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:
Aug. 27, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 22, 1999
Manabu Hashimoto, Kitakatsuragi-gun, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A free key layout setting apparatus is mounted in a data input apparatus. The data input apparatus includes a display unit covered with a touch panel. A plurality of keys are laid out and displayed on a display screen of the display unit according to layout data prestored in a ROM or a RAM. When an arbitrary key is touched through the touch panel in the display screen, a CPU of the data input apparatus carries out a function corresponding to that key. In setting the layout data to lay out each of the plurality of keys at an arbitrary position in the display screen in the free key layout setting apparatus, the CPU generates layout data as desired by the user including various data such as the size for display, the display position, a code identifying the type of the function of the ECR executed by operation of a key, and a character string of a label displayed on a key. The layout data is stored in the ROM or the RAM.