US3603982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Data entry means
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1969-05-02
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Granted: 1971-09-07
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Expires: 1989-05-02
Abstract
Abstract An electrooptical data entry means which uses reflected light as a means of encoding characters, each of which is represented by a data entry element. For each character, a photosensitive device is also provided, located in alignment with the corresponding data entry element in a lightproof housing. Also located in the housing is a light source which provides light between the data entry elements and the photosensitive devices. A reflective surface is mounted at an angle on each data entry element, and is so oriented with respect to the light source and the individual photosensitive device for that data entry means, that when a selected data entry device is operated, its reflective surface is moved, from a recess in which it is normally located, into a position which causes it to intercept light from the light source and reflect that light onto the photosensitive device corresponding to the selected data entry element. Illumination of the photosensitive device produces a signal which is effective, through a logical encoding network, to produce an output signal representing the character for the operated data entry element. A shift element is effective, through additional circuitry, to produce a selected one of two possible output signal combinations represented by a given data entry element. Interlocks and various control functions are formed electronically.
Inventors
- 👤 David M Patti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:35
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/965; H03K17/968; H03K17/969
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
Data entry means comprising, in combination, a housing member; a plurality of data entry elements, each representing at least one character, located in said housing and capable of moving between first and second positions; radiation source means located within said housing member; a plurality of radiation-sensitive elements, one for each data entry element, located within said housing member; radiation-reflecting means associated with each data entry element and capable of altering the path of radiation from the radiation source means, said radiation reflecting means for each data entry element being positioned out of the path of radiation from the radiation source means when the data entry means is in said first position, said radiation reflecting means for a selected data element being positioned to intercept a portion of the radiation from said radiation source means and to direct it onto the radiation-sensitive element corresponding to the selected data entry element when said selected data entry element is depressed into said second position; and encoding means for producing a combination of output signals representing a character selected by causing moving of a selected data entry element from said first position to said second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
Data entry means comprising, in combination, a housing member; a plurality of data entry elements, each representing at least one character, located in said housing and capable of moving between first and second positions; radiation source means located within said housing member; a plurality of radiation-sensitive elements, one for each data entry element, located within said housing member; radiation-reflecting means associated with each data entry element and capable of altering the path of radiation from the radiation source means, said radiation reflecting means for each data entry element being positioned out of the path of radiation from the radiation source means when the data entry means is in said first position, said radiation reflecting means for a selected data element being positioned to intercept a portion of the radiation from said radiation source means and to direct it onto the radiation-sensitive element corresponding to the selected data entry element when said selected data entry element is depressed into said second position; and encoding means for producing a combination of output signals representing a character selected by causing moving of a selected data entry element from said first position to said second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The data entry means of claim 1, also including a plurality of memory elements for storing the combination of output signals generated in response to operation of a data entry element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The data entry means of claim 2, also including repeat means cooperating with said memory elements and capable of producing a repetition of the combination of output signals representing a selected character.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The data entry means of claim 1, also including means to prevent the generation of spurious output signals resulting from inadvertent operation of a second data entry element immediately following operation of a first data entry element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
The data entry means of claim 1, also including character shift means operable for selecting a desired one of two possible characters corresponding to a single data entry element, and shift logic means for producing a combination of output signals representing a selected character in accordance with the selection of a corresponding data entry element and the condition of the character shift means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The data entry means of claim 5 in which indicating means are provided to indicate the condition of the shift means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The data entry means of claim 5 in which the character shift means are manually operable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The data entry means of claim 1 in which the data entry elements are manually operable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The data entry means of claim 1 in which the radiation reflecting means are mirrors secured to the lower portion of the data entry elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
83 words
The data entry means of claim 1 in which the radiation-sensitive elements are positioned in line with, but separated from, the corresponding data entry elements, so that radiation from the radiation source means passes between a given data entry element and its corresponding radiation-sensitive element when the data entry element is in said first position, a portion of said radiation being deflected by the radiation reflecting means onto the radiation-sensitive element when the corresponding data entry element is moved into said second position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The data entry means of claim 10 in which the radiation reflecting means are mirrors mounted at an angle to the data entry elements to deflect radiation from said radiation source means onto the radiation-sensitive elements when said data entry elements are moved into said second position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The data entry means of claim 10 in which recesses are provided within said housing member to receive the radiation reflecting means when the corresponding data entry elements are in said first position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The data entry means of claim 10 in which shielding means is provided within said housing member for each radiation-sensitive element to minimize the impingement thereon of stray radiation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The data entry means of claim 10 in which the data entry elements are urged by resilient means to said first position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The data entry means of claim 10 in which the data entry elements are provided with key tips for manual operation from said first position to said second position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
165 words
Data entry means comprising, in combination, a plurality of data entry elements, each capable of representing an upper case character and a lower case character; a plurality of data channel circuits, each capable of producing an output code signal; code signal modifying means; encoding means for applying signals to selected ones of the data channel circuits and the code signal modifying means in response to operation of the data entry elements, according to a predetermined code; shift means for controlling the data entry means to operate selectively in an upper case mode or a lower case mode; and circuit means controlled by the shift means and the code signal modifying means for causing a different combination of output code signals to be produced by the data channel circuits in response to operation of a given data entry element when the data entry means is in an upper case mode of operation than when said data entry means is in a lower case mode of operation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
165 words
Data entry means comprising, in combination, a plurality of data entry elements, each capable of representing an upper case character and a lower case character; a plurality of data channel circuits, each capable of producing an output code signal; code signal modifying means; encoding means for applying signals to selected ones of the data channel circuits and the code signal modifying means in response to operation of the data entry elements, according to a predetermined code; shift means for controlling the data entry means to operate selectively in an upper case mode or a lower case mode; and circuit means controlled by the shift means and the code signal modifying means for causing a different combination of output code signals to be produced by the data channel circuits in response to operation of a given data entry element when the data entry means is in an upper case mode of operation than when said data entry means is in a lower case mode of operation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
176 words
Data entry means comprising, in combination, a plurality of data entry elements, each capable of representing an upper case character and a lower case character; a plurality of data channel circuits each capable of producing an output code signal; an ''''add'''' channel circuit; a ''''subtract'''' channel circuit; encoding means for applying signals to selected ones of the data channel circuits, the ''''add'''' channel circuit, and the ''''subtract'''' channel circuit in response to operation of the data entry elements, according to a predetermined code; shift means for controlling the data entry means to operate selectively in an upper case mode or a lower case mode; and control circuit means controlled by the shift means, the ''''add'''' channel circuit, and the ''''subtract'''' channel circuit for causing a different combination of output code signals to be produced by the data channel circuits in response to operation of a given data entry element when the data entry means is in an upper case mode of operation than when the data entry means is in a lower case mode of operation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
176 words
Data entry means comprising, in combination, a plurality of data entry elements, each capable of representing an upper case character and a lower case character; a plurality of data channel circuits each capable of producing an output code signal; an ''''add'''' channel circuit; a ''''subtract'''' channel circuit; encoding means for applying signals to selected ones of the data channel circuits, the ''''add'''' channel circuit, and the ''''subtract'''' channel circuit in response to operation of the data entry elements, according to a predetermined code; shift means for controlling the data entry means to operate selectively in an upper case mode or a lower case mode; and control circuit means controlled by the shift means, the ''''add'''' channel circuit, and the ''''subtract'''' channel circuit for causing a different combination of output code signals to be produced by the data channel circuits in response to operation of a given data entry element when the data entry means is in an upper case mode of operation than when the data entry means is in a lower case mode of operation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
182 words
The data entry means of claim 17 in which the shift means includes a bistable element, and in which the control circuit means includes a NAND gate having one input connected to the ''''subtract'''' channel circuit and one input connected to one output of the bistable element, a first AND gate having one input connected to said one output of the bistable element and one input connected to the ''''add'''' channel circuit, an OR gate having one input connected to one of the data channel circuits and one input connected to the output of the first AND gate, and a second AND gate having one input connected to the output of the OR gate and one input connected to the output of the NAND gate, the output of the second AND gate producing a normal output signal representative of the signal applied to said one of the data channel circuits when the data entry means is in a lower case mode of operation and producing a different output signal when the data entry means is in an upper case mode of operation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The data entry means of claim 18 in which indicating means are connected to first and second outputs of the bistable element to indicate whether the data entry means is in the upper case or lower case mode of operation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The data entry means of claim 18 in which the bistable element is a flip-flop.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |