×

Data entry system

  • US 5,793,312 A
  • Filed: 04/09/1997
  • Issued: 08/11/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A data entry system operated with one hand, comprising:

  • a plurality of primary keys;

    each of said plurality of primary keys capable of being depressed and released;

    each of said plurality of primary keys generating a distinct primary code upon depression;

    at least one secondary key;

    each of said at least one secondary key capable of being depressed and released;

    each of said at least one secondary key generating a distinct secondary code upon depression;

    wherein the sum of each of said primary codes and each of said secondary codes is distinct from each such other sum and from each of said primary codes and each of said secondary codes;

    wherein the sum of any two of said secondary codes is distinct from each such other sum and from each of said primary codes and each of said secondary codes;

    a controller;

    said controller in electrical communication with said keys;

    said controller generating output codes;

    said output codes generated by said controller depending on which of said primary and secondary codes are generated by the depression of said keys;

    said controller transmitting characters or functions;

    each of said output codes corresponding to one of said characters or functions so that the generation of one of said output codes results in the transmission of said corresponding character or function;

    said controller generating said output codes and transmitting said characters or functions under four sets of circumstances;

    said first set of circumstances occurring upon the release of a prior to depressed key, if no other of said keys is concurrently depressed;

    wherein said output code generated by said controller is equivalent to said primary or secondary code generated by the depression of said released key;

    said second set of circumstances occurring upon the concurrent depression of one of said plurality of primary keys and one of said at least one secondary key, regardless of which of said keys is depressed first in time;

    wherein said output code generated by said controller is equivalent to the sum of said primary and secondary codes generated by said depressed primary and secondary keys;

    said third set of circumstances occurring upon the concurrent depression of two of said plurality of primary keys;

    wherein said output code generated by said controller is equivalent to said primary code generated by said primary key depressed first in time; and

    said fourth set of circumstances occurring upon the concurrent depression of two of said at least one secondary keys;

    wherein said output code generated by said controller is equivalent to the sum of said secondary codes generated by said depressed secondary codes.

View all claims
  • 3 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×