WO2015066871A1

WO2015066871A1 - Method and apparatus for adaptive menu item placement

Info

Publication number: WO2015066871A1
Application number: PCT/CN2013/086690
Authority: WO
Inventors: Liang Zhang; Yuanyuan Cui
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy; Nokia (China) Investment Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2013-11-07
Filing date: 2013-11-07
Publication date: 2015-05-14

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to adaptively position menu items within a menu so as to facilitate the accessibility of those menu items. In the context of a method, a menu is provided that includes a plurality of menu items accessible by a user and configured to cause a predefined function to be performed upon selection thereof. The menu includes a first menu item positioned in at least two locations within the menu. As such, the first menu item is accessible via at least two different menu navigation paths. The method includes determining the location within the menu at which the first menu item is accessed. The method includes revising the menu to remove the first menu item from a location within the menu other than the location within the menu at which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADAPTIVE MENU ITEM PLACEMENT

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0001] An example embodiment of the present invention relates generally to the placement of menu items within a menu and, more particularly, to a method, apparatus and computer program product for adaptively placing menu items within a menu.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Computing devices have an ever increasing number of features, functions and settings that may be configurable by a user. While this user configurability of this myriad of features, functions and settings permits a user to customize a computing device to address the personal needs and preferences of the user, the multitude of features, functions and settings that are user configurable may make it difficult for the user to locate each of the features, functions and settings. As such, menus have developed that include a plurality of menu items. Each of the features, functions and settings that are user selectable may be associated with a respective menu item. As such, a user may select a menu item in order to appropriately configure the respective feature, function or setting associated therewith.

[0003] As a result of the many features, functions and settings that are user configurable, a menu may include a large number of menu items. In order to facilitate user navigation, a menu may include a plurality of categories with each of the menu items associated with a

corresponding category. The menu items associated with some features, functions and settings may, however, be logically associated with a plurality of different categories. In this regard, some users may intuitively look for the menu item associated with a respective feature, function or setting in a first category, while other users may intuitively look for the same menu item in a different category.

[0004] By way of example, a menu may include a sound category and a text input category. For a menu item associated with the setting of the feedback sound to be provided in response to tapping upon a virtual keyboard, the menu item could be logically assigned to either the sound category or the text input category. In this regard, some users would intuitively look for this menu item within the sound category, while other users would intuitively look for this menu item within the text input category. As another example, a menu may include a subscriber identity module (SIM) category and a security and privacy category. Moreover, a menu item may be associated with a function that permits a user to change the personal identification number (ΡΓΝ) of the SIM. This menu item could logically be included within either the SIM category or the security and privacy category. In this regard, some users would look for this menu item within the SIM category, while other users would look for this menu item in the security and privacy category.

[0005] In some menu structures, a menu item may be placed within only a single category. In an instance in which the menu item is logically associated with two or more categories, however, some users may not locate the menu item or at least may not locate the menu item in an efficient manner. In this regard, some users may intuitively look for the menu item in one or more categories other than the category within which the menu item is placed.

[0006] Alternatively, a menu item that may be logically associated with two or more categories may be placed within each of the categories. Redundant instances of the same menu item therefore appear within the menu. The inclusion of the same menu item within multiple categories of the menu may permit a user to more readily locate the menu item. However, the inclusion of multiple instances of the menu item within the menu may cause confusion for some users who will have seen the same menu item within different categories and may be confused as to the location of the menu item within the menu. Additionally, the inclusion of the same menu item within multiple categories of the menu increases the number of menu items within at least some of the categories. As a result of the increase in the number of menu items, the user may find it somewhat more difficult to locate a menu item of interest since the user will have to review a longer list of candidate menu items.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0007] A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention in order to adaptively position menu items within a menu in order to facilitate the accessibility of those menu items by a user. In this regard, the method, apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment may

adaptively position a menu item within a menu based upon the manner in which a user accesses the respective menu item. Thus, the resulting menu may be personalized in response to the behavior of the user such that the resulting menu provides an intuitive menu structure that may be utilized in an efficient manner by the user.

[0008] In an example embodiment, a method is provided that includes providing a menu including a plurality of menu items accessible by a user and configured to cause a predefined function to be performed upon selection thereof. The menu includes a first menu item positioned in at least two locations within the menu. As such, the first menu item is accessible by the user via at least two different menu navigation paths. The method also includes determining the location within the menu at which the first menu item is accessed by the user. The method further includes revising the menu to remove the first menu item from a location within the menu other than the location within the menu at which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user. For example, the method may revise a menu by removing the first menu item from all locations within the menu other than the location within the menu at which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

[0009] The method of an example embodiment may provide a menu having a plurality of categories. At least two categories may include the first menu item. The method of this example embodiment may determine the location within the menu at which the first menu item is accessed by determining the category via which the first menu item is accessed by the user. The method of this example embodiment may also revise the menu by removing the first menu item from a category of the menu other than the category of the menu via which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

[0010] The method of another example embodiment may provide a menu by associating one or more menu items with each of a plurality of input mechanisms. The first menu item may be associated with at least two input mechanisms. The method of this example embodiment may determine the location within the menu at which the first menu item was accessed by

determining the input mechanism via which the first menu item was accessed by the user. The method of this example embodiment may revise the menu by disassociating the first menu item from an input mechanism other than the input mechanism via which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

[0011] In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code with the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least provide a menu including a plurality of menu items accessible by a user and configured to cause a predefined function to be performed upon the selection thereof. The menu includes the first menu item positioned in at least two locations within the menu. As such, the first menu item is accessible by the user via at least two menu navigation paths. The at least one memory and the computer program code of this example embodiment are also configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to determine the location within the menu at which the first menu item is accessed by the user. The at least one memory and the computer program code of this example embodiment are also configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to revise the menu to remove the first menu item from a location within the menu other than location within the menu at which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user. For example, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to revise the menu by revising the menu to remove the first menu item from all locations within the menu other than the location within the menu at which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

[0012] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus of an example embodiment to provide a menu by providing a menu having a plurality of categories. At least two categories include the first menu item. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus of this example embodiment to determine the location within the menu at which the first menu item is accessed by determining the category via which the first menu item is accessed by the user. In this example embodiment, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to revise the menu by removing the first menu item from a category of the menu other than the category of the menu via which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

[0013] The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus of another example embodiment to provide a menu by associating one or more menu items with each of a plurality of input mechanisms. The first menu item may be associated with at least two input mechanisms. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus of this example embodiment to determine the location within the menu at which the first menu item is accessed by determining the input mechanism via which the first menu item is accessed by the user. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus of this example embodiment to revise the menu by disassociating the first menu item from an input mechanism other than the input mechanism via which the first menu item was determined to have been accepted by the user. The apparatus may be embodied by a computing device, such as a mobile terminal.

[0014] In a further example embodiment, a computer program product is provided that includes at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having

computer-executable program code portions stored therein with the computer-executable program code portions including program code instructions for providing a menu including a plurality of menu items accessible by a user and configured to cause a predefined function to be performed upon selection thereof. The menu includes a first menu item positioned in at least two locations within the menu. As such, the first menu item is accessible by the user via at least two different menu navigation paths. The program code portions also include program code instructions for determining the location within the menu at which the first menu item is accessed by the user. The program code portions further include program code instructions for revising the menu to remove the first menu item from a location within the menu other than the location within the menu at which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user. For example, the program code instructions for revising the menu may include program code instructions for revising the menu to remove the first menu item from all locations within the menu other than the location within the menu at which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

[0015] The program code instructions for providing a menu in accordance with an example embodiment may include program code instructions for providing a menu having a plurality of categories. At least two categories may include the first menu item. The program code instructions for determining the location within the menu at which the first menu item is accessed by the user may include program code instructions for determining a category via which the first menu item is accessed by the user. In this example embodiment, the program code instructions for revising the menu may also include program code instructions for removing the first menu item from a category of the menu other than the category of the menu via which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user. [0016] In another example embodiment, the program code instructions for providing a menu may include program code instructions for associating one or more menu items with each of a plurality of input mechanisms. The first menu item may be associated with at least two input mechanisms. In this example embodiment, the program code instructions for determining the location within the menu at which the first menu item is accessed by the user may include program code instructions for determining the input mechanism via which the first menu item is accessed by the user. The program code instructions for revising the menu in accordance with this example embodiment may also include program code instructions for disassociating the first menu item from an input mechanism other than the input mechanism via which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

[0017] In yet another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes means for providing a menu including a plurality of menu items accessible by the user and configured to cause a predefined function to be performed upon selection thereof. The menu includes a first menu item positioned in at least two locations within the menu. As such, the first menu item is accessible by the user via at least two menu navigation paths. The apparatus of this example embodiment also includes means for determining a location within the menu at which the first menu item is accessed by the user. The apparatus of this example embodiment also includes means for revising the menu to remove the first menu item from a location within the menu other than the location within the menu at which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Having thus described example embodiments of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 is a prospective view of a mobile terminal having a touchscreen that may be configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus that may be specifically configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating operations performed, such as by the apparatus of Figure 2, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention; [0022] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operations performed, such as by the apparatus of Figure 2, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figures 5A and 5B are screen displays of the text input category and the sound category, respectively, as initially configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figures 6A and 6B are screen displays of the text input category and the sound category, respectively, following accessing of a menu item within the sound category by the user in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figures 7A and 7B are screen displays of the text input category and the sound category, respectively, following accessing of a menu item within the sound category by the user in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operations performed, such as by the apparatus of Figure 2, in accordance with another example embodiment of the present invention; and

[0027] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal having a physical keyboard including a plurality of hard keys in accordance with another example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the terms "data," "content," "information," and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received and/or stored in accordance with

embodiments of the present invention. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention.

[0029] Additionally, as used herein, the term 'circuitry' refers to (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry and/or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) comprising software and/or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of 'circuitry' applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term 'circuitry' also includes an implementation comprising one or more processors and/or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software and/or firmware. As another example, the term 'circuitry' as used herein also includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, other network device, and/or other computing device.

[0030] As defined herein, a "computer-readable storage medium," which refers to a non- transitory physical storage medium (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory device), can be differentiated from a "computer-readable transmission medium," which refers to an

electromagnetic signal.

[0031] Many computing devices permit a wide variety of features, functions, settings and the like (hereinafter generally referenced as "function(s)") to be customized by a user in order to personalize the computing device based upon the user's needs or preferences. In order to facilitate access to the various functions, a computing device may employ a menu having a plurality of menu items, each of which is associated with a respective function and is accessible by a user in order to make a selection or otherwise configure the respective function. The menu may be organized in a manner that permits a user to locate a menu item associated with a respective function in an efficient and intuitive manner, thereby improving the user experience.

[0032] The computing device may be embodied in a variety of different manners. For example, the computing device may include mobile terminals and fixed computing devices. For example, a computing device embodied as a mobile terminal may be a portable digital assistant (PDA), mobile telephone, smartphone, pager, mobile television, gaming device, laptop computer, camera, tablet computer, touch surface, video recorder, audio/video player, radio, electronic book, positioning device (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) device), or any combination of the aforementioned, and other types of voice and text communications systems. Alternatively, a computing device embodied as a fixed computing device may be a desktop computer, a personal computer, a workstation or other non-mobile computing device.

[0033] With reference to Figure 1 , a computing device embodied as a mobile terminal 10 is depicted. The mobile terminal of the embodiment of Figure 1 includes a touchscreen 12 for receiving user input and for providing visual output. In order to access menu items associated with the various functions, the user may interact with the touchscreen. For example, a user may select the settings option, such as by selecting a respective icon associated with the settings option or by selecting the settings category from a menu provided by the mobile terminal.

Following the selection of the settings category, a user may access, via the touchscreen, menu items associated with respective functions in order to select or appropriately configure the functions.

[0034] Regardless of the configuration of the computing device, the computing device may embody or otherwise be associated with an apparatus 20 as shown in Figure 2 that is specifically configured to provide for adaptive menu placement as described hereinafter. In this regard, the apparatus may include or otherwise be in communication with a processor 22, a memory device 24 and a user interface 26. In some embodiments, the processor (and/or co-processors or any other processing circuitry assisting or otherwise associated with the processor) may be in communication with the memory device via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus. The memory device may be non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and/or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory device may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer readable storage medium) comprising gates configured to store data (e.g., bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., a computing device like the processor). The memory device may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. For example, the memory device could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor.

Additionally or alternatively, the memory device could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor.

[0035] As noted above, the apparatus 20 may be embodied by a computing device. However, in some embodiments, the apparatus may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the apparatus may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. The apparatus may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present invention on a single chip or as a single "system on a chip." As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein.

[0036] The processor 22 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processor may be embodied as one or more of various hardware processing means such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing element with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing circuitry including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. As such, in some embodiments, the processor may include one or more processing cores configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor may enable multiprocessing within a single physical package. Additionally or alternatively, the processor may include one or more processors configured in tandem via the bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining and/or multithreading.

[0037] In an example embodiment, the processor 22 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory device 24 or otherwise accessible to the processor.

Alternatively or additionally, the processor may be configured to execute hard coded

functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a

combination thereof, the processor may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform the algorithms and/or operations described herein when the instructions are executed. However, in some cases, the processor may be a processor of a specific device (e.g., a mobile terminal or a fixed computing device) configured to employ an embodiment of the present invention by further configuration of the processor by instructions for performing the algorithms and/or operations described herein. The processor may include, among other things, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and logic gates configured to support operation of the processor.

[0038] The apparatus 20 may also include a user interface 26 that may be in communication with the processor 22 to provide output to the user, such as the presentation of the visual user interface 10, and, in some embodiments, to receive an indication of a user input, such as the first and second configurable elements. As such, the user interface may include a display and, in some embodiments, may also include a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a touch screen, touch areas, soft keys, one or more microphones, a plurality of speakers, or other input/output mechanisms. In one embodiment, the processor may comprise user interface circuitry configured to control at least some functions of one or more user interface elements such as a display and, in some embodiments, a plurality of speakers, a ringer, one or more microphones and/or the like. The processor and/or user interface circuitry comprising the processor may be configured to control one or more functions of one or more user interface elements through computer program instructions (e.g., software and/or firmware) stored on a memory accessible to the processor (e.g., memory device 24, and/or the like).

[0039] Although not shown in Figure 2, the apparatus 20 of an example embodiment may also include a communication interface that may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to a communications device in communication with the apparatus, such as to facilitate communications with one or more computing devices. In this regard, the communication interface may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and/or software for enabling communications with a wireless communication network. Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface may include the circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) to cause transmission of signals via the antenna(s) or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna(s). In some environments, the

communication interface may alternatively or also support wired communication. As such, for example, the communication interface may include a communication modem and/or other hardware and/or software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB) or other mechanisms.

[0040] Referring now to Figure 3, the operations performed, such as by the specifically configured apparatus 20 of Figure 2, are depicted. In this example embodiment, the apparatus includes means, such as the processor 22, the user interface 26 or the like, for providing a menu including a plurality of menu items. See block 30 of Figure 3. The plurality of menu items are accessible by a user and are configured to cause a predefined function to be performed upon selection thereof. Various functions may be performed including activating or deactivating a feature or setting, permitting a user to customize a feature or setting or the like. As such, a user is able to customize their computing device 10 in accordance with their needs or preferences. In accordance with an example embodiment, the menu includes a first menu item associated with a respective function that is positioned in at least two locations within the menu. As such, the first menu item is accessible by the user via at least two different menu navigation paths, that is, the user may locate the same first menu item in response to user inputs that cause a menu to be traversed along two or more different paths.

[0041] As shown in block 32 of Figure 3, the apparatus 20 may also include means, such as the processor 22 or the like, for determining the location within the menu at which the first menu item is accessed by the user. In this regard, the first menu item is positioned in two or more locations within the menu. In order to access the first menu item in order to configure the function associated therewith, the user may access the first menu item at either of the two or more locations within the menu. As shown in block 34 of Figure 3, the apparatus may also include means, such as the processor, user interface 26 or the like, for revising the menu to remove the first menu item from a location within the menu other than the location within the menu at which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user. As such, in instances in which the first menu item is positioned at first and second locations within the menu, the apparatus, such as the processor, may determine that the user accessed the first menu item at the first location and, as such, may remove the first menu item from the second location within the menu. In instances in which the first menu item is positioned at three or more locations within the menu, the first menu item may be removed from any one or all of the locations within the menu other than the location within the menu at which the first item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

[0042] By initially including multiple instances of the same first menu item at different locations within the menu, the user is able to initially locate the first menu item within the menu in an efficient manner. In this regard, the user may more quickly locate the first menu item within the menu without having to search the menu as extensively in an effort to identify the first menu item as would be required in an instance in which the first menu item is only positioned in one location within the menu that is not intuitive to or is at least not the first choice for some users. However, by removing the first menu item from one or more of the locations within the menu that were not accessed by the user in conjunction with the selection of the first menu item, the resulting menu may be reduced in size in order to increase the efficiency with which a user may subsequently review the menu, while retaining the first menu item in the location that has been accessed by the user and that will likely be associated by the user with the first menu item in the future. Consequently, the user is able to customize their computing device based upon their needs and preferences. The computing devices of different users that begin with the same menu may therefore be customized differently by their users who may access the same menu item in different manners such that some computing devices may thereafter present a menu with the same menu items as other computing devices, but with some of the menu items positioned in different locations based upon the users' behavior.

[0043] By way of an example, Figure 4 depicts the operations performed by an apparatus 20, such as the specifically configured apparatus of Figure 2, in accordance with an example embodiment. As shown in block 40 of Figure 4, the apparatus may include means, such as the processor 20, the user interface 26 or the like, for providing a menu having a plurality of categories. At least two of the categories include the first menu item. In the context of a computing device, such as a mobile terminal 10, having a touchscreen 12 as shown, for example, in Figure 1 , a user desirous of configuring a setting may initially select the settings function, such as by selecting an icon associated with the settings function or by selecting a settings menu item. A plurality of categories affiliated with the settings function may then be identified, such as by being presented upon the display of a touchscreen. In some instances, the function that is of interest to the user may logically correspond to two or more of the categories with some users intuitively looking for the setting in one category and other users intuitively looking for the setting in another category.

[0044] By way of example in which a user is desirous of configuring the setting associated with the feedback sound provided in response to tapping upon a virtual keyboard, the corresponding setting may logically be associated with both the text input category and the sound category. As such, the menu that is provided in accordance with this example embodiment may include a first menu item, such as a first menu item associated with the feedback sound for tapping upon a virtual keyboard, that is positioned in at least two locations within the menu, such as within the text input category as shown in Figure 5A and the sound category as shown in Figure 5B. Thus, the first menu item is accessible by the user via at least two menu navigation paths. For example, the setting associated with feedback sound for tapping upon a virtual keyboard is accessible by selecting the settings category and thereafter selecting the text input category. Similarly, the same menu item associated with the feedback sound for tapping upon a virtual keyboard may be provided in response to a selection of the settings category followed by a selection of the sound category.

[0045] As shown in block 42 of Figure 4, the apparatus 20 of this example embodiment also include means, such as the processor 22 or the like, for determining the location within the menu at which the first menu item is accessed by determining the category via which the first menu item is accessed by the user. For example, the apparatus, such as the processor, may determine whether the first menu item associated with the feedback sound for tapping upon a virtual keyboard is accessed by the user via the text input category or the sound category.

[0046] As shown in block 44 of Figure 4, the apparatus 20 may also include means, such as the processor 22, user interface 26 or the like, for revising the menu by removing the first menu item from a category of the menu other than the category of the menu via which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, for example, in an instance in which the apparatus, such as the processor, determines that the user accessed the first menu item associated with the feedback sound for tapping upon a virtual keyboard via the sound category, the apparatus, such as the processor, the user interface or the like, may remove the first menu item from the other categories, such as a text input category, while maintaining the first menu item within the category, such as the sound category, via which the user accessed the first menu item. Alternatively, as shown in Figures 7 A and 7B, in an instance in which the apparatus, such as the processor, determines that the user accessed the first menu item associated with the feedback sound for tapping upon a virtual keyboard via the text input category, the apparatus, such as the processor, the user interface or the like, may remove the first menu item from the other categories, such as a sound category, while maintaining the first menu item within the category, such as the text input category, via which the user accessed the first menu item. [0047] In the foregoing example, the first menu item was accessed through selections of menu categories, such as may be provided via a touchscreen 12 of a mobile terminal 10.

However, the menu items may be accessed in a number of different manners other than through a touchscreen display. By way of example, Figure 8 depicts the operations performed, such as by a specifically configured apparatus 20 of Figure 2, in accordance with another example embodiment. In this regard, and as shown in block 50 of Figure 8, the apparatus may include means, such as the processor 22, the user interface 26 or the like, for providing a menu in which the first menu item is associated with each of a plurality of input mechanisms. The menu items may be associated with various input mechanisms including, for example, one or more hard keys, soft keys, gesture inputs or the like. By way of example, Figure 9 depicts another example embodiment of a mobile terminal that may be specifically configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the mobile terminal of Figure 9 includes a plurality of hard keys 60 and soft keys 62 that serve as input mechanisms with which the menu items are associated.

[0048] As described above, the first menu item may be positioned in at least two locations within the menu such that the first menu item is accessible by the user via at least two different menu navigation paths. For example, the first menu item of this example embodiment is associated with at least two input mechanisms and, as such, may be accessed in response to selection of any one of the at least two input mechanisms. For example, in an instance in which a user is utilizing a messaging application and desires to forward a message to another user, the forward function may be associated with at least two input mechanisms. For example, the leftmost soft key may provide access to the options menu which may, in turn, include the forward function. Additionally, the confirmation key, that is, the centermost key between the four-way navigation keys, may provide access to the forward function. Consequently, the forward function is positioned at two different locations within the menu such that two different navigation paths may be taken to access the forward function, namely, the first menu item associated with the forward function may be accessed by the user actuation of the leftmost soft key to access the options menu followed by selection of the forward function or, alternatively, by user selection of the confirmation key.

[0049] The apparatus 20 of this example embodiment may include means, such as the processor 22 or the like, for determining the location within the menu at which the first menu item was accessed by determining the input mechanism via which the first menu item was accessed by the user. See block 52 of Figure 8. With respect to the forward function, for example, the apparatus, such as the processor, may be configured to determine whether the user accessed the forward function via the leftmost soft key in the options menu or via the

confirmation key. The apparatus of this example embodiment may also include means, such as the processor, the user interface 26 or the like, for revising the menu by disassociating the first menu item from an input mechanism other than the input mechanism via which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user. See block 54 of Figure.

[0050] For example, in an instance in which the user accessed the forward function via the leftmost soft key and the options menu, the apparatus 20, such as the processor 22, the user interface 26 or the like, may disassociate the forward function from the confirmation key such that subsequent actuation of the confirmation key will no longer provide access to the forward function. Instead, the forward function of this example will remain associated with and accessible via the leftmost soft key and the options menu. Alternatively, in an instance in which the user accesses the forward function via the confirmation key, the apparatus, such as the processor, the user interface or the like, may disassociate the forward function from the options menu that is accessed via the leftmost soft key such that subsequent actuation of the leftmost soft key and the subsequent presentation of the options menu will no longer provide access to the forward function. Instead, the forward function will remain, in this example, associated with and accessible via the confirmation key.

[0051] In accordance with the foregoing example embodiments, the method, apparatus and computer program product are configured to adaptively position menu items within a menu in order to facilitate the accessibility of those menu items by a user. In this regard, the method, apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment may adaptively position a menu item within a menu based upon the manner in which a user accesses the respective menu item. Thus, the resulting menu may be personalized in response to the behavior of the user such that the resulting menu provides an intuitive menu structure that may be utilized in an efficient manner by the user. However, by initially positioning the menu item at a plurality of locations within the menu and then removing the menu item from one or more locations within the menu following access of the menu item by the user, the method, apparatus and computer program product permit the user to initially locate the menu item in an efficient manner with subsequent customization of the menu driven by the user behavior.

[0052] As described above, Figures 3, 4 and 8 illustrate flowcharts of an apparatus 20, method and computer program product according to example embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry, and/or other communication devices associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above may be stored by a memory device 24 of an apparatus employing an embodiment of the present invention and executed by a processor 22 of the apparatus. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (e.g., hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus implements the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. These computer program

instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture the execution of which implements the function specified in the flowchart blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart blocks.

[0053] Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware -based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. [0054] In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may be modified or further amplified. Furthermore, in some embodiments, additional optional operations may be included. Modifications, additions, or amplifications to the operations above may be performed in any order and in any combination.

[0055] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the method, apparatus and computer program product are described above in conjunction with example embodiments in which the menu is revised following the initial access of a first menu item by the user. In another example embodiment, however, the method, apparatus and computer program product may not revise the menu following the user's initial access of a first menu item and may, instead, await subsequent access of the first menu item, such as by requiring the first menu item to be accessed at least a predetermined number of times, prior to revising the menu. In this example embodiment, the method, apparatus and computer program product may only revise the menu in an instance in which the user accessed the first menu item in the same location at least a predetermined number of times or a predetermined percentage of the total number of times that the first menu item was accessed. In accordance with this example embodiment, the method, apparatus and computer program product may have increased assurance that the manner in which the user has accessed the first user item is indicative of their general preference prior to revising the menu.

[0056] Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method comprising:

providing a menu including a plurality of menu items accessible by a user and configured to cause a predefined function to be performed upon selection thereof, wherein the menu includes a first menu item positioned in at least two locations within the menu such that the first menu item is accessible by the user via at least two different menu navigation paths;

determining the location within the menu at which the first menu item is accessed by the user; and

revising the menu to remove the first menu item from a location within the menu other than the location within the menu at which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein revising the menu comprises revising the menu to remove the first menu item from all locations within the menu other than the location within the menu at which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

3. A method according to any one of Claims 1 or 2 wherein providing a menu comprises providing a menu having a plurality of categories, and wherein at least two categories include the first menu item.

4. A method according to Claim 3 wherein determining the location comprises determining the category via which the first menu item is accessed by the user, and wherein revising the menu comprises removing the first menu item from a category of the menu other than the category of the menu via which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

5. A method according to any one of Claims 1 or 2 wherein providing a menu comprises associating one or more menu items with each of a plurality of input mechanisms, wherein the first menu item is associated with at least two input mechanisms.

6. A method according to Claim 5 wherein determining the location comprises determining the input mechanism via which the first menu item is accessed by the user, and wherein revising the menu comprises disassociating the first menu item from an input mechanism other than the input mechanism via which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

7. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least:

provide a menu including a plurality of menu items accessible by a user and configured to cause a predefined function to be performed upon selection thereof, wherein the menu includes a first menu item positioned in at least two locations within the menu such that the first menu item is accessible by the user via at least two different menu navigation paths;

determine the location within the menu at which the first menu item is accessed by the user; and

revise the menu to remove the first menu item from a location within the menu other than the location within the menu at which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

8. An apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to revise the menu by revising the menu to remove the first menu item from all locations within the menu other than the location within the menu at which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

9. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 7 or 8 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to provide a menu by providing a menu having a plurality of categories, and wherein at least two categories include the first menu item.

10. An apparatus according to Claim 9 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to determine the location by determining the category via which the first menu item is accessed by the user, and wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to revise the menu by removing the first menu item from a category of the menu other than the category of the menu via which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

11. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 7 or 8 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to provide a menu by associating one or more menu items with each of a plurality of input mechanisms, wherein the first menu item is associated with at least two input mechanisms.

12. An apparatus according to Claim 11 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to determine the location by determining the input mechanism via which the first menu item is accessed by the user, and wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to revise the menu by disassociating the first menu item from an input mechanism other than the input mechanism via which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

13. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 7 to 12 wherein the apparatus is embodied by a computing device.

14. An apparatus according to Claim 13 wherein the computing device comprises a mobile terminal.

15. A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer- readable storage medium having computer-executable program code portions stored therein, the computer-executable program code portions comprising program code instructions for:

16. A computer program product according to Claim 15 wherein the program code instructions for revising the menu comprise program code instructions for revising the menu to remove the first menu item from all locations within the menu other than the location within the menu at which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

17. A computer program product according to any one of Claims 15 or 16 wherein the program code instructions for providing a menu comprise program code instructions for providing a menu having a plurality of categories, and wherein at least two categories include the first menu item.

18. A computer program product according to Claim 17 wherein the program code instructions for determining the location comprise program code instructions for determining the category via which the first menu item is accessed by the user, and wherein the program code instructions for revising the menu comprise program code instructions for removing the first menu item from a category of the menu other than the category of the menu via which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.

19. A computer program product according to any one of Claims 15 or 16 wherein the program code instructions for providing a menu comprise program code instructions for associating one or more menu items with each of a plurality of input mechanisms, wherein the first menu item is associated with at least two input mechanisms.

20. A computer program product according to Claim 19 wherein the program code instructions for determining the location comprise program code instructions for determining the input mechanism via which the first menu item is accessed by the user, and wherein the program code instructions for revising the menu comprise program code instructions for disassociating the first menu item from an input mechanism other than the input mechanism via which the first menu item was determined to have been accessed by the user.