COMPUTER APPARATUS AND THE FUNCTION ACTIVATING METHOD THEREOF

• US 20090237276A1
• Filed: 03/21/2008
• Published: 09/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Inventec Corporation
• Original Assignee: Inventec Corporation
• Inventors: Lai, Hsin-Chi
• Application Number:
  US12/052,744
• Publication Number:
  US 20090237276A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes

Abstract

A computer apparatus is provided, which includes a function key, controller, basic input/output system (BIOS) unit and operating system (OS) unit. The function key is used for activating a predetermined function of the computer apparatus and outputting a control signal when the function key is enabled. The controller is used for receiving the control signal and sending a corresponding function code and a scan code. The BIOS unit is used for receiving and storing the function code. The OS unit has an application program. The OS unit receives the scan code, receives the function code based on the scan code and executes a corresponding process based on the function code.

Claims

1. A computer apparatus, comprising:

a function key, used for activating a predetermined function of the computer apparatus and outputting a control signal when the function key is enabled;

a controller, coupled to the function key and used for sending a corresponding scan code and a function code based on the function key being pressed;

a basic input/output system (BIOS) unit, coupled to the controller and used for receiving and storing the function code; and

an operating system (OS) unit, having an application program, which is coupled to the controller and the BIOS unit and used for receiving the scan code so as to retrieve the function code from the BIOS unit based on the scan code and execute a corresponding process based on the function code.

2. The computer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the corresponding process is executed by pressing the function key.

3. The computer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the OS unit further receives the function code upon the scan code being received thereby.

4. A function activating method of a computer apparatus having a function key, comprising:

detecting whether or not the function key is pressed;

generating a corresponding function code and a scan code based on the status of the function key; and

retrieving the function code from a BIOS of the computer apparatus based on the scan code and executing a corresponding process based on the function code.

5. The function activating method of a computer apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the step of generating the function code based on the pressing status and the scan code further comprises storing the function code.

6. The function activating method of a computer apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the corresponding process is executed by pressing the function key.

7. The function activating method of a computer apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the step of receiving the function code based on the scan code further comprises receiving the function code upon the scan code being received.