WO1985001596A1 - Touche de fonction tactile - Google Patents

Touche de fonction tactile Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1985001596A1
WO1985001596A1 PCT/AU1984/000193 AU8400193W WO8501596A1 WO 1985001596 A1 WO1985001596 A1 WO 1985001596A1 AU 8400193 W AU8400193 W AU 8400193W WO 8501596 A1 WO8501596 A1 WO 8501596A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
function
display
key
function key
keyboard
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1984/000193
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John William Wood
Original Assignee
Keycorp Pty. Limited
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 Keycorp Pty. Limited filed Critical Keycorp Pty. Limited
Priority to DE1984903619 priority Critical patent/DE159336T1/de
Priority to KR1019850700074A priority patent/KR850700078A/ko
Priority to BR8407106A priority patent/BR8407106A/pt
Publication of WO1985001596A1 publication Critical patent/WO1985001596A1/fr
Priority to DK252185A priority patent/DK252185A/da

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR 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
    • G06F3/0238—Programmable keyboards
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/002—Legends replaceable; adaptable
    • H01H2219/01—Liquid crystal
    • H01H2219/012—Liquid crystal programmable

Definitions

  • TACTILE FUNCTION KEY' The present invention relates to improvements in function keys for use with electronic systems.
  • Function keys were developed as an aid to the operator and are used to control the processing to be done on an electronic system. At present there are three types of Function keys:
  • CTRL control
  • ESC escape
  • Function keys of the type (1) and (2) above are strictly limited in their commands whereas Function keys of the type (3) offer a range of commands or options.
  • type (3) Function keys suffer from a considerable disadvantage in that they are only identified as Fl, F2, F3 etc.
  • the user must refer to a program code chart to identify each Function key; alternatively the user may memorise the required sequence from familiarity with that particular program.
  • each program is controlled by different Function keys and related sequence thereof it is usually necessary to consult the program code chart each time .
  • the user can physically affix a label to each Function key indicating the name of each function or on some computers the Function keys are identified on the terminal screen.
  • the Apricot microscreen Whilst going some way towards overcoming the above disadvantages the Apricot microscreen is still limited to and dependant on the program being run on the computer; it displays a function definition for an adjacent key rather than each key having an independant display, it is only operable with touch sensitive function keys that are not operator preferred.
  • the microscreen is not specifically designed as a funtion key tool as it also operates as a clock, calendar, calculator or auxiliary terminal screen.
  • the microscreen and the associated touch sensitive Function keys are specifically designed for and operated by Apricot software and are not independant of any particular electronic system.
  • Hewlett Packard has released a microcomputer with a "touch sensitive" screen. Areas of the screen can be defined to represent a particular function, and upon pointing at this region ("touching the screen") the operator breaks a series of infra red beams and the computer interprets this as selection of that function. This method is not favoured because it takes the operator's hands away from the keyboard, and makes the operator reach to the screen. This action of reaching to the screen is an uncomfortable procedure for the operator.
  • the present invention seeks to alleviate these disadvantages by providing a set of self-identifying Function keys, which are independently programmable and which can interface with any computer or dumb electronic system.
  • a tactile function key comprising a single or multicharacter non-specific display, means for activating said display, and means for interfacing said function key with an electronic system.
  • a peripheral keypad comprising one or more tactile function keys, each function key comprising a single or multicharacter non-specific display, means for activating said display, and means for interfacing said function key with an electronic system.
  • a keyboard that includes a keyset comprising one or more tactile function keys, each function key comprising a single or multicharacter non-specific display means for activating said display, and means for interfacing said keyboard to a host.computer.
  • a keypad or keyset comprised of one or more tactile function keys, each key comprising a single or multicharacter non-specific display, means for activating said display, and means for interfacing said function key with a computer system so that while running a main level program, each function key can be used to "ghost" a set of signals to the host computer as if they came from the computer's keyboard keys, and both the function definitions displayed on each function key, and the characters "ghosted" when each function key is depressed can be changed for each function key without affecting the execution of the main level program.
  • a keypad linked to, or keyset incorporated in, a computer keyboard said keypad or keyset comprising one or more tactile function keys, each key comprising a single or multicharacter non-specific display and having means to monitor the conventional keystrokes being input from the computer's keyboard, and on entry of the set of characters defined as input upon depression of any one of the function keys, the function definitions displayed on each function key, and the keystrokes to be "ghosted" upon the subsequent depression of a function key may be changed in an identical manner as if that particular function key were depressed instead.
  • This process will be referred to as "function key equivalence checking".
  • a keyset comprising one or more tactile function keys, each function comprising a single or multicharacter non-specific display, means for activating said display, means for interfacing said function keys with- a "dumb” electronic system, including program means to control the operation of said "dumb” electronic system.
  • the Function key will visually display symbols representative of the function or option in single or multicharacter form on its face.
  • the displays employed in the production unit will depend upon comsumer preference, economics, physical restrictions, and the state of display technology. It is probable that a range of units will be marketed, with selected different types of displays available.
  • Examples of some types of displays are as follows: (a) Dot Matrix Light Emitting Diode Displays
  • starburst display has less segments that must be controlled, and hence the whole circuit becomes simpler. With displays, it is often the "driver" that controls the configuration of the display that is the most expensive. If there are less segments on a display then less drivers are necessary, or the drivers can be replaced with simpler cheaper ones. Thus starburst displays are much cheaper than their dot matrix counterparts.
  • the display units can also be made more compact, with less connections to individual segments being necessary.
  • the starburst format is available in both liquid crystal and light emitting diode displays.
  • the obvious disadvantage of the starburst display is that it is restricted in the number of different characters it can display and does not produce the same quality of character definition as does dot matrix displays.
  • Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a Function key of the present invention incorporating a liquid crystal display
  • Fig. 2 is a section view of the Function key of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a Function key of the present invention incorporating a light emitting diode display
  • Fig. 4 is a section view of the Function key of Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a keyset of the present invention linked to a computer
  • Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a keyset inset in a keyboard
  • Figs. 7a and 7b is a circuit diagram of the logic behind the keyset of Fig. 5 and its interface with a computer;
  • Fig. 8 is a schematic flowchart of the logic behind a write to keyset character RAM
  • Fig. 9 is a schematic flowchart of the logic behind a read instruction on depression of a Function key
  • Fig. 10 shows a series of wave forms generated by the timing circuitry of the present invention
  • Figs. 11a and lib is a circuit diagram of the logic behind a keypad of Fig. 5 interfacing through an IRS232;
  • Figs. 12a and 12b is a circuit diagram of the logic behind the keypad of Fig. 5 intercepting the keyboard cable;
  • Figs. 13a and 13b is a circuit diagram of the logic behind the keyset of Fig. 6 intercepting with the keyboard cable;
  • Fig. 14 shows a system of pointers for use in "ghost" writing.
  • the tactile Function key of the present invention comprises a single or multicharacter non-specific display as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
  • the tactile Function key 99 has a keytop 100 which is depressed by the operator. Beneath this keytop 100 lies a protective polarised glass plate 101 which protects from damage the liquid crystal display (LCD) assembly 102.
  • Two conductive rubber "zebra" strips 103 connect the LCD assembly to the printed circuit board (P.C.B.) 104.
  • P.C.B. printed circuit board
  • On this P.C.B. board are located two dies 105 each die being pin connected via selected pins 106 to one end of a flexible printed cable strip (P.C.S.) 107, the other end of which is detachable from connectors 108 located on a base plate 109.
  • the keytop 100 is supported on zebra strips 103 and if needed by flanges at the ends of board 104 and locates with base plate 109 by means of a moulded plastic insert 110.
  • a conventional switch assembly 111 comprising a mounting 112 and a plunger 113.
  • the construction of the function key 99 is designed so that it will assemble or disassemble in three steps. To assemble the key all of the display components are put in place and the clip 115 is clicked into co-operating groove 114. The flexible cables are put into their slots and then the key is then placed on the plunger 113 and clicked into co-operating groove 116 using clip 117. Clip 117 maintains the display 102 in contact with the zebra strips 103 at all times. The reverse procedure is followed for disassembly.
  • _OMPi_ Clip 116 is designed to be opened with a screwdriver or similar instrument for disassembly.
  • the tactile function key 99 comprises a protective glass top 300, a keytop 301 made of aluminium and acting as a heat sink as described above. At each end of the keytop 301 are slots 315 to receive, in spigot fashion, the plunger 314 on switch 313.
  • the display on board 302 comprises eight LED's 303 interspaced by dies 304 and having a protective glass 302*, on top of the displays.
  • the displays are connected to a board 305 having 13 pairs of pins 307 to connect in spigot fashion with holes 309 on board 308.
  • the pins 306 are connected to pins 307 via conductive paths. The middle pair of pins 307 not being used.
  • a flexible P.C.S. 310 flexes between board 308 and an identical board 311. Board 311 in similar spigot fashion connects with pins 312 on main printed circuit board (not shown) .
  • Fig. 5 the Function keys of the present invention are incorporated in a keypad 90.
  • This keypad is interfaced with a computer 70 having a screen 71 and a key board 80, having conventional keys 81.
  • a keyboard 180 having conventional keys 181 and ten tactile Function keys 99 incorporated therein.
  • Figs. 7a and 7b are shown the circuitry and operation of a keyset interfaced with an IBM personal computer.
  • the components ⁇ l - U29 are conventional components, their code numbers being listed on the drawings. Each component has conventionally numbered pins associated therewith.
  • FIGs. 8 and 9 respectively illustrate schematically a write/read statement to/from a single function key.
  • Bl - B6 are buffers
  • El - E3 are encoders/decoder
  • a keypad comprising one or more tactile function keys where each function key comprises a single or multicharacter non-specific display can be interfaced to a computer.
  • the most favourable methods are via a RS232 interface (or other standard interfaces) , via an expansion slot on the computer, or by diverting the computer keyboard cable to plug into the keypad, interpreting the signals received from the computer keyboard and then sending this information, and any information from the function keys along the keypad's cable to the regular keyboard socket on the host computer.
  • a RAM chip is used to store the function descriptions currently being displayed on the function keys.
  • a ROM chip, or a EE ROM chip, or a ROM chip- with an additional optional selectable RAM is used to store the information necessary to display each character of the character set currently available for display on the function keys.
  • the circuit Normally the circuit continually cycles, controlled by a timing circuit, taking the data to be displayed from the RAM, encoding it with the information in the ROM (or EE ROM or selectable RAM) , and serialising it for the display.
  • the decoding circuitry E3 enables buffers Bl and B3, and sets the direction of buffer Bl to allow data transfer in the direction of the RAM, (arrowed in Fig. 7) , and enable buffer B5 and disables buffer B6 to give control of the address bus 202 to the computer (arrowed in Fig. 7).
  • the write pin of the RAM is strobed and the data deposited on it.
  • the keypad consists basically of a four by two matrix keyboard which outputs an interrupt on a keypress, the data being made available at the selected output address, and eight "8" character displays mounted within the key-tops and driven from RAM which can be loaded from the IBM.
  • the controller circuit (Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b) is designed to accept standard ASCII characters from the PC for storage in the local 128 x 8 ram (68A10) .
  • the RAM can be assigned to one of four blocks, starting at 400H, 500H, 600H and 700H and for a 64 character display, will utilise the lower 64 locations, e.g. 400H - 43FH.
  • the ASCII data may be loaded sequentially with new data, or individual characters may be altered by writing the new data to the corresponding location in RAM.
  • the last character in the bottom right hand key is loaded with data from the first RAM location and the first character of the top left hand key corresponds to the last RAM location.
  • the local scanning 'circuitry controls the decoding of the ASCII characters, the display data loading and the
  • the address bus and control signals are buffered by U5 and U2 and fed to the decoding circuitry which allows the appropriate buffers to be turned on and off to facilitate taking the local scanning circuitry off the bus whenever data is required to be loaded into the display ram.
  • buffers ⁇ l, ⁇ ll, U25 and U26 are disabled and U10 is enabled.
  • the system clock is divided down to give approx. 500KHz and fed to U9 which drives the display scanning circuitry.
  • U15 cycles through the 64 locations used in the RAM (U16) and places the previously stored ASCII data onto the address inputs of the 2716 EPROM (U21) .
  • U21 is used as a 128 character ASCII to 5x7 dot matrix decoder.
  • the lower 5 data outputs of U21 contain the data required for one row of the one character determined by the data fed into the seven most significant address inputs from the data outputs of U16.
  • the other six rows are presented to the output by cycling the lower three address inputs via U9, while the data from U16 is held constant.
  • the five column outputs of the EPROM (U21) are gated to the Data Input of the display via the 74151 multiplexer (U20) . Strobing of the display is accomplished via the 74197 (U9) , 74393 (U15) and 7490 (U19) counter string. U9 is connected as a "divide by 8" counter that sequentially selects the seven rows within U21 and also enables seven clock cycles to be gated to the clock input of the display.
  • Waveform X is the output of pin 2 of 7404 (O30) which is the inverted Qd output of 0 * 9.
  • Waveform Y is the output of the 7404 (u29) pin 6 which is the ANDED output of 2Qc and 2Qd of U15.
  • the 74393 (U15) is configured as a divide by 256 counter connected so that the six lowest order outputs select each of the 64 ASCII characters within U16.
  • the three highest order outputs determine the relationship between load time and column on time.
  • the display clock is enabled, and the circuit scans the 64 characters in the U16, serialises the column data by counting through each of the seven rows of the 2716 and gating the appropriate column of the display.
  • the display clock is disabled, ensuring stable data in the display buffer, and the column data is displayed via U17 and darlington drivers as shown by waveform Z.
  • CS.IOW a valid address and a write pulse
  • the keypad 90 is interfaced with, in this illustration, an IBM computer 70 using a 74C922 keyboard encoder U27 which contains all the logic to fully encode an array of SPST switches.
  • the keypad is scanned asynchronously and upon a key depression being detected, a Data Available signal is forced high on pin 12 after a preset debounce period, and returns to a low level after the key is released. This signal is latched by U28 which sets IRQ2 on the IBM computer 70.
  • the keyboard and keypad can be developed to link to any available bi-directional input/output port or pair of opposed uni-directional ports on a computer. As almost every computer or computer terminal has such a port it is obvious that a keypad and/or keyboard can be developed using this technique for almost any computer or terminal.
  • a condition placed on the keyboard provides that the keyboard plug through which the unit is to communicate with the computer must have an appropriate bi-directional line or have two separate unidirectional lines running in opposite directions between the keyboard and the computer. If no such line is available, this problem can be overcome by using a bi-directional port such as an RS232 port for all keyboard communication.
  • Interface unit this device is connected electrically between the IBM-PC and an 1MB-PC keyboard. It has only the Function keys fitted.
  • the microcontroller is a commercially available Intel 8051 single chip microprocessor. Detailed description of its operation is complex and can be found in published technical data manuals. It can however be generally described as a microprocessor operating with a clock frequency of 4 MHz and interfacing into our application as four 8 bit bi-directional parts. Part 0 is used as a multiplexed part for the lower memory address byte and an 8 bit data path. The lower 5 bits of part 2 constitute the
  • the upper two bits 6, 7 are used for serial communcations with the display control devices as serial data and serial clock respectively.
  • Parts 1 and 3 are used for keyboard scanning and communications.
  • the Function key displays basically comprise of liquid crystal dot matrix panels each 40 dots wide by 8 dots high enabling a wide choice of characters. These displays are driven by intelligent LCD display controllers - PCF8576. Each of these drivers has its own individual address which is coded by the A Q , A ⁇ A 2 and SAO fins. When coupled with software control addressing each device can respond accordingly. Communications with these devices are carried out along the SDA (serial data line) and the SCL
  • the microcontroller scans the keyboard 189 which is made up of the normal QWERTY keys and the function keys as follows:
  • Bits 0-5 of part 1 are used to set up the address of (1 of 24) a keyboard row which is decoded by the LS154 and LS138 decoder devices.
  • the addressed row is then strobed by the matrix strobe line which is controlled by bit 5 of part ' 3 of the microcontroller.
  • Simultaneously with the row addressing the 1 of 4 column addressing is carried out by the 4051 multiplexer controlled by bits 6, 7 and 8 of part 1.
  • the row and column addressing timed with the matrix strobe line will result via a 2 amplifier (LM347) 'detector and 7404 invertor in an active low pulse on the key depress line.
  • LM347 2 amplifier
  • the reason for the dual amplifier detector is that the keyboard matrix is capacitance coupled and subsequently requires supporting technology.
  • Item 195 is a row of pullup resistors.
  • Item 194 provides the function of rollover enable, (ii) & (iii) Interface Unit and RS232 Peripheral Versions
  • the keyboard is scanned on the five rows by bits 0-4 of part 1 and on the columns on bits 2 and 3 of part 3.
  • the keyboard interfaces via 5 lines to the personal computer (192) two power supply (+5V,OV) from which power for the keyboard circiutry is derived and three control lines. These 3 lines are as follows:
  • IBM-PC and resets the keyboard microcontroller via a logic invertor to pin 9.
  • Pin 2- bi-directional serial communications line which is connected to bits 0, 1 of part 3.
  • These pins on the microcontroller are special function pins and are implemented internally by the microcontroller as receive data and transmit data for serial communications.
  • Pin 1- bi-directional control line which is used to transmit the serial communications clock in both directions and also to implement a single bit control logic. It is connected to bit 4, part 3.
  • the microcontroller implements the transmit data and receive data bits 1 and 0 respectively of part 3 for the full duplex serial data path.
  • Bits 4, 5 part 3 and 5, 6 of part 1 are used to control the hardware protocol lines DTR, DSR, CTS and RTS in accordance with the EIA standard. All lines connecting to the EIA RS232C standard have to conform to specification of voltage and logic levels. For this reason the 5V positive true logic on the microcontroller has to be buffered by the 1488 and 1489 line buffer devices which operate as +_ 12V negative true logic.
  • Item 198 is a reset circuit and a 5V power supply (197) is used as no power line is provided on the RS232 line, (iii) Interface Unit Version
  • This version has two communication parts. The first are interfaces to the IBM-PC and is identical to the one described in (i) above. The second (191) interfaces to an IBM-PC standard keyboard. This part consists of 5 lines. The +5V, OV (193) and reset lines are connected directly to the IBM-PC part for continuity. Pins 1 and 2, the keyboard clock and keyboard data lines respectively interface to the microcontroller via bits 4 and 5 of part 3. Unlike the bits 0 and 1 of the microcontroller which perform as hardware serial lines these pins will perform the necessary protocol under software control.
  • each key comprises a single or multicharacter non-specific display as implemented are: 1) Method to display characters on the function keys.
  • RAM (may be substituted for a ROM in the case of the unit to interface with "dumb" electronic equipment) is used to store codes for the characters that are currently displayed on each key surface.
  • a ROM, EE ROM or a ROM with an additional selectable RAM is used to store the information necessary to define each character in the character set currently being used for its display on the display format being used eg: which dots should be on or off to display an "A" on a dot matrix display.
  • Using a timing circuit the process constantly loops, taking characters from the RAM, encoding them using the data in the ROM (or EE ROM or ROM with an additional selectable RAM) , serialising the data, and sending it to the displays with addresses in the format they require.
  • the displays may be strobed ie: taking the top row of all characters being displayed at a particular time, and then the next row etc., or sent to the displays in whatever manner is required.
  • the character set available to be displayed on the function keys can be redefined providing this information is stored in a EE ROM or a ROM with an additonal selectable RAM is being used. If an EE ROM is being used, the display cycle must be stopped, a signal sent to the EE ROM to refresh it and allow the new data to enter, and then the new data must be downloaded to it. The display cycle can then resume. If a ROM with an additional selectable RAM is beng used, the display cycle must be stopped, the new information downloaded into the RAM, and the RAM selected as the default source. The display cycle can then resume.
  • the host computer In order to "ghost" a set of conventional keystrokes upon the depression of a function key via the host processor, the host computer must be designed around interrupt logic. The method works by sending an identifyable interrupt, different from that generated by the computer keyboard. Prior to this the processor has been instructed that upon receipt of such an interrupt it should execute a routine which will generate an interrupt by software identical to those sent from the computer keyboard when a conventional key is depressed and make each item of data for the keystrokes to be "ghosted", available in the same manner as they would come from the computer keyboard.
  • JOMPI. . WHO t£3 "ghosting" process once the identifyable interrupt signal has been received from the function keys, the processor must run the required procedure. Generally upon receipt of an interrupt, the process will access a special area of memory that contains the starting address of the procedure. By allocating an area of memory at initialisation specifically for the procedure, and storing the starting address for the area at the required place and storing the procedure in the area allocated, the processor will jump to and execute the correct procedure upon receipt of the interrupt.
  • an interrupt signal is sent to the host processor and a code is made available to it that indicates which function key was depressed.
  • the processor executes a procedure that accesses the code.
  • the processor has access to data stored in the memory of the host computer that contains information for a number of sets of function definitions to be displayed on each key, and keystrokes to be "ghosted" when each function key is depressed.
  • the data also contains the number of the set to be jumped to when each key is depressed.
  • the processor uses this information and the code for the key depressed, and if a new set is to be jumped to it such information to the memory on the keyboad which will change the function definition displayed and the keystrokes "ghosted".
  • a microprocessor In order to co-ordinate both keystrokes the computer keys and the character to be ghosted upon depression of function keys, a microprocessor is used to receive the signals from each, process them in the manner required (ie. converting the signal sent from a function key to the required ghost keystrokes and performing "function key equivalence checking") and then send them in an identical manner along the keypad cable to the host computer or terminal.
  • the signals from the computer keys will be obtained from the keyboard cable which is redirected to plug into the peripheral, and all signals to the host device are sent along the keypad cable.
  • the data will be buffered and work via interrupts or handshaking conventions so that no data will be lost or contaminated unless the buffer overflows.
  • An area of memory is defined and used as a "circular" buffer to store the characters sent from the computer keyboard sequentially.
  • the buffer is described as circular as if the end of the buffer is encountered, the process continues, from the start of the buffer, and if the start of the buffer is encountered moving backward, the process continues from the end of the buffer.
  • a pointer is used to indicate the current position within the buffer at any time.
  • step (i) If all. of the characters for the set for the particular key are matched and the host processor is being used to process signals from the function keys directly then an interrupt signal is sent to the host processor, identical to that sent if one of the function keys were depressed itself, and a code to indicate which function key was depressed is similarly made available to the host processor. If the microprocessor or the keyboard/keypad is being used to process the signals from the function keys so that only convention keystrokes are echoed to the host device, then it will execute the same actions as it would if the particular function key were depressed. The buffer is then cleared, and the process starts from step (i) .
  • RAM random access memory
  • the processor on the keyboard has access to all of the necessary information and can execute the "ghosting" and "function key equivalence checking" itself.
  • the processor will pass all keystrokes, whether input from the computer keyboard, or "ghosted” from the function keys to the host computer, as if they all came from the computer keyboard.
  • Such a keyboard will be able to be used with any computer that allows transfer of data from the computer back to the keyboard after modifying the plug on the keyboard and the key code signalling system used to that required by the computer so that one unit can be used for all computers with the same plug that allows data transfer back to the keyboard, the firmwear program that operates the processing unit the keyboard can be designed to download the necessary software for its operation from the host computer upon initialisation. Only the software would need to be changed between units.
  • a keypad may operate in the same way if the keyboard plug from the computer keyboard is diverted to plug into the keypad. The keypad would then have access to information from both the computer keyboard and the function keys and would send its key codes back to the host computer through its own cable, which can plug into the socket for the standard keyboard plug.
  • a keypad may also operate in the same manner using any bi-directional communication system such as an RS232, if a routine is incorporated to work with the operating system of the computer to make it echo every keystroke received from the computer keyboard through the communication line being used so that it is available to the processor on the keypad and allow the processor to accept characters sent to the RS232 port on the computer Terminal as input in the same manner as keystrokes from the computer keyboard are accepted.
  • the key signals from the keyboard may be allowed to pass directly to the processor with an echo being sent down the RS232 or, the keystrokes may be redirected so as not to be recognised by the host process as input, but rather sent straight to the processor on the keypad and sent back in the same manner as those characters ghosted from the function keys.
  • a keypad or keyboard can interface with "dumb electronic equipment" not designed for use with it provided it has means for simulating the manner in which the functions represented by each key would be executed manually. This would be especially useful in testing equipment. Many items of "dumb electronic equipment” may be redesigned around use of the function keys eg. cash registers.
  • a microprocessor would control the function definitions and functions executed by each key, in the same manner as for the system above, however the data for the function definitions and steps to be executed would be stored in a ROM, or EE ROM, or in a RAM that is initialised when the device is.
  • the depression of each key may result in whatever type of signal that is necessary to execute that function eg. millivolt, digital etc.
  • the processor may also be used for other tasks eg. cumulative totals on a cash register.
  • Programs that are specifically written for use with the function keys will not need the "ghost writing" or "function key equivalence checking facilities". These programs will immediately access the fact that a function key has been depressed, and identify it. The program will be designed to take action on this depression. Such programs will directly control the function definitions on the displays by sending the required data to the RAM on the keyboard/keypad. Thus the keyboard/keypad will operate in two selectable modes ie. under the direct control of the main level program, or under the control of the "ghosting"/"function key equivalence checking system".
  • a computer system may be designed around the function keys of the present invention or one may be available with sufficient flexibility to have the function keys simply input a code in the same manner as any conventional key and have the host processor recognise it as one from the function key and perform the task of checking which characters should be input to the program running, and then reconfiguring the display on the function key.
  • the information for the function definition and the keystrokes to be "ghosted" for each key are stored dynamically.
  • a system of pointers is used as shown in Fig. 14.
  • the first element of the data 400 series contains the number of sets, then a pointer to the start of each set.
  • a group of data for each set then follows, the first item being pointed to the start of the information for each key, and then a package of information comprising the function definition to be displayed on the key, the set to jump to when the key is depressed, the number of characters or actions to be "ghosted", and the characters or actions to be "ghosted” follows.

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  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)

Abstract

Une touche de fonction tactile à réaction positive (99) comprend un affichage non spécifique à caractère unique ou multiple (102), des moyens pour activer cet affichage, et des moyens pour établir une interface entre ladite touche de fonction (99) et un système électronique. Est également décrit un système d'interface d'un dispositif qui utilise des moyens électroniques pour libeller des touches de sorte que les avantages de l'interface avec l'opérateur d'un tel dispositif peuvent être mis à profit avec des programmes qui ne sont pas conçus pour être utilisés avec ce dispositif.
PCT/AU1984/000193 1983-10-04 1984-10-04 Touche de fonction tactile WO1985001596A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE1984903619 DE159336T1 (de) 1983-10-04 1984-10-04 Taktile funktionstaste.
KR1019850700074A KR850700078A (ko) 1983-10-04 1984-10-04 개량제품
BR8407106A BR8407106A (pt) 1983-10-04 1984-10-04 Tecla de funcoes,bloco de teclas periferico,teclado,manipulador e tecla tactil
DK252185A DK252185A (da) 1983-10-04 1985-06-04 Beroeringsfunktionstast

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPG1692 1983-10-04
AUPG169283 1983-10-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1985001596A1 true WO1985001596A1 (fr) 1985-04-11

Family

ID=3770341

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1984/000193 WO1985001596A1 (fr) 1983-10-04 1984-10-04 Touche de fonction tactile

Country Status (12)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0159336A4 (fr)
JP (1) JPS61500236A (fr)
KR (1) KR850700078A (fr)
AU (1) AU582126B2 (fr)
BR (1) BR8407106A (fr)
CA (1) CA1308457C (fr)
DK (1) DK252185A (fr)
HU (1) HUT37279A (fr)
IT (1) IT1199205B (fr)
NZ (1) NZ209760A (fr)
WO (1) WO1985001596A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA847800B (fr)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0221698A2 (fr) * 1985-10-15 1987-05-13 Ing. C. Olivetti & C., S.p.A. Bouton avec légende sélective
EP0226392A2 (fr) * 1985-12-04 1987-06-24 Henry C. Meadow Touche et clavier avec affichage
WO1995012843A2 (fr) * 1993-11-05 1995-05-11 Feltscope Limited Interface interactive programmable pour des interrupteurs a touches d'un affichage a cristaux liquides a legendes modifiables
FR2857112A1 (fr) * 2003-07-02 2005-01-07 Denkoo Clavier pour ordinateur et logiciel pilote pour un tel clavier
EP1655750A2 (fr) * 2004-11-08 2006-05-10 LCD Solution SARL Commutateur à touche à écran intégré avec affichage d'information polychrome
WO2006113827A1 (fr) * 2005-04-18 2006-10-26 United Keys, Inc. Clé à affichage et ensemble de touches
EP2110833A1 (fr) * 2007-01-17 2009-10-21 Industrias Lorenzo, SA Disposition d'ensembles de commutation a touche
US7628692B2 (en) 2002-08-22 2009-12-08 Igt Gaming device having an input device with a display device
US7761175B2 (en) 2001-09-27 2010-07-20 Eatoni Ergonomics, Inc. Method and apparatus for discoverable input of symbols on a reduced keypad
EP2211361A1 (fr) * 2009-01-27 2010-07-28 Industrias Lorenzo, SA Dispositif d'interrupteur à bouton-poussoir avec affichage OLED
USRE43082E1 (en) 1998-12-10 2012-01-10 Eatoni Ergonomics, Inc. Touch-typable devices based on ambiguous codes and methods to design such devices
US8200865B2 (en) 2003-09-11 2012-06-12 Eatoni Ergonomics, Inc. Efficient method and apparatus for text entry based on trigger sequences
US8932128B2 (en) 2011-09-26 2015-01-13 Igt Gaming system, gaming device and method for displaying multiple concurrent games using dynamic focal points

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
MY162407A (en) * 2012-03-06 2017-06-15 Gifty Group Ltd Keyboard system with changeable key displays

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US3340401A (en) * 1963-12-26 1967-09-05 Xerox Corp Motionless data input key
US3777222A (en) * 1972-05-12 1973-12-04 Ibm Modular touch sensitive indicating panels with touch and light transmissive overlay cover membrane containing visible printed indicia
JPS53123034A (en) * 1977-04-02 1978-10-27 Ricoh Co Ltd Keyboard
JPS5541507A (en) * 1978-09-18 1980-03-24 Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd Display keyboard device
JPS55157028A (en) * 1979-05-23 1980-12-06 Seiko Epson Corp Key input unit with display

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JPS5824841B2 (ja) * 1975-11-28 1983-05-24 日本ビクター株式会社 エンバンレコ−ドニオケル トレ−シングヒスミホセイソウチ
JPS5851346B2 (ja) * 1975-12-20 1983-11-16 ソニー株式会社 フルオ−トプレ−ヤノソウサキコウ
JPS6022385B2 (ja) * 1976-09-14 1985-06-01 キヤノン株式会社 電子機器
US4280121A (en) * 1978-06-05 1981-07-21 Crask Geoffrey J Keyboard assembly with controllable key legends
JPS58137917A (ja) * 1982-02-10 1983-08-16 市川　保正 表示機能を伴つた押ボタンスイツチ及び該押ボタンスイツチを利用したキ−ボ−ド
WO1983003159A1 (fr) * 1982-03-10 1983-09-15 Keith Grissett Clavier electronique et tetes de touches de clavier electronique
DE8334346U1 (de) * 1983-11-30 1984-03-22 Mueller, Rolf, Dr., 6750 Kaiserslautern Vorrichtung, insbesondere fuer schreibmaschinen und terminals

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3340401A (en) * 1963-12-26 1967-09-05 Xerox Corp Motionless data input key
US3777222A (en) * 1972-05-12 1973-12-04 Ibm Modular touch sensitive indicating panels with touch and light transmissive overlay cover membrane containing visible printed indicia
JPS53123034A (en) * 1977-04-02 1978-10-27 Ricoh Co Ltd Keyboard
JPS5541507A (en) * 1978-09-18 1980-03-24 Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd Display keyboard device
JPS55157028A (en) * 1979-05-23 1980-12-06 Seiko Epson Corp Key input unit with display

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of EP0159336A4 *

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0221698A3 (en) * 1985-10-15 1989-02-08 Ing. C. Olivetti & C., S.P.A. Key with selective symbol display
EP0221698A2 (fr) * 1985-10-15 1987-05-13 Ing. C. Olivetti & C., S.p.A. Bouton avec légende sélective
EP0226392A2 (fr) * 1985-12-04 1987-06-24 Henry C. Meadow Touche et clavier avec affichage
EP0226392A3 (fr) * 1985-12-04 1990-04-11 Henry C. Meadow Touche et clavier avec affichage
WO1995012843A2 (fr) * 1993-11-05 1995-05-11 Feltscope Limited Interface interactive programmable pour des interrupteurs a touches d'un affichage a cristaux liquides a legendes modifiables
WO1995012843A3 (fr) * 1993-11-05 1995-08-17 Feltscope Ltd Interface interactive programmable pour des interrupteurs a touches d'un affichage a cristaux liquides a legendes modifiables
AU693124B2 (en) * 1993-11-05 1998-06-25 Sk Interfaces Limited Interactive programmable interface for relegendable LCD keyswitches
US6014131A (en) * 1993-11-05 2000-01-11 Feltscope Limited Interactive programmable interface for relegendable LCD keyswitches
USRE43082E1 (en) 1998-12-10 2012-01-10 Eatoni Ergonomics, Inc. Touch-typable devices based on ambiguous codes and methods to design such devices
US7761175B2 (en) 2001-09-27 2010-07-20 Eatoni Ergonomics, Inc. Method and apparatus for discoverable input of symbols on a reduced keypad
US7628692B2 (en) 2002-08-22 2009-12-08 Igt Gaming device having an input device with a display device
FR2857112A1 (fr) * 2003-07-02 2005-01-07 Denkoo Clavier pour ordinateur et logiciel pilote pour un tel clavier
US8200865B2 (en) 2003-09-11 2012-06-12 Eatoni Ergonomics, Inc. Efficient method and apparatus for text entry based on trigger sequences
EP1655750A3 (fr) * 2004-11-08 2007-08-22 LCD Solution SARL Commutateur à touche à écran intégré avec affichage d'information polychrome
FR2877764A1 (fr) * 2004-11-08 2006-05-12 Lcd Solution Sarl Commutateur a touche a ecran integre avec affichage d'information polychrome
EP1655750A2 (fr) * 2004-11-08 2006-05-10 LCD Solution SARL Commutateur à touche à écran intégré avec affichage d'information polychrome
WO2006113827A1 (fr) * 2005-04-18 2006-10-26 United Keys, Inc. Clé à affichage et ensemble de touches
EP2110833A4 (fr) * 2007-01-17 2014-02-26 Lorenzo Ind Sa Disposition d'ensembles de commutation a touche
EP2110833A1 (fr) * 2007-01-17 2009-10-21 Industrias Lorenzo, SA Disposition d'ensembles de commutation a touche
EP2211361A1 (fr) * 2009-01-27 2010-07-28 Industrias Lorenzo, SA Dispositif d'interrupteur à bouton-poussoir avec affichage OLED
US8932128B2 (en) 2011-09-26 2015-01-13 Igt Gaming system, gaming device and method for displaying multiple concurrent games using dynamic focal points
US9286769B2 (en) 2011-09-26 2016-03-15 Igt Gaming system, gaming device and method for displaying multiple concurrent games using dynamic focal points
US9600957B2 (en) 2011-09-26 2017-03-21 Igt Gaming system, gaming device and method for displaying multiple concurrent games using dynamic focal points
US9905081B2 (en) 2011-09-26 2018-02-27 Igt Gaming system, gaming device and method for displaying multiple concurrent games using dynamic focal points
US10152849B2 (en) 2011-09-26 2018-12-11 Igt Gaming system, gaming device and method for displaying multiple concurrent games using dynamic focal points
US10825300B2 (en) 2011-09-26 2020-11-03 Igt Gaming system, gaming device and method for displaying multiple concurrent games using dynamic focal points

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DK252185D0 (da) 1985-06-04
AU3389584A (en) 1985-04-18
DK252185A (da) 1985-07-31
BR8407106A (pt) 1985-08-27
EP0159336A4 (fr) 1989-05-16
CA1308457C (fr) 1992-10-06
EP0159336A1 (fr) 1985-10-30
IT1199205B (it) 1988-12-30
ZA847800B (en) 1985-05-29
HUT37279A (en) 1985-11-28
IT8448949A0 (it) 1984-10-04
AU582126B2 (en) 1989-03-16
KR850700078A (ko) 1985-10-21
JPS61500236A (ja) 1986-02-06
NZ209760A (en) 1990-08-28
IT8448949A1 (it) 1986-04-30

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