US3627936A - Apparatus for converting keyboard formats - Google Patents

Apparatus for converting keyboard formats Download PDF

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Publication number
US3627936A
US3627936A US31901A US3627936DA US3627936A US 3627936 A US3627936 A US 3627936A US 31901 A US31901 A US 31901A US 3627936D A US3627936D A US 3627936DA US 3627936 A US3627936 A US 3627936A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
switches
keyboard
orientation
circuits
format
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US31901A
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English (en)
Inventor
Robert E Cullen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eastman Kodak Co
Original Assignee
Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eastman Kodak Co filed Critical Eastman Kodak Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3627936A publication Critical patent/US3627936A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/23—Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06C—DIGITAL COMPUTERS IN WHICH ALL THE COMPUTATION IS EFFECTED MECHANICALLY
    • G06C7/00—Input mechanisms
    • G06C7/02—Keyboards
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G06F3/023—Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/36—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by sliding
    • H01H1/40—Contact mounted so that its contact-making surface is flush with adjoining insulation
    • H01H1/403—Contacts forming part of a printed circuit
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L13/00—Details of the apparatus or circuits covered by groups H04L15/00 or H04L17/00
    • H04L13/16—Details of the apparatus or circuits covered by groups H04L15/00 or H04L17/00 of transmitters, e.g. code-bars, code-discs

Definitions

  • keyboards designed for use in business machines that are arranged in a format that differs from the dialing format used by the Bell Telephone System. Basically. the first and third rows of keyboard numerals, of the telephone dialing format are transposed to the third and first rows, respectively, in the business machine format.
  • a desirable feature of products having such keyboards has been found to be the ability to change from one format to the other in accordance with the customers preference and the task to be performed. 1
  • keyboards In prior art keyboards, the electrical connections between the keyboard switches and their associated transmission lines are soldered and relatively permanent. Therefore, the presently available keyboards do not readily lend themselves to alteration by the customer between business machine format and telephone format.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus whereby the operator of a keyboard may readily alter the format of the keyboard without the use of special tools or skill.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus whereby the operator of a keyboard can visually determine the nature of its format.
  • the present invention provides a connector means which in one orientation connects the individual keyboard switches to output circuits in correspondence to a first format and in another orientation connects the keyboard switches to output circuits in accordance with a different format. It will be appreciated, of course, that it is also within the scope of the present invention to utilize the concept of the orientable connector for varying formats beyond two, i.e., by providing more than two orientations for the connector means.
  • the present invention provides a number of keyboard switches mounted in a predetermined array and electrically connected to printed circuits on the mounting board that terminate at edge terminals.
  • a corresponding number of output conductors are terminated in a connector which may be attached to the edge terminals in one of two orientations.
  • An operator of the keyboard can alter the format of the switches in the array by reversing the orientation of the connector.
  • the keys are thereafter renumbered to reflect the altered format.
  • FIG. I shows a keyboard in business machine format.
  • FIG. 2 shows a keyboard in telephone format.
  • FIG. 3 shows an arrangement of the printed circuit board and reversible connector according to the present invention.
  • the switches of a numerical keyboard are arranged in three rows and columns in a matrix array and designated by the numbers 1-9.
  • the switch corresponding to the number is added to the center column.
  • FIG. 1 shows in block form the arrangement of switches 2. numbered 09, on a panel 1 in conventional business machine format. This format is in general use by the computer and business machine industry, and customers of suchproducts have come to expect that .all keyboards purchased for such use will conform to this format.
  • Keyboards are normally manufactured as a component of systems offered for sale to, among others, the business machine or telephone industry.
  • the practice in the past has been to manufacture the keyboard to conform with one or the other of the formats.
  • FIG. 3 shows in schematic form one preferred embodiment of the present invention that offers this flexibility.
  • a printed circuit board 3 has mounted thereon the IQ switches lettered a to k in the array corresponding to the array of the formats in FIG. I and FIG. 2.
  • the switches can be of the normally open, single pole, single throw variety and have two terminals.
  • switches d, e, f and k are attached to respective printed circuits that terminate in connector pads d, e, f and k, respectively, of edge connector 5. If additional switches are provided to perform functions other than those of the keyboard disclosed herein, they are connected to additional printed circuits on board 3 that terminate in additional connector pads L of connector 5.
  • a mating multicontact, nonreversible connector 6 attached to the edge connector 5 completes the connection of the output circuits C, 4, 5, 6, 0 to their respective switch terminals. Alternatively, the output circuits could be directly soldered to their respective connector pads.
  • the switches d, e, f are therefore always connected to line 4, 5, 6.
  • switches a, b, c Electrically attached to the second terminals of switches a, b, c are respective printed circuits that terminate in connector pads a, b,.c of edge connector 7.
  • a mating six-position, dual contact, connector 8 releasahly attaches the output circuits numbered 3, 2, I, 7, 8, 9 to edge connector 7.
  • switches a, b, c are connected to output circuits numbered l, 2, 3 respectively and switches g, h, j are connected to output circuits numbered 7, 8, 9, respectively.
  • the keyboard is connected to operate in accordance with the telephone format of FIG. 2.
  • switches a, b, c. are connected to output circuits 7, 8, 9 respectively, and switches g, h, j, are connected to output circuits 1, 2, 3, respectively. Thereafter, the keyboard is connected to operate with the business machine format of FIG. 1.
  • the connector 8 can be a dual contact, six-position connector such as is commercially sold by the Cinch Manufacturing Company. On the appropriate opposite faces thereof may be stamped the inscription Telephone" and Business Machine to insure that the connector is properly oriented by the customer.
  • the keyboard format is selected by the customer who attaches the connector 8 in the depicted or inverted orientation and rearranges the numbered keys to correspond with the selected format.
  • the keys are readily removable by hand from their switch activating mechanism.
  • An example of such a key and switch arrangement is the Honeywell, Inc., Microswitch Series KB reed switch.
  • the electrical connections to the switch terminals may be effected by an automatic soldering machine. Thereafter, the wiring to the switch terminals need not be disturbed in changing formats.
  • apparatus for interchanging, according to a preselected pattern, the respective first and second switch output terminals of at least first and second keys of said plurality of keys with first and second output circuits of a plurality of output circuits, said apparatus comprising:
  • switches including first and second switches corresponding to said first and second keys, located in operative relation with said plurality of keys, each of said switches having a switch output terminal actuatable by a respective key;
  • orientable connector means'attachable to said plurality of switch output terminals in a first orientation, for connecting said first and second output circuits to said first and second switch output terminals, respectively, and attachable to said plurality of switch output terminals in a second orientation. for connecting said first and second output circuits to said second and first switch output terminals, respectively.
  • said connector means comprises a multiposition, dual contact connector attached to said first and second output circuits.
  • a mounting board including a plurality ofedge terminals
  • keyboard switches including first and second keyboard switches, attached to said mounting board;
  • a plurality of circuits including first and second circuits, on said mounting board each circuit electrically connected between a keyboard switch and an edge terminal;
  • a plurality of electrical output conductors including first and second electrical output conductors, for connecting the plurality of keyboard switches to external equipment;
  • orientable connector means adapted to releasably engage said plurality of edge terminals for selectively connecting said first and second electrical output conductors, in a first orientation, to the first and second edge terminals electrically connected by said first and second circuits to said first and second keyboard switches, respectively, and, in a second orientation, to said second and first edge terminals, electrically connected by said second and first circuits to said second and first keyboard switches, respectively, whereby the selective orientation of the connector means determines the format of the switches constituting the keyboard.
  • connector means comprises a multiposition dual contact connector attached to said first and second electrical output conductors.
  • said keyboard switches are arranged in a matrix array on said mounting board;
  • said first keyboard switches correspond to a first row of the array
  • said second keyboard switches correspond to a second row of the array.
  • said matrix array of keyboard switches consists of nine switches each having a numbered key thereon;
  • said first and second rows consist of three switches each;
  • each keyboard switch includes means for changing the numbered keys of said first and second rows to reflect the orientation of the connector means.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Computing Systems (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
US31901A 1970-04-27 1970-04-27 Apparatus for converting keyboard formats Expired - Lifetime US3627936A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US3190170A 1970-04-27 1970-04-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3627936A true US3627936A (en) 1971-12-14

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ID=21862028

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US31901A Expired - Lifetime US3627936A (en) 1970-04-27 1970-04-27 Apparatus for converting keyboard formats

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US (1) US3627936A (enExample)
DE (1) DE2120450A1 (enExample)
FR (1) FR2090758A5 (enExample)
GB (1) GB1332562A (enExample)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3778553A (en) * 1972-04-05 1973-12-11 M Rackman Attachment for facilitating use of a push-button telephone set as a data terminal
US4088837A (en) * 1976-04-05 1978-05-09 Singer Thomas C Combination telephone and calculator with common keyboard having reversible indicia
US4382162A (en) * 1981-05-26 1983-05-03 Metz Hugh J Calculator pushbutton format attachment for pushbutton telephones
US6940402B1 (en) * 1999-05-08 2005-09-06 Airsense Technology Ltd Method and apparatus for detection of a location of an event

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4303398A (en) * 1978-06-28 1981-12-01 Coleco Industries, Inc. Electronic quiz game utilizing cartridges and method employing same
GB2122787A (en) * 1982-06-30 1984-01-18 Nat Res Dev Single handed keyboard

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3381276A (en) * 1965-09-15 1968-04-30 Photo Magnetic Syst Inc Computer systems
US3557311A (en) * 1968-01-02 1971-01-19 Compumatics Inc Information transmission system including a unit for producing a printed record of information transmitted

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3381276A (en) * 1965-09-15 1968-04-30 Photo Magnetic Syst Inc Computer systems
US3557311A (en) * 1968-01-02 1971-01-19 Compumatics Inc Information transmission system including a unit for producing a printed record of information transmitted

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3778553A (en) * 1972-04-05 1973-12-11 M Rackman Attachment for facilitating use of a push-button telephone set as a data terminal
US4088837A (en) * 1976-04-05 1978-05-09 Singer Thomas C Combination telephone and calculator with common keyboard having reversible indicia
US4382162A (en) * 1981-05-26 1983-05-03 Metz Hugh J Calculator pushbutton format attachment for pushbutton telephones
US6940402B1 (en) * 1999-05-08 2005-09-06 Airsense Technology Ltd Method and apparatus for detection of a location of an event

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2120450A1 (de) 1971-11-11
FR2090758A5 (enExample) 1972-01-14
GB1332562A (en) 1973-10-03

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