Apparatus for converting key topography into electrical signals to effect key evaluation

摘要

Key evaluating apparatus for receiving a key having a surface whose amplitude or height is variably coded and for sensing the coded key surface to provide a set of sample signals corresponding to a sequence of sampling points on the coded key surface. The key evaluating apparatus of this invention comprises a key follower suspended to follow the movement of the coded key surface as the key is inserted past a fixed point. A key movement responsive mechanism is responsive to the movement of the key follower for generating the set of signal samples corresponding to the sequence of sampling points of the coded key surface.