhanced by maintaining the structure of the visible and on-screen menu by the DVD 100 decoder for the duration of an interactive operation of the DVD System User. The structure of the menu is continuously visible, except for intervals that require the use of the full visual display screen, such as during the playback of a movie, for example. In a similar way, in the operation of Application programs (for example, a word processing program), a similar advantage can be achieved by maintaining this structure of the "continuously visible menu, except for the intervals that require the use of the full visual display screen, for example, during the operation of the Application program This feature allows a User to know when they are inside a complex multi-level menu structure, and to be able to easily advance and rewind through the structure The decoder 100 automatically shifts the structure of the hierarchical menu to maintain a menu currently active on the screen, in addition, both the entry and exit points of the menu, and the previously selected menu items are identified (for example, by dotted lines or characteristics). dotted, or by highlighting, coloring, shading, including hue n three-dimensional, or shaded), to make it possible for a User to easily see the navigation path of the menu and the sequence of operation that has followed. A User can navigate through the menu structure in a sequential manner from a menu to an adjacent menu, ie, a previous or next menu, as illustrated below in relation to Figures 2 to 11. Normally not allowed random navigation jumps from the current menu to another non-adjacent menu. However, this jump is allowed under certain conditions, such as after a power interruption or an error condition, or for purposes of quick guidance or recovery, for example. Under these conditions, a User is allowed to initiate a return to a master or base menu after activating particular commands via the remote unit 70. The controller 60 shifts the structure ^ of the menu by determining the portion of the structure of the menu that will be displayed in response to commands as many menu items selection as navigation, for example, directional arrow or cursor commands to move forward or backward through the menu structure. The controller 60 selects the portion of the menu structure to be displayed from a previously determined and previously stored set of hierarchical visual display menus (tree structured). A provision is also made for a User to add both new menus and menu items to the structure through customized functions, by using a data entry device, such as the remote unit 70 or a keyboard, for example (not shown). The OSD generator 37, under the direction of the controller 60, updates the overlay data of the corresponding OSD pixel map with pixel data representing the structure of the selected menu. The unit 37 linearly combines the pixmap data of the sub-image from the processor 30 with the superimposed pixel map data of the OSD unit 37 representing the structure of the selected menu for visual display. The data of the combined pixel map is provided to multiplexer 40. The controller 60 directs the data of the combined pixel map menu from the unit 37, or the representative pixel data of the decompressed program from the decoder 25, to a memory area. intermediate of the pixel map memory in the NTSC encoder 45. In another mode, both the pixel map data combined from the unit 37 and the decompressed program data are routed to the encoder 45 by means of the multiplexer 40. In this In this mode, the data is combined in the memory buffer zone of the pixel map of the unit 45 under the direction of the controller 60, to form a composite visual display. The composite visual display contains both video, for example a movie, and an overlay of the combined pixel map data, to allow, for example, the adjustment of visual display parameters, while a movie is played. In the normal operation of the DVD system, the data of the pixel map menu 'combined from the unit 37 is displayed in the unit 50 without video data (eg movie data) from the unit 25. For this purpose, the multiplexer 40, under the control of the unit 60, directs the data of the combined pixel map menu from the unit 37 to the memory buffer zone of the pixel map in the NTSC 45 encoder for storage. The encoder 45 converts the data of the combined pixel map menu into its buffer zone, into conventional luminance and chrominance components. The luminance and chrominance components, together with the time data provided by the controller 60, are processed by the encoder 45 in a conventional manner to form an NTSC signal to be displayed on the NTSC 50 compliant image reproduction device, for example. example as a television or video monitor. The encoder 45, in another embodiment, can provide RGB output data to be displayed by a RGB-compatible playback device or a high-definition television. The encoder 45 can be a conventional commercially available integrated circuit for signal conversion and NTSC generation. Figures 2 to 11 illustrate example user interface menus, according to the invention, generated by unit 37, in conjunction with controller 60, and presented to the user in visual display unit 50 (Figure 1). The visual display menus illustrate the advantages of utility, simplicity, and navigability offered by the interface. Figure 2 shows a visual display of the user interface on the screen, which indicates a base menu and a navigation path through 3 hierarchical DVD operating menus. In a specific manner, Figure 2 identifies the navigation path that a User has followed from a base menu item 205, through the entry article 215 and article 210 of a second menu, and through the menu items 220 -235 up to article 240 of a third currently active menu. The base menu in this example comprises the items of options 200, 205, -245, 250, 255, 260, and 265. The navigation path through articles 200-240 is identified for the User by bold highlighting, and it is followed immediately by the introduction by the user of the directional or cursor commands on the remote unit 70 (Figure 1). The entry points of the menu are indicated by articles 215 and 220 (Figure 2). The exit points of the menu are identified by a navigation path made from the previous menu (for example, from article 210) to the entry point of the following menu (for example, article 220). The points of entry and exit, and any items that come from an individual menu, are identified by highlighted in bold. This makes it possible for a User to easily see the navigation path of the menu and the sequence of operation that has followed. In another modality, the entry and exit points of a particular menu can be identified (for example, by highlighting), and the intervening items may not be enhanced for identification. Figure 3 shows a visual display of the hierarchical menu that allows a User to enter an operational parameter (a password) inside the menu structure. In this example, a User has navigated through the menu items 300-330 to the menu item 335. The menu item 335, a dialog box, makes it possible for a User to update an operating parameter of the decoder 100, in this case the conditional access data in the form of a password for one of the Users. Figure 4 shows a visual display of the user interface on the screen, in accordance with the invention, which displays an operational parameter (subtitle activation status) inside a hierarchical menu structure. In this example, the items of the highlighted menu and the navigation path indicate that a User has navigated through articles 400-410 to the menu item 415. The menu item 415 indicates the activation status of captioning to the User, and in this example menu indicates that subtitling is to be displayed for the selected movie in unit 50. Figure 5 shows a visual display of the user interface on the screen, in accordance with the invention, illustrating the automatic scrolling operation. to maintain the possibility for the User to see the currently selectable menu items in a hierarchical menu structure. In this example, a User has progressed through the menu structure, from the menu level 1 to the currently active menu level 4, by the highlighted items 53.0, 510, 505, 540, 545, and 555. The controller 60, operating in conjunction with the unit 37 (Figure 1), has automatically moved the displayed portion of the menu structure horizontally to place the 555 dialog box (menu level 4) to the right of the displayed screen and preceding to menu (menu level 3) in the area of screen 500. As a result, the previously selected menus (levels 1 and 2) have been moved from right to left and off the screen, leaving the screen image displayed 500 The portion of the structure of the displayed menu includes dialog box 555 (menu level 4), which allows a User to select a desired subtitling language. A User can easily identify and rewind their enhanced navigation path, and can move through the menu structure, knowing that the menus are automatically scrolled to keep the next menu selection visible and on screen for the duration of their use. Figure 6 shows a visual display of the user interface on the screen, in accordance with the invention, which illustrates the use of a hierarchical menu structure, to provide a user with operating instructions or guidance of the type that is frequently presented in a User's operating manual. In this example, a User has navigated through articles 600-605 to the menu item 610. The menu item 610 gives the User instruction regarding the use of the menu selection item 605 (execution list). Figure 7 shows a visual display of the user interface on the screen, in accordance with the invention, which allows a user to control the operation of a television by means of the introduction of the operational parameter within a hierarchical menu structure. In this example, a User has navigated through the menu items 700-725 to the menu dialog box 730. The dialog box 730 allows a user to program the time and date of operation of the DVD system by using the remote unit 70 (Figure 1), to enter the desired time and date of operation.

Figure 8 shows a visual display of the user interface on the screen, in accordance with the invention, which allows a user to sequence the execution of the program by means of the introduction of the operative parameter within a hierarchical menu structure. In this example, the DVD decoder 100 operates in CD audio disc play mode. In the structure of the menu of Figure 8, a User navigates through the menu items 800 and 805 to dialog box 810, to sequence the execution of the audio track. In the example article 810, the User sequences the execution of the CD audio tracks 6, 12, and 8 (items 815, 820, and 825, respectively), for example. Figure 9 shows a visual display of the user interface on the screen, in accordance with the invention, to sequence the adjustment by the user of the characteristics of the television image by means of the introduction of the operational parameter within a structure of hierarchical menu. In this example, a User navigates through the menu path highlighted through articles 900-915. The ordering of the menu items within the structure is used to guide the User through a previously determined sequence of adjustment functions of visual display characteristics. For example, a User may be asked or required to perform the 910 Contrast Sequence Adjustment, 915 Brightness, 925 Stain, 930 Sharpness, and 950 Automatic Color Selection, in the order in which they are found in the navigation through the structure. . A User adjusts a parameter directly by selecting the icon or movement of the icon, using a cursor manipulation input device, such as the remote unit 70 (Figure 1), or a keyboard. The brightness is adjusted by moving the brightness position bar in item 915, for example. Figure 10 shows a visual display of the user interface on the screen, in accordance with the invention, which allows a user to adjust the audio characteristics by means of the introduction of the operative parameter within a structure of. Hierarchical menu. In this example, a User navigates through the highlighted menu items 1000-1030 to dialog box 1035, for adjusting the filter characteristics of the central audio equalizer. Figure 11 shows a visual display of the user interface on the screen, in accordance with the invention, which allows a user to adjust the content evaluation limits for adults by means of the introduction of the operational parameter within a hierarchical menu structure . In this example, a User navigates through the menu items 1100-1145 to the 1150 dialog box, to adjust the evaluation limits of a selected family member (here, Charles). The limit is adjusted by moving the icon 1155 in the dialog box 1150 using the remote unit 70 (Figure 1). The principles of the invention can be applied in user interface systems to operate other electronic devices that are not of the consumer, as long as the equipment incorporates the visual display of information to a user. This device includes, for example, video processing devices. , computers and peripheral equipment, servers, communication devices, and internet servers and devices. In addition, the principles of the invention can be applied in user interfaces to be used in operating systems and application programs that run Personal Computers (PCs), or in other devices. These application programs can include word processing, database, and file management programs, for example. Also, a wide variety of methods and apparatus can be used in generating a User interface in accordance with the principles of the invention. The means and method for their generation are not limited to the mechanisms described herein.

Claims (29)

1. An apparatus (100) that includes a user interface display visual display, which comprises: elements (37,60) to generate multiple menus hierarchically arranged to be presented in a merged visual display that includes a window for a concurrent application program started by means of the menus, including these menus, a current menu and a preceding parent menu, showing a selection path from the parent menu to the current menu, where: a menu selection item. inside the. menus provides a User, at least one of: a) a visual display of information control for the apparatus, and b) ability to input data of control parameters; and elements (37, 45, 50, 60) to update the visual display on the screen in response to the selection of the menu item by the User.

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the visual display generating element provides a continuously visible visual display of the selection path in a period comprising at least one of: a) the duration of an interactive operation with the User of this device, b) the duration of an interactive operation with the User of the Application program, and c) the duration of an operation of the User of the device excluding the periods of operation of the Application program.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, which further includes: a database that maintains links between the menu items to update the visual display on the screen in response to the selection of the menu item by a User.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, which includes: elements for updating the database in response to the input of data of control parameters by a User.

The apparatus according to claim 3, which includes: elements for customizing the menus, including elements for updating the database in response to the input of data of control parameters by a User.

The apparatus according to claim 1, which includes: elements for automatically moving the menus in order to keep the current menu visible to a User, presenting the displacement in response to a selection of a menu item by the user User.

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection path is identified by at least one of: a) highlighted, b) coloring, c) shading, d) three-dimensional shading, e) shading, f) dotted lines , and g) dotted characteristics.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the menus comprise a User interface for the Application program.

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the data entry capability of control parameters includes the ability to enter one or more of: a) a password, and b) user profile data.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the menus comprise a set of visual displays of information and control.

11. A processing device (100) including a user interface for displaying and selecting operating parameters of the device, which comprises: elements (37,60) for generating visual display of a hierarchically ordered set of control menus to be presented in a display visual merge, which includes a window for a concurrent application program initiated by means of the menus, including these menus a current menu and a preceding parent menu, which show a selection path from the parental menu to the current menu, and which incorporate : a) a menu item to display a first operational parameter of the device, and b) a menu item that makes it possible for a user to enter an updated value of. or? second operating parameter of the device; and elements (60; 100) to alter the operation of the processing device in response to the updated value.

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: the elements for altering the operation of the processing device include at least one of: a) elements for updating a database associating a selectable menu option in a menu currently exhibited, with a menu that will be displayed immediately, b) elements to adjust the visual characteristics of the display, c) elements to program the execution or recording of the program, d) elements to establish the device, e) elements to update the conditional access data of the device.

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: the visual display generating elements provide a continuously visible visual display of the selection path in a period comprising at least one of: a) the duration of an operation per part of the User of this device, b) the duration of an interactive operation with the User of the Application program, and c) the duration of a User operation of the device, excluding the periods of operation of the Application program.

