Device interface with function keys and color coded soft key labels

• US 20020158915A1
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Published: 10/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Rowell, Joseph Jr., McCarthy, Dennis John, Stark, Donald Wilson
• Application Number:
  US09/796,160
• Publication Number:
  US 20020158915A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/835
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof

Abstract

An interface for an electronic device includes a plurality of function keys. Each function key has a distinct color different from other function keys in the plurality of function keys. The electronic instrument also includes a display. The display displays a plurality of soft key labels. Each soft key label is associated with and has a same color as one function key from the plurality of function keys. Coloring indicates to a viewer of the display associations between soft key labels and function keys.

Claims

1. An interface for an electronic device comprising:

a plurality of function keys, each function key having a distinct color different from other function keys in the plurality of function keys; and

,

a display, the display displaying a plurality of soft key labels, each soft key label being associated with and having a same color as one function key from the plurality of function keys, wherein coloring indicates to a viewer of the display associations between soft key labels and function keys.

2. An interface for an electronic device as in claim 1 wherein the plurality of function keys are not situated adjacent to the plurality of soft key labels.

3. An interface for an electronic device as in claim 1 wherein the interface is an instrument panel.

4. An interface for an electronic device as in claim 3 wherein hard keys on the instrument panel are pressed to change functions represented by the plurality of function keys and to change text of the plurality of soft key labels.

5. An interface for an electronic device as in claim 1 wherein text of each soft key label identifies current function represented by an associated function key.

6. An interface for an electronic device as in claim 1 wherein the plurality of soft key labels is within a toolbar that also includes an entry box displaying a value.

7. A method for implementing an interface for an electronic device, the method comprising the following steps:

(a) providing a plurality of function keys, each function key having a distinct color different from other function keys in the plurality of function keys; and

,

(b) displaying on a display a plurality of soft key labels, each soft key label being associated with and having a same color as one function key from the plurality of function keys, wherein coloring indicates to a viewer of the display associations between soft key labels and function keys.

8. A method as in claim 7 wherein in step (b) the soft key labels are displayed in a location that is not immediately adjacent to the plurality of function keys.

9. A method as in claim 7 wherein the interface is an instrument panel.

10. A method as in claim 9 additionally comprising the following step:

(c) pressing hard keys on the instrument panel to change functions represented by the plurality of function keys and to change text of the plurality of soft key labels.

11. A method as in claim 7 wherein in step (b) text of each soft key label identifies current function represented by an associated function key.

12. A method as in claim 7 wherein in step (b) the plurality of soft key labels is within a toolbar that also includes an entry box displaying a value.

14. A method as in claim 13 wherein in step (b) the soft key labels are displayed in a location that is not immediately adjacent to the plurality of function keys.

15. A method as in claim 13 wherein the interface is an instrument panel.

16. A method as in claim 13 wherein in step (b) text of each soft key label identifies current function represented by an associated function key.

17. A method as in claim 13 wherein in step (b) the plurality of soft key labels is within a toolbar that also includes an entry box displaying a value.

13. A method for implementing an interface for an electronic device, the method comprising the following steps:

(a) displaying on a display a plurality of soft key labels, each soft key label being associated with and having a same color as one function key from the plurality of function keys, wherein each function key in the plurality of function keys has a distinct color different from other function keys in the plurality of function keys and coloring indicates to a viewer of the display associations between soft key labels and function keys; and

,

(b) in response to a user command, changing functions represented by the plurality of function keys and changing text of the plurality of soft key labels.