Apparatus and method for verifying proper data entry and detecting common typing errors
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsMario Blaum, William J. Kabelac
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting typing errors of critical fixed series of characters (digits) by using at least one redundant parity digit. The invention detects the most common typing errors that involve both permutations and incorrect striking of adjacent characters during data entry via a keyboard of an electronic apparatus. The method provides warning to the data input operator when incorrect data entry occurs and optionally automatically suspends entry thereof.
Claims41
A method for verifying proper data entry into an electronic apparatus using a data entry device, the method comprising:
- encoding and storing a predetermined series of n-characters from an alphabet of size M using a module M arithmetic encoding algorithm not requiring characters foraneous to said alphabet, whereby a resultant encoded series of characters adds at least one stored parity character(s) to said predetermined series of n-characters;
- entering an entered series of typographical characters using said data entry device;
- recomputing secondary parity character(s) from first n-characters of said entered series of characters using said encoding algorithm;
- comparing said stored parity character(s) with corresponding said secondary parity character(s);
- and
- preventing data entry if said parity character(s) comparison of said secondary parity character(s) and said stored parity character(s) are different
- wherein said method is used for detecting a permutation of adjacent characters and mis-typed adjacent characters on said data entry device.
An electronic apparatus for verifying proper data entry into said apparatus using a data entry device, said apparatus comprising:
- a memory that stores a predetermined series of n-characters from an alphabet of size M using a module M arithmetic encoding algorithm not requiring characters foraneous to said alphabet, whereby each predetermined and encoded series of n-characters adds at least one stored parity character(s) thereto;
- a data entry encoder that recomputes secondary parity character(s) using said encoding algorithm when typographical characters are entered through said data entry device;
- a comparator that compares said stored and secondary parity character(s);
- and
- a gate device for disabling data entry if said parity character(s) are different.
A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by said machine to perform a method for verifying proper data entry into said machine using a data entry device, said method comprising:
- encoding and storing a predetermined series of n-characters from an alphabet of size M using a modulo M arithmetic encoding algorithm not requiring characters foraneous to said alphabet, whereby a resultant encoded series of characters adds at least one stored parity character(s) to said predetermined series of n-characters;
- entering an entered series typographical characters using said data entry device;
- recomputing secondary parity character(s) from first n-characters of said entered series of characters using said encoding algorithm;
- comparing said stored parity character(s) with corresponding said secondary parity character(s);
- and
- preventing data entry if said parity character(s) comparison of said secondary parity character(s) and said stored parity character(s) are different
- wherein said method is used for detecting a permutation of adjacent characters and mis-typed adjacent characters on said data entry device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.