Abstract: A digital rotary switch signal reading circuit is adapted to read volume control signal from a volume control knob mounted on a multi-medium keyboard. The rotary switch has two signal terminals and one common terminal. The signal terminals are connected to two of input pins of a microprocessor of the keyboard and the common terminal is connected to one of the output pins of the microprocessor, the input pins and the output pins being interconnected with each other to form a key array. Thus, the signal from the rotary switch may be read by the computer in the same way as key actuation signal from the key array.

Abstract: A multimedia keyboard with instrument playing device comprising a case, a connector and flexible protruding plate mounted on one end of the case. A protruding plate can be inserted into an available slot in the multimedia keyboard, providing a signal connection and a flexible clip. Playing elements such as guitar strings, piano keys, or a drumhead are mounted on the exterior of the case. Several series of flexible conducting elements connected to the playing elements are mounted within the case. When the playing elements are struck or plucked, the conducting elements will deform in direct proportion to the amount of force that has been applied. One signal pickup circuit board including several carbon film resistance plates is mounted on the top or bottom of each flexible conducting elements.

Abstract: A power saving device is adapted to be incorporated in a cableless computer mouse for reducing power consumption thereof. The power saving device includes a wheel rotatable in unison with an encoding disk of the mouse and at least one pair of conductive contact members respectively connected to a power source and a microprocessor. The contact members have engaging sections forming a normally open loop. The wheel forms a plurality of alternating conductive and nonconductive sections engaging with the engaging sections of the contact members. The conductive sections are electrically connected to each other and may short the contact members when simultaneously engaging with the engaging sections. A control signal is thus generated and applied to the microprocessor of the mouse. The microprocessor may force the mouse into an idle condition for reducing power consumption after having not received the control signal for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A device code recognizing circuit includes a microprocessor forming an array having input pins and output pins and a code generation circuit connected to the microprocessor. The code generation circuit includes signal input terminals connected to input pins of the array and signal output terminals connected to I/O terminals of the microprocessor. The signal output terminals are sequentially and selectively set to one of low level condition and high impedance condition. The input pins of the microprocessor to which the signal input terminals of the code generation circuit are connected serially read signals from the code generation circuit for provision the signals to the microprocessor to form a device code associated therewith.

Abstract: A device for releasably mounting a wrist support to a keyboard is disclosed. The device includes a slide movably received in a slot defined in a front extension of the keyboard. The slide has a bottom projection extending beyond a bottom face of the keyboard for manually moving the slide and an L-shaped top projection having a segment spaced from a top surface of the slide for defining a channel. A guide plate is fixed to the keyboard by a bolt and has an edge movably received in the channel for retaining the slide in the slot and guiding the movement of the slide. A catch is attached to the slide to be movable therewith between a released position and a secured position. The catch forms a barb whereby when the catch is at the secured position, the barb engages an opening defined in the wrist support for securing the wrist support to the keyboard and when the catch is at the released position, the barb disengages from the opening of the wrist support for releasing the wrist support from the keyboard.

Abstract: A keyboard testing system includes a processor-based test unit electrically coupled to a microprocessor of a keyboard to be tested to test and determine if the microprocessor function properly, at least one optic sensor which is controlled by the test unit to detect light emitted from LED indicators of the keyboard for testing the indicators and a key testing device which is controlled by the test unit to sequentially actuate keys of the keyboard for testing the keys. The key testing device includes at least one pneumatic cylinder to which an end effector is mounted. The pneumatic cylinder is controlled by the test unit to move the end effector toward/away from and thus actuating/de-actuating the keys. A conveying device moves the key testing device to each of the keys for testing each of the keys.

Abstract: A keyboard testing apparatus includes a housing inside which two clamping members spaced from each other at an adjustable distance for receiving a keyboard to be tested therebetween. A retaining device includes a pneumatic cylinder for applying force to the keyboard for firmly retaining the keyboard in position. An indicator testing device includes several optic sensors for detecting light emitted from indicators of the keyboard. A key testing device includes several key actuators capable to sequentially actuate/de-actuate the keys of the keyboard. A conveying device drives the key actuators relative to the keyboard in order to position the key actuators with respect to each key of the keyboard. A control unit, preferably a processor-based device, controls the operation of the key testing apparatus and receives test signals from the keyboard and the optic sensors to determine if the keyboard function normally. The control unit generates a warning signal via a warning device when the keyboard is abnormal.

Abstract: A power saving infrared keyboard transmission method adapted for data transmission of a cordless computer keyboard is disclosed. The cordless keyboard has a transmission modulus comprising a microprocessor which converts the information related to the operation status of the keys of the keyboard into a series of pulses comprised of at least a first data byte and a second data byte. A leader code and a start code are added to the series of pulses in front of the first data byte and the leader code and the start code are transmitted before the data bytes are transmitted. A receiving modulus which is coupled to a host machine receives the data bytes together with the leader code and the start code. The leader code and the start code are received first to serve as an identification of the transmission of the data bytes so that the receiving modulus receives and interrupts the received data efficiently and effectively.

Abstract: An automatic keyboard testing apparatus includes a pair of support arms fixed to a machine frame for supporting a keyboard to be tested therebetween. A clamping device secures the keyboard between the support arms. A test module has testing units for operating/testing pushbuttons, a knob and indictors of the keyboard. A key actuating device comprises a plurality of key depressing elements movably mounted thereto. Each key depressing element forms a pressurized air stream outlet for applying a pressurized air stream to a corresponding key of the keyboard for actuating the key. A conveyor mechanism moves the key actuating device across the keyboard for sequentially actuating the keys of the keyboard. A keyboard coupling device electrically couples the keyboard to a processor-based determination device to receive signals therefrom for determining if the tested keyboard is properly functioning.

Abstract: A CD-ROM reader mechanism includes a movable inner frame supporting a reader device thereon and being movably received in a fixed outer frame. At least one pair of flexible hinges are integrally formed between the inner frame and the outer frame at opposite sides to pivotally support the inner frame in the outer frame thereby allowing a front end of the inner frame to move between an upper position where the reader device is allowed to access an optic disk and a lower position where the reader device is moved away from the optic disk. The flexible hinges each include an undulated structure made of a deformable material. The undulated structure has a plurality of cavities therein which allow the structure to collapse for serving as a hinge.

Abstract: A system for identifying electric device includes a charging/discharging circuit comprised of at least one electric capacitor and one additional electric element, such as an electric resistor or an electric inductance. The charging/discharging circuit is connected to at least one input/output port of a central processing unit and has a particular charging/discharging characteristics based on values of the capacitor and the resistor or the inductance. The particular charging/discharging characteristics provides an identification code of the device. The identification code may be used to identify a particular product in for example a communication link between a central processing unit of a host machine and a peripheral device or be used to identify a particular model of products manufactured in a manufacturing line whereby the same facility may be used to manufacture different models of products thereby effectively reducing the manufacturing costs.

Abstract: An automatic balancing device of an optic disc drive includes a circular disk made of ferromagnetic material mounted to an output spindle of a motor of the optic disc drive and a circular tray supported on the circular disk. The circular tray has a central axle and defines an annular space around the axle and a plurality of circular channels concentrically surrounding the annular space. A ring magnet is retained in the annular space for attracting the circular disk thereby soundly retaining the circular tray on the circular disk. A plurality of weight balls are received in each of the circular channels and are allowed to freely roll in the corresponding channels. A cover is attached to the circular tray for retaining the balls in the channels and supporting and driving an optic disc. When the motor is actuated and the circular tray is rotated, the balls are free to roll in the corresponding channels thereby automatically achieving balance of rotation of the optic disc.

Abstract: A key structure of a computer keyboard includes a cap and a post axially extending from an underside of the cap and being movably inserted into and received in a guide channel of the keyboard. The post has a quadrilateral cross section having pairs of opposite first and second side faces. Each first side face forms two first resilient members each having a contacting portion of a V-shaped configuration laterally extending beyond the post for biasingly engaging with a corresponding inside surface of the guide channel thereby stabilizing the movement of the key with respect to the guide channel and thus reducing the noise level thereof. Each second side face forms a second resilient member defining an elongate slot movably receiving and engaging with a corresponding stop block formed inside the guide channel. The engagement between the slot and the stop block limits the stroke of movement of the key thereby preventing the post from severely impacting and thus damaging the keyboard and associated parts thereof.

Abstract: A shock absorbing device adapted to be incorporated in a reading mechanism of a CD-ROM having a driving motor of a substantial weight arranged at a first end side of the reading mechanism, includes a base frame defining therein an interior space for receiving and holding the reading mechanism therein. A plurality of shock absorbing elements, made of a resilient material, are arranged between the reading mechanism and support members that are fixed inside the interior space of the base frame for absorbing vibration/shock caused by the operation of the CD-ROM. At least one counterweight plate is attached to the reading mechanism at a second end side thereof to be opposite to the driving motor in order to balance the weight of the motor.

Abstract: A keyboard etching apparatus includes a base on which a frame is fixed to support a laser beam source and a keyboard tray thereon to be spaced from each other in such a manner to allow a laser beam emitted from the laser beam source to project onto a keyboard removably supported on the keyboard tray for performing etching operation on the keyboard. A keyboard supply cart having a plurality of non-etched keyboards held therein and a keyboard collecting cart for collecting etched keyboards are respectively arranged on two opposite sides of the frame and movable along rails fixed on the base. A conveyor system is arranged between the keyboard supply cart and the keyboard collecting cart for sequentially moving each of the non-etched keyboards received in the keyboard supply cart to the keyboard tray to be etched by the laser beam and to simultaneously move the etched keyboard from the keyboard tray to the keyboard collecting cart to be collected therein.

Abstract: A computer pointing device includes a casing having a top on which a button rotatably support by a ball joint. The button has a plurality of pins corresponding to a plurality of openings formed on the top of the casing. A rubber pad is disposed within the casing, having a plurality of raised projections respectively received within the openings, each having a hollow configuration to receive and retain therein a conductor. The projections selectively collapse when the button is depressed to have at least one of the pins engaging the corresponding projections via the openings so as to move the conductors thereof in a downward direction. A circuit board is disposed under the rubber pad, having conductive ribs formed thereon to be selectively engageable by each of the conductors when the projections collapses to cause the downward movement of the conductors.