Method for operating a computer which searches for operational symbols and executes functions corresponding to the operational symbols in response to user inputted signal
First Claim
1. A method of operating a computer system having at least a processor, display means, input means, and memory means for storing one or more information files, each of said files containing data and optionally containing a sequence of processor detectable operational symbols intermixing with said data, said method comprising the steps of:
- A. storing data for;
i. defining a number of generic categories of functions performed by the processor, each of said generic categories of functions has a corresponding generic operation symbol that can be perceived by the user and detected by the processor;
ii. defining a series of operations to be used by the processor to identify the generic category of each of said generic operational symbol within the context of said files irrespective of the other contents of said files;
iii. defining a series of operations to be used by the processor to extract specific elaboration of said generic function from an explicit operational symbol selected by the user;
iv. defining a series of operations to be used by said processor to determine whether a specific function corresponding to a given explicit operational symbol is available within said processing means or said information storage means;
v. defining a series of operations to be used by said processor to indicate upon said display means a specific selected operational symbol; and
thereafterB. receiving a user inputted initiation signal;
C. responding to said initiation signal to cause said processor to retrieve from said memory means, and present on said display means, the content of all or part of a predetermined one of said files, and to display a cursor signal at an initial location in said displayed file; and
thereafterD. receiving a first user inputted mode signal for selecting either a text mode or search mode;
E. responding to said mode selecting signal by either;
(1) performing step F. below, if text mode was chosen;
or(2) performing step G. below, if search mode was chosen;
F. receiving text data from said user via said input means;
G. using processor controlled search means to begin at a current cursor position on a displayed file and scan through said displayed file until detection of either an operational symbol or and endfile marker;
H. if an endfile marker is detected in step G. above, then;
(1) presenting a message on said display indicating non-existence of an operational symbol in said displayed file; and
,(2) performing step F. above;
I. if an operational symbol is detected in step G. above, then;
(1) moving the cursor to the position of said operational symbol in the displayed file; and
,(2) receiving a second user inputted mode signal for selecting either a text mode, search mode, or execute mode;
J. if a text mode signal is received in step I(2), then performing step F. above;
K. if a search mode signal is received in step I(2), then repeating step G. above;
L. if an execute mode signal is received in step I(2), then, if possible, executing the function corresponding to the detected operational symbol;
M. whereby said computer system is controlled by user entered text data, or by function calls requiring minimal user input, or by a combination of textual input and such function calls.
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Abstract
A system for operating a computing machine is provided with a plurality of executable functions, each being identified by a respectively associated function symbol. In one embodiment, the data stored in a memory of the computing machine is organized into files, each such file further containing additional data which corresponds to one of the function symbols, and a selected file name which identifies the file with respect to which the executable function is to operate. In a preferred embodiment, one of the function symbols in the file is selected, and execution thereof is subsequently commanded. Preferably, the machine is returned to a state which permits selection of a further executable function. Thus, the invention forms a coupling between a transaction process and an execution process, in the form of a loop.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of operating a computer system having at least a processor, display means, input means, and memory means for storing one or more information files, each of said files containing data and optionally containing a sequence of processor detectable operational symbols intermixing with said data, said method comprising the steps of:
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A. storing data for; i. defining a number of generic categories of functions performed by the processor, each of said generic categories of functions has a corresponding generic operation symbol that can be perceived by the user and detected by the processor; ii. defining a series of operations to be used by the processor to identify the generic category of each of said generic operational symbol within the context of said files irrespective of the other contents of said files; iii. defining a series of operations to be used by the processor to extract specific elaboration of said generic function from an explicit operational symbol selected by the user; iv. defining a series of operations to be used by said processor to determine whether a specific function corresponding to a given explicit operational symbol is available within said processing means or said information storage means; v. defining a series of operations to be used by said processor to indicate upon said display means a specific selected operational symbol; and
thereafterB. receiving a user inputted initiation signal; C. responding to said initiation signal to cause said processor to retrieve from said memory means, and present on said display means, the content of all or part of a predetermined one of said files, and to display a cursor signal at an initial location in said displayed file; and
thereafterD. receiving a first user inputted mode signal for selecting either a text mode or search mode; E. responding to said mode selecting signal by either; (1) performing step F. below, if text mode was chosen;
or(2) performing step G. below, if search mode was chosen; F. receiving text data from said user via said input means; G. using processor controlled search means to begin at a current cursor position on a displayed file and scan through said displayed file until detection of either an operational symbol or and endfile marker; H. if an endfile marker is detected in step G. above, then; (1) presenting a message on said display indicating non-existence of an operational symbol in said displayed file; and
,(2) performing step F. above; I. if an operational symbol is detected in step G. above, then; (1) moving the cursor to the position of said operational symbol in the displayed file; and
,(2) receiving a second user inputted mode signal for selecting either a text mode, search mode, or execute mode; J. if a text mode signal is received in step I(2), then performing step F. above; K. if a search mode signal is received in step I(2), then repeating step G. above; L. if an execute mode signal is received in step I(2), then, if possible, executing the function corresponding to the detected operational symbol; M. whereby said computer system is controlled by user entered text data, or by function calls requiring minimal user input, or by a combination of textual input and such function calls. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification