Peripheral unit control panel with smart key
US5250986A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 1992 |
| Grant date | Oct 5, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06K15/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A peripheral unit is provided with a control panel that includes a plurality of indicators, each indicator displaying to a user a state condition of the peripheral unit. The control panel also includes a user operable key. A "state" circuit is responsive to a functional state of the peripheral unit to cause the state indicators to manifest a selected one of a set of state conditions. A controller is provided for initiating peripheral unit operations. A state logic machine is responsive to each manifested state of the set and user actuation of the key, to cause the controller to initiate a peripheral unit operations, that operation uniquely related to a state manifested by the indicators.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.