Abstract

A method and apparatus for selecting and storing script characters, particularly Chinese, in a computerized system containing a memory wherein is stored a database of such script characters. The database may be augmented by a user and is indexed according to the phonetic and graphic attributes of the script characters therein, so that by specifying at least one attribute, all characters in the database having the specified attribute may be identified. In a preferred embodiment only a few identified characters are displayed, and more attributes are specified by the user until the desired character is displayed. The apparatus includes a high resolution display monitor for displaying the characters and a specially adapted light pen provided with at least two selection switches for selecting a desired character or, alternatively, for displaying further identified characters according to which selection switch is operated.