Chordal keyboard method and apparatus
First Claim
1. A method for generating a key code using a plurality of keys coupled to a controller with a first set of registers and a second set of registers, comprising the steps, using said plurality of keys, said first set of registers and said second set of registers, of:
- depressing at least one of said plurality of keys;
detecting, using said controller, which of said plurality of keys are in a depressed position;
setting, using said controller, in said first set of registers, bit locations of respective depressed keys;
setting, using said controller, in the second set of registers, bit locations of respective depressed keys;
detecting, using said controller, which of said plurality of keys are released from the depressed position;
clearing, using said controller, in said second set of registers, bit locations of respective released keys;
detecting all of said plurality of keys in a released position;
generating, responsive to detecting all of said plurality of keys in the released position, a key code responsive to bit locations set in said first set of registers; and
clearing, after generating the key code, said first set of registers and said second set of registers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A chordal keyboard method and apparatus for generating a key code using a plurality of keys coupled to a controller with a first set of registers and a second set of registers. A user depresses at least one of the plurality of keys. The controller detects, which of the plurality of keys are in a depressed position and which of the plurality of keys are released from the depressed position. The controller sets in the first set of registers and sets in the second set of registers, bit locations of respective depressed keys, and clears in the second set of registers bit locations of respective released keys. When the controller detects that all of the plurality of keys are in a released position, a key code is generated which corresponds to bit locations set in the first set of registers. After generating the key code, the controller clears the first set of registers.
99 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for generating a key code using a plurality of keys coupled to a controller with a first set of registers and a second set of registers, comprising the steps, using said plurality of keys, said first set of registers and said second set of registers, of:
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depressing at least one of said plurality of keys; detecting, using said controller, which of said plurality of keys are in a depressed position; setting, using said controller, in said first set of registers, bit locations of respective depressed keys; setting, using said controller, in the second set of registers, bit locations of respective depressed keys; detecting, using said controller, which of said plurality of keys are released from the depressed position; clearing, using said controller, in said second set of registers, bit locations of respective released keys; detecting all of said plurality of keys in a released position; generating, responsive to detecting all of said plurality of keys in the released position, a key code responsive to bit locations set in said first set of registers; and clearing, after generating the key code, said first set of registers and said second set of registers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for generating a key code using a plurality of keys coupled to a controller with a first set of registers and a second set of registers, comprising the steps of:
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depressing at least one of said plurality of keys; detecting, using said controller, which of said plurality of keys are in a depressed position; setting, using said controller, in said first set of registers, symbol locations of respective depressed keys; setting, using said controller, in the second set of registers, symbol locations of respective depressed keys; detecting, using said controller, which of said plurality of keys are released from the depressed position; clearing, using said controller, in said second set of registers, symbol locations of respective released keys; detecting all of said plurality of keys in a released position; generating, responsive detecting to all of said plurality of keys in the released position, a key code responsive to symbol locations set in said first set of registers; and clearing, after generating the key code, said first set of registers and said second set of registers. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A chordal keyboard for generating a key code comprising:
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a plurality of keys; a first set of registers; a second set of registers; a controller operatively coupled to said plurality of keys, said first set of registers and said second set of registers, said controller responsive to detecting keys of said plurality of keys in a depressed position for setting bit locations in said first set of registers and sets in the second set of registers, said controller responsive to detecting keys of said plurality of keys released from a depressed position for clearing bit locations in said second set of registers, and said controller responsive to detecting all of said plurality of keys released from a depressed position for generating a key code from said set bit locations in said first set of registers and subsequently clearing said first set of registers. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A chordal keyboard for generating a key code comprising:
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a plurality of keys; first means for storing data; second means for storing data; controller means responsive to detecting keys of said plurality of keys in a depressed position for setting symbol locations in said first storing means, responsive to detecting keys of said plurality of keys released from a depressed position for clearing symbol locations in said second storing means, and responsive to detecting all of said plurality of keys released from a depressed position for generating a key code from the set symbol locations in said first storing means and subsequently clearing said first storing means. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification