Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Input/output command process
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-25
2003-05-27
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2182)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Input/output command process
C345S002200, C345S158000, C345S215000, C340S870030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06571299
ABSTRACT:
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to computer keyboards. More particularly, the present invention relates to a remote, wireless, programmable keyboard input system for computers in which a plurality of remote transmitters can simultaneously transmit I D Codes to a single receiver. The remote transmitters send fixed radio frequency (“RF”) or infrared (“IR”) wave I D Codes to the receiver. The receiver is connected to the keyboard port of a computer's central processing unit. The computer's standard keyboard connects to the receiver and remains fully functional. The receiver has the capacity to recognize the ID-Code transmitted by a particular button on a transmitter and to associate that code with a particular scancode sent by a key of a standard keyboard. The invention permits customization of the receiver and the associated scancodes held in its memory through a programming sequence that involves the receiver, the transmitter and the computer's standard keyboard.
II. DEFINITIONS
Definition of terms used in this Patent Application:
1. “Button”
The user activated controls on the transmitter. In the preferred embodiment these are membrane switches, but could be any type of switches or sensors that send a closed/open signal to the transmitter's circuitry.
2. “ID-Code”
An identification code that is sent by the transmitter when one of its Buttons is pressed. The ID-Code includes a transmitter number and a button number. The ID-Code for each Transmitter and each Button is assigned at the time of manufacture. The ID-Code is sent by means of emitting a modulated packet of radio frequency wave pulses or infrared light pulses.
3. “Key”
The keys on a standard keyboard.
4. “Keyboard port”
The hardware interface socket on the computer's central processing unit (CPU) where the standard keyboard is connected. On a laptop computer it is the socket where an external standard keyboard is connected.
5. “Modified Scancode”
The scancode sequence that results when one or more modifier keys are held down while pressing another key.
6. “Modifier Key”
A key on the standard keyboard that, when held down while pressing one of the other keys, modifies the meaning of the other key. Examples of modifier keys are: “Shift”, “Control”, “Command”, “Alt”, and “Option”.
7. “Receiver”
The hardware device, connected between the standard keyboard and the keyboard port, that recognizes and accepts ID-Codes from transmitters with which it has previously been trained to recognize, associates each ID-Code with the scancode, or modified scancode, learned in the training sequence and held in its memory, and sends that scancode on to the CPU, the same as if it were coming from the standard keyboard.
8. “Scancode”
A binary code that identifies a key that has been pressed or released on a standard keyboard. This code is sent by the standard keyboard to the keyboard port. In the programming method, the receiver monitors and learns these scancodes and holds them in its memory.
9. “Standard keyboard ”
The original, normal, “typewriter” style keyboard that is generally included with a desktop personal computer. Note: For a portable, laptop computer, an externally connected standard keyboard must be attached to the receiver for the programaing method described herein to function as designed.
10. “Transmitter”
The hand held remote device that sends fixed radio frequency ID-Codes. Several transmitters may send their ID-Codes to a single receiver that has been defined to recognize these ID-Codes. The same transmitter's ID-Codes can also be recognized by more than one receiver.
III. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
Manipulation and entry of keyboard input into a computer's central processing unit is often accomplished through the use of a standard keyboard. A standard keyboard sends scancodes which are represented by electrical signals to the central processing unit. Standard keyboards are typically connected to the keyboard of the central processing unit by a connector wire. Each central processing unit is typically connected to only one standard keyboard and, therefore, only receives keyboard input from this single source.
Most standard keyboards also limit transmission to a single alpha-numeric character at a time. If the user wishes to transmit multiple characters or instructions with a single keystroke, “macro” commands must be created within the specific individual software program being used, the standard keyboard is us ed merely to access the macro. Advances in keyboard technology have also produced keyboards that can be programmed to transmit macros.
The traditional configuration is cumbersome and limiting inasmuch as a single user must remain stationary in relationship to a computer to input keystrokes. As advances in technology have occurred, the need for remote keyboard input systems has become evident.
Attempts to overcome some of the shortcomings of standard computer input systems have been made. The advancements have generally focused on specific needs or functions. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,928 to Kendall, et al., teaches a hand-held wireless computer controller system. The device is a battery powered control station that transmits alpha-numeric characters and control functions to a receiver interfaced with a host computer via an RS 232 serial link. The receiver echoes back the transmitted information to the control station where it is visualized on a display. While providing advancements in remote transmission of data to a central processing unit, there are several shortcomings to this patent. A first shortcoming of this device is that it permits only a single control station to interface with a central processing unit. The patent does not teach or discuss the possibility of several remote stations accessing a central processing unit simultaneously. It follows that the patent offers no teaching of the ability to record the chronology of responses received from multiple transmitting stations. A second shortcoming of this device is that it enters the computer through an RS 232 port, not the CPU's keyboard port; it is therefore limited to use by special software written to look for these alpha-numeric characters and control functions at this RS 232 port. It cannot interface with off-the-shelf software that looks for scancode input at the keyboard port. Yet another shortcoming of this art is that the keystrokes are predefined. The patent does not teach ability to the program individual keys for the transmission of input specific to a software application.
Further improvements in wireless remote transmission systems are seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,093,786 (RE 35,449) and 5,379,213 to Derks. U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,786 (RE 35,449) discloses a wireless transceiving device in which a plurality of remote response units interface with a central control unit for transmission of input, such as answers to questions posed, from the remote response units to the control unit. The central control unit checks for a valid response and, once a valid response is received, places the remote response unit in an “off” position. While this patent offers advances to the art of wireless remote transmission of input, namely increased transmission speed and multiple remote user capabilities, it is not without shortcomings. First, the patent does not teach the possibility of programmable keypads. Second, input received by the control unit is not captured chronologically, only valid responses are acknowledged, the order in which they are received is not relevant. A third shortcoming of the device is that the system is software controlled, making installation unduly burdensome and requiring use of valuable memory. Again, the controller enters through an RS 232 serial port rather than the standard keyboard port of the CPU. It cannot be used with off-the-shelf software.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,213, also to Derks, teaches a testing system and method in which multiple test takers equipped with remote response units can be simultaneously tested. This patent relies upon the same basic
McGuire Rick
Mosenfelder James
Schroyer Robert
Valencia Heladio
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