Automated switch scanning matrix for obtaining user input

Abstract

This invention is an automated switch scanning matrix for obtaining user input. The invention comprises an integrated circuit with an output register and an input register, the output register is operatively connected to one or more user switches or encoders and the switches or encoders are further operatively connected to the integrated circuit input register. A voltage is pulsed from the output register of the integrated circuit which then flows through closed contacts of the switches or encoders in the switching matrix and is then detected at the input registers of the integrated circuit. The switch position inputs are saved in a switch save register. The integrated circuit sets an interrupt bit if any of the switch positions in the matrix have changed. This, in turn, causes the microcontroller to read the switch save registers thereby saving time for the microcontroller by not having to continually read the switch inputs.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.