EP0373319A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method and apparatus for selecting key action
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1989-10-13
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-10-13
Abstract
Abstract To reduce the number of keys on a calculator keyboard (22), two symbols representing possible operations or key actions are associated with each key (24) of a plurality of keys. The calculator (20) is programmed (30) to determine which key action is selected to be performed. The symbol representing the selected key action may be displayed on a display screen (28) if appropriate. The program (30) determines which key action is selected in response to a predetermined pattern of pressing a key (24) during a pending period that begins with the initial press of the key (24). The user may adjust the length of the pending period. The presence of the pending period is indicated on the calculator display screen (28) by a cursor (61). Alpha characters may thus be entered into the calculator (20) without the need for an additional keyboard or calculator modes.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore W. Beers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:27
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/023; G06F3/0233; G06F3/0236
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
Apparatus'for selecting key actions to be performed, comprising: a pressable key (24) for selecting among at least two key actions associated with the key; and means (30) responsive to a predetermined pattern of pressing the key during a pending time period for determining from said pattern which of the key actions is selected to be performed, said pending time period beginning with an initial press of the key.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus'for selecting key actions to be performed, comprising: a pressable key (24) for selecting among at least two key actions associated with the key; and means (30) responsive to a predetermined pattern of pressing the key during a pending time period for determining from said pattern which of the key actions is selected to be performed, said pending time period beginning with an initial press of the key.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, characterized by symbols positioned adjacent to the key (24) representing each key action.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 2, characterized in that the determining means (30) includes means for displaying the symbol representing the selected key action.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, characterized by adjustment means (32) for adjusting the length of the pending period.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that an output device (28) is provided and the determining means (30) includes means for indicating on the output device (28) the presence of the pending period.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 5, characterized in that a cursor (61) is displayed on the display device (28) and the determining means (30) controls the appearance of the cursor (61) to indicate the presence of the pending period.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the determining means (30) responds to a predetermined pattern comprising the number of key presses within the pending period, the determining means causing a first key action to be performed if the key (24) is not pressed within the period and causing a second key action to be performed if the key (24) is pressed within the period.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the determining means (30) responds to a predetermined pattern comprising the duration of the initial key press, the determining means causing a first key action to be performed if the key (24) press duration is less than the period and causing a second key action to be performed if the duration is greater than the period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
147 words
9 Use of an apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 8 for symbol entry and display, comprising: a computing device (20); an output device (28) coupled to the computing device (20) for displaying symbols; a keyboard (22) having a plurality of keys for entering symbols into the computing device and displaying said symbols on the output device, each key of said plurality associated with at least two symbols; means (30) in communication with the computing device (20) and responsive to a predetermined pattern of pressing a key (24) of said plurality during a pending time period for determining from said pattern which of the associated symbols is to be entered and displayed, said pending period beginning with an initial press of the key (24); and means (30) in communication with the display device for temporarily displaying one of the associated symbols during the pending period.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of selecting key actions to be performed, characterized by: providing a pressable key (24) for selecting among at least two key actions; determining if the key (24) has been initially pressed (50); selecting a first key action upon pressing of the key (24), (54); beginning a pending time period upon pressing of the key (24), (56); detecting if a predetermined pattern (68), (84) of pressing the key occurs within the pending time period; and selecting a second key action if said pattern is detected (70), (90).
Claim 12
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of selecting key actions to be performed, characterized by: providing a pressable key (24) for selecting among at least two key actions; determining if the key (24) has been initially pressed (50); selecting a first key action upon pressing of the key (24), (54); beginning a pending time period upon pressing of the key (24), (56); detecting if a predetermined pattern (68), (84) of pressing the key occurs within the pending time period; and selecting a second key action if said pattern is detected (70), (90).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10, characterized by displaying a symbol representing the selected key action (58), (74).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 10 or 11, characterized by temporarily displaying (58) a symbol representing the first key action upon the initial press of the key (24).
Claim 15
Independent Claim
19 words
The method of one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by indicating the presence of the pending period (60).
Claim 16
Independent Claim
27 words
The method of one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the detecting step comprises detecting if a key press occurs within the pending period (80).
Claim 17
Independent Claim
30 words
The method of one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the detecting step comprises detecting if the duration of the initial key press exceeds the pending period (68).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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