United States Patent
`Blumberg
`
`[54] SPEED TYPING APPARATUS AND METHOD
`
`[76]
`
`Inventor: Marvin R. Blumberg, 7105 Broxburn
`Dr., Bethesda, Md. 20817
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 705,093
`(22) Filed:
`Aug. 29, 1996
`PSU]
`Tint, C19 oocessccssccsssnecenetsssentenenenneneees B41J 5/00
`
`400/485;
`[52]
`400/91; 395/796
`[58] Field of Search ...........ccccceane 400/91, 100, 110,
`400/484, 485; 395/326, 794, 796, 803
`
`MEa
`US005664896A
`(11) Patent Number:
`5,664,896
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Sep. 9, 1997
`
`4/1995
`
`1/1990
`4,891,786
`1/1990
`4,893,238
`5/1990
`4,924,431
`11/1990
`4,969,097
`4/1991
`5,007,008
`5,062,070 10/1991
`5,164,723
`11/1992
`$,404,321
`5.410.305
`4/1995
`5,577,188
`11/1996
`Primary Examiner—JohnS.Hilten
`Atiomey, Agent, or Firm—Jacobson, Price, Holman &
`Stern, PLLC
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`re 32,773 10/1988 Goldwasser et al... 364/419
`
`e. 34,304
`7/1993 Goldwasseret al.
`» 341/22
`4,339,806
`7/1982. Yoshida....
`- 364/900
`
`4,396,992
`8/1983 Hayashi et al.
`.
`364/900
`4,459,049
`7/1984 Howell etal.
`..
`.. 400/98
`
`4,464,070
`8/1984 Hanft etal. .
`400/98
`
`4,566,065
`1/1986 Toth .......
`- 364/300
`4,633,227 12/1986 Menn .....
`- 340/365
`4,650,349
`3/1987 Westreich...
`-- 400/98
`
`
`
` 4560508 y08a aber sresnsenanscennunnensnanvegeneaess 39
`
`4307181
`4,842,428
`4,891,777
`
`2/1989 Duncan, IV et al.
`6/1989 Suzuki
`..
`1/1990 Lapeyre ..... —
`
`3647900
`. 400/697
`wees 364/706
`
`Aspeed typing method and apparatus having multiple letters
`associated with each key of a keyboard. By utilizing mul-
`tiple characters on each key, fewer than 26 letter keys may
`b
`.
`:
`.
`be employed. Each key on the keyboardis associated with
`a numerical code. The system uses the numerical code
`associated with a typed word to access a dictionary or table
`of words stored in memory at a memory location corre-
`sponding to the input numerical code. The system may
`display all of the words available to the user in response to
`the input code. The user then selects one of the available
`words to beplacedin the document.Alternativelythe system
`may enable display of one or more preferred words.
`
`94 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1012
`
`APPLE 1012
`
`1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 1 of 11
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`5,664,896
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`Sep. 9, 1997
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`Sheet 2 of 11
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 9, 1997
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`Sheet 3 of 11
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 9, 1997
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`Sheet 4 of Il
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`5,664,896
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 5 of 11
`
`5,664,896
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`304
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 6 of 11
`
`5,664,896
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`Create Preferred Word
`
`FIG. 7
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 7 of 11
`
`5,664,896 214
`
`DISPLAY
`WORD
`
`FIG.6
`
`8
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 8 of 11
`
`5,664,896
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 9 of 11
`
`5,664,896
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 10 of 11
`
`5,664,896
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`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 11 of 11
`
`5,664,896
`
`
`
`FIG. 2
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`5,664,896
`
`1
`SPEED TYPING APPARATUS AND METHOD
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1, Field of the Invention
`Thepresent invention relates to a method and apparatus
`which makes it easier to learn to type, improves on the
`accuracy of typing, increases typing speed and reduces wear
`on the user. More particularly, the present invention relates
`to a system for the rapid entry oftext into a microprocessor-
`controlied word processing system making use of a key-
`board having multiple alphabetletter characters assigned to
`someor all of the keys.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Conventional typewriters make use of twenty-six (26)
`letter keys, one for each letter of the English alphabet. One
`of the initial keyboard layouts is the “QWERTY” keyboard,
`which today remains the industry standard. Other formats
`have been devised, such as the Dvorak keyboard,
`that
`position keys about the keyboard in an ergonomic fashion
`for ease of use and accessibility. These alternative formats
`primarily seek to increase speed of typing and accuracy, as
`well as to reduce wear on the user.
