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Alphanumeric keyboard having identification capability

  • US 4,459,581 A
  • Filed: 07/22/1981
  • Issued: 07/10/1984
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1981
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An alphanumeric keyboard for use with a video display terminal have multilanguage capability, said keyboard comprising:

  • a plurality of individually activatable keys;

    means for retaining information descriptive of said keyboard;

    logic means connected to said keys by a plurality of bidirectional lines and a plurality of sense lines and connected to said retaining means by said bidirectional lines, said logic means having at least two modes of operation, a first mode for repetitively scanning said keys to detect a key postion change and a second mode for obtaining said information description of said keyboard, said bidirectional lines being operable as excitation lines to said keys in said first mode and being operable as sense lines from said retaining means in said second mode; and

    means for transferring said key position change information and said keyboard descriptive information to said terminal.

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