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US5594673A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for displaying menu options for selection with a minimum of key stroke
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1995-08-15
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Granted: 1997-01-14
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Expires: 2015-08-15
Abstract
Abstract A calculating device enables a user to select among multiple menu options by displaying a two dimensional array of menu options. A user can select among rows of the array by pressing a selector key that causes a selected row to be highlighted and reproduced in a menu label row on a display corresponding to menu keys on a keyboard. The user may select a menu option by pressing a menu key aligned with the corresponding menu label.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel R. Coffin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:59
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/023; G06F15/00; G06F15/02; G06F15/0225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A method for selecting functions using a first number of menu keys, the method comprising the steps of: (a) in response to a first user command, displaying on a display a second number of function categories, the second number being greater than the first number, including the substep of: (a.1) highlighting a third number of the function categories, the third number being equal to the first number, wherein each highlighted function category is associated with one of the menu keys, and wherein each highlighted function category is additionally displayed adjacent to the menu key associated with the highlighted function category; (b) in response to the user selecting a first menu key, displaying on the display a fourth number of functions, the fourth number being greater than the first number, wherein the functions displayed are within a first highlighted function category associated with the first menu key, including the substep of: (b.1) highlighting a fifth number of the functions, the fifth number being equal to the first number, wherein each highlighted function is associated with one of the menu keys; and, (c) in response to the user selecting a second menu key, performing a first function associated with the second menu key.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
201 words
A method for selecting functions using a first number of menu keys, the method comprising the steps of: (a) in response to a first user command, displaying on a display a second number of function categories, the second number being greater than the first number, including the substep of: (a.1) highlighting a third number of the function categories, the third number being equal to the first number, wherein each highlighted function category is associated with one of the menu keys, and wherein each highlighted function category is additionally displayed adjacent to the menu key associated with the highlighted function category; (b) in response to the user selecting a first menu key, displaying on the display a fourth number of functions, the fourth number being greater than the first number, wherein the functions displayed are within a first highlighted function category associated with the first menu key, including the substep of: (b.1) highlighting a fifth number of the functions, the fifth number being equal to the first number, wherein each highlighted function is associated with one of the menu keys; and, (c) in response to the user selecting a second menu key, performing a first function associated with the second menu key.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein: in step (a) each function category is a category of units of measure; in step (b) each function is a unit of measure; and in step (c) performing the first function includes appending a selected unit of measure to a numeric value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein in substep (b.1) each highlighted function is displayed adjacent to the menu key associated with the highlighted function.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (a) additionally includes the following substep: (a.2) in response to a second user command, ceasing to highlight the third number of the function categories, and highlighting a sixth number of the function categories, the sixth number being equal to the first number, wherein each of the sixth number of the highlighted function categories is associated with one of the menu keys.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method as in claim 4 wherein step (b) additionally includes the following substep: (b.2) in response to a third user command, ceasing to highlight the fifth number of the displayed functions, and highlighting a seventh number of the displayed functions, the seventh number being equal to the first number, wherein each of the seventh number of displayed functions is associated with one of the menu keys.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as in claim 5 wherein the third user command includes the user depressing a first key on a keyboard and the second user command includes the user depressing a second key on the keyboard.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (a), includes displaying the second number of function categories arranged in a sixth number of columns, the sixth number being equal to the first number.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein step (a.1) includes highlighting one displayed function category in each column.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (b), includes displaying the fourth number of functions arranged in a sixth number of columns, the sixth number being equal to the first number.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 9 wherein step (b.1) includes highlighting one displayed function in each column.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the first user command includes a user depressing a combination of at least one key on a keyboard.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
234 words
A computing system comprising: a display; a first number of menu keys; a display controller, including first display means, coupled to the display, for displaying a second number of function categories on the display in response to a first user command, wherein the second number is greater than the first number, the first display means highlights a third number of the function categories, the third number is equal to the first number, and each highlighted function category is associated with one of the menu keys, and second display means, coupled to the display, for displaying a fourth number of functions in response to the user selecting a first menu key, wherein the functions displayed are within a first highlighted function category associated with the first menu key, the second display means highlights a fifth number of the displayed functions, the fourth number is greater than the first number, the fifth number is equal to the first number, and each highlighted function is associated with one of the menu keys; and, performance means for, in response to the user selecting a second menu key, performing a first function associated with the second menu key; wherein the first display means additionally displays each highlighted function category adjacent to the menu key associated with the highlighted function category, and the second display means displays each highlighted function adjacent to the menu key associated with the highlighted function.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
234 words
A computing system comprising: a display; a first number of menu keys; a display controller, including first display means, coupled to the display, for displaying a second number of function categories on the display in response to a first user command, wherein the second number is greater than the first number, the first display means highlights a third number of the function categories, the third number is equal to the first number, and each highlighted function category is associated with one of the menu keys, and second display means, coupled to the display, for displaying a fourth number of functions in response to the user selecting a first menu key, wherein the functions displayed are within a first highlighted function category associated with the first menu key, the second display means highlights a fifth number of the displayed functions, the fourth number is greater than the first number, the fifth number is equal to the first number, and each highlighted function is associated with one of the menu keys; and, performance means for, in response to the user selecting a second menu key, performing a first function associated with the second menu key; wherein the first display means additionally displays each highlighted function category adjacent to the menu key associated with the highlighted function category, and the second display means displays each highlighted function adjacent to the menu key associated with the highlighted function.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
A computing system as in claim 12 wherein each function category is a category of units of measure, each function is a unit of measure, and the performance means performs the first function by appending a selected unit of measure to a numeric value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
69 words
A computing system as in claim 12 wherein the first display means includes means for, in response to a second user command, ceasing to highlight the third number of the function categories, and highlighting a sixth number of the function categories, the sixth number being equal to the first number, wherein each of the sixth number of the highlighted function categories is associated with one of the menu keys.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A computing system as in claim 14 wherein the third user command includes the user depressing a first key on a keyboard.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
A computing system as in claim 12 wherein the first display means displays the second number of function categories arranged in a sixth number of columns, the sixth number being equal to the first number.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A computing system as in claim 16 wherein the display means highlights one displayed function category in each column.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computing system as in claim 16 wherein the second display means displays the fourth number of functions arranged in a seventh number of columns, the seventh number being equal to the first number.
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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) | 2000-01-14 | 2000-07-15 | 2001-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-14 | 2004-07-15 | 2005-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-14 | 2008-07-15 | 2009-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |