US 11573939

An analysis of U.S. Patent 11,573,939 reveals the following details. As of today's date, May 13, 2026, a search of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) 2026 dockets shows no active litigation specifically involving this patent.

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Summary of U.S. Patent 11,573,939

Title: Process and apparatus for selecting an item from a database

Assignee: Kannuu Pty Ltd

Inventor: Kevin W. Dinn

Filing Date: August 13, 2019

Issue Date: February 7, 2023

Abstract:
A method and apparatus for selecting database items from a database, where the database items are indexed by a list of item identifiers. The item identifiers may be in the form of text. An initial display is generated which includes one or more parts of the item identifiers. Selection of the one or more parts may be made and results in the generation of a display of a further one or more parts for selection. The further one or more parts may be selected in order to add to the selected one or more parts to build a larger part or whole of an item identifier. Selection from a large list of item identifiers may be carried out in a relatively short time period.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claim

This patent has one independent claim.

Independent Claim 1:

This claim protects a system for choosing items, which includes a television display, a remote control with directional and selection buttons, and a computer processor inside the television. The system works by:

• Connecting items in a database to unique names or "item identifiers."
• Showing on the TV an initial choice between parts of item identifiers, where each part represents a different group of items.
• Allowing a user to select one of these parts with the remote control.
• Based on that choice, showing a new set of choices on the TV. These new choices are additional parts of item identifiers that correspond to smaller subgroups of the previously selected group.
• Letting the user select one of the new, additional parts with the remote.
• Combining the first part selected with the second part selected to form a longer portion of an item identifier.
• Displaying this longer, combined part on the TV.

A key aspect of this invention is that the parts of the item identifiers shown for selection are shorter than the full identifier. The groups of items presented are distinct from one another. The system is specifically designed to be used with a remote control to select options arranged in a circular menu on the television screen.