Description

The string comparator device for comparison of strings of indicia at high speeds for use in a system circuit in a computer system. The string comparison device provides a numeric measurement of the degree of similarity between the compared indicia strings as defined by a mathematical algorithm. The algorithm is solved through a new string comparator device or a new program in a computer system. The system circuit in chip form can be connected in a storage loop of a computer system to locate and quickly extract records that are very similar to the supplied query. Inexact queries will rapidly locate records similar with respect to indicia string related measurements of similarity. The method of indicia string comparison in the improved string comparator device can provide rapid response to queries in a computation time proportional to the average length of the indicia string.

Description

An electronic teaching aid which enables a student viewing a visual display containing text material being read or studied to designate any words or portion of said text for immediate audible vocalization or alternatively to designate any word of said test for immediate visual display of the definition of said designated word.

Description

Not available.

Description

A hand-held spelling checker is disclosed employing a compact technique for storing information. A binary character code is assigned to each letter of the alphabet, and an additional series of binary codes are assigned to indicate a relationship between a subsequent letter and a preceding letter in a dictionary entry. For each letter in the dictionary, the sum of the codes of the binary character and its relationship with the preceding is stored in memory.

Description

Not available.

Description

A hand held, self contained electronic spelling machine which has various pattern matching functions including the spelling validation function. Under user control, a spelling validation can be overridden and the normal spelling check routine provides the user with all possible words for which the valid input word might be deemed a misspelling. Under user control, a place indicia at one or more predetermined locations in an input word provides an exact matrix check of the input word against every word in the dictionary with the place indicia as variables. Under operator control, a prefix ending indicia permits a match of a given prefix against every word in the dictionary with the same set of initial letters. A single word is displayed at a time on a single line display. Scrolling keys permit the operator to scroll through the set of words found in each matching function.

Description

Improvements in a hand-held spelling machine increase the speed with which a query word is compared against the words in memory. One technique is to provide a look up table to encode all character sets of one or two letters into a coded string. Where the set of letters is three or more characters, a previously known algorithm is employed. Search of the memory is limited to only a few main branches of the tree. The limitation is a function of the first query word letter. The time it takes to calculate the similarity function is saved in two circumstances. When a similarity function is calculated at a particular level of the tree and found to be great enough so that there is no prune of the tree, then that decision not to prune is carried forward for other tree branches having the same letters prior to the level involved.

Description

A hand held electronic spelling dictionary to facilitate the selection of a random word. A random word may be selected for purposes of playing games. An input word size is selected by the user through a keyboard. A random number generator generates a random number for each position in the word selected. The random number selects a letter from a predetermined letter table which table has a distribution of letters approximately equal to the frequency with which letters occur in the English language. The result is a selected letter sequence having a size equal to the input size from the keyboard. This is treated as an input word which is alphabetically traversed against the memory to find valid words of equal size. To minimize biasing the valid words selected, a second random number generator generates a second random number N to select as the output word, the Nth valid word found on an alphabetical traverse.

Description

An electronic dictionary has a keyboard for entering words, which words are displayed along with a set of synonyms divided into subsets, each subset having a displayed common core meaning. The original word entered by the user for which synonyms and related words are sought is put into a history list. The user can select any of the synonyms or any of the words from the core meaning presented, or can independently enter any desired word and add those entered words to the history list. In this fashion, the user can build up a history list which can be reviewed by the user and any word in the history list re-accessed, so that the user can track through the history list and explore any desired complex arrangement of concepts, ideas, and relationships. As the history list becomes full, the earliest additional entry words are deleted in sequence.

Description

Not available.

