Patent Document ID: 4677659
Application ID: 06771624

Base Claim:
1. The method of obtaining a desired data base entry in a computer system including a keyboard means linked to a data base, which includes differentiating matched data base entries obtained by electrical signals transmitted to the data base by said keyboard means which transmits indicia knowledge to a user and accesses the data base wherein each key of said keyboard represents a plurality of indicia and each key is capable of producing a unique electrical signal comprising the steps of: (a) selecting a key or sequence of keys representing an indicia or string of indicia which is knowledgeable to the user; (b) activating said key or sequence of keys selected; (c) producing a signal or sequence of signals corresponding to said key or sequence of keys activated; (d) comparing said signal or sequence of signals to said data base having a multiplicity of indexed data entries having at least one knowledgeable indicia or string of indicia associated therewith; (e) selecting from said data base all indexed data entries matching said produced signal or sequence of signals and compiling all of said entries matching said produced signal or sequence of signals into a list of possibilities wherein at least two data base entries are included on said list of possibilities; (f) analyzing all of said data entries on said list of possibilities at least a first time and determining at least a first indicia of at least one of said data entries formulated on said list of possibilities which distinguishes from at least one corresponding indicia of at least one other of said data entries formulated on said list of possibilities; (g) querying the user at least a first time regarding said distinguishing indicia; (h) said user responding to at least said first query; (i) processing said user's response to at least said first query to determine the data entry desired by the user, and; (j) informing the user of the desired data entry.

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Claim 8:
8. A method as in claim 1, wherein: (a) said first indicia is common to at least two of said indexed data entries formulated on said list of possibilities; (b) said user's response to said at least first query includes indicating that said common first indicia is different from a corresponding indicia of said data entry desired, and; (c) said processing of said user's response to determine the desired data base entry includes excluding said at least two data entries having said common letter from said list of possibilities.