TWI220957B - Interactive keyboard device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an interactive keyboard device, which includes a keyboard matrix, a microprocessor, and a memory unit. A keyboard key management driver is executed to correspond the key codes downloaded for the requirement by each application software or the key codes configured by the user to the keys on the keyboard device. Thus, the interactive keyboard device according to the present invention can selectively execute the specific instructions corresponding to the application software from the keys on the keyboard, and the user can rapidly execute the operation of the application software.

Description

1220957 V. Description of the Invention (1) [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an interactive keyboard device. More specifically, the present invention is an interactive keyboard device with a programmable key function and related methods. . [Background of the Invention and Known Technology] A keyboard device is a main input peripheral device of a personal computer. It mainly provides data input of characters, numbers, and other setting function keys. With the popularization and personalization of personal computer use functions, it helps to use The person deals with documents, data processing, etc. The design of a general keyboard is a one-way key code, and the computer software or operating system then performs corresponding actions based on the key code. All keys on the keyboard have a fixed key code, and the user cannot change the key code of the key. , Making the functions of the keys have their limitations. In today's increasingly complex software environment, one-way keypad keyboards are no longer in line with future trends. Furthermore, in order to allow users to quickly execute specific commands, the operation interface of general application software plans corresponding hot key operations. For example, under the Windows operating system, when the user executes Word application software for word processing, the hot key C trl + N means to open a new file, and the hot key Ctrl +0 means to open the built-in functions, etc. In addition, users have similar built-in functions when they execute Excel for data processing. However, when the user performs a hot key operation on the application software, if he wants to execute a specific command, the user has two operation methods. One of them can choose to click the menu on the window with the mouse and pull the menu one by one (M enu) find the specific instruction and click, the other is to directly execute the hot key corresponding to the specific instruction,

1220957 V. Description of the invention (2) For example, operate the hot key C t r 1 + N, that is, hold down the C 1: r 1 key, and then press the N key to operate as a key combination. According to the known technology, for the user, using the mouse to click on the drop-down menu to execute the command needs to increase the user's operation by pressing the mouse device. The burden is tedious and the execution steps are more complicated; in addition, it is operated by a combination of keys Hotkeys need to be implemented by cooperating with left and right hands and must be familiar with the hot and key operations of different application software. If the combination key is fixed on a single hot key, it will be encountered that the combination key will be different depending on the software and cannot be applied to all software. Although the Windows series operating system has a few unified key combinations, there are still more non-uniform key combinations. Moreover, users can define key combinations from φ instead of the Windows series operating system. Different key combinations and general keyboard designs cannot meet this need. There have been many medical reports on the harm to the human body caused by excessive operation of the mouse, and warnings have been raised. Therefore, creating a convenient button operation interface to reduce the user's excessive use of the mouse is helpful to human health. The present invention provides an interactive keyboard device that executes a keyboard hotkey management driver to download the hotkey key codes of each application software or the hotkey key codes set by the user on the hotkey keys of the keyboard device. It is industrially practical and progressive that the interactive keyboard device of the present invention can selectively execute specific instructions corresponding to the application software by the hot keys of the keyboard, so that the user can quickly perform the operation of the application software. . [Summary of the invention] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide an interactive keyboard device with programmable key functions, corresponding to the execution of a keyboard key management driver on a personal computer.

Page 5 1220957 V. Description of the invention (3) The program is corresponding to the key code required for downloading each application software or the key code set by the user on the keys of the keyboard device, so that the user can quickly execute the operation of the application software. Another object of the present invention is to provide an interactive keyboard device with a programmable key function. In response to a keyboard key management driver running on a personal computer, a combination key code corresponding to each application software is downloaded to a single key of the keyboard device, so that Users can quickly perform applications. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an interactive keyboard device with programmable key functions. By executing a keyboard key management driver, it can detect an application program used by a user and correspondingly download a hot key for the application program. The mapping table is stored on the memory unit, so that the user can quickly perform the operations of the application software. In view of the conventional technology, using a mouse to click a menu on an application software window or using a combination of keys to execute a hot key instruction cannot effectively execute the application software's instructions quickly. Therefore, the present invention provides an interactive keyboard device. When executing the application software, download the hotkey key code on the planned hotkey key, so that the user can quickly execute the operation of the application software. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an interactive keyboard device includes: a key matrix including: general keyboard keys and hot key keys; a memory unit for storing key code data of the aforementioned hot key keys; and The microprocessor scans the key states of the key matrix, and the microprocessor reads the key code data corresponding to the hot key keys output by the memory unit according to the key states of the hot key keys. In addition, the interactive keyboard device of the present invention further includes: an input / output interface, which is used as a computer system and a keyboard device.

1220957 V. Description of the invention (4) The connection 1 and the electrical connection of the aforementioned microprocessor 1 Run a keyboard management driver in the operating system corresponding to the key code required to download each application software or according to the user -jn. 5 and fixed The key stone is on the keys of the keyboard device and transmits the key state signals of the key matrix output by the microprocessor to-the host of the personal computer. 0 [comparative description of the main component symbols] The body part-a 10 general keyboard keys-a 13 Right side-one 20 Direction control mechanism-one 2 1 Mouse button one one-22 Left side--30 敎 i button-one 31 Microprocessor-one 101 m access interface-one 102 Memory Unit-103 Buttons Matrix —— 104 [Detailed description of the invention] The present invention provides an interactive keyboard device, which is implemented by executing a keyboard key management program J corresponding to the keystones required for downloading each application software or determined by the user δ The key codes are on the keys of the keyboard device. 俾 The interactive keyboard device of the present invention can selectively execute the corresponding commands in the application software by the keys of the keyboard, so that the user can quickly perform the operations of the application software. Case for inventing interactive keyboard device

Page 7 1220957 V. Description of the invention (5) Top view of configuration structure. A shell configuration structure of the interactive keyboard device according to the present invention 'mainly includes: a main body portion 10 on which general keyboard keys 13 are arranged'; the general keyboard keys 13 include a plurality of character keys, a plurality of numeric keys, or a plurality of cursor controls A right side part 20, connected to the body part 10, f side, a direction control mechanism 2 丨 and a plurality of sliding buttons 22, and a left side part 30, connected to the right side part 20. A plurality of hot key buttons or interactive buttons are arranged on the left side of the main body portion 10 and the left side portion 30. In another embodiment of the present invention, the general keyboard can be improved to an interactive keyboard, for example, function keys such as F 丨 ~ F 1 2 in the general keyboard are changed to interactive keys, and then functions such as F 1 ~ F 1 2 The keys can be used as combination keys or multimedia keys; of course, the functions of the original F 丨 ~ F 丨 2 can also be retained, so that the present invention can upgrade the general keyboard without changing any mechanism or mold. For the interactive keyboard, the purpose of improving the keyboard function is achieved. The figure of the month's father, together with reference to Figure 1, shows a block diagram of the interactive keyboard device of the present invention connected to a computer system. According to a preferred implementation of the present invention, an interactive keyboard device, connected to a computer system, mainly includes: 1. Keys: 104, including: general keyboard keys 13 and a plurality of hot key keys 31 among which are general keyboard keys 13 It has fixed corresponding key code data, and the front j ... key button 3 1 has the function of programmable key code, which can correspond to the key code data downloaded by an application software or combined key code data in a single hot key ^ ^, a memory The body unit 103 is configured to store key code data corresponding to each key in the aforementioned key matrix, wherein the key code data of the hot key button 31 can be repeatedly accessed in the memory unit 〇〇3 according to the function of the key code; and, One by one

Page 8 1220957

Scan / state the key states of the key matrix 104, and read the memory unit 1 0 3 to output the key data of the two keys 31 due to the key states of I and f I j. The key state refers to the hot key press 3 ί : How clever? In which, the computer system executes-keyboard keys ^, private type, and uses the keyboard key management driver to download the key code data of the hotkey button 31 to the keyboard device through the computer's I / O interface, and then passes the aforementioned microcomputer The processing of the processor 1 〇 丨 stores the key code data in the memory unit 1 0 3, and the key code data of the general keyboard key i 3 can be stored in the memory unit 1 0 3 in a read-only manner.

In addition, the interactive keyboard device of the present invention further includes: an I / O interface 102 is used as a connection between the computer system and the keyboard device, and the I / O interface 102 is electrically connected to the aforementioned microprocessor 101. When the operating system executes a keyboard key management driver, each preset hotkey key code or according to a user-set hotkey key code is downloaded to the memory unit 103 of the keyboard device according to the execution of the application software, and through the memory unit 103, The input / output interface 102 transmits and outputs the key code data output by the microprocessor 101 to scan the key states of the key matrix 104 to the computer system. Please continue to refer to FIG. 2. The computer system of the present invention cooperates with an interactive keyboard device to operate on an operating system, such as: WINDOWS 98 or WINDOWS XP, and installs a keyboard software driver, wherein the keyboard software driver

It includes a keyboard key management driver. When the user wants to execute an application software, the keyboard key management driver will download the hotkey key code of each application software or the hotkey key code data set by the user, through the input / output interface 102 of the keyboard device, through the micro The processor 101 stores the hotkey key code data

Page 9 ^ 220957 V. Description of the invention ^ — ~ — * ^ 1Memory unit 103. The microprocessor 丨 〇1 scans the key matrix 丨 〇4 $ $ status, and then outputs the corresponding hired horse breeding material according to the key status of the hot key button 3 丨, and transmits it to the computer system through the input / output interface 1 〇2. In order to instruct the factory software to perform specific functions, the user can quickly perform the operation of the application software. / Please refer to FIG. 3 and refer to FIG. 2 for a flowchart of the interactive keyboard = microprocessor execution of the present invention. According to the present invention, the microprocessor 1 01 used in the interactive keyboard device is a universal program controller with input

The k pin and the output signal pin, and the microprocessor 丨 〇 1 scans the key state of the key matrix 104, to obtain the state of each key 3, 3, being pressed. The microprocessor 101 executes the included program: firstly, it scans the key matrix (step 40). In this step, the microprocessor 丨 〇1 first scans the key state of the key matrix 1 0 4 to detect whether the key is pressed. Pressed down (step 41); if no key is pressed down, continue to check the key state of the scan matrix; if a key is pressed down, it is determined whether it is a hot key (step 4 2), if not Hot key, then send the standard key code of the press # (step 4 3) under the pressure, and further / the test button is released if the fly step base 4 4), if you release the button, return to step 4 0 to continue scanning The key state of the key matrix 1 〇4, otherwise continue to send the standard key code; if it is detected that the hot key is used, the microprocessor 1 0 1 reads the memory unit 1 0 3 to query the hot key correspondence table (step 4 5) And send the key code data according to the hot key correspondence table of the memory unit 103 (step 46), and then the signal is transmitted to the electronic system through the aforementioned input / output interface 1 0 2 through the microprocessor 1 0 1 code, and then Return to step 4 〇 Continue to scan the key matrix; [〇4 key state.

1220957 V. Description of the invention (8) Please refer to FIG. 4 for a flowchart of downloading the keyboard hotkey management driver of the interactive keyboard device of the present invention. In one embodiment of the invention,

When a keyboard key management driver is installed and executed in the operating system, the download flowchart of the keyboard hotkey management driver includes the following procedures: First, when a user wants to open an application, the operating system will detect the execution of the application. Command (step 50), and whether to use the hot key (step 51) according to the command, for example, a query window box will appear on the computer screen to display a message for the user to choose; if the user If you choose to use hot keys, the keyboard key management driver will download and transfer a hot key mapping table to the microprocessor 1 0 1 through the input / output interface 102 of the keyboard 'device connected to the computer system (step 5 2), and then save it to Memory unit 103, the downloaded hotkey correspondence table is a preset hotkey correspondence table in a computer system or a hotkey correspondence table set by a user; thereafter, an application program is executed (step 53), and the user The application can be quickly operated by the hot key button 3 1; if you do not choose to use the hot key (step 5 1), you can directly use the standard keys to perform the operation of the application (step 5 3 ).

In another application embodiment of the download flowchart of the keyboard hotkey management driver of the present invention, when the user wants to open an application, the operating system will detect a command to execute the application (step 50), and The keyboard key management driver will automatically detect the currently used application, and select the corresponding hotkey mapping table, and automatically download the hotkey mapping table (step 5 2) to the memory unit 1 0 3 of the keyboard device for storage. This embodiment is different from the above-mentioned embodiment in that the automatic download mode is used to adjust the settings of the keyboard hot keys according to the user's operating software conditions, and the hot keys do not need to be downloaded through inquiries.

Page 11 Λ 1220957 V. Description of the invention (9) Correspondence table, please refer to FIG. 5 for a flowchart of creating a table of the keyboard hot key management driver of the interactive keyboard device of the present invention. The implementation of the keyboard hot key management driver of the interactive keyboard device of the present invention is based on the user's needs. Customize the key code data to be recorded on the designated hot key keys. For example: When one of the left side 30 of the interactive keyboard device shell configuration structure and the planned hot key button 31 is pressed, the process of creating a table includes the following procedures: First, select a designated hot key button for the user ’s needs ( Step 60) Press one of the keys; record the key code data corresponding to the designated hot key (step 6 1), and add it to the hot key correspondence table (step 6 2), and further detect whether φ continues to specify the hot key (step 6 3), if it is determined to continue to assign the hot key, then select another key of the assigned hot key, and continue to record the corresponding key code data (step 61) in the assigned hot key; if it is judged that the designated hot key is not continued, it is finished . Create a hotkey mapping table. Please continue to refer to FIG. 5 and refer to FIG. 1. In an embodiment / implementation of the present invention, step 6 of the table-building process is as follows: Record key code data, which can be a combination key code operated by an application program, or by continuous Key code data input by key operation. In another embodiment of the present invention, the method of recording key code data is as follows: macro editing software can record key operations in sequence according to user needs, and then set the macro recording key code to one of the hot key assignment tables in the hot key mapping table. Code information. In addition, in a modified embodiment of the present invention, the recorded key code data can use an undefined key code to communicate with a program, so that all interactive keys can be used as special function keys to control the program, such as linking to a specific website or specific Application-key code required by the program, and then specify the recorded key code according to personal needs

Page 121220957 V. Description of the invention (ίο) Because a hotkey button is generally other than the big one, except for this example, the interactive body, the person's real work is not bothered to show the key, only the type key To achieve the implementation of detailed examples can be moved in accordance with the law, to exemplify various practicalities caused by saving detailed explanations on the disk, in order to achieve the expansion of the functions of the keyboard and operating system. When multimedia, shutdown, etc. keys are defined on the multimedia keyboard, if the user does not need or like the function of the key, except for or redefining the function key, this will cause the user to use some machine keys like Those who worry about misuse do not need this function. At this time, many users only have an indecent appearance on the keyboard. Therefore, according to the invention, the system implements a key code management driver and redefines the key codes of the function keys. There is no need to change the hard keyboard inventory, which is the purpose of demand flexibility. After clarifying the preferred embodiment of the present invention, familiarize yourself with the technology, and make changes and modifications without departing from the scope and spirit of the patent application described below, and the present invention is not limited to the description and implementation.

Page 13 1220957 Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a top view of the shell configuration of the interactive keyboard device of the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram of an interactive keyboard device connected to a computer system according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart executed by the microprocessor of the interactive keyboard device of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a download flowchart of a keyboard hot key management driver of the interactive keyboard device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a table for establishing a keyboard hotkey management driver of the interactive keyboard device of the present invention.

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Claims (1)

1220957 VI. Scope of patent application 1. An interactive keyboard device electrically connected to a computer system including: an input / output interface connected to the computer system; a key matrix including: general keyboard keys and a plurality of hot key keys; a memory Body unit, which can repeatedly access the key code data of the aforementioned hotkey keys; and A microprocessor is connected to the input / output interface, and the microprocessor receives the key code data downloaded by the computer system to store in the memory unit, and reads the memory unit according to the key state of the hot key button. The key code data corresponding to the hotkey keys are output to the computer system. 2. The interactive keyboard device described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein a hot key management driver is executed in the aforementioned computer system. 3. The interactive keyboard device described in item 2 of the scope of patent application, wherein the aforementioned hot key management driver downloads the key code data to the aforementioned microprocessor. 4. The interactive keyboard device according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the aforementioned key states are the states of pressing and releasing the hot-key keys. 5. The interactive keyboard device described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the aforementioned general keyboard keys include a plurality of character keys, a plurality of numeric keys, or a plurality of cursor control keys. 6. An interactive keyboard device connected to a computer system, including: a key matrix, including: a first part of the key and a second part of the key, the key code of the first part of the key is fixed, and the first The key codes of the two-part keys are downloaded by the computer system; and a microprocessor is electrically connected to the computer system, and the micro Page 15 1220957 VI. Scope of patent application The processor receives the key code downloaded by the computer system, and correspondingly outputs the key code to the computer system according to the state of pressing the key in the second part. 7. The interactive keyboard device described in item 6 of the scope of patent application, further comprising an input / output interface connected to the computer system, so that the microprocessor sends data to the computer system, or receives data from the computer system. 8. The interactive keyboard device described in item 6 of the patent application scope further includes a memory unit that can repeatedly access the key codes of the second part of the keys. 9. The interactive keyboard device described in item 6 of the scope of patent application, wherein the first part of the keys is a general keyboard key, including a plurality of character keys, a plurality of numeric keys, or a plurality of cursor control keys. 10. The interactive keyboard device according to item 6 of the scope of patent application, wherein a hot key management driver is executed in the aforementioned computer system. 11. The interactive keyboard device described in item 10 of the scope of patent application, wherein the aforementioned hot key management driver downloads the key code data to the aforementioned microprocessor. 12. —A method for downloading an interactive keyboard device, including the following steps: detecting a command to execute an application program; and Download a hotkey mapping table to a keyboard device for re-accessible memory unit storage. 13. The method for downloading an interactive keyboard device according to item 12 of the scope of patent application, wherein after the aforementioned detection step, a message asking whether to download a hotkey is included. 14. The method for downloading an interactive keyboard device according to item 13 of the scope of patent application, wherein the hotkey correspondence table contains a plurality of corresponding key codes, which are respectively Page 16 1220957 VI. Scope of patent application Corresponding to the multiple keys on the keyboard. i 5 · A key code management method for an interactive keyboard device, including the following procedures: establishing a hotkey correspondence table; and determining the hotkey correspondence table to be downloaded to a keyboard device for repetitive access to the Z 彳 think unit storage . 16 · The key code of the interactive keyboard device as described in item 15 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the previously established program includes: · Specifying one of the hot keys on the keyboard. 1 7 · _ The key code method of the interactive keyboard device as described in item 16 of the scope of patent application, wherein the foregoing program includes ··· recording the key code data of the hot key. 18 The key code official method of the interactive keyboard device described in item 16 of the scope of patent application, wherein the aforementioned key code information is a combination key code. 19 · The key code & method of the interactive keyboard device as described in item 16 of the scope of patent application, wherein the aforementioned key code data is key code data which is rotated by continuous key operation. 2 0. The key code management method of the interactive keyboard device described in item 16 of the scope of patent application, wherein the aforementioned key code data is the keystone required to link to a specific website. "Key code management method of the interactive keyboard device according to the item, wherein the aforementioned key data is a key code recorded by a macro. 2 2 · The keys of the interactive keyboard device according to item 15 of the scope of patent application Code management method, in which the procedure for downloading in the foregoing decision includes: detecting a license 1220957 VI. Scope of Patent Application Commands for application programs. 2 3. The method for managing key codes of an interactive keyboard device as described in item 15 of the scope of patent application, wherein the procedure for deciding to download includes: a message asking whether to download a hot key. · 2 4. The method for managing the key codes of the interactive keyboard device as described in Item 15 of the scope of patent application ^, wherein the hot key correspondence table contains a plurality of corresponding key codes, which correspond to the plurality of keys on the keyboard device respectively . Page 18