Coded data generation or conversion – Bodily actuated code generator – Including keyboard or keypad
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-17
2001-05-22
Horabik, Michael (Department: 2735)
Coded data generation or conversion
Bodily actuated code generator
Including keyboard or keypad
C341S022000, C346S106000, C400S477000, C400S712000, C178S01700D
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236339
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control system for an electronic apparatus such as an information processing unit, an input unit for inputting data into this electronic apparatus and a key for use in this input unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
Keyboards are conventionally used as data input units for entering data into information processing units (hereinafter referred to as IPUs).
In general, such a keyboard is connected to an IPU through a cable or the like. A plurality of keys are provided on the keyboard. The respective keys work as electric switches. When a user depresses a key, a predetermined signal for identifying that key is generated. This signal is transmitted to the IPU through the cable.
Since the conventional keyboard is connected to the IPU through the cable, it has the disadvantage that the distance between the IPU and the keyboard is bound by the length of the cable, that is the keyboard cannot be located at a longer distance from the IPU than the length of the cable, reducing the usability of the keyboard.
In view of the above disadvantage, a prior art system for dispensing with any such cable for connecting a keyboard to an IPU by acoustically connecting the keyboard to the IPU is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 58-132834. This prior art system is shown in FIG.
10
.
Referring to
FIG. 10
, a keyboard
80
has a plurality of keys (not shown), keyboard circuit
81
for producing a digital signal corresponding to the depressed key when each of the keys is depressed, a converter
82
for converting this digital signal into a signal of a unique frequency, an amplifier
83
for amplifying the signal converted by the converter
82
, a speaker
84
driven by the signal amplified by the amplifier
83
to generate an acoustic signal (i.e., a sound), and a battery
85
for transmitting an electrical power to these components.
An IPU
90
has a microphone
91
for receiving the acoustic signal generated by the speaker
84
and sending this acoustic signal to an amplifier
92
, which then amplifies the acoustic signal, a converter
93
for converting the acoustic signal amplified by the amplifier
92
into a digital signal on the basis oh the frequency of the amplified acoustic signal, a control circuit
94
for controlling the IPU
90
, a display unit
95
for displaying data, a power supply controller
96
for supplying electrical power to the IPU
90
and a power supply line
97
connecting the controller
96
to the commercial power supply source (not shown).
As described above, according to this prior art system, the keyboard and the IPU are acoustically connected to each other to thereby dispense with any cables for connecting the keyboard to the IPU.
However, in the prior art system, the keyboard
80
must be supplied with electrical power by the battery
85
. Where the electrical charge stored in the battery
85
has run out, the system has the disadvantage that it is necessary for the user to perform a troublesome operation of replacing the battery
85
for a new one, or recharging the battery
85
if it is rechargeable battery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an input unit that does not require any supply of electrical power, a key used in this input unit and a controlling system using the input unit for control an electronic apparatus.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control system including an input unit provided with a plurality of keys, and an electronic apparatus, said system comprising: said keys each including: a key top, a sound generating mechanism connected to said key top for generating a sound, proper to said key, without any electrical power supply when said key top is depressed, and an outer sleeve accommodating said sound generating mechanism and having an opening portion for outputting said sound to the outside so that said sound can be received by said electronic apparatus; and said electronic apparatus including: a receiving means for receiving said sound, and a converting means for converting said sound that has been received by said receiving means, to a string of specific digital data row corresponding to said sound.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4376469 (1983-03-01), Longrod
patent: 4384633 (1983-05-01), Hoyer-Ellefsen
patent: 4430644 (1984-02-01), Blanchard, Jr. et al.
patent: 4599607 (1986-07-01), Hill
patent: 58-132834 (1983-08-01), None
Edwards, Jr. Timothy
Horabik Michael
NEC Corporation
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
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