US3377485A

US3377485A - Photomechanical code keyboard unit

Info

Publication number: US3377485A
Application number: US428580A
Authority: US
Inventors: Amada Sanae
Original assignee: Fujitsu Ltd
Current assignee: Fujitsu Ltd
Priority date: 1964-01-28
Filing date: 1965-01-27
Publication date: 1968-04-09
Anticipated expiration: 1985-04-09

Description

Aprril 9, 1968 SANAE AMADA PHOTOMBCHANICAL CODE KEYBOARD UNIT Filed Jan. 27, 1965 United States Patent Ofitice 3,377,485 Patented Apr. 9, 1968 3,377,485 HGTOMECHANHCAL (IQDE KEYBOARD UNIT Sanae Amalia, Tokyo, Japan, assigncr to Fujitsu Limited. Kawasaki, Japan, a corporation of Japan Filed Jan. 27, 1965, Ser. No. 428,530 Claims priority, application Japan, Jan. 28, 1964, 39/3342 1 Claim. (El. 250-229) ABSTRAET GE THE DISCLQSURE Code keyboard apparatus comprises a plurality of photoelectric transducers spaced from a source of light to provide a coded output corresponding to a key-selected input. The light is directed to the photoelectric transducers in a plurality of separate light paths, each of the light paths being directed to a corresponding one of the photoelectric transducers. Each of a plurality of spaced separate code bars has a plurality of projections arranged in a pattern determining a corresponding code indication. A guide slidably supports the code bars in positions between the source of light and the photoelectric transducers wherein selected ones of the projections of the code bars are adapted to block corresponding ones of the light paths in determined positions of the code bars thereby providing a coded output. Key actuated members in contact with the code bars selectively move the code bars in the guide to the determined positions in accordance with a keyselected input.

The present invention relates to a photomechanical code keyboard unit. More particularly, the invention relates to a code keyboard unit utilizing combined mechanical and photoelectric apparatus.

Known keyboard units utilize solely mechanical apparatus and rarely or never utilize electromechanical or photoelectric apparatus. Mechanical apparatus in keyboard units is deficient, however, in that the speed of operation is slow and the operation is noisy.

Although photoelectric apparatus is theoretically superior to soely mechanical apparatus, suitable photoelectric apparatus has not been developed prior to the present invention. This is especially true when it comes to controlling the light paths through the apparatus.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved code keyboard unit.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved photomechanical code keyboard unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a code keyboard unit which has a fast speed of operation and which operates quietly.

In accordance with the present invention, code keyboard apparatus comprises a source of light and a plurality of separate photoelectric transducers spaced from the source of light. A director directs the light to the photoelectric transducer in plurality of separate parallel spaced light paths, each of the light paths being directed to a corresponding one of the photo-electric transducers. A plurality of spaced separate code bars each has a plurality of projections arranged in a pattern determining a corresponding code indication. A guide slidably supports the code bars in parallel spaced positions relative to each other between the source of light and the photoelectric transducers wherein selected ones of the projections of the code bars are adapted to block corresponding ones of the light paths in determined positions of the code bars. Key actuated apparatus in contact with the code bars selectively moves the code bars in the guide means to the determined positions. The key actuated apparatus comprises a plurality of keys, a plurality of key levers each aifixed to a corresponding one of the keys and a plurality of control levers each being pivotally mounted with one end in contact with a corresponding one of the code bars and with another portion coupled to a corresponding one of the key levers.

In order that the present invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in section, of an embodi ment of a code keyboard unit of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partly cut away, of a part of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another part of the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view the embodiment of FIG. 1.

In the figures, the same components .are identified by the same reference numerals.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the code keyboard unit includes a plurality of keys 1 each corresponding to a specific information such as, for example, a letter of the alphabet, a number or a punctuation mark. A plurality of key levers 2 each is afiixed to a corresponding one of the keys 1.

Each of a plurality of control levers 4 is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 5. Each of the control levers 4 has one end 4a and another portion 4b. Each of the control levers 4 is coupled to a corresponding one of the key levers 2 at its portion 412.

The control levers 4, of which one is shown in the drawings, are shown in their inoperative or rest position in the drawings (FIG. '1). When a key 1 is depressed by the operator, the corresponding key lever 2 moves the corresponding control lever 4 in a clockwise direction around the pivot pin 5.

The apparatus of the code keyboard unit is mounted in any suitable manner in a suitable housing 3. Each of the control levers 4 may be urged in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 5 by a spring 6 which thus returns said control lever to its rest position. Each spring 6 is afiixed at one end to the housing or a fixed part of the apparatus and at its other end to the corresponding control lever.

Each of the control levers 4 may be provided with a locking device '7 at an end 40 of said control lever which limits the clockwise movement of the control lever and a stop 9 may be provided at the end 4a of each control lever to limit its counterclockwise movement. The devices '7 and 9 are affixed to the inside of the housing 3 or to suitable fixed parts of the apparatus. Furthermore, a lock lever 8 may be provided to lock each control lever in its rest position.

A guide block 11 is provided. A source tione-d at one end 11:: of the guide block 11 and may comprise the light source of FIG. 4, wherein an elongated lamp 23 is positioned in spaced parallel relation with an optical rectangular prism 24 of suitable type. The light produced by the lamp 23 is directed into a substantially planar beam of light 25 by the prism 24. The plane of the beam of light extends between and is defined by the light rays 25.

A plurality of separate photo-electric transducers 21 are positioned at the opposite end 1122 of the guide block of still another part of of light is osi- H and may be mounted on a board 20 as shown in FIG;

3, for example. Each of the photo-electric transducers 21 may comprise any suit-able device for converting light energy into electrical energy such as, for example, a photo transistor. The photo-electric transducers 211 include transducers 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21c, 211, 21g and 21h.

A plurality of channels or conduits 19 are formed through the guide block 11 extending in spaced parallel relation to each other from the end 11a to the end 11b of said uide block. The conduits 19 direct the light from the light source to the photoelectric transducers 21 in a plurality of separate parallel spaced light paths, each of the light paths being directed to a corresponding one of the photo-electric transducers. Thus, without intermediate obstruction, each photoelectric transducer 21 is energized by or irradiated by a corresponding beam of light separate from and uninfiuenced by the other beams of light from the light source.

A plurality of parallel spaced slots or grooves 18 are formed in the guide block 11. The guide block 11 is supported in any suitable manner by the housing 3 or apparatus and is preferably maintained in vertical position with the slots or grooves 18 extending verticaliy. The conduits 19 formed through the guide block 11 and the slots 18 formed in said guide block are perpendicular to each other with each of said conduits being intersected by all of said slots and with each of said slots being intersected by all of said conduits.

A plurality of spaced separate code bars 10 are slidably supported in the slots 18 of the guide block 11. Each of the code bars 10 is slida'bly sup-ported for move ment in the longitudinal direction of the slots 18 in a corresponding one of said slots. Each of the code bars 13 has a plurality of projections 15 arranged in a pattern determining a corresponding code indication and selected ones or all of said projections of each of said code bars are adapted to block corresponding ones of the conduits 19.

Each of the control levers 4 abuts the lower end 13:: of a corresponding one of the code bars 10 so that clockwise movement of a control lever 4 about its pivot pin 5 moves the corresponding code bar in its slot 18 to a determined position wherein the projections of said code bar block cor-responding ones of the conduits 19. The number of conduits 19 is preferably equal to the number of places in the code utilized or to a number large enough to accommodate a number of codes.

A first retaining member 13 is afiixed to the guide block 11 across the slots 18 to retain the code bars It! in their corresponding slots. A second retaining member 14, spaced from the first retaining member 13, is aflixed to the guide block 11 across the slots 18 to cooperate with the first retaining member in retaining the code bars 10 in their corresponding slots. The first and second retaining

members

13 and 14 may be positioned parallel to the conduits 19.

Each of the code bars 10 may be urged downward by a return spring 12, which operates similarly to the spring 6, to return the code bars to their rest position. Each return spring 12 is afiixed at one end to the second retaining member 14 and at its other end to the corresponding code bar.

Each of the code bars 10 may be provided with a locking device 16 at an end 19b of said code bar which cooperates with the overhang formed in the end 1d!) of the code bar to maintain the code bar in its determined operative position. The devices 16 are affixed to the inside of the housing 3 or to suitable fixed parts of the apparatus.

The code keyboard unit of the present invent-ion operates to convert data or information indicated in the manner of typing, by depressing selected ones of the keys 1, into a corresponding code. The corresponding code may be recorded as magnetic signals on a suitable magnetizable medium such as, for example, tape, or as perforations in a suitable medium such as, for example, paper tape.

In its rest condition, the code keyboard unit produces no output code information. The keys 1 are in their rest or raised position, the control levers 4 are stationary and the code bars 10 are at rest on their corresponding control levers. The conduits 19 direct a plurality, eight in the illustrated example, of independent light beams to the independent photo-electric transducers 21 unobstructed by the projections 15 of any of the code bars 10. The photoelectric transducers 21 thus provide electrical signals to suitable recording equipment 17 (FIG. 3) which then records a no information signal on a suitable recording medium 26.

When the code keyboard unit is operated, it produces a code indication of information impressed upon the keys 1. When a selected key 1 is depressed by the operator, the corresponding key lever 2 urges the corresponding control lever 4 downward at its portion 41; so that the control lever moves about its pivot pin 5 in a clockwise direction and its end in moves upward. The upward movement of the end 4a of the control lever 4 moves the corresponding code bar 10 resting there-on upward to its determined or operative position. In the operative position of the code bar 10, the projections 15 thereof block the corresponding light beams by blocking their conduits 19. This produces a pattern on the photo-electric transducers 21 which corresponds to the projections 15 of the code bar 10 and the appropriate transducers provide electrical signals to the recording equipment 17 (FIG. 3) which records the appropriate information signal on the recording medium 26.

Thus, for example, if a key 1 marked A is depressed by the operator, the corresponding code bar 10 may have, for example, a pattern of but a single projection 15 which obstructs only a transducer 21a (FIG. 3). If a key 1 marked B is depressed by the operator, the corresponding code bar 10 may have, for example, a pattern of two projections 15 which obstruct only a transducer 211; (FIG. 3). If a key 1 marked R is depressed by the operator, the corresponding code bar 10 may have, for example, a pattern of six projections 15 which obstruct the transducers 21b (FIG. 3). If a key marked R is depressed by the operator, the corresponding code bar 10 may have, for example, a pattern of six projections 15 which obstruct the

transducers

21a, 21b, 21c, 21c, 21 and 2111 (FIG. 3).

The photomechanical code keyboard unit of the present invention is thus simple in structure, has a fast speed of operation and operates quietly in an efficient, effective and reliable manner. This is due to the fact that the structure of the code keyboard unit has few mechanical components which may slow down the speed of operation or may be noisy in operation. Furthermore, the conduction of the light beams through the conduits 19 completely within the guide block 11 prevents outside light interference or interference between the light paths so that the efficiency, eifectiveness and reliability of the code keyboard unit is maintained at a high level.

While the invention has been described by means of specific examples and is a specific embodiment, I do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. Code keyboard apparatus for providing a coded output corresponding to a key-selected input, said apparatus comprising a source of light;

a plurality of separate photo-electric transducers spaced from said source of light;

directing means for directing said light to said photoelectric transducers in a plurality of separate parallel spaced light paths, each of said light paths being directed to a corresponding one of said photo-electric transducers;

a plurality of spaced separate code bars, each of said code bars having a plurality of projections arranged in a pattern determining a corresponding code indication, each of said code bars having a lower end and an upper end with an overhang formed therein;

guide means having a plurality of spaced parallel vertical slots formed therein for slidably supporting said code bars substantially vertically in said slots in parallel spaced positions reiative to each other between said source of light and said photo-electric transducbars for maintaining each of said code bars in its deers wherein selected ones of the projections of said termined position; code bars are adapted to block corresponding ones retaining means mounted on said guide means for reof said light paths in determined positions of the taining said code bars in the slots of said guide means; said code bars thereby providing a coded output; 5 and key actuated means in contact with the lower ends of a pluralilty of springs each aflixed at one end to said said code bars for selectively moving said code bars guide means and at the other end to the upper end of upward in said guide means to said determined poa corresponding one of said code bars for urging said sitions in accordance with a key-selected input, said code bars downward in said guide means.

key actuated means comprising a plurality of keys, 10

a plurality of key levers each affixed to a correspond- References Cited ing one of said keys and a plurality of control levers UNITED STATES PATENTS each being pivotally mounted with one end abutting 2 406,811 9 /1946 Deloraine et 2 9 X the lower end of a corresponding one of said code 2,438 825 3/1948 Roth bars and With ElIlOthBI' portion coupled to a corre- 15 3:O23:318 2 19 2 Jones 25 1 Spondmg one of Sald key levers; 3,235,741 2/1966 Plaisance 250 237 locking means in operative proximity With the overhang formed in the upper end of each of said code WALTER STOLWEI, Primary Examiner.