US6502090B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic data searching method and apparatus
Assignee: Ironworks Patents LLC
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Filing: 1998-03-31
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Granted: 2002-12-31
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Expires: 2018-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A mobile communications device has a display screen (1), Down-Scroll and Up-Scroll switches (3,4), left and right soft switches (5,6), and a memory (9) for storing a directory of names and respective telephone numbers. In a search mode operation mode, one of the stored names is displayed on the display screen (1) and a Search Key is defined as the first character of that name. Using the right soft switch (6), the Search Key can be extended to include one or more subsequent characters of the displayed name. Using the left soft switch (5), the Search Key can be shortened to remove characters from the key. The stored directory can then be searched in alphabetical order to identify a first subsequent entry not commencing with the extended search key and the identified entry displayed if one exists.
Inventors
- 👤 Harri Räisänen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:51
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/26; H04M1/27; H04M1/274; H04M1/2745; H04M1/27467; H04M1/2748; H04M1/2747; H04M1/72; H04M1/724; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99943
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of searching an entry from a directory of alphanumeric entries stored in electronic form in the memory of an electronic device having a display and at least one user actuatable search switch, the method comprising the steps of: (1) displaying one of said entries on the display and defining as a search key the first character of that entry; (2) using said search switch to extend the search key to include one or more subsequent characters of the displayed entry; and (3) searching the directory of entries in alphabetical order to identify a first subsequent entry not commencing with the extended search key, and displaying the identified entry if one exists.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of searching an entry from a directory of alphanumeric entries stored in electronic form in the memory of an electronic device having a display and at least one user actuatable search switch, the method comprising the steps of: (1) displaying one of said entries on the display and defining as a search key the first character of that entry; (2) using said search switch to extend the search key to include one or more subsequent characters of the displayed entry; and (3) searching the directory of entries in alphabetical order to identify a first subsequent entry not commencing with the extended search key, and displaying the identified entry if one exists.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1 and comprising in step (2) initially defining the search key as a null string and, upon activation of the search switch, redefining the search key as the first character of the displayed entry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 and comprising extending the search key by one character each time the search switch is actuated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1 and comprising responding to actuation of a second search switch to shorten the extended search key by removing one or more of said subsequent characters from the search key.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 4 and comprising shortening the search key by one character each time the second search switch is actuated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 1 and comprising redefining, following the search, the search key as the first character or characters of the identified entry, sufficient to distinguish the search key by one character from the beginning of the previously displayed name.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 6 and comprising repeating steps (b) and (c) based upon the new extended search key and the newly displayed entry.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1 and comprising commencing searching of the directory of entries using the search key following actuation of the first mentioned search switch for a period of time greater than a predetermined initial time period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
A method according to claim 1 and comprising: repeating steps (b) and (c) based upon the new extended search key and the newly displayed entry; commencing searching of the directory of entries using the search key following actuation of the first mentioned search switch for a period of time greater than a predetermined initial time period; and following the elapse of each further predetermined time period after the initial time period, repeating step (c) using the new extended search key.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method according to claim 9 and comprising, in response to actuation and subsequent deactuation of the search switch before elapse of the initial time period, determining if the next entry in alphabetical order commences with the extended search key and, If yes, then stopping the search and continuing to display the currently displayed entry and, If no, then defining the next entry as said identified entry and displaying that next entry.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 and comprising restricting the search in step (c) to those entries which differ from the Search Key only by the final character of the Search Key.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein the search continues cyclically for the entries searched.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 , further comprising making said search key visible on the display.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 13 , wherein said making step comprises distinguishing said search key from other characters of the displayed entry.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 14 , wherein said making step comprises underlining characters of the search key.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus having an electronic memory for storing an existing directory of alphanumeric entries, the apparatus further comprising: a display; at least one user actuatable search switch; and signal processing means coupled to said user actuatable switch, for detecting actuation thereof, and to said display, the signal processing means being arranged to display one of said entries in said existing directory on the display and to define as a search key the first character of that entry, to respond to actuation of the search switch by extending the search key to include one or more subsequent characters of the displayed entry to define an extended search key, to search the directory of entries in alphabetical order to identify a first subsequent entry not commencing with the extended search key, and to display the identified entry if one exists.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus having an electronic memory for storing an existing directory of alphanumeric entries, the apparatus further comprising: a display; at least one user actuatable search switch; and signal processing means coupled to said user actuatable switch, for detecting actuation thereof, and to said display, the signal processing means being arranged to display one of said entries in said existing directory on the display and to define as a search key the first character of that entry, to respond to actuation of the search switch by extending the search key to include one or more subsequent characters of the displayed entry to define an extended search key, to search the directory of entries in alphabetical order to identify a first subsequent entry not commencing with the extended search key, and to display the identified entry if one exists.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein said search key is visible on the display.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein said search key is distinguishable from other characters of the displayed entry.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein characters of the search key are underlined.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
125 words
A mobile communications device comprising: a display; at least one user actuatable search switch; and signal processing means coupled to said user actuatable switch, for detecting actuation thereof, and to said display, the signal processing means being arranged to display one of said entries in an existing directory on the display and to define as a search key the first character of that entry, to respond to actuation of the search switch by extending the search key to include one or more subequent characters of a displayed entry to define an extended search key, to search the directory of entries in alphabetical order to identify a first subsequent entry not commencing with the extended search key, and to display the indentified entry if one exists.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
125 words
A mobile communications device comprising: a display; at least one user actuatable search switch; and signal processing means coupled to said user actuatable switch, for detecting actuation thereof, and to said display, the signal processing means being arranged to display one of said entries in an existing directory on the display and to define as a search key the first character of that entry, to respond to actuation of the search switch by extending the search key to include one or more subequent characters of a displayed entry to define an extended search key, to search the directory of entries in alphabetical order to identify a first subsequent entry not commencing with the extended search key, and to display the indentified entry if one exists.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 20 , wherein said search key is visible on the display.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 21 , wherein said search key is distinguishable from other characters of the displayed entry.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 22 , wherein characters of the search key are underlined.
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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) | 2005-12-30 | 2006-07-01 | 2006-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-30 | 2010-07-01 | 2010-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-30 | 2014-07-01 | 2014-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |