Data input method and system with multi-sub-field matching of user entries into a graphical input device
View Patent ↗A current set of user-selectable choices is associated with a displayed graphical input device, which is used to select a value of an input parameter. Each user-selectable choice has at least one pair of information fields separated by a delimiter and each information field comprises sequentially ordered characters. A search for a matching entry to assign to the input parameter is carried out as the user enters each of a sequence of characters, and if a match is not found in a first information field, then (or simultaneously) it is sought in a different information field, also on the basis of the character-by-character user entries.
1. A data input method comprising:
executing a script that is a list of commands that are embedded in the Hypertext Markup Language code defining a web page and can be executed by or within the browser;
generating and displaying on a web page a graphical data input field sensing user entry in the graphical data input field of a character sequence including at least one character;
associating an ordered set of data containing at least two selection lists, each one of said at least two selection lists including at least two character strings;
associating at least two character strings from said at least two selection lists wherein each character string of said at least two selection lists is separated by a delimiter from an adjacent character string of said at least two selection lists;
searching sequentially and character-by-character each character string of one of said at least two selection lists according to each user-entered character for a character match;
searching as needed sequentially and character-by-character each character string of each remaining list of said at least two selection lists according to each user entered character for a character match;
matching each character sequence with each character string of said at least two selection lists;
sensing an acceptance action by the user, reflecting the current user selected choice.
2. A data input method as in claim 1 identifying at least one matching choice for the user by highlighting the choice.
3. A data input method as in claim 1 providing if no character string of said at least two selection lists has a character sequence matching the user-entered character sequence, highlighting for the user at least one choice within at least one character string of said at least two selection lists whose earlier characters matched the user-entered character sequence, whereby a matching user selected choice can be found.
4. A data input method as in claim 1 providing if no character string of said at least two selection lists has a character sequence matching the user-entered character sequence, change the color of the graphical data input field display.
5. A data input method as in claim 1 providing if no character string of at least two selection lists has a character sequence matching the user-entered character sequence, remove all choices from graphical data input field display.
6. A data input method as in claim 1 defining the delimiter as a space.
7. A data input method as in claim 1 defining the mark-up language as selected from the group including Hypertext Markup Language derivatives.
8. A data input method comprising:
executing a script that is a list of commands that are embedded in the Hypertext Markup Language code defining a web page and can be executed by or within the browser;
generating and displaying on a web page a graphical data input field as a non-menu, text-input graphic device in place of the defined drop-down menu; however, the graphical input device has the general appearance of the drop-down menu and is associated with the input parameter;
sensing user entry in the graphical data input field of a character sequence including at least one character;
associating an ordered set of data containing at least two selection lists, each one of said at least two selection lists including at least two character strings;
associating at least two character strings from said at least two selection lists wherein each character string of said at least two selection lists is separated by a delimiter from an adjacent character string of said at least two selection lists;
searching sequentially and character-by-character each character string of one of said at least two selection lists according to each user-entered character for a character match;
searching as needed sequentially and character-by-character each character string of each remaining list of said at least two selection lists according to each user entered character for a character match;
matching each character sequence with each character string of said at least two selection lists;
sensing an acceptance action by the user, reflecting the current user selected choice.
9. A data input method as in claim 8 identifying at least one matching choice for the user by highlighting the choice.
10. A data input method as in claim 8 providing if no character string of said at least two selection lists has a character sequence matching the user-entered character sequence, highlighting for the user at least one choice within at least one character string of said at least two selection lists whose earlier characters matched the user-entered character sequence, whereby a matching user selected choice can be found.
11. A data input method as in claim 8 providing if no character string of said at least two selection lists has a character sequence matching the user-entered character sequence, change the color of the graphical data input field display.
12. A data input method as in claim 8 providing if no-character string of at least two selection lists has a character sequence matching the user-entered character sequence, remove all choices from graphical data input field display.
13. A data input method as in claim 8 defining the delimiter as a space.
14. A data input method as in claim 8 defining the mark-up language as selected from the group including Hypertext Markup Language derivatives.
15. A data input method comprising:
executing a client-side script module that is stored within the user's computer, that is a list of commands that are embedded in the Hypertext Markup Language code defining a web page and can be executed by or within the browser;
generating and displaying on a web page a graphical data input field sensing user entry in the graphical data input field of a character sequence including at least one character;
associating an ordered set of data containing at least two selection lists, each one of said at least two selection lists including at least two character strings;
associating at least two character strings from said at least two selection lists wherein each character string of said at least two selection lists is separated by a delimiter from an adjacent character string of said at least two selection lists;
searching sequentially and character-by-character each character string of one of said at least two selection lists according to each user-entered character for a character match;
searching as needed sequentially and character-by-character each character string of each remaining list of said at least two selection lists according to each user entered character for a character match;
matching each character sequence with each character string of said at least two selection lists;
sensing an acceptance action by the user, reflecting the current user selected choice.
16. A data input method as in claim 15 identifying at least one matching choice for the user by highlighting the choice.
17. A data input method as in claim 15 providing if no character string of said at least two selection lists has a character sequence matching the user-entered character sequence, highlighting for the user at least one choice within at least one character string of said at least two selection lists whose earlier characters matched the user-entered character sequence, whereby a matching user selected choice can be found.
18. A data input method as in claim 15 providing if no character string of said at least two selection lists has a character sequence matching the user-entered character sequence, change the color of the graphical data input field display.
19. A data input method as in claim 15 providing if no-character string of at least two selection lists has a character sequence matching the user-entered character sequence, remove all choices from graphical data input field display.
20. A data input method as in claim 15 defining the delimiter as a space.
21. A data input method as in claim 15 defining the mark-up language as selected from the group including Hypertext Markup Language derivatives.