US5870033A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keyboard, in particular a membrane keyboard
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-11-10
•
Granted: 1999-02-09
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Expires: 2014-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A keyboard system for activating equipment to be operated, including: a keyboard for generating activation signals, a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the activation signals; and a receiver connectable to the equipment to be operated for receiving the activation signals from the transmitter.
Inventors
- 👤 Lothar Strolo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:00
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202; G06F3/0219; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03547; H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/702; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/002; H01H2219/01; H01H2219/011; H01H2223/00; H01H2223/01; H01H2223/022; H01H2231/00; H01H2231/032; H01H2239/00; H01H2239/058
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A keyboard system for activating a network-compatible personal computer to be operated, comprising: a plurality of independent keyboards for generating activation signals, each of the keyboards having a keyboard address and including a key matrix that is scanable row-by-row and column-by-column; wireless transmitter means for wirelessly transmitting the activation signals as light pulses which lie in an infrared range, the transmitter means being operative to send data messages in which a keyboard address is contained, the transmitter means having a transmission channel for each key of the keyboard, the transmitter means being operative to transmit data messages in which the keyboard address is in each case contained; and receiver means connectable to the personal computer to be operated for receiving the activation signals from the transmitter means, the receiver means including an address decoder and an address comparator that passes on data received from the transmitter means to the personal computer if the data match a preset dedicated address, the receiver means further including an address decoder that is operative to pass on data received in accordance with the decoded address to an interface card of the personal computer assigned to this address.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A keyboard system for activating a network-compatible personal computer to be operated, comprising: a plurality of independent keyboards for generating activation signals, each of the keyboards having a keyboard address and including a key matrix that is scanable row-by-row and column-by-column; wireless transmitter means for wirelessly transmitting the activation signals as light pulses which lie in an infrared range, the transmitter means being operative to send data messages in which a keyboard address is contained, the transmitter means having a transmission channel for each key of the keyboard, the transmitter means being operative to transmit data messages in which the keyboard address is in each case contained; and receiver means connectable to the personal computer to be operated for receiving the activation signals from the transmitter means, the receiver means including an address decoder and an address comparator that passes on data received from the transmitter means to the personal computer if the data match a preset dedicated address, the receiver means further including an address decoder that is operative to pass on data received in accordance with the decoded address to an interface card of the personal computer assigned to this address.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 1, wherein the transmitter means is operative to transmit the data messages in pulse form in the form of high-frequency oscillations of a specific frequency, the receiver means including a filter tuned to the specific frequency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 2, wherein the transmitter means includes an element for setting a pulse duty factor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 3, wherein the pulse duty factor is between 6% and 25%.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 1, wherein the transmitter means is operative to transmit a parity bit in the data message.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 1, wherein the transmitter means is operative to transmit a parity bit in the data message.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 1, wherein the transmission channels are arranged in a first group for controlling a personal computer and a second group for controlling other electrical equipment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 1, wherein the transmitter means is operative to transmit with bi-phase amplitude modulation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 1, and further comprising time counting circuit means initialized by actuation of each key on the keyboard, the time counting circuit means being operative to signal, after expiration of a characteristic time, an end of input from the key actuation and to switch on a power-saving standby mode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 1, and further comprising power for powering the keyboard and the transmitter means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 10, wherein the power supply means includes batteries integrated in the keyboard.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 10, wherein the power supply means includes batteries integrated in the keyboard and solar cells mounted on a surface of the keyboard, the solar cells and the batteries being operatively interconnected so that the batteries are operative when the solar cells no longer supply sufficient power.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 10, wherein the power supply means includes a rechargeable battery and charging connection means for recharging the battery.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 13, wherein the keyboard has rear feet, the charging connection means including contacts provided at the rear feet of the keyboard.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
165 words
A keyboard system for activating a personal computer to be operated, comprising: a keyboard for generating activation signals, the keyboard including a key matrix that is scanable row by row and column by column; wireless transmitter means for wirelessly transmitting the activation signals as light pulses which lie in an infrared range, the transmitter means being operative to send data messages in which a keyboard address is contained, the transmitter means having a transmission channel for each key of the keyboard; receiver means connectable to the personal computer to be operated for receiving the activation signals from the transmitter means, the receiver means including an address decoder and an address comparator that passes on data received from the transmitter means to the personal computer if the data match a preset dedicated address; and a plurality of interface cards mountable in the personal computer and associated with respective addresses, the receiver means being operative to direct the data to an appropriate one of the interface cards.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
165 words
A keyboard system for activating a personal computer to be operated, comprising: a keyboard for generating activation signals, the keyboard including a key matrix that is scanable row by row and column by column; wireless transmitter means for wirelessly transmitting the activation signals as light pulses which lie in an infrared range, the transmitter means being operative to send data messages in which a keyboard address is contained, the transmitter means having a transmission channel for each key of the keyboard; receiver means connectable to the personal computer to be operated for receiving the activation signals from the transmitter means, the receiver means including an address decoder and an address comparator that passes on data received from the transmitter means to the personal computer if the data match a preset dedicated address; and a plurality of interface cards mountable in the personal computer and associated with respective addresses, the receiver means being operative to direct the data to an appropriate one of the interface cards.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 15, wherein the transmitter means is operative to transmit the data messages in pulse form.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 16, wherein the transmitter means is operative to emit pulses in the form of high-frequency oscillations of a specific frequency, the receiver means including a filter tuned to the specific frequency.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 16, wherein the transmitter means includes an element for setting a pulse duty factor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 18, wherein the pulse duty factor is between 6% and 25%.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 2, wherein the keyboard has keys that are arranged in a first group for controlling a personal computer and a second group for controlling other electrical equipment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 2, wherein the keyboard is a membrane mouse.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
68 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 21, wherein the keyboard includes a bowl-shaped membrane support having a first, small outer surface and an opposite, second, larger outer surface, the membrane mouse including membrane contacts that adhesively attach to the small surface of the membrane support, the large surface of the membrane support having an adhesive thereon so that the membrane support is attachable to a flat member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 2, wherein the keyboard is configured as a membrane numerical block.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
65 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 23, wherein the keyboard includes an oval, bowl-shaped membrane support which defines a small outwardly directed surface and an opposed, large outwardly directed surface, the membrane numerical block including membrane contacts which are adhesively attached to the small surface of the membrane support, the large surface of the membrane support being configured to adhere to a planar surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
169 words
A keyboard system for activating a personal computer to be operated, comprising: a keyboard for generating activation signals, the keyboard including a key matrix that is scanable row by row and column by column; wireless transmitter means for wirelessly transmitting the activation signals as light pulses which lie in an infrared range, the transmitter means being operative to send data messages in which a keyboard address is contained, the transmitter means having a transmission channel for each key of the keyboard; and receiver means connectable to the personal computer to be operated for receiving the activation signals from the transmitter means, the receiver means including an address decoder and an address comparator that passes on data received from the transmitter means to the personal computer if the data match a preset dedicated address, the receiver means including an automatically operating sensitivity setting element (AGC), the transmitter means being operative to transmit a 2-bit carrier, at a beginning of a data message, for the AGC setting of the receiver means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
169 words
A keyboard system for activating a personal computer to be operated, comprising: a keyboard for generating activation signals, the keyboard including a key matrix that is scanable row by row and column by column; wireless transmitter means for wirelessly transmitting the activation signals as light pulses which lie in an infrared range, the transmitter means being operative to send data messages in which a keyboard address is contained, the transmitter means having a transmission channel for each key of the keyboard; and receiver means connectable to the personal computer to be operated for receiving the activation signals from the transmitter means, the receiver means including an address decoder and an address comparator that passes on data received from the transmitter means to the personal computer if the data match a preset dedicated address, the receiver means including an automatically operating sensitivity setting element (AGC), the transmitter means being operative to transmit a 2-bit carrier, at a beginning of a data message, for the AGC setting of the receiver means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
The keyboard system as defined in claim 25, wherein the transmitter means is operative to transmit the data message with a start bit after the 2-bit carrier for the AGC setting of the receiver means.
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) | 2002-02-08 | 2002-08-10 | 2003-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-08 | 2006-08-10 | 2007-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-08 | 2010-08-10 | 2011-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |