Keyboard input device

Claim 2

An input encoding system for use in an electronic calculating machine comprising a keyboard having a plurality of character keys; a plurality of key contacts each operable by the corresponding character key, said key contacts being divided into at least two groups according to the number of timing pulses employeD during one step of operation, the number of contacts within each group consisting of not more than the number of said timing pulses, to provide the corresponding number of group terminals; means for supplying said timing pulses; a first matrix to which said pulses are directly applied; a plurality of second matrices, the number of which corresponds to the number of groups of the key contacts, each having a pair of input lines, means connected to one of said input lines of said second matrices, for applying said input line directly with an input signal from one of the key contacts that has been operated and for producing output signals on output lines corresponding to the character keys of the relevant group, while the other of said input lines of said second matrices includes means for directly applying said other input lines with an input signal through respective inverters and for producing output signals on output lines corresponding to the character keys of the other groups, whereby a logical product of output signals from said first and second matrices can be obtained; and a third or encoder matrix capable of receiving said logical product to thereby generate binary coded signals representative of one character that has been entered in the calculating machine.

Claim 3

An input encoding system for use in an electronic calculating machine comprising a keyboard having a plurality of character keys; a plurality of key contacts each operable by the corresponding character key, said key contacts being divided into at least two groups according to the number of timing pulses employeD during one step of operation, the number of contacts within each group consisting of not more than the number of said timing pulses, to provide the corresponding number of group terminals; means for supplying said timing pulses; a first matrix to which said pulses are directly applied; a plurality of second matrices, the number of which corresponds to the number of groups of the key contacts, each having a pair of input lines, means connected to one of said input lines of said second matrices, for applying said input line directly with an input signal from one of the key contacts that has been operated and for producing output signals on output lines corresponding to the character keys of the relevant group, while the other of said input lines of said second matrices includes means for directly applying said other input lines with an input signal through respective inverters and for producing output signals on output lines corresponding to the character keys of the other groups, whereby a logical product of output signals from said first and second matrices can be obtained; and a third or encoder matrix capable of receiving said logical product to thereby generate binary coded signals representative of one character that has been entered in the calculating machine.

Claim 4

An input encoding system for use in an electronic calculating machine comprising a keyboard having a plurality of character keys; a plurality of key contacts each operable by the corresponding character key, said key contacts being divided into at least two groups according to the number of timing pulses employeD during one step of operation, the number of contacts within each group consisting of not more than the number of said timing pulses, to provide the corresponding number of group terminals; means for supplying said timing pulses; a first matrix to which said pulses are directly applied; a plurality of second matrices, the number of which corresponds to the number of groups of the key contacts, each having a pair of input lines, means connected to one of said input lines of said second matrices, for applying said input line directly with an input signal from one of the key contacts that has been operated and for producing output signals on output lines corresponding to the character keys of the relevant group, while the other of said input lines of said second matrices includes means for directly applying said other input lines with an input signal through respective inverters and for producing output signals on output lines corresponding to the character keys of the other groups, whereby a logical product of output signals from said first and second matrices can be obtained; and a third or encoder matrix capable of receiving said logical product to thereby generate binary coded signals representative of one character that has been entered in the calculating machine.

Claim 5

The input encoding system according to claim 1, including means for applying said timing pulses to a read-out means of a display device.

Claim 6

An input encoding apparatus comprising: means for generating a first predetermined number of sequentially spaced timing pulses within a specified period of time; a keyboard having a number of character keys thereon, said number of keys being an integral multiple of said predetermined number of timing pulses to form a plurality of groups of keys, each group simultaneously receiving each timing pulse as generated; a plurality of key switches, each having a conductive contact capable of bridging a pair of terminals for supplying a selected one of said predetermined number of said timing pulses therethrough when closed, corresponding to said plurality of character keys; means, responsive to the coincident receipt of one of said timing pulses directly and through one of said key switches, for generating a first output signal; and means, responsive to receipt of a first output signal, for converting said output signal into an output encoded signal.

Claim 7

An input encoding apparatus comprising: means for generating a first predetermined number of sequentially spaced timing pulses within a specified period of time; a keyboard having a number of character keys thereon, said number of keys being an integral multiple of said predetermined number of timing pulses to form a plurality of groups of keys, each group simultaneously receiving each timing pulse as generated; a plurality of key switches, each having a conductive contact capable of bridging a pair of terminals for supplying a selected one of said predetermined number of said timing pulses therethrough when closed, corresponding to said plurality of character keys; means, responsive to the coincident receipt of one of said timing pulses directly and through one of said key switches, for generating a first output signal; and means, responsive to receipt of a first output signal, for converting said output signal into an output encoded signal.

Claim 8

An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said means for generating a first output signal includes means responsive to the coincidence of one of said timing pulses and the closure of said key switch the numerical position of said switch within said number of key switches corresponding to the numerical position of said one of said sequentially generated time pulses.

Claim 9

An input encoding apparatus comprising: means for generating a first predetermined number of sequentially spaced timing pulses with a specified period of time; a keyboard having a number of character keys thereon, said number of keys being an integral multiple of said predetermined number of timing pulses; a plurality of key switches, each having a conductive contact and a pair of terminals for supplying an electric potential therethrough when closed, corresponding to said plurality of character keys; means, responsive to the coincident generation of one of said timing pulses with the closure of one of said key switches, for generating a first output signal comprising: a first plurality of AND gates, one input of each of said first plurality of AND gates being connected to receive said sequentially generated timing pulses and at least a second input of each of which is connected in common to at least one plurality of key switches, the number of key switches in said plurality being equal to said first predetermined number of spaced timing pulses, the numerical position of said switch within said number of key switches corresponding to the numerical position of said one of said sequentially generated time pulses; and means, responsive to receipt of a first output signal, for converting said output signal into an output encoded signal.

Claim 10

An input encoding apparatus comprising: means for generating a first predetermined number of sequentially spaced timing pulses with a specified period of time; a keyboard having a number of character keys thereon, said number of keys being an integral multiple of said predetermined number of timing pulses; a plurality of key switches, each having a conductive contact and a pair of terminals for supplying an electric potential therethrough when closed, corresponding to said plurality of character keys; means, responsive to the coincident generation of one of said timing pulses with the closure of one of said key switches, for generating a first output signal comprising: a first plurality of AND gates, one input of each of said first plurality of AND gates being connected to receive said sequentially generated timing pulses and at least a second input of each of which is connected in common to at least one plurality of key switches, the number of key switches in said plurality being equal to said first predetermined number of spaced timing pulses, the numerical position of said switch within said number of key switches corresponding to the numerical position of said one of said sequentially generated time pulses; and means, responsive to receipt of a first output signal, for converting said output signal into an output encoded signal.

Claim 11

An apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein said first plurality of AND gates comprises a first diode matrix having orthogonally arranged branches, each branch in one of said orthogonally arranged branches being connected to a source of common reference potential and each respective branch in second orthogonally arranged branches being respectively connected to receive said first predetermined number of sequentially spaced timing pulses.

Claim 12

An input encoding apparatus comprising: means for generating a first predetermined number of sequentially spaced timing pulses within a specified period of time; a keyboard having a number of character keys thereon, said number of keys being an integral multiple of said predetermined number of timing pulses; a plurality of key switches, each having a conductive contact and a pair of terminals for supplying an electric potential therethrough when closed, corresponding to said plurality of character keys; means, responsive to the coincident generation of one of said timing pulses with the closure of one of said key switches, for generating a first output signal comprising: first and second pluralities of AND gates, a first output of each of said AND gates in each of said pluralities being respectively connected to receive said sequentially generated timing pulses, a second input in said first plurality of AND gates being connected in common to a first plurality of key switches, the number of which corresponds to said first predetermined number of spaced timing pulses, and a third input of said first plurality of AND gates being connected in common to the inverted output of a second plurality of key switches, the number of which corresponds to said first predetermined number of spaced timing pulses, the numerical position of said switch within said number of key switches corresponding to the numerical position of said one of said sequentially generated time pulses; and means, responsive to receipt of a first output signal, for converting said output signal into an output encoded signal.

Claim 13

An input encoding apparatus comprising: means for generating a first predetermined number of sequentially spaced timing pulses within a specified period of time; a keyboard having a number of character keys thereon, said number of keys being an integral multiple of said predetermined number of timing pulses; a plurality of key switches, each having a conductive contact and a pair of terminals for supplying an electric potential therethrough when closed, corresponding to said plurality of character keys; means, responsive to the coincident generation of one of said timing pulses with the closure of one of said key switches, for generating a first output signal comprising: first and second pluralities of AND gates, a first output of each of said AND gates in each of said pluralities being respectively connected to receive said sequentially generated timing pulses, a second input in said first plurality of AND gates being connected in common to a first plurality of key switches, the number of which corresponds to said first predetermined number of spaced timing pulses, and a third input of said first plurality of AND gates being connected in common to the inverted output of a second plurality of key switches, the number of which corresponds to said first predetermined number of spaced timing pulses, the numerical position of said switch within said number of key switches corresponding to the numerical position of said one of said sequentially generated time pulses; and means, responsive to receipt of a first output signal, for converting said output signal into an output encoded signal.

Claim 14

An apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein said second plurality of AND gates has a first input of each gate being connected in parallel with the respective first inputs of said first plurality of AND gates, the second inputs of said second plurality of AND gates being connected in common to the inverted output of said first plurality of key switches, and the third input of said second plurality of AND gates being connected in common to said second plurality of key switches.

Claim 15

An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein said encoding means comprises a matrix OR circuit connected to the outputs of each of said pluralities of AND gates in accordance with a predetermined encoding pattern.

Claim 16

An apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein said encoding means further comprises an additional plurality of AND gates, an input each of which is connected to each respective output of encoding OR matrix and a separate output of each of which is connected to receive a second predetermined number of timing pulses.