Apparatus for stimulating a keyboard
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for simulating a keyboard comprising:
- (a) a symbol display means having a plurality of symbols arranged in rows and columns, and a corresponding plurality of indicator means for indicating the symbols as scanned;
(b) a signal generating means including means for generating row select signals in series and column select signals in parallel, forward scanning means responsive to the row and column select signals for scanning the symbol selection means in a forward direction at a first preselected rate to activate the indicator means for each symbol sequentially in a continuous cyclic fashion, and a reverse scanning means connected to the symbol display means for scanning the symbol selection means in a reverse direction at a second preselected rate substantially slower than the first to activate the indicator means for each symbol in reverse order, and a control switch means connected to the forward and reverse scanning means first, for stopping the forward scanning means at a preliminary symbol somewhere past a desired symbol and activating the reverse scanning means for reversing the scan from the preliminary signal to the desired symbol and secondly for stopping the reverse scan on the desired symbol means for outputting the row and column select signals to the symbol display means and to an interface circuit means, and means for outputting signals indicative of the first and second actuations of the switch to the symbol display means and to the interface circuit means; and
(c) an interface circuit means including a row selector means, a column selector means connected to the symbol display means, and a scanning means connected to the row selector means, and the column selector means said row selector means responsive to the row select signals, row scanning signals, and desired symbols selection signals for interpreting switch closures for locating the row containing the desired symbol and outputting a row location signal, said column selector means switch responsive to the column select signals, and row location signal for outputting rows and column locating information of the scanning means, said scanning means responsive to the row and column locating information for outputting row and column information identifying the desired symbol location whereby an operational communications device in response to the row and column information for the desired symbol displays the desired symbol.
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Abstract
An electronically controlled mechanical keyboard simulator includes a key selector switch and a signal generating circuit for outputting a preliminary symbol selection signal and a final symbol selection signal, and a keyboard interface circuit. The keyboard interface circuit has a row selector and a column selector, and a scanner for scanning the row and column selectors. The row selector has an enable input terminal which receives the preliminary symbol selection signal as an output disabling signal and the final symbol selection signal as an enabling signal for row identification of a selected information key and output of a row identification signal to the column selector. The column selector is operative upon receipt of the row determining signal for selecting an information column identifying output terminal and outputting the selected row information thereon to a microprocessor for data retrieval and communication of the selected information to the user by a display or audio device.
37 Citations
4 Claims
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1. An apparatus for simulating a keyboard comprising:
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(a) a symbol display means having a plurality of symbols arranged in rows and columns, and a corresponding plurality of indicator means for indicating the symbols as scanned; (b) a signal generating means including means for generating row select signals in series and column select signals in parallel, forward scanning means responsive to the row and column select signals for scanning the symbol selection means in a forward direction at a first preselected rate to activate the indicator means for each symbol sequentially in a continuous cyclic fashion, and a reverse scanning means connected to the symbol display means for scanning the symbol selection means in a reverse direction at a second preselected rate substantially slower than the first to activate the indicator means for each symbol in reverse order, and a control switch means connected to the forward and reverse scanning means first, for stopping the forward scanning means at a preliminary symbol somewhere past a desired symbol and activating the reverse scanning means for reversing the scan from the preliminary signal to the desired symbol and secondly for stopping the reverse scan on the desired symbol means for outputting the row and column select signals to the symbol display means and to an interface circuit means, and means for outputting signals indicative of the first and second actuations of the switch to the symbol display means and to the interface circuit means; and (c) an interface circuit means including a row selector means, a column selector means connected to the symbol display means, and a scanning means connected to the row selector means, and the column selector means said row selector means responsive to the row select signals, row scanning signals, and desired symbols selection signals for interpreting switch closures for locating the row containing the desired symbol and outputting a row location signal, said column selector means switch responsive to the column select signals, and row location signal for outputting rows and column locating information of the scanning means, said scanning means responsive to the row and column locating information for outputting row and column information identifying the desired symbol location whereby an operational communications device in response to the row and column information for the desired symbol displays the desired symbol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeWilliam N. Smith III
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Original AssigneeWilliam N. Smith III
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InventorsSmith, William N. III
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Primary Examiner(s)Caldwell, Sr., John W.
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Assistant Examiner(s)Fatahi-Yar, Mahmoud
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Application NumberUS06/862,771Time in Patent Office798 DaysField of Search340/365 R, 340/365 C, 340/365 S, 340/365 P, 340/365 VL, 340/712, 340/825.19, 364/700, 364/705, 364/709, 400/477, 400/87, 400/485, 235/145 R, 235/146, 235/61 R, 315/292, 178/18, 250/221US Class Current345/156CPC Class CodesH01H 35/003 Switches operated by other ...
