Abstract: Data entry and display apparatus and methods that provide greater efficiency in data processing devices. The apparatus comprises a keypad with a plurality of first keys and plurality of secondary keys, the first keys each having at least one primary alphanumeric symbol and at least one of the first keys having a secondary alphanumeric symbol associated therewith, the first key with the secondary symbol being operable to selectively display the secondary alphanumeric symbols in association with the second keys. The apparatus may further comprise a display, which may be embodied in a common touch screen user interface with the keypad. The methods comprise actuating one of the first keys on the keypad and displaying a set of secondary alphanumeric symbols in association with the secondary keys, and selecting the primary alphanumeric symbol associated with the first key or selecting one of the set of secondary alphanumeric symbols by actuating one of the second keys.

Abstract: Data entry and display apparatus and methods that provide greater efficiency in data processing devices. The apparatus comprises a keypad with a plurality of first keys and plurality of secondary keys, the first keys each having at least one primary alphanumeric symbol and at least one of the first keys having a secondary alphanumeric symbol associated therewith, the first key with the secondary symbol being operable to selectively display the secondary alphanumeric symbols in association with the second keys. The apparatus may further comprise a display, which may be embodied in a common touch screen user interface with the keypad. The methods comprise actuating one of the first keys on the keypad and displaying a set of secondary alphanumeric symbols in association with the secondary keys, and selecting the primary alphanumeric symbol associated with the first key or selecting one of the set of secondary alphanumeric symbols by actuating one of the second keys.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for rapid cyclic redundancy check calculations in data processing devices. The apparatus comprise a memory, a direct memory access controller operatively coupled to the memory, and a cyclic redundancy check circuit operatively coupled to the direct memory access controller, with the direct memory access controller configured to transfer data from the memory to the cyclic redundancy check circuit, and with the cyclic redundancy check circuit configured to calculate at least one check value for the data. The methods comprise transferring a data stream from a memory to a cyclic redundancy check circuit using a direct memory access controller, and calculating a cyclic redundancy check value for the data stream by the cyclic redundancy check circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for fast data transfer from a memory or storage device to a display controller. The apparatus comprise a memory, a direct memory access controller operatively coupled to the memory, and a display controller operatively coupled to the direct memory access controller and configured to transfer a data stream from the memory to the display controller. The apparatus may also comprise stored programming configured to set up the display controller with a display address for the data stream, set up the direct memory access controller with a source address for the data stream, a destination address for the data stream, and a size for the data stream, and initiate transfer of the data stream by the direct memory access controller to the display controller. The methods comprise transferring a data stream from a memory to a display controller using a direct memory access controller.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for authorization or authentication of data strings. The apparatus comprise a memory containing a stored list of cyclic redundancy check values each corresponding to a data string representing an authorized identifier; and stored programming configured to compare a cyclic redundancy check value for a data string subject to authorization to the stored list of cyclic redundancy check values and determine validity of the cyclic redundancy check value for the data string subject to authorization. The data strings representing the authorized identifiers may comprise data representing alphanumeric character strings indicative of authorized users, and the data string subject to authorization may comprise a user-entered identification string of alphanumeric characters.