Patents by Inventor Mao-Ta Tsao

Mao-Ta Tsao has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8264384
    Abstract: A keyboard control circuit for a keyboard having P keys includes an array module that includes P key switches, and a key-matrix having N scan lines that intersect M return lines to form N×M intersections, where P<N×M. The intersections include ghost key positions free of the key switches, and safe key positions being of a number at least equal to P. Each key switch is disposed at a corresponding safe key position. Each ghost key position cooperates with a corresponding group of first, second and third ones of the safe key positions to constitute four corners of a rectangle in the key matrix. A processing unit provides a scan signal to each scan line during a scan period, receives at least one scan line from the return lines in response to operation of at least one key switch, and outputs an input signal corresponding to operation of the at least one key switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignees: Silitek Electronic (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Lite-On Tehcnology Corp.
    Inventors: Mao-Ta Tsao, Wen-Tong Liu
  • Publication number: 20100073204
    Abstract: A keyboard control circuit for a keyboard having P keys includes an array module that includes P key switches, and a key-matrix having N scan lines that intersect M return lines to form N×M intersections, where P<N×M. The intersections include ghost key positions free of the key switches, and safe key positions being of a number at least equal to P. Each key switch is disposed at a corresponding safe key position. Each ghost key position cooperates with a corresponding group of first, second and third ones of the safe key positions to constitute four corners of a rectangle in the key matrix. A processing unit provides a scan signal to each scan line during a scan period, receives at least one scan line from the return lines in response to operation of at least one key switch, and outputs an input signal corresponding to operation of the at least one key switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Mao-Ta Tsao, Wen-Tong Liu