IBM Screen Reader Keypad
 | |
| Part number | 1393387 |
|---|---|
| FCC ID | AN09SA6450602 |
| Branding | IBM |
| Manufacturer | IBM |
| Layouts | Application specific |
| Keyswitches | IBM buckling spring |
| Interface | SDL cable to PS/2 connector |
The IBM Screen Reader Keypad was an 18-key keypad from the IBM Model M family with membrane-type IBM buckling spring key switches. The keypad was an integral part of a system designed to give blind computer users access to OS/2, DOS and Windows applications back in the 1980s; in fact, it was the first screen reader for a graphical user interface on the PC.<ref name=AFB/>. Unlike most Model M keyboards besides the IBM 50 Key Keyboard, the keypad's inner assembly bears some resemblance to one of an IBM Model F's. Whilst erroneously referred to as exclusively the "Screen Reader/2 Keypad", the keypad was in fact announced in January 1988 alongside IBM PS/2 Screen Reader 1.0<ref name=IBMC88-001/>. This was followed by IBM Screen Reader 1.1 in December 1989<ref name=IBM289-578/> and eventually IBM Screen Reader/DOS 1.2 (for DOS 3.3 and later only) and IBM Screen Reader/2 (for OS/2 and later Windows) in June 1992<ref name=IBM292-364/><ref name=IBM292-363/>. The keypad was withdrawn from marketing on April 28, 1995<ref name=IBM195-112/>
Despite using a PS/2 cable, the Screen Reader Keypad is not a typical PS/2 device. It was intended to be connected through either a PS/2 mouse port or a PS/2 port on a drop-in ISA expansion card for PC/XT and PC/AT systems called the IBM Screen Reader Adapter (P/N 57F1588, assembly P/N 57F1587, FRU 33F4842).
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Pictures of the IBM Screen Reader keypad.
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Keypad no rear cable -
Keypad back -
Keycaps removed -
Complete keypad -
SDL cable plugged in -
Side profile with stand -
Membrane exposed through absent keys -
Integrated circuits marked late 1987 -
Back plate identification label -
Keypad next to normal Model M keyboard -
Odd mix of Model F plates and Model M paddles and membrane
References[edit | edit source]
<references> <ref name=AFB>AccessWorld Magazine — On-the-Job Profile: A History of Accessibility at IBM, by Annemarie Cooke (March 2004) (American Foundation for the Blind)</ref> <ref name=IBMC88-001>IBM — C88-001: CUSTOMER ANNOUNCEMENT SUMMARY - JANUARY 26, 1988 (Admiral Shark's Keyboards)</ref> <ref name=IBM289-578>IBM — 289-578: SCREEN READER VERSION 1.1 (Admiral Shark's Keyboards)</ref> <ref name=IBM292-364>IBM — 292-364: IBM SCREEN READER/DOS VERSION 1.2 (Admiral Shark's Keyboards)</ref> <ref name=IBM292-363>IBM — 292-363: IBM SCREEN READER/2 (Admiral Shark's Keyboards)</ref> <ref name=IBM195-112>IBM — 195-112: Withdrawal: IBM Screen Reader Keypad and Cable -- Replacement Available (Admiral Shark's Keyboards)</ref> </references>
External links[edit | edit source]
- Admiral Shark's Keyboards — Model M Screen Reader Keypad wiki page
- IBM.com — Announcement of version 1.1
- Springer Link — Screen Reader/2 - Programmed Access to the GUI, by Jim Thatcher of IBM Research
