Method and apparatus for realizing a keyboard key function on a remote control
First Claim
1. In a data processing system having a keyboard, a remote control, and a host processor on which an application is executing, the application performing a function when a key of the keyboard is pressed, a method for simulating the key of the keyboard with a key of the remote control, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) storing, in a first memory, data including a make code representing the key of the keyboard, at an address corresponding to the key of the remote control that is to simulate the key of the keyboard, prior to execution of the application;
(b) receiving an input signal signifying the pressing of the key of the remote control during execution of the application;
(c) converting the input signal into the address corresponding to the key of the remote control;
(d) transmitting the data stored in the first memory at the address to the host processor; and
(e) in response to step (d), performing the function.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flexible, cost-effective apparatus and method for using a key on a remote control to simulate a keyboard key, i.e. to cause an application, upon pressing the key on the remote control, to perform the same function that the application performs upon pressing the key of the keyboard. In brief, the method comprises (a) storing, in a first memory, data corresponding to the key of the keyboard, at an address corresponding to the key of the remote control, prior to execution of the application; (b) pressing the key of the remote control during execution of the application; (c) converting a signal, produced as a result of step (b), into the address corresponding to the key of the remote control; (d) transmitting the data stored in the first memory at the address to the host processor; and (e) in response to step (d), performing the function.
29 Citations
34 Claims
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1. In a data processing system having a keyboard, a remote control, and a host processor on which an application is executing, the application performing a function when a key of the keyboard is pressed, a method for simulating the key of the keyboard with a key of the remote control, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing, in a first memory, data including a make code representing the key of the keyboard, at an address corresponding to the key of the remote control that is to simulate the key of the keyboard, prior to execution of the application; (b) receiving an input signal signifying the pressing of the key of the remote control during execution of the application; (c) converting the input signal into the address corresponding to the key of the remote control; (d) transmitting the data stored in the first memory at the address to the host processor; and (e) in response to step (d), performing the function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. In a data processing system having a keyboard, a remote control, and a host processor on which an application is executing, the application performing a function when a key of the keyboard is pressed, a method for simulating the key of the keyboard with a key of the remote control, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing, in a first memory, data representing the key of the keyboard, at an address corresponding to the key of the remote control that is to simulate the key of the keyboard, prior to execution of the application; (b) receiving an input signal signifying the pressing of the key of the remote control during execution of the application; (c) converting the input signal into the address corresponding to the key of the remote control; (d) transmitting the data stored in the first memory at the address to the host processor; (e) in response to step (d), performing the function; and (f) storing, in a second memory, the data representing the key of the keyboard, at an address corresponding to the key of the remote control; wherein the first memory is volatile, the second memory is non-volatile, step (f) is performed prior to step (a), and step (a) comprises retrieving the data from the second memory before storing the data in the first memory. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. In a data processing system having a keyboard, a remote control, and a host processor on which an application is executing, the application performing a function when a key of the keyboard is pressed, an apparatus for simulating the key of the keyboard with a key of the remote control, the apparatus comprising:
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a first memory for storing data including a make code representing the key of the keyboard, at an address corresponding to the key of the remote control that is to simulate the key of the keyboard, prior to execution of the application; means for converting a signal, produced when the key of the remote control is pressed during execution of the application, into the address corresponding to the key of the remote control; and means for transmitting the data stored in the first memory at the address to the host processor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. In a data processing system having a keyboard, a remote control, and a host processor on which an application is executing, the application performing a function when a key of the keyboard is pressed, an apparatus for simulating the key of the keyboard with a key of the remote control, the apparatus comprising:
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a memory for storing data representing the key of the keyboard, at an address corresponding to the key of the remote control that is to simulate the key of the keyboard, prior to execution of the application; a transmitter for transmitting an analog signal corresponding to the key of the remote control; a receiver for receiving the analog signal and converting the analog signal to a digital signal identifying the key of the remote control; and an address generator for converting the digital signal into the address corresponding to the key of the remote control, retrieving the data stored in memory, and transferring the data stored in memory to a keyboard controller. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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33. In a data processing system having a keyboard, a remote control, and a host processor on which an application is executing, the application performing a function when a key of the keyboard is pressed, a method for simulating the key of the keyboard with a key of the remote control, the method comprising:
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storing, in a first memory, data representing the key of the keyboard, at an address corresponding to the key of the remote control that is to simulate the key of the keyboard, prior to execution of the application; receiving an input signal signifying the pressing of the key of the remote control during execution of the application; converting the input signal into the address corresponding to the key of the remote control; transmitting the data stored in the first memory at the address to the host processor using a controller IC chip; and performing the function in response to transmitting the data stored in the first memory. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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Specification