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Multi-status multi-function data processing key and key array

  • US 5,528,235 A
  • Filed: 09/03/1991
  • Issued: 06/18/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An alpha-numeric keyboard, comprising:

  • an array of at least ten multi-status keys, each of said keys having a digit of 0 through 9 uniquely associated therewith, six of said keys having three different letters uniquely associated therewith and two of said keys having four different letters uniquely associated therewith, there being eight keys having letters associated therewith, said eight keys having associated letters accommodating all twenty-six letters of the alphabet, wherein one of said two keys having four letters associated therewith has the number 7 associated therewith and the other of said two keys having four letters associated therewith has the number 9 associated therewith, and further wherein said two keys having the digits 0 and 1 associated therewith have no alphabetic letters associated therewith, but have punctuational, calculation and telephonic functions associated therewith, and further comprising a circuit board, and wherein certain of said multi-status keys comprise;

    a key top member having n facets;

    a resilient member extending from said circuit board and connected to a bottom of said key top member, said resilient member accommodating movement of said key top member under operator control and biasing said key top member to a neutral position;

    n-1 key contacts connected to and positioned about a bottom surface of said key top; and

    n-1 board contacts connected to the circuit board, one of each of said key contacts being uniquely associated and in juxtaposition with one of said board contacts, wherein each of n-1 of said facets is uniquely associated with one of said key contacts and one of said board contacts, and wherein one of said facets, exclusive of said n-1 of said facets, is associated with all of said key contacts and said board contacts.

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