US3609758A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keyboard entry device
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1969-05-02
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1989-05-02
Abstract
Abstract A hand-held keyboard data entry device including an actuator for entry of data and the operation of functional controls. The keyboard utilizes a diaphragm switch matrix to provide a compact keyboard switch arrangement which is operated by exertion of minimum forces. The actuator includes a switch means which must be operated in addition to the actuation of a selected data entry switch to effect transmission of data to an associated data receiving unit. Further the actuator generates an audible sound which indicates to an operator that the data has been entered.
Inventors
- 👤 David A Buesing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:32
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/702; H01H13/84; H01H2207/00; H01H2207/01; H01H2207/022; H01H2209/00; H01H2209/016; H01H2215/00; H01H2215/03; H01H2217/00; H01H2217/012; H01H2217/026; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/036; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/064; H01H2223/00; H01H2223/04; H01H2239/00; H01H2239/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A keyboard data entry device comprising: a keyboard having a plurality of data entry switch elements; terminal means respectively connected to said switch elements for attaching said keyboard to a data receiving device; actuator means having a switch actuating portion operable to selectively operate said data entry elements; and actuator switch means carried by said actuator means which is activated by operation of said switch actuating portion and electrically connected with said keyboard device to effect transmission of data to said data receiving device upon operation of both said actuator switch means and selective operation of said data entry switch elements. said actuator switch means requiring a greater force to operate than the force required to operate said data entry switch elements and generating a human intelligible signal upon operation, whereby an operator can verify entry of data by observing said human intelligible signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A keyboard data entry device comprising: a keyboard having a plurality of data entry switch elements; terminal means respectively connected to said switch elements for attaching said keyboard to a data receiving device; actuator means having a switch actuating portion operable to selectively operate said data entry elements; and actuator switch means carried by said actuator means which is activated by operation of said switch actuating portion and electrically connected with said keyboard device to effect transmission of data to said data receiving device upon operation of both said actuator switch means and selective operation of said data entry switch elements. said actuator switch means requiring a greater force to operate than the force required to operate said data entry switch elements and generating a human intelligible signal upon operation, whereby an operator can verify entry of data by observing said human intelligible signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The keyboard data entry device on claim 1 wherein said actuator means comprises a hand held actuator with a projecting, retractable element, said actuating element being retractable upon engagement with said keyboard device to close said actuator switch; and said human intelligible signal is an audible souNd generated by said actuator switch upon closure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
The keyboard data entry device of claim 2 wherein said keyboard device comprises: a housing; a diaphragm switch matrix having a first series of contacts disposed on the surface of a circuit board; a second series of contacts on the surface of a flexible diaphragm in spaced confronting relation with respect to said first series of contacts; and openings in said housing to permit said actuating element to exert a force on said diaphragm to close a selected pair of said confronting contacts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
The keyboard data entry device of claim 3 wherein said actuator further comprises: a link between said actuator switch and said actuating portion; a biased lost motion connection between said actuation portion and said link; and an actuator housing from which said actuator portion projects which exceeds the dimensions of said keyboard openings to thereby preclude entry of said actuator housing, whereby said biased lost motion connection limits the force which may be applied to said diaphragm and said actuator switch means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
A keyboard entry device comprising: a keyboard having a plurality of data entry electrical switch elements; a manual actuator for selectively operating said keyboard electrical switch elements; and actuator switch means carried by said actuator and electrically connected to said keyboard data switch elements to require operation of both a selected one of said data switch elements and said actuator switch means for entry of data by said keyboard, said actuator switch means generating an audible sound upon operation and said actuator switch means requiring a force for operation which exceeds the force necessary to operate said one of said data switch elements, whereby operation of said actuator switch means audibly verifies that a data entering switching operation has occurred.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
120 words
A keyboard entry device comprising: a keyboard having a plurality of data entry electrical switch elements; a manual actuator for selectively operating said keyboard electrical switch elements; and actuator switch means carried by said actuator and electrically connected to said keyboard data switch elements to require operation of both a selected one of said data switch elements and said actuator switch means for entry of data by said keyboard, said actuator switch means generating an audible sound upon operation and said actuator switch means requiring a force for operation which exceeds the force necessary to operate said one of said data switch elements, whereby operation of said actuator switch means audibly verifies that a data entering switching operation has occurred.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The keyboard entry device of claim 5 wherein said keyboard is connected electrically to a data receiving apparatus which provides power and logic functions associated with said keyboard and said switch elements and switch means are normally open electrical contact structures which must be simultaneously closed to cause entry of data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
The keyboard entry of claim 5 wherein said data entry electrical switch elements comprise: a diaphragm switch assembly including a rigid circuit board carrying stationary contacts on one surface; a flexible diaphragm member overlying said circuit board having electrical contacts secured to the surface thereof and respectively aligned in confronting relation with said circuit board contacts; and spacer means for normally retaining the diaphragm contacts out of contact with the respectively confronting circuit board contacts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
The keyboard entry device of claim 7 wherein said keyboard and said manual actuator are electrically interconnected, portable, hand held devices and said keyboard further compromises a rigid housing having said diaphragm switch assembly mounted therein, said housing including a front panel with multiple aperture means formed therein respectively aligned with said contacts to permit entry of said manual actuator to effect selective actuation of said diaphragm switch assembly switch elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The keyboard entry device of claim 8 wherein said manual actuator includes an enclosure; a retractable actuator portion extending from said enclosure; and means connecting said actuator portion to said actuator switch means, said connecting means including a biased lost motion connection permitting further retraction of said actuator portion following operation of said actuator switch means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The keyboard entry device of claim 9 wherein said enclosure engages said housing front panel when said actuator operates a selected switch element prior to maximum retraction of said actuator portion, whereby only a predetermined maximum force can be applied by said manual actuator to said diaphragm Switch assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |