DE102008043950A1 - Key scan code detecting and processing method for programmable keyboard of computer e.g. notebook computer, involves issuing command signal to keyboard by south bridge to retrieve scan code from data register of keyboard controller - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves establishing and storing a scan code table in a scan code table memory (25) e.g. Electronically-EPROM, accessed by the keyboard controller (21), where each scan code table contains a set of correlated data of keys and corresponding scan codes. An interrupt request signal to a south bridge (14) is generated by the keyboard controller after detecting actuation of the keys of a keyboard (24). A command signal to the keyboard is issued by the south bridge to retrieve the scan code from a data register (212) of the keyboard controller.

Description

The The present invention relates to a method of recognition and processing of key signals for a computer keyboard and in particular a method of recognizing and processing key strobe codes for a programmable computer keyboard.

A Keyboard is an important input device for a computer device, which is applicable for entering numbers, characters / text and control commands is. An ordinary desktop computer uses a keyboard in the form of an independent module connected to a keyboard port of the computer via a connection cable and associated Connector is connected. At present there is one too Wireless transmission technology on connecting one Computer keyboard with a host computer device applicable.

The most currently available designs notebook computers, however, use an embedded keyboard, which is built into the case of the notebook computer, to enable a user to enter numbers, characters / text and to enter control commands directly into the notebook computer.

in the notebook computer current design are the most Systems provided with a keyboard control device to the stop state to recognize the operation of each key of the keyboard, and hardware wiring of the key matrix is used to detect and Processing the operation of keys used. When a User in other words presses a key on the keyboard, the keyboard controller samples a number (hardware wiring), and a sampling code table established in the keyboard controller generates an interrupt request signal corresponding to the sampled one Number to a south bridge of the computer request to receive the scan code or an SMI event signal, an SCI event signal or an interrupt event signal produce.

Various related technologies are available in the prior art patent documents. In the US-A-6,456,277 For example, a data conversion method for recognizing various keyboard types is disclosed. The known technology provides a specific data conversion method for addressing a situation in which a networked computer system may have various types of keyboards, and the method is performed by first converting a signal of a key into a virtual scanning code, which is then converted into a keyboard scan code which is compatible with an administrative end of the networked computer system. In this regard, two sample code tables are required.

In the US-A-6 574 517 For example, there is disclosed a key processing method for a keyboard device employing a plurality of key code technologies for identifying and processing keys.

Furthermore, in the US-A-5 631 643 a data processing apparatus connectable between two keyboards of different characters and disclosing the processing of the data processing apparatus. A switchable connection port is located and connected between the keyboards.

• (1) Eine Variation einer existierenden Tastatur ist im Allgemeinen nicht verfügbar. Für das gleiche tragbare Computerprodukt müssen zwei verschiedene Versionen einer Tastatursteuereinrichtung von Computerherstellern bereitgestellt werden, falls ein erster Kunde einen ersten Tastaturtyp benötigt, während ein zweiter Kunde einen zweiten Typ braucht. Dies erhöht die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass eine falsche Version des Betriebssystems irrtümlicherweise fest eingeschrieben bzw. gebrannt wird, was auch die für die Herstellung erforderliche Zeit verlängert.
• (2) Die Hersteller müssen die Programmierung der Tastatur modifizieren, um die Bedürfnisse spezifischer Kunden zu erfüllen, und dies kann Unterschiede in der Anerkennung der Tastatur bewirken, was zu Verzögerungen beim Versand des Produkts führt.
• (3) Herkömmlicherweise ist die Abtastcodetabelle in die Tastatursteuereinrichtung in Hardwareform eingebaut, so dass die Modifikation der Abtastcodetabelle eine Modifikation oder Änderung von Programmcodes der Tastatur erfordert.

Although the conventional technology for keyboard signal processing and code sampling has been used for years, it still has disadvantages to be overcome. For example, to change the SMI, SCI or interrupt scan code of a keyboard, the scan code table built into the keyboard controller must be modified. To change the scan code table of the keyboard controller, a different version of the keyboard controller must be used. Accordingly, for a customized portable product, such as a notebook computer and a palmtop computer, multiple versions of keyboard controllers must be provided. In summary, the disadvantages of current keyboard technology are the following:

• (1) A variation of an existing keyboard is generally not available. For the same portable computer product, two different versions of a keyboard controller must be provided by computer manufacturers if a first customer needs a first type of keyboard while a second customer needs a second type. This increases the likelihood that a wrong version of the operating system will be mistakenly burned in, which also increases the time required for manufacturing.
• (2) Manufacturers need to modify the programming of the keyboard to meet the needs of specific customers, and this may result in differences in the recognition of the keyboard, resulting in delays in shipping the product.
• (3) Conventionally, the sampling code table is incorporated in the keyboard control device in hardware form, so that the modification of the sampling code table requires modification or modification of program codes of the keyboard.

For today's computer applications that can be realized in different countries, which use different languages and different operating systems and include computers provided by different manufacturers, these problems are even more serious for both users and manufacturers of keyboards and computers.

Accordingly, there is an object of the present invention therein, a method for Recognize and process keyboard scan codes stored on a computer keyboard is applicable, wherein the scan codes of the keys the keyboard control device are provided such that After the keyboard controller has been initialized, it will be a Sample code table into a sample code table loading area of the keyboard controller loads as a basis for recognizing and identifying the Scanning keyboard keys to serve.

A Another object of the present invention is a method for recognizing and processing key strobe codes on a computer keyboard is applicable, wherein a sampling code table in a sample code table memory stored by the keyboard controller is accessible, allowing a user the sample code table can update by simply a graphic or not graphical input interface used by application programs.

Around to overcome the disadvantages discussed above the present invention provides a solution which in a method first comprising at least one sample code table and the sample code table in a sample code table memory stored by a keyboard controller accessible is such that a keyboard controller after initialization the sample code table from the sample code table memory into one Sample code table load area within the keyboard controller can load. The keyboard controller generates after recognizing upon actuation of any key of a keyboard, an interrupt request signal for a south bridge of the assigned one Computer hosts, which in turn retrieves the scan code, or the Keyboard controller alternatively generates an interrupt signal for the southern bridge, which in turn retrieves the interrupt request number of the interrupt signal and send to the operating system of the computer, which in turn preset target program corresponding to the interrupt request number performs.

The The present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing become obvious, whereby:

1A - 1B show a schematic system connection diagram according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

2 shows the data correlation of a sample code table,

3 shows the data correlation of a sample code table with multiple sets of sample codes,

4 a flowchart of in 1A illustrated first embodiment,

5 shows a schematic system connection diagram according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

6 shows a schematic system connection diagram according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and

7 a flowchart of in 6 illustrated third embodiment shows.

With reference to the drawing and in particular to 1A showing a schematic system connection diagram according to a first embodiment of the present invention, it should be noted that a computer device 100 generally a central processing unit 11 , a main memory 12 a northern bridge 13 which is also referred to as a first bus bridge, a southern bridge 14 , also referred to as a second bus bridge, a display interface 15 , a display device 16 , a basic input / output system (BIOS) 17 and a hard drive 18 having.

The northern bridge 13 is via the display interface 15 with the display device 16 connected. The southern bridge 14 is with the BIOS 17 and the hard disk drive 18 connected. In the hard drive 18 are an operating system 181 , Such as Microsoft Windows ^®, which is currently used most frequently, various device driver programs 182 for the computer device as well as application programs 183 saved.

A keyboard controller 21 is over a bus 19 which may be a PCI bus, for example, with the south bridge 14 connected. The keyboard controller 21 is with a keyboard base input / output system (KB-BIOS) 22 , a computer mouse 23 and a keyboard 24 connected. The keyboard 24 has several keys or keys arranged in an array. Each key is provided with a character, number or symbol that represents the key. The keyboard 24 is by flat cable Kin, Kout with a preset input / output port of the keyboard controller 21 connected.

In a commercially available keyboard, there are also sets of shortcuts, wherein the actuation or push status of the sets of shortcuts from the keyboard controller 21 is detected. The function of each set of hotkeys is defined by a user or by a corresponding program. When the user presses any one of the hot keys, a preset function or a corresponding program associated with the pressed single hot key can be executed immediately.

It is possible that the first embodiment, as in 1B is shown on a similar computer device 100 is applied with small changes. In the central processing unit 11 in 1B a memory controller (not shown) is embedded to connect to the main memory 12 to manufacture and use it directly. The bridge chipset 13 + 14 is with the functions of the northern bridge 13 and the southern bridge 14 in 1A integrated.

As in 2 which shows the data correlation table of a sampling code table, corresponds to each key K1, K2, K3, ..., Kn of a preset sampling code C1, C2, C3, ..., Cn in a sampling code table G. If any key of the keyboard 24 is pressed, the scan code of the key is generated and the keyboard controller 21 applied. Once the keyboard controller 21 detects the scan code, it identifies the pressed key.

A sample code table memory 25 stores the data of the sample code table as in 2 is shown. The sample code table memory 25 is an external memory that is over a bus 251 with the keyboard controller 21 connected is. Accordingly, the keyboard controller 21 over the bus 251 on the correlated data of keys and in the sample codebook 25 access stored sampling codes.

The sample code table memory 25 For example, an ordinary erasable and writable memory such as an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) or a flash memory may be used to allow a user to access the correlated data of keys and those in the sample code table memory 25 to update or modify stored sample codes. To the correlated data of keys and in the sample code table memory 25 In order to update or modify stored scan codes, a user may use the graphical or non-graphical input interface of application programs.

The sample code table memory 25 only one set of scan codes in a scan code table, such as those in 2 is displayed, or stores, if desired, multiple sets of sample codes in a single sample code table. As in 3 which demonstrates a sampling code table having a plurality of sampling code sets G1, G2, G3, the first sampling code table G1 is composed of a plurality of keys K11, K12, K13,..., Kin and associated or correlated sampling codes C11, C12, C13,. 1n. The second sampling code table G2 is composed of a plurality of keys K21, K22, K23, ..., K2n and associated or correlated sampling codes C21, C22, C23, ..., C2n. The third sampling code table G3 is composed of a plurality of keys K31, K32, K33, ..., K3n and associated or correlated sampling codes C31, C32, C33, ..., C3n. The keyboard controller 21 can be set by the user to apply a selection signal S1 for selecting the sample code tables G1, G2 or G3 to be loaded.

4 shows a flowchart of in 1A illustrated first embodiment. The flowchart according to the present invention will be further described with reference to FIGS 1 and 2 described above.

First, a sampling code table in the computing device 100 pre-established and in the sample code table memory 25 saved (step 101 ). When the computer device 100 was booted (step 102 ) and an operating system has loaded (step 103 ) becomes the keyboard controller 21 initialized to execute routine keyboard control procedures (step 104 ), such as battery detection, keyboard detection and ON / OFF status detection.

At this time invites in step 105 the keyboard controller 21 the sample code table from the external memory (the sample code table memory 25 ) into a sample code table loading area 211 within the keyboard controller 21 which, for example, is a random access memory or a keyboard controller 21 built-in register can be.

When the keyboard controller 21 Recognizes that one of the keyboard keys 24 pressed or struck by the user (step 106 ), keys the keyboard controller 21 a key number of the depressed key, and the keyboard controller 21 on the basis of this, retrieves a sample code from the previously loaded sample code table (step 107 ).

Thereafter, the keyboard controller generates 21 an interrupt request signal IRQ for the south bridge 14 (Step 108 ), and the southern bridge 14 in turn generates a command signal SC for the keyboard controller 21 to get the sample code from the data register 212 the keyboard controller 21 to get (step 109 ).

According to the embodiment thus described, the sample code table memory is 25 as an external memory over the bus 251 with the keyboard controller 21 connected. Alternatively, the present invention may directly use the KB BIOS 22 as external memory for the keyboard controller 21 use. As in 5 which shows a schematic system connection diagram according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which most components are the same as those described above with reference to FIG 1A described or identical to those described, so that these similar or identical components are designated for simplicity with the same or identical reference numerals, stores the KB-BIOS 22 in advance, the sampling code table 221 , After the keyboard control device 21 has been initialized, it loads the sample code table 221 from the KB-BIOS 22 in the sample code table loading area 211 the keyboard controller 21 , Apart from that, the operation of the second embodiment with the workflow of referring to 4 identical to the first embodiment described.

6 FIG. 12 is a schematic system connection diagram according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which most components are the same as those described with reference to FIG 1A similar or identical to the first embodiment described, so that the similar or identical components are designated for simplicity with the same or identical reference numerals. According to the in 6 The third embodiment of the invention communicates with the keyboard controller 21 and the southern bridge 14 to each other by control signals including an interrupt signal INT and an interrupt request number fetch signal INTn.

7 shows a flowchart that in 6 associated third embodiment shown. First, a sampling code table in the computing device 100 pre-established and in the sample code table memory 25 saved (step 201 ).

When the computer device 100 was booted (step 202 ) and an operating system has loaded (step 203 ) becomes the keyboard controller 21 initialized to execute routine keyboard control procedures (step 204 ), such as battery detection, keyboard detection and ON / OFF status detection.

At this time invites in step 205 the keyboard controller 21 the sample code table from the external memory (the sample code table memory 25 ) into a sample code table loading area 211 within the keyboard controller 21 which, for example, is a random access memory or a keyboard controller 21 built-in register can be.

When the keyboard controller 21 Recognizes that one of the keyboard keys 24 pressed or struck by the user (step 206 ), keys the keyboard controller 21 a key number of the depressed key, and the keyboard controller 21 on the basis of this, retrieves a sample code from the previously loaded sample code table (step 207 ).

Thereafter, the keyboard controller generates 21 an interrupt signal INT for the south bridge (step 208 ), and the southern bridge 14 in turn generates an interrupt request number fetch signal INTn for the keyboard controller 21 to obtain the interrupt request number of the interrupt signal INT (step 209 ). Then send the southern bridge 14 the thus obtained interrupt request number to the operating system (step 210 ), and the operating system executes a preset target program corresponding to the interrupt request number (step 211 ) out.

• (1) Die Abtastcodetabelle ist in einem externen Speicher gespeichert, der von der Tastatursteuereinrichtung leicht zugänglich ist, so dass die im externen Speicher gespeicherte Abtastcodetabelle leicht aktualisiert und programmiert werden kann.
• (2) Für eine tragbare Computervorrichtung kann die in einem Speicher oder einer Speichervorrichtung gespeicherte Abtastcodetabelle durch eine graphische oder nicht graphische Eingabeschnittstelle von Anwendungsprogrammen rechtzeitig aktualisiert werden und in die Tastatursteuereinrichtung geladen werden.
• (3) Es ist nicht nötig, verschiedene Versionen der Tastatursteuereinrichtung vorzubereiten, um verschiedene Anforderungen des Kunden an Tastaturen zu treffen.
• (4) Der Kunde kann die graphische oder nicht graphische Eingabeschnittstelle von Anwendungsprogrammen verwenden, um seine eigene Programmierung von Funktionen der Tastatur vorzunehmen.

In summary, the present invention provides the following effects:

• (1) The sampling code table is stored in an external memory which is easily accessible from the keyboard controller, so that the sampling code table stored in the external memory can be easily updated and programmed.
• (2) For a portable computing device, the scan code table stored in a memory or storage device may be timely updated by a graphical or non-graphical input interface of application programs and loaded into the keyboard controller.
• (3) It is not necessary to prepare various versions of the keyboard controller to meet various customer requirements for keyboards.
• (4) The customer may use the graphical or non-graphical input interface of application programs to make his own programming of keyboard functions.

Although the present invention with reference to its preferred embodiments has been described, professionals will understand that a variety modifications and modifications can, without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is to be defined by the appended claims.

11

Central processing unit

12

main memory

13

Northern bridge

14

southern bridge

13 + 14

Bridge chipset

15

Display interface

16

display device

17

Basic input / output system (BIOS)

18

Hard Drive

19

bus

21

Keyboard controller

22

Keyboard-based input / output system (KB-BIOS)

23

computer mouse

24

keyboard

25

Abtastcodetabellenspeicher

100

computer device

181

operating system

182

Device driver programs

183

application programs

211

Abtastcodetabellen loading area

212

data register

221

Abtastcodetabelle

251

bus

S1

select signal

IRQ

Interrupt request signal

SC

command signal

Kin

flat cable

Kout

flat cable

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - US 6456277 A [0005]
• - US 6574517 A [0006]
• - US 5631643 A [0007]

Claims (10)

Method for recognizing and processing key scan codes a computer keyboard electrically connected to a computer device which is a central processing unit, a basic input / output system and at least one bridge, wherein the computing device operates with an operating system, wherein a keyboard control device via the bridge is connected to the central processing unit and having a data register, and being provided with a keyboard base I / O system and is connected to a keyboard with multiple keys, where in the process: (a) at least one sample code table in a sample code table memory is set up and stored, which is accessible from the keyboard control device, wherein the sample code table multiple sets of correlated data of keys and corresponding scan codes, (B) the keyboard controller, after being initialized, the sample code table from the sample code table memory into one Sample keyboard table load area of the keyboard controller loads, (C) the keyboard controller after detecting the operation from one of the keys of the keyboard, an interrupt request signal generated for the bridge, and (d) the bridge outputs a command signal for the keyboard to the scan code to retrieve from the data register of the keyboard control device. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample code table memory has a read only memory, which has a bus with the keyboard controller is connected and wherein the read-only memory with multiple sets of correlated data from keys and corresponding Scan codes is burned. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample code table memory an erasable writable memory, wherein the correlated data of keys and corresponding scan codes the scan code table are updatable. The method of claim 1, wherein a selection signal between the keyboard controller and the sample code table is applicable, wherein the keyboard control device by the selection signal a selected sample code table among a plurality of sample code tables, which are stored in the sample code table memory, selects and retrieves. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample code table stored in the keyboard base input / output system, so that when the keyboard controller is initialized, the keyboard controller the sample code table from the keyboard base I / O system in the scan code table loading area of the keyboard controller invites. Method for recognizing and processing key scan codes a computer keyboard electrically connected to a computer device which is a central processing unit, a basic input / output system and at least one bridge, wherein the computing device operates with an operating system, wherein a keyboard control device via the bridge is connected to the central processing unit and having a data register, and being provided with a keyboard base I / O system and is connected to a keyboard with multiple keys, where in the process: (a) at least one sample code table in is set up and stored in a scan table memory, which is accessible from the keyboard control device, wherein the sample code table multiple sets of correlated data of keys and corresponding scan codes, (B) the keyboard controller, after being initialized, the sample code table from the sample code table memory into one Sample keyboard table load area of the keyboard controller loads, (C) the keyboard controller after detecting the operation from one of the keys of the keyboard an interrupt signal for creates the bridge, (d) the bridge receives an interrupt request number fetch signal for the keyboard controller to obtain an interrupt request number of the To receive interrupt signal, (e) the bridge the thus obtained interrupt request number to the operating system sends and (f) the operating system has a preset target program according to the interrupt request number. The method of claim 6, wherein the sample code table memory has a read only memory, which has a bus with the keyboard control device is connected and wherein the read-only memory with multiple sets of correlated data from keys and corresponding Scan codes is burned. The method of claim 6, wherein the sample code table memory an erasable writable memory, wherein the correlated data of keys and corresponding scan codes the scan code table are updatable. The method of claim 6, wherein a selection signal between the keyboard controller and the sample code table applicable, wherein the keyboard control means a selected Sample code table among a plurality of sample code tables by the selection signal selects and retrieves which in the sample code table memory are stored. The method of claim 6, wherein the Ab When the keyboard controller is initialized, the keyboard controller loads the sample code table from the keyboard base input / output system into the sample code table loading area of the keyboard controller.