`Generally, all of these traditional keyboards provide an
`individual key for each letter of the alphabet. In addition to
`the letter keys, function keys are provided, such as ALT,
`CTRL, SPACE BAR, ENTER,andsoforth. Consequently,
`the keyboards are congested with numerous keys and require
`a great deal of space. Likewise, these conventional key-
`boards require the user to memorize or be able to locate a
`particular key for each character the user would like to
`select.
`
`Other keyboard layouts assign morethan one character to
`a key, usually referred to as multiple letter key or double-
`touch systems. These systems, however, require the user to
`operate multiple keys in order to select a single desired
`character. Systems that require concurrentoperation of mul-
`tiple keys, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,777, are
`sometimesreferred to as chord systems. The chord systems
`require the user to expend twice the effort for each letter to
`be selected. In addition, these chord systems require the user
`to be able to remember 26 key combinations, one for each
`letter of the alphabet.
`Other multiple key systems require the user to Operate
`specific multiple keys in a successive manner. U.S.Pat. No.
`5,062,070, for instance, shows a system in which multiple
`characters are provided for each key. However, in order to
`select the particular character desired, the user must make at
`least two successive keystrokes. Thus, the user mustremem-
`ber 26 different combinations of successive keystrokes, one
`for each letter of the alphabet. U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,008, on
`the other hand, provides a keyboard in which the user must
`scroll through cach of multiple letters that are assigned to a
`single key by repeatedly depressing that key.
`As a result of having to enter multiple keystrokes to select
`a single character, these double-actuation or multiple letter
`key systems are slow, tiresome, and prone to typographical
`errors. Accordingly, these systems are primarily used where
`areduced keyboard size is of utmost importance, as opposed
`to speed and accuracy.
`Another variation of typing, called abbreviated typing,
`involves only having to type part of a word. U.S. Pat. No.
`4,459,049, for instance, shows an abbreviated typing system
`in whichthe user only needs to enter four or less characters.
`The system will then search for the abbreviated word in.
`memory. When the abbreviated word is located, the full
`word is entered into the document.
`
`45
`
`50
`
`35
`
`65
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`2
`All ofthese keyboard systems aredifficult to use and even
`more difficult to learn. Consequently, typing is slower and
`prone to mistakes. Moreover, these keyboards are all the
`more difficult to operate by persons that have not learned to
`usethatparticular type of keyboard. These “hunt and peck”
`typists must search for the desired characters, which are
`often arranged in a non-alphabetic order and amongst a great
`number of keys.
`Another type of keyboard entry is encountered on tele-
`phones that are used to access remote systems, called
`automated response systems. Generally,
`these automated
`response systems will recognize alphabet characters associ-
`ated with a key depressed on a remotely located telephone
`keypad. One such system, for instance,is employed by the
`U.S. Supreme Court, wherein users simply dial the Supreme
`Court phone number in order to locate the docket number or
`status of a pending case. The user maycall into the system
`from any conventional remote phone location. Once the
`Supreme Court automated response system is accessed, the
`user is prompted by voice message to specify the name of
`the case by depressing keys on the remote telephone keypad.
`Pursuant to current instructions, the user then proceeds to
`enter up to ten alphabetic characters of the name of one of
`the parties to the case on the keypadofthe remote telephone.
`The conventional telephone keypad consists of twelve keys,
`0-9, *, and #. Multiple letters are associated with each of
`numerical keys 2-9, so that all 26 letters are accounted for
`except for Q and Z, which the system specifies as being
`assigned to numerical key 1. The user then depresses ten
`numerical keys corresponding to the name of one of the
`parties. Or, the user may enter Jess than ten digits followed
`bythe * key or a four-seconddelay. Once the party name has
`been entered, the system then searches the clerk’s office
`docket and provides a voice indication of the three closest
`cases that have been located by case number, parties, and
`status.Ifthe user is notsatisfied with any of those cases, the
`user may speak with a docket clerk.
`The automated response system described above is
`designed to accommodate conventional telephone keypads,
`with limited words in memory and are not implemented in
`a word processing environment. Consequently, the system is
`extremely slow and not readily adaptable for use as a speed
`typing arrangement. Moreover, the system is limited to use
`with voice communication systems and with telephone
`keypads. Consequently, the automated response systems do
`not provide for editing memory, defining preferred terms, or
`defining new word variations. In addition, the telephone
`keypads are not designed for typing, much less speed typing.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a system and method for
`rapid typing using a keyboard which has multiple characters
`assigned to some or all of the keys, so that fewer than 26
`letter keys may be utilized. For example,all 26 letters of the
`alphabet may be assigned to 4, 6, or 8 keys. Each such key
`on the keyboard is associated with a numcrical digit
`whereby one or more series of digits form a code. The
`system uses the numerical code to access a dictionary or
`table ofwords stored in the computer’s memory ata memory
`location corresponding to the numerical code. The system
`may display all of the wordsavailableto the user in response
`to the input code. If more than one wordis responsiveto the
`coded numerical sequence, the user then selects one of the
`available words to be placed in the document.
`The user is further given the option of selecting a pre-
`ferred word or words to be associated with any given
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`5,664,896
`
`15
`
`25
`
`3
`numerical code. When that code is typed in, the computer
`will display all words, with the preferred words displayed in
`yanked order. The user, however, may optionally select to
`display only the preferred word or words.
`In addition,the user may be given the option of having the
`words associated with any given numerical code displayed
`in different ways, such as (1) in accordance with an order or
`degree of preference which the user defines, (2) in accor-
`dance with a predefined preferencelist which gives a higher
`ranking to those wordsthat are the most commonlyused, (3)
`in alphabetical order, or (4) in accord with special predefined
`categories of usage. such as legal or scientific terminology.
`The user has the option of having the priority list adjusted
`automatically based upon the selection of words madeby the
`user when designating the desired word from the group of
`words with the same numerical code.
`A, further feature of the invention is that the user may
`select between a range of keyboard configurations, such as
`4, 6, 8, or 12 letter keys to which are assigned the 26 letters
`of the alphabet. Also, the system will complete and display
`lengthy words before the user has finished typing them on |
`the keyboard. The invention is preferably implemented on a
`traditional QWERTY keyboard, wherein multiple letters are
`assigned to the row of number keys, 0-9, along the top row
`of the keyboard, or to the rectangular grid of numerals
`commonly located to the right side of the keyboard or the
`horizontal rows of keys to which letters are conventionally
`assigned. In addition, a specially-designed keyboard, which
`plugs into a computer,
`is also shown to implement the
`invention. The provision of fewer keys makes the special
`keyboard particularly better suited for use by persons with
`physical disabilities, and may be used in place of, or in
`conjunction with, the traditional keyboard.
`Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
`provide a system for faster typing using a keyboard easier to
`remember and having as few or as many keys as the user
`desires.
`It is a further object of the invention to provide a speed
`typing system that may beutilized with a compact keyboard
`that is not congested with excessive keys.
`It is another object of the invention to provide a keyboard
`that has multiple letters per key, yet only requires a single
`touch to select a desired letter key.
`It is still a further object of the invention to provide a
`keyboard for speed typing that is ergonomic, reduces wear
`on the user, and easy to learn, and increases accuracy and
`efficiency.
`It is another object of the invention to provide a typing
`system that is easy to use for persons with disabilities, such
`as arthritis.
`These together with other objects and advantages which
`will become subsequently apparent when reference is made
`to the drawings and description hereinbelow.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 shows an overall preferred embodiment of the
`word processing system of the invention in block-diagram
`format.
`FIG. 2(a) shows an 8-key configuration as implemented
`on the top numeral row ofa standard QWERTY keyboard in
`accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 2(b) shows a 14-key configuration as implemented
`on the conventional character row of a standard QWERTY
`keyboard in accordance with the preferred embodiment of
`the invention.
`
`14
`
`4
`FIG. 3 shows a 6-key configuration of a specially
`designed keyboard in an alternative embodiment of the
`invention for use with the system of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4(a) shows a flow chart in accordance with the
`preferred method of operation of the system.
`FIG. 4(6) shows a flow chart in accordance with an
`alternative method of operation of the system.
`FIG. 5 shows the output of the invention for the monitor
`of FIG. 1 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of
`the invention.
`FIG. 6 a flow diagram for an alternative embodimentof
`the invention.
`FIG. 7 showsthe output of the invention for the monitor
`of FIG. 1 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of
`the invention.
`FIGS. 8-20 showalternative keyboard configurations for
`use with the keyboard of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 21 showsan alternative keyboard configuration for
`use on the touch-screen monitor of FIG. 1.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention
`illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be
`resorted to for the sake ofclarity. However, the invention is
`not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected,
`andit is to be understoodthat each specific term includesall
`technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to
`accomplish a similar purpose.
`Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the speed typing
`system 100 in accordance with the preferred embodimentof
`the invention. Generally, the system 100 comprises a com-
`puter 10 having a microprocessor, internal memory 12, and
`associated input/output components well known in the word
`processing art. A conventional expanded keyboard 14,
`printer 16, and display 18 is provided in a conventional
`manner. In addition, a separate specially designed keypad or
`keyboard 50 may be optionally utilized in a manner to be
`described. The word-processing system is controlled by
`programmedinstructions within the computer which recog-
`nize operator-initiated keystrokes and subsequently display
`andprint the text. The software instructions will be modified
`from conventional instructions to perform the functions of
`the present invention. The software to perform the functions
`of the present invention may be within the pre-programmed
`instructions of the word processing system or stored on a
`disk for input into the computer and may be linked by
`conventional interfacing techniques to all major word pro-
`cessors in a manner well known in the art, such as by
`Dynamic Database Enhancing orObject Linking and Abet-
`ting or Standard Interface.
`Although system 100 is shown as consisting of separate
`components, the system 100 may be implemented in a
`variety of manners, such as in a hand-held computer 10 with
`memory 12 which is integrated with a keyboard 50 and
`display 18. The hand-held computer may be remotely
`located with its output either directly wired or transmitted
`wirelessly to the computer. The invention is designed so that
`the user may decide to use some of the lettered keys of a
`conventional keyboard or the numbered keys of a conven-
`tional keyboard, which are generally located along the top
`row of the keyboard or along the right hand side of the
`keyboard. Likewise, the invention may be implemented on
`a touch-screen monitor, by a toggle-type control
`lever
`resembling a joystick in appearance, or by otherlike input
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`devices. The keys may be still further be mounted on a
`each ofthe keys 52 ofthe left group 68, which are preferably
`portable keyboard in which the finger keys press inward in
`imprinted on the key, though may be located on an overlay
`one direction and a thumb-operated key is mounted on the
`(not shown). The left key 52 hasletters A, B, C; the middle
`side of the keyboard and is pressed inward by the user’s
`key 52 has D, E, F; and the right key 52 has G,H,I. The right
`thumb.
`group 70 of keys 52 each have from four to eight characters:
`FIG. (a) showsatraditional expanded QWERTY key-
`the left key 52 has J, K, L, M; the middle key 52 has 0, P,
`board 14 used to implementthe present invention in accor-
`Q, R; and, the right key 52 has $-Z.
`dance with the preferred embodiment of the invention.
`Each letter key 52 is further assigned a numerical digit
`Keyboard 14 has 10 numeral keys along the top row and 10
`corresponding to a numerical or element code 72, which is
`numeral keys along the right handside of keyboard 14, each
`imprinted on the bottom right side of the key 72. The
`labelled from 1-9 and 0. An overlay 23 is shown abovethe
`purpose of the numerical code will become more apparent
`top row of numeral keys, indicating letter characters to be
`below. Theleft group 68 of keys 52 are designed to be used
`assigned to each of the corresponding numeral keys. In
`by a user’s left hand andthe right group 70 is for use by the
`addition, stickers (not shown) having multiple letters may
`right hand,
`optionally be mounted to the numeral keys located on the
`right portion of keyboard 14 or on keys that are conven-
`As depicted in each of FIGS. 2 and 3, the letters are
`tionally marked with a letter.
`generally arranged alphabetically alongletter keys 52, from
`In one ofthe preferred embodiments, the standard key-
`left to right. This configuration makesit easier for a user to
`board is an 8-key configuration, wherein numeral keys 1-7
`learn and memorize the location of keys and for “hunt and
`are each alphabetically assigned 3 letters, and numeral key
`peck”typists to find a desired key. However,theletters may
`8 is assigned 5 letters, as shown by the overlay 23. The
`be formatted in any suitable manner, such as based upon
`number assigned each numeral key is used as an input
`frequency of use, with less frequently used letters either
`element code or numerical code that is associated with the
`grouped together or interdispersed with more frequently
`correspondingletters.
`used letters. The computer may further be configured to
`Mnaintain a tally of the word usage and determine the most
`Another embodiment, corresponding to a 14 key
`frequently used letters and words for that user and the
`configuration, is shown in FIG. 2(b), where the conventional
`information may be further used to automatically place
`letter keys “a, “g “d”, “p?, “7”, “7, “pr “y", “n”, “<i”, “K”,
`“", “I” and “;”are redefined as shown. The keys range from
`terms in rank order of priority in memory, as will become
`having a single letter, to as many as8 letters for a single key.
`more apparent below. Still yet,
`letters may be grouped
`This embodiment preferably places a vowel with a conso-
`together which have similarities in appearance in order to
`assist recollection of location by the user.
`nant rather than a consonant with a consonant. Vowels and
`consonants are usually not interchangeable in a given
`In addition, the keyboard configurations may range from
`sequenceof letters which are arranged to form a word and
`more than 16 letter keys (where each key corresponds, in
`two consonants, so that the configuration results in a fewer
`mostcases, to twoletters, though may ranged from 1 to 3 or
`incidence of words having the same code. In addition, the
`even 4 letters per key) to as few as 4 letter keys (where three
`most commonly usedletters are provided a separate key that
`keys may for cxample correspondto eightletters each, and
`is easy to reach. Likewise, the least-used letters, or letters
`one key mayinclude only twoletters), though other possi-
`havinglittle duplication of the same code, are grouped on a
`bilities are equally practical. As will become more apparent
`single key that is generally not as conveniently positioned.
`below, the greater the number of keys, the less editing or
`FIG. 3 shows one example of a specially designed key-
`other interaction that will be required by the user. However,
`board 50 corresponding to a two-handed 6-key configura-
`typing will be slower and moredifficult to learn since there
`tion. Keyboard 50 generally comprises alphabetic orletter
`are more key locations. Likewise, the fewer the numberof
`character keys 52 and function keys 54. Letter character
`keys, the easier the system will be to learn and type, but the
`keys 52 are provided in the middle row of keyboard 50,
`more editing that will be required of the user.
`while function keys 54 are provided along the top and
`Now turning to FIG. 4(a), a functional flowchart of the
`bottom portions 56, 58, respectively, of keyboard 50. In
`invention as implemented by programmed instructions
`addition, a cursor controller 55 and select button 57 are
`stored in the computer memory 12 or from a floppy diskette
`provided along the top portion 56 of keyboard 50. Keyboard
`will now be described. The system 106 starts at block 102,
`50 may be arranged in any manner suitable to other
`where the system formats itself. In formatting, each key is
`keyboards, such as the keys being aligned in an arcuate
`preassigned a particular set of letters and a numerical digit
`shape. Keyboard 50 interfaces with the word. processing
`or code 72 according to the designated keyboard configu-
`computer 10 in a conventional manner (not shown).
`ration. For instance, the preferred default keyboard configu-
`The function keys 54 may correspond to any suitable
`ration is the 8-key configuration of FIG. 2(a). Accordingly,
`function to be performed. Preferably, however, the bottom
`eight keys 52 are assigned the digits 1-8, from left to right,
`row offunction keys 54 comprise for instance, SPACE BAR
`respectively. In addition, each ofletters A, B, C are assigned
`60, TAB key 62, SHIFT KEY 64, and ENTER key 66. The
`to numerical digit or code 1; letters D, EH, F are assigned
`top row 56 of function keys 54 may correspond to numbers
`numerical code 2; and so forth. Thus, when a letter key 52
`or characters, cursor movement keys, definable function
`is depressed on keyboard 14, the equivalent numerical code
`keys, or keys having other like operations. In addition,
`72 is recognized by the computer 10 at step 104.
`keyboard 50 may be used in conjunction with expanded
`The standard eight key format may be changed by the
`keyboard 14. Expanded keyboard14 would supply any of
`operator in accordance with the system design. Thatis, the
`the numerical or function keys 54 not provided by keyboard
`system may display alternate format choices to the operator,
`50. Accordingly, the expanded keyboard 14 is optional,
`such as using 4, 6, or 13 keys, which the operator mayselect.
`although it complements special keyboard 50 by providing
`Each formatis accompanied by a corresponding overlay 23.
`the full spectrum oftraditional function and character keys.
`After format selection, typing may begin. The operator
`Letter keys 52 are divided into two groups 68, 70, each
`types out a word and the key depressionsare read, step 104.
`group having three keys. Three characters are assigned to
`A numeral associated with each key is read and stored as it
`
`SO
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`is depressed until the operatorstrikes a key that indicates the
`user has reached the end of the word to be typed, step 106.
`Forinstance,if the character is a punctuation mark,space,
`or carriage return, the system will determine that the word
`is complete and proceed to step 108. Otherwise, the system
`returns to step 104, where the system awaits the next
`character to be entered.
`As the word is typed, the display unit preferably displays
`each ofthe letters associated with each key that is depressed.
`For example, as shownin FIG.5,if the key “1” is depressed
`a linear column or row displaying “ABC” is displayed.
`Alternatively, nothing may be displayed, or the numeral “1”
`may be displayed. Still further, only an asterisk or other
`symbol may be displayed. These display symbols will
`automatically be erased whenthe system determinesthat the
`typed word is accepted or when the user erasesit so that he
`can enter another word.
`Once the entire word has been received, the system will
`search the memory 12 by comparing the numerical value of
`the input code with a table of word codes stored in memory
`12, step 108. An example of several numerical or word codes
`72, are shown,for instance, in Table 1 for the standard 8-key
`configuration of FIG. 2(a). As shown in Table 1, each
`numerical code 72 is stored in a specific memory location,
`with each memory location having a list of one or more
`words. The word codes are formed from one or more input
`~ element or numerical codes. Accordingly, every word in the
`dictionary is stored in the table memory as associated with
`a particular code. The memory may be configured from any
`standard word-processing dictionary or like system.
`
`TABLE 1EE
`
`
`Preferred WordsCode ‘Wordsee
`5-5
`noon
`now
`mow
`mows
`
`55-8
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`5-5-8-7
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`now
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`In addition, fewer than every word in the dictionary may
`be stored in the table memory. For instance, the user may
`select a limited category of information corresponding to
`limited functions that have a morefinite vocabulary, such as
`for composing business letters or scientific papers. The
`reduced dictionary diminishes the memory requirements, as
`well as the time needed for the computer to search the
`memory. Likewise, less interaction would be required by the
`user since there are fewer codes in memory, each code
`further likely to be associated with fewer words.
`If the input numerical code is located or found in the
`memory table, step 108, the system proceeds to step 118. At
`step 118, the system will check the memory location to
`determine if more than one word, i.e. multiple words, are
`associated with the particular input code. If, however, no
`words are found in memory at step 108, the user will have
`the opportunity to correct any misspelling of the word, step
`109. If the user determines that the code was entered
`incorrectly, step 109, the user may go back and re-enter the
`code, step 104. Correction of a misspelling is performed in
`accordance with the standard word processing operation,
`such as by erasing the typed code where necessary and.
`entering the new text code. After making the correction, the
`system determines if a code has been found in memory for
`the corrected word, step 108.
`Assuming, on the other hand, that there was not a typing
`error, the user may add words in memory, step 110, by
`
`8
`adding a particular word to the dictionary memory corre-
`sponding to the numerical digits selected. The user selects
`the new word by highlighting the proper letters among the
`group ofletters displayed above the home row being typed.
`Onceall the letters of the word are highlighted, the user hits
`ENTER, and the computer stores the new word in the
`memory location corresponding to the associated numerical
`code. If the user elects to add the word in memory, the
`memory is updated, step 112. The selected word is then
`displayed in the text of the document, step 114, and the
`system then returns to step 104, where it awaits the next key
`to be input, step 117.
`If, on the other hand, the user does not add any word in
`memory, step 119, instructions are displayed, step 116, and
`the system returns to wait for the next key, steps 117, 104.
`Theinstructions mayindicate,for instance, that no word has
`been located and the user should determine whether there
`was a typographical error or if the user wishes to define a
`new word. Thus, the message may read “check spelling” or
`“code not recognized”. Or, the system may display words
`correspondingto the closest code and indicate that no exact
`match has been found.
`:
`If there is at least one word stored in memory that is
`associated with the input code at step 108, the system will
`proceed to step 118. At step 118,if only a single word is
`stored in the memory location associated with the input
`code, the word will be displayed, step 120. The user will
`have the opportunity to change(i.e. add or delete) the word
`stored in memory, step 122, if, for example, the word in
`memory is not the word desired to be displayed. As in step
`110 above, the memory is updated to include, or omit, the
`changed word, step 124, the new word is displayed, step
`126, in place of the originally displayed word, and the
`system, at step 127, returns to step 104. If no words are
`modified at step 122, indicating that the displayed word is
`correct, the system, at step 127, will return to step 104.
`The process of changing the words in memory,steps 110,
`122, 152 (as will be discussed below), allows the user to
`update the memory for specially defined words that are not
`normally included in a standard dictionary. For example, a
`proper noun might not be in a dictionary memory and thus
`the operator may want to change or add the proper noun to
`the memory for that particular code. Thus, the user may
`incorporate proper nouns, technical terms, abbreviations,
`and so forth, into the computer memory. This is done in any
`suitable programming manner, such as by simply appending
`the new word into the memory location assoc