User programmable input apparatus with a keyboard
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A user programmable input apparatus with a keyboard, comprising:
- a plurality of keys disposed on the keyboard for input operations;
a microprocessor coupled to the plurality of keys for receiving an input therefrom;
a nonvolatile memory coupled to the microprocessor and programmable by operating the plurality of keys; and
a transmission arrangement connected to the microprocessor for outputting data external to the keyboard;
wherein the plurality of keys includes a set of special control keys programmable to simulate a cursor control device, the set of special control keys being programmable to have a different report rate from that of the other of the plurality of keys to coincide with requirements of a cursor control device.
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Abstract
A user programmable input apparatus with a keyboard comprises several keys with one or more special keys thereof on the keyboard for input operations, a microprocessor to receive inputs from the keys when they are pressed, a nonvolatile memory programmable by operating the keys for users themselves to program or define key definitions or functions for the keyboard or to store data or microinstructions or other programs thereto, and a transmission arrangement connected to the microprocessor to output data to the computer system or other peripheral connected with the input apparatus.
25 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A user programmable input apparatus with a keyboard, comprising:
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a plurality of keys disposed on the keyboard for input operations; a microprocessor coupled to the plurality of keys for receiving an input therefrom; a nonvolatile memory coupled to the microprocessor and programmable by operating the plurality of keys; and a transmission arrangement connected to the microprocessor for outputting data external to the keyboard; wherein the plurality of keys includes a set of special control keys programmable to simulate a cursor control device, the set of special control keys being programmable to have a different report rate from that of the other of the plurality of keys to coincide with requirements of a cursor control device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for operating a user programmable input apparatus with a keyboard, the keyboard having a microprocessor, a nonvolatile memory and a transmission arrangement, the keyboard having a plurality of keys and at least one special key, the method comprising the steps of:
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detecting a trigger signal of a key of the keyboard; storing a first data into the nonvolatile memory when the trigger signal is a programming signal; transmitting a normal data corresponding to the trigger signal external to the keyboard by the transmission arrangement when the trigger signal is a normal keying signal; reading a second data corresponding to a programmed key from the nonvolatile memory and/or executing a function corresponding to the second data when the trigger signal matches the programmed key; and programming the special key to simulate a cursor control device and changing a reporting rate of the special key to be different from that of other of the plurality of keys to coincide with requirements of the cursor control device.
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Specification