Method and Apparatus for Entering Alpha-Numeric Data

摘要

A method for entering data comprised of alpha, numeric and/or symbolic characters includes providing a plurality of hard keys (17), each of which is identified with two alpha characters. Such hard keys (17) are preferably provided in a key matrix (not unlike a telephone key matrix) wherein all of the alpha characters of a particular alphabet are represented on such hard keys (17). Such method also includes providing two "display-type" soft keys (37), each for displaying an alpha character appearing on one of the hard keys (17) and selected by actuating such key (17). A different alpha character is thereby displayed at each of the soft keys (37). That soft key (37) displaying the alpha character (21) desired to be entered is then actuated, thereby entering the displayed alpha character (21) into the data field (29) being edited. A new apparatus (10) is also disclosed.