International Business Machines Corporation

Scott A Hightower

Mac A Mathis

Dhirendra Dhopeshwarkar

Christopher James Gay

John Walter Mehl

Frank E Anderson

Karen G Luton

A computer system with provision for inserting/removing memory cartridges is improved by inhibiting erroneous operation as a result of noise produced on insertion/removal of a memory cartridge. Removable cartridges are connected/disconnected from a cartridge bus which is distinct from the system bus to which all other components are coupled. A controlled isolation is provided between the two buses. An idler routine ensures that in the absence of operator requested tasks the isolation prevents noise on the cartridge bus from reaching the system bus. When the processor executes an instruction (or only selected instructions) the isolation is disabled so that data/instructions can flow to/from the system and cartridge bus.

Systems for inhibiting errors caused by memory cartridge

A matrix keyboard system for producing key codes in response to the actuation of key switches. The keyboard system includes ghost key condition detection. In the keyboard system, a group of parallel drive lines and a group of orthogonal parallel sense lines form a matrix, with a key switch being associated with each of the intersection points on the matrix. The drive lines are sequentially activated, and the actuation of a key switch along an activated drive line results in the coupling of a drive signal to the associated sense line. A ghost key condition arises when three of the four corners of a notional rectangle in the matrix contain an actuated key switch. The ghost key condition detector senses the presence of drive signals not only on the sense lines but also on the drive lines, with a ghost key condition being identified if a drive signal is sensed on two or more sense lines and two or more drive lines simultaneously.

Keyboard arrangement with ghost key condition detection

Growing community of inventors

Lexington, KY, United States of America

Scott A Hightower