Data input terminal

• US 5,367,298 A
• Filed: 10/25/1991
• Issued: 11/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John K. Axthelm
• Original Assignee: John K. Axthelm
• Inventors: Axthelm, John K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Application Number:
  US07/782,818
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• Field of Search: 341/22, 341/23, 341/21, 341/20, 400/87, 400/88, 400/479, 400/480, 400/485, 400/486, 400/489, 364/709.12, 364/709.14, 364/709.15, 345/169
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/10 Arrangements of keyboards , e.g. key button disposition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0235 using chord techniques G06F3/0234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• 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 2225/008 Two different sites for one circuit, e.g. for safety
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/022 other then row-column disposition
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/022 Telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/05 Mode selector switch, e.g. shift, or indicator
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22

Abstract

A manual entry data input terminal is provided having a keyboard including a set of key switches including one-half of a standard keyboard. A selector circuit is interposed between the key switches and an encoder circuit for enabling input of data bits to the encoder circuit in accordance with a first indicia series correlated to the conventional indicia display of the one-half keyboard or a second indicia series correlated to a mirror image indicia display of the opposite one-half of a standard keyboard. A mode selector switch connected with the selector circuit is selectively operable to enable input of data bits alternatively for either the first or the second indicia series to enable operation of the terminal by one hand.

Claims

1. A manual-entry data input terminal for entering of data into a data processing system comprising

a keyboard having a first set and a second set of selectively operable, manually actuable electrical key switches which, when actuated, are effective to generate respective electrical signals, each of said electrical key switches having a respective actuator pad mechanically coupled therewith and adapted to be actuated upon contacting engagement thereof by a finger or thumb of an operator'"'"'s hand, said key switches mounted on said keyboard with the actuator pads thereof accessible to an operator'"'"'s hand at a top surface of said keyboard, said first set of key switches including a plurality of key switches having their actuator pads disposed in a planar array with their respective operating surfaces engageable by respective fingers of an operator'"'"'s one hand and positioned in a substantially common plane, the actuator pads of said first set of key switches being relatively oriented to each other in an arrangement of either the right or the left one-half of a QWERTY typewriter keyboard having manually operated actuating keys for each of selected alphabetic characters disposed in each of three spaced parallel, elongated rows, each of said first set of key switches and its respective actuator pad being identifiable with one indicia from each of a first and a second indicia series that are each related to the characters of a respective one-half of the typewriter keyboard, said first indicia series having indicia data bits that correspond to each respective key switch of said first set of key switches in accordance with the characters of either the left or the right one-half of the typewriter keyboard and said second indicia series having indicia bits that correspond to each respective key switch of said first set of key switches in accordance with a mirror image orientation of the characters of the other of the left or the right one-half of the typewriter keyboard, said second set of key switches includes a mode selector key switch for effecting selection of said first or second indicia series for input as data into the data processing system, said mode selector key switch having its actuator pad disposed in offset relationship to said first set of key switch actuator pads at a location to be physically conveniently engaged by the thumb of the operator'"'"'s one hand when that hand is positioned where the fingers of that hand are used to actuate respective ones of the actuator pads of said first set of key switches, and

signal-generating, electrical circuit means responsive to actuation of said key switches for forming a data signal stream in accordance with the indicia of key switches that are actuated and providing the data signal stream at an outlet port for transmission to the data processing system, said circuit means including an encoder circuit connected to said outlet port and operable to form a data signal stream in accordance with data bits applied to inputs thereof and selector circuit means coupled to said first set of key switches and to inputs of said encoder circuit for applying data bits thereto pursuant to actuation of said key switches, said selector circuit means coupled with said mode selector switch for responding to operation of said mode selector switch and to apply data bits corresponding with the indicia of either of the first or the second indicia series of the actuated switches of said first set of key switches in accordance with the indicia series selected by said mode selector switch.

2. A data input terminal according to claim 1 wherein said mode selector switch is selectively positioned in a first position whereby indicia data bits of said first indicia series are enabled to be input and selectively positioned in a second position whereby indicia data bits of said second indicia series are enabled to be input.