Uniquely identifiable keys for electronic keyboards
US8866642B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 23, 2007 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 1, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D30/70
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electronic keyboard including a plurality of keys arranged as a matrix, each key including a plunger, and a conductive element on the bottom of the plunger, the conductive element having a characteristic resistance, an electronic circuit having an input current source, and mounted on a surface beneath the plurality of keys such that when a key is pressed its conductive element closes a switch in the circuit, an analog-to-digital convertor for converting an output voltage of the circuit to a digital signal, and a controller for determining from the digital signal when a key is pressed, and for identifying the key that is pressed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.