# US 8,788,548 B2 · Multimode mathematical user interface > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,788,548 B2 - Document ID: US8788548B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/925,560 - Filed: 2007-10-26 - Published: 2008-05-01 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2006-10-27 - Assignees: I.Q. Joe, LLC - Applicants: Jeff Hatch - Inventors: Jeff Hatch - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8788548B2 ## CPC - G06F 15/0225: {User interface arrangements, e.g. keyboard, display; Interfaces to other computer systems} - G06F 3/0489: using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract Aspects of the present disclosure include a quick and easy user interface system for allowing a user to format mathematical expression on a math program as they would be formatted in longhand. The user interface is configured to switch between a linear math expression entry scheme and a structured math expression entry scheme based on a user's math expression entries in order to predict the user's desired entry format. The user interface contains additional shortcuts and display features which enable a user to enter mathematical expressions quickly and easily, with less confusion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A calculation device comprising: entry keys configured to allow a user to enter various mathematical expressions; a display configured to display mathematical expressions; and a processor configured to: receive a plurality of math expression entries from the user; predict, based at least in part on at least one past math expression entry, an entry mode preference of the user, wherein the entry mode preference corresponds to one of a linear math expression entry scheme or a structured math expression entry scheme; and configure the display to output a current math expression entry in the entry mode preference. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The calculation device of claim 1, wherein the processor, the entry keys and the display are comprised within a calculator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the calculator is a graphing calculator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the calculator is part of a computer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is part of a network. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is comprised within a portable electronic device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The calculation device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to place a cursor in a bipositional entry mode position to indicate that the next math expression entry may be displayed in either the linear math expression entry scheme or the structured math expression entry scheme. ### Claim 8 A method of interpreting and displaying a series of character entries in a mathematical expression on a calculation device, the method comprising: receiving user inputs representative of characters in a mathematical expression; predicting, based at least in part on at least one past user input entry, an entry mode preference of the user, wherein the entry mode preference corresponds to one of a linear math entry mode or a structured math entry mode; and displaying a current input entry in the user's entry mode preference. ### Claim 9 A calculation system for entering a mathematical expression in a calculation device which provides an intuitive and easy to use entry system, the calculation system comprising: entry keys configured to allow a user to enter various mathematical expressions including both letters and numbers; a display configured to display mathematical expressions; and a processor configured to: receive entry key inputs entered by a user; display a mathematical expression representing the entry key inputs on the display; and store entered variables in a cycle key buffer in the order that the variables were entered; and a cycle key, wherein when the cycle key is pressed, the processor retrieves one of the variables stored in the cycle key buffer, the retrieved variable corresponding to a number of times the cycle key is pressed, wherein the retrieved variable is output to the display. ### Claim 10 A method of keying in an exponent in a mathematical expression using a processor based system, the method comprising: receiving user inputs representative of alphanumeric characters and mathematical operators comprised within a mathematical expression; automatically adjusting a number entry to be an exponent value when said numeric entry immediately follows a variable entry without requiring the user to push a separate exponent modifier; displaying said mathematical expression. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The calculation device of claim 7, wherein an entered math expression comprises an exponential expression. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The calculation device of claim 11, wherein the cursor in bipositional entry mode appears at the end of an exponent in the exponential expression and is displayed at a lower height than the cursor when it is displayed in the exponent. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The calculation device of claim 11, wherein the current math expression entry is entered outside the exponent if the preference of the user is determined to be the linear math expression entry scheme and is entered inside the exponent if the preference of the user is determined to be the structured math expression entry scheme. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The calculation device of claim 7, wherein an entered math expression comprises a radical expression. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The calculation device of claim 14, wherein the cursor in bipositional entry mode appears at least partly inside the radical and at least partly outside the radical. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The calculation device of claim 14, wherein the current math expression entry is entered outside the radicand if the preference of the user is determined to be the linear math expression entry scheme and is entered inside the radicand if the preference of the user is determined to be the structured math expression entry scheme. ### Claim 17 (depends on 7) The calculation device of claim 7, wherein an entered math expression comprises a fractional expression, the fractional expression comprising a numerator, a denominator, and a fraction bar between the numerator and denominator. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The calculation device of claim 17, wherein the cursor in bipositional entry mode appears lower on the display than the fraction bar and slightly to the right of the fraction bar.