Command buffers for electronic code keyer
AssigneeZenith Radio Corporation
InventorTerry A. Perdue
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system is disclosed for utilizing command buffers in a microprocessor controlled electronic code keyer for storing, rather than text to be transmitted, command strings for keyer operation. The command string is defined by a series of keypad closures for selecting a sequence of text buffers to be transmitted. In addition, the command buffers may be used during automatic text transmission to selectively change keyer parameters such as the speed of character transmission, inter-character and inter-word spacing, dot-to-dash-to-space ratio, or the number of times the contents of a text buffer will be automatically repeated. The use of text and command buffers permits the formation of essentially errorless Morse code transmissions, substantially enhances keyer operating and makes more efficient use of available memory.
Claims11
An electronic code keyer for automatically generating an ordered arrangement of characters from a first and second sequence of coded signals wherein a plurality of keyer operating parameters may be varied over a wide range of values, said electronic code keyer comprising:
- input means for generating said first sequence of coded signals;
- control means for generating said second sequence of coded signals;
- processor means coupled to said input means and to said control means and responsive to said first sequence of coded signals for generating said ordered arrangement of characters and responsive to said second sequence of coded signals for generating a plurality of instructions for operating said keyer over said wide range of operating parameters;
- random access memory means coupled to said processor means, said random access memory means having a plurality of addressable memory locations for the storage and read out of said ordered arrangement of characters and said instructions, the read out of said ordered arrangement of characters being determined by said instructions;
- and
- output means coupled to said processor means for receiving said ordered arrangement of characters in accordance with said instructions and for transmitting said characters over a wide range of keyer operating parameters in accordance with said instructions.
An electronic code keyer for automatically generating an ordered arrangement of characters from a first and second sequence of coded signals wherein a plurality of keyer operating parameters including the rate at which words comprised of said characters are transmitted, inter-character spacing, inter-word spacing, and individual transmitted signal duration may be varied over a wide range of values, said electronic code keyer comprising:
- input means including a paddle arrangement for generating said first sequence of coded signals;
- control means comprising a keypad arrangement including a plurality of selectable keys for generating said second sequence of coded signals;
- processor means coupled to said input means and to said control means and responsive to said first sequence of coded signals for generating said ordered arrangement of characters and responsive to said second sequence of coded signals for generating a plurality of instructions for operating said keyer over said wide range of operating parameters;
- random access memory means coupled to said processor means, said random access memory means having a plurality of addressable memory locations for the storage and read out of said ordered arrangement of characters and said instructions, the read out of said ordered arrangement of characters being determined by said instructions;
- and
- output means coupled to said processor means for receiving said ordered arrangement of characters in accordance with said instructions and for transmitting said characters over a wide range of keyer operating parameters in accordance with said instructions.
An electronic code keyer for automatically generating an ordered arrangement of characters from a first and second sequence of coded signals wherein a plurality of keyer operating parameters including the rate at which words comprised of said characters are transmitted, inter-character spacing, inter-word spacing, and individual transmitted signal duration may be varied over a wide range of values, said electronic code keyer comprising:
- input means including a paddle arrangement for generating said first sequence of coded signals;
- control means comprising a keypad arrangement including a plurality of selectable keys for generating said second sequence of coded signals;
- processor means coupled to said input means and to said control means and responsive to said first sequence of coded signals for generating said ordered arrangement of characters and responsive to said second sequence of coded signals for generating a plurality of instructions for operating said keyer over said wide range of operating parameters;
- random access memory means coupled to said processor means, said random access memory means having a plurality of addressable memory locations for the storage and read out of said ordered arrangement of characters and said instructions in accordance with said instructions;
- output means coupled to said processor means for receiving said ordered arrangement of characters in accordance with said instructions and for transmitting said characters over a wide range of keyer operating parameters in accordance with said instructions;
- audio signal generating means coupled to said processor means for providing an audio indication when the number of unused memory locations in said random access memory means for the storage of said ordered arrangement of characters and said instructions is equal to a predetermined number;
- and
- visual display means coupled to said processor means for receiving instructions in providing a visual indication of the mode of operation of said keyer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.