KEYBOARD AND MESSAGE SYSTEM

• US 3,833,765 A
• Filed: 01/30/1973
• Issued: 09/03/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edwin H. Hilborn, Joseph D. Brabel, Kenneth J. Bray
• Original Assignee: Edwin H. Hilborn, Joseph D. Brabel, Kenneth J. Bray
• Inventors: Hilborn, Edwin H., Brabel, Joseph D., Bray, Kenneth J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson, Thomas A.
• Application Number:
  US05/327,953
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 178/17C,79,80,81,17.5 340/365,172.5 235/145R
• US Class Current: 178/79
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0235 using chord techniques G06F3/0234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03M 11/16 wherein the shift keys are operated after the operation of the multifunction keys

Abstract

A keyboard entry digital data transmission and reception system employing a one-handed keyboard is disclosed. The novel keyboard arrangement and the logic circuitry associated therewith permits single data characters to be rapidly entered by a plurality of sequential key depressions which uniquely define each character.

Claims

1. Keyboard entry communications apparatus comprising:

keyboard means, said keyboard means having character entry keys fewer in number than the total number of characters comprising the language in which information is to be communicated;

means connected to said keyboard means for encoding signals produced by the operation of each key on said keyboard means;

a plurality of storage devices connected to said encoding means for temporarily storing encoded signals commensurate with key operations;

steering logic means connected to said keyboard means and responsive to each key operation for generating and applying enabling signals sequentially to said temporary storage devices whereby successive key operations will result in an encoded signal being accepted by a different one of said temporary storage devices;

memory means connected to said temporary storage devices and responsive to the enabling of the last storage device in sequence for accepting and storing encoded information from all of said temporary storage devices, said information from all of said temporary storage devices being commensurate with a unique character defined by a plurality of successive key operations;

transmitter means connected to said memory means for transmitting messages stored in said memory means, said messages comprising a plurality of characters each uniquely defined by a plurality of key operations; and

means for selectively enabling said transmitter means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said keyboard means includes a space key and wherein said steering logic means is responsive to operation of the space key for generating a signal for simultaneously enabling all of said temporary storage devices whereby an encoded signal commensurate with a space will be applied to said memory means upon operation of the space key.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

display means for providing an intelligible presentation of information entered by said keyboard means on a real time basis, said display means being connected to said memory means and responsive to the entry of encoded information therein for providing an indication of such information.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said encoding means comprises:

a binary encoder; and

wherein said communications apparatus further comprises;

means connected between said temporary storage means and said memory means for converting the plural binary coded signals in said temporary storage devices into a code compatible with said display means.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

means for storing a programmed identification message;

selector means having input terminals connected to said programmed identification message storing means and said memory means, said selector means having an output terminal connected to said transmitter means; and

means responsive to coMmand signals provided by said transmitter means enabling means for controlling said selector means whereby said programmed identification message and keyboard entered message are sequentially delivered to said transmitter means.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising:

means for storing a programmed identification message;

selector means having input terminals connected to said programmed identification message storing means and said memory means, said selector means having an output terminal connected to said transmitter means; and

means responsive to command signals provided by said transmitter means enabling means for controlling said selector means whereby said programmed identification message and keyboard entered message are sequentially delivered to said transmitter means.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

means for storing a programmed identification message;

selector means having input terminals connected to said programmed identification message storing means and said memory means, said selector means having an output terminal connected to said transmitter means; and

means responsive to command signals provided by said transmitter means enabling means for controlling said selector means whereby said programmed identification message and keyboard entered message are sequentially delivered to said transmitter means.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said keyboard means comprises:

a one-hand operated key set including ten alpha-numeric information associated keys; and

means for providing a separate electrical output connection commensurate with each key.

9. The key set of claim 8 wherein characters are associated with the keys in alphabetical and numerical order.

10. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein characters defined by certain of said plural sequential key operations will be commensurate with words to be followed by numerical information and wherein said memory means comprises:

a read only memory, said read only memory identifying those words which are to be followed by numerical information and generating a control signal commensurate therewith;

means responsive to control signals provided by said read only memory for providing a signal to said steering logic means which results in all of said temporary storage devices being simultaneously enabled in response to each succeeding key operation until the space key is operated.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said keyboard means comprises:

a one-hand operated key set; and

means for providing a separate electrical output connection commensurate with each key on said key set.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said encoding means comprises a binary encoder.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said memory means further comprises:

means connected between said temporary storage devices and said read only memory for converting plural binary coded signals in said storage devices into a code compatible to presentation to a human operator.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising:

display means for providing an intelligible presentation of information entered by said keyboard means on a real time basis, said display means being connected to said read only memory means and responsive to the entry of encoded information therein for providing an indication of such information.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising:

means for storing a programmed identification message;

selector means having input terminals connected to said programmed identification message storing means and said memory means, said selector means having an output terminal connected to said transmitter means; and

means responsive to command signals provided by said transmitter means enabling means for controlling said selector means whereby said programmed identification message and keyboard entered message are sequentially delivered to said transmitter means.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said encoding means comprises:

a binary encoder.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said memory means comprises:

means connected to the output terminals of said temporary storage devices for converting plural binary coded signals from said storage devices into a code compatible to presentation to a human subject; and

means connected between said code converter and said transmitter means for storing a complete message in the form of a plurality of characters defined by plural key operations.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising:

voice synthesizer means adapted to receive messages delivered out of said storing means via said transmitter means in response to operation of said transmitter means enabling means.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said keyboard means comprises:

a one-hand operated key set including ten alpha-numeric information associated keys; and

means for providing a separate electrical output connection commensurate with each key.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said keyboard means includes a space key and wherein said steering logic means is responsive to operation of the space key for generating a signal for simultaneously enabling all of said temporary storage devices whereby an encoded signal commensurate with a space will be applied to said code converting means upon operation of the space key.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising:

display means for providing an intelligible presentation of information entered by said keyboard means on a real time basis, said display means being connected to said code converting means and responsive to the entry of encoded information therein for providing an indication of such information.