Description

Individual character templates for an alphanumeric display are provided. Each individual character template includes an M row by N column pixel matrix. The M row by N column pixel matrix provides MN pixels. Each of the N columns has a generally vertical shallow "S" shaped format. The pixels along the center rows of the pixel matrix are substantially square and the pixels along the upper and lower rows of the pixel matrix have corners that define a parallelogram and vertical edges that are curved. The template is energized using an electrode trace arrangement which has a plurality of horizontal traces and a plurality of approximately vertical sinuous traces. A segment of each of the vertical tracks within any character template has a shallow "S" shaped form. The first and second columnar trace segments in any given character template is connected to the next to last and last columnar trace segments of the preceding character template and the next lowest row.

Description

An electronic spelling correcting machine compares input term against a list of terms in memory and validates spelling and provides a set of terms which may correspond to the input term if the input term is incorrect. The validated term or suggested term is provided with a locating indicia that permits the user to go to the page in a book where definition of the meaning of the word may be found. Various word games are incorporated. A user determined list may be substituted for the main list of terms in order to enable the user to practice word games and thus learn the words based on a selected list of terms of significance to the user. For purposes of game playing, the words incorrectly used from said user list are biased in such a fashion that they are picked in a quasi-random fashion so that the words played incorrectly are selected with greater frequency than the words played correctly.

Description

A spelling corrector develops a phonetic correction candidate list and a typographic correction candidate list. These lists are merged using similarity values that measure the degree of similarity between the query (input) word and each word on the candidate lists. The similarity values include one based on phonetic comparison one based on typographic (ASCII, for example) comparison, one based on a vowel and consonant typographic pattern comparison and one based on a consonant phonetic comparison.

Description

A text is encoded as a file in electronic memory for reading and search purposes. A lexicon-file is established in which each term that can searched is incorporated. A text-file is established in which non-search terms are directly encoded and in which all of the search terms (that is all of the terms in the lexicon-file) are designated by linking numbers. The linking numbers link through each incidence of the lexicon word as a text word and finally link back to the same lexicon word in the lexicon-file and then from the lexicon-file back to the text-file. In this fashion, by using numbers to link through each incidence of a lexicon word in the text-file and the encoded lexicon word in the lexicon-file, the word is encoded in memory only once and all other entries for the word are in terms of linking numbers.

Description

A method and apparatus for compressing dictionary database information is described. The method divides the database information into a number of parts which are each conducive to a predetermined compression technique. A first part database is formed consisting of all the entry points in the dictionary wherein each entry point is associated with a unique word number. A second part database is formed consisting of a multiplicity of placeholders. A third part database is formed consisting of all the entry points of the dictionary in the exact order in which they appear in the dictionary. A fourth part database is formed consisting of the definitions and usage notes without reference to their text. A fifth part database allows retrieval of articles of interest without having to decompress the entire dictionary. Compression techniques using multigrams and minimum-redundancy codes are selectively applied to the different database parts.

Description

A method and apparatus stores and retrieves inflected forms of words in electronic reference products and, in particular, in electronic dictionaries, electronic bilingual dictionaries, electronic thesauri and an electronic Bible. The method is for providing inflection information related to a given word in an electronic reference device having a memory portion comprises the steps of providing information representing all of the forms of a word whose inflections are to be considered, forming information representing as stem of the word consisting of the longest prefix that is the same in all of the forms of the word, forming information representing a list of all of the allowed endings, designated as ending sets, of the forms of the word, assigning a unique number to each ending set, storing information representing the stem portion of the word in a memory arranged in a predetermined manner, and storing information representing a sequence of characters in a memory portion corresponding to each ending set number followed by a termination character. The sequence includes characters used to specify the part of speech and grammatical information.

Description

A dual language information and dictionary machine permits operator selection of a message language, usually the operator's home language, and operator selection of an input word language. Operator input and entry of the word and the language selected provides translation, grammar and related dictionary information concerning the input word. Operator sequencing of an inflection request provides detailed information concerning each tense of the input word in the language into which it is translated together with information about each tense in the message or home language selected. Information screens are available at the request of the user at all operating states to provide additional information or directions.

