摘要 |
Encoding apparatus for a business machine includes a resilient striker for inducing diverging sound waves within a rod by impact with it at a given location. Transducers positioned along the rod on each side of the striker and at unequal distances from it, convert the sound wave fronts into a first and a second output signal having a predetermined time interval between them which is dependent upon the location of impact with the rod. The transducers are connected to a logic unit which includes an oscillator-driven binary counter. The first output signal starts the counter and subsequent arrival of the second output signal determines the elapsed time, the counter output at that instant being a binary code value usable for any desired purpose: control, display, etc. The encoding apparatus may be incorporated in a keyboard having a number of keys and a corresponding number of strikers differentially positioned along the rod such that each key produces output signals with a predetermined time interval between them and accordingly a unique binary code may be obtained upon actuation of each key.
|