| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 341026000 | With particular key scanning feature | 32 |
| 20080198044 | COMPUTER AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING KEYBOARD INPUT THEREOF - A computer and a method for processing keyboard input thereof is disclosed. The method includes the steps of receiving an interrupt request; reading a scan code stored in a scan code buffer; determining whether the scan code is a predetermined scan code representing an Fn key; reading an event code stored in an event code buffer if the scan code is the predetermined scan code; and executing a corresponding service program or function according to the event code. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080238729 | KEY OPERATION DEVICE AND MOBILE TERMINAL DEVICE - Disclosed is a key operation device for detecting an open/close state of key switches using row and column signal lines. The key switches include: 1 | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080316067 | Keyboard Scan - Methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for scanning a keyboard are disclosed. Actuation of each of the keys electrically couples one of a plurality of first lines and one of a plurality of second lines. A first signal is applied to a plurality of first lines. A second signal is applied to a plurality of second lines. Upon identifying at least one of the second lines as presenting a signal different from the second signal, a scan signal is applied to the identified second line. At least one first line is identified as presenting a signal indicating the at least one first line is contact with the identified second line applying the scan signal. At least one of the keys is identified as causing the identified second line and the least one identified first line to be coupled. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090027236 | Method for detecting and processing key scan codes of computer keyboard - A method for detecting and processing key scan codes of a computer keyboard is disclosed. At least one scan code table is established for a computer device in advance and is stored in a scan code table memory that is accessible by a keyboard controller so that the keyboard controller, after initialization, may load the scan code table from the scan code table memory to a scan code table load-in area within the keyboard controller. The keyboard controller, upon detecting the actuation of any key of the keyboard, generates a interrupt request signal to the south bridge, which in turn retrieves the scan code; or alternatively, the keyboard controller generates an interrupt signal to the south bridge, which in turn retrieves and transmits the interrupt query number of the interrupt signal to the computer operating system, which in turn executes a preset target program corresponding to the interrupt query number. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090027237 | KEY SYSTEM AND METHOD CAPABLE OF DETECTING IF A PLURALITY OF KEYS ARE TRIGGERED - A key system includes a microcontroller and a plurality of keys. The first ends of the keys are coupled to a plurality of data input ports of the microcontroller respectively. The second ends of the keys are coupled to a key input port of the microcontroller. The key system utilizes the data signals inputted to the microcontroller as scan signals for the keys. The signal received by the key input port is detected to determine which key is triggered. Thus, only one key input port is sufficient to detect which of the plurality of keys is triggered. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090040078 | METHOD FOR DIFFERENTIATING KEYS AND RELATED COMPUTER APPARATUS - A method for differentiating keys includes setting a first layer application program and a second layer application program, detecting whether the second layer application program is executed to generate a detection result, and selectively utilizing the first layer application program or the second layer application program to determine an event corresponding to a scan code when receiving the scan code corresponds to a key. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090128373 | TWIN-CONTACT KEYBOARD ARRANGEMENT - Devices, methods, and techniques for keyboard scanning are disclosed herein. Keyboard arrangements can include a plurality of keys and a keyboard decoder. Each of the plurality of keys can include at least one drive contact and a plurality of sense contacts. Each drive contact can be connected to an output (drive) line of the keyboard decoder, and each sense contact can be connected to an input (sense) line of the keyboard decoder such that each key is connected to a unique combination of sense lines. Key presses can be identified by the unique combination of sense lines triggered. The combination of sense lines triggered can be used as an address to a lookup table indicating the function of the various keys. Variations of drive signal properties, e.g., frequency, phase, and waveshape, can be used to further distinguish key inputs and/or provide for a greater number of keys and/or corresponding functions. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090135030 | Uniquely identifiable keys for electronic keyboards - An electronic keyboard including a plurality of keys arranged as a matrix, each key including a plunger, and a conductive element on the bottom of the plunger, the conductive element having a characteristic resistance, an electronic circuit having an input current source, and mounted on a surface beneath the plurality of keys such that when a key is pressed its conductive element closes a switch in the circuit, an analog-to-digital convertor for converting an output voltage of the circuit to a digital signal, and a controller for determining from the digital signal when a key is pressed, and for identifying the key that is pressed. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090140890 | KEYBOARD - An exemplary keyboard includes a row-and-column scanning matrix and a lock switch. The row-and-column scanning matrix includes a controller including a plurality of input ports and output ports, a plurality of keys electrically connecting the plurality of input ports to the plurality of output ports of the controller via a plurality of row conductive lines and column conductive lines when actuated. The lock switch connected in series with one or more of the plurality of keys is configured for disabling the one or more of the plurality of keys when opened. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090237276 | COMPUTER APPARATUS AND THE FUNCTION ACTIVATING METHOD THEREOF - A computer apparatus is provided, which includes a function key, controller, basic input/output system (BIOS) unit and operating system (OS) unit. The function key is used for activating a predetermined function of the computer apparatus and outputting a control signal when the function key is enabled. The controller is used for receiving the control signal and sending a corresponding function code and a scan code. The BIOS unit is used for receiving and storing the function code. The OS unit has an application program. The OS unit receives the scan code, receives the function code based on the scan code and executes a corresponding process based on the function code. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090237277 | KEYBOARD DEVICE AND METHOD OF IDENTIFYING A KEY OPERATION - A keyboard device includes multiple key switches, a scan memory that temporarily stores a result obtained by scanning keyboard as scan data, a confirmed data memory that stores a confirmed key input, a first determination mechanism that determines whether the scan data stored in the scan memory indicates that multiple keys on a single scan line are on, a readout mechanism that reads out a data of a scan line immediately preceding the scan line that is currently scanned from the data memory, a second determination mechanism that compares the data stored in the scan memory with the readout data from the readout mechanism and determines whether a single detection line includes two keys that are on, and a key confirmation mechanism that determines a current sneak when the second mechanism detects that the single scan line includes two key switches that are on and confirms the key input. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20100052952 | KEY SCANNING CIRCUIT - In a key scanning circuit, a key input unit has a parallel connection of a plurality of circuits having a series connection of resistors and switches between a power supply input terminal and a key scanning terminal. The resistors connected in parallel have different resistances. A current mirror has a first terminal connected to the key scanning terminal. A reference current source is connected between a second terminal of the current mirror and the power supply input terminal. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100066571 | Keypad and Method for Identifying Keystrokes of a Keypad - Embodiments of the invention are related to a keypad and an electronic device having a keypad. In one embodiment a keypad comprises a plurality of keys. Each of the plurality of keys comprises one main electrode and at least one signal electrode is being adapted to connect electrically the main electrode and the at least one signal electrode when said key is pressed. The main electrode is connected to a reference potential connection of the keypad and surrounds the at least one signal electrode of said key. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100073204 | Keyboard control circuit - A keyboard control circuit for a keyboard having P keys includes an array module that includes P key switches, and a key-matrix having N scan lines that intersect M return lines to form N×M intersections, where P| 03-25-2010 | |
| 20100148998 | KEYBOARD SCANNING CIRCUIT - A keyboard scanning circuit, comprising N wires, and [(2N−1)+(2N−1−1)N] switches divided into two switch groups, therein N is a natural number. Each switch includes a first contact and a second contact. the first contacts of the (2 | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100253554 | GHOST KEY DETECTING CIRCUIT AND RELATED METHOD - A ghost key detecting circuit includes at least first and second scan lines, at least first and second return lines, a plurality of switch elements, and a level detecting circuit. The level detecting circuit is used for performing level detection upon measured voltage values at the first and second return lines. When a measured voltage value at a return line is greater than or equal to a reference voltage value, the level detecting circuit generates a logic signal for indicating that a switch element corresponding to the return line at a current scan line is turned off. When the measured voltage value is smaller than the reference voltage value, the level detecting circuit generates a logic signal for indicating that the switch element is turned on. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100259424 | POWER SAVING METHOD IN SLEEP MODE AND KEYBOARD CONTROLLER USING THE SAME - The invention relates to a power saving method in a sleep mode and a keyboard controller using the same. The method is adapted for a triangular-type scan keyboard controller including a plurality of input/output (I/O) pins. The method includes the steps of: providing a first clock source and a second clock source, wherein the frequency of the second clock source is much lower than the frequency of the first clock source. In a normal mode, a scan pulse is sequentially outputted from the I/O pins according to the frequency of the first clock source. In a sleep mode, the scan pulse is sequentially outputted from the I/O pins according to the frequency of the second clock source. When a specific one of the I/O pins outputs the scan pulse, the other I/O pins are used for detecting. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100309029 | EFFICIENTLY EMBEDDING INFORMATION ONTO A KEYBOARD MEMBRANE - Methods and systems for efficiently embedding information in a keyboard membrane. Information can be embedded in the keyboard membrane by integrating an information embedding circuit with a switch matrix used to identify location of a key press event. The information is embedded by either hardwiring a column to a selected row, or a row to a selected column. In order to access the embedded information, the row (column) is asserted resulting in the hardwired column (row) to also be asserted. The identification of the asserted column (row) is used to point to the embedded information. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20110050465 | SCANNING CIRCUIT AND SCANNING METHOD FOR KEYBOARD - A scanning circuit includes n rows L | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110115653 | KEY CODING CIRCUIT - A key coding circuit includes N keys, a signal processing unit, a bus, and a ground wire, and each key includes an input end and a ground end electrically connected to the ground wire. The signal processing unit includes M signal lines, where M is the smallest positive whole number not less than Log(N+1, 2), and at least one signal line is electrically connected to the corresponding input end. Each key is coded for M-bit binary, the floating signal lines correspond to the binary code 1, and the signal lines corresponding to binary code 0 are electrically connected to the input end of the corresponding keys. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110175757 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING KEY SCAN PERFORMANCE USING INVERTER CIRCUIT IN PORTABLE TERMINAL - An apparatus and a method for key scan in a portable terminal, more specifically, an apparatus and a method for enhancing a key scan process which recognizes a user's key press by defining key inputs corresponding to state of a plurality of input signals and allowing a plurality of key scans with a limited number of General Purpose Input/Outputs (GPIOs) are provided. The apparatus includes a controller for setting one or more intervals for a key scan process, for classifying a state of a signal input in each interval as one of a first state and a second state, and for setting one of a plurality of different functions according to the state and the interval of the input signal, and a key input determiner for, when detecting a key input of a user during the key scan process, recognizing one of a plurality of different key inputs according to the state of the input signal, and for determining a function corresponding to the recognized key input. The controller performs the determined function. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110316725 | SCANNING CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR KEYBOARD - A scanning circuit includes n column wires, a ground column wire, n row wires, n*n keys, and n diodes. The column wires and the ground column wire cross the n row wires to form n*(n+1) intersections. The ground column wire having a terminal is for being connected to the high voltage source and the other terminal is grounded. A control unit includes n ports electrically connected to the row wires correspondingly. The diodes are set on n intersections of the matrix, and each diode has a positive terminal electrically connected to the corresponding row wire, and a negative terminal electrically connected to the corresponding numbered column wire. The n*n keys are set on the intersections except where the diodes are located, the n*n keys are connected across column wires, the ground column wire, and the n row wires correspondingly. A related method is also provided. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120026018 | APPARATUS FOR DETECTING BUS CONNECTION - An apparatus for detecting bus connection is provided for determining whether an electrical connector of a peripheral device is connected to an electrical connection port. In the apparatus, a detection capacitor is electrically coupled to a detection pin in the electrical connection port, and a controller is provided to transmit a detection signal to the detection pin. According to the signal fed back by the detection capacitor, the occurrences of the charge and discharge phenomena in the detection capacitor are determined, and then the controller is able to determine whether the detection pin of the electrical connector is electrically coupled to the electrical connector, so as to initiate a system event. The detection pin is not electrically charged when the detection pin is not electrically coupled to the electrical connector, so as to prevent the detection pin from being electrolyzed in the water or in a humid circumstance. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120098680 | INPUT DEVICE WITH GHOST KEY SUPPRESSION - An input device with ghost key suppression includes a switch module, a comparator, an exchange unit, a bias voltage resistor, and a processing module. The switch module includes a plurality of strobe lines, a plurality of sense lines, and a plurality of switch units. Each of the switch units has a switch and a resistor connected in series between a corresponding one of the strobe lines and a corresponding one of the sense lines. The comparator is configured for comparing a signal received at an input end thereof with a reference signal for generating the comparison signal. The exchange unit is electrically connected to the sense lines and the comparator, and is operable in response to a control input for making and breaking electrical connection between each of the sense lines and the input end of the comparator. The processing module controls operation of the switch module and the exchange unit based on the comparison signal. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120105260 | Capacitive Keyboard with Non-Locking Reduced Keying Ambiguity - Keyboards, keypads and other data entry devices can suffer from a keying ambiguity problem. In a small keyboard, for example, a user's finger is likely to overlap from a desired key to onto adjacent ones. An iterative method of removing keying ambiguity from a keyboard comprising an array of capacitive keys involves measuring a signal strength associated with each key in the array, comparing the measured signal strengths to find a maximum, determining that the key having the maximum signal strength is the unique user-selected key, and maintaining that selection until either the initially selected key's signal strength drops below some threshold level or a second key's signal strength exceeds the first key's signal strength. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120154181 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INPUTTING KEY - A key input method and apparatus allow efficient typing on a keypad. A pressing of a first key followed by a pressing of a second key is detected. One of input values corresponding to one of the first and second keys is selected according to the other key of the first and second keys. The selected input value is entered as a key input. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120326897 | WIRELESS KEYBOARD AND COMPUTER SYSTEM USING THE SAME - A computer system includes a wireless keyboard, a reader, and a computer. The wireless keyboard includes an antenna, an array of keys, a storage unit, a scanning unit, and a processing unit. The keys in the array are associated with tags. The storage unit stores a content of a pair of tags of each key. The scanning unit scans the keys to determine when one or more keys are pressed. When one or more keys are pressed, the processing unit acquires the tag content corresponding to each of the one or more keys and sends the content to the reader. | 12-27-2012 |
| 20130069805 | LOW EMI KEYPAD CIRCUITRY - Disclosed is keypad circuitry operable to detect a pressed key while reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI). The keypad circuitry is operable to reduce EMI in two ways: a) reducing the voltage swing occurring at the row circuitry and column circuitry of the keypad, and b) reducing the number of signal transitions by restricting the signal transitions to occurring at the column and row corresponding to a pressed key. By limiting signal transitions to occurring only at the row and column corresponding to a pressed key, fewer signal transitions occur, and thus, less EMI is produced. Additionally, reduced voltage swings at the row circuitry and column circuitry results in reduced EMI. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130293399 | ULTRA-LOW POWER WAKEUP CIRCUIT DEVICE - An ultra-low power wakeup circuit device includes a keyboard, a key scan circuit, a storage unit, and a comparator unit. The key scan circuit sequentially outputs scanning signals from the first scan line to N-th scan line for acquiring N key scan data. The key scan circuit performs an XOR operation on the N key scan data to generate a current key scan data. The storage unit is connected to the key scan circuit for receiving the current key scan data and storing the current key scan data as a previous key scan data. The comparator unit is connected to the key scan circuit and the storage unit for comparing the current key scan data with the previous key scan data. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20140022097 | SINGLE-WIRE KEYPAD MODULAR STRUCTURE - A single-wire keypad modular structure provided with keys used in electronics device and comprising: a keypad module and a data signal transformation module; and said keypad module further comprising a number of resistances electrically connected to each other in series and a number of keys electrically connected to each other in parallel wherein (1) each of the keys links a live end and a ground end and is situated between two resistances for forming a voltage change between distinct keys and (2) the live ends are electrically connected to each other; a data signal transformation module which is based on single-wire input circuits for electrically connecting the keypad module's ground end and transform the changed input voltages to digital data signals and output to a control module for execution of corresponding functions when any of the keys is pressed down. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140176352 | COMPUTER KEYBOARD KEY SCAN SHARED MATRIX WITH AN INDIVIDUAL LED PER KEY - Systems, devices, and methods for a shared matrix of shared row pins and/or column pins between a first array of keys and a second array of lights of a keyboard. A keyboard controller addresses the first array of keys and the second array of lights during a scanning period using the shared row pins and/or column pins. Each key is backlit by one or more lights of the second array of lights that may be individually controlled. The keyboard controller may drive the desired lights of a respective row while detecting key presses of the same row during the row interval using the shared row pins and/or column pins. In some embodiments, the keyboard controller may drive the desired lights of a row during driving interval of the row interval, and scan the keys of the row separately during a sensing interval of the row interval. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140266814 | CAPACITIVE TOUCH KEYBOARD - A capacitive touch keyboard includes a sensor layer, ground plane, a flexible sensed body, and a sensing circuit. The sensor layer includes a substrate and a key sensing cell which disposed on the substrate spaced apart from the ground plane. The flexible sensed body includes a sensed portion and a connected portion connected with the ground plane where the sensed portion obliquely extends to above the key sensing cell such that the flexible sensed body and the key sensing cell jointly form a capacitor structure. The sensing circuit is electrically connected to the sensing cell for probing a capacitance change. Therefore, features of more simplified structure design, tactile feel, and improved durability are provided in a capacitive keyboard. | 09-18-2014 |
