Patent ID: 6016142
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for generating alphabetical characters in ASCII-text streams from a numerical keypad with keypads representing ""0-9"", ""*"", and #, the method comprising the steps of:representing every constituent character of an alphabet in corresponding spaces in a set of three side-by-side three-by-three matrices on a display screen connected to a microcomputer;presenting a ""move-left"", ""move-right"", and ""page"" control button on said display screen near said set of three side-by-side three-by-three matrices;indicating a ""selection choice"" for said user by highlighting on said display screen only one of said set of three side-by-side three-by-three matrices;scanning with said microcomputer a four-by-three numerical keypad with individual keypads representing ""0-9"", ""*"", and ""#"" for any user depression of a keypad, wherein said ""*"" corresponds to said ""page"" control button, said ""0"" corresponds to said ""move-left"" control button, and said ""*"" corresponds to said ""move-right"" control button;if any keypad was detected as being depressed, testing to see if such keypad represents a ""move-left"" or ""move-right"" selection choice by said user, and if so, causing said selection choice to correspondingly move left or right to highlight another one of said three side-by-side three-by-three matrices;if any keypad was detected as being depressed, testing to see if such keypad represents a ""page"" selection choice by said user, and if so, causing a different alphabet to be displayed in corresponding spaces in a new set of three side-by-side three-by-three matrices on said display screen; andif any keypad was detected as being depressed, testing to see if such keypad represents a ""1-9"", and if so, serially outputting from said microcomputer an ASCII-text stream representing a corresponding one of nine alphabet characters displayed in a highlighted one of said three side-by-side three-by-three matrices on said display screen.