US3648279A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multielectrode transducer element
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1970-05-14
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Granted: 1972-03-07
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Expires: 1990-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A transducer means suitable for use as the mechanical-toelectrical translating element of the key of a keyboard. It includes a plurality of electrodes embedded in a body of amorphous, piezoelectric material. When the key is actuated to strike the body, a voltage is induced at each electrode. The electrodes of the various keys may be connected in different ways to common buses to provide a coded output from the keyboard.
Inventors
- 👤 James Power Watson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:42
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J5/00; B41J5/08; H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/96; H03K17/964; H03K17/9643; H03K17/965; H03K17/967; H10; H10N; H10N30/00; H10N30/30; H10N30/302
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
In combination: an element of the type which in response to being mechanically struck induces a voltage change in a metal electrode substantially imbedded therein; a plurality of metal electrodes substantially imbedded in said element; and means for striking said element for concurrently producing a plurality of signals, one at each electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
In combination: an element of the type which in response to being mechanically struck induces a voltage change in a metal electrode substantially imbedded therein; a plurality of metal electrodes substantially imbedded in said element; and means for striking said element for concurrently producing a plurality of signals, one at each electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
In combination: an element of the type which in response to being mechanically struck produces equal voltages in metal electrodes substantial portions of which are imbedded to equal depths therein; a plurality of metal electrodes substantially imbedded in said element; and means for impacting said element for concurrently producing a plurality of signals, one at each such electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
In combination: an element of the type which in response to being mechanically struck produces equal voltages in metal electrodes substantial portions of which are imbedded to equal depths therein; a plurality of metal electrodes substantially imbedded in said element; and means for impacting said element for concurrently producing a plurality of signals, one at each such electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
In combination: a plastic, not easily fracturable element of the type which in response to being mechanically struck induces a voltage change in an electrode mechanically coupled to said element; a plurality of electrodes mechanically coupled to said element; and means for striking said element for concurrently producing a plurality of voltages, one at each such electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
In combination: a plastic, not easily fracturable element of the type which in response to being mechanically struck induces a voltage change in an electrode mechanically coupled to said element; a plurality of electrodes mechanically coupled to said element; and means for striking said element for concurrently producing a plurality of voltages, one at each such electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination claimed in claim 3, said element being made of material of the type whicH produces equal voltages, relative to a reference point, in electrodes mechanically coupled to equal depths.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
The combination claimed in claim 3, said element comprising polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
A keyboard comprising, in combination: a plurality of plastic, not easily fracturable elements of the type which in response to being mechanically struck induce a voltage change in an electrode mechanically coupled therein; a plurality of electrodes mechanically coupled to each of said elements; means for selectively striking said elements; and decoder means coupled to said electrodes and responsive to the voltages induced therein, for producing a unique signal code for each element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
A keyboard comprising, in combination: a plurality of plastic, not easily fracturable elements of the type which in response to being mechanically struck induce a voltage change in an electrode mechanically coupled therein; a plurality of electrodes mechanically coupled to each of said elements; means for selectively striking said elements; and decoder means coupled to said electrodes and responsive to the voltages induced therein, for producing a unique signal code for each element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
A keyboard comprising in combination: a plurality of elements of the type which in response to being mechanically struck induce a voltage change in an electrode substantially imbedded therein; a plurality of electrodes substantially imbedded in each of said elements; means for selectively striking said elements; a plurality of output terminals; and means for connecting electrodes of said elements in different ways to said output terminals for producing at said output terminals a different code for each element struck.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
A keyboard comprising in combination: a plurality of elements of the type which in response to being mechanically struck induce a voltage change in an electrode substantially imbedded therein; a plurality of electrodes substantially imbedded in each of said elements; means for selectively striking said elements; a plurality of output terminals; and means for connecting electrodes of said elements in different ways to said output terminals for producing at said output terminals a different code for each element struck.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
114 words
A keyboard comprising in combination: a plurality of plastic, not easily fracturable elements of the type which in response to being mechanically struck induce a voltage change in an electrode substantially imbedded therein; a plurality of electrodes substantially imbedded within said elements; a plurality of keys, there being one key mechanically aligned with each one of said elements such that when a key is depressed the element mechanically aligned with the key is struck; means for selectively depressing said keys; a plurality of output terminals; and means for connecting certain electrodes of said elements in different ways to said output terminals for producing at said output terminals a different code for each key depressed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
114 words
A keyboard comprising in combination: a plurality of plastic, not easily fracturable elements of the type which in response to being mechanically struck induce a voltage change in an electrode substantially imbedded therein; a plurality of electrodes substantially imbedded within said elements; a plurality of keys, there being one key mechanically aligned with each one of said elements such that when a key is depressed the element mechanically aligned with the key is struck; means for selectively depressing said keys; a plurality of output terminals; and means for connecting certain electrodes of said elements in different ways to said output terminals for producing at said output terminals a different code for each key depressed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination as claimed in claim 8 wherein said elements comprise polytetrafluoroethylene.
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) | 1975-03-07 | 1975-09-06 | 1976-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-07 | 1979-09-06 | 1980-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-07 | 1983-09-06 | 1984-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |