Method and circuit for capturing keypad data serializing/deserializing and regenerating the keypad interface
First Claim
1. A system for scanning a first keypad or keyboard, the system comprising:
- a computer system having a parallel interface arranged to generate first parallel scan line signals for a keypad and to receive first parallel sense line signals as if the computer system was attached directly to and scanning the keypad;
a deserializer having an interface that receives the first parallel scan line signals from the computer system and generates the first parallel sense line signals to the computer system, wherein the deserializer duplicates the same response that a keypad would when directly attached to the computer system'"'"'s parallel scan and sense lines;
a serializer that generates second parallel scan line signals to and receives second parallel sense line signals from the keypad;
wherein the serializer duplicates the parallel scan and sense line signals of the computer system, as if the computer system were directly attached to the keypad, wherein the parallel scan and sense lines signals are formatted into a serial bit stream by the serializer;
a serial connection between the deserializer and the serializer, the serial connection arranged to send data in a serial bit stream on a single wire in the serial connection, wherein the bit stream is received by the deserializer and reformatted into a form that is returned to the computer system as if the keypad was directly attached to the computer system, whereinthe system operates as if the deserializer and seralizer and serial connection were not present.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A serializer/deserializer interfacing a keypad or keyboard to a processing system is illustrated. However, to minimize wires on intervening cables, a serializer and deserializer is inserted between the processor system and the keypad forming a virtual keypad. The processor scans the deserializer as if it were the keypad and the keypad is scanned by the serializer as if it were the processor. The serializer converts the scanning of the keypad into a serial bit stream and clock that is sent to the deserializer. The deserializer accepts the serial bit stream and reconfigures the data into a response that mimics the response of the physical keypad. In one embodiment an actual second keypad is formed in the deserializer and activated as the first keypad is activated.
34 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for scanning a first keypad or keyboard, the system comprising:
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a computer system having a parallel interface arranged to generate first parallel scan line signals for a keypad and to receive first parallel sense line signals as if the computer system was attached directly to and scanning the keypad; a deserializer having an interface that receives the first parallel scan line signals from the computer system and generates the first parallel sense line signals to the computer system, wherein the deserializer duplicates the same response that a keypad would when directly attached to the computer system'"'"'s parallel scan and sense lines; a serializer that generates second parallel scan line signals to and receives second parallel sense line signals from the keypad;
wherein the serializer duplicates the parallel scan and sense line signals of the computer system, as if the computer system were directly attached to the keypad, wherein the parallel scan and sense lines signals are formatted into a serial bit stream by the serializer;a serial connection between the deserializer and the serializer, the serial connection arranged to send data in a serial bit stream on a single wire in the serial connection, wherein the bit stream is received by the deserializer and reformatted into a form that is returned to the computer system as if the keypad was directly attached to the computer system, wherein the system operates as if the deserializer and seralizer and serial connection were not present. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A process for scanning a first keypad or keyboard, the process comprising the steps of:
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sending first scan line signals to and receiving first sense line signals from a computer system having a parallel interface arranged to generate first scan line signals for scanning a keypad and to receive first sense line signals as if the first scan line signals and sense line signals were sent to and received from the keypad; duplicates in a deserializer, a keypad receiving the first scan line signals from the computer system and generating the first sense line signals, generating second scan line signals to and receiving second sense line signals from the keypad; formatting the second scan and sense line signals into a serial bit stream; transferring the serial bit stream on a single wire to the deserializer; receiving the serial bit stream by the deserializer; reformatting the receiving serial bit stream into a form that is returned to the computer system as if the keypad was attached directly to the computer system. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification