System and method for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing

A system and method for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing includes a computing system implemented process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing whereby as data fields are accessed in a specific sequence by a user to enter data associated with a first item, the specific sequence in which the data entry fields are accessed is learned/stored. Then the data fields are accessed in the same specific sequence for data entry associated with all subsequent items until the trainable data field sequencing feature is deactivated.

BACKGROUND

As computing systems have come to dominate both the office and home environments, users of the computing system implemented processes are demanding more speed, efficiency and ease of use from these processes.

One source of inefficiency in many currently used computing system implemented processes is the fact that many processes include electronic data entry forms that require a user to sequence, by tabbing or some similar action, through multiple data entry fields in order to access a desired data entry field. The need to sequence through multiple data entry fields in order to access the desired data entry field is typically only a minor nuisance when data is being entered/accessed for only one item. However, when data associated with several items, or even hundreds of items, is being entered, this process becomes quite tedious and time consuming.

As a specific example, consider the case of a computing system implemented inventory management system. In this specific example, we stipulate that the computing system implemented inventory management system includes an electronic data entry form where data must be entered for each inventory item that is to be tracked/processed using the computing system implemented inventory management system. In this specific example, we will further stipulate that the data fields of the computing system implemented inventory management system electronic data entry form are accessed by either specific individual selection, using a user interface device such as a mouse, or by tabbing through the data fields using the tab key, space bar, or other designated key on a keyboard. It is worth noting that the tabbing option would typically be used most because this allows for both accessing of the data fields and data entry using a single user interface device, e.g., a keyboard, and does not require the user to lose his or her focus and/or context in order to manipulate a mouse or other second user interface device.

For this specific example, we further stipulate that the data entry fields of the electronic data entry form are accessed by tabbing in the following specific sequence: item name; item description; item category; item unit price; related items; quantity of items in inventory; manufacturer part number; and item serial number.

In this specific example, assume the user has taken delivery of 100 units of inventory. In this specific example, we further stipulate that an itemized shipping list is included with the delivery listing each item individually, along with data for each item that is to be entered into the computing system implemented inventory management system. It is further stipulated that the shipping list includes the following information about each item, listed in the following order: serial number of the item; manufacturer part number; name of the item; the item category; and item unit price.

Using the example above, the user of the computing system implemented inventory management system would have to perform the following steps to transfer/enter data from the shipping list into the computing system implemented inventory management system:

1. Tab through each of the data entry fields for: item name; item description; item category; item unit price; related items; quantity of items in inventory; and manufacturer part number to access the serial number data entry field and enter the item serial number, (7 tabbing actions);

2. Tab through each of the data entry fields for: serial number; item name; item description; item category; item unit price; related items; and quantity of items in inventory to access the manufacturer part number data entry field and enter the manufacturer part number data (7 tabbing actions);

3. Tab through each of the data entry fields for manufacturer part number and item serial number to access the item name data entry field and enter the item name data (2 tabbing actions);

4. Tab through each of the data entry fields for item name and item description to access the item category data field and enter the item category data (2 tabbing actions); and

5. Tab through the data entry field for the item category to access the item unit price data entry field and enter the item unit price data (1 tabbing action).

Consequently, even in the very simple example shown above, the user must perform 19 tabbing actions to enter the data for a single item of inventory. This equates to at least 1900 tabbing actions for the 100 units of inventory that were received in the example above. As cumbersome as this seems, the example above is relatively simple with only five data elements per inventory item. In a real world example, there could be 10 or 20 data fields per inventory item and it is not uncommon for the number of inventory items to be in the thousands. Consequently, as noted above, while these sequencing/tabbing actions might be ignorable singly, collectively they can be quite burdensome and a significant source of inefficiency, not to mention a significant source of carpel tunnel syndrome, workman's compensation claims and lost/wasted man-hours.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, a system and method for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing provides a user with a trainable electronic data entry form whereby as data fields are accessed by the user in a specific sequence to enter data associated with a first item, the specific sequence in which the data entry fields are accessed is learned/stored. Then, in one embodiment, the data fields are accessed directly in the same specific sequence for data entry associated with all subsequent items automatically until the trainable data field sequencing feature is deactivated.

In one embodiment, a system and method for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing includes a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing that is activated by a predetermined user action. In one embodiment, once the trainable data field sequencing feature is activated, a user enters the data associated with a first item by tabbing, or otherwise accessing, the individual data entry fields in the desired/necessary sequence as is done using currently available systems/processes.

In one embodiment, as the data entry fields are accessed in the desired/necessary sequence, the specific data entry field access sequence is memorized by the process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing. In one embodiment, data representing the specific data entry field access sequence is then stored. In one embodiment, once the specific data entry field access sequence is stored, as long as the trainable data field sequencing feature is activated, the data fields are accessed in the same specific sequence for data entry associated with all other subsequent items and data is entered in a given data entry field as the data entry fields are accessed.

In one embodiment, once a given specific data entry field access sequence is obtained and stored for a given electronic data entry form, it can be activated and deactivated as needed. In one embodiment, the specific sequence in which the data entry fields are accessed for a given electronic data entry form is linked to the specific electronic data entry form so that the specific sequence in which the data entry fields are accessed for that form become available each time the form is used/activated. In one embodiment, multiple specific data entry field access sequences for multiple electronic data entry forms are obtained and stored according to the needs of the user.

Using the system and method for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing disclosed herein, the user is no longer required to repetitively sequence, or tab, through multiple data entry fields in order to access a desired data entry field for each item entered into a data base and/or computing system implemented process. Consequently, using the system and method for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing disclosed herein, a significant source of inefficiency and lost/wasted man-hours is eliminated.

As discussed in more detail below, using the below embodiments, with little or no modification and/or user input, there is considerable flexibility, adaptability, and opportunity for customization to meet the specific needs of various users under numerous circumstances.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one embodiment, a system and method for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing provides a user with a trainable electronic data entry form whereby as data fields are accessed by the user in a specific sequence to enter data associated with a first item, the specific sequence in which the data entry fields are accessed is learned/stored. Then, in one embodiment, the data fields are accessed directly in the same specific sequence for data entry associated with all subsequent items automatically until the trainable data field sequencing feature is deactivated.

In one embodiment, a system and method for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing includes a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing that is activated by a predetermined user action. In one embodiment, once the trainable data field sequencing feature is activated, a user enters the data associated with a first item by tabbing, or otherwise accessing, the individual data entry fields in the desired/necessary sequence as is done using currently available systems/processes.

In one embodiment, as the data entry fields are accessed in the desired/necessary sequence, the specific data entry field access sequence is memorized by the process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing. In one embodiment, data representing the specific data entry field access sequence is then stored. In one embodiment, once the specific data entry field access sequence is stored, as long as the trainable data field sequencing feature is activated, the data fields are accessed in the same specific sequence for data entry associated with all other subsequent items and data is entered in a given data entry field as the data entry fields are accessed.

In one embodiment, once a given specific data entry field access sequence is obtained and stored for a given electronic data entry form, it can be activated and deactivated as needed. In one embodiment, the specific sequence in which the data entry fields are accessed for a given electronic data entry form is linked to the specific electronic data entry form so that the specific sequence in which the data entry fields are accessed for that form become available each time the form is used/activated. In one embodiment, multiple specific data entry field access sequences for multiple electronic data entry forms are obtained and stored according to the needs of the user.

Using the system and method for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing disclosed herein, the user is no longer required to repetitively sequence, or tab, through multiple data entry fields in order to access a desired data entry field for each item entered into a data base and/or computing system implemented process. Consequently, using the system and method for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing disclosed herein, a significant source of inefficiency and lost/wasted man-hours is eliminated.

As discussed in more detail below, using the below embodiments, with little or no modification and/or user input, there is considerable flexibility, adaptability, and opportunity for customization to meet the specific needs of various users under numerous circumstances.

Some embodiments may be implemented in a computing system including a conventional computing system running a conventional operating system such as those distributed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond Wash.; Apple Computer Inc. of Cupertino Calif.; any Unix operating system; any Linux operating system; the Palm OS series of operating systems; or any other operating system designed to generally manage operations on a computing system, whether known at the time of filing or as developed later. Some embodiments may be implemented in a mobile computing system running mobile operating systems such as Symbian® OS, Windows® Mobile, or any other operating system designed to generally manage operations on a mobile computing system, whether known at the time of filing or as developed later. As described more fully below, embodiments can be implemented on computing systems other than a conventional computing system such as, for example, a personal digital assistant, a cell phone, or other computing system capable of processing computer readable data, whether known at the time of filing or as developed later. As defined herein, computing systems also include those in which one or more computing resources (hardware or software) are located remotely and accessed via network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, a combination of network types, a computing system bus, or any other electronic medium in which data may be exchanged between one computing system and one or more other computing system(s), whether known at the time of filing or as developed later. Embodiments may be included as add-on or plug-in software for existing software programs, packages or applications, and embodiments may be a feature of an application that is bundled with a computing system or sold/provided separately. Some embodiments may also be implemented as functionality embedded in hardware devices and systems.

Output generated by one or more embodiments can be displayed on a display screen, transmitted to a remote device, stored on any database, computer server or other storage mechanism, printed, or used in any other way. In addition, in some embodiments, processes and/or systems described herein may make use of input provided to the computer device implementing a process and/or application, discussed herein, via user interface devices such as a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, or any other device capable of providing user input to a computing system or for translating user actions into computing system operations, whether known at the time of filing or as developed later.

Hardware System Architecture

FIG. 1is a block diagram of an exemplary hardware architecture for implementing one embodiment of a system and method for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing, such as exemplary process200discussed herein, that includes: a computing system100, e.g., a first computing system; a computing system150, e.g., a second computing system; a server system120; and a database170, all operatively coupled by a network130.

As seen inFIG. 1, computing system100typically includes a central processing unit (CPU)101, an input/output (I/O) interface105, and a memory system103, including cache memory103A. In one embodiment, memory system103includes all, or part of, one or more computing system implemented processes180stored, in whole, or in part, therein, that is a parent system for, is used by, or includes, as discussed below, a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing, such as exemplary process200discussed below.

Computing system100may further include standard user interface devices such as a keyboard107, a mouse111, a printer109, and a display device115, as well as, one or more standard input/output (I/O) devices113, such as a compact disk (CD) or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive, floppy disk drive, or other digital or waveform port, or other device capable of inputting data to, and outputting data from, computing system100, whether available or known at the time of filing or as later developed. As discussed in more detail below, in one embodiment, a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing and/or a computing system implemented process can be loaded, in whole, or in part, into computing system100via I/O device113, such as from a CD, DVD, floppy disk or other medium.

Similarly, computing system150typically includes a CPU151, an input/output (I/O) interface155, and a memory system153, including cache memory153A. In one embodiment, memory system153includes all, or part of, one or more computing system processes190stored, in whole, or in part, therein, that is a parent system for, is used by, or includes, as discussed below, a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing.

Similar to computing system100, computing system150may further include standard user interface devices such as a keyboard157, a mouse161, a printer159, and a display device165, as well as, one or more standard input/output (I/O) devices163, such as a compact disk (CD) or DVD drive, floppy disk drive, or other digital or waveform port, or other device capable of inputting data to, and outputting data from, computing system150, whether available or known at the time of filing or as later developed. As discussed in more detail below, in one embodiment, a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing and/or a computing system implemented process, can be loaded, in whole, or in part, into computing system150via I/O device163, such as from a CD, DVD or floppy disk.

Also shown inFIG. 1is exemplary database170. In one embodiment, database170is a designated server system or computing system, or a designated portion of one or more server systems or computing systems, such as computing systems100,150and120or a distributed database. In one embodiment, database170is a dedicated mass storage device implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. In one embodiment, database170is a web-based function. As discussed in more detail below, in one embodiment, a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing, such as exemplary process200, and/or computing system implemented processes180and/or190, are stored in whole, or in part, in database170.

In one embodiment, computing systems100and150, and database170, are coupled to a server system120through network130. Server system120typically includes a server system display device125, a server system processor121, a server system memory123, and a server system network interface122. As discussed in more detail below, in one embodiment, a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing and/or a computing system implemented process are stored and/or operated in whole, or in part, in/on server system120.

In one embodiment, server system120is used and/or accessible by a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing provider. In one embodiment, server system120is used and/or accessible by a computing system implemented process provider. In one embodiment, server system120is used and/or accessible by any designated third party.

Network130can be any network or network system that is of interest to a user such as a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, a combination of different network types, or other wireless, wired, and/or a wireless and wired combination network capable of allowing communication between two or more computing systems, whether available or known at the time of filing or as later developed. In various embodiments, server system network interface122and I/O interfaces105and155include analog modems, digital modems, a network interface card, a broadband connection, or any other means for communicably coupling computing systems100and150, database170, and server system120, via network130, whether available or known at the time of filing or as later developed.

Those of skill in the art will readily recognize that the components shown inFIG. 1, such as computing systems100and150, database170, server system120, and their respective components, are shown for illustrative purposes only and that architectures with more or fewer components can implement, and benefit from, the invention. Moreover, one or more components of computing system100, computing system150, database170, and server system120may be located remotely from their respective system and accessed via a network, as discussed herein. In addition, the particular type of, and configuration of, computing systems100and150, database170, and server system120are not relevant.

As discussed in more detail below, in one embodiment, a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing and/or a computing system implemented process are stored in whole, or in part, in memory system103and/or cache memory103A, of computing system100, and/or memory system153and/or cache memory153A of computing system150, and/or in server memory system123of server system120and/or in database170, and executed on computing system100and/or computing system150. As used herein, a memory refers to a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, or any combination of the two.

Although a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing and/or a computing system implemented process, are sometimes referred to herein, alternatively, as a process, an application, a module, a program, a component of a software system, a component of a software package, a component of a parent system, a plug-in, or a feature of a parent system, this terminology is illustrative only. In some embodiments, a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing and/or a computing system implemented process is capable of being called from an application or the operating system. In one embodiment, an application, process, or program is generally defined to be any executable code. Moreover, those of skill in the art will understand that when it is said that an application, process, or an operation takes some action, the action is the result of executing one or more instructions by a processor, such as CPUs101and151, or server system processor121. In one embodiment, execution of a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing by CPU101, CPU151, or server system processor121, results in the operations of an agent computer process (not shown) and/or a rule computer process (not shown).

In one embodiment, a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing and/or a computing system implemented process are computer applications or processes implemented and/or run and/or stored, in full, or in part, in, or on, a computer program product. Herein, a computer program product comprises a medium configured to store or transport computer readable code, whether available or known at the time of filing or as later developed. Some examples of computer program products are CDs, DVDs, ROM cards, floppy discs, magnetic tapes, computer hard drives, flash memory, volatile and non-volatile memory sticks, servers on a network, such as server system120ofFIG. 1, and signals transmitted over a network, such as network130ofFIG. 1, or other media or process capable of delivering computer readable data representing computer readable code, whether available or known at the time of filing or as later developed. This medium may belong to a computing system, such as computing systems100and150ofFIG. 1, described above. However, in some embodiments, the medium also may be removable from the computing system.

For example, all, or part, of a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing and/or a computing system implemented process may be stored in a memory that is physically located in a location, such as server system memory123, or database170, ofFIG. 1, different from a computing system, such as computing systems100and/or150ofFIG. 1, utilizing a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing and/or a computing system implemented process. In one embodiment, all, or part, of a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing and/or a computing system implemented process may be stored in a memory that is physically located, separate from the computing system's processor(s), such as CPUs101and151ofFIG. 1, and the computing system processor(s) can be coupled to the memory in a client-server system, such as server system120ofFIG. 1, or, alternatively, via connection to another computer, such as computing systems100,150ofFIG. 1, via modems and analog lines, digital interfaces and a digital carrier line, or wireless or cellular connections.

In one embodiment, the computing systems and/or server systems, such as computing systems100and/or150and/or server system120ofFIG. 1, running and/or utilizing and/or storing all, or part, of a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing and/or a computing system implemented process, discussed herein, is a portable computer, a workstation, a two-way pager, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a digital wireless telephone, a personal digital assistant, a server computer, an Internet appliance, or any other device that includes components that can execute all, or part, of a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing and/or a computing system implemented process, discussed herein, in accordance with at least one of the embodiments as described herein. Similarly, in another embodiment, a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing and/or a computing system implemented process, discussed herein, may be implemented on and/or run and/or stored on a computing system and/or server system that is comprised of multiple different computers, wireless devices, cellular telephones, digital telephones, two-way pagers, personal digital assistants, server computers, or any desired combination of these devices, that are coupled to perform the processes and/or operations as described herein.

