US3680082A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Numerical encoding keyboard
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1971-01-18
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Granted: 1972-07-25
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Expires: 1991-01-18
Abstract
Abstract An encoder transmits numerical data in the form of coded bursts of audio frequency tones. The encoder includes levers which move through successive index positions in slots having numerical indicia. Each lever represents a different decimal order digit of the price of merchandise sold. Each lever is provided with a plurality of encoding switches which are moved past stationary switch actuators. Different groups of switch actuators are aligned with successive index positions of the levers to actuate selected pairs of switches according to the numerical indicia with which the levers are aligned. A tone generator is electrically coupled to the switches by a multiplexer to produce a serial output comprising frequencies which uniquely identify the selected data.
Inventors
- 👤 Fredric E Zucker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:37
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/403; G06Q20/4037; H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/76; H04; H04L; H04L27/00; H04L27/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for encoding numerical data comprising: a tone generator provided with a plurality of input leads whose selective electrical interconnection determines the frequency of the tone generator output pulses; a housing having lever guide slots, said house carrying numerical indicia alongside said slots at successive lever locations; levers mounted on the housing for movement in the slots to register with desired indicia; switches effectively mounted for movement by the levers and electrically coupled to respective input leads of the tone generator for selective input lead interconnection upon switch actuation; and switch actuators mounted along the path of motion of said switches in actuating alignment with selected ones of said switches and at locations which are in predetermined relationship with said indicia, whereby tone generator outputs that are indicative of desired numerical data are selected.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for encoding numerical data comprising: a tone generator provided with a plurality of input leads whose selective electrical interconnection determines the frequency of the tone generator output pulses; a housing having lever guide slots, said house carrying numerical indicia alongside said slots at successive lever locations; levers mounted on the housing for movement in the slots to register with desired indicia; switches effectively mounted for movement by the levers and electrically coupled to respective input leads of the tone generator for selective input lead interconnection upon switch actuation; and switch actuators mounted along the path of motion of said switches in actuating alignment with selected ones of said switches and at locations which are in predetermined relationship with said indicia, whereby tone generator outputs that are indicative of desired numerical data are selected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus data of claim 1 further comprising: means for sequentially coupling said switches to the tone generator to produce a serial train of audio frequency output pulses representative of the desired numerical indicia in registration with the levers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switches are mounted on the levers, said switch actuators being mounted to the housing alongside the pAth of movement of the levers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said switches are mounted alongside one another on the levers and have contact means actuatable in a direction generally towards a surface of a lever, with said switch actuators being located to project into the path of the lever-mounted switches and arranged to cam said contact means in said actuating direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the switches are formed of spaced overlapping contact elements extending parallel with one another on the surface of the levers and wherein the switch actuators are each formed of a protrusion extending in the path of a contact element for its movement towards an overlapped contact element to actuate a switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including respective racks responsive to the levers as they are moved along said slots, and pinions operatively engaged with said racks to provide pinion rotation corresponding to the numerical indicia registered with said levers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
An encoder comprising one or more switch-moving elements, means mounting each said element for movement between a plurality of data selecting positions, a plurality of switches moveable in response to each said element, means for connecting said switches into respective electrical circuits over a range of said switch movement, and a plurality of means effective to actuate said switches as a function of switch position, the switch-actuating means being distributed in a code-representing pattern over a plurality of different switch positions whereby to actuate said switches in different code patterns at said different positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
An encoder comprising one or more switch-moving elements, means mounting each said element for movement between a plurality of data selecting positions, a plurality of switches moveable in response to each said element, means for connecting said switches into respective electrical circuits over a range of said switch movement, and a plurality of means effective to actuate said switches as a function of switch position, the switch-actuating means being distributed in a code-representing pattern over a plurality of different switch positions whereby to actuate said switches in different code patterns at said different positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
An encoder as in claim 7 wherein each said element is a lever said element-mounting means is a housing having means including a slot guiding the movement of said lever, said switches are mounted on said lever for movement therewith, and said connecting means includes slide busses and contacts in sliding engagement with said busses during said motion of said lever.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
An encoder as in claim 8 further comprising means for generating a plurality of tones, and a plurality of generator input means for selecting respective tones to be generated thereby, said connecting means connecting said switches in circuit with respective ones of said generator input means whereby to select said tones, and said switch actuating means being arranged to select different groups of at least two tones each, for each different lever position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
An encoder as in claim 8 further comprising a toothed rack on at least one of said levers, a pinion interengaging with each said rack, and a print wheel drive shaft connected to be driven by each said pinion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
An encoder as in claim 9 further comprising indicia each positioned for correlation with a respective one of said lever positions, whereby to ascribe data-selecting significance to said positions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
An encoder as in claim 7 comprising a plurality of said elements positioned in a desired order, respective mounting means, switches, connecting means and switch-actuating means for each of said elements, and means for enabling the electrical circuits of the switches of successive elements in a sequence corresponding to their position order.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
180 words
An apparatus for encoding numerical data comprising: a tone generator provided with a plurality of input leads whose selective electrical interconnection determines the frequency of the tone generator output pulses; a housing having numerical indicia at successive locations; means mounted on the housing for movement to register with desired indicia; first means mounted on said moveable means for movement therewith, and electrically coupled to respective input leads of the tone generator; second means statically mounted in said housing in confronting relation to said moving means and arranged to register with said first means in selected patterns as a function of the position of said moving means relative to said housing; and a return circuit path to said tone generator; said first and second means cooperating to connect said first means selectively to said return circuit path for selective input lead activation in accordance with said pattern when said first and second means are brought into registry by the movement of said moving means relative to said housing whereby tone generator outputs that are indicative of desired numerical data are selected.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
180 words
An apparatus for encoding numerical data comprising: a tone generator provided with a plurality of input leads whose selective electrical interconnection determines the frequency of the tone generator output pulses; a housing having numerical indicia at successive locations; means mounted on the housing for movement to register with desired indicia; first means mounted on said moveable means for movement therewith, and electrically coupled to respective input leads of the tone generator; second means statically mounted in said housing in confronting relation to said moving means and arranged to register with said first means in selected patterns as a function of the position of said moving means relative to said housing; and a return circuit path to said tone generator; said first and second means cooperating to connect said first means selectively to said return circuit path for selective input lead activation in accordance with said pattern when said first and second means are brought into registry by the movement of said moving means relative to said housing whereby tone generator outputs that are indicative of desired numerical data are selected.
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) | 1975-07-25 | 1976-01-24 | 1976-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-25 | 1980-01-24 | 1980-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-25 | 1984-01-24 | 1984-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |