Electronic calculator with acoustic confirmation of key actuation and acoustical alarms

Claim 1

An electronic data processor apparatus including a substantially flat keyboard, said data processor being capable of audibly confirming whether any key on said substantially flat keyboard has been actuated, thereby introducing an input into said electronic data processor apparatus, said electronic data processor apparatus further comprising: a substantially flat keyboard means responsive to the actuation of the keys on said keyboard for introducing inputs into said data processor apparatus, said substantially flat keyboard means including a predetermined number of keys grouped in respective key working areas which lie substantially in a plane, said keys on said keyboard capable of being actuated by depression of each of said keys through a substantially miniscule key stroke distance; a processor unit means including a processor circuit means for performing an operation on said inputs, said processor unit means including a signal generator means for generating a plurality of key strobe signals, said key strobe signals being input to each of said keys on said substantially flat keyboard means, said respective keys which receive said key strobe signals passing said respective key strobe signals to said processor unit means in response to actuation of said respective keys, said processor unit means further generating a sound instruction signal indicative of the actuation of said respective keys and of the introduction of said inputs into said data processor apparatus, said sound instruction signal being generated in accordance with the receipt of said respective key strobe signals; and means resposive to said sound instruction signal for generating an acoustic sound in accordance with said sound instruction signal, thereby confirming audibly whether any key on said substantially flat keyboard means has been actually actuated and whether said inputs introduced in response to said actuation.