Programmable keyboard and keys

Claim 2

A programmable keyboard comprising: means defining a plurality of physically separated matrix location structures having means for receiving a key and each having means for displaying a first electrical condition when a first type of key is inserted in that location and a second electrical condition when a second type of key is inserted, a plurality of manually operable keys each inserted at one of said matrix locations, means electrically connected to each of said matrix locations defining means for checking said matrix locations and producing a signal indicating the location of a matrix location when the key inserted in that matrix is manually operated, means electrically connected to said matrix locations defining means for producing a first electrical signal when a key inserted in a matrix location is manually operated and that matrix location is in said first electrical condition and a second electrical signal when a key inserted in a matrix location is manually operated and that matrix location is in said second condition.

Claim 3

A keyboard as in claim 1 wherein said matrix locations defining means includes a plurality of electrical terminals at each said matrix location, and wherein each said key includes means for electrically connecting a first one of said terminals at the matrix location at which it is inserted to a second one of said terminals at the matrix location at which it is inserted when that key is manually operated.

Claim 4

A keyboard as in claim 2 wherein at least one of said keys further includes means for electrically connecting said first terminal to a third one of said terminals at the matrix location at which it is inserted when that key is manually operated.

Claim 5

A keyboard as in claim 3 wherein said first to third terminal connecting means is a diode.

Claim 6

A keyboard as in claim 3 wherein at least a further one of said keys includes means for electrically connecting said first terminal to a fourth one of said terminals at the matrix location at which it is inserted when that key is manually operated.

Claim 7

A keyboard as in claim 3 wherein at least a further one of said keys includes means for electrically connecting said first terminal to said third terminal at the matrix location at which it is inserted when that key is manually operated and means for electrically connecting said first terminal to a fourth of said terminals at the matrix location at which it is inserted when that key is manually operated.

Claim 8

A keyboard as in claim 2 wherein said checking means includes means for sequentially checking each of said matrix locations.

Claim 9

A keyboard as in claim 7 wherein said sequentially checking means includes means for producing a pulse train, first counter means connected to said pulse producing means for receiving and counting the pulses in a cycle and producing an output indicating the count therein, a first plurality of electrical connectors each connecting to the first terminals of a first set of matrix locations, selector means connected to said first counter means and to said first plurality of electrical connectors for sequentially enabling one at a time each of said connectors of said first plurality of connectors with each connector enabled upon a different count in said counter means, a second plurality of conductors each connecting to thE second terminals of a second set of matrix locations each having a first terminal connected to a different one of said first plurality of conductors, second counter means connected to said first counter means for counting the cycles of said first counter means and producing an output indicating the count therein, means connecting said second counter means to said second plurality of connectors for sequentially applying a signal to each of said connectors of said second plurality one at a time so that when a signal is applied to one of said second plurality of connectors and a key at one of the matrix locations connected to that connector the connector of the first plurality of connectors is received, said signal via said first and second terminals at that location and means for disabling said pulse train producing means when one of said first plurality of connectors is both enabled and receives said signal.

Claim 10

A keyboard as in claim 8 further including a flag flip-flop, means connecting said flip-flop to said selector means for causing said flip-flop to shift from a first to second output condition when one of said first plurality of connectors is both enabled and receives said signal.

Claim 11

A keyboard as in claim 9 further including means connected to said causing means and to each of said connectors of said first plurality of connectors for preventing said causing means from causing said flip-flop to shift from said first to said second condition when two of said keys are manually operated simultaneously.

Claim 12

A keyboard as in claim 10 wherein said causing means includes logic gate means connecting said selector means to said flag flip-flop for applying a condition changing signal to said flag flip-flop wherein said preventing means includes electronic switching means, resistive means connecting said switching means to said connectors of said first plurality of connectors so that said switching means shifts from a first to second condition when two of said keys are manually operated and means connecting said switching means to said gate means to prevent said gate means for applying said condition changing signal to said flag flip-flop when said switching means is in its second condition.

Claim 13

A keyboard as in claim 8 wherein at least one of said keys further includes means for electrically connecting said first terminal to a third one of said terminals at the matrix location at which it is inserted when that key is manually operated, and including flip-flop means connected to said third terminals at said matrix locations for shifting from a first to second electrical condition when one of said keys having means connecting the first to the third terminal is manually operated.

Claim 14

A manually operable programming key for a programmable keyboard comprising: a first terminal, a plurality of second terminals, switching means connected to said first terminal for shifting from a first to a second electrical condition when said key is manually operated, and means connecting at least two of said second terminals to said switching means.

Claim 15

A manually operable programming key for a programmable keyboard comprising: a first terminal, a plurality of second terminals, switching means connected to said first terminal for shifting from a first to a second electrical condition when said key is manually operated, and means connecting at least two of said second terminals to said switching means.

Claim 16

A key as in claim 13 wherein said connecting means includes first and second diodes.

Claim 17

A programmable keyboard comprising: means defining a plurality of matrix locations, each adapted for receiving a key, a plurality of manually operable keys each inserted at one of said matrix locations, means electrically connected to said matrix locations defining means for checking said matrix locations and producing a signal indicating a matrix location when the key inserted in that matrix is manually operated, and means for preventing said checking and producing means from producing said signal when two or more of said keys are manually operated simultaneously.

Claim 18

A programmable keyboard comprising: means defining a plurality of matrix locations, each adapted for receiving a key, a plurality of manually operable keys each inserted at one of said matrix locations, means electrically connected to said matrix locations defining means for checking said matrix locations and producing a signal indicating a matrix location when the key inserted in that matrix is manually operated, and means for preventing said checking and producing means from producing said signal when two or more of said keys are manually operated simultaneously.

Claim 19

A keyboard as in claim 15 wherein said checking means includes means for sequentially checking each of said matrix locations.

Claim 20

A keyboard as in claim 16 wherein said matrix locations defining means includes a plurality of electRical terminals at each said matrix location, and wherein each said key includes means for electrically connecting a first one of said terminals at the matrix location at which it is inserted to a second one of said terminals at the matrix location at which it is inserted when that key is manually operated where said sequentially checking means includes means for producing a pulse train, first counter means connected to said pulse producing means for receiving and counting the pulses in a cycle and producing an output indicating the count therein, a first plurality of electrical connectors each connecting to the first terminals of a first set of matrix locations selector means connected to said first counter means and to said first plurality of electrical connectors for sequentially enabling one at a time each of said connectors of said first plurality of connectors with each connector enabled upon a different count in said counter means, a second plurality of conductors each connecting to the second terminals of a second set of matrix locations each having a first terminal connected to a different one of said first plurality of conductors, second counter means connected to said first counter means for counting the cycles of said first counter means and producing an output indicating the count therein, means connecting said second counter means to said second plurality of connectors for sequentially applying a signal to each of said connectors of said second plurality one at a time so that when a signal is applied to one of said second plurality of connectors and a key at one of the matrix locations connected to that connector the connector of the first plurality of connectors is received, said signal via said first and second terminals at that location and means for disabling said pulse train producing means when one of said first plurality of connectors is both enabled and receives said signal.

Claim 21

A keyboard as in claim 17 further including a flag flip-flop, means connecting said flip-flop to said selector means for causing said flip-flop to shift from a first to second output condition when one of said first plurality of connectors is both enabled and receives said signal.

Claim 22

A keyboard as in claim 18 further including means connected to said causing means and to each of said connectors of said first plurality of connectors for preventing said causing means from causing said flip-flop to shift from said first to said second condition when two of said keys are manually operated simultaneously.

Claim 23

A keyboard as in claim 19 wherein said causing means includes logic gate means connecting said selector means to said flag flip-flop for applying a condition changing signal to said flag flip-flop wherein said preventing means includes electronic switching means, resistive means connecting said switching means to said connectors of said first plurality of connectors so that said switching means shifts from a first to second condition when two of said keys are manually operated and means connecting said switching means to said gate means to prevent said gate means from applying said condition changing signal to said flag flip-flop when said switching means is in its second condition.