Computerized checklist with predetermined sequences of sublists which automatically returns to skipped checklists

Claim 1

A computerized checklist system, comprising: a digital processor for controlling the operation of the checklist system; storage means connected to the processor for storing alphanumeric data organized in a predetermined sequence of sublists, wherein each of the sublists has a title and includes a predetermined sequence of checklist items, each checklist item including a challenge having a corresponding response; first switch means for enabling an operator of the checklist system to enter an action complete signal, indicating that the operator has completed a response to a challenge, second switch means for enabling the operator to enter a skip signal indicating that the operator desires to delay completion of a response to a challenge, and third switch means for enabling the operator to enter an exit signal indicating that the operator desires to exit a sublist being processed; means connected to the first, second and third switch means and the digital processor for detecting entry by the operator of an action complete signal, a skip signal or an exit signal; a display connected to the digital processor for selectively displaying a sublist title or a checklist item; a voice synthesizer connected to the digital processor for providing an audible output corresponding to each sublist title or checklist item displayed on the display, the audible output being provided concurrently with the display of the sublist title or the checklist item; and program control means for controlling the digital processor to effect presentation, by the display and the voice synthesizer, of the alphanumeric data in the predetermined sequence of sublists starting with a first sublist and a first checklist item in the first sublist, the program control means including: first means responsive to detection of an action complete signal following announcement and display of a sublist title or any checklist item in a sublist being processed for displaying a next checklist item in the sublist being processed while concurrently providing an audible output announcing the next checklist item; second means responsive to detection of a skip signal following announcement and display of any checklist item in a sublist being processed for skipping the checklist item and automatically displaying a next checklist item in the sublist being processed while concurrently providing an audible output announcing the next checklist item; third means responsive to detection of an exit signal following announcement and display of any checklist item in a sublist being processed for automatically displaying and announcing the title of the sublist being processed as if all of the checklist items therein still require processing; fourth means responsive to detection of an action complete signal following announcement and display of a last checklist item in a sublist being processed for automatically recalling skipped checklist items, and for displaying and announcing each such skipped checklist item in the same sequence that said items were skipped; and fifth means responsive to detection of an action complete signal for all checklist items in the sublist being processed for automatically indexing to a next sublist in the predetermined sequence of sublists and for displaying and announcing the title of the next sublist.