Method and apparatus for displaying and retrieving input on visual displays
First Claim
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1. A method of retrieving input from a visual keyboard, the method comprising the steps of:
- creating a plurality of keys each of which are divided into at least four distinct quadrants, each of the quadrants having a function equivalent to the represented key being used in combination with another differing key;
selecting one of the quadrants of one of a key; and
producing the corresponding combination for the selected quadrant.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for implementing the keys of a visual keyboard so that each key can perform multiple functions without the prior or simultaneous selection of differing visual keys. Each key is divided into quadrants each of which provide a different function which is well recognized and understood by the end user.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of retrieving input from a visual keyboard, the method comprising the steps of:
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creating a plurality of keys each of which are divided into at least four distinct quadrants, each of the quadrants having a function equivalent to the represented key being used in combination with another differing key;
selecting one of the quadrants of one of a key; and
producing the corresponding combination for the selected quadrant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
creating, for each one of the keys, a first quadrant representing the combination of the key with the control key.
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3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of creating includes the step of:
creating, for each one of the keys, a second quadrant representing the combination of the key with the Shift key.
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4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of creating includes the step of:
creating, for each one of the keys, a third quadrant representing the combination of the key with the Alt key.
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5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of selecting one of the quadrants of a key includes the step of:
selecting the first quadrant of a key.
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6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of producing the corresponding combination includes the step of:
producing the control key in combination with the selected key.
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7. An apparatus for retrieving input from a visual keyboard, the apparatus comprising:
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means for creating a plurality of keys each of which are divided into at least four distinct quadrants, each of the quadrants having a function equivalent to the represented key being used in combination with another differing key;
means for selecting one of the quadrants of one of said key; and
means for producing the corresponding combination for the selected quadrant. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
means for creating, for each one of the keys, a first quadrant representing the combination of the key with the control key.
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9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the means for creating includes:
means for creating, for each one of the keys, a second quadrant representing the combination of the key with the Shift key.
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10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the means for creating includes:
means for creating, for each one of the keys, a third quadrant representing the combination of the key with the Alt key.
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11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for selecting one of the quadrants of a key includes:
means for selecting the first quadrant of a key.
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12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the means for producing the corresponding combination includes:
means for producing the control key in combination with the selected key.
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13. A computer program product comprising:
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a computer readable usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in the medium for retrieving input from a visual keyboard, the computer readable program code means including;
means for creating a plurality of keys each of which are divided into at least four distinct quadrants, each of the quadrants having a function equivalent to the represented key being used in combination with another differing key;
means for selecting one of the quadrants of one of a key; and
means for producing the corresponding combination for the selected quadrant. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
means for creating, for each one of the keys, a first quadrant representing the combination of the key with the control key.
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15. The computer program product of claim 14 wherein the means for creating includes:
means for creating, for each one of the keys, a second quadrant representing the combination of the key with the Shift key.
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16. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the means for creating includes:
means for creating, for each one of the keys, a third quadrant representing the combination of the key with the Alt key.
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17. The computer program product of claim 16 wherein the means for selecting one of the quadrants of a key includes:
means for selecting the first quadrant of a key.
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18. The computer program product of claim 17 wherein the means for producing the corresponding combination includes:
means for producing the control key in combination with the selected key.
Specification