Method and apparatus for safe disconnection of external devices from a computer

• US 20110227830A1
• Filed: 03/22/2010
• Published: 09/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dukkyu Chun
• Original Assignee: Dukkyu Chun
• Inventors: Chun, Dukkyu
• Granted Patent: US 8,760,407 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H03M 11/06 by operating the multifunction key itself in different ways

Abstract

An apparatus for safely disconnecting and reconnecting an external device from a computer system comprises a key of keyboard, key-like button in any location in the computer system and internal software process recognizing specific patterns of key strokes resulting from distinctive software capability. More specifically, the access means to the processing of the safely disconnecting and reconnecting an external device comprises a single key stroke, which results in the display of list of selectable external devices comprising apparatus capable of being physically removed is described. More simplified means in terms of minimal key strokes and the choice of the subsequent operations for specific usage are illustrated. A new method for interpreting multiple strokes of the same key is invented.

Claims

1. A means in a keyboard of a computer system to generate a unique key code that the connected computer system receives and interprets as predefined specific capability for disconnection or reconnection of one or more external devices.

2. The computer keyboard comprising a means as set forth in claim 1, to transmit a unique key code that the connected computer system receives and interprets as predefined specific capability for disconnection or reconnection of one or more external devices.

4. The computer system comprising the computer keyboard as set forth in claim 2 and/or a means as set forth in claim 3, to receive a specific key code as set forth in claim 1 from the connected computer keyboard as set forth in claim 2 for predefined specific capability for disconnection or reconnection of one or more external devices.

7. The computer system comprising the computer keyboard as set forth in claim 2 and/or a means as set forth in claim 3, assigning disconnection or reconnection capability of one or more external devices to any of key press types comprising single-press, double-press, triple-press, quadruple-press and long-press of a predetermined specific key as set forth in claim 6.

3. A means in any location of a computer system other than the removable device to generate a unique key code that the connected computer system receives and interprets as predefined specific capability for disconnection or reconnection of one or more external devices.

5. A means of a computer system to detect a repetitive key pressing pattern of a specific key being pressed and released in order to uniquely determine the type of key press is one of key press types comprising single-press, double-press, triple-press, quadruple-press and long-press.

6. A means of a computer system comprising the capability:

to uniquely determine a short-press of a key as the key being pressed and remaining in the pressed state for a predetermined duration or less; and

to uniquely determine a long-press of a key as the key being pressed and remaining in the pressed state longer than a predetermined duration

to uniquely determine a single-press of a key as the key having one time of the short-press, and not being followed by the same key press within a predefined time duration;

to uniquely determine a double-press of a key as the key having two times of the short-press for which the time gap between the short-presses is a predetermined duration or less;

to uniquely determine a triple-press of a key as the key having three times of the short-press for which each time gap between the short-presses is a predetermined duration or less; and

to uniquely determine a quadruple-press of a key as the key having four times of the short-press for which each time gap between the short-presses is a predetermined duration or less.