Portable computer keyboard for use with a plurality of different host computers
First Claim
1. A portable computer keyboard device having a data buffer and at least one keyboard connector adapted to connect the device to any one of a plurality of different types of host computers wherein each type of host computer uses a different data protocol and has a keyboard input receptacle, said device comprising:
- at least one means for connecting said keyboard connector to said keyboard input receptacle of said host computers;
a first mode means for operating said device as a conventional keyboard, when said keyboard connector is connected to said keyboard input receptacle of said host computer, whereby a sequence of keystroke information signals having any one of a plurality of data protocols and relating to a respective sequence of individual keystrokes is directly generated on said keyboard connector and wherein said first mode means capable of detecting said keyboard connector being connected to any of said plurality of host computers;
a second mode means for operating said device in a stand-alone manner whereby a sequence of data relating to a respective sequence of individual keystrokes is stored in said data buffer; and
a third mode means for operating said device in an automatic manner, when said keyboard connector is connected to said keyboard input receptacles of said host computer, whereby a sequence of keystroke information signals having any one of a plurality of data protocols is generated on said keyboard connector relating to a respective sequence of data stored in said data buffer and wherein said third mode means includes circuitry that is capable of detecting said type of host computer to which said device is connected according to the data protocol used by said host computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a portable computer keyboard capable of operation in three distinct modes: stand-alone mode, automatic mode and a conventional mode. In stand-alone mode, information entered is stored in an on-board memory buffer, and may be edited by using a set of predetermined editing keys in conjunction with a display mounted on the device. In automatic mode, the contents of the on-board memory buffer are transmitted, by a keystroke emulation technique, to an attached host computer via a conventional keyboard connector cable. In the conventional keyboard mode, keystrokes entered are transmitted directly to an attached host computer. The keyboard of the invention may be operated in connection with a plurality of different host computers, and includes host detection and host identification to facilitate operation with such a plurality of different host computers. Also disclosed is a power conservation technique where the device enter a dwell or sleep mode when waiting to process keystrokes.
49 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A portable computer keyboard device having a data buffer and at least one keyboard connector adapted to connect the device to any one of a plurality of different types of host computers wherein each type of host computer uses a different data protocol and has a keyboard input receptacle, said device comprising:
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at least one means for connecting said keyboard connector to said keyboard input receptacle of said host computers; a first mode means for operating said device as a conventional keyboard, when said keyboard connector is connected to said keyboard input receptacle of said host computer, whereby a sequence of keystroke information signals having any one of a plurality of data protocols and relating to a respective sequence of individual keystrokes is directly generated on said keyboard connector and wherein said first mode means capable of detecting said keyboard connector being connected to any of said plurality of host computers; a second mode means for operating said device in a stand-alone manner whereby a sequence of data relating to a respective sequence of individual keystrokes is stored in said data buffer; and a third mode means for operating said device in an automatic manner, when said keyboard connector is connected to said keyboard input receptacles of said host computer, whereby a sequence of keystroke information signals having any one of a plurality of data protocols is generated on said keyboard connector relating to a respective sequence of data stored in said data buffer and wherein said third mode means includes circuitry that is capable of detecting said type of host computer to which said device is connected according to the data protocol used by said host computer.
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2. A keyboard device having a data buffer and at least one keyboard connector adapted to connect the device to any one of a plurality of different types of host computers wherein each type of host computer uses a different data protocol and has a keyboard input receptacle, said device comprising:
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at least one means for connecting said keyboard connector to said keyboard input receptacle of said host computers; an input means; means for receiving data from said input means; means for operating said device remote from said host computer thereby directing data from said receiving means into said data buffer; a means for generating, when said keyboard connector is connected to said keyboard input receptacle of said host computer a sequence of signals having any one of a plurality of data protocols corresponding to and in response to data received directly from said receiving means, wherein said sequence of signals represent keystroke information corresponding to said data received and wherein said data protocol corresponds to the data protocol accepted by said host computer; a means for automatically retrieving data stored in said data buffer, when said keyboard connector is connected to said keyboard input receptacle of said host computer, and said generating means generates said sequence of signals on said keyboard connector; a means for detecting said keyboard connector being connected to said keyboard input receptacle of said host computer wherein said detecting means includes circuitry to identify said type of host computer according to said data protocol of said host computer. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A portable computer keyboard device having a data buffer and at least one keyboard connector adapted to connect the device to any one of a plurality of different types of host computers wherein each type of host computer uses a different data protocol and has a keyboard input receptacle, said device comprising:
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at least one means for connecting said keyboard connector to said keyboard input receptacle of said host computers; a first mode means for operating said device in a stand-alone manner whereby a sequence of data relating to a respective sequence of individual keystrokes is stored in said data buffer; and a second mode means for operating said device in an automatic manner, when said keyboard connector is connected to said keyboard input receptacles of said host computer, whereby a sequence of keystroke information signals having any one of a plurality of data protocols is generated on said keyboard connector relating to a respective sequence of data stored in said data buffer and wherein said second mode means includes circuitry that is capable of detecting said type of host computer to which said device is connected according to the data protocol used by said host computer. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification