Multi-mode keyboard

• US 10,345,921 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2016
• Issued: 07/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pro-Boards, LLC
• Original Assignee: Pro-Boards, LLC
• Inventors: Potts, Brian H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ma, Calvin C
• Application Number:
  US15/259,048
• Publication Number:
  US 20180067566A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 345169, 345173, 345174, 715810, 715818
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence

Abstract

A method includes receiving, by a processor of a computing device, a first keystroke signal from a keyboard indicating that a first key has been pressed. Prior to receiving the first keystroke signal, the keyboard operates in a first state. The method further includes switching, by the processor, the keyboard from the first state to a second state in response to receiving the first keystroke signal. The method further includes receiving, by the processor during the second state, a second keystroke signal from the keyboard indicating that a second key has been pressed. The first key is different from the second key. The method further includes determining, by the processor, a plurality of keystroke signals in response to receiving the second keystroke signal during the second state. The method further includes sending, by the processor during the second state, the plurality of keystroke signals to a second computing device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a processor of a keyboard, a first keystroke signal from the keyboard indicating that a first key has been pressed, wherein, prior to receiving the first keystroke signal, the keyboard operates in a first state and further wherein the keyboard comprises physical keys;

switching, by the processor, the keyboard from the first state to a second state in response to receiving the first keystroke signal;

receiving, by the processor during the second state, a second keystroke signal from the keyboard indicating that a second key has been pressed, wherein the first key is different from the second key;

determining, by the processor, a plurality of keystroke signals in response to receiving the second keystroke signal during the second state; and

sending, by the processor during the second state, the plurality of keystroke signals directly to a second computing device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the processor, the second keystroke signal a plurality of times within a threshold amount of time, wherein the plurality of keystroke signals sent to the second computing device is different than when the second keystroke signal is only received once within the threshold amount of time.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the processor, along with the second keystroke signal an alternate function keystroke signal, wherein the plurality of keystroke signals sent to the second computing device is different than when the second keystroke signal is received without the alternate function keystroke signal.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the alternate function keystroke signal is generated when at least one of an alt key, a control key, a shift key, an option key, a function key, and a command key on the keyboard is pressed.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein:

the plurality of keystroke signals determined by the processor in response to receiving the second keystroke signal without the alternate function keystroke signal is one of an insert new footnote function, a find function, and an insert new comment; and

the plurality of keystroke signals determined by the processor in response to receiving the second keystroke signal along with the alternate function keystroke signal returns an active cursor to a document from a footnote, find dialog box, or comment.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the processor, a third keystroke signal from the keyboard, wherein the third keystroke signal is received while the keyboard is operating in a second state; and

switching, by the processor, the keyboard from the second state to the first state in response to receiving the third keystroke signal.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the third keystroke signal indicates that the first key of the keyboard has been pressed.

8. A system comprising:

a memory of a keyboard; and

a processor of the keyboard coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to;

receive a first keystroke signal from the keyboard that indicates that a first key has been pressed, wherein, prior to reception of the first keystroke signal, the keyboard operates in a first state;

switch the keyboard from the first state to a second state in response to reception of the first keystroke signal and further wherein the keyboard comprises physical keys;

receive, during the second state, a second keystroke signal from the keyboard that indicates that a second key has been pressed, wherein the first key is different from the second key;

determine a plurality of keystroke signals in response to reception of the second keystroke signal during the second state; and

send, during the second state, the plurality of keystroke signals directly to a second computing device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first key is one of a first group of keys of the keyboard and the second key is one of a second group of keys of the keyboard.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein during the first state, when any of the first plurality of keys and the second plurality of keys are pressed, the processor is further configured to send a single keystroke signal to the second computing device.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein during the second state:

responsive to any of the first plurality of keys being pressed, the processor is further configured to send a single key-specific keystroke signal to the second computing device; and

responsive to any of the second plurality of keys being pressed, the processor is further configured to send a key-specific plurality of keystrokes to the second computing device.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to determine, based on a lookup table stored in the memory, the key-specific plurality of keystrokes when one of the second plurality of keys is pressed.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the first key is a num lock key.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the second key is one of a plurality of number pad keys or one of a plurality of function keys.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by a processor of a keyboard, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving a first keystroke signal from the keyboard indicating that a first key has been pressed, wherein, prior to receiving the first keystroke signal, the keyboard operates in a first state and further wherein the keyboard comprises physical keys;

switching the keyboard from the first state to a second state in response to receiving the first keystroke signal;

receiving, during the second state, a second keystroke signal from the keyboard indicating that a second key has been pressed, wherein the first key is different from the second key;

determining a plurality of keystroke signals in response to receiving the second keystroke signal during the second state; and

sending, during the second state, the plurality of keystroke signals directly to a second computing device.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the plurality of keystroke signals sent to the second computing device indicates to a second processor of the second computing device at least one of the functions comprising toggle track changes, find, add new footnote, and add comment.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving, by the processor during the second state, a memory keystroke signal; and

recording, by the processor, one or more keystroke signals received after the memory keystroke signal is received.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving, by the processor, a recall memory keystroke signal;

ceasing, by processor, recording of memory keystroke signal after receiving the recall memory keystroke signal; and

associating, by the processor, the one or more recorded keystroke signals with the recall memory keystroke signal.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving, by the processor, a subsequent memory keystroke signal; and

sending, by the processor to the second computing device, keystroke signals according to the one or more recorded keystroke signals.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the memory keystroke signal and the recall memory keystroke signal are:

associated with a single memory key on the keyboard;

or

associated with two separate keys on the keyboard.