US5020012A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for matching menu labels with keys
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1990-09-25
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Granted: 1991-05-28
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Expires: 2010-09-25
Abstract
Abstract The method comprises displaying menu labels (28) on a display screen (30) in proximity to an adjacent row (34) of keys of a keyboard (22), defining keys within the row (34) to match the menu labels (28), and displaying an annunciator (42) on the display screen (30) between each menu label displayed and matched key to indicate the matching of the label with key. To further assist the user in selecting the desired key, keys within the row (34) that are not matched are disabled and an error annunciator (44) appears if an unmatched key is pressed. Alternatively, unmatched keys may be allowed to execute functions not related to the displayed menu labels. The apparatus for accomplishing the method is included within a calculator (20) and comprise a programmed microprocessor (14), a top row (34) of keys for executing the labeled functions, and an LCD display screen (30) for displaying the menu labels (28) and annunciators (42, 44).
Inventors
- 👤 Randall L. Stockberger
- 👤 Christopher M. Bunsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:40
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/02; G06F15/0225; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/0482
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of uniquely associating menu labels with corresponding keys, comprising: displaying upon display means menu labels (28) in proximity to a set (34) of keys; defining keys within the set (34) to execute procedures associated with the menu labels (28); and displaying upon said display means an annunciator (42) between each menu label displayed and a key defined to execute a procedure associated therewith to unambiguously indicate the association of label with key; wherein the menu labels are unconstrained in size and location relative to the keys corresponding thereto.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of uniquely associating menu labels with corresponding keys, comprising: displaying upon display means menu labels (28) in proximity to a set (34) of keys; defining keys within the set (34) to execute procedures associated with the menu labels (28); and displaying upon said display means an annunciator (42) between each menu label displayed and a key defined to execute a procedure associated therewith to unambiguously indicate the association of label with key; wherein the menu labels are unconstrained in size and location relative to the keys corresponding thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 including disabling each key within the set which is not associated by an annunciator with a menu label.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 including displaying an error annunciator if a key not associated with a menu label is pressed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the menu labels (28) displayed are of variable lengths.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the menu labels displayed overlaps several keys within the set and the annunciator indicates which of the several keys is associated with the overlapping menu label.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 including selecting a menu from a plurality of menus (24), each menu displaying menu labels (28) above the set (34) of keys.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for uniquely associating menu labels with corresponding keys, comprising: a set (34) of keys; means (30) for displaying upon a display device menu labels (28) in proximity to the set (34) of keys; means (14) for defining keys within the set (34) to execute procedures associated with the menu labels (28); and means (30) for displaying upon the display device an annunciator (42) between each menu label displayed and a key defined to execute the associated procedures to unambiguously indicate the association of label with key; wherein the menu labels are unconstrained in size and location relative to the keys corresponding thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for uniquely associating menu labels with corresponding keys, comprising: a set (34) of keys; means (30) for displaying upon a display device menu labels (28) in proximity to the set (34) of keys; means (14) for defining keys within the set (34) to execute procedures associated with the menu labels (28); and means (30) for displaying upon the display device an annunciator (42) between each menu label displayed and a key defined to execute the associated procedures to unambiguously indicate the association of label with key; wherein the menu labels are unconstrained in size and location relative to the keys corresponding thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 7 including means for disabling each key within the set which is not associated by an annunciator with a menu label.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 8 including means for displaying an error annunciator if a key not associated with a menu label is pressed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the means (30) for displaying menu labels (28) is constructed to display labels that overlap several keys within the set (34).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for associating menu labels with keys, comprising: a set (34) of keys; processing means (14) for generating menu labels (28) and annunciators (42, 44) and for defining keys within the set (34) to execute procedures associated with the menu labels (28); and display means (30) for displaying on a display device selected menu labels (28) adjacent the set (34) of keys and for displaying an annunciator (42) between each menu label displayed and a key defined to execute an associated procedure to unambiguously indicate the association of label with key; wherein the menu labels are unconstrained in size and location relative to the keys corresponding thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for associating menu labels with keys, comprising: a set (34) of keys; processing means (14) for generating menu labels (28) and annunciators (42, 44) and for defining keys within the set (34) to execute procedures associated with the menu labels (28); and display means (30) for displaying on a display device selected menu labels (28) adjacent the set (34) of keys and for displaying an annunciator (42) between each menu label displayed and a key defined to execute an associated procedure to unambiguously indicate the association of label with key; wherein the menu labels are unconstrained in size and location relative to the keys corresponding thereto.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the processing means includes means for disabling each key within the set which is not associated by an annunciator with a menu label.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the display means is constructed for displaying an error annunciator if a key not associated with a menu label is pressed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the display means (30) is constructed for displaying menu labels (28) that overlap several keys within the set (34).
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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) | 1994-05-27 | 1994-11-26 | 1995-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-27 | 1998-11-26 | 1999-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-27 | 2002-11-26 | 2003-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |