Interactive programmable interface for relegendable LCD keyswitches

Filing Information

• Patent Number: US6014131
• Application Number: US8637769
• Filing date: 06/10/1996
• PCT 371 date: 06/10/1996
• Issue date: 01/11/2000
• Predicted expiration date: 06/10/2016

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• Inventor(s): James Anthony Barry · William Peter Roger Bannon · John Caldwell ·
• Assignee(s): Feltscope Limited ·  View assignee updates
• Attorney/Agent(s): Hoffmann & Baron, LLP ·
• Primary Examiner: Jeffery A. Hopsass ·
• Assistant Examiner: Julie B. Lieu ·

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• U.S. Classifications: 345/172  · 345/168  ·
• International Classifications: G09G 500 ·
• International Classifications: 345168;170;169;171;172 ·
• PCT Application Number: PCTIE9400052 - 11/07/1994
• PCT Publication Number: WO199512843 - 05/11/1995
• Foreign Priority: IES930854 - 11/05/1993 ·
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Abstract

Independent Claims | See all claims (32)

1. 1. An interface circuit for interfacing a matrix of relegendable liquid crystal display (LCD) keyswitches to a controlling processor, the interface circuit comprising:means for addressing each LCD keyswitch, the addressing means including a matrix address circuit;means for transferring display data to each LCD keyswitch display, the data being representative of a desired function of the keyswitch;means for reading data from each LCD keyswitch; andmeans for transferring data representative of a desired function of a keyswitch from the controlling processor to the interface circuit for display on the LCD keyswitch so that, when that keyswitch is activated, the keyswitch is read by the interface circuit which allows the controlling processor to execute the indicated function represented on the display of the LCD keyswitch;wherein each LCD keyswitch is individually addressable using the matrix address circuit and separately relegendable by the interface circuit so that high speed, on-line interaction between each LCD keyswitch and the controlling processor is facilitated for substantially immediate relegending or refreshing of the display on each LCD keyswitch.
2. 10. A data input device comprising a matrix of relegendable LCD keyswitches and an interface circuit for interfacing the device with a controlling processor, the interface circuit including a matrix address circuit, the keyswitches comprising LCDs for displaying an image representative of the keyswitch function wherein each keyswitch in the matrix is individually addressable using the matrix address circuit and separately relegendable by the interface circuit so that high speed, on-line interaction between each LCD keyswitch and the controlling processor is facilitated for substantially immediately relegending or refreshing of the display on the LCD keyswitch.
3. 22. A point-of-sale device comprising a matrix of relegendable LCD keyswitches and an interface circuit for interfacing the device with a controlling processor wherein point-of-sale data is selectively representable on each LCD keyswitch such that when a keyswitch is activated the data represented thereon is entered as part of a transaction, the interface circuit including a matrix address circuit each LCD keyswitch being individually addressable using the matrix address circuit and separately relegendable by the interface circuit so that high speed, on-line interaction between each LCD keyswitch and the controlling processor is facilitated for substantially immediate relegending or refreshing of the display of the LCD keyswitch.