Keyboard with key lock function

Details Keyboard with key lock function Keyboard with key lock function

2000-01-13

2001-04-03

Friedhofer, Michael (Department: 2832)

Electricity: circuit makers and breakers

Switch activation inhibitor

C200S050330, C200S321000, C200S0050EA

Reexamination Certificate

active

06211475

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a keyboard with a key lock function, for supplying signals to an information processing device such as a personal computer through key button actions.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Some keyboards electrically connected to information processing devices have a key lock function for preventing the keyboard from supplying signals to the information processing device even when key buttons are undesirably pressed for some reason while the information processing device is being turned on and not attended by the operator. The key lock function is effective to prevent stored data in the information processing device from being eliminated or broken, for example, through unintentional key button actions.
Known keyboards with a key lock function are disclosed in Japanese laid-open utility model publication No.76630/1989 and Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 268024/1988 for example.
The keyboard disclosed in Japanese laid-open utility model publication 76630/1989 has a key lock switch mounted on the upper surface thereof, the key lock switch being pressable downwardly. When the key lock switch is pressed downwardly by the operator, the keyboard enters a lock mode.
The keyboard disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 268024/1988 includes logic circuit 5 disposed below and connected to switching part 3 (key lock switch) and keyboard circuit 1 for entering signals. Insofar as the logic circuit is supplied with a lock mode signal from the key lock switch, the logic circuit does not deliver a signal to the central processing circuit 6 (an information processing device) even when a key button is pressed to supply a key signal.
With the keyboard disclosed in Japanese laid-open utility model publication No.76630/1989, since the key lock switch is a pressable switch mounted on the upper surface of the keyboard, when the key lock switch is inadvertently pressed, the keyboard changes from the lock mode to an unlock mode against the will of the operator.
Japanese laid-open patent publication No.268024/1988 is silent about the type and layout of the key lock switch in the switching part. Since the disclosed keyboard needs the logic circuit, the keyboard is complex in structure and susceptible to a higher failure rate, and tends to suffer a high manufacturing cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A principal object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard with a key lock function, which is highly reliable against unintentional switching from a lock mode to an unlock mode against the will of the operator.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard with a key lock function, which is relatively simple in structure, has a relatively low failure rate, and can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.
A keyboard with a key lock function according to the present invention includes a key lock switch which has a structure that is resistant to unintentional switching from a lock position to an unlock position, or means for preventing unintentional switching from a lock position to an unlock position.
The keyboard has a key lock switch which may comprise a slide switch that can slide selectively between the lock position and the unlock position.
The key lock switch can open and close at least one contact which may be provided on a corresponding one of signal lines for sending signals from a keyboard circuit to an information processing device.
The key lock switch has a manually operable member disposed on an upper surface of a keyboard housing and may directly be connected to the contact within the keyboard housing.
The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an example of the present invention.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4065650 (1977-12-01), Lou
patent: 4160886 (1979-07-01), Wright et al.
patent: 5481264 (1996-01-01), Kim
patent: 5629694 (1997-05-01), Simon et al.
patent: 5803237 (1998-09-01), Gandre et al.
patent: 63-268024 (1988-11-01), None
patent: 1-76630 (1989-05-01), None

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