Instructional device and method thereof

• US 5,111,426 A
• Filed: 03/23/1989
• Issued: 05/05/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Weldcomp, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Weldcomp, Incorporated
• Inventors: Craig, Edward, Bergstresser, Arthur R. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Olms, Douglas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAMUEL, TEMESGHEN
• Application Number:
  US07/327,979
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• Field of Search: 364/200 MS File, 364/900 MS File, 364/492, 364/219, 364/98, 364/709.06, 340/712, 340/711
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0283 for data storage and retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/961 Operator interface with visual structure or function dictated by intended use

Abstract

A hand-held instructional device and a method of data selection is disclosed. Indexed information is stored in ROM and retrieved to an LCD display. Retrieval is by pressing keys with associated indicia indicating broad subsets of the information, consulting a displayed index of the subset, and pressing further keys as indicated by the index to display the desired sub-area of the subset. Scrolling is provided to allow multiple screens of information to be reviewed. Both automatic and manual scrolling is used. An embodiment of the invention where the information stored is welding and cutting information is disclosed. A calculator operation is included to allow the user to manipulate the welding and cutting data for the job at hand.

Claims

1. In a portable electronic device for the display of reference information, said device having a digital data storage means containing said reference information, a keyboard having a plurality of keys, control means and display means, said keyboard, said digital data storage means and said display means being electrically connected to said control means, wherein said control means senses keys pushed and in response thereto retrieves a portion of said reference information from said digital data storage means and displays said portion of said reference information on said display means, said reference information being categorized into subsets and sub-areas of subsets, each subset having an index indicating the sub-areas of each subset, the improvement comprising:

at least one of said keys only operates to select display of the index of a particular subset of the reference information and has proximate indicia corresponding to the particular subset, said index further indicating by specific reference to specific indicia the keys to push to select the sub-areas;

at least another one of said keys operates to select display of a desired sub-area of the particular subset as indicated by the index and having proximate specific indicia corresponding to said index; and

a start-and-stop key, wherein if said index or sub-area is larger than a page of the display means, said control means causes said display means to display a succession of page-sized parts of said index or sub-area, each part being displayed for a fixed delay time unless said start-and-stop key is pressed and said succession of parts continuing if said start-and-stop key is pressed again.

2. An electronic device for the display of welding and cutting reference information, said device comprising:

a digital storage means containing said welding and cutting reference information;

a keyboard having a plurality of keys, at least one of said keys corresponding to a particular subset of said welding and cutting reference information;

display means; and

control means, said control means being electrically connected to said storage means, keyboard and display means, whereby the particular subset may be displayed in response to pressing the at least one key.

3. A device as in claim 2, wherein said digital storage means is read only memory.

4. A device as in claim 2, wherein said display means is a liquid crystal display.

5. A device as in claim 2, wherein said control means comprises a microprocessor.

6. A device as in claim 2, wherein said at least one of said keys has proximate indicia having the characteristic of at least one of representing, describing and suggesting the particular subset.

7. A device as in claim 2, wherein the digital data storage means also contains an index for each subset indicating a plurality of sub-areas of the subsets the keyboard has an at least one key for each sub-area, the index of the particular subset is displayed in response to pressing the at least one said key and the desired sub-area is displayed in response to pressing the at least one associated key.

8. A device as in claim 2, further comprising calculator means, whereby a number displayed as part of a subset may be used in calculations to solve a user'"'"'s particular welding and cutting problem.

9. A method for a user to select reference information to be displayed by a portable electronic device, said device having a digital data storage means containing said reference information, a keyboard having a plurality of keys, control means and display means, said keyboard, said digital data storage means and said display means being electrically connected to said control means, wherein said control means senses keys pushed and in response thereto retrieves a portion of said reference information from said digital data means and displays said portion of said reference information on said display means, said reference information being categorized into subsets and sub-areas of subsets, each subset having an index indicating the sub-areas of each subset, the method comprising:

pushing a dedicated key to select display of the index of a particular subset of the reference information, said dedicated key having proximate indicia corresponding to the particular subset and said index further indicating the keys to push to select the sub-areas;

pushing at least one more key to select display of a desired sub-area of the particular subset as indicated by the index, said at least one more key having proximate indicia corresponding to said index;

pushing a start-and-stop key, wherein if said index or sub-area is larger than a page of the display means, said control means causes said display means to display a succession of page-sized parts of said index or sub-area, each part being displayed for a fixed delay time unless said start-and-stop key is pressed and said succession of parts continuing if said start-and-stop key is pressed again.