Abstract: A commanding system for a computer. The system includes an input module that accepts a plurality of input sequences across multiple input device categories, and a commanding element having a binding table that connects input sequences to associated action. One or more of the binding entries in the binding table includes a command binding with a plurality of sub-command bindings associated with the plurality of input sequences across multiple input device categories. A processor receives the input at the input module and passes the input to the command element, the command element looking up a matching command binding associated with the input in the binding table. In addition, the processor invokes action associated with the input if the matching binding is found in the binding table. The system can also report the commands a particular application can understand upon request.

Abstract: When an array of proximity sensors is used as a keyboard, it can provide an ambiguous output if a user's finger overlaps several keys or if liquid is spilled on the keyboard. This ambiguity is reduced by an iterative method that repeatedly measures a detected signal strength associated with each key, compares all the measured signal strengths to find a maximum, determines that the key having the maximum signal strength is the unique user-selected key and then suppresses or ignores signals from all other keys as long as the signal from the selected key remains above some nominal threshold value.

Abstract: A depression-judgment apparatus which properly judges the ON/OFF of a key switch without being affected by chattering that occur when key switch is turned ON is provided. The depression-judgment apparatus of the present invention comprises a timer selector circuit capable of setting time from an outside, a depression-timer circuit for counting time by using the time set in the above-mentioned timer selector circuit as a cycle, a depression-memory section for inputting and memorizing information of whether the key switch is depressed or not when the above-mentioned depression-timer circuit is set for the predetermined value, and a depression-judgment circuit which judges that the above-mentioned key switch is depressed when the above-mentioned depression-memory section inputs the information n times (n is positive integer equal to or more than 2) or more in succession, that the above-mentioned key switch is depressed.

Abstract: There are provided, on the POS device unit side, a physical keyboard having a plurality of physical keys arranged thereon; a screen keyboard comprising a plurality of screen keys arranged and displayed on a screen having a touch panel arranged thereon adjacent the physical keyboard; and a key data transfer control unit which connects each of the physical keyboard and the screen keyboard to an input port, and transfers key data from an output port in accordance with the sequence of key operations of the physical keyboard and the screen keyboard. A keyboard control unit which notifies the key data transferred from the key data transfer control unit to the application processing unit for execution of processing is provided in the POS main body. When physical keys and screen keys are operated in succession, the key data are transferred in the sequence of key operations and notified to the application.

Abstract: A method for implementing functions of hotkeys. The method includes the steps of asserting an SMI signal when an SMI event is detected, determining whether the SMI event results from one of the hotkeys being pressed, determining whether the OS is of a first or second type if the SMI event results from one of the hotkeys being pressed, reading a status value corresponding to the pressed hotkey and implementing one of the functions corresponding to the status value by the BIOS if the OS is of the first type, and reading the status value corresponding to the pressed hotkey and transferring the status value to the OS by the BIOS, and implementing one of the functions corresponding to the status value by the OS if the OS is of the second type.

Abstract: An invention is provided for an alphanumeric keyboard input system using a controller, such as a game controller. A plurality of cells is provided, where each cell includes a plurality of characters. A user is allowed to select any character using only two commands. In particular, a first command is used to select a particular cell of the plurality of cells, and a second command is used to select a particular character of the plurality of characters within the selected cell.

Abstract: An efficient and simple approach to encoding ideographic characters as sequences of input strokes or stroke categories is disclosed, wherein: each character is represented by one or more sequences of one or more components; each component corresponds to a plurality of alternative stroke sequences, each of which is associated with a probability that it will be the sequence which the user enters to specify the given component or character; and the probability associated with the user's preferred stroke sequence is automatically increased by the system when the character is selected, thus automatically adapting to a user's preferences.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing a fast, low power consumption, detection of at least one depressed key in a resistive matrix keyboard. The common contact of each row of a resistive matrix is connected to a first input of each of a plurality of analog/digital comparators capable of switching between high and low voltage states. A common predetermined reference voltage is applied to a second input of each analog/digital comparator using a digital to analog converter. The output of a analog/digital comparator is in a first state if the voltage level applied to the first input is higher than the reference voltage, and in a second state if the voltage level applied to the first input is lower than the reference voltage. The reference voltage is varied to identify which analog/digital comparator has experienced a change of state.

Abstract: A portable information device capable of processing data input from an external device and a method thereof. The portable information device has an interfacing unit in connection with the external device for receiving an input of key data therefrom, and a key code converting unit for converting the input key data into key code values that can be input to the portable information device. As a user can input data through a keypad of a mobile telephone with which he/she is familiar, the user can input data with speed and convenience.

Abstract: A commanding system for a computer. An input sequence can be received from an input device, and the commanding system can be used to connect the input to an associated action. Commanding can be provided by a plurality of nodes that represent elements of control and application levels. The nodes can be arranged in a hierarchical structure, and each node can include a table of bindings. A service can be attached to one or more of the nodes at run-time to provide additional commanding functionality. For example, a service can modify or supplement the binding entries provided in the table of bindings associated with a given node.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting character interactive input/output operation in a half-duplex block-mode environment including a workstation and a server. Keystrokes at the workstation received into an auto enter, non-display entity on the workstation display are automatically transferred as entered from the workstation to a server application which processes the keystroke and responds in a manner appropriate to the context of the application.

Abstract: A keyboard with keycode page switching ability has at least one page switch key. The page switch key is operated to select one keycode page for the keyboard. A driver program of a computer connected to the keyboard will send a switching command to switch a keycode page for the keyboard after the page switch key is pressed. Therefore, user can select keycode page for the keyboard to expand the function of the keyboard.

Abstract: A method for launching a web browser application on a user's computer. A browser application is provided on the user's computer that is launchable in response to predetermined browser inputs being received by the user's computer. A non-browser input is provided that is not a portion of the set of predetermined browser inputs. This non-browser is correlated to the input to simulate one or more of the predetermined browser inputs as a simulated browser input. The web browser is then launched on the user's computer with this simulated browser input to access information on a network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for utilizing software to implement hot key functions without an embedded controller. A keyboard with hot keys, a keyboard encoder and a software driver module utilizes a software solution to implement hot key switching and hot key functions in a computer system without an embedded controller, providing the same functionality as a computer system with embedded controller.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for keyboard data normalization are disclosed. The example apparatus and methods convert physical location dependent keyboard data into keycap dependent data in a pre-boot environment.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for keyboard data normalization are disclosed. The example apparatus and methods convert physical location dependent keyboard data into keycap dependent data in a pre-boot environment.

Abstract: When an array of proximity sensors is used as a keyboard, it can provide an ambiguous output if a user's finger overlaps several keys or if liquid is spilled on the keyboard. This ambiguity is reduced by an iterative method that repeatedly measures a detected signal strength associated with each key, compares all the measured signal strengths to find a maximum, determines that the key having the maximum signal strength is the unique user-selected key and then suppresses or ignores signals from all other keys as long as the signal from the selected key remains above some nominal threshold value.

Abstract: Information elements such as alphanumeric characters are input into a small computing device having little or no keyboard by operating with a predetermined number of strokes on a multi-directional input key, such as a joystick, input button or pointing button. Each direction of movement of the input key provides a input choice for a user allowing the user to make a sequence of choices through a hierarchy of selectable information elements. The sequence of strokes in the predetermined number of strokes is detected to identify the information element selected. A display provides information to the user indicating the information elements or characters available and the pattern of strokes to select a particular character. In some implementations of the invention the entire key stroke pattern is displayed. In other implementations of the invention, the display provides guidance before each stroke to indicate the key stroke choices available to select subsets of the information elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable communication terminal device and a method of displaying characters and picture for enabling every user to swiftly and correctly input desired characters or correct input characters. This is achieved by way of implementing the following: When the inventive portable communication terminal device has entered into a character inputting mode, of those functional operations including shifting of cursor in all directions on a display screen and another operation to effect selection, i.e., an entering operation, shifting of cursor in the vertical direction via a jog dial is provisionally allocated to the shifting of cursor on word (or phrase) candidate lists and also to the instruction for selecting the corresponding candidates. When the designated candidate lists are closed, shifting movement of the cursor in all directions and the entering operation are allocated to the character-inputting screen.

Abstract: In order to turn on the main power unit, when it is off, of a computer in a turned-off state from a keyboard, power is supplied from an auxiliary power unit to a USB controller on the keyboard unit side and a power supply startup unit on the computer side, and on the other hand when power supply to a line switching unit is cut off, switching sections are switched over to connect signal lines of the USB controller and input terminals of a differential amplifying unit, respectively. When a specific signal is supplied from the keyboard unit, a power supply startup signal (power ON signal) is supplied from the power supply startup unit to the main power unit to enable the main power unit to be started up.

Abstract: Data processing apparatus (101 and 102) configured to receive signals from an input sensor (106) arranged to duplicate or replace operations of a keyboard, in which the signals correspond to positions of mechanical interactions with the sensor (106). The apparatus comprises processing means (1202) configured to process data derived from the input sensor including positional data corresponding to the position of a mechanical interaction with said input sensor (106) and a second data type corresponding to the absence of a mechanical interaction with said input sensor. The processing means (1202) is configured to generate data representing a first character in response to processing an item of data of said second type followed by positional data corresponding to a first position, and to generate data representing a different second character in response to processing positional data corresponding to a different second position followed by an item of data of said second type.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is capable of executing functions associated with a plurality of shortcut keys each comprising a combination of an auxiliary key and another key. The apparatus includes a key-input device including a plurality of keys, a unit that detects depression of an auxiliary key of the key-input device, and a unit that displays, on a display screen, a list of shortcut keys including the auxiliary key detected.

Abstract: A method for altering timing between transmissions of an input device comprising the steps of (A) receiving a plurality of inputs from the input device, (B) altering the timing between the inputs and (C) presenting the altered inputs in a potentially insecure environment.

Abstract: A concurrent asynchronous USB 2.0 data stream destuffer and separator with variable-width bit-wise memory controller is described. A parallel stream bit destuffer module identifies in parallel one or more stuffed bits in a decoded data field of a received data stream using a six-bit sliding window. The stuffed bits are bits that were inserted into the received USB data stream by a transmitter to force data transitions in the received USB data stream. A data separator module separates the one or more stuffed bits from a plurality of valid data bits in the decoded data field. A memory module generates an incremental pointer value representative of the number of valid bits and writes the plurality of valid data bits from the decoded data field into a variable sized bit-wise memory structure.

Abstract: Reporting an attribute of a device via PS/2 protocols to a host executing an industry standard PS/2 port driver that does not include explicitly recognize the attribute. For example, a wireless mouse reports a battery state and a signal quality state through a standard PS/2 port driver that does not recognize any command or identifier for battery state or signal quality state. The attribute state is encoded in a standard PS/2 data packet. The standard PS/2 data packet is uniquely identified as an attribute packet by encoding data corresponding to highly unlikely mouse movement. A filter driver running on the host activates transmission of the attribute packets by commanding the port driver to issue a unique sequence of standard PS/2 commands, which the mouse system recognizes. The filter driver intercepts incoming PS/2 data packets, recognizes the unlikely data values that identify an attribute packet, and decodes the attribute state.

Abstract: A method is provided for recognizing a key in a terminal apparatus having a key matrix structure. The method according to the invention includes the steps of recognizing pushing of and detaching from a key by using a difference between a previous key status value on the key matrix and a current key status value according to a change of the key status, and obtaining a positional value of an inputted key on the key matrix by using a relational expression considering difference values between adjacent rows in each line and between adjacent lines in each row and a difference between the previous key value and the current key value.

Abstract: A wireless keyboard has a transmitting and receiving portion 12 for transmitting an input data D to an information processing device 2 and receiving a reception level from the information processing device 2, a transmission level setting portion 14 for storing the transmission level of the input data D, setting a new transmission level referring to the transmission level setting table in response to the combination of the stored transmission level and the reception level on receiving the reception level and detecting a distance information with respect to the information processing device 2 referring to a distance information table, a transmission level switching portion 15 for switching the transmission level of the input data D to a new transmission level, an LCD indicating portion 16 for receiving and indicating the distance information, a timer 13 for output a time-out signal in the event the reception level is not transmitted even a fixed period of time passed after the input data D is transmitted and an

Abstract: A controller has means responsive to a continuous press of a continuously operable key to transmit, to an electronic device, a key command indicative of a type of the pressed key, and means for transmitting, to the electronic device, a continuous-key-press command at first time intervals of a predetermined length while the key is kept pressed.

Abstract: There are provided, on the POS device unit side, a physical keyboard having a plurality of physical keys arranged thereon; a screen keyboard comprising a plurality of screen keys arranged and displayed on a screen having a touch panel arranged thereon adjacent the physical keyboard; and a key data transfer control unit which connects each of the physical keyboard and the screen keyboard to an input port, and transfers key data from an output port in accordance with the sequence of key operations of the physical keyboard and the screen keyboard. A keyboard control unit which notifies the key data transferred from the key data transfer control unit to the application processing unit for execution of processing is provided in the POS main body. When physical keys and screen keys are operated in succession, the key data are transferred in the sequence of key operations and notified to the application.

Abstract: The HMI (human machine interface) device is used for observing and operating an industrial process. It contains a display element (B) at least for process variables (PW) and at least one keypad (TV). At least one key (TV2) of the keypad (TV) is assigned a group of characters (a, b, c, 2, ä, à, æ, å, ). A processing unit (VE) displays another character (2) from the group of assigned characters (a, b, c, 2, . . . ) on the display element (B) in a process variable (PW) for each time the key (TV2) of the keypad (TV) is operated. The processing unit (VE) records, as the current input character (PWS), that character (2) from the group that has been displayed for a predetermined period of time before the key (TV2) is operated anew.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically selecting digital sending functionality are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving input of a character, determining the nature of the character, determining whether a digital sending trigger has been satisfied, and where a digital sending trigger has been satisfied, automatically selecting a digital sending functionality based upon the type of the trigger. In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a multi-function peripheral device capable of photocopying, e-mailing, and faxing documents. The device comprises a device operation module adapted to: evaluate characters received via the control panel, determine whether the user desires to photocopy, e-mail, or fax based upon the received characters, and automatically enable and initiate the desired functionality.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing Unicode support in legacy operating systems are provided. With the apparatus and method, a focus hook module, keyboard hook module, and keystroke conversion module are registered with the legacy operating system. The focus hook module determines the currently active application and whether the currently active application is Unicode capable. The keyboard hook module receives keyboard events from an input interface and sends those keyboard events to the keystroke conversion module. The keystroke conversion module converts the keyboard events into Unicode characters which are sent back to the keyboard hook module. The keyboard hook module then stores the Unicode characters in a temporary storage memory, e.g., the clipboard. The keyboard hook module then sends a command to the application to paste the contents of the temporary storage memory to the currently active application.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data input method in user terminals having a limited-size keyboard. The inventive idea is that two different data input methods are linked in such a way that toggling between the modes does not require from the user any special action during text input, since the change of mode is automatically performed as a result of keystrokes which are normal when a text is being edited.

Abstract: Reporting an attribute of a device via PS/2 protocols to a host executing an industry standard PS/2 port driver that does not include means to recognize the attribute. For example, a wireless mouse reports a battery state and a signal quality state through a standard PS/2 port driver that does not recognize any command or identifier for battery state or signal quality state. The attribute state is encoded in a standard PS/2 data packet. The standard PS/2 data packet is uniquely identified as an attribute packet by encoding data corresponding to highly unlikely mouse movement. A filter driver running on the host activates transmission of the attribute packets by commanding the port driver to issue a unique sequence of standard PS/2 commands, which the mouse system recognizes. The filter driver intercepts incoming PS/2 data packets, recognizes the unlikely data values that identify an attribute packet, and decodes the attribute state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus, a control circuit of an electronic apparatus, and a method of controlling an electronic apparatus that change different states by a predetermined input operation, and has an object of providing an electronic apparatus, a control circuit of an electronic apparatus, and a method of controlling an electronic apparatus that prevent the transition of states due to an unintentional operation. A SUSPEND/RESUME signal generation part 151 for generating a SUSPEND/RESUME signal whose level becomes LOW when a SUSPEND/RESUME button 110 is pressed and a SUSPEND/RESUME signal control part 152 for maintaining the LOW-level period of the SUSPEND/RESUME signal generated by the SUSPEND/RESUME signal generation part 151 within a predetermined period T0 are provided between the SUSPEND/RESUME button 110 and a chip set 139 that achieves a SUSPEND or RESUME function when the SUSPEND/RESUME button 110 is pressed.

Abstract: The present invention is, in one embodiment, a method for efficiently and reliably communicating button presses electronically on a network from one or more push button nodes each having at least one push button, to a master node. This method includes steps of: generating status messages indicative of a push button states at each of push button node; communicating the status messages to the master node via the network; determining, at the master node, the state of the push buttons at each of the push button nodes from the communicated status messages; and triggering a response of the master node, in accordance with the statuses of the push buttons determined from the communicated status messages.

Abstract: A Caps Lock notification method, system, mechanism, algorithm, and computer program product. A determination is made as to whether a Caps Lock key of a computer keyboard is in an error state, based on ascertaining whether a first condition has been satisfied. If it is so determined that the Caps Lock key is in an error state, then a signal is generated to communicate to a user at the computer keyboard that the Caps Lock key is in the error state. The signal may be a visual signal, an audible signal, a tactile signal, an auditory signal, or a combination thereof. Satisfaction of a second condition may be used to disable the signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for utilizing software to implement hot key functions without an embedded controller. A keyboard with hot keys, a keyboard encoder and a software driver module utilizes a software solution to implement hot key switching and hot key functions in a computer system without an embedded controller, providing the same functionality as a computer system with embedded controller.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for keyboard data normalization are disclosed. The example apparatus and methods convert physical location dependent keyboard data into keycap dependent data in a pre-boot environment.

Abstract: A keyboard selectively operable to convey data to and from a host or personal computer (PC) through a universal serial bus (USB) port and/or a personal system/2 (PS/2) port. The keyboard is preferably connected to both the USB port and PS/2 port on the host or PC, if available. Preference is given to communicating data from the keyboard to the host or PC through the PS/2 port. However, if the PS/2 port is unavailable, not connected, or inoperative, the keyboard data are communicated to the host or PC through the USB port (assuming that it is available, operative, and connected). As soon as the PS/2 port on the host or PC is again connected to the keyboard, such data will again be communicated through the PS/2 port. In addition, the keyboard includes auxiliary USB ports to which USB-capable peripheral devices can be connected. USB data can then be communicated between the PC and the USB-capable peripheral devices via the keyboard and its connection to the USB port on the host or PC.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a system and method for using a remote terminal to control processes executing on a client terminal by transmitting data to the client terminal emulating keystroke inputs at the client terminal. A remote control application program executing at the remote terminal initiates the transmission of a message for emulating keystroke inputs to the client terminal. The remote terminal also executes an operating system having logic for responding to a detection of any one combination of keystrokes of a set of predetermined combinations of keystrokes, independently of any application program executing on the remote terminal. While the remote control application is active, the remote terminal inhibits the operating system from responding to detected keystrokes and transmits a message to the client terminal emulating an input of the detected keystrokes at the client terminal.

Abstract: For providing a communication system capable of easily and efficiently confirming information present in another device and easily and efficiently selecting desired information from such information, a digital camera informs a printer of format information of an image file (including a photographed image, a thumbnail image formed by reducing the photographed image) held in an internal memory of the digital camera, so that the printer can directly fetch the thumbnail image only from the image file held in the internal memory of the digital camera, for example by the pull-type data transfer method.

Abstract: A method and system for data entry of handwritten text into a computer program that is not designed to accept handwritten text is provided. In preferred embodiments, the computer program is designed to operate in a windowing environment. A data entry program receives handwritten data, recognizes the data, and sends the recognized data to the computer program. The computer program processes the recognized data as if it had been entered from the keyboard. According to the present invention, the data entry program overlaps the window of the computer program with an invisible window. To the user, it looks as if the computer program is accepting handwritten data directly.

Abstract: A keyboard with keycode page switching ability has at least one page switch key. The page switch key is operated to select one keycode page for the keyboard. A driver program of a computer connected to the keyboard will send a switching command to switch a keycode page for the keyboard after the page switch key is pressed. Therefore, user can select keycode page for the keyboard to expand the function of the keyboard.

Abstract: A computer user interface and method for its operation are disclosed. The interface uses a new architecture that allows it to adapt readily to the type of input device being used to operate the computer. The look and feel of the interface depends on which input device is selected as primary. Thus, when mouse/keyboard is the primary input device, the interface-controllable elements such as scrollbars, buttons, icons, menus, lists, and dialog boxes may appear as with a conventional GUI. When a different physical input device is primary, such as pen or speech recognition, the look and feel of these elements can change to be more appropriate for that device. This change is virtually transparent to the applications utilizing the user interface.

Abstract: A method of transmitting lock position information from a human interface device coupled via universal serial bus is described. The lock position information is transmitted using a keylock usage. Numerous lock positions are possible and exemplary positions include locked, normal, supervisor, and maintenance. A lock unit aspect for generating lock position information is described. The lock unit includes a lock having at least two positions, a lock sensor coupled to the lock and adapted to sense the lock position, and a data connection adapted to interface with a computer and pass a keylock usage.

Abstract: An input apparatus or keypad (14) for computers and networks is provided. The keypad (14) has a palm size housing (20) having an extended opening (30) in its top surface (28). An input or key assembly (32) mounted in the opening (30) has a number of keys (34) arrayed in a 6 by 4 matrix, for example, to which operator can access to input information. The housing (20) includes a processor for processing information input using keys into a corresponding signal, and a transmitter for transmitting the resultant signal to a receiver of the computer or network by wireless. In particular, the keypad (14) is designed ergonomically so that the operator can learn an input operation with ease and time-consuming and push keys so quickly.

Abstract: A management sub-system connects via a USB bus to a server or computer being managed. The management sub-system also couples to a management console, which has a number of conventional peripherals, including CD-ROM, floppy drive, hard disk, keyboard, mouse, and the like. These peripherals are emulated as USB peripherals coupled to the server by the management sub-system. The management sub-system includes a Composite USB function logic device that connects to the USB controller in the server. The Composite USB function logic device emulates the various peripherals available at the management console, and provides configuration data to the USB controller consistent with the emulation. Consequently, the server sends and receives data from these peripherals at the management console, as if the peripherals were locally connected by the USB bus to the server. The management sub-system monitors the operation of the server and publishes a web page that can be viewed by a web browser at the management console.

Abstract: An apparatus for turning on a computer power supply in which when an input operation of a predetermined key is carried out, predetermined H signals are output to a first signal line and a second signal line of a USB chip provided in a keyboard. Since this signal combination is not a USB standard signal combination, they can be distinguished from ordinary data signals. Since a wake-up device which has received these signals outputs predetermined start-up signals to a main power supply, the main power supply can be turned on. When the main power supply is turned on, connections of a first relay contact and a second relay contact of a switching device switch are switched, whereby first signal lines and second signals between the host computer and a keyboard are connected together, making it possible to carry out communication using the signals. By virtue of this structure, it is possible to start up the host computer whose main power supply is in an off state by operating the keyboard.

Abstract: An input device may operate with a variety of different host processor-based systems running a variety of different applications by providing a translation module which translates input commands in one format to a format compatible with one or more applications that may run on a given processor-based system. A table may be provided, for example, in software, which enables a variety of different input device formats to be converted into a variety of formats utilized by an application. In this way, contention between an application and an input device may be resolved.