Patent US4706067A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4706067A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switch actuated communication device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1986-05-15
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Granted: 1987-11-10
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Expires: 2006-05-15
Abstract
Abstract A device for generating an output information message by the manipulation of a single switch, to form a sequence of switch closures of varying duration. The device includes dot feedback circuitry responsive to a switch closure, for generating a human-sensible dot feedback signal to alert an operator that the switch closure should be discontinued if a dot signal is intended. Dot generation circuitry responds to the switch closure being discontinued within a preselected first timing interval following detection of the switch closure, and generates a dot information signal. Dash feedback circuitry responds to a switch closure that is not discontinued within the first timing interval, for generating a human-sensible dash feedback signal, to alert an operator that the switch closure is of sufficient duration to be interpreted as a dash. Dash generation circuitry responds to the switch closure being continued beyond the preselected first timing interval, and generates a dash information signal. Decoding circuitry converts a coded sequence of dot and dash information signals generated in this manner, to an output information message.
Inventors
- 👤 Lane T. Hauck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:02
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B19/00; G09B19/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
349 words
A device for generating an output information message in response to a sequence of coded information switch closures, comprising: single input means for detecting the sequence of switch closures, each of varying duration; dot feedback means including timing means for generating a predetermined dot interval when said input means detects a switch closure; said dot feedback means being responsive to the input means detecting said switch closure for generating a preselected first timing interval following said dot interval; said dot feedback means including means responsive to said timing means completing said dot interval for generating a human-sensible dot feedback signal to alert an operator that said switch closure has been detected and that the switch closure should be discontinued if a dot signal is intended; dot generation means responsive to the input means detecting said switch closure being discontinued within said first timing interval, for generating a dot information signal; dash feedback means responsive to the input means detecting said switch closure that is not discontinued within said first timing interval, for generating a human-sensible dash feedback signal to alert the operator that the switch closure has been of sufficient duration to be decoded as a dash; dash generation means responsive to the input means detecting said switch closure that is not discontinued within the preselected first timing interval for generating a dash information signal; silent interval means responsive to the input means detecting said switch closure being discontinued beyond a preselected second time interval, for generating a human sensible end-of-letter signal to alert the operator that the switch has been released long enough for the previous dots and dashes to be decoded into a character; interdigital silent interval means responsive to said input means detecting another switch closure with said second time interval, to decode a subsequent digit such as a dot or a dash, being initialed by said other switch closure, and the previously decoded digits as being part of a single character information; and decoding means for converting a coded sequence of dot and dash information signals to an output information message in a desired format.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
349 words
A device for generating an output information message in response to a sequence of coded information switch closures, comprising: single input means for detecting the sequence of switch closures, each of varying duration; dot feedback means including timing means for generating a predetermined dot interval when said input means detects a switch closure; said dot feedback means being responsive to the input means detecting said switch closure for generating a preselected first timing interval following said dot interval; said dot feedback means including means responsive to said timing means completing said dot interval for generating a human-sensible dot feedback signal to alert an operator that said switch closure has been detected and that the switch closure should be discontinued if a dot signal is intended; dot generation means responsive to the input means detecting said switch closure being discontinued within said first timing interval, for generating a dot information signal; dash feedback means responsive to the input means detecting said switch closure that is not discontinued within said first timing interval, for generating a human-sensible dash feedback signal to alert the operator that the switch closure has been of sufficient duration to be decoded as a dash; dash generation means responsive to the input means detecting said switch closure that is not discontinued within the preselected first timing interval for generating a dash information signal; silent interval means responsive to the input means detecting said switch closure being discontinued beyond a preselected second time interval, for generating a human sensible end-of-letter signal to alert the operator that the switch has been released long enough for the previous dots and dashes to be decoded into a character; interdigital silent interval means responsive to said input means detecting another switch closure with said second time interval, to decode a subsequent digit such as a dot or a dash, being initialed by said other switch closure, and the previously decoded digits as being part of a single character information; and decoding means for converting a coded sequence of dot and dash information signals to an output information message in a desired format.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device recited in claim 1, further comprising: backspace means responsive to the input means detecting said switch closure having a duration that extends beyond a third timing interval, for generating a backspace information signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device recited in claim 1 further comprising: erase means responsive to the input means detecting said switch closure having a duration that extends beyond a preselected fourth timing interval, for generating an erase information signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device recited in claim 1, further comprising: first adjustment means for enabling manual adjustment of said first timing interval.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device recited in claim 1, further comprising: second adjustment means for enabling manual adjustment of said second timing interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device recited in claim 1, further comprising: display means responsive to the decoding means for providing a visually discernible image of the information message.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device recited in claim 1, wherein the input means includes: microprocessor means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device recited in claim 1, wherein: the dot feedback means includes first audio means for providing a first audible tone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device recited in claim 1, wherein: the dash feedback means includes second audio means for providing a second audible tone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device recited in claim 4, further comprising: timing adjustment feedback means for proving a human-sensible signal indicative of a timing adjustment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device recited in claim 10, wherein the timing adjustment feedback means includes: a visually discernible image of a range of incremental timing adjustments; and cursor means for providing a visually discernible image along said range as an indication of a timing adjustment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device recited in claim 1, further comprising: output means for encoding an electrical signal with the information message in a selected character code.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device recited in claim 12, wherein: the output means includes means for encoding the electrical signal using ASCII character code.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device recited in claim 13, wherein the output means includes: output port means for enabling transmission of the electrical signal to a separate user-selected apparatus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device recited in claim 14, wherein the output port means includes: RS-232 means for enabling interconnection according to a conventional RS-232 format.
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) | 1990-11-09 | 1991-05-11 | 1991-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-09 | 1995-05-11 | 1995-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-09 | 1999-05-11 | 1999-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |