GB2255662A - Automatic key-in device for computer. - Google Patents

Abstract

An intelligent key-in device is installed between a mother board and its keyboard, to carry out on-line learning of all execution instructions with respect to operation procedures of a computer (stacked key commands). The stacked key commands can then be transmitted to the mother board by an operator, using a simplified, user friendly key pad. With an additional radio receiver, remote control of a computer may be realised. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION AUTOMATIC COMPUTER KEY-IN DEVICE The present invention relates to a computer key-in device, in particular relates to an automatic computer key-in device (hereinafter call intelligent key-in device, or IK for short) connecting between a keyboard and a mother processor board, also relates to the application thereof to controlling a computer.

To enter data into an ordinary computer terminal or workstation, the commands or statements are keyed in one by one through a keyboard. The operator must be moderately knowledgeable of a computer before he can start working on it. On a general keyboard, pressing of a key will transmit a string of ASCII codes to the mother board without compiling and storing it. Men can communicate directly with a computer, and so can a computer directly receive data and commands from men, but quite frequently one has to await the other that are busy. Relatively advanced keyboards can store some information like a string of commands, etc., on themself, yet commands can only be keyed in off-line. - Thus the keyboards act like a database with limited capacity wherein commands are stored.

During the on-line operation with the mother board, pressing of a control key will output all the stored commands (stacked key command). The purpose of this is to simplify the process of getting a computer to execute programs, and to save time and error. Although the keyboards capable of storing stacked key commands are available today, yet command input must be done off-line, and the users or operators can not instantly know the results after the computer accepts the commands. And, the function of a general keyboard is to carry out man-machine communications in a traditional way, namely, men can not control a machine unless they work face to face on the machine.Despite data can be passed back and forth using A/D and D/A modems or a network connecting two or more computers, yet computer network fails to transmit commands, nor to control other machines, and linking cables are necessitated in network design.

Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide an IK, interfacing between mother board and keyboard, as a buffer and memory device, capable of directly or indirectly controlling the operation of a computer.

The second object of this invention is to provide an IK, capable of learning a string of commands on-line by an operator, while keying in the string of commands as a stacked key command into storage, and of later sending out commands, in response to touching of a corresponding key on the IK, to the main machine for execution.

The third object of this invention is to provide an IK, which, besides being capable of outputting stacked key commands and control signals via a connected keyboard, is also capable of inputting same, via radio receiver, or outputting remote control commands and data transmitted to distant regional installations.

The fourth object of this invention is to provide an IK, capable of simplifying operator's operati#ng procedures, saving time, and reducing the possibility of operators damaging the software and hardware due to inexperience.

The fifth object of this invention is to provide methods of application of said IK that realises the above objects.

Accordingly, the IK of the present invention comprising: a microcomputer unit (MCU), responsible for processing input data, calculation, program execution and data output, a clock and a reset unit, connected with MCU, the clock generating clock pulses, and the reset unit restoring system status back to START to re-execute programs from the beginning, a control circuit, connected with MCU, for electronically controlling the serial transmission speed and the flow of data.

a mother-board-and-keyboard interface, connected with MCU, for controlling the connection with the mother board and with the original keyboard, ensuring the consistency of transmitted signals in the three devices, to achieve the goal of compatibility, and drawing power supply from the mother board, a serial interface, connected with MCU, for converting input data in serial input (e.g. in RS-232 format) into the data acceptable to MCU, a floppy disc drive/controller, connected with MCU#, for controlling the read/write operation on a floppy in the disc drive, a memory RAM, connected with MCU, provided with back-up battery, for memorising the learned stacked key commands, and for reading same and for transmitting same to mother board for execution, the back-up battery supply electricity to RAM, when the 1K is off-line from the mother board (or during power failure), to avoid losing the stacked key commands that have been learned, a program ROM, connected with MCU, for storing the control programs of the 1K so that the MCU may follow a desired operation procedure and performs the function specified in the statements, a keyboard, serving as a communication channel between the users and the IK, and a LCD device, for displaying input data through the keyboard of the key-in device, and the observational mode of the IK.

According to another scheme of the present invention, the automatic computer key-in device IK further includes a radio receiver connected with the interface, to carry out the remote control of the present invention of the IK.

The method of application of the present invention of automatic computer key-in device IK is to connect it in between the key board and the mother processor board. By the control of an operator (may be remote controlled) the device may operate in a bypass mode, or learning mode, or executing mode, or command-receiving mode, thus change the connection between the keyboard and mother board, and realise its output to the computer.

According to the present invention of IK and the usage thereof, the IK can help conveniently working on a computer, and on-line learning computing procedures by non-technical operators, and developing a brand new remote-controlled computer transmission network -- a radio controlled network.

Fig.lA shows the ordinary connection between a keyboard and a mother processor board.

Fig.lB shows the connection between an ordinary keyboard and a mother board, with the IK inserted in between.

Fig.2 is a schematic drawing on the principles of this invention.

Fig.3 is one of the embodiment design of this invention.

Fig.4A shows the communication between the keyboard and mother board, with the IK in a bypass mode.

Fig.4B shows the communication between the keyboard and mother board, with the IK in a learning mode.

Fig. 4C shows the communication between the keyboard and mother board, with the IK in an execution mode.

Fig.4D shows the communication between the keyboard and mother board, with the IK in a command-receiving mode.

Fig.5 is a diagrammatic illustration of an embodiment of IK directly controlling execution.

Fig.6 is a diagrammatic illustration of an embodiment of IK radio-controlling execution.

Fig.7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a stacked key command kept in IK backed up by a battery.

The IK is installed in between a computer (PC, workstation, etc.) or its console, mother board/main board of the computer terminal, and a keyboard. Take PC/XT as an example, traditional PC/XT communication looks like that shown in Fig.lA, where the keyboard links directly with mother board. The PC/XT communication, with IK inserted, looks like that in Fig.lB, where keyboard links, via the invented IK, with the mother board.

Fig.2 contains a block diagram of the principles of this invention, comprising: a MCU(I), being the main component of IK, for processing input data, computing and executing programs, and for outputting data; a clock and a reset unit (2), connected with MCU, the clock generating clock pulses, serving to timewise regulate system actions, reset unit restoring system back to START, to re-execute programs from the beginning; control circuits (3), connected with MCU, for electronically controlling the serial transmission speed and the flow of data; a mother-board-and-keyboard interface (4), connected to MCU, used for controlling the IK interfacing with a mother board and with the original keyboard, ensuring the consistency of transmitted signals, in mutual communication among the three devices, also for providing power from the mother board;serial interface (5), connected with MCU, for converting serial input (e.g. in RS-232 format) into data acceptable to MCU; a floppy disc controller (6), connected with MCU, for controlling a floppy driver (7) that reads/writes floppy; memory RAM (8), connected with MCU, to record all stacked key commands that have been learned, and to read same for sending some to mother board for execution; back-up battery (9), going with the memory RAM and supplying emergency electricity to the RAM when IK goes off-line (or during power failure), to avoid losing the stacked key commands that have been learned; program ROM(10), connected with MCU, for storing IK control programs, so that the MCU may follow the operation procedures and perform various functions; keyboard of IK(11), connected to MCU, so that the user may input commands through the keyboard, which, in the present case, has 4x4 or even more keys, including numeric keys, function control keys, etc.; and LCD display device (12), connected with MCU, for displaying the input data of the present invention of IK, and the current IK ope#rational mode.

Besides, in the present invention of the IK, an additional radio receiver may be incorporated, for picking up remote signals and inputting key commands, to realise regional remote controlling and simple information dissemination.

Fig.3 is the schematic design outlook of the present invention of IK, displaying, respectively, the keyboard, the plug connected-with mother board, the socket connected with original keyboard, serial interface, LCD display device and floppy drive. It should be understood that this design outlook is merely demonstative, and as viewed from outside, the actual shape, number of keys, of sockets and of plugs may be varied as deemed necessary.

Fig. 4 shows the simplified communications among the mother board, -IK and keyboard, after IK is inserted, under various operating modes.

Mode A: In this bypass mode, although IK is inserted, the operator's normal keyboard operations to feed keyed information to main machines, will not be affected, like shown in Fig.lA.

Mode B: In this learning mode, the IK does not affect the input operation through keyboard, however, IK memorises the operators keyed-in information (in terms of keynames, sequences, time intervals, etc.). The operator's keyed-in information in this mode, thus memorised by the IK, are called stacked key commands.

This is shown in Fig.4B.

Mode C: In this execution mode, the IK issues the stacked key commands. The keyed input from the original keyboard will not be relayed to the mother board in its original form. IK imitates a keyboard, to input certain stacked key commands as "key-in operations" to the mother board, in a way memorised in the IK memory. This is shown in Fig.4C.

Mode D: In this command-receiving mode, the original keyboard message will not be relayed to the mother board, but the IK key board may be used to send key commands to IK and to control the IK operation, and further, the mother board operation can be controlled by the IK.

IK can be manufactured as a standalone device, connected in between the keyboard and mother board. IK may also be incorporated into the overall design of a keyboard, or, a certain IK functions may be assigned to special function keys of a general keyboard.

There are a number of keys on the 1K to carry out the control of 1K itself, and the keys are mainly in two categories: 1. Keys for learning control. By these keys IK can be controlled to enter the aforesaid mode B, or exit from mode B, as necessary in the operation. That is, to command IK "to memorise (or to learn)" all the keynames (of the keys pressed by the operator), sequences and time. intervals, through the entire period from certain time to a certain time, namely, to memorise a string of stack-up commands.

Hence the keys in this -category have control over the beginning time of "learning" as well as the end of "learning".

2. Keys for memory management. Owing to IK can enter mode B any number of times; IK can perform learning any number of times to memorise different stacked key commands, hence some keys are required to manage the memory. Memory management keys can accomplish the memorisation and calling processes of various stack-up commands, and control the IK in its entering into the aforesaid modes, either or D.

IK, in the aforesaid modes C or D, in other words, in substitution of the original keyboard to enter stacked key commands into the mother board, the operator's original keyboard manipulation will not be directly transmitted to the mother board, but, instead, will be intercepted by the IK. Thus the procedures will be carried on in one of the following manner: 1. IK ignores and aborts all keyed inputs in both mode C and mode D.

2. IK temporarily stores all input commands from original keyboard, pending the IK operations on stacked key commands to be completed. Until all the operation on stacked key commands are completed, then the stored keyed input commands will be sent to the mother board.

3.IK treats all keyed input from original keyboard as operator's instructions to the IK. For instance, IK temporarily suspends sending stacked key commands to mother board, or, 1K issues some kind of passwords before sending out the stacked key commands.

As to the control of the present invention of IK (learning/memory management), the change of IK mode, etc.; can be done in one of the three ways: 1. through the small keyboard of the IK, 2. through the big keyboard, after IK enters mode D, and 3. through the special input/output interface in the IK, equipped with standard connections (e.g. RS-232C), or through a non-standard interface.

Radio receiver may be coupled with IK through special input/output interface, that will allow feeding of either commands or data, to realise radio remote control and transmission. The interface may be of a standard type (e.g. RS-232C) or of a non-standard type.

An embodiment example on using the present invention of IK, in direct control of execution, is shown in Fig.5, wherein 1K has already been inserted in between a keyboard and a mother board.

The steps of operation are the following: 1. turn the IK into a learning mode. Select a call-name for a stacked key command, 2. Input a string of commands through keyboard K. Store commands in IK, 3. Turn IK back to readiness status, and 4. key in the call-name on IK to send the stacked key command to the mother board for execution.

An embodiment example of applying IK to realising radio remotecontrolled execution, is shown in Fig.6, wherein IK is already inserted in between keyboard and mother board. Signal receiver RX is coupled through an IK interface. The first steps of the operation are the same as in steps 1-3 for Fig.5. In step 4, the receiver RX detects the call-name signal and sends stacked key commands to mother board for execution.

When IK gets off-line from the mother board and from the keyboard, or at the time of mother board power failure, the back-up battery continues the power supply in support of memorising the stacked key commands to avoid losing those commands. In Fig.7 the arrow represents a back-up battery B supplying power to memory M.

In the case of more than one IK needing the same stacked key commands, the first IK that has learned the stack-up commands may store its memory contents on a floppy FD, which supplies the learned floppy information to other IK's, to save keyboard operation, to reduce the occurrences of errors, and to improve productivity.

Claims (9)

1. An intelligent key-in# device, comprising: a microcomputer unit (MCU), responsible for processing input data, calculation, program execution and data output; a clock and a reset unit, connected with MCU, the clock generating clock pulses, and the reset unit restoring system status back to START to re-execute programs afresh; a control circuit, connected with MCU, for electronically controlling the serial transmission speed and the flow of data;; a mother-board-and-keyboard interface, connected with MCU, for controlling the device interfacing with the mother board and the original keyboard, and drawing power supply from the mother board, a serial interface, connected with MCU, for converting input data from serial input into the data acceptable to MCU, a floppy disc controller and a disc drive controlled by the controller, connected with MCU, for controlling the reading/writing operation on a floppy, a memory RAM, connected with MCU, for memorising the learned stacked key commands, and reading same and transmitting - same to mother board for execution, a back-up battery, for supplying power to memory RAM when the intelligent key-in device fails to get power from the mother board, to present from losing the stacked key commands that have been learned, a program ROM, connected with MCU, for storing the MCU control programs for controlling the intelligent key-in device, a keyboard, connected with CMU, for entering commands, and a LCD display device, for displaying input data and operational mode of the intelligent key-in device.

2. An intelligent key-in device, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein further comprising a radio receiver to pick up remote control signals for the intelligent key-in device.

3. A method of using the key-in device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said intelligent key-in device is connected in between the key board and the mother processor board.

4. A method of using said intelligent key-in device, as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said intelligent key-in device may operate in one of the four modes: bypass mode, in which