User-friendly technique and apparatus for entering alphanumeric data through a numeric keyboard

• US 4,680,728 A
• Filed: 10/17/1984
• Issued: 07/14/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Davis, William N. II, Nash, Ruth E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Jr., Archie E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chan, Emily Yue
• Application Number:
  US06/661,548
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: 340/365 R, 340/711, 364/200 MS File, 364/900 MS File
• US Class Current: 345/467
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224

Abstract

A process and apparatus for entering a predetermined number of characters use an entry terminal having a display and a keyboard having a predetermined number of character entry keys presented in a first array (ten key numeric keyboard) and a predetermined number of function keys, with the predetermined number of character entry keys being fewer in number than the predetermined number of characters. The process comprises the steps of presenting on the display more than one cluster of characters to be selected, with each cluster containing fewer than the predetermined number of characters, and with each cluster of characters being presented on the display in a second array; selecting, via a function key, one of the clusters of characters which contains the character to be entered via the terminal; and actuating one of the character entry keys whose position in the first array bears a predetermined relationship with the position in the second array held by the character to be entered. The characters in the clusters include function symbols which can be selected to perform editing functions.

Claims

1. A process for entering and editing character data being comprised of a predetermined number of characters using an entry terminal having a display and also having a keyboard having a predetermined number of character entry keys presented in a first array and a predetermined number of function keys, with said predetermined character entry keys being fewer in number than said predetermined number of characters;

said process comprising the steps;

(a) presenting on said display more than one cluster of characters to be selected, with each said cluster containing fewer than said predetermined number of characters, and with at least some of said clusters of characters having a function symbol included therein, each said function symbol corresponding to an editing function for use in editing said character data;

each said cluster of characters and said function symbol when included therein being presented on said display in a second array for selection;

(b) selecting, via a said function key, that one of said clusters of characters which contains the character to be entered via said terminal or which contains the function symbol desired for editing;

(c) actuating one of said character entry keys whose position in said first array bears a predetermined relationship to the position in said second array held by the character to be entered or the said function symbol desired to be entered for use in editing;

said first and second arrays corresponding to each other and said actuating step comprising selecting that one of said character entry keys in said first array which occupies the same position in said first array as the character or function symbol to be selected occupies in said second array;

said clusters of characters being aligned along a line on said display and said selecting step comprising sequentially making active on said display said clusters of characters and function symbols when included therein when moving in a first direction along said line until said cluster which contains the character or the function symbol to be entered is reached using a first said function key, and said selecting step also comprising sequentially making active on said display said clusters of characters and function symbols when included therein when moving in a second direction opposite to said first direction along said line until said cluster which contains the character or the function symbol to be entered is reached using a second said function key;

said editing comprising using a first one of said function symbols for moving a cursor to the left along a line of characters on said display;

using a second one of said function symbols for moving said cursor to the right along said line of characters on said display;

using a third one of said function symbols for deleting a said character shown on said line of characters on said display;

using a fourth one of said function symbols for inserting a space in said line of characters shown on said display; and

using a fifth one of said function symbols for clearing a said line of characters shown on said display;

said presenting step comprising using at least first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth said clusters of characters with ten characters namely zero through nine being included in said first cluster and with said first, second, third, fourth, and fifth said function symbols being included, respectively, in said second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth said clusters of characters.