US5848187A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for entering and manipulating spreadsheet cell data
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
•
Filing: 1995-06-07
•
Granted: 1998-12-08
•
Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A method for entering and manipulating spreadsheet cell data is described. The present invention provides a method for determining the target cell for written information and for scaling the information to fit within the boundaries of the target cell. A multi-tiered character recognition scheme is used to improve the accuracy and speed of character recognition and translation of handwritten data. The original handwritten data is preserved so that either the translated data or original data may be displayed. The present invention also provides for improved editing of cell entries by allowing a plurality of editing tools to be selected. Manipulation of blocks of data can be accomplished with simple gestures. Arithmetic, statistical and logical functions can be invoked with a single command.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel Bricklin
- 👤 William T. Lynch
- 👤 John Friend
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:01
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F40/00; G06F40/10; G06F40/166; G06F40/177; G06F40/18; G06F40/103; G06V; G06V30/00; G06V30/10; G06V30/32; G06V30/36; G06V30/373
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
A method for translating a graphic element into a machine readable character, said method comprising the steps of: defining a plurality of sets of machine readable characters, each of which contains machine readable characters of a unique type; generating descriptors for said machine readable characters in each of said sets of machine readable characters; generating descriptors for said graphic element; and for each one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters, performing recognition on said graphic element by: comparing said descriptors of said graphic element to said descriptors of said machine readable characters in said one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters in order to determine whether any of said machine readable characters in said one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters matches said descriptors of said graphic element using predetermined match criteria that are substantially the same for each of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters; and when said comparing step determines that said descriptors of at least one of said machine readable characters in said one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters matches said descriptors of said graphic element, identifying for each one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters one of said machine readable characters in said one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters that matches said descriptors of said graphic element.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
233 words
A method for translating a graphic element into a machine readable character, said method comprising the steps of: defining a plurality of sets of machine readable characters, each of which contains machine readable characters of a unique type; generating descriptors for said machine readable characters in each of said sets of machine readable characters; generating descriptors for said graphic element; and for each one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters, performing recognition on said graphic element by: comparing said descriptors of said graphic element to said descriptors of said machine readable characters in said one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters in order to determine whether any of said machine readable characters in said one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters matches said descriptors of said graphic element using predetermined match criteria that are substantially the same for each of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters; and when said comparing step determines that said descriptors of at least one of said machine readable characters in said one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters matches said descriptors of said graphic element, identifying for each one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters one of said machine readable characters in said one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters that matches said descriptors of said graphic element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said graphic element comprises at least one handwritten character.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: retaining said graphic element in an untranslated form if said comparing step determines that none of said machine readable characters of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters matches said descriptors of said graphic element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said performing recognition step is performed on respective ones of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters in a sequential order of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said performing recognition step is performed substantially simultaneously for all of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for providing a graphic element as data for a data input comprising the steps of: creating descriptors of said graphic element; determining whether each respective one of said descriptors of said graphic element corresponds to at least one respective machine readable character, all of said respective machine readable characters being from a single predetermined set of machine readable characters; storing a series of machine readable characters, each of which corresponds to one of said descriptors of said graphic element, as data for said data input if each of said descriptors of said graphic element is determined by said determining step to correspond to at least one machine readable character from said single predetermined set of machine readable characters; and storing said descriptors of said graphic element as data for said data input if any of said descriptors of said graphic element is determined by said determining step to not correspond to at least one machine readable character from said single predetermined set of machine readable characters.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for providing a graphic element as data for a data input comprising the steps of: creating descriptors of said graphic element; determining whether each respective one of said descriptors of said graphic element corresponds to at least one respective machine readable character, all of said respective machine readable characters being from a single predetermined set of machine readable characters; storing a series of machine readable characters, each of which corresponds to one of said descriptors of said graphic element, as data for said data input if each of said descriptors of said graphic element is determined by said determining step to correspond to at least one machine readable character from said single predetermined set of machine readable characters; and storing said descriptors of said graphic element as data for said data input if any of said descriptors of said graphic element is determined by said determining step to not correspond to at least one machine readable character from said single predetermined set of machine readable characters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said graphic element comprises at least one handwritten character.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said set of machine readable characters comprises a plurality of subsets of machine readable characters.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 wherein each of said subsets of machine readable characters is designated one of a plurality of data types.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said determining step uses predetermined match criteria that comprise predetermined match criteria for each of said subsets of machine readable characters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of designating one of said data types as applicable to said data input, and wherein said predetermined match criteria comprises match criteria for each of said designated data types.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for converting data comprising a series of graphic elements into converted data comprising a series of machine readable characters, comprising the steps of: defining a plurality of sets of machine readable characters, each of which contains machine readable characters of a unique type; for each one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters, comparing each one of said series of graphic elements to said machine readable characters in said one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters to determine if each of said graphic elements corresponds to any of said machine readable characters in said one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters; and converting said series of graphic elements into a corresponding series of machine readable characters only if said comparing step determines that each of said graphic elements corresponds to at least one machine readable character from said single one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for converting data comprising a series of graphic elements into converted data comprising a series of machine readable characters, comprising the steps of: defining a plurality of sets of machine readable characters, each of which contains machine readable characters of a unique type; for each one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters, comparing each one of said series of graphic elements to said machine readable characters in said one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters to determine if each of said graphic elements corresponds to any of said machine readable characters in said one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters; and converting said series of graphic elements into a corresponding series of machine readable characters only if said comparing step determines that each of said graphic elements corresponds to at least one machine readable character from said single one of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said graphic elements comprise handwritten characters.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said plurality of sets of machine readable characters include a set of command characters.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said plurality of sets of machine readable characters include a set of text characters.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said plurality of sets of machine readable characters include a set of value characters.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said comparing step is performed on respective ones of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters in a sequential order of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said comparing step is performed of all of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters simultaneously.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said sets of machine readable characters include a set of command characters, a set of value characters, and a set of text characters.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said comparing step is performed on respective ones of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters in a sequential order of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said series of graphic elements is first compared to said set of command characters, then to said set of value characters, and thereafter to said set of text characters.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said comparing step is performed on all of said plurality of sets of machine readable characters simultaneously.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said series of graphic elements is first compared to said set of command characters, then simultaneously to said set of value characters and said set of text characters.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of: comparing, if all of said graphic elements have been converted into a series of machine readable characters, said series of machine readable characters to a set of acceptable series of machine readable characters; and retaining said series of graphical elements in unconverted form if said converted series of machine readable characters is not acceptable.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said set of acceptable series of characters comprises a dictionary of acceptable series of characters.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for translating a handwritten entry into at least one machine readable character comprising the steps of: defining a predetermined number of character data types; creating a plurality of sets of machine readable characters, each such set of machine readable characters comprising characters having a single character data type; defining, for each of said character data types, for each of said sets of machine readable characters, match criteria for matching said handwritten entry to characters in said set of machine readable characters; identifying one of said character data types as an expected data type for said handwritten entry; and comparing said handwritten entry to said sets of machine readable characters in a predetermined sequence according to said match criteria for said expected data type of said handwritten entry.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for translating a handwritten entry into at least one machine readable character comprising the steps of: defining a predetermined number of character data types; creating a plurality of sets of machine readable characters, each such set of machine readable characters comprising characters having a single character data type; defining, for each of said character data types, for each of said sets of machine readable characters, match criteria for matching said handwritten entry to characters in said set of machine readable characters; identifying one of said character data types as an expected data type for said handwritten entry; and comparing said handwritten entry to said sets of machine readable characters in a predetermined sequence according to said match criteria for said expected data type of said handwritten entry.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said predetermined sequence varies according to said expected data type of said handwritten entry.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said sets of machine readable characters include a set of command characters having a command data type.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said sets of machine readable characters include a set of text characters having a text data type.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said sets of machine readable characters include a set of value characters having a value data type.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said handwritten entry is first compared to said set of command characters.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said sets of machine readable characters include a set of command characters having a command data type, a set of text characters having a text data type, and a set of value characters having a value data type.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said handwritten entry is first compared to said set of command characters.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said handwritten entry is compared to any set of characters having a same data type as said expected data type of said handwritten entry if no satisfactory match is obtained between said handwritten entry and said set of command characters according to said match criteria for said set of command characters.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said predetermined sequence is independent of said expected data type of said handwritten entry.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for translating a handwritten entry into a series of machine readable characters comprising at least one machine readable character comprising the steps of: creating a first set of machine readable characters; defining first and second match criteria for matching said handwritten entry to characters in said first set of machine readable characters, said first match criteria applicable to a first expected data type of said handwritten entry and said second match criteria applicable to a second expected data type for said handwritten entry; determining an expected data type for said handwritten entry; comparing said handwritten entry to characters in said first set of machine readable characters according to said first match criteria if said handwritten entry has said first expected data type; and comparing said handwritten entry to characters in said first set of machine readable characters according to said second match criteria if said handwritten entry has said second expected data type.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for translating a handwritten entry into a series of machine readable characters comprising at least one machine readable character comprising the steps of: creating a first set of machine readable characters; defining first and second match criteria for matching said handwritten entry to characters in said first set of machine readable characters, said first match criteria applicable to a first expected data type of said handwritten entry and said second match criteria applicable to a second expected data type for said handwritten entry; determining an expected data type for said handwritten entry; comparing said handwritten entry to characters in said first set of machine readable characters according to said first match criteria if said handwritten entry has said first expected data type; and comparing said handwritten entry to characters in said first set of machine readable characters according to said second match criteria if said handwritten entry has said second expected data type.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
264 words
A method for editing data contents of a cell of a spreadsheet having a plurality of cells displayed on a display, each of said cells having one of a plurality of predetermined data types, said plurality of predetermined data types including a text data type, a value data type, and an ink data type, said method comprising the steps of: creating a plurality of editing pads, each of said plurality of editing pads for editing said data contents that are of a data type among said plurality of predetermined data types; selecting said cell for editing; displaying on said display one of said plurality of editing pads that is applicable to the data type of said selected cell for editing data contents of said selected cell, said editing pad comprising a display area for displaying said data contents of said selected cell and a command input for accepting a command which causes said data contents displayed in said display area to be accepted and which also causes a cell adjacent to said selected cell to be selected; displaying said data contents of said cell in said display area of said editing pad; applying a handwriting recognizer to said data contents and displaying results of said application of said handwriting recognizer in said display area of said editing pad if said data contents of said selected cell comprise a handwritten character; and accepting a command at said command input which both causes said data contents displayed in said display area to be accepted and causes a cell adjacent to said selected cell to be selected.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
264 words
A method for editing data contents of a cell of a spreadsheet having a plurality of cells displayed on a display, each of said cells having one of a plurality of predetermined data types, said plurality of predetermined data types including a text data type, a value data type, and an ink data type, said method comprising the steps of: creating a plurality of editing pads, each of said plurality of editing pads for editing said data contents that are of a data type among said plurality of predetermined data types; selecting said cell for editing; displaying on said display one of said plurality of editing pads that is applicable to the data type of said selected cell for editing data contents of said selected cell, said editing pad comprising a display area for displaying said data contents of said selected cell and a command input for accepting a command which causes said data contents displayed in said display area to be accepted and which also causes a cell adjacent to said selected cell to be selected; displaying said data contents of said cell in said display area of said editing pad; applying a handwriting recognizer to said data contents and displaying results of said application of said handwriting recognizer in said display area of said editing pad if said data contents of said selected cell comprise a handwritten character; and accepting a command at said command input which both causes said data contents displayed in said display area to be accepted and causes a cell adjacent to said selected cell to be selected.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 37 wherein said handwriting recognizer comprises: a first character recognizer for recognizing handwritten characters having a first data type; a second character recognizer for recognizing handwritten characters having a second data type that is different from said first data type; and means for applying both said first recognizer and said second recognizer to said data contents.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 38 wherein said handwriting recognizer applies match criteria for recognizing handwritten characters that is dependent on the data type of said selected cell.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
224 words
A method for editing data contents of a cell of a spreadsheet having a plurality of cells displayed on a display, each of said cells having one of a plurality of predetermined data types, said plurality of predetermined data types including a text data type, a value data type, and an ink data type, said method comprising the steps of: creating a plurality of editing pads, each of said plurality of editing pads for editing said data contents that are of a data type among said plurality of predetermined data types; selecting said cell for editing; displaying on said display one of said plurality of editing pads that is applicable to the data type of said selected cell for editing data contents of said selected cell, said editing pad comprising a display area for displaying said data contents of said selected cell and a gesture entry area for entering handwritten gestures for invoking commands; displaying said data contents of said cell in said display area of said editing pad; accepting a handwritten gesture that is entered in said gesture entry area and that is used to invoke a command which both accepts said data contents displayed in said display area and selects a cell adjacent to said selected cell; and applying a gesture recognizer to any handwritten gesture entered in said gesture entry area.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
224 words
A method for editing data contents of a cell of a spreadsheet having a plurality of cells displayed on a display, each of said cells having one of a plurality of predetermined data types, said plurality of predetermined data types including a text data type, a value data type, and an ink data type, said method comprising the steps of: creating a plurality of editing pads, each of said plurality of editing pads for editing said data contents that are of a data type among said plurality of predetermined data types; selecting said cell for editing; displaying on said display one of said plurality of editing pads that is applicable to the data type of said selected cell for editing data contents of said selected cell, said editing pad comprising a display area for displaying said data contents of said selected cell and a gesture entry area for entering handwritten gestures for invoking commands; displaying said data contents of said cell in said display area of said editing pad; accepting a handwritten gesture that is entered in said gesture entry area and that is used to invoke a command which both accepts said data contents displayed in said display area and selects a cell adjacent to said selected cell; and applying a gesture recognizer to any handwritten gesture entered in said gesture entry area.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for entering handwritten data into a computer comprising the steps of: creating first and second handwriting input areas; defining a first set of machine readable characters for said first handwriting input area; defining a second set of machine readable characters for said second handwriting input area; entering a handwritten character in one of said handwriting input areas; accepting said handwritten character only if said handwritten character matches, according to a first predetermined match criteria, a character in said first set of machine readable characters if said handwritten character is entered in said first handwriting input area; and accepting said handwritten character only if said handwritten character matches, according to a second predetermined match criteria, a character in said second set of machine readable characters if said handwritten character is entered in said second handwriting input area.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for entering handwritten data into a computer comprising the steps of: creating first and second handwriting input areas; defining a first set of machine readable characters for said first handwriting input area; defining a second set of machine readable characters for said second handwriting input area; entering a handwritten character in one of said handwriting input areas; accepting said handwritten character only if said handwritten character matches, according to a first predetermined match criteria, a character in said first set of machine readable characters if said handwritten character is entered in said first handwriting input area; and accepting said handwritten character only if said handwritten character matches, according to a second predetermined match criteria, a character in said second set of machine readable characters if said handwritten character is entered in said second handwriting input area.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3644890A
Cited
US4032887A
Cited
US3988715A
Cited
US4551851A
Cited
US4656317A
Cited
US4972496A
Cited
US4949392A
Cited
US5140538A
Cited
US5265174A
Cited
US5157384A
Cited
US5077809A
Cited
US4914709A
Cited
US5237628A
Cited
US5251268A
Cited
US5455901A
Cited
US5317646A
Cited
US5517578A
Cited
US5530773A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-12-07 | 2002-06-08 | 2002-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-07 | 2006-06-08 | 2006-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-07 | 2010-06-08 | 2010-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |