US3706973A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamic keyboard data entry system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1970-12-31
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Granted: 1972-12-19
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Expires: 1990-12-31
Abstract
Abstract Actuation of a key on a keyboard generates double bytes of binary information, one byte identifying the keyboard area in which the key is located and the other byte representing a weighted key code. These two bytes are utilized by a data processor to reference storage addresses where bytes encoded in ultimate utilization format are stored. The utilization code and/or the storage addresses can be dynamically converted without altering the keyboard.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward W Acquadro
- 👤 Donald F Monahan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:45
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03M; H03M11/00; H03M11/22; H03M11/02; H03M11/04; H03M11/14; H03M11/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
Keyboard responsive control apparatus for interfacing with a data processing system which contains storage tables of data reflecting binary encoded characters and operation control information and which can respond through indexing to input signals for addressing said tables comprising a keyboard having a first plurality of keys corresponding to data characters and a second plurality of keys corresponding to operations of said data processing system, a multiple bit position register, means for coupling said keys to said register for producing at least one binary data byte uniquely Weighted to correspond with the originating said key, means responsive to loading of said register by actuation of one of said keys for indicating to said data processing system that said register is loaded, and means for coupling the content of said register to said data processing system whereby said data processing system will utilize said register content to address said storage tables and provide a response correlated therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
Keyboard responsive control apparatus for interfacing with a data processing system which contains storage tables of data reflecting binary encoded characters and operation control information and which can respond through indexing to input signals for addressing said tables comprising a keyboard having a first plurality of keys corresponding to data characters and a second plurality of keys corresponding to operations of said data processing system, a multiple bit position register, means for coupling said keys to said register for producing at least one binary data byte uniquely Weighted to correspond with the originating said key, means responsive to loading of said register by actuation of one of said keys for indicating to said data processing system that said register is loaded, and means for coupling the content of said register to said data processing system whereby said data processing system will utilize said register content to address said storage tables and provide a response correlated therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said register includes first and second portions, said first portion reflecting the amount of indexing to be used by said data processing system and said second portion representing a status byte identifying the functional area of said keyboard in which an actuated said key is located, whereby said data processing system responds to said second portion to select a said storage table and indexes within said table as a function of the said first portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said register contains first and second groups of said bit positions, all of said keys being coupled to said first group, and each said key of said second plurality being additionally coupled to at least one said bit position in said second group.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 which further includes logic means responsive to actuation of a key in said first plurality of keys and the absence of actuation of a key in said second plurality of keys for setting a said bit position in said second group for positively indicating to said data processing system that a said key in said first plurality has been actuated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for providing interchangeable binary coded manifestations in response to operation of a keyboard comprising a keyboard including a plurality of keys, encoding means responsive to actuation of any key on said keyboard for producing at least one binary byte with said byte being arranged in a weighted format corresponding to said key originating said byte, means for retrieving said byte from said encoding means, means for storing a multiplicity of preselected binary coded characters at addressable storage locations, and means selectably responsive to each of said binary bytes from said encoding means for generating a signal identifying the address of a said storage location corresponding to one of said preselected binary coded characters, whereby binary encoded bytes having selectable formats can be obtained from said storing means in response to fixed binary bytes from said encoding means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for providing interchangeable binary coded manifestations in response to operation of a keyboard comprising a keyboard including a plurality of keys, encoding means responsive to actuation of any key on said keyboard for producing at least one binary byte with said byte being arranged in a weighted format corresponding to said key originating said byte, means for retrieving said byte from said encoding means, means for storing a multiplicity of preselected binary coded characters at addressable storage locations, and means selectably responsive to each of said binary bytes from said encoding means for generating a signal identifying the address of a said storage location corresponding to one of said preselected binary coded characters, whereby binary encoded bytes having selectable formats can be obtained from said storing means in response to fixed binary bytes from said encoding means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said encoding means includes means for generating a weighted binary byte and a status bit in response to actuation of each of said keys, and said storage address identifying means includes means for indexing said weighted byte in response to said status bit for producing a resultant storage address.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said status bit identifies a predefined area of said keyboard in which the said key associated therewith is located.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
97 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein one of said predefined areas contains keys for generating alphanumeric characters and at least one other of said predefined areas contains keys for effecting special operational responses, said storage address identifying means responding to status bits indicating said one of said predefined areas by referencing a location within a prestored table in said storage containing binary characters in the desired utilization code while responding to status bits identifying said other of said predefined areas by referencing appropriate locations of said storage containing prestored instructions for performing said special operational response.
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) | 1975-12-19 | 1976-06-19 | 1976-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-19 | 1980-06-19 | 1980-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-19 | 1984-06-19 | 1984-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |