Abstract: A system and method for menu-based navigation to view audio and/or visual media is disclosed. A user can navigate through a menu system by moving a cursor between various showcases listed in a second display area of a screen. When the user selects a category, the menu changes to display sub-categories within the category in a first area of the screen. The second display area can display information about available media items within a selected category or sub-category. A third display area can display additional information about the selected media item. There can also be a display area where a user can create a filter within a selected category or sub-category. The menu selections can contain images representative of categories. The categories can be genres of movies or music. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system and method for menu-based navigation to view audio and/or visual media is disclosed. A user can navigate through a menu system by moving a cursor between various categories listed in a menu in a first display area. When the user selects a category, the menu changes to display sub-categories within the category, with the chosen category listed in a home position of the first display area. A second display area can display available selections within a selected category or sub-category. A third display area can display additional information about the selected media item. There also can be a display area where a user can create a filter within a selected category or sub-category. The menu selections can contain representations of categories. The categories can be genres or lists of movies or music. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The method for encoding a date for universal recognition provides a representation of a date that eliminates ambiguities that may arise because of different date formats widely used throughout the world. A date is encoded by first expressing the date as at least a calendar month and a calendar year within a calendar system. A month identifier is encoded for the calendar month. The month identifier comprises a first identifier field having a first association with the name of the month, and a second identifier field having a second association with the name of the month. Next, a year identifier is formed for the calendar year. A date representation is formed by formatting the month identifier together with the year identifier. Visual indicia of the date representation are formed on an article to express a date of interest, such as an expiration date on a credit card.

Abstract: A telephone has several lists of phone numbers. Each phone number within a list has a number of digits which is not less than a predetermined minimum number, and not more than a predetermined maximum number. The maximum number is the “size” of the list. When a digit is entered, the phone compares (1B) the number of digits entered to the lists, and selects (1C) the list of the smallest size which is greater than or equal to the number of digits entered. That list is searched (1D) and the results displayed (1E) when the search is complete. If another digit is entered during the search (1F), the comparing (1B) and list selecting (1C) steps are repeated.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) (202) converts stylus strokes (106) into characters (204), which are applied to a dialer (206) in a telephone. The dialer converts the characters into dial signals (108), such as tone combinations or (in older machines) pulse strings, which dial the indicated phone number.