US3879722A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interactive input-output computer terminal with automatic relabeling of keyboard
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1973-12-10
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1993-12-10
Abstract
Abstract This invention is a method and apparatus for transfer of information on a screen by optical means onto a keyboard. The invention is implemented by displaying graphical or alpha-numeric information on a screen, such as a cathode-ray tube, and optically transferring that information to form an image on a keyboard, such as a pushbutton telephone keyboard, such that individual keys are labeled. The preferred optical means is a semitransparent mirror interposed between the keyboard and the user such that the screen image becomes a virtual image overlaying the keyboard.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Charles Knowlton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 01:17
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/02; G06F3/0227; G06F3/023; G06F3/0238; G06F3/048; G06F3/0484; G06F3/04842
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
10 words
generating graphical or alpha-numeric signal information in a digital computer,
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
10 words
generating graphical or alpha-numeric signal information in a digital computer,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A computer input-output device comprising: a visual display device for displaying graphical or alphanumeric images; a keyboard containing at least one manually operated key; and optical means for producing virtual images from said visual display device upon said keyboard.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A computer input-output device comprising: a visual display device for displaying graphical or alphanumeric images; a keyboard containing at least one manually operated key; and optical means for producing virtual images from said visual display device upon said keyboard.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A computer input-output device comprising: a visual display device for displaying graphical or alpha-numeric images; a keyboard containing at least one manually operated key; and optical means for producing virtual images from said visual display device upon said keyboard.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A computer input-output device comprising: a visual display device for displaying graphical or alpha-numeric images; a keyboard containing at least one manually operated key; and optical means for producing virtual images from said visual display device upon said keyboard.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
means for supporting a keyboard and a visual display device,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
means for supporting a keyboard and a visual display device,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The computer input-output device of claim 1 wherein said optical means consists of a semi-transparent mirror for reflecting said graphical or alpha-numeric information displayed on said visual display device to virtually appear to the user to be superimposed upon said keyboard.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
a first opening for viewing said keyboard through a semitransparent mirror,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
a first opening for viewing said keyboard through a semitransparent mirror,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
displaying such information to form graphical or alpha-numeric images on said screen,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
displaying such information to form graphical or alpha-numeric images on said screen,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
means for securing said semitransparent mirror such that images displayed on said visual display device appear as virtual images superimposed on the plane of said keyboard when viewed through said first opening, and
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
means for securing said semitransparent mirror such that images displayed on said visual display device appear as virtual images superimposed on the plane of said keyboard when viewed through said first opening, and
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
reflecting the images displayed on the screen by means of a semitransparent mirror to form virtual images overlaying the keyboard, and
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
reflecting the images displayed on the screen by means of a semitransparent mirror to form virtual images overlaying the keyboard, and
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer input-output device of claim 2 wherein said semi-transparent mirror creates the simultaneous image of (1) graphical or alpha-numeric information reflected from said visual display device and (2) the user''s hand when at the keyboard.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer input-output device of claim 1 wherein said visual display device for displaying computer output signals in graphical or alpha-numeric form is a cathode-ray tube.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
coupling said keyboard to said digital computer by providing (1) a signal path from keyboard to computer (2) a signal converter to change keyboard signals created by a depressed key into signals useful in a digital computer (3) a computer program responsive to said signals as indicators of user responses to said virtual imaGes overlaying said keyboard.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
coupling said keyboard to said digital computer by providing (1) a signal path from keyboard to computer (2) a signal converter to change keyboard signals created by a depressed key into signals useful in a digital computer (3) a computer program responsive to said signals as indicators of user responses to said virtual imaGes overlaying said keyboard.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
a second opening for the insertion of the operator''s hand to manipulate the keyboard.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
a second opening for the insertion of the operator''s hand to manipulate the keyboard.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer input-output device of claim 1 wherein said visual display device for displaying computer output signals in graphical or alpha-numeric form is a plasma panel array.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer input-output device of claim 1 wherein said visual display device for displaying computer output signals in graphical or alpha-numeric form is an array of light emitting diodes.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer input-output device of claim 1 wherein said keyboard is a pushbutton pad of a pushbutton telephone set.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer input-output device of claim 1 wherein said keyboard is a typewriter keyboard.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer input-output device of claim 1 wherein said keyboard is an x- y tablet and stylus.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer input-output device of claim 1 wherein said visual display for displaying computer output signals in graphical or alpha-numeric form is a television screen of a television-telephone set and said keyboard is a pushbutton pad of said television-telephone set.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
114 words
An interactive computer system comprising: a digital computer which has stored in memory a program for the generation of a plurality of signals representing graphical or alpha-numeric information; a transmission path for signals to and from said digital computer and an input-output terminal; a visual display device of said input-output terminal responsive to said signals representing graphical or alpha-numeric information for displaying said information; a keyboard of said input-output terminal consisting of an array of keys, each of said keys when depressed producing a signal for use as input information to said digital computer; and means for reflecting said information displayed on said visual display device to create a virtual image overlaying said keyboard.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
114 words
An interactive computer system comprising: a digital computer which has stored in memory a program for the generation of a plurality of signals representing graphical or alpha-numeric information; a transmission path for signals to and from said digital computer and an input-output terminal; a visual display device of said input-output terminal responsive to said signals representing graphical or alpha-numeric information for displaying said information; a keyboard of said input-output terminal consisting of an array of keys, each of said keys when depressed producing a signal for use as input information to said digital computer; and means for reflecting said information displayed on said visual display device to create a virtual image overlaying said keyboard.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
13 words
The method of automatically relabeling the keyboard of a screen-keyboard computer terminal by
Claim 33
Independent Claim
13 words
The method of automatically relabeling the keyboard of a screen-keyboard computer terminal by
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cabinet for a computer terminal of the type having a visual display device and a keyboard comprising,
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cabinet for a computer terminal of the type having a visual display device and a keyboard comprising,
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cabinet as set forth in claim 13 further comprising: a partition for directing illumination produced by a brightened portion of said visual display device away from said semitransparent mirror and toward said keyboard.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cabinet as set forth in claim 14 wherein said partition further includes a reflecting mirror for further directing said illumination toward said keyboard.
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) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |