The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 28, 1997
Filed:
Jul. 06, 1994
John Howard Botterill, Rochester, MN (US);
Stephen Troy Eagen, Rochester, MN (US);
Harvey Gene Kiel, Rochester, MN (US);
James Albert Pieterick, Rochester, MN (US);
Devon Daniel Snyder, Rochester, MN (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A method and system are disclosed which permit the presentation of single and double digit selection field in a non-programmable terminal. Multiple numeric characters associated with particular textual choices are coupled to a workstation controller interface along with an identified offset within each textual choice to a selected mnemonic character. If an associated terminal display device does not support more advanced graphic elements, such as so-called 'radio buttons' and underscored mnemonics, the numeric characters and textual choices are entered into a format table entry and utilized to specify a selection field within the terminal display. A single or double digit numeric indicator area is then defined within the terminal display and numeric entries within the selection field are displayed within the numeric indicator area, permitting the user to visually affirm what textual choice will be selected upon entry. A selected textual entry is then displayed utilizing highlighting or reverse video, providing a simulation of graphic entry techniques while permitting direct selection of any textual choice. If an associated terminal supports advanced graphic elements, the offset value is utilized to identify a selected mnemonic character within each textual choice and graphic input controls, such as 'radio buttons' are then utilized to indicate a selection of a textual choice.