Patent ID: 10001920

Abstract:
In a data entry environment constrained by a symbolic grammar, a data entry position in the data set may be amenable to the insertion of a subset of symbols in compliance with the grammar. Also, the grammar may or may not permit the insertion of a value of one or more types at the data entry position of the data set. In order to facilitate grammatically correct data entry, a symbol list may be presented that indicates the grammatically valid symbols for the symbolic context of the data entry position, as well as the validity of the insertion of a value at the data entry position. The symbol list may also permit the selection of a symbol list option, and may insert the selected symbol or value at the data entry position. Various symbol list option selection inputs may be associated with the symbol list options to facilitate and economize data entry, and the association may be adapted based on whether or not a value is permitted at the data entry position. Several variations of these techniques are discussed relating to the use of symbol lists in various data entry and grammar scenarios, the presentation of the symbol lists, and the user interaction with the symbol lists.