Patent US5098319A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0416731A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Simplified interface and method of operation for multi-function apparatus
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1990-07-20
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-07-20
Abstract
Abstract A multi-function apparatus has its subassemblies configured to perform a number of functions by an internal processor, stored programs, and user selected inputs. A display (12) is included for showing screen configurations, each of which indicates a sub-instrument or application of the apparatus. Each screen configuration includes a plurality of control point fields which are selected from a limited set of types of control point fields common to all screen configurations. Each type of control point field, when selected by the user, enables the performance of a predetermined operation incident to the function. A user operable rotary input device (14) enables selection of any displayed control point field. All functions performable by the multi-function apparatus are operated through user interaction with and selection of one or more control point fields, the commonality of the control point fields providing increased ease of user operation of the apparatus. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a multi-instrument test system particularly adapted to the testing and measuring of signals from and to radio frequency apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L. Nungester
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R1/00; G01R1/02; G01R1/025; G01R13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
(1) In a multi function apparatus which includes processor control means, said processor control means enabled by a stored program and user selected inputs to configure subassemblies within said apparatus to perform a plurality of functions, the combination comprising: display means for displaying screen configurations which indicate each of said functions, each said screen configuration including a plurality of control point fields selected from a limited set of types of control point fields common to all said functions, each type of control point field, when selected, enabling the performance of a predetermined operation incident to the performance of said function; and user operable input means for selecting any displayed control point field, whereby all functions performable by said multi-function apparatus are operated through user interaction with and selection of one or more of said types of control point fields.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
18 words
(2) The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said user operable input means comprises a rotary transducer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
(3) The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said rotary transducer includes means responsive to a depression of said transducer to enable said selection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
(4) The apparatus as defined in claim 2 further comprising: means for generating a cursor indication in each displayed screen configuration, said rotary transducer providing inputs to said generating means which enable said cursor to move sequentially through said control point fields.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
(5) The apparatus as defined in claim 4 further comprising: means responsive to a non-rotary movement exerted on said rotary transducer to select a control spoint field where said cursor indication is displayed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
(6) The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said input means further comprises: a plurality of user-operated keys; and mean responsive to the depression of one of said keys to move said cursor to a preselected position on said display, and to select any control point field at said preselected position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
(7) The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said input means further comprises: a plurality of user-operated keys; and immediate display means responsive to the depression of any said key to display on any displayed screen, a predetermined control point field.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
(8) The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said immediate display means moves said predetermined control-point field from one screen and displays it on another screen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
(9) The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said functions performed by said multi-function apparatus comprise testing, measuring and signal generation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
(10) The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said set of control point fields comprises: a first field type for user entry of numeric data; a second field type for user entry of strings of alphanumeric data; and a third field type for user selection of one of a number of items sequentially displayable in said field.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
(11) The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said set of control point fields further comprises: a fourth field type for user triggering of an immediate action within said apparatus; and a fifth field type which causes a menu of measurement functions to be displayed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
(12) The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said function requires a plurality of user entries via said displayed control point fields, the combination further comprising: means for accumulating said plurality of entries and for delaying the commencement of an operation necessary for the performance of said function until all said plurality of user entries have been accummulated which are necessary to the performance of said operation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
(13) The apparatus as defined in claim 12 further comprising: means for causing a control point field which displays one of said plurality of user entries to manifest an indication of a pending state, prior to all said plurality of userentries having been entered.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
(14) The apparatus as defined in claim 13 further comprising: means for inhibiting certain changes to said apparatus until all said plurality of entries for said operation have been entered.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
109 words
(15) A method of locating, selecting, and changing a parameter displayed in a control point field among a plurality of different control point fields, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a moveable cursor on a visual display, which is sequentially movable through displayed control point fields; (b) moving said cursor directly from control point field to control point field by quantized rotary motion of a transducer element of a user interface to locate a desired control point field within said screen, and (c) utilizing said transducer element of said user interface to effect a change of parameter of said control point field after the location thereof by said cursor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
(16) The method defined in claim 15 comprising the further step of: (d) actuating said transducer element subsequent to said moving step (b) to enable selection of said control point field where said cursor is located, said utilizing step (c) not occurring until subsequent to said actuating step.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
(17) The method defined in claim 16 where a plurality of screens are indicated on said visual display, said movement and actuation of said transducer element additionally enabling selection and display of a screen from a plurality sof screens.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
61 words
(18) The method defined in claim 17 wherein said transducer element of said user interface is a press/release rotary pulse generator which may be manually rotated and operated in the same rotate and press/release mode for all control point fields of all screens in order to effect the location, selection and change in parameters of each of said control point field.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
(19) The method defined in claim 18 wherein said user interface further includes a keyboard having dedicated function keys therein which may be operated independently of said rotary pulse generator to also control the location, selection and change of a parameter of selected control point fields.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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