In one embodiment, computer programs, algorithms and routines are envisioned to be programmed in a high level language object oriented language, for example Java™, C, C++, C#, CORBA, Visual Basic™. In one embodiment, database components may utilize any common database program, by way of example and not limitation, ORACLE™, Sequel Server™, MySQL™, SQL™, MS ACCESS™, DB2™, MS FOXBASE™, DBASE™, PostgreSQL™ and RBASE™. For purposes of this specification, the term “program” is intended to be interpreted in its broadest sense to include all instructions executable by a processor whether embodied in programmable hardware (e.g., EEPROM) or software disposed on a computer program product, as defined herein. Where applicable, references to various programs may be made in both singular and plural form. No limitation is intended by such grammatical usage as one skilled in the art will appreciate that multiple programs, objects, subprograms, subroutines, algorithms, applets, contexts, etc. may be implemented programmatically to implement the various inventive embodiments.

Process

Herein, the term “user” denotes any individual party or organization implementing and/or interfacing with a system and method for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing and/or a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing as disclosed herein.

Herein the terms “electronic data entry form”, “data entry form”, “interface” or “user interface” or “interface display” are used interchangeably to denote a display on any display device, as an example, display devices115,165,125ofFIG. 1, of any computing system and/or device, as an example, computing systems100,150and server system120ofFIG. 1, that provides a user with the ability to access/enter/interact with data using a user interface device or mechanism, whether known at the time of filing or as developed thereafter. Herein, the terms “electronic data entry form”, “data entry form”, “interface” or “user interface” or “interface display” refer to both standard electronic data entry forms and web-based data entry forms.

In accordance with one embodiment, a system and method for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing provides a user with a trainable electronic data entry form whereby as data fields are accessed in a specific sequence to enter data associated with a first item, the specific sequence in which the data entry fields are accessed is learned/stored. Then, in one embodiment, the data fields are accessed in the same specific sequence for data entry associated with all subsequent items until the trainable data field sequencing feature is deactivated.

FIG. 2a flow chart depicting a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing200in accordance with one embodiment. Process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing200begins at ENTER OPERATION201ofFIG. 2and process flow proceeds to PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203.

In one embodiment, at PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203a computing system implemented process is provided, such as computing system processes180and/or190ofFIG. 1, that includes an electronic data entry form for entering data associated with items and/or item listings processed and/or used by the computing system implemented process.

As discussed above, the computing system implemented process of PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203is sometimes referred to herein, alternatively, as a process, an application, a module, a program, a component of a software system, a component of a software package, a component of a parent system, a plug-in, or a feature of a parent system. In some embodiments, the computing system implemented process of PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203is capable of being called from an application or the operating system. In one embodiment, an application, process, or program is generally defined to be any executable code. Moreover, those of skill in the art will understand that when it is said that an application, process, or an operation takes some action, the action is the result of executing one or more instructions by a processor, such as CPUs101and151, or server system processor121(FIG. 1). In one embodiment, execution of a process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing by CPU101, CPU151, or server system processor121, results in the operations of an agent computer process (not shown) and/or a rule computer process (not shown).

Returning toFIG. 2, in one embodiment, the computing system implemented process of PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203is a computer application or processes implemented and/or run and/or stored, in full, or in part, in, or on, a computer program product. As discussed above, herein, a computer program product comprises a medium configured to store or transport computer readable code, whether available or known at the time of filing or as later developed. Some examples of computer program products are CDs, DVDs, ROM cards, floppy discs, magnetic tapes, computer hard drives, flash memory, volatile and non-volatile memory sticks, servers on a network, such as server system120ofFIG. 1, and signals transmitted over a network, such as network130ofFIG. 1, or other media or process capable of delivering computer readable data representing computer readable code, whether available or known at the time of filing or as later developed. This medium may belong to a computing system, such as computing systems100and150ofFIG. 1, described above. However, in some embodiments, the medium also may be removable from the computing system.

Returning toFIG. 2, as also discussed above, in one embodiment, the computing system implemented process of PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203is envisioned to be programmed in a high level language object oriented language, for example Java™, C++, C#, CORBA, Visual Basic™. For purposes of this specification, the term “program” and/or “process” is intended to be interpreted in its broadest sense to include all instructions executable by a processor whether embodied in programmable hardware (e.g., EEPROM) or software disposed on a computer program product, as defined herein. Where applicable, references to various programs may be made in both singular and plural form. No limitation is intended by such grammatical usage as one skilled in the art will appreciate that multiple programs, objects, subprograms, subroutines, algorithms, applets, contexts, etc. may be implemented programmatically to implement the various inventive embodiments.

In one embodiment, the computing system implemented process of PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203includes an electronic data entry form. As noted above, herein the terms “electronic data entry form”, “data entry form” “interface” or “user interface” or “interface display” are used interchangeably to denote a data entry display on any display device, as an example, display devices115,165,125ofFIG. 1, of any computing system and/or device, as an example, computing systems100,150and server system120ofFIG. 1.

In one embodiment, the electronic data entry form of PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203is a web-based form that allows data to entered/manipulated on a web-page or other web-based function. In one embodiment, the electronic data entry form of PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203is a standard user interface for proving data to a computing system and/or device, as an example, computing systems100,150and server system120ofFIG. 1and/or a database, such as database170ofFIG. 1.

In one embodiment, the electronic data entry form of PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203, provides the user with the ability to interact with the process of PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203through a user interface device such as a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, or any other device capable of providing user input to a computing system or for translating user actions into computing system operations, whether known at the time of filing or as developed later.

FIG. 3shows a representation of an exemplary electronic data entry form301including data entry fields305,307,309,311,313and315. As seen inFIG. 3, data entry field305is, in this specific example, an item name data entry field where the name of a given item is entered. As seen inFIG. 3, data entry fields307,309,311,313and315are data entry fields for entering specific data such as, data1, data2, data3, data4and data5, respectively. The type of data entered as data1, data2, data3, data4and data5will vary considerably from process-to-process and application-to-application. For instance, in various embodiments data1, data2, data3, data4and data5can be item name; item description; item category; item unit price; related items; quantity of items in inventory; manufacturer part number; item serial number; stock number; telephone numbers; contact addresses; or virtually any data the user and/or the provider of the computing system implemented process desires.

In one embodiment, data entry fields307,309,311,313and315are accessed by either specific individual selection, using a user interface device such as a mouse, or by tabbing through the data fields using the tab key, space bar, or other designated key on a keyboard, or any other user action, such as a voice command etc. As discussed above, it is worth noting that the tabbing option would typically be used most because this allows for both accessing of the data fields and data entry using a single user interface device, e.g., a keyboard, and does not require the user to lose his or her focus and/or context in order to manipulate a mouse or other second user interface device.

In the specific example of exemplary electronic data entry form301, absent the present invention, the user would tab through data entry fields307,309,311,313and315in the listed order so that data entry fields307,309,311,313and315would be accessed sequentially for entry of data1, data2, data3, data4and data5, respectively.

Methods, mechanisms, processes and procedures for creating, displaying, and operating electronic data entry forms are well known to those of skill in the art. Consequently, a more detailed discussion of the methods, mechanisms, processes and procedures for creating, displaying and operating electronic data entry forms, such as exemplary electronic data entry form301, are omitted here to avoid detracting from the invention.

Those of skill in the art will readily recognize that exemplary electronic data entry form301is an illustrative example and that the layout, arrangement, display, and organization of the information, including the number of data entry fields shown, was made for illustrative purposes only and in no way limits the invention as claimed below.

In one embodiment, once a computing system implemented process is provided that includes an electronic data entry form for entering data associated with items and/or item listings processed and/or used by the computing system implemented process at PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203, process flow proceeds to OBTAIN DATA ASSOCIATED WITH AT LEAST TWO ITEMS TO BE ENTERED INTO THE DATA ENTRY FORM OPERATION205.

In one embodiment, at OBTAIN DATA ASSOCIATED WITH AT LEAST TWO ITEMS TO BE ENTERED INTO THE DATA ENTRY FORM OPERATION205data associated with two or more items is obtained through any one of numerous methods for obtaining data associated with an item.

The two or more items with which the data is associated will vary considerably from application-to-application and process-to-process. In various embodiments, the items can be inventory items, contacts, people, addresses, dates, events, and/or virtually any items and/or listings desired.

In one embodiment, the data associated with two or more items is obtained in printed form, such as a sales receipt, invoice, or packing slip. In one embodiment, the data associated with two or more items is obtained in electronic form, such as an electronic receipt, invoice, or packing slip, an e-mail, a website, or in the form of a computer program product as defined herein. In one embodiment, there is at least partial overlap between the data associated with two or more items of OBTAIN DATA ASSOCIATED WITH AT LEAST TWO ITEMS TO BE ENTERED INTO THE DATA ENTRY FORM OPERATION205and the data of data entry fields data entry fields307,309,311,313and315of the electronic data entry form of PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203. As discussed in more detail below, in one embodiment, the user desires to transfer/enter the data associated with two or more items of OBTAIN DATA ASSOCIATED WITH AT LEAST TWO ITEMS TO BE ENTERED INTO THE DATA ENTRY FORM OPERATION205to/into electronic data entry form of PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203.

FIG. 4shows a representation of an exemplary data listing400for multiple items Item1, Item2and Item3. In the specific example ofFIG. 4, exemplary electronic data entry form400includes: heading row403; item1row411; item2row413and item3row415.

In one embodiment: the data entered as data3, i.e., ITEM1/DATA3, ITEM2/DATA3and ITEM3/DATA3; the data entered as data1, i.e., ITEM1/DATA1, ITEM2/DATA1and ITEM3/DATA1; and the data entered as data5, i.e., ITEM1/DATA5, ITEM2/DATA5and ITEM3/DATA5will vary significantly from process-to-process and item listing-to-item listing. However, in this example: the data3data, i.e., ITEM1/DATA3, ITEM2/DATA3and ITEM3/DATA3, of exemplary data listing400is the same data to be entered as data3of data entry field311of exemplary electronic data entry form301; the data1data, i.e., ITEM1/DATA1, ITEM2/DATA1and ITEM3/DATA1of exemplary data listing400is the same data to be entered as data1of data entry field307of exemplary electronic data entry form301; and the data5data, i.e., ITEM1/DATA5, ITEM2/DATA5and ITEM3/DATA5of exemplary data listing400is the same data to be entered as data5of data entry field315of exemplary electronic data entry form301. Consequently, as mentioned above, in one embodiment, the user wishes to: transfer/enter the data3data in column407of exemplary data listing400to data entry field311of exemplary electronic data entry form301; transfer/enter the data1data in column409of exemplary data listing400to data entry field307of exemplary electronic data entry form301; and transfer/enter the data4data in column410of exemplary data listing400to data entry field315of exemplary electronic data entry form301, for an exemplary electronic data entry form301associated with each of the items listed in item1row411; item2row413and item3row415.

Those of skill in the art will readily recognize that exemplary data listing400is an illustrative example and that the layout, arrangement, display, and organization of the information, including the number of rows and columns shown, was made for illustrative purposes only and in no way limits the invention as claimed below.

Returning toFIG. 2, in one embodiment, once data associated with two or more items is obtained through any one of numerous methods for obtaining data associated with an item at OBTAIN DATA ASSOCIATED WITH AT LEAST TWO ITEMS TO BE ENTERED INTO THE DATA ENTRY FORM OPERATION205, process flow proceeds to ENTER DATA ASSOCIATED WITH A FIRST ITEM INTO THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS BY ACCESSING THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS IN A SPECIFIC SEQUENCE OPERATION207.

In one embodiment at ENTER DATA ASSOCIATED WITH A FIRST ITEM INTO THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS BY ACCESSING THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS IN A SPECIFIC SEQUENCE OPERATION207, the data of OBTAIN DATA ASSOCIATED WITH AT LEAST TWO ITEMS TO BE ENTERED INTO THE DATA ENTRY FORM OPERATION205associated with a first item is entered into the electronic data entry form of PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203by sequencing through the data entry fields of the electronic data entry form of PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203in the same manner as is done for entering data associated with all items using currently available systems/processes.

FIGS. 5A to 5Mare a representation of an exemplary specific sequence of data entry field access and data entry into exemplary electronic data entry form301ofFIG. 3as would be performed for a first item of item1row411ofFIG. 4in accordance with one embodiment.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4together, it is worth noting that in this specific example, the data, data3, data1, and data5associated with the specific items, Item1, Item2and Item3of exemplary electronic data entry form400is listed in the order data3, data1, and data5. In contrast, as discussed above, in this specific example using exemplary electronic data entry form301, the user would tab through data entry fields307,309,311,313and315in the listed order so that data1, data2, data3, data4and data5would be accessed sequentially. As a result, the data listed in exemplary electronic data entry form400is not in the same formatting sequence as the access sequence of data entry fields of exemplary electronic data entry form301. Consequently, a user must sequence, by tabbing or some similar action, through multiple intermediate data entry fields of exemplary electronic data entry form301in order to access a the data entry fields in the same sequence as the data is listed in exemplary electronic data entry form400. This is illustrated inFIGS. 5A to 5M.

Referring toFIG. 4andFIG. 5Atogether,FIG. 5Ashows exemplary electronic data entry form301including ITEM NAME data entry field305. As shown inFIG. 5Aby the shading, a user has tabbed, or otherwise accessed, ITEM NAME data entry field305and has entered the data ITEM1from column405of item1row411ofFIG. 4. As seen inFIG. 4, the user must next enter the data ITEM1/DATA3of column405into data entry field311of electronic data entry form301. To this end, the user must access/select data entry field311of exemplary electronic data entry form301. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by tabbing through data entry field307and data entry field309of exemplary electronic data entry form301. This is illustrated inFIGS. 5B and 5Cwith the accessed data entry fields being shaded.

As shown inFIG. 5Dby the shading, the user eventually tabs through, or otherwise accesses, DATA3entry field311. The user then enters the data ITEM1/DATA3from column407of item1row411ofFIG. 4. As seen inFIG. 4, the user must next enter the data ITEM1/DATA1of column409into data entry field307of electronic data entry form301. To this end, the user must access/select data entry field307of exemplary electronic data entry form301. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by tabbing through data entry field313, data entry field315, and data entry field305of exemplary electronic data entry form301. This is illustrated inFIGS. 5E,5F, and5G with the accessed data entry fields being shaded.

As shown inFIG. 5Hby the shading, the user eventually tabs through, or otherwise accesses, DATA1entry field307. The user then enters the data ITEM1/DATA1from column409of item1row411ofFIG. 4. As seen inFIG. 4, the user must next enter the data ITEM1/DATA5of column410into data entry field315of electronic data entry form301. To this end, the user must access/select data entry field315of exemplary electronic data entry form301. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by tabbing through data entry field309, data entry field311, and data entry field313of exemplary electronic data entry form301. This is illustrated inFIGS. 5J,5K, and5L with the accessed data entry fields being shaded.

As shown inFIG. 5Mby the shading, the user eventually tabs through, or otherwise accesses, DATA5entry field315. The user then enters the data ITEM1/DATA5from column410of item1row411ofFIG. 4.

In the example shown above, 13 tabbing actions were performed by the user to make four data entries associated with a single item. Consequently, in this specific example, absent the invention, and using current systems, a minimum of 39 tabbing actions would be required to enter/transfer data for the three items from exemplary electronic data entry form400to exemplary electronic data entry form301. However, as discussed in more detail below, in one embodiment, the sequence of data field access performed above is memorized and used to automatically sequence through the desired data entry fields for all items entered after the first item. Consequently, using process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing200, the entire 13 tabbing actions are performed only once, for the first item as described above.

In one embodiment, once the data of OBTAIN DATA ASSOCIATED WITH AT LEAST TWO ITEMS TO BE ENTERED INTO THE DATA ENTRY FORM OPERATION205associated with a first item is entered into the electronic data entry form of PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203by sequencing through the data entry fields of the electronic data entry form of PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203at ENTER DATA ASSOCIATED WITH A FIRST ITEM INTO THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS BY ACCESSING THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS IN A SPECIFIC SEQUENCE OPERATION207, process flow proceeds to OBTAIN DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED OPERATION209.

In one embodiment, at OBTAIN DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED OPERATION209, the specific sequence of data entry field access performed at ENTER DATA ASSOCIATED WITH A FIRST ITEM INTO THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS BY ACCESSING THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS IN A SPECIFIC SEQUENCE OPERATION207is obtained.

In one embodiment, the specific sequence of data entry field access performed at ENTER DATA ASSOCIATED WITH A FIRST ITEM INTO THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS BY ACCESSING THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS IN A SPECIFIC SEQUENCE OPERATION207is obtained by activating a data field sequencing training mode or feature of the electronic data entry form of PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC DATA ENTRY FORM INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS OPERATION203prior to, or during, or after the performance of ENTER DATA ASSOCIATED WITH A FIRST ITEM INTO THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS BY ACCESSING THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS IN A SPECIFIC SEQUENCE OPERATION207. In one embodiment, the activation of the data field sequencing training mode causes the specific sequence of data entry field access to be memorized/copied.

In one embodiment, the activation of the data field sequencing training mode is accomplished by the user performing a designated action using a user interface device and/or command such as a specific key sequence, vocal command, activation of an icon, or any other method and/or means whereby a user can activate a mode or state of an application/process, whether known at the time of filing or as developed thereafter. In one embodiment, the data field sequencing training mode can be activating and deactivated and multiple specific sequences for multiple electronic data entry forms and/or data listings can be memorized.

As a specific example, referring toFIGS. 3 and 4again, the sequence of data entry field access in exemplary electronic data entry form301for the specific example discussed above could be: data entry field305, for the Item name data; then directly to data entry field311, for the data3data; then directly to data field307for the data1data; and finally to data field315for the data5data. Consequently instead of 13 tabbing actions per item only 4 are required.

In one embodiment, once the specific sequence of data entry field access performed at ENTER DATA ASSOCIATED WITH A FIRST ITEM INTO THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS BY ACCESSING THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS IN A SPECIFIC SEQUENCE OPERATION207is obtained at OBTAIN DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED OPERATION209, process flow proceeds to STORE THE DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED OPERATION211.

In one embodiment, at STORE THE DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED OPERATION211, data representing the specific sequence of data entry field access obtained at OBTAIN DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED OPERATION209is stored, remotely or locally, in whole, or in part, in a database, such as database170inFIG. 1, maintained by, accessible by, owned by, or otherwise related to, a provider of process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing200and/or the user, and/or any third party, by any one of the numerous mechanisms known to those of skill in the art. For instance, in one embodiment, the data, in whole, or in part, is stored in a memory system, such as memory systems103,153or server memory system123, or database170, ofFIG. 1, or in a cache memory, such as cache memories103A,153A ofFIG. 1, or in any main memory or mass memory, associated with a computing device, such as computing systems100,150described above. In one embodiment, the data, in whole, or in part, is stored in any computing device and/or server system, such as computing systems100,150or server system120, or other device, in another location, or on/in a computer readable medium, and/or any other computer program product, as defined herein. In one embodiment, the data, in whole, or in part, is stored on a webpage, in a web-based system or on a public network such as the Internet.

Returning toFIG. 2, in some embodiments, the data stored as described above is maintained, in whole, or in part, locally or remotely, by: the computing system implemented process provider; the provider of process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing200; the user; a third party data storage institution; any third party service or institution; or any other parties.

In one embodiment, once the data representing the specific sequence of data entry field access obtained at OBTAIN DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED OPERATION209is stored at STORE THE DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED OPERATION211, process flow proceeds to USE THE DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED FOR THE FIRST ITEM TO AUTOMATICALLY ACCESSES THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS IN THE SAME SEQUENCE FOR THE SECOND ITEM OPERATION213.

In one embodiment, at USE THE DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED FOR THE FIRST ITEM TO AUTOMATICALLY ACCESSES THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS IN THE SAME SEQUENCE FOR THE SECOND ITEM OPERATION213, the data representing the specific sequence of data entry field accessed obtained at OBTAIN DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED OPERATION209and stored at STORE THE DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED OPERATION211is used to directly sequence through the data entry fields in the order desired and without the user needing to tab through any intermediate data entry fields.

As a specific example, referring again toFIGS. 3 and 4again, the sequence of data entry field access in exemplary electronic data entry form400obtained at OBTAIN DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED OPERATION209and stored at STORE THE DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED OPERATION211for the specific example discussed above would be used to create the sequence: data entry field305, for the Item name data; then directly to data entry field311, for the data3data; then directly to data field307for the data1data; and finally to data field315for the data5data. Consequently instead of 13 tabbing actions per item only 4 are now required.

In one embodiment, once the data representing the specific sequence of data entry field accessed is used to directly sequence through the required data entry field in the order desired and without the user needing to tab through any intermediate data entry fields at USE THE DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED FOR THE FIRST ITEM TO AUTOMATICALLY ACCESSES THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS IN THE SAME SEQUENCE FOR THE SECOND ITEM OPERATION213, process flow proceeds to ENTER THE DATA ASSOCIATED WITH THE SECOND ITEM INTO THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS AS THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS ARE AUTOMATICALLY ACCESSED IN THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE OPERATION215.

In one embodiment, at ENTER THE DATA ASSOCIATED WITH THE SECOND ITEM INTO THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS AS THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS ARE AUTOMATICALLY ACCESSED IN THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE OPERATION215, as the data entry fields are accessed in the sequence of USE THE DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED FOR THE FIRST ITEM TO AUTOMATICALLY ACCESSES THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS IN THE SAME SEQUENCE FOR THE SECOND ITEM OPERATION213, the appropriate data is entered/transferred into the data fields and a specific example.

FIGS. 6A to 6Dillustrate one embodiment of the functioning of USE THE DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED FOR THE FIRST ITEM TO AUTOMATICALLY ACCESSES THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS IN THE SAME SEQUENCE FOR THE SECOND ITEM OPERATION213and ENTER THE DATA ASSOCIATED WITH THE SECOND ITEM INTO THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS AS THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS ARE AUTOMATICALLY ACCESSED IN THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE OPERATION215in accordance with one embodiment.

Referring toFIGS. 4 and 6Ato6D together, it is again worth noting that in this specific example, the data, data3, data1, and data5associated with the specific items, Item1, Item2and Item3of exemplary electronic data entry form400is listed in the order data3, data1, and data5. In contrast, as discussed above, data1, data2, data3, data4and data5would be accessed sequentially absent the invention, using current systems. As a result, the data listed in exemplary electronic data entry form400is not in the same formatting sequence as the data entry field of exemplary electronic data entry form301.

Referring toFIG. 4andFIG. 6Atogether,FIG. 6Ashows exemplary electronic data entry form301including ITEM NAME data entry field305. In this example, the data for item1has already been entered in the proper sequence at ENTER DATA ASSOCIATED WITH A FIRST ITEM INTO THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS BY ACCESSING THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS IN A SPECIFIC SEQUENCE OPERATION207and the specific sequence of data entry field access had been obtained at OBTAIN DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED OPERATION209and stored at STORE THE DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED OPERATION211.

As shown inFIG. 6Aby the shading, using process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing200, ITEM NAME data entry field305is first accessed and the data ITEM2from column405of item2row413ofFIG. 4has been entered.

As shown inFIG. 6B, using process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing200, DATA3entry field311is then directly accessed. The user then enters the data ITEM2/DATA3from column407of item2row413ofFIG. 4. Likewise, as shown inFIG. 6Cby the shading, using process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing200, DATA1entry field307is then directly accessed. The user then enters the data ITEM2/DATA1from column409of item2row413ofFIG. 4. Likewise, as shown inFIG. 6Dby the shading, using process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing200, DATA5entry field315is then directly accessed. The user then enters the data ITEM2/DATA5from column410of item2row413ofFIG. 4. Consequently, using process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing200, the 13 tabbing actions that would have been required for each item are reduced to 4 actions for data associated with all items entered after the first item using currently available systems/processes. When numerous items are being processed this savings in time and user action can be very significant.

In one embodiment, once USE THE DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED FOR THE FIRST ITEM TO AUTOMATICALLY ACCESSES THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS IN THE SAME SEQUENCE FOR THE SECOND ITEM OPERATION213and the appropriate data is entered/transferred into the data fields at ENTER THE DATA ASSOCIATED WITH THE SECOND ITEM INTO THE AT LEAST TWO DATA ENTRY FIELDS AS THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS ARE AUTOMATICALLY ACCESSED IN THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE OPERATION215, process flow proceeds to END OPERATION230and process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing200is exited to await the next item and/or a new training activation action.

In one embodiment, once a specific data entry field access sequence for a given electronic data entry form is obtained at OBTAIN DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED OPERATION209and stored at STORE THE DATA REPRESENTING THE SPECIFIC SEQUENCE IN WHICH THE DATA ENTRY FIELDS WERE ACCESSED OPERATION the specific data entry field access sequence for the given electronic data entry form can be activated and deactivated as needed. In one embodiment, the specific sequence in which the data entry fields are accessed for a given electronic data entry form is linked to the specific electronic data entry form so that the specific sequence in which the data entry fields are accessed for that form become available each time the form is used/activated. In one embodiment, multiple specific data entry field access sequences for multiple electronic data entry forms are obtained and stored using process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing200according to the needs of the user.

Using process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing200, the user is no longer required to repetitively sequence, or tab, through multiple intermediate data entry fields in order to access a desired data entry field for each and every item entered into a data base and/or computing system implemented process. Consequently, using process for providing electronic data entry forms with trainable data field sequencing200, a significant source of inefficiency and lost/wasted man-hours is eliminated.

As discussed in more detail above, using the above embodiments, with little or no modification and/or user input, there is considerable flexibility, adaptability, and opportunity for customization to meet the specific needs of various users under numerous circumstances.

The present invention has been described in particular detail with respect to specific possible embodiments. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced in other embodiments. For instance, those of skill in the art will readily recognize that the order of operations discussed above was presented for illustrative purposes only and that other orders of operations, and combination of operations, are possible. Consequently, the order of operations discussed above does not limit the invention as claimed.

Some portions of the above description present the features of the present invention in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations, or algorithm-like representations, of operations on information/data. These algorithmic and/or algorithm-like descriptions and representations are the means used by those of skill in the art to most effectively and efficiently convey the substance of their work to others of skill in the art. These operations, while described functionally or logically, are understood to be implemented by computer programs and/or computing systems. Furthermore, it has also proven convenient at times to refer to these arrangements of operations as steps or modules or by functional names, without loss of generality.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, as would be apparent from the above discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the above description, discussions utilizing terms such as “providing”, “obtaining”, “entering”, “accessing”, “selecting”, “listing”, “storing”, “using”, “displaying”, etc., refer to the action and processes of a computing system or similar electronic device that manipulates and operates on data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computing system memories, resisters, caches or other information storage, transmission or display devices.

Certain aspects of the present invention include process steps or operations and instructions described herein in an algorithmic and/or algorithmic-like form. It should be noted that the process steps and/or operations and instructions of the present invention can be embodied in software, firmware, and/or hardware, and when embodied in software, can be downloaded to reside on and be operated from different platforms used by real time network operating systems.

The present invention is well suited to a wide variety of computer network systems operating over numerous topologies. Within this field, the configuration and management of large networks comprise storage devices and computers that are communicatively coupled to similar and/or dissimilar computers and storage devices over a private network, a LAN, a WAN, a private network, or a public network, such as the Internet.

In addition, the operations shown in the FIG.s are shown in an exemplary order for ease of description and understanding. However, those of skill in the art will readily recognize that numerous different orders of operation could be employed. Consequently, the order of operations shown in the FIG.s is illustrative only and does not limit the invention as claimed below.

In addition, the operations shown in the FIG.s are identified using a particular nomenclature for ease of description and understanding, but other nomenclature is often used in the art to identify equivalent operations.