Coded data generation or conversion – Digital code to digital code converters – Tree structure
Patent
1992-05-28
1998-05-26
Lall, Parshotam S.
Coded data generation or conversion
Digital code to digital code converters
Tree structure
395887, 395527, 341 22, G06F 302
Patent
active
057581932
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a terminal device and a switch unit (inclusive of a keyboard) freely detachably connected to the terminal device for providing it with data (information, commands, etc.), as well as a data processing unit, a keyboard freely detachably connected to the data processing unit for providing it data, and an interface device for connecting the data processing unit and the keyboard.
BACKGROUND ART
Terminal devices and data processing units are provided with keyboards by which an operator furnishes them data (inclusive of commands). Since the keyboards for inputting data must be suited to the functions and capabilities of the terminal devices and with the data processing units provided with the keyboards, these keyboards usually are incompatible. Terminal devices and data processing units are, therefore, equipped with keyboards specific thereto.
The keyboards provided on or connected to terminal devices or data processing units of different types differ from one another first of all in the number of key switches they possess. The numbers of signal lines also differ, and the codes representing switch signals outputted from the operated key switches differ. In addition, keyboards connected in a freely attachable and detachable manner differ in terms of the shapes of their connectors (inclusive of the numbers of pins, the arrangement of the pins, etc.).
Both the maker and the user experience inconveniences owing to these facts. The maker must fabricate keyboards for the number of types of terminal devices or data processing units in use. Since the specifications of the keyboards differ depending upon their type, production of a wide variety of types is required. When terminal devices or data processing units of a plurality of different types have been installed, the keyboards thereof cannot be used in an interchangeable manner. In addition, when it becomes necessary to acquire the latest version of a control program for a terminal device or data processing unit and increase the number of function keys or the like, the user must purchase a new conforming keyboard.
An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal device to which switch units (inclusive of keyboards) of a plurality of types having different numbers of switches are capable of being connected.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a switch unit suited to the above-described terminal device and capable of being connected thereto.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a data processing unit to which keyboards of a plurality of types having different key arrangements and key functions, etc., are capable of being connected.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard suited to the above-described data processing unit and capable of being connected thereto.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an interface device which makes it possible to connect keyboards of a plurality of types having different key arrangements, key functions and connector configurations to one type of data processing unit.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
A terminal device according to the present invention is constituted by a terminal device main frame and a switch unit connected thereto by a connector in a freely attachable and detachable manner. The terminal device main frame has switch-signal input terminals of a first prescribed number, code-signal input terminals of a second prescribed number, and switch-signal accepting means for accepting a switch input signal applied to a predetermined input terminal among the switch-signal input terminals in dependence upon a code signal applied to the code-signal input terminals. The switch unit has switches the number of which is less than the first prescribed number, and code signal generating means for generating a code signal which represents correlation between the switches of the switch unit and the switch-signal input terminals of the terminal device main frame, and which comprises bits the number of whic
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Ozaki Tokio
Tsuji Toshiyuki
Lall Parshotam S.
Omron Corporation
Vu Viet
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