Compact 3-state data entry device

A method for representing an alphanumeric character as a code comprising the steps of:

• supplying a plurality of rotatable cylinders;
• rotating selected ones of said cylinders into a plurality of predetermined positions to form a plurality of control sequences;
• supplying an electrical processor;
• generating a plurality of electrical signals responsive to said rotation of said selected cylinders;
• sending electrical signals representing the positions of said rotatable cylinders to said electrical processor;
• and
• converting said plurality of electrical signals into a corresponding code.

A method for encoding an alphanumeric character comprising ie steps of:

• turning a plurality of controls into a plurality of selected positions to form a plurality of control sequences;
• transmitting electrical signals representative of said control sequences;
• determining indices which correspond to said electrical signals;
• performing a look-up in a table using said indices to obtain a code corresponding to said indices.

A device for entering data comprising:

• a plurality of controls disposed along a first, second, third and fourth axis, wherein said first axis is parallel to said second axis, and said third axis is parallel to said fourth axis, and wherein said first axis is perpendicular to said third axis and said fourth axis, and wherein said second axis is perpendicular to said third axis and said fourth axis;
• wherein each of said controls rotatable into a plurality positions and transmitting an electrical signal representative of said positions;
• a processor coupled to said controls;
• said processor receiving said electrical signals from said processor and creating indices corresponding to said electrical signals;
• and
• a memory coupled to said processor, comprising a look-up table, for receiving said indices and returning a code, said code representing an alphanumeric character.

A device for entering data comprising:

• a first control disposed along a first axis, a second control disposed along a second axis, a third control disposed along a third axis and a fourth control disposed along a fourth axis;
• wherein said first axis is parallel to said second axis and said third axis is parallel to said fourth axis, and wherein said first axis is perpendicular to said third axis and said fourth axis and wherein said second axis is perpendicular to said third axis and said fourth axis;
• each of said controls rotatable into one of three positions and transmitting an electrical signal representative of said positions;
• a first delay element coupled to said first control;
• a second delay element coupled to said second control;
• a third delay element coupled to said third control;
• and a fourth delay element coupled to said fourth control, said delay elements receiving said electrical signals from said controls;
• a processor coupled to said first delay element, said second delay element, said third delay element, and said fourth delay element;
• said processor receiving said electrical signals from said first, second, third, and fourth delay elements and creating indices corresponding said electrical signals;
• and
• a memory, coupled to said processor, said memory including a look-up table, for receiving said indices and returning a code to said processor in response to receiving said indices, said code representing an alphanumeric character.