Method and means of displaying information

• US 4,885,575 A
• Filed: 05/07/1984
• Issued: 12/05/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Williams, Leon G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moore, David K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FATAHI YAR, MAHMOUD
• Application Number:
  US06/607,548
• Time in Patent Office: 2,038 Days
• Field of Search: 340/712, 340/715, 340/722, 340/365 VL, 340/709, 340/753, 340/754, 340/825.19, 341/23
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224

Abstract

Reprogrammable or softkeys are employed in a manner allowing significant flexibility in the display of information on a computer display means. Areas on the display corresponding to the softkeys are used to display the possible set of values of a parameter characterizing a function of a system or apparatus. Subsets of the set of values can also be displayed. Additionally, different variables can be displayed at the same location of the display at different times. The softkeys are further adapted to alter the state of the system or apparatus by affecting the parameter associated with each softkey when that softkey is activated in accordance with a prescribed pattern.

Claims

1. A device for displaying information comprising:

means for inputting data by activating a switch;

means for storing current values of first and second parameters of a system or apparatus, and for storing the possible values of each of said parameters;

means for selecting either said first or said second parameter as the parameter to be displayed in response to activating said switch;

means for retrieving from said means for storing, said possible values of the one of said parameters selected by said means for selecting; and

means for displaying said one of said parameters selected by said means for selecting and said possible values of said one of said parameters, wherein said one of said parameters and said possible values of said one of said parameters are displayed at the same location on said means for displaying irrespective of which of said parameters is selected.

2. The device of claim 1 being further adapted to alter the current value of said first parameter by a second activation of said switch.

3. A device for displaying information, comprising:

means for inputting data by activating a switch;

means for storing the current value of a parameter of a system or apparatus and for storing first and second sets of possible values of said parameter, wherein said second set contains at least one value not included in said first set;

means for retrieving from storage either said first or said second set of possible values as the set to be displayed in response to activating said switch; and

means for displaying said parameter and the one of said first or second set of possible values retrieved by said retrieving means, wherein said parameter and said one of said first or second set of possible values are displayed at the same location on said means for displaying irrespective of which of said sets of possible values is selected.

4. The device of claim 3 being further adapted to alter the current value of said first parameter by a second activation of said switch.

5. A method of displaying information in an interctive keyboard and display assembly, comprising:

assigning a unique location on said display corresponding to one of the keys of said keyboard;

at a first time, displaying a plurality of possible values of a first variable representing a first parameter of a system or apparatus at said unique location in response to a first activation of said key;

at a later time, displaying a plurality of possible values of a second parameter of said system or said apparatus at said unique location in response to a further activation of said key; and

at an intermediate time between said first and later times, changing the plurality of possible values of the first variable representing said first parameter by another activation of said key.

6. A method of displaying information in an interactive keyboard and display assembly, comprising:

assigning a unique locationn on said display corresponding to one of the keys of said keyboard;

at a first time, displaying a first set of possible values of a parameter of a system or apparatus at said unique location;

at a later time, displaying a second set of possible values of said parameter at said unique location, wherein at least one value of said second set is not included in said first set; and

at an intermediate time between said first and later times, changing the value of the first set of possible values of said parameter by activating said key.