Data manipulation program
First Claim
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1. A method for operating data processing apparatus, the apparatus having input means for receiving signals indicative of data characters and control commands, memory and output means for transmitting data to an operator comprising the steps of:
- (a) storing in the memory means a plurality of distinguished lists of data phrases ordered in each list according to a prioritizing scheme based upon usage and each data phrase consisting of concatenated data characters;
(b) receiving a first operator input via the input means and, if the input is a data character, then setting a user string equal to said data character and storing said user string in the memory means;
(i) substantially simultaneously selecting from said plurality of distinguished lists a corresponding primary distinguished list containing data phrases having the same prefix as the data character inputted by the operator;
(ii) substantially simultaneously selecting from said primary distinguished list a select list of data phrases having prefixes that match said user string with said select list being ordered in accordance with said prioritizing scheme based upon usage;
(iii) substantially simultaneously displaying, via the output means, said user string and a predetermined number of the data phrases of said select list;
(c) while continuously displaying said user string and said predetermined number of said data phrases of said select list, receiving further operator input via the input means and if said further operator input is a data character;
(i) then concatenating said data character to said user string, thereby forming a new user string; and
(ii) substantially simultaneously selecting from said primary distinguished list a new select list of data phrases having prefixes that match said new user string with said new select list being ordered in accordance with said prioritizing scheme based upon usage; and
(iii) substantially simultaneously displaying, via the output means, said new user string and a predetermined number of the data phrases of said new select list;
(d) repeating step (c) unless the operator input is a control command indicating a desired phrase is among the phrases being displayed and indicating also which of the phrases being displayed is the desired phrase.
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Abstract
A method of manipulating data comprises the steps of using the contents of a data memory device and data inputted by an operator to extract additional data from the memory device until the operator determines that the device is displaying the data he desires to see. The method also permits the insertion and rearrangement of the data in the memory device.
41 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for operating data processing apparatus, the apparatus having input means for receiving signals indicative of data characters and control commands, memory and output means for transmitting data to an operator comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing in the memory means a plurality of distinguished lists of data phrases ordered in each list according to a prioritizing scheme based upon usage and each data phrase consisting of concatenated data characters; (b) receiving a first operator input via the input means and, if the input is a data character, then setting a user string equal to said data character and storing said user string in the memory means; (i) substantially simultaneously selecting from said plurality of distinguished lists a corresponding primary distinguished list containing data phrases having the same prefix as the data character inputted by the operator; (ii) substantially simultaneously selecting from said primary distinguished list a select list of data phrases having prefixes that match said user string with said select list being ordered in accordance with said prioritizing scheme based upon usage; (iii) substantially simultaneously displaying, via the output means, said user string and a predetermined number of the data phrases of said select list; (c) while continuously displaying said user string and said predetermined number of said data phrases of said select list, receiving further operator input via the input means and if said further operator input is a data character; (i) then concatenating said data character to said user string, thereby forming a new user string; and (ii) substantially simultaneously selecting from said primary distinguished list a new select list of data phrases having prefixes that match said new user string with said new select list being ordered in accordance with said prioritizing scheme based upon usage; and (iii) substantially simultaneously displaying, via the output means, said new user string and a predetermined number of the data phrases of said new select list; (d) repeating step (c) unless the operator input is a control command indicating a desired phrase is among the phrases being displayed and indicating also which of the phrases being displayed is the desired phrase. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A data processing apparatus under programmed control, said apparatus having:
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input means for receiving signals indicative of data characters and control commands; memory means for storing a plurality of distinguished lists of data phrases and for storing a user string, the data phrases being comprised of concatenated data characters, the user string corresponding to at least a portion of a concatenation of data characters that defines a desired data phrase, each distinguished list being comprised of data phrases that have the same single data character prefix, each distinguished list being ordered according to a prioritizing scheme based upon usage; output means for transmitting data to an operator, for selecting and displaying data dependent upon data inputted by an operator and the contents of the memory means of said apparatus comprising; means for receiving first operator input via the input means, if the input is a data character, then setting the user string equal to said data character; and selecting means for substantially simultaneously selecting from said plurality of said distinguished lists a corresponding primary distinguished list comprising data phrases that have as prefixes the first data character inputted by the operator; and matching means for substantially simultaneously selecting from said corresponding primary distinguished list anew select list of select phrases having prefixes that match said user string and an order that is in accordance with said prioritizing scheme based upon usage; and means for receiving further operator input via the input means, if the input is a data character, then concatenating the data character to the user string, thereby forming a new user string; displaying means for substantially simultaneously displaying, via the output means, said user string and a predetermined number of the data phrases of said select list, and means for detecting a control command that is inputted by the operator indicating that the desired phrase is among the phrases being displayed and for indicating which of the phrases being displayed is the desired phrase. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification