US5220652A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer application programs data input interface for handicapped persons responsive to multiple push buttons for selecting data stored in binary tree
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-06-22
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Granted: 1993-06-15
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Expires: 2009-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A text processing method to be practiced by a handicapped person. A programmed computer has a dictionary of words stored in files accessed by selection of the initial letters of the words. The handicapped person operates one or more switches to designate the initial letter of the word. Thereafter, the switches are operated to control rapid searching of the designated file and selection of the desired word therefrom. The switches are also used for editing of text.
Inventors
- 👤 Blair A. Rowley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0489
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
In a computer system of a type having a data processing means capable of running a plurality of different application programs under an operating system having an interface for receiving data from a keyboard and communicating said data through said operating system to one of said application programs, an improved data entry mechanism comprising: a means for storing an ordered list of data arranged in a binary tree in which data elements are stored in separate nodes traversable through left and right branches; a first switching means for selective manipulation to a left state; a second switching means for selective manipulation to a right state; binary selection algorithm means coupled to said first and second switching means and to said means for storing an ordered list for selecting a particular data element; said selection algorithm defining a pointer for indicating a given data element in said ordered list and being responsive to said first switching means to cause said pointer to traverse left in response to said left state and being responsive to said second switching means to cause said pointer to traverse right in response to said right state; third switching means coupled to said selection algorithm for selective manipulation to cause the given data element indicated by said pointer to be input through said interface and said operating system to said application program.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
In a computer system of a type having a data processing means capable of running a plurality of different application programs under an operating system having an interface for receiving data from a keyboard and communicating said data through said operating system to one of said application programs, an improved data entry mechanism comprising: a means for storing an ordered list of data arranged in a binary tree in which data elements are stored in separate nodes traversable through left and right branches; a first switching means for selective manipulation to a left state; a second switching means for selective manipulation to a right state; binary selection algorithm means coupled to said first and second switching means and to said means for storing an ordered list for selecting a particular data element; said selection algorithm defining a pointer for indicating a given data element in said ordered list and being responsive to said first switching means to cause said pointer to traverse left in response to said left state and being responsive to said second switching means to cause said pointer to traverse right in response to said right state; third switching means coupled to said selection algorithm for selective manipulation to cause the given data element indicated by said pointer to be input through said interface and said operating system to said application program.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second switching means comprises a push button.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second switching means comprises a joystick.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said selection algorithm comprises a software program running under said operating system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said selection algorithm comprises a software program run by said data processing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said selection algorithm is interactively coupled to said operating system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said selection algorithm is a memory resident program running under said operating system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said selection algorithm is a software program interactively coupled with at least one of said application programs running under said operating system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
217 words
A user interface for a word processing program of a type operable on a computer system running under an operating system, the operating system having a data interface for receiving data from a keyboard and for communicating said data through said operating system to said word processing program, comprising: means for storing an ordered list of words arranged in a binary tree in which said words are stored in separate nodes traversable through left and right branches; a first switching means for selective manipulation to a left state; a second switching means for selective manipulation to a right state; binary selection algorithm means coupled to said first and second switching means and to said means for storing an ordered list for selecting a particular word; said selection algorithm defining a pointer for indicating a given word in said ordered list and being responsive to said first switching means to cause said pointer to traverse left in response to said left state and being responsive to said second switching means to cause said pointer to traverse right in response to said right state; third switching means coupled to said selection algorithm for selective manipulation to cause a given word indicated by said pointer to be input through data interface and said operating system to said word processing program.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
217 words
A user interface for a word processing program of a type operable on a computer system running under an operating system, the operating system having a data interface for receiving data from a keyboard and for communicating said data through said operating system to said word processing program, comprising: means for storing an ordered list of words arranged in a binary tree in which said words are stored in separate nodes traversable through left and right branches; a first switching means for selective manipulation to a left state; a second switching means for selective manipulation to a right state; binary selection algorithm means coupled to said first and second switching means and to said means for storing an ordered list for selecting a particular word; said selection algorithm defining a pointer for indicating a given word in said ordered list and being responsive to said first switching means to cause said pointer to traverse left in response to said left state and being responsive to said second switching means to cause said pointer to traverse right in response to said right state; third switching means coupled to said selection algorithm for selective manipulation to cause a given word indicated by said pointer to be input through data interface and said operating system to said word processing program.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The user interface of claim 9 wherein at least one of said first and second switching means comprises a push button.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The user interface of claim 9 wherein at least one of said first and second switching means comprises a joystick.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The user interface of claim 9 wherein said selection algorithm comprises a software program running under said operating system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The user interface of claim 9 wherein said computer system includes a data processing means and wherein said selection algorithm comprises a software program run by said data processing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The user interface of claim 9 wherein said selection algorithm is interactively coupled to said operating system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The user interface of claim 9 wherein said selection algorithm is a memory resident program running under said operating system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The user interface of claim 9 wherein said selection algorithm is a software program running concurrently with said word processing program running under said operating 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) | 1996-06-14 | 1996-12-14 | 1997-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-14 | 2000-12-14 | 2001-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-14 | 2004-12-14 | 2005-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |