Method for entering alpha-numeric data
US5982303A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 3, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 3, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0233
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method is provided for transforming ordered pairs of keystrokes entered on a keypad with eight or more keys into a full complement of alpha-numeric characters, as might be enterable from a computer keyboard. The method can be utilized with any device that permits an operator to select one of eight keys or other means of generating a distinct electrical or other signal. The keys or positions are arranged radially around a center point in locations corresponding to keys 1-4 and 6-9 of the telephone keypad. Examples of input devices include a numeric keypad, a telephone keypad, and a "joystick." The method employs an alphabet in which each character is represented by a two-stroke pictographic figure. The first stroke proceeds from the position of the first key to be pressed, thence to the center of the keypad or device. The second stroke proceeds from said center to a the position of the second key to be pressed. For the majority of letters, the figure thus formed bears a pictographic resemblance to the printed letter. The operator presses keys corresponding to the beginning and ending points of the pictograph of the desired character or key equivalent.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.