DE2718415A1 - Keyboard operated by glove having electrical contacts - effects typing action when user touches terminal on keyboard by completion of circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

A keyboard is operated by means of a glove whose finger tips have electrical contacts arranged in a circuit with terminals constituting the keys. When the operator touches a selected terminal the glove completes a circuit to a corresponding type actuator. The circuit comprises an AND gate for each character which is enabled by engagement between the glove contact and the respective key terminal. The keyboard is esp. useful for handicapped people enable to enjoy free use of a conventional keyboard.

Description

Helmut Hartwig - Keyboard - Description page 1

Amnelder: Helmut Eiartwig, Flochumer Str. 43, 4690 Herne 1 Title: Keyboard with contact glove for manual input of characters for electrical respectively.

electronic devices.

Application The invention relates to a keyboard area: contact glove for the manual entry of characters (numbers, letters, special characters, notes) in electrical or electronic devices, especially in pitch machines, cash registers, Data entry devices, typewriters, teleprinters and other instruments.

Purpose: For the above-mentioned devices, measure using keyboards or keyboards from a variety of options (e.g. printing all letters, numbers and special characters) the required individual processes (e.g. printing the letter A) selected will.

Prior art It is known that in the above-mentioned technology: devices Keyboards are used in which for each desired character a specific Button is provided.

In principle, this also applies to typewriters, which are known to be used the change from lower case to upper case is done using a special key.

Reference: Product descriptions of all manufacturers of electrical Typewriters, desktop computers, etc. (e.g. IB Germany, Nixdorf AG, Siemens AG, German Olivetti).

Criticism of these conventional keyboards must be state of the art : however, a single key, for example from, to trigger each individual process the size of a fingertip from ten to fifty Helmut Hartwig - Keyboard - Description page 2 keys are searched for and operated. Have to the fingers and hands of the operator depending on the string on the keyboard wander back and forth, up and down. When used professionally, this leads to faster Fatigue of the wrists and arms and requires holy concentration.

Physically handicapped people, e.g. those with spasticity, have great difficulties with the right little button to hit.

Although keyboards and keyboards are "blind" when used professionally can be operated and thus very specific characters are assigned to each finger (e.g. when using a typewriter the characters J, H, N, U etc.) you still need to press the specific key (J,: Y, H or U).

In the magazine "Bürotechnik" (Göller-Verlag, Baden-Baden - year. 1974, issue 1-page 67) writes Hilmar Kruse in an article about word processing: "In general, the following problems will be dealt with more intensely in the future must: We can think many times faster than fixing thoughts in writing. So it would be a big step forward if the writing speed caught up. " and: sometimes it is necessary to indulge in apparent illusions, because only through Constant awareness and questioning of what seems to be self-evident progress is still possible.

Task: The invention is based on the task of determining the number of Keys of a keyboard strong Helmut Hartwig - Keyboard - Description Page 3.

Solution: This object is achieved according to the invention in that the Operator-side keyboard through contacts with fingertips Gloves are added, which allow the electronic query which finger has pressed a key.

When a button is pressed, the current is also over its surface guided so that it can be removed via the glove contact.

This solution is dependent on modern electronics, because only through it can be controlled with completely harmless currents.

Since electronic circuits are not patentable, just let us know here the basic principle of the query is shown: The actual character impulse is via given the output of an AND circuit. Input 1 of the AND circuit is with the button to be actuated, input two connected to the actuating finger.

Achievable The advantages achieved with the invention Advantages: exist in particular, that due to the lower number of keys, the shorter distances from Key to key and the elimination of precise aiming an easier and faster one Keying in is made possible, greater operational security by eliminating the need for precise aiming and accuracy of keying can be achieved (fewer errors), the cost of keyboard manufacturing can be lowered.

Helmut Hartwig - Keyboard - Description Page 4 Description Ein Embodiment of the invention is in one embodiment: the figures 1 and 2 and is described in more detail below. It is based on switching details (such as debouncing, single step, permanent function, etc.) because they are not Subject of this patent are.

Figure 1 shows the keypad for entering digits numerically to 9 and five functions (plus, minus, times, divided by, equals), connected with a contact glove. Figure 2 shows the switching logic in a simplified manner.

Key 1 has an AND input in front of contacts 1 to 5, key 2 with an AND input each in front of contacts 6 to button 3 with an AND input each connected in front of the contacts + to =.

The thumb contact is connected to an AND input in front of the Contacts 1, 6 and +, the index finger contact with an AND input each in front of the contacts 2, 7 and the middle finger contact each with an AND input in front of contacts 3, 8 and X, the ring finger contact with an AND input each in front of contacts 4, 9 and :, the little finger contact with an AND input in front of the contacts 5, and will If you press button 2 with your index finger, for example, you can press the button 1 Line to one AND input each in front of contacts 6, 7, 8, 9 and closed, 2. close the line via the index finger contact Helmut Hartwig - keyboard - Description on page 5 one AND input each in front of contacts 2, 7 and - closed.

As can be seen, both AND inputs are only in front of contact 7 under voltage, so that potential can only be picked up at contact 7.

Another example: key 1 is pressed with the middle finger.

Above the key there is potential at an AND input in front of the contacts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

via the middle finger contact at an AND input in front of the contacts 3, 8 and X.

Only before contact 3 is there potential at both AND inputs.

Potential can only be picked up at contact 3.

Leeward

Claims (1)

Patent claims generic term: keyboard with contact glove for manual Entering characters for electrical or Electronic devices, characterized in that Part: - any number of functions are assigned to the keys, - the keyboard through a contact glove (Figure 1) is added, which enables the query which Finger has pressed a key, - the function impulse by combining the key impulse is triggered with the impulse via the contact glove.