Abstract: A communication method allows a host to access and send commands to an apparatus across a network or communication system by encoding data as a sequence of status signals and sending the data from the host on a communication channel between the host and an auxiliary device. The apparatus detects the status signals sent on the communication channel and decodes the status signals to retrieve the data. The apparatus further comprises a data filter to filter keystroke data by removing break code data. The keystroke data can be reconstructed by the host.

Abstract: Keystrokes input by a user are stored in non-volatile memory together with time stamps, creating a record of keystrokes and associated time stamps. At least some of the time stamps are generated and recorded in response to receipt of specific keystroke events, such as a specific keystroke, a specific sequence of keystrokes, a keystroke following an interval of inactivity or an interval of inactivity following a keystroke. The resulting keystroke record may show sessions of keystrokes received, with a start and end time stamp for each session. An alteration record is also provided to track alterations and erasures of the keystroke record.