Wire/wireless keyboard with pointing device attachable thereto, computer system for use with the same, and related method
First Claim
1. A wire/wireless keyboard for use with a computer system and allowing wire/wireless communication of the keyboard with the computer system, comprising:
- battery means for supplying a power source voltage for the keyboard;
a key matrix having a set of keys for,generating a key code corresponding to a depressed key;
key function indicator means for indicating a key function state corresponding to a depressed specific function key;
controller means for selectively controlling the key code to be transmitted to the computer system by one of wire communication and wireless communication; and
wireless transceiver means for converting the key code into a wireless signal and for transmitting the wireless signal to the computer system, wherein the key function indicator means is disabled when the key code is transmitted by wireless communication.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A low power-consumption keyboard with a pointing device attachable thereto and for use with the same comprises: a battery for supplying a power source voltage for the keyboard; a key matrix having a set of keys for generating a key code corresponding to a depressed key of the keys; a key function indicator for indicating a key function state corresponding to a depressed specific function key of the keys; a controller for selectively controlling the key code to be transmitted to the computer system by either wire communication or wireless communication; and a wireless transceiver for converting the key code into a wireless signal and for transmitting the wireless signal to the computer system. With this construction, the key function indicator is disabled during wireless communication and enabled during wire communication.
175 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A wire/wireless keyboard for use with a computer system and allowing wire/wireless communication of the keyboard with the computer system, comprising:
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battery means for supplying a power source voltage for the keyboard;
a key matrix having a set of keys for,generating a key code corresponding to a depressed key;
key function indicator means for indicating a key function state corresponding to a depressed specific function key;
controller means for selectively controlling the key code to be transmitted to the computer system by one of wire communication and wireless communication; and
wireless transceiver means for converting the key code into a wireless signal and for transmitting the wireless signal to the computer system, wherein the key function indicator means is disabled when the key code is transmitted by wireless communication. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer system, comprising:
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a data input device which includes a set of keys; and
a computer having key function indicator means provided thereon for indicating a key function state corresponding to a depressed specific function key;
said computer having a front panel on which the key function indicator means is disposed;
wherein said data input device comprises a keyboard having the capability of both wire and wireless communication with said computer;
wherein said data input device generates a key code corresponding to a depressed key;
wherein said system further comprises a wireless signal transceiver which converts the key code into a wireless signal and transmits the wireless signal to said computer; and
wherein said key function indicator means is disabled when said key code is converted to a wireless signal and said wireless signal is transmitted to said computer. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A computer system having a computer and a first data input device allowing wire/wireless communication with the computer, said first data input device comprising:
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battery means for supplying a power source voltage for the first data input device;
a key matrix having a set of keys for generating a key code corresponding to a depressed key;
first key function indicator means for indicating a key function state corresponding to a depressed key;
first controller means for selectively controlling the key code to be transmitted to the computer by one of wire communication and wireless communication; and
first wireless transceiver means for converting the key code into a wireless signal and transmitting the wireless signal to the computer;
said computer comprising;
second key function indicator means for indicating the key function state corresponding to the depressed key; and
second controller means for receiving the wireless signal from the first wireless transceiver means and for determining whether the received wireless signal corresponds to one of specific function keys to generate a control signal;
wherein the first key function indicator means is disabled when the key code is transmitted by wireless communication; and
wherein the second key function indicator means is enabled when the received wireless signal corresponds to said one of the specific function keys. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of operating a wire/wireless keyboard allowing wire/wireless communication with a computer system, said wire/wireless keyboard having a key function indicator indicative of a specific key function state of a depressed specific function key, said method comprising the steps of:
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determining whether the keyboard operates with one of wire and wireless communication with the computer system;
when the keyboard operates with wire communication, enabling the key function indicator of the keyboard;
when the keyboard operates with wireless communication, disabling the key function indicator of the keyboard; and
transmitting a wire/wireless signal corresponding to a key input. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method of communication between a keyboard and a computer, comprising the steps of:
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determining, whether said keyboard communicates with said computer via wire or wireless communication;
when said keyboard communicates with said computer via wire communication, enabling a key function indicator of said keyboard;
when said keyboard communicates with said computer via wireless communication, disabling a key function indicator of said keyboard;
determining whether key data or pointer data from a pointing device are inputted;
when one of said key data and said pointer data are inputted, and when said keyboard communicates with said computer via wire communication, delivering said data to a keyboard controller by means of a wire signal; and
when said one of said key data and said pointer data are inputted, and when said keyboard communicates with said computer via wireless communication, delivering said data to a wireless transceiver, and transmitting said data to said computer by means of a wireless signal.
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21. A computer system, comprising:
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a data input device which includes a set of keys; and
a computer having key function indicator means provided thereon for indicating a key function state corresponding to a depressed specific function key;
said computer having a front panel on which the key function indicator means is disposed;
wherein said data input device comprises a keyboard having the capability of both wire and wireless communication with said computer;
wherein said data input device generates a key code corresponding to a depressed key;
said system further comprising controller means for selectively transmitting the key code to the computer by one of wire and wireless communication; and
wherein said key function indicator means is disabled when said key code is transmitted to said computer by wireless communication. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification