US3611358A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Hall effect keyboard
Assignee: Olivetti SpA
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Filing: 1969-01-22
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Granted: 1971-10-05
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Expires: 1989-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A keyboard device wherein the operation of each key generates a relevant electric signal. Each key is associated with a magnetically responsive element and is provided with means for producing a magnetic field variation in said element in response to operation of the involved key.
Inventors
- 👤 Claudio Dalmasso
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:07
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/965; H03K17/97; H03K17/972; H01; H01H; H01H36/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A manipulative keyboard device for generating electric signals, including a plurality of manually depressible keys, a plurality of key stems each one connected to one of said plurality of keys, means for guiding said key stems for a rectilinear movement upon depression of the connected key, and spring means for individually restoring the key stem of the depressed key, wherein the improvement comprises: a plurality of Hall cells, each one associated with one of said plurality of keys and including a pair of feed current terminals and a pair of output signal terminals, a support for said plurality of Hall cells, and a plurality of permanent magnets each one secured to one of said key stems, whereby upon depression of one of said keys, the magnet secured to the corresponding key stem produces in the associated Hall cell a magnetic field variation generating a corresponding electric signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A manipulative keyboard device for generating electric signals, including a plurality of manually depressible keys, a plurality of key stems each one connected to one of said plurality of keys, means for guiding said key stems for a rectilinear movement upon depression of the connected key, and spring means for individually restoring the key stem of the depressed key, wherein the improvement comprises: a plurality of Hall cells, each one associated with one of said plurality of keys and including a pair of feed current terminals and a pair of output signal terminals, a support for said plurality of Hall cells, and a plurality of permanent magnets each one secured to one of said key stems, whereby upon depression of one of said keys, the magnet secured to the corresponding key stem produces in the associated Hall cell a magnetic field variation generating a corresponding electric signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
115 words
A keyboard device as recited in claim 1, wherein each one of said plurality of permanent magnets is secured to a free end of the corresponding key stem, and wherein each one of said Hall cells includes a thin metal plate including a first pair of projections each of said pair being connected to one of said pair of feed current terminals and a second pair of Projections each of said second pair connected to one of said pair of output terminals and directed perpendicular to said first pair of projections, said thin metal plate facing the corresponding magnet and being located in a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement of said key stem.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A keyboard device as recited in claim 2, wherein the metal plate of each Hall cell comprises a plurality of second pairs of projections perpendicular to said first pair of projections and a plurality of pairs of output terminals, each pair connected to a pair of said second pairs of projections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
118 words
A keyboard as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of permanent magnets is horseshoe shaped and is inserted into a notch of a free end of the corresponding key stem, said notch being parallel to the direction of movement of the corresponding key stem, and wherein each of said plurality of Hall cells includes a thin metal plate including a first pair of projections connected to said pair of current terminals and a second pair of projections connected to said pair of output terminals and directed perpendicular to said first pair of projections, said thin metal plate being adapted to enter the horseshoe magnet of the associated key stem upon depression of the corresponding key.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |