Active path menu navigation system

1. A method for navigating within a hierarchical menu structure where each level in the menu contains plural items, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a graphical user menu system displaying the items of a given level and enabling selection thereof, wherein access of said given level requires sequential access of each of the levels preceding said given level in the hierarchy;
  
  constructing an Active Path as a sequence of hierarchical active links as items are selected using the graphical user menu system, with one said active link corresponding to each of the items selected, each said active link providing direct access to the hierarchical level from which the corresponding item was selected without using said graphical user menu system; and
  
  displaying the Active Path as an alternative to the graphical user menu system for navigating the menu structure after the user has finished selecting items using the graphical user system such that the Active Path is displayed;
  
  wherein rolling over a given active link with the pointer of a pointing device triggers the display of menu items on the hierarchical level associated with said given active link without disturbing the displayed Active Path.