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: the hierarchically ordered menus provide a User interface for an Application program.

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: the second operational parameter represents one of: a) a password, b) user profile data, c) establishment parameters for the device, d) execution data or recording of the program, and e) conditional access data.

The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein: the user's profile data includes at least one of: a) a language selection, b) a content evaluation, and c) a program content preference.

The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: the first operational parameter is one of: a) program content information, b) program guide information, c) device operating parameters, and d) the information of the operative manual of the device.

18. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: the current menu items are arranged hierarchically to guide a User in a sequence selection of the sequence sensitive functions.

19. A processing device (100) that includes a visual display of the user interface on the screen, which comprises: elements (37, 60) to generate a visual display of a plurality of hierarchically ordered menus that include a first menu, a second menu that precedes the first menu, and a third menu that precedes the second menu, showing the visual display a selection path from the third menu to the first menu, and indicating the selection path the entry and exit points of the second menu , where: the entry and exit points are separated by at least one item from the intervening menu, and entry point of the selection path is indicated by a variable location entry icon inside the second menu, and the entry is located adjacent to a menu item first selected by a User from a plurality of items in the second menu; and an element (60) for accessing a database that supports the visual display update.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein: the selection path is identified by at least one of: a) enhanced, b) coloring, c) shading, d) three-dimensional shading, e) shading, f) lines dotted, and g) dotted features.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein: the selection path is enhanced, except for when at least one article of the intervening menu.

22. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein: the selection path includes a plurality of intervening menu items, representing ordered functions in sequence.

23. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein: the exit point of the selection path is indicated by an exit icon.

The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein: the visual display generating element provides a continuously visible visual display of the selection path in a period comprising at least one of: a) the duration of an interactive operation with the User of this device, b) the duration of an interactive operation with the User of an application program, c) the duration of an operation by the User of the device, excluding the execution periods of the program, and d) the duration of an operation by the User of the device, excluding the periods of operation of the application program.

25. The apparatus according to claim 19, which includes: elements for automatically moving the visual display, in order to maintain the first visible menu for a User, presenting this displacement in response to a selection of a menu item by part of the User.

26. A method for generating a visual display of the user interface on the screen, which comprises: generating a plurality of hierarchically ordered menus to be presented in a merged visual display that includes a window for a concurrent application program initiated by means of these menus, including the menus, a current menu and a preceding parent menu that show a selection path from the parent menu to the current menu, where: a menu selection item within the parent menu provides a User with at least one of : a) a visual display of the control information for a device, and b) the ability to enter data for control parameters; and update the visual display on screen in response to a selection of a menu item by the User.

27. A method for producing a User interface for displaying and selecting the operational parameters of a device, which comprises: generating a visual display of a hierarchically ordered set of control menus to be presented in a merged visual display including a window for a concurrent application program initiated by means of the menus, including these menus, a current menu and a preceding parent menu that show a selection path from the parental menu to the current menu, and that include: (a) a menu item to display a first operational parameter of the device, and (b) a menu item that makes it possible for a User to enter an updated value of a second operating parameter of the device; and alter the operation of the processing device in response to the updated value.

28. A method for generating a visual display of the user interface on the screen, which comprises: generating a visual display of a plurality of hierarchically ordered menus, including a first menu, a second menu preceding the first menu, and a third menu preceding the second menu, this visual display showing a selection path from the third menu to the first menu, and indicating the selection path the entry and exit points of the second menu, where: the entry and exit points are separated by at least one item of the intervening menu, and the entry point of the selection path is indicated by a variable location entry icon within the second menu, and the entry icon is located adjacent to a menu item first selected by a User from a plurality of articles in the second menu; and have access to a database that supports the visual display update.

29. An apparatus (100) that includes a user interface for visual display on the screen, which comprises: elements (37, 60) to generate a visual display of multiple hierarchically ordered menus, including a current menu and a preceding parent menu , showing a selection path from the parent menu to the current menu, wherein: the visual display generating element provides a continuously visible visual display of the selection path in a period comprising at least one of: a) the duration of an interactive operation with the User of this device, b) the duration of an interactive operation with the User of an application program, and c) the duration of an operation by the User of the device, excluding the operation periods of the user program. application; and elements (37, 45, 50, 60) to update the user interface of visual display on screen in response to the selection of the menu item by User.