Patent US4965560A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4965560A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multiple keyboard switch
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1988-11-17
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Granted: 1990-10-23
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Expires: 2008-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A switch module for coupling a plurality of keyboards to an AT-type personal computer includes a plurality of inputs. An input is associated with each of the keyboards. The plurality of inputs is selectively switched to a set of output lines which are coupled to the keyboard input of the AT-type computer. A plurality of displays is provided, driven from a common display output of the AT-type computer. The switch module includes one or more electrically operable relays.
Inventors
- 👤 Rupert A. Riley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:32
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0227
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A manually operable keyboard selectable multi-keyboard system usable by an operator to continuously enter data through a selected keyboard for an operator determined period of time comprising: central processing means having a 16 bit bidirectional data bus and a 24 bit address bus and usable with an operating system; a plurality of manually operable keyboards; and manually operable keyboard selecting means, coupled between each said keyboard and said processing means for switching only a selected one of said keyboards into electrical communication with said central processing means and for open circuiting all other keyboards with respect to said processing means for the operator determined period of time including means for eliminating any need to reboot said operating system in response to said keyboard switching whereby keyboard related electrical signals from only said single selected keyboard can be transmitted to said central processing means for the operator determined period of time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A manually operable keyboard selectable multi-keyboard system usable by an operator to continuously enter data through a selected keyboard for an operator determined period of time comprising: central processing means having a 16 bit bidirectional data bus and a 24 bit address bus and usable with an operating system; a plurality of manually operable keyboards; and manually operable keyboard selecting means, coupled between each said keyboard and said processing means for switching only a selected one of said keyboards into electrical communication with said central processing means and for open circuiting all other keyboards with respect to said processing means for the operator determined period of time including means for eliminating any need to reboot said operating system in response to said keyboard switching whereby keyboard related electrical signals from only said single selected keyboard can be transmitted to said central processing means for the operator determined period of time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 1 with said switching means including at least one multi-pole electrically operated relay.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as in claim 2 with said relay including an actuation coil, means for providing electrical energy to said coil and including manually operable switch means coupled between said coil and said providing means thereby to selectively apply electrical energy to said coil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as in claim 3 with said providing means including a cable and associated means for engaging a supply of electrical energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as in claim 3 including control means, associated with said processing means for selectively sensing electrical signals communicated through said switching means from said selected one keyboard.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as in claim 1 with said switching means including a plurality of electrically activated relays and means for selectively energizing at least one relay coil thereby coupling a selected keyboard to said central processing means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
24 words
A system as in claim including a plurality of display means with each said display means associated with a respective one of said keyboards.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system as in claim 7 including means for coupling said display means in parallel with one another whereby said display means are all capable of providing the same display independently of which of said keyboards has been selected.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as in claim 1 with said switching means including a multi-position manually operable switch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
A switching apparatus usable to couple only one member at a time of a plurality of manually operable keyboards to an INTEL type 80286 microcomputer for an operator determinable period of time comprising: manually selectable switch means, coupled between each said keyboard and the microcomputer for switching only a selected one of said keyboards into electrical communication with the microcomputer whereby electrical signals from only said single keyboard can be transmitted thereto for the operator determinable period of time while the microcomputer functions normally as if no switching operation had taken place; and means for supplying electrical energy to said switching means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
A switching apparatus usable to couple only one member at a time of a plurality of manually operable keyboards to an INTEL type 80286 microcomputer for an operator determinable period of time comprising: manually selectable switch means, coupled between each said keyboard and the microcomputer for switching only a selected one of said keyboards into electrical communication with the microcomputer whereby electrical signals from only said single keyboard can be transmitted thereto for the operator determinable period of time while the microcomputer functions normally as if no switching operation had taken place; and means for supplying electrical energy to said switching means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 10 with said switching means including at least one multi-pole electrically operated relay.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as in claim 11 with said relay including an actuation coil, means for providing electrical energy to said coil and including manually operable switch means coupled between said coil and said providing means thereby to selectively apply electrical energy to said coil.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as in claim 12 with said providing means including a cable and associated means for engaging a supply of electrical energy.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as in claim 10 including means for driving a plurality of displays with each member of said plurality associated with a respective keyboard.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
89 words
A switching apparatus to couple, for an operator determinable period of time, an AT-type personal computer, usable with an operating system, to only one selected member at a time from a plurality of keyboards comprising: electrically actuated means for coupling only the single selected member of the plurality to the AT-type computer, for the operator determinable period of time, including means for switching from one keyboard to another without in any way disrupting the normal functioning of the operating system; and manually operable means, for controlling said coupling means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
89 words
A switching apparatus to couple, for an operator determinable period of time, an AT-type personal computer, usable with an operating system, to only one selected member at a time from a plurality of keyboards comprising: electrically actuated means for coupling only the single selected member of the plurality to the AT-type computer, for the operator determinable period of time, including means for switching from one keyboard to another without in any way disrupting the normal functioning of the operating system; and manually operable means, for controlling said coupling means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 15 with said coupling means including at least one relay.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as in claim 15 with said controlling means including a multi-position, manually operable switch.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
131 words
A multi-keyboard apparatus comprising: an AT-type computer usable with an operating system and having a keyboard input port; a plurality of keyboards; manually controllable keyboard selecting means for selectively coupling only one keyboard, from said plurality, at a time to said keyboard input port and for electrically disconnecting all other keyboards from said port including means for switching from one said keyboard to another while the operating system functions normally as if said switching had not taken place; and including a plurality of display means with each said display means associated with a respective one of said keyboards with means for coupling said display means in parallel with one another whereby said display means are all capable of providing the same display independently of which of said keyboards has been selected.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
131 words
A multi-keyboard apparatus comprising: an AT-type computer usable with an operating system and having a keyboard input port; a plurality of keyboards; manually controllable keyboard selecting means for selectively coupling only one keyboard, from said plurality, at a time to said keyboard input port and for electrically disconnecting all other keyboards from said port including means for switching from one said keyboard to another while the operating system functions normally as if said switching had not taken place; and including a plurality of display means with each said display means associated with a respective one of said keyboards with means for coupling said display means in parallel with one another whereby said display means are all capable of providing the same display independently of which of said keyboards has been selected.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
126 words
A keyboard selecting system comprising: an AT-type programmable digital processor including a keyboard input port for coupling a single keyboard thereto; a multi-position manually operable switch connected to said keyboard input port; a plurality of keyboards with each said keyboard connected to said switch with only one keyboard at a time electrically couplable to said input port via said switch and with all other keyboards open circuited with respect to said port; and including a plurality of display means with each said display means associated with a respective one of said keyboards and with means for coupling said display means in parallel with one another whereby said display means are all capable of providing the same display independently of which of said keyboards has been selected.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
126 words
A keyboard selecting system comprising: an AT-type programmable digital processor including a keyboard input port for coupling a single keyboard thereto; a multi-position manually operable switch connected to said keyboard input port; a plurality of keyboards with each said keyboard connected to said switch with only one keyboard at a time electrically couplable to said input port via said switch and with all other keyboards open circuited with respect to said port; and including a plurality of display means with each said display means associated with a respective one of said keyboards and with means for coupling said display means in parallel with one another whereby said display means are all capable of providing the same display independently of which of said keyboards has been selected.
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) | 1993-10-22 | 1994-04-23 | 1994-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-22 | 1998-04-23 | 1998-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-22 | 2002-04-23 | 2002-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |