US3828128A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Manual input device for data-processing system and the like
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-04-18
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Granted: 1974-08-06
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Expires: 1992-04-18
Abstract
Abstract The device includes a data carrier having plural character fields, and a plurality of electrical leads extend in spaced, uniplanar parallel relation longitudinally across all of the character fields. First and second signal voltage generators generate two different respective signal voltages representing the binary code 0 and 1. A predetermined number of the leads are divided into first and second leads connected, respectively, to the first and second signal generators. The relative positions of the predetermined number of leads are interchanged, transversely of each field and transversely of the leads, so that, in each character field, the first and second leads are arranged in a different respective order transversely of the associated field to define a respective binary code characteristic of only the associated character field. An electrically conductive code detector or, preferably an electrically conductive stylus, is galvanically engageable directly and discretely with all the first and second leads in a character field to scan the same in a bit-serial sequence to provide, at the output of the code detector, a binary coded data signal respective to the scanned character field. One of the leads is a ''''start'''' lead and another lead is a ''''stop'''' lead. When a control switch is closed, the start lead is energized with a d.c. voltage, and activates the first and second signal generators, as well as connecting the code detector, such as the stylus, to a shift register and a parity check in the form of a binary counter. When the ''''stop'''' lead is contacted by the code detector, it deactivates the first and second signal generators and, if the number of 1 pulses is equal to a predetermined number, the parity check effects actuation of first and second voice frequency generators and a clock generator is activated to read out the shift register to selectively supply the voice frequency generator signals to a loudspeaker or the like in accordance with the scanned binary code.
Inventors
- 👤 J Dethloff
- 👤 Beauclair W De
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/044; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202; G06F3/0441; H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/965; H03K17/968; H03K17/969
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
276 words
In an input device for data-processing systems and the like of the type in which a data carrier is scanned manually by a code detector having an output connected to a data utilizing device, such as the processing system or a storage device, for supplying data input signals thereto, the improvement comprising, in combination, said data carrier including plural character fields longitudinally aligned in at least one row and having respective scanning areas extending transversely of the associated row; a plurality of electrical conductor leads extending in spaced, uniplanar parallel relation longitudinally across said character fields in a row and connected to respective sets of terminals at the ends of the row; first and second signal voltage generators generating two different respective signal voltages representing the binary code 0 and 1 respectively; a predetermined number of said leads being divided into first leads and second leads, and said first and second signal generators being connected to the terminals of said first and second leads, respectively; the relative positions of said predetermined number of leads being interchanged, between the scanning areas of adjacent fields, transversely of each field and transversely of the leads, so that, in each character field, said first and second leads are arranged in a different respective order transversely of the associated field to define a respective binary code characteristic of only the associated character field; said code detector being an electrically conductive member galvanically engageable directly and discretely with all the first and second leads in a character field to scan the same in a bit-serial sequence to provide, at its output, a binary coded data signal respective to the scanned character field.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
276 words
In an input device for data-processing systems and the like of the type in which a data carrier is scanned manually by a code detector having an output connected to a data utilizing device, such as the processing system or a storage device, for supplying data input signals thereto, the improvement comprising, in combination, said data carrier including plural character fields longitudinally aligned in at least one row and having respective scanning areas extending transversely of the associated row; a plurality of electrical conductor leads extending in spaced, uniplanar parallel relation longitudinally across said character fields in a row and connected to respective sets of terminals at the ends of the row; first and second signal voltage generators generating two different respective signal voltages representing the binary code 0 and 1 respectively; a predetermined number of said leads being divided into first leads and second leads, and said first and second signal generators being connected to the terminals of said first and second leads, respectively; the relative positions of said predetermined number of leads being interchanged, between the scanning areas of adjacent fields, transversely of each field and transversely of the leads, so that, in each character field, said first and second leads are arranged in a different respective order transversely of the associated field to define a respective binary code characteristic of only the associated character field; said code detector being an electrically conductive member galvanically engageable directly and discretely with all the first and second leads in a character field to scan the same in a bit-serial sequence to provide, at its output, a binary coded data signal respective to the scanned character field.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An input device, as claimed in claim 1, in which said data carrier is a planar conductor board having said conductor leads; said code detector being an electrically conductive stylus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An input device, as claimed in claim 2, in which all of said character fields include the same number of first and second conductors corresponding to the bit number of the employed code.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
An input device, as claimed in claim 3, including a counting device connected to the output of said stylus and counting the output pulses for each scanned character field to check proper scanning of the character field by said stylus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
An input device, as claimed in claim 4, including, in addition to said predetermined number of leads, a first additional conductor lead operable to generate a start signal upon galvanic contact with said stylus, and a second conductor lead operable to generate a stop signal upon galvanic contact with said stylus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
An input device, as claimed in claim 5, including a main control switch operable to connect said device to a source of d.c. potential; said main control switch connecting said start signal conductor lead to said source responsive to closing of said main control switch and switch means operable, responsive to engagement of said start signal conductor lead by said stylus, to activate said first and second signal voltage generators to apply said respective signal voltages to said first and second leads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
An input device, as claimed in claim 6, including a shift register and a binary counter connected in parallel to the output of said stylus responsive to engagement of said stylus with said start signal conductor; said shift register having a number of positions corresponding to the number of positions of the employed binary code; said binary counter counting the number of binary 1s.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
An input device, as claimed in claim 7, including insulating leads interposed between said electrical conductor leads to separate the same from each other in each character field.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
An input device, as claimed in claim 8, including a cover plate overlying said conductor board and said electrical conductor leads; said cover plate having cutout proportions defining the scaNning area each character field and serving to guide said stylus in scanning the associated character field.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
An input device, as claimed in claim 9, in which said character fields are arranged in parallel rows extending longitudinally of said conductor board; said cutout portions slanting to the left from the rear to the front of said conductor board.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
An input device, as claimed in claim 9, in which said cutout portions decrease in lateral dimensions inwardly of said cover plate toward said conductor board.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
An input device, as claimed in claim 2, in which said stylus is designed for plugging in to said input device; and identifying means for identifying the user of said input device, said identifying means being capable of being checked in the apparatus.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An input device, as claimed in claim 1, in which said character fields are arranged in the manner of a typewriter keyboard.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
An input device, as claimed in claim 1, in which said character fields are arranged alphabetically in plural rows.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An input device, as claimed in claim 1, in which said character fields have assigned thereto arbitrary meanings, symbols, and the like.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
An input device, as claimed in claim 2, including plural said conductor boards interchangeably cooperable with said input device, and having respectively different groups of characters associated therewith; and means operable, responsive to insertion of a conductor board into said input device, to activate the conductor board and to identify the same.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
83 words
An input device, as claimed in claim 8, including plural said cover plates each associated with different groups of characters and said cover plates being interchangeably positioned over said conductor board; each cover plate having cutout portions which are in congruence with the scanning areas of the character fields of said conductor board; said cover plates being provided with preselection fields identifying said cover boards; said preselection fields being operable to be swept by said stylus prior to scanning of said character fields.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-05 | 1978-02-04 | 1978-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-05 | 1982-02-04 | 1982-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-05 | 1986-02-04 | 1986-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |