US4457638A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic centering of text column entries
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1981-09-24
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Granted: 1984-07-03
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Expires: 2001-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A method for the automatic center tab insertion within a column example line comprising the steps of an operator cursor move to a column margin to define an end position; and responsive to a function key stroke, the machine steps of concurrently moving the cursor to the other column margin and counting the text characters of the example; calculating the distance to the column center position; concurrently moving the cursor to the calculated center position, and inserting a centered tab stop control character therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary R. Horn
- 👤 Kenneth O. Shipp, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:26
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F40/00; G06F40/10; G06F40/189
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for automatic centering of a column segment during a multiple text column table layout mode on an interactive word processing system formed from a keyboard, display, memory for storing formatted information, and an intercoupling microprocessor comprising the steps of: operator keying in of a column width example of repeated text and control characters; and responsive to the stroking of a dedicated function key, the machine implementable step of determining the midpoint in the example and inserting of a center tab stop at the midpoint position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for automatic centering of a column segment during a multiple text column table layout mode on an interactive word processing system formed from a keyboard, display, memory for storing formatted information, and an intercoupling microprocessor comprising the steps of: operator keying in of a column width example of repeated text and control characters; and responsive to the stroking of a dedicated function key, the machine implementable step of determining the midpoint in the example and inserting of a center tab stop at the midpoint position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said method includes the further step of adjusting the tab setting in order to retain its relative position within the example.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for setting tab stops along an example line such that subsequent keyboard data entries into a tab stopped column are automatically center aligned in an interactive word processing system having a display screen, a keyboard, a memory for storing formatted information, and a microprocessor intercoupling said display screen keyboard, and memory in which an operator keyboard entered and system displayed example line of repeated text and control characters defines column widths and gutters of a multiple text column table comprising the steps of: moving a cursor to a column margin; concurrently moving the cursor to the other column margin and counting the text characters of the example; calculating the distance to the column center position; and concurrently moving the cursor to the center position and inserting a center tab stop control character.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for setting tab stops along an example line such that subsequent keyboard data entries into a tab stopped column are automatically center aligned in an interactive word processing system having a display screen, a keyboard, a memory for storing formatted information, and a microprocessor intercoupling said display screen keyboard, and memory in which an operator keyboard entered and system displayed example line of repeated text and control characters defines column widths and gutters of a multiple text column table comprising the steps of: moving a cursor to a column margin; concurrently moving the cursor to the other column margin and counting the text characters of the example; calculating the distance to the column center position; and concurrently moving the cursor to the center position and inserting a center tab stop control character.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-07-03 | 1988-01-02 | 1988-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-03 | 1992-01-02 | 1992-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-03 | 1996-01-02 | 1996-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |