Key lock means and application method of the same

• US 20070085839A1
• Filed: 03/01/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quanta Computer
• Original Assignee: Quanta Computer
• Inventors: Yang, Ching-Hwa, Lai, Chi-Tong
• Granted Patent: US 7,616,194 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers

Abstract

A key lock means set on a tablet personal computer and application method of the same are provided, wherein the key lock means comprises a graphic input device, a typing input device, and means for signal associating. The graphic input device is used for generating and transmitting a first signal to an operating system of the tablet computer. The typing input device is used for generating and transmitting a second signal to the operating system of the tablet computer. The means for signal associating is used for monitoring and controlling the transmitting process of the first and second signals. When the first signal is detected, the means for signal associating can prevent the typing input device from transmitting the second signal into the operating system of the tablet personal computer.

Claims

1. A key lock means set on a tablet personal computer, comprising:

a graphic input device used for generating and transmitting a first signal to an operating system of the tablet personal computer;

a typing input device used for generating and transmitting a second signal to the operating system of the tablet personal computer; and

means for signal associating used for monitoring and controlling the transmitting process of the first and second signals, wherein when the first signal is detected, the means for signal associating can prevent the typing input device from transmitting the second signal into the operating system of the tablet personal computer.

2. The key lock means in accordance with claim 1, wherein the means for signal associating is built in the typing input device.

3. The key lock means in accordance with claim 1, wherein the graphic input device comprises a digitizer used for conducting a graphic input process.

4. The key lock means in accordance with claim 1, wherein the graphic input device further comprises a first signal control element used for controlling the transmission of the first signal.

5. The key lock means in accordance with claim 1, wherein the typing input device comprises at least one button used for conducting a typing input process.

6. The key lock means in accordance with claim 5, wherein the buttons are selected from a group consisting of a mechanical button, an on-screen virtual button, and the combination thereof.

7. The key lock means in accordance with claim 4, wherein the typing input device further comprises a second signal control element used for controlling the transmission of the second signal.

8. The key lock means in accordance with claim 7, wherein when the first signal is generated, a third signal is revealed from the first signal control element to inform the means for signal associating to command the second signal control element not to transmit the second signal to the operating system of the tablet personal computer.

9. The key lock means in accordance with claim 8, wherein the means for signal associating is built in the second signal control element.

10. The key lock means in accordance with claim 1, wherein the graphic input device comprises a signal-transmitting interface.

11. The key lock means in accordance with claim 10, wherein the signal-transmitting interface may be an RS232 serial communication interface or a USB interface.

12. The key lock means in accordance with claim 10, wherein the existence of the first signal is determined by the means for signal associating depending on the variation of electricity passing through the signal-transmitting interface.

13. The key lock means in accordance with claim 1, wherein the operating system of the tablet personal computer is selected from a group consisting of a chip set, a central processing unit (CPU) and the combination thereof.

14. A method for preventing any unintended typing signals inputted in a tablet personal computer, comprising:

conducting a graphic input process to input a first signal into the operating system of the tablet personal computer,

conducting a typing input process to input a second signal into the operating system of the tablet personal computer, and

determining the existence of the first signal, wherein when the first signal is detected, preventing the typing input device from transmitting the second signal into the opening system of the tablet personal computer.

15. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the first signal is transmitted into the operating system of the tablet personal computer through a signal-transmitting interface during the graphic input process.

16. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the existence of the first signal is determined depending on the variation of electricity passing through the signal-transmitting interface.

17. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein when the graphic input process is conducted, a third signal is revealed from a first signal control element to inform the means for signal associating to command a second signal control element not to tramsit the second signal into the operating system of the tablet personal computer.

18. A tablet personal computer having a key lock means comprising:

a digitizer used for generating and transmitting a first signal to an operating system of the tablet computer,

a button used for generating and transmitting a second signal to the operating system of the tablet computer,

a first signal control element, used for controlling the transmission of the first signal;

a second signal control element used for controlling the transmission of the second signal; and

a means for signal associating used for monitoring and controlling the transmitting process of the first and second signal, wherein when the first signal is detected, the means for signal associating can prevent the second signal control element from transmitting the second signal into the operating system of the tablet personal computer.