Pocket computer for word processing

• US 5,289,394 A
• Filed: 03/09/1993
• Issued: 02/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Laitram LLC
• Original Assignee: Laitram LLC
• Inventors: Lapeyre, deceased, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Malzahn, David H.
• Application Number:
  US08/029,948
• Time in Patent Office: 350 Days
• Field of Search: 364/709.12, 364/709.15, 364/709.16, 364/710.13, 364/710.14, 364/705.04
• US Class Current: 708/142
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0221 Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F3/0216 takes precedence; for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1666
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224

Abstract

Word processing in a pocket sized alphanumeric programmable computer is made possible by means of a self contained movable magnetic recording medium and a keyboard accomodating touch typing with as few as twelve keys operable for a wide range of alphanumeric and computer instruction entries. The keyboard thus takes up little room to share panel space with a visual display for generating temporary text being processed by the computer and therefore providing panel room for a multiple line alphanumeric display for recall and editing of text in the word processing mode of computer operation.

Claims

1. A pocket sized, keyboard controlled, programmable, alphanumerical computer comprising in combination:

a self contained movable magnetic storage medium controlled by computer derived control signals, an internal operating memory, program responsive means in said computer for operating said computer in a mode for interchanging information between said magnetic storage medium and said internal operating memory of said computer to interchange data and control instructions between the computer and movable magnetic medium, a set of keyboard keys on a computer panel coupled with computer control means for controlling said magnetic storage medium and for independent keyboard entry of alphanumeric data and control instructions for processing in said computer,

said set of keyboard keys having less than seventeen keys and means for operating said computer in an alphabetic mode of operation from the keyboard, wherein alphabetic characters are enterable from said set of keyboard keys by a sequence of two successive keystrokes,

visual display means sharing said computer panel with the keyboard keys for presenting computer generated alphanumeric data in a multiple line format of at least three lines,

means for storing a set of dictionary words in said computer,

thesaurus means for organizing set of related words from said dictionary words, and

means operating said computer from said keyboard keys in a mode for displaying said related words on said visual display means in response to entry of a reference word in said dictionary from said keyboard.