Method and apparatus for mapping remote control buttons onto keyboard stroke combinations

• US 5,903,259 A
• Filed: 03/31/1997
• Issued: 05/11/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Lininger, Jeffrey T., Frederick, John W., Brusky, Kevin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Saras, Steven J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vail, Seth D.
• Application Number:
  US08/829,049
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/169, D14/115, 341/22, 341/23, 395/821-894, 348/734
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• 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 system having a wireless keyboard which transmits make-break signals to the computer system. The wireless keyboard and/or computer system being adapted to have television (or other remotely controllable devices) commands mapped into the wireless keyboard such that the wireless keyboard can provide standard computer keyboard commands to the computer and also remotely control another remotely controllable device.

Claims

1. A computer system, comprising:

a computer;

a remotely controllable device connected to said computer;

a receiving device for receiving a plurality of wireless commands associated with at least one of said computer and said remotely controllable device; and

a wireless computer keyboard, having commands to control functions related to said remotely controllable device mapped therein, adapted to provide a first wireless command intended for said computer and a second wireless command intended for said remotely controllable device.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein said first wireless command comprises at least a make data and a break data.

3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein said second wireless command comprises at least a code understood by said remotely controllable device.

4. The computer system of claim 1, wherein said wireless keyboard is programmable to provide a third wireless command when a predetermined button on said wireless keyboard is pressed.

5. The computer system of claim 1, wherein said wireless computer keyboard comprises an infrared transmitter for providing said first wireless command.

6. The computer system of claim 1, wherein said wireless computer keyboard comprises an infrared transmitter for providing said second wireless command.

7. The computer system of claim 1, wherein said remotely controllable device is adapted to be in communication with said computer.

8. The computer system of claim 1, wherein said computer and said remotely controllable device are converged as a single system.

9. A computer system comprising:

a central processing unit;

a receiver for receiving wireless commands, said receiver being connected to said central processing unit;

a monitor connected to said central processing unit;

a wireless computer keyboard adapted to transmit wireless commands to said receiver, said wireless computer keyboard adapted to transmit a wireless computer keyboard command and adapted to transmit an equivalent of a predetermined remote control command; and

a remotely controllable device connected to the computer system wherein said predetermined remote control command controls said remotely controllable device.

10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein said wireless computer keyboard command comprises a first data indicating a predetermined key has been pressed and a second data indicating that said predetermined key has been depressed.

11. The computer system of claim 9, comprising a remotely controllable device converged with said personal computer.

12. The computer system of claim 9, wherein said wireless commands are infrared transmissions.

13. A method of using a computer and controlling a remotely controllable device from a wireless computer keyboard, comprising the steps of:

pressing and depressing a first key on said wireless computer keyboard;

transmitting a first signal from said wireless computer keyboard;

receiving said first signal at a first receiver associated with said computer, said computer performing a first function based on the receipt of said first signal;

pressing and depressing at least one of a second key and a key combination on said wireless computer keyboard;

transmitting a second signal from said wireless computer keyboard; and

receiving said second signal at said first receiver, said second signal being formatted differently than said first signal, said remotely controllable device performing a second function based on the receipt of said second signal.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said remotely controllable device is converged with said computer.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said first signal is an infrared signal.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said remotely controllable devices performs a third function based on the receipt of said first signal.

17. A method of using a computer and controlling a remotely controllable device from a wireless computer keyboard, comprising the steps of:

pressing and depressing a first key on said wireless computer keyboard;

transmitting a first signal from said wireless computer keyboard;

receiving said first signal at a first receiver associated with said computer, said computer performing a computer function based on the receipt of said first signal;

pressing and depressing at least a second key on said wireless computer keyboard;

transmitting a second signal from said wireless computer keyboard; and

receiving said second signal at said first receiver, said second signal being interpreted to control a remotely controllable device associated with said computer.