TWI497349B - Method and electronic device for defining user-defined keys of input device - Google Patents

Description

Method and device for customizing input device function

The present invention relates to a method and an electronic device for customizing the function of an input device.

Although the technology of the touch display device is booming, in most electronic devices (such as desktop computers or personal notebook computers), which are mainly subject to word processing, a keyboard is used as a main input tool.

Generally, the keyboard is mainly coupled to the processing unit of the electronic device through the keyboard controller, and when the keyboard button is triggered, the keyboard controller built in the keyboard or disposed on the motherboard of the electronic device is The position of the triggered switch determines the button that is triggered. In addition, in order to enable the application in the electronic device to directly control and read the signal input by the keyboard, after the keyboard button is triggered, the scan code of the button is transmitted through the operating system, and the data of the keyboard is sent to be received. Application.

However, with the reduction of the size of electronic devices (especially personal notebook computers), some additional functions of the electronic devices, such as switching the screen or projector on the computer device, adjusting the sound size, or adjusting the screen The brightness, etc., need to be coupled to some of the buttons. In other words, the reduction in the number of buttons will make the same button need to support more than one function. Generally, it is common to press the function key (Function key; Fn button) with a general numeric or alphabetic button to activate the additional. Features.

In addition, at present, personal notebook computers are mostly integrated with the keyboard and the electronic device. When some of the keys are damaged, they need to be sent back to the manufacturer for repair, and some models need to directly replace the entire keyboard, which is true for the consumer. Non-economic.

The present invention provides a method for customizing the function of an input device, which is applied to an electronic device. The electronic device has a virtual input interface and an input device, and the input device has at least one input key.

The method for customizing the function of the input device includes: defining a setting information of the input key through the virtual input interface; storing the setting information of the input key to the basic input/output system of the electronic device, and updating a setting information database of the corresponding input device; Wherein, when the updated setting information database is read and the input key is triggered, the setting function of the corresponding setting information is executed.

The present invention further provides an electronic device having a function of a custom input device, the electronic device comprising: an input device, a setting unit, a storage unit, and an execution unit. And the storage unit is electrically connected to the execution unit and the setting unit respectively.

The input device has at least one input key. The setting unit defines the setting information of the input key and generates a setting information signal. The storage unit is electrically connected to the setting unit to receive the setting information signal generated by the setting unit, and updates the setting information base of the corresponding input device in the storage unit according to the setting information signal.

Wherein, when the input key is triggered, the execution unit reads the updated setting information base and performs a setting function of the corresponding setting information, and the setting information library is stored in the basic input/output system.

1, 20‧‧‧ input device

11‧‧‧ empty key

12‧‧‧ button

21‧‧‧Setting unit

22‧‧‧ storage unit

23‧‧‧Execution unit

S1~S2‧‧‧ method steps

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a virtual input interface provided by the electronic device of the present invention.

2 is a flow chart showing the steps of a method for customizing the function of the input device.

FIG. 3 is a system architecture diagram of a system having a custom input device function.

Hereinafter, the steps of the preferred embodiment of the method for customizing the input device function will be sequentially described with reference to the related drawings. The same steps and units will be described with the same reference symbols. And for ease of understanding, steps that are not directly related to this case will be omitted.

The electronic device referred to in the present case may be a desktop computer device, a barebone system (Barebone), or a portable computer device, wherein the portable computer device includes a notebook computer (Tablet), a tablet computer (Tablet PC), One of Palmtops, Super Mobile Computer (UMPC), electronic dictionary, and personal digital assistant. The embodiment The input device is a keyboard, but is not limited by the keyboard.

Next, please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , which are respectively a schematic diagram of a virtual input interface provided by the electronic device of the present invention, and a flow chart of steps of a method for customizing the function of the input device in the present case.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least a virtual input interface and an input device. The input device 1 has at least one input button, and the input button can be an empty button 11 or a button 12 (the figure only indicates two In the present embodiment, the input device 1 has two empty keys 11 each disposed on one side of the blank key. However, the position where the empty key 11 is placed and the number of configurations are not limited thereto. Further, when the setting information of the empty key 11 is in the initial state, the setting information corresponding to any setting function is not yet provided, and the other keys 12 each have an initial setting function corresponding to one initial information. The setting information and initial setting information here are all scan codes.

The keys 12 referred to herein may be conventional alphanumeric keys, function keys, and function keys (Fn key). The alphanumeric keys may include, for example, English alphabet keys a to z, numeric keys 0 to 9, Ctrl key, Shift key, Alt key, etc., and the function keys may include, for example, F1 to F12 keys, and the like.

In detail, the input device 1 further includes a keyboard controller (not shown) disposed in the keyboard or the motherboard of the electronic device to detect whether the empty button 11 or the button 12 is triggered.

Each of the input keys on the input device 1 has a corresponding switching element coupled to the keyboard controller. By scanning the switching elements at a fixed time through the keyboard controller, it can be determined whether one or more input keys are triggered to transmit a keyboard signal to the keyboard controller, and the keyboard controller is further based on keyboard signals of different input keys. To match the corresponding setting information. Since the setting information of the input device 1 will depend on the keyboard form used, it will not be listed here.

Taking the embodiment as an example, the input device 1 is a keyboard, the virtual input interface includes a virtual keyboard, and the virtual input key of the virtual keyboard is configured corresponding to the input key of the input device. If the electronic device is fixedly connected to the input device 1 and the keyboard is configured to be fixed, when the user opens the virtual input interface of the electronic device, the virtual input interface directly displays the virtual keyboard with the same keyboard configuration as the physical input device for use. More intuitive operation. However, if the physical input device is not standard or fixed, the input device type can be added to the virtual input interface or The virtual input unit with respect to the physical input device 1 is displayed by means of a driver of the input device or the like.

Please refer to FIG. 2, the method for customizing the input device function in this case includes: through virtual The input interface defines setting information of the input key (step S1). The input key here is the empty key 11 or the key 12, and the setting information is defined as a setting function for setting the empty key 11 or the key 12 to execute any alphanumeric key.

In an embodiment, the empty key 11 is set to the English letter P button to take Replace the original damaged letter P button. In actual operation, the user can click the English letter P button of the virtual keyboard, and drag the English letter P button directly onto the empty key 11 of the virtual keyboard to complete the setting. Alternatively, by double clicking on the English letter P button of the virtual keyboard, the notification is jumped out through the virtual input interface, and the user is asked whether the selected button is an empty key, and the user can press the OK button to complete the setting. However, the setting method is not limited by these two methods.

Taking the button 12 as an example, the user can adjust the physical keyboard according to his own habits. Button configuration. For example, the position of the two English alphabet keys 12 can be adjusted. The user can click the English letter P button on the virtual keyboard and drag the position of the English alphabet button A to complete the setting. However, the setting method is not limited in this way. In addition, the number of buttons that can be set in step S1 will not be limited by two buttons. There is an embodiment that allows the user to design the entire keyboard to suit different needs.

In addition, in addition to setting the empty key 11 or any of the keys 12 to any number of letters In addition to the word key, the empty key 11 or any of the keys 12 can also be set as a function key. In other words, the setting information herein can cause the empty key 11 or any of the keys 12 to execute the setting contents of any of the function keys. The setting contents of the function keys referred to herein may be power control, state control, volume adjustment, backlight adjustment, or display screen switching of the electronic device. Therefore, after setting, the power control of the electronic device can be directly turned on or off through the empty key 11 or any of the keys 12, and the control electronic device can enter the sleep or standby mode, and the volume adjustment can be adjusted through the empty key 11 or any of the buttons 12 (a blank key can be used) For the volume is increased, one is the volume key weak), the backlight of the display screen of the electronic device is turned on or off, and the display screen of the electronic device is displayed on the projector.

In actual setting, in addition to some function keys (such as F1~F12 keys) that have been displayed on the virtual keyboard, the virtual input interface also includes a control option window, which can be clicked by the user. Click on the Control Options window and select the pre-set function to complete the setup.

Then, the setting information of the input key is stored in a basic input/output system (BIOS) of the storage unit of the electronic device, and the setting information base of the corresponding input device is updated (step S2), so that the input device 1 is For example, the keyboard is a scan code table.

When the electronic device is started, the updated setting information database is read, and when the updated setting information database is read and the input key is triggered, the setting function of the corresponding setting information is executed. In other words, when the electronic device is started, the updated setting information database is read through an embedded controller (EC) or a BIOS having a basic input/output system in the storage unit, and the corresponding setting information base can be executed according to the updated setting information database. Set the information setting function. Therefore, in the case of this case, the set input key can be used without entering the operation mode of the electronic device.

Finally, please refer to FIG. 3 , which is a system architecture diagram of a system with a custom input device function.

The present invention has a system for customizing input device functions, which can be applied to an electronic device as described above, and includes at least an input device 20, a setting unit 21, a storage unit 22, and an execution unit 23. The input device 20 has at least one input key, and the storage unit 22 is electrically connected to the setting unit 21 and the execution unit 23, respectively. The setting unit 21, the storage unit 22, and the executing unit 23 may be one of a software program, a firmware, and a hardware. In addition, the setting unit 21 further includes a virtual input interface, and the virtual input key of the virtual input interface is configured corresponding to the input key of the input device 20.

Through the setting unit 21, the setting information of the input key can be defined and the setting information signal is generated. In actual operation, the user can set the input key through the virtual input unit on the virtual input interface (the input key of this embodiment can be an empty key or any Button) setting information. When the user completes the setting, the setting unit 21 converts the setting information into a setting information signal and transmits it to the storage unit 22. The storage unit 22 receives the setting information signal generated by the setting unit 21, and then updates the setting information library of the corresponding input device in the storage unit 22 according to the setting information signal. Finally, the executing unit 23 can read the updated setting information database of the storage unit 22 and execute corresponding setting information.

In detail, when the input key (the empty key 11 or the key 12) of the input device 1 is triggered, the execution unit 23 will read the updated setting information base, and execute the corresponding setting information setting function, and set The information base is provided to the basic input/output system of the storage unit 22.

The operation steps of the remaining units are similar to those of the foregoing methods, and thus will not be described again.

In summary, the virtual input interface provided by the electronic device allows the user to define any input button on the input device, and can directly control and activate the additional function of the electronic device through a single input button or Replace the damaged input keys with spare empty keys to solve the above problem.

The above is intended to be illustrative only and not limiting. Any equivalent modifications or changes made to the spirit and scope of this case shall be included in the scope of the appended patent application.

S1~S2‧‧‧ method steps

Claims (13)

A method for customizing an input device function, which is applied to an electronic device having a virtual input interface and an input device, the input device having at least one input key, the method comprising: defining the input through the virtual input interface a setting information of the key; and storing the setting information of the input key to a basic input/output system of the electronic device, and updating a setting information database corresponding to the input device; wherein, when the updated setting information database is When the input key is read and the input key is triggered, a setting function corresponding to the setting information is executed, wherein a virtual input key of the virtual input interface is configured corresponding to the input key of the input device. The method of claim 1, wherein the input key is an empty key or a button, and in an initial state, the setting information of the empty key does not have any corresponding setting function, and the initial setting of the button The information has a corresponding initial setting function. The method of claim 1, wherein the setting function is to cause the input key to execute any alphanumeric key. The method of claim 1, wherein the setting function is to cause the input key to execute any of the function keys. The method of claim 4, wherein the function of the function key is power control, state control, volume adjustment, backlight adjustment, or display screen switching. The method of claim 1, wherein the updated setting information database is read through the basic input/output system. An electronic device having a function of a custom input device, comprising: an input device having at least one input key; a setting unit defining a setting information of the input key and generating a setting information signal; a storage unit electrically connected The setting unit receives the setting information signal, and updates a setting information library corresponding to the input device in the storage unit according to the setting information signal; and an executing unit electrically connecting the storage unit; Wherein, when the input key is triggered, the execution unit reads the updated setting information database and performs a setting function corresponding to the setting information, and the setting information library is stored in a basic input/output system, wherein the virtual input A virtual input key of the interface is configured corresponding to the input key of the input device. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the input key is an empty key or a button, and in an initial state, the setting information of the empty key does not have any corresponding setting function, and the initial of the key The setting information has a corresponding initial setting function. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the units are one of a software program, a firmware, and a hardware. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the setting unit comprises a virtual input interface. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the setting function is to cause the input key to execute any alphanumeric key. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the setting function is to cause the input key to execute any of the function keys. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the function of the function key is power control, state control, volume adjustment, backlight adjustment, or display screen switching.