Patent US6016142A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6016142A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Rich character set entry from a small numeric keypad
Assignee: Trimble Inc
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Filing: 1998-02-09
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Granted: 2000-01-18
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Expires: 2018-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A processor is connected to a display screen to generate a screen display of individual characters in groups together with the selector indication. Such characters typically belong in a language set, e.g., English, Japanese, Greek, etc. The processor receives from the numeric keypad a user selection of a number "1-9" that is associated with a particular one of the individual characters in a group highlighted by the selector indication. An index-and-fetch mechanism, typically implemented as a computer program sub-routine, provides for an indexed fetch of a digital data representation in a font memory of a character indexed according to the number "1-9". The fetched digital data is then available for more general use by a larger computer system, for example in the form of an "ASCII" output character.
Inventors
- 👤 Shun-Hwa Chang
- 👤 Joseph V. R. Paiva
- 👤 Alan Henry Withington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 03:45
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/023; G06F3/0233; G06F3/0236
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
291 words
A method for generating alphabetical characters in ASCII-text streams from a numerical keypad with keypads representing "0-9", "*", and #, the method comprising the steps of: representing every constituent character of an alphabet in corresponding spaces in a set of three side-by-side three-by-three matrices on a display screen connected to a microcomputer; presenting a "move-left", "move-right", and "page" control button on said display screen near said set of three side-by-side three-by-three matrices; indicating a "selection choice" for said user by highlighting on said display screen only one of said set of three side-by-side three-by-three matrices; scanning with said microcomputer a four-by-three numerical keypad with individual keypads representing "0-9", "*", and "#" for any user depression of a keypad, wherein said "*" corresponds to said "page" control button, said "0" corresponds to said "move-left" control button, and said "*" corresponds to said "move-right" control button; if any keypad was detected as being depressed, testing to see if such keypad represents a "move-left" or "move-right" selection choice by said user, and if so, causing said selection choice to correspondingly move left or right to highlight another one of said three side-by-side three-by-three matrices; if any keypad was detected as being depressed, testing to see if such keypad represents a "page" selection choice by said user, and if so, causing a different alphabet to be displayed in corresponding spaces in a new set of three side-by-side three-by-three matrices on said display screen; and if any keypad was detected as being depressed, testing to see if such keypad represents a "1-9", and if so, serially outputting from said microcomputer an ASCII-text stream representing a corresponding one of nine alphabet characters displayed in a highlighted one of said three side-by-side three-by-three matrices on said display screen.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
291 words
A method for generating alphabetical characters in ASCII-text streams from a numerical keypad with keypads representing "0-9", "*", and #, the method comprising the steps of: representing every constituent character of an alphabet in corresponding spaces in a set of three side-by-side three-by-three matrices on a display screen connected to a microcomputer; presenting a "move-left", "move-right", and "page" control button on said display screen near said set of three side-by-side three-by-three matrices; indicating a "selection choice" for said user by highlighting on said display screen only one of said set of three side-by-side three-by-three matrices; scanning with said microcomputer a four-by-three numerical keypad with individual keypads representing "0-9", "*", and "#" for any user depression of a keypad, wherein said "*" corresponds to said "page" control button, said "0" corresponds to said "move-left" control button, and said "*" corresponds to said "move-right" control button; if any keypad was detected as being depressed, testing to see if such keypad represents a "move-left" or "move-right" selection choice by said user, and if so, causing said selection choice to correspondingly move left or right to highlight another one of said three side-by-side three-by-three matrices; if any keypad was detected as being depressed, testing to see if such keypad represents a "page" selection choice by said user, and if so, causing a different alphabet to be displayed in corresponding spaces in a new set of three side-by-side three-by-three matrices on said display screen; and if any keypad was detected as being depressed, testing to see if such keypad represents a "1-9", and if so, serially outputting from said microcomputer an ASCII-text stream representing a corresponding one of nine alphabet characters displayed in a highlighted one of said three side-by-side three-by-three matrices on said display screen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the step of serially outputting includes using an index-and-fetch mechanism, implemented as a computer program sub-routine, which provides for an indexed fetch of a digital data representation in a font memory of a character indexed according to a number "1-9", and sending a fetched digital data to a larger computer system.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-17 | 2003-07-19 | 2004-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-17 | 2007-07-19 | 2008-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-17 | 2011-07-19 | 2012-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |