Abstract: A dome sheet molded integrally from elastomeric rubber or plastic material is divided into two or more planar sheet sections, each containing a plurality of raised domes used in keyboard actuation. The adjacent sections are integrally joined by a hinged web having walls extending outward from the plane of the sheet. The web permits translational and angular movement of the adjacent sheet sections as required to properly position them between mating keyboard parts during keyboard assembly. This assures more accurate alignment between keyswitch actuators and keyboard switching elements associated with the individual domes about the dome sheet.

Abstract: A keyswitch operator includes a supporting bearing block and axially movable keytop and plunger. A cylindrical plunger is slidably guided between alternating flat and conical surfaces about a through bore in the bearing block. The flat surfaces provide constant bearing guides along multiple axial lines angularly spaced about the plunger. The conical surfaces provide draft to facilitate removal of a mold after forming of the through bore. Both "quiet tactile" and "click tactile" modes of operation are available when utilizing the keyswitch operator in conjunction with a yieldable dome overlying a membrane switch assembly. "Click tactile" operation requires the addition of a spring-biased piston to physically engage the underlying switch assembly when the plunger has been depressed.

Abstract: A connector clamp for attaching conductive surface pads on a flexible sheet to a printed wiring board having complementary conductive surface pads is bent from an elongated precut pattern. The resulting clamp member includes a series of transverse fingers along one leg of a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The fingers are opposed by a continuous leg joined to them by a continuous central base that completes the U-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The internal width across the central base exceeds the combined thickness of the sheet and board secured by the clamp. It exerts clamping force along a line extending across both clamp legs to assure both mechanical and electrical connection between the joined elements.

Abstract: A printed circuit assembly includes surface mounted circuit components held in place on a printed circuit board by a rigid connection. The outwardly extending leads of the circuit component are bonded to conductive areas of the board by an electrically conducting flexible adhesive. The combination of a rigid mechanical connection between the body portion of the circuit component and the board and a flexible, electrically conductive connection between each lead end and the board provides an arrangement capable of withstanding shock loading, as well as vibrational and bending forces to which the assembly might be subjected. The assembly lends itself to relatively inexpensive circuit boards produced by printing techniques, typically including applied metal buses that serve as low resistance shunts to the power connections of the circuit components.

Abstract: An optical character reader for conversion of information to a machine readable code from a strip of alpha-numeric characters on the face of a document. It includes an elongated document slot along which the document may be hand guided through a predetermined path. Optical viewing means is provided across a scan line intersecting the path of the alpha-numeric characters. A character scanning assembly electronically generates images of each character. Recognition processing means encodes these images into a machine readable code. All of the physical, optical and electronic components are contained within a compact single enclosure.

Abstract: A keyboard having a matrix arrangement of analog keyswitches arranged along column conductors leading from a driver chip and row conductors leading to a detector chip. The driver chip has a strobe line and multiple address lines adapted to connect to a controller. The column conductors are sequentially pulsed by the driver chip. The detector chip has a strobe line common to that of the driver chip and a multiple line data bus for directing keyboard signals simultaneously from the several row columns.

Abstract: An optical character reader for conversion of information to a machine readable code from a strip of alpha-numeric characters on the face of a document. It includes an elongated document slot along which the document may be hand guided through a predetermined path. Optical viewing means is provided across a scan line intersecting the path of the alpha-numeric characters. A character scanning assembly electronically generates images of each character. Recognition processing means encodes these images into a machine readable code. All of the physical, optical and electronic components are contained within a compact single enclosure. Incandescent lamps are utilized to illuminate the document face across the scan line. The usable life of each lamp is extended by providing a constant current source in the operational lamp circuit. Incandescent lamps are utilized to illuminate the face of the document across the scan line.

Abstract: An optical character reader for conversion of information to a machine readable code from a strip of alpha-numeric characters on the face of a document. It includes an elongated document slot along which the document may be hand guided through a predetermined path. Optical viewing means is provided across a scan line intersecting the path of the alpha-numeric characters. A character scanning assembly electronically generates images of each character. Recognition processing means encodes these images into a machine readable code. All of the physical, optical and electronic components are contained within a compact single enclosure. The character scanning assembly is located on a separable support frame that includes a surface adapted to be slidably engaged by the face of the document being read. This support frame contains the viewing slot through which light is reflected from the document face.

Abstract: An optical character reader for conversion of information to a machine readable code from a strip of aplha-numeric characters on the face of a document. It includes an elongated document slot along which the document may be hand guided through a predetermined path. Optical viewing means is provided across a scan line intersecting the path of the alpha-numeric characters. A character scanning assembly electronically generates images of each character. Recognition processing means encodes these images into a machine readable code. All of the physical, optical and electronic components are contained within a compact single enclosure. Optical viewing is accomplished on a separable frame assembly having a surface area adapted to engage the document. The frame includes at least one light guiding slot and an intersecting view slot or aperture. An upright ventilation duct intersects the light guiding slot.

Abstract: A capacitive keyswitch is described having a plunger that is movable along an axis between a released or undepressed position and a depressed position. A flexible capacitance plate is mounted on the plunger for movement therewith in a desired path. Two rigid capacitance plates are mounted with contact surfaces substantially parallel with the axis and in the path of the flexible capacitance plate for deflecting and deforming the flexible capacitance plate to the contour of the contact surfaces as the flexible capacitance plate is frictionally slid over the rigid plates.