Chording keyboard for generating binary data

• US 4,467,321 A
• Filed: 04/30/1982
• Issued: 08/21/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William M. Volnak
• Original Assignee: William M. Volnak
• Inventors: Volnak, William M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Groody, James J.
• Application Number:
  US06/373,569
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 340/365 R, 340/365 VL, 340/712, 340/407, 340/365 E, 340/365 A, 84/1.01, 200/5 A, 178/17 C
• US Class Current: 341/23
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0235 using chord techniques G06F3/0234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/007 using both tactile and audible presentation of the information
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/025 wherein one tactile input is associated to a single finger
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/84 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback legends H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/038 Fluid
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/008 Two different sites for one circuit, e.g. for safety

Abstract

A data entry device wherein key switches may be pressed singly and in combination to generate a binary number corresponding to specific characters and character combinations. A preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates ten key switches, each key switch corresponding to a different terminating member of an operator'"'"'s hand, such that a 10-digit binary number is generated. Other embodiments of the present invention contemplate a programmable keyboard wherein characters and character combinations generated by user operation of the keyboard are stored in a portable memory for later access by the operator. Additionally, the device may be operated in reverse such that binary numbers corresponding to characters and character combinations may be converted to patterns of tactile sensations perceived as characters and character combinations.

Claims

1. A computer data entry keyboard comprising:

ten key-switches, each key-switch corresponding to, in continuous intimate contact with, and adapted to be selectably operated by a particular terminating member of a pair of operator'"'"'s hands, said switches being selectably operable singly and in combination to generate a ten digit binary number, each digit of said binary number corresponding to a particular terminating member of said operator'"'"'s hands;

user alterable memory means for storing character and character combinations in sequential memory addresses, including;

(a) read only memory means for storing and retrieving standard characters and character combinations, each corresponding to a particular one of said selective ten digit binary number; and

(b) a random access module for operation in an alter mode wherein operation of said key switches stores characters and character combinations each corresponding to a particular one of said selected ten digit binary numbers, at sequential memory addresses to labels key switches as desired, and for operation in an access mode wherein operation of said key switches retrieves characters and character combinations, each corresponding to said particular one of said ten digit binary numbers, from said sequential memory addresses; and

memory address table means for converting table locations each corresponding to a different ten digit binary number generated by selected operation of said key switches to memory addresses corresponding to starting memory addresses of characters and sequential character combinations.

2. A programmable information entry keyboard, comprising:

a plurality of key switches, each keyswitch corresponding to, in continuous intimate contact with, and adapted to be selectably operated by a particular terminating member of an operator'"'"'s hand, said switches being selectably operable singly and in combination to generate a corresponding binary number, each digit of said number corresponding to a particular terminating member of said operator'"'"'s hand; and

memory means for storing characters and character combinations at sequential memory addresses, wherein said key switches are selectably operable singly and in combination to generate an alter code such that said memory means is placed in an access mode in which said key switches are operable to select a starting memory address and to store corresponding sequential characters and character combinations into said memory means beginning at said address to label said key switches as desired, and wherein said key switches are operable to generate an exit code such that the memory means is placed in an access mode in which said key switches are operable to select a starting memory address to retrieve corresponding and sequential characters and character combinations from said memory means beginning at said memory address in response to said selected key switch operation.