Description

A hand held electronic data processing device has an input keyboard and a display screen. A sixteen bit central processing unit (CPU) address bus addresses read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). However, a twenty bit register provides a twenty line address bus that is employed for addressing sequential data in ROM. A direct memory access (DMA) unit provides direct transfer of data from RAM to a forty bit register which controls the state of the pixels in a 240 character liquid crystal display (LCD). The keyboard is connected in an electronic matrix with rows driven by signals applied by system address bus lines. These various functions require exclusive use of the system address bus. Accordingly an address selector is employed to determine which of the functions is to capture the system address bus; the functions being (a) CPU address of ROM and RAM, (b) Register sequential address of ROM, (c) DMA address of RAM for delivery to LCD display, and (d) the driving of the rows of the keyboard matrix.

Description

A location technique in an electronic encyclopedia for presenting relevant articles in response to a user input of a query term. The technique employs a user controlled hierarchy of filter parameters. The user selects a subset of the identifying parameters into which all articles are classified; each article being classified into at least one identifying parameter. There are 107 parameters disclosed. The encyclopedia automatically locates each article that employs the input or query term in each of the parameters selected by the user. The 107 identifying parameters are divided into four Groups. The articles presented to the user are only those articles which are common to each of tex up to four Groups into which the user selected parameters are divided. An optimally useful set of articles is provided to the user. By a combination of the union of the articles within the user selected parameters within each of the Groups together with the intersection of the articles between Groups.

Description

An improvement in a electronic crossword puzzle solving machine to provide alternate words for a word that is input on the keyboard. A first actuation of a function key labeled "Second-Guess" initiates a search in which all words in memory having the same number of letters as the input word but differing with respect to only one of those letters is displayed. A second actuation of the "Second-Guess" key results in a search and display of all words differing from the input word with respect to two of the letters. Each successive actuation of the "Second-Guess" key increases the number of letters by which the alternate words found differ from the input word.

Description

Not available.

Description

Not available.

Description

A number of memory locations are reserved in computer memory to store pointers which indicate an address within streams of sequentially arranged data. The data stream to be scanned is selected. To scan the information stored within the data stream, a single register is provided to increment the pointer corresponding to that data stream. The pointer information is then incremented and stored into the reserved memory location. The process of selecting, scanning, incrementing, and storing may repeat for each data stream to which access is sought.

Description

A small, portable, hand-held electronic personal organizer performs voice recognition on words spoken by a user to input data into the organizer and records voice messages from the user. The spoken words and the voice messages are input via a microphone. The voice messages are compressed before being converted into digital signals for storage. The stored digital voice messages are reconverted into analog signals and then expanded for reproduction using a speaker. The organizer is capable of a number of a different functions, including voice training, memo record, reminder, manual reminder, timer setting, message review, waiting message, calendar, phone group select, number retrieval, add phone number, security, and "no" logic. During such various functions, data is principally entered by voice and occasionally through use of a limited keypad, and voice recordings are made and played back as appropriate. A visual display provides feedback to the user. During the various function, the user can edit various different data within the organizer by eliminating or correcting such data or entering new data.

Description

An electronic word building machine including a keyboard to input a user determined set of letters, a set of words in memory, a comparison program to compare the input set of letters with the set of words in memory to provide a set of matching words from the set of words in memory, the set of matching words including words which consist only of a subset of letters from the input set of letters, a ranking program to provide a predetermined score for each of the words in the set of matching words, and a display to display on the machine each of the words in the sequence of the value of the score together with the score value of the word being displayed.

Description

Not available.

Description

Not available.

Description

Not available.

Description

Not available.

Description

A technique for providing simplified and more flexible text recovery in an electronically stored text. The text storage device is of the hand-held type and may accommodate the text of the entire bible, for example. The user may access the stored text in a read or search mode. The device is programmed to perform certain functions automatically, such as: selecting search or read mode; accommodating different syntax formulations; providing a fixed screen map of respective different portions of the text; and visually indicating specific words of a search to which a search will be limited. Expanded flexibility is also programmed into the device which includes: optionally expanding searches to cover both different forms of the same words and unrelated words having the same meaning; providing assistance to the user upon request which takes into account the current operational phase; and providing the capability of tagging a preselected location in the text for simplified access during reacquisition.

Description

A hand held electronic book is adapted to receive any number of replaceable cartridges. Each cartridge holds an alternate text and requires a separate set of functions. A predetermined set of function keys on the keyboard of the electronic book at predetermined positions are color coded. Each cartridge of a set of replaceable cartridges has the same number of similarly positioned and similarly color coded key-like designations. These designations provide an indication of the new function that the corresponding key on the keyboard has when the book accesses the cartridge involved. Thus color and position are the codes used to select the function indicated on the cartridge to the key on the keyboard that performs the function.

Description

A removable card for use with an electronic device for processing information. The removable card contains a base and a circuit board. The base include a first surface and a second surface. The circuit board contains a plurality of components and also includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface of the circuit board exclusively contains the plurality of components and is attached to the first surface the base. The second surface of the base and the second surface of the circuit board are exterior surfaces on the removable card.

Description

A hand held electronic book machine has a platform with a keyboard and a display for displaying text. The book machine further includes a database mounted to the platform. The database has a first memory portion storing text of a prose work and a second memory portion storing predetermined information relevant to the prose work. The database may be permanently mounted to the platform or, more preferably, removably mounted to the platform for enabling the use of the platform with different databases storing text and ancillary information for different prose works. The book machine also comprises an electronic scrolling mechanism operatively connected to the first memory portion of the database and to the display for scrolling the text on the display. Operator actuated selection componentry is operatively connected to the second memory portion of the database and to the display for permitting operator selection of portions of the predetermined information to be displayed on the display. A delay is operatively connected to the scrolling mechanism and to the operator actuated selection componentry for temporarily interrupting the scrolling, and display, of the text during display of a selected portion of the predetermined information. The predetermined information may include at least one of glossary entries for selected words in the text, summaries of different portions of the text, and resumes of characters in the text.

Description

A hand held electronic music reference machine includes a platform having a keyboard and a display for displaying text. A database removably or permanently mounted to the platform has a first memory portion storing, for each of a multiplicity of songs, selected lyrics and identification information including a title. The database has a second memory portion storing a segment from each of the songs. A user actuated selection component is operatively connected to the first memory portion of the database and to the display for permitting operator selection of a song from a list of song titles shown on the display and inducing display of the lyrics stored in the first memory portion for the selected song. In addition, a user actuated audio production element provided on the platform is operatively coupled to selection component and the database for enabling an audible reproduction of the segment stored in the second memory portion for the selected song. Search filters are provided for enabling a user to determine a song title from bits of ancillary information, including a series of relative note or pitch values, i.e., a melody line which is rising, falling or remaining the same in pitch value.

Description

An electronic reference device provides the ability to access all members of any one of a plurality of groups of data items in response to a user input of any one member of the group being accessed. The reference device includes a memory having a data item list, a token uniquely identifying each member of the data item list, and a plurality of groups of the data item list. Certain members of said data item list being a member of one or more of the groups and certain members of the data item list being a member of none of the groups. An ordered search list consists of each member of the data item list which is a member of at least one of the groups. A delta value is associated with each member of the ordered search list. The sum of the delta values up through any one of the members of the ordered search list provides the value of the token for the corresponding member of the data item list. Each member of the search list has a next-entry pointer identifying another member of the search list. All members of the search list that are linked by a set of inter-connecting next-entry pointers correspond to members of the data item list from the same one of the groups.

Description

A personal information device is provided in the form of a PCMCIA card and includes a PCMCIA I/O port that is adapted to be coupled to a PCMCIA port of a computer, a first memory that is directly accessible by the computer via the PCMCIA I/O port, second and third memories that are not directly accessible to the computer, and a controller. When the personal information device is inserted into the computer's PCMCIA port, the first memory directly receives and stores therein reprogramming data supplied by the computer. Immediately after the data is downloaded, or alternatively, upon disconnection of the personal information device from the computer, the personal information device's controller transfers to the second memory reprogramming code included in the reprogramming data stored in the first memory, executes the reprogramming code stored in the second memory, and then programs the third memory by utilizing the application code included in the reprogramming data stored in the first memory in accordance with the reprogramming code being executed. The downloaded application code may include organizer application code for the end user, diagnostic code or other types of code. In addition to being able to interface with a computer via the computer's PCMCIA port, the personal information device may communicate with a computer by using a docking station that includes therein a controller and that is capable of changing the baud rate of data serially supplied thereto so as to allow a computer and a personal information device communicating at different baud rates to serially communicate with one another.

Description

The number of opcode functions exceeds the number of opcodes available by virtue of a technique employing dual function opcodes wherein the second function is executed when a particular resolving flag is put into a set state and otherwise the first function is executed. Furthermore, a generic push opcode and a generic pop opcode are employed without any register pointer designations so that a series of push operations can be performed using a single opcode and a series of pop operations can be performed using a single opcode. The utility of the processor is further enhanced by incorporating a series of handler opcodes that permits simulating on the instruction set of the processor a program designed for a different instruction set. A special simulator opcode called a jump vector opcode is employed to control the operation of reading in the target opcode, applying an algorithm that provides the host processor address for corresponding handler opcodes and jumping to those addresses.

Description

A wallet for a personal information device in the form of a PCMCIA card such as an PCMCIA-card electronic organizer. The wallet includes an input device separate from the input device of the personal information device and two halves that may be folded together in a wallet-like fashion. One of the halves generally includes a touch panel input to allow a user to enter information, commands, instructions, etc., thereto. A personal information device is mounted to the second half of the wallet. When mounted, the wallet supplies via an electrical connection or induction communication the user-supplied information entered into the touch panel input to the personal information device. The wallet display may be powered by the personal information device via the electrical connection or self-powered. Upon coupling the personal information device to the wallet, the personal information device may supply a wake signal to wake up or automatically turn on the input device of the wallet. The wallet may further include an input/output connector for coupling via a cable the wallet to an external device such as another wallet, a personal computer, etc.

Description

A personal information device is provided in the form of a PCMCIA card and includes a PCMCIA I/O port that is adapted to be coupled to a PCMCIA port of a computer, a first memory that is directly accessible by the computer via the PCMCIA I/O port, second and third memories that are not directly accessible to the computer, and a controller. When the personal information device is inserted into the computer's PCMCIA port, the first memory directly receives and stores therein reprogramming data supplied by the computer. Immediately after the data is downloaded, or alternatively, upon disconnection of the personal information device from the computer, the personal information device's controller transfers to the second memory reprogramming code included in the reprogramming data stored in the first memory, executes the reprogramming code stored in the second memory, and then programs the third memory by utilizing the application code included in the reprogramming data stored in the first memory in accordance with the reprogramming code being executed. The downloaded application code may include organizer application code for the end user, diagnostic code or other types of code. In addition to being able to interface with a computer via the computer's PCMCIA port, the personal information device may communicate with a computer by using a docking station that includes therein a controller and that is capable of changing the baud rate of data serially supplied thereto so as to allow a computer and a personal information device communicating at different baud rates to serially communicate with one another.

Description

An electronic reference device is disclosed that can be connected to an external computer. The electronic reference device functions as a dictionary for the reader to look up words as they read. It can also have various other functions that would be suitable for a portable electronic device. When connected to the computer, the system has sufficient security features to allow the user to copy databases between the devices and to still protect the digital rights of the databases in memory. The security features uses encryption techniques to tie the database to the location in memory to regulate the access and readability of the databases.