Apparatus for scanning user input devices
US5719597A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 28, 1994 |
| Grant date | Feb 17, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 28, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/047
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A scanning apparatus for uniquely identifying an actuated key on a keyboard and an actuated location in a drawing tablet. The scanning apparatus includes independently actuatable switches associated with the keyboard. The scanning apparatus also includes vertical and horizontal conducting traces juxtaposed one to another and electrically connected to a horizontal and vertical resistive bar, respectively, associated with the drawing tablet. The switches and traces are energized under control of the apparatus such that portions of each can be actuated by a user resulting in the generation of unique analog signals indicative of the particular key and particular location upon the drawing tablet actuated by the user. These unique analog signals are converted to digital signals for further processing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.