Coded data generation or conversion – Bodily actuated code generator – Including keyboard or keypad
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-07
2001-12-04
Edward, Jr., Timothy (Department: 2635)
Coded data generation or conversion
Bodily actuated code generator
Including keyboard or keypad
C341S022000, C345S169000, C379S368000, C455S575100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06326906
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a keyboard having key positions providable with keys.
The present invention further relates to a device provided with such a keyboard.
Such a keyboard and device are known from EP-A-427011. The known keyboard has key positions provided between conducting row and column lines of the keyboard matrix. At each intersection between a row and a column line, either a switch or a diode is connected there between. The known device comprises a keyboard connected to a microprocessor, which microprocessor in turn is equipped for controlling the row lines such that they function either as a sender or as a receiver of line signal in order to read out which of the switches on the keyboard is pressed. All diodes are necessary to conduct a signal from one row line to one column line or vice versa in order to perform this key read out or key scan function. Its a disadvantage of the known keyboard and device that they do not present sufficient flexibility with respect to the arrangement, embodiment and the assignment of additional functions thereto, because each and every intersection between a row and a column line is occupied by either said switch or said diode. This leads to an unwanted rigidity of the applicability of the known keyboards in practise.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide for a keyboard and a device having such a keyboard showing more flexibility in applying different kinds of keyboards by introducing the possibility of assigning adjustable and selectable functionalities to each individual keyboard.
To this end the present invention is characterised in that at least one of the key positions is provided with keys, and that at least one of the key positions which is not provided with a key has a mode setting option implemented there on. The basic idea underlying the invention is that positions on a keyboard which are not occupied by keys can be interchanged with mode setting options and can be used to implement these options. In general the ratio wherein the not occupied keys can be interchanged with a mode setting option depends on the kind of keyboard that is being used. Mode setting options serve the purpose of adding functional feature information to the microprocessor, such as information about pulse or tone dialling/parameters, the pulse rate, the pulse time, pulse width, pulse pause ratio, type of ring melody, timing information, and other kinds of information which may or may not differ per country. In practise mode setting options are being set and read out or scanned by software running in the microprocessor at the start of a working session. Furthermore it is an advantage of the present invention that the pin count on the integrated circuit of the microprocessor is not increased by the solution presented.
In an embodiment of the keyboard according to the invention the keyboard is a matrix type keyboard or a triangle type keyboard. It is an advantage of the embodiment of the present invention that the practically important conventional and triangle keyboard types can benefit from mode setting options without IC pin count increase or negative influence on the complexity of key scan routines or mode setting scan routines.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4585908 (1986-04-01), Smith
patent: 5790054 (1998-08-01), Hsu et al.
patent: 5987336 (1999-11-01), Sudo et al.
patent: 0427011A2 (1991-05-01), None
Edward, Jr. Timothy
U.S. Philips Corporation
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