EP0259958A2 — Expandable electronic input device

Claim 1

Independent Claim 168 words

An electronic device having a plurality of standard components (50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 90, 92, 94, 96) which render the device operable as a standard model (14A, 14C), and wherein the standard model may be converted into a functionally different modified model (14B, 14D) by adding at least one additional component (66, 68, 70, 134, 136) and/or replacing at least one of said standard components with at least one different component, said electronic device comprising: a printed-circuit board (72, 110) having wirings which are connected to said standard components and adapted to transfer signals corresponding to said standard components; a program memory (32, 120) for storing at least a standard control program for handling said signals from said wirings connected to said standard components, so as to enable the electronic device to operate as said standard model; and program-changing means (30, 41, 124) for changing said standard control program into a modified control program which enables the electronic device to operate as said functionally different modified model.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 168 words

An electronic device having a plurality of standard components (50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 90, 92, 94, 96) which render the device operable as a standard model (14A, 14C), and wherein the standard model may be converted into a functionally different modified model (14B, 14D) by adding at least one additional component (66, 68, 70, 134, 136) and/or replacing at least one of said standard components with at least one different component, said electronic device comprising: a printed-circuit board (72, 110) having wirings which are connected to said standard components and adapted to transfer signals corresponding to said standard components; a program memory (32, 120) for storing at least a standard control program for handling said signals from said wirings connected to said standard components, so as to enable the electronic device to operate as said standard model; and program-changing means (30, 41, 124) for changing said standard control program into a modified control program which enables the electronic device to operate as said functionally different modified model.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 32 words

An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said program-changing means comprises means (124) for holding said program memory (120) replaceably with a program memory (120a) for storing said modified control program.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 179 words

A data input device having a plurality of standard operator-controlled components (50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 90, 92, 94, 96) which render the device operable as a standard model (14A, 14C), and wherein the standard model may be converted into a functionally different modified model (14B, 14D) by adding at least one additional operator-controlled component (66, 68, 70, 134, 136) and/or replacing at least one of said standard operator-controlled components with at least one different operator-controlled component, said data input device comprising: a printed-circuit board (72, 110) having wirings which are connected to said standard operator-controlled components and adapted to transfer signals corresponding to said standard operator-controlled components; a program memory (32, 120) for storing at least a standard control program for handling said signals from said wirings connected to said standard operator-controlled components, so as to enable the data input device to operate as said standard model; and program-changing means (30, 41, 124) for changing said standard control program into a modified control program which enables the data input device to operate as said functionally different modified model.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 179 words

A data input device having a plurality of standard operator-controlled components (50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 90, 92, 94, 96) which render the device operable as a standard model (14A, 14C), and wherein the standard model may be converted into a functionally different modified model (14B, 14D) by adding at least one additional operator-controlled component (66, 68, 70, 134, 136) and/or replacing at least one of said standard operator-controlled components with at least one different operator-controlled component, said data input device comprising: a printed-circuit board (72, 110) having wirings which are connected to said standard operator-controlled components and adapted to transfer signals corresponding to said standard operator-controlled components; a program memory (32, 120) for storing at least a standard control program for handling said signals from said wirings connected to said standard operator-controlled components, so as to enable the data input device to operate as said standard model; and program-changing means (30, 41, 124) for changing said standard control program into a modified control program which enables the data input device to operate as said functionally different modified model.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 57 words

A data input device according to claim 3, which consists of a standard keyboard (14A, 14C) having a plurality of standard finger-operated keys (50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 90, 92, 94, 96) as said standard operator-controlled components, which is converted into a modified keyboard (14B, 14D) by adding at least one additional finger-operated key (66, 68, 70).

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 80 words

A data input device according to claim 4, wherein a group consisting of said at least one additional finger-operated key (66, 68, 70) constitutes a group of optional keys, and said standard control program includes a standard-key scanning routine for scanning said standard finger-operated keys ( 5 0, 52, 54, 56, 58, 90, 92, 94, 96), while said modified control program includes an optional-key scanning routine for scanning said group of optional keys, as well as said standard-key scanning routine.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 36 words

A data input device according to claims 3, 4 or 5, wherein said program-changing means comprises means (124) for holding said program memory (120) replaceably with a program memory (120a) for storing said modified control program.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 86 words

A data input device according to claim 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein said program memory (32) stores a key-scanning program which includes in combination both of said standard control program and said modified control program, and said program-changing means (30, 41) includes signal-generating means (41) which generates a signal whose state is changed before and after the addition of said group of optional keys, said program-changing means changing said standard control program to said modified control program, based on the state of said signal-generating means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 30 words

A data input device according to claim 7, wherein said signal-generating means comprises a switch (41) whose state is changed upon installation of said group of optional keys in place.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 179 words

A data input device according to any one of claims 3 to 8 wherein said program memory (32) stores a key-scanning program which includes in combination both of said standard-key scanning routine and said optional-key scanning routine, said key-scanning program comprising the steps of: (a) determining whether said optional keys (66, 68, 70) have been installed or not; - (b) determining whether a flag has been set or not, if it is determined in said step (a) that the optional keys have been installed; (c) setting said flag if it is determined in said step (b) that the flag has not been set; (d) resetting said flag if it is determined in said step (b) that the flag has been set; (e) scanning said standard finger-operated keys (50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 90, 92, 94, 96), following said step (c); (f) scanning said optional keys (66, 68, 70), following said step (d); and (g) if it is determined in said step (a) that said optional keys have not been installed, executing said step (e) while skipping said step (b).

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 77 words

a data input device according to any one of claims 5 to 9 wherein said program-changing means (30, 41, 124) converts said standard control program to said modified control program upon installation of said optional keys (66, 68, 70), said modified control program including a program for handling the signal generated from the wiring of said printed-circuit board connected to at least one (90, 92) of said standard operator-controlled keys, as a signal having a different significance.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 102 words

A data input device according to anyone of claims 5 to 10 wherein at least a portion(74, 76) of each of said at least one additional finger-operated key (66, 68, 70, 134, 136) is provided in said standard keyboard (14A, 14C), said standard keyboard including a disabling member for inhibiting said portion of said each additional finger-operated key from being operated before said standard keyboard is changed to said modified keyboard, whereby said disabling member renders said each additional finger-operated key practically absent on said standard keyboard, said disabling means being removed upon changing of said standard keyboard to said modified keyboard.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 28 words

A data input device according to any one of claims 5 to 11 wherein said standard-key scanning routine and said optional-key scanning routine are effected in different manners.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 32 words

A data input device according to claim 12, wherein said standard-key scanning routine is effected in an N-key roll-over method, while said optional-key scanning routine is effected in a 2-key roll-over method.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 90 words

A blind key structure which is normally inoperative and is optionally rendered operable as an effective key, comprising: a printed-circuit board (72) having a switch circuit formed thereon; a keystem (76) movable between an operated position in which said switch circuit is closed, and a non-operated position in which said switch circuit is open; support means (82) for supporting said keystem movably between said operated and non-operated positions; and a disabling member (71) detachably disposed on said support means, for inhibiting said keystem from being moved to said operated position.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 90 words

A blind key structure which is normally inoperative and is optionally rendered operable as an effective key, comprising: a printed-circuit board (72) having a switch circuit formed thereon; a keystem (76) movable between an operated position in which said switch circuit is closed, and a non-operated position in which said switch circuit is open; support means (82) for supporting said keystem movably between said operated and non-operated positions; and a disabling member (71) detachably disposed on said support means, for inhibiting said keystem from being moved to said operated position.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 41 words

A blind key structure according to claim 14, wherein said disabling member (71) is a cover removably attached to said support means (82), said cover covering said keystem (76) so as to prevent an accessor of an operator to said keystem.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 106 words

A method of adding a group of optional keys (66, 68, 70) to a standard keyboard (14A, 14C) which has a group of standard keys (50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 90, 92, 94, 96) and which is operated under the control of a computer (30, 32, 34, 118, 120, 122), comprising the steps of: adding said optional keys on said standard keyboard; and upon addition of said optional keys, changing a control program for said computer, from a standard control program wherein only said standard keys are scanned, to a modified control program wherein not only said standard keys but also said optional keys are scanned.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 106 words

A method of adding a group of optional keys (66, 68, 70) to a standard keyboard (14A, 14C) which has a group of standard keys (50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 90, 92, 94, 96) and which is operated under the control of a computer (30, 32, 34, 118, 120, 122), comprising the steps of: adding said optional keys on said standard keyboard; and upon addition of said optional keys, changing a control program for said computer, from a standard control program wherein only said standard keys are scanned, to a modified control program wherein not only said standard keys but also said optional keys are scanned.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 103 words

A method according to claim 16, further comprising a step of providing a program memory (32) which stores a standard-key scanning routine for scanning said standard keys, an optional-key scanning routine for scanning said optional keys, and a step of determining whether said optional keys have been added or not, said step of changing a control program for said computer comprising a step of executing said standard-key scanning routine while skipping said optional-key scanning routine if said optional keys have not been added, or executing both of said standard-key scanning routine and said optional-key scanning routine if said optional keys have been added.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 59 words

A method according to claim 16, wherein said changing a control program for said computer (118, 120, 122) comprises replacing a standard program memory (120) storing only a standard-key scanning routine for scanning said standard keys, with an optional program memory (120a) storing both of said standard-key scanning routine, and an optional-key scanning routine for scanning said optional keys.

Expandable electronic input device

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