US5235635A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keypad monitor with keypad activity-based activation
Assignee: NORMAN IP HOLDINGS LLC
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Filing: 1990-09-27
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Granted: 1993-08-10
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Expires: 2010-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A keypad monitor which monitors the condition of a plurality of switches of a keypad is activated in response to receiving clock signals from an external clock source and is deactivated in the absence of the clock signals. The keypad monitor includes a key switch monitor which detects the closure of any one of the keypad switches to provide a first output signal, a clock detector for detecting the absence of the clock signals to provide a second output signal and any key down output logic which is responsive to the first and second output signals for providing an activation signal. The activation signal causes the external clock source to provide the keypad monitor with the clock signals for activating the keypad monitor.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale E. Gulick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:50
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
In a telephone apparatus having a keypad including a plurality of keypad switches and which includes internal circuitry which is deactivated when in an idle state for conserving power and activated in response to receiving clock signals from an external clock source, a system for activating said telephone apparatus comprising: keypad monitoring means coupled to said plurality of keypad switches for monitoring the condition of said plurality of keypad switches and providing a first output signal in response to a change in the condition of any one of said plurality of keypad switches; clock detecting means for detecting the presence and absence of said clock signals and providing a second output signal responsive to detecting the absence of said clock signals; and output means coupled to said external clock source and responsive to said first and second output signals for providing an activation signal to cause said external clock source to provide said telephone apparatus with said clock signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
In a telephone apparatus having a keypad including a plurality of keypad switches and which includes internal circuitry which is deactivated when in an idle state for conserving power and activated in response to receiving clock signals from an external clock source, a system for activating said telephone apparatus comprising: keypad monitoring means coupled to said plurality of keypad switches for monitoring the condition of said plurality of keypad switches and providing a first output signal in response to a change in the condition of any one of said plurality of keypad switches; clock detecting means for detecting the presence and absence of said clock signals and providing a second output signal responsive to detecting the absence of said clock signals; and output means coupled to said external clock source and responsive to said first and second output signals for providing an activation signal to cause said external clock source to provide said telephone apparatus with said clock signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as define in claim 1 wherein said keypad monitoring means is arranged to provide said first output signal in response to said change in condition of any one of said keypad switches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
99 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said keypad monitoring means further includes a first and a second plurality of conductors and wherein each of said keypad switches is arranged between a respective different pair of said first and said second conductors, wherein said keypad monitoring means includes a first plurality of inputs coupled to said first plurality of conductors and a second plurality of inputs coupled to said second plurality of conductors, and wherein said keypad monitoring means is arranged to monitor only said first or said second plurality of inputs for providing said first output signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
A system as defined in claim 3 wherein said first plurality of conductors comprises row conductors coupled to said first plurality of inputs, wherein said second plurality of conductors comprises column conductors coupled to said second plurality of inputs, and wherein said keypad monitoring means is arranged to monitor only said first plurality of inputs for providing said first output signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said keypad monitoring means comprises an OR gate having a plurality of inputs coupled to said first plurality of inputs of said keypad monitoring means and having an output coupled to said output means for providing said output means with said first output signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system as defined in claim 2 wherein said keypad monitoring means is further arranged for providing a unique multiple-bit code in response to said change in condition of any one of said keypad switches and wherein said output means is arranged for providing said activation signal independently of said unique multiple-bit code.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as defined in claim 6 further including digital interface means for serializing said multiple-bit code and for coupling said output means to said external clock source independently from said serialized multiple-bit code.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system as defined in claim 7 further including a digital controller coupled to said digital interface means and wherein said digital controller includes said external clock source and is arranged for receiving said serialized multiple-bit code from said digital interface means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
A system as defined in claim 8 wherein said digital interface means includes an output coupled to said digital controller, wherein said digital interface means is arranged to provide from said output to said digital controller a multiplexed output having multiple channels, wherein said digital interface means is arranged to convey said multiple-bit code within one of said channels and wherein said digital interface means is arranged to set said output to a momentary predetermined voltage level responsive to said activation signal for conveying said activation signal to said digital controller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as defined in claim 6 wherein said multiple-bit code is a six-bit code.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as defined in claim 6 wherein said keypad monitor means are arranged to provide said multiple-bit code in response to receiving said clock signals from said external clock source.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
155 words
A keypad monitor which monitors the condition of a plurality of switches of a keypad, wherein said keypad monitor is activated in response to receiving clock signals from an external clock source and deactivated in the absence of said clock signals, said keypad monitor comprising: keypad monitoring means coupled to said switches for monitoring the condition of said plurality of switches and providing a first output signal in response to detecting a change in the condition of any one of said plurality of switches; clock detecting means for detecting the presence and absence of said clock signals and providing a second output signal responsive to detecting the absence of said clock signals; and output means coupled to said external clock source and responsive to said first and second output signals for providing an activation signal to cause said external clock source to provide said keypad monitor with said clock signals for activating said keypad monitor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
155 words
A keypad monitor which monitors the condition of a plurality of switches of a keypad, wherein said keypad monitor is activated in response to receiving clock signals from an external clock source and deactivated in the absence of said clock signals, said keypad monitor comprising: keypad monitoring means coupled to said switches for monitoring the condition of said plurality of switches and providing a first output signal in response to detecting a change in the condition of any one of said plurality of switches; clock detecting means for detecting the presence and absence of said clock signals and providing a second output signal responsive to detecting the absence of said clock signals; and output means coupled to said external clock source and responsive to said first and second output signals for providing an activation signal to cause said external clock source to provide said keypad monitor with said clock signals for activating said keypad monitor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A keypad monitor as defined in claim 12 further including means for generating a unique multiple-bit code identifying which of said plurality of switches has a changed condition in response to receiving said clock signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A keypad monitor as defined in claim 13 wherein said multiple-bit code is a six-bit code.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A keypad monitor as defined in claim 12 wherein said change in said condition of said plurality of switches is closure of said plurality of switches.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
96 words
A keypad monitor as defined in claim 12 wherein said keypad monitoring means further includes a first and a second plurality of conductors and wherein each switch of said plurality of switches is coupled between a respective different pair of first and second conductors, wherein said keypad monitoring means includes a first plurality of inputs coupled to said first conductors and a second plurality of inputs coupled to said second conductors, and wherein said keypad monitoring means are arranged for monitoring only said first or said second plurality of inputs for providing said first output signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
A keypad monitor as defined in claim 16 wherein said first plurality of conductors comprises row conductors, wherein said second plurality of conductors comprises column conductors, and wherein said keypad monitoring means are arranged for monitoring only said first plurality of inputs for providing said first output signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
A keypad monitor as defined in claim 16 wherein said keypad monitoring means further includes an OR gate having a plurality of inputs coupled to said first plurality of inputs and an output for providing said first output signal.
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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) | 1996-08-09 | 1997-02-08 | 1997-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-09 | 2001-02-08 | 2001-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-09 | 2005-02-08 | 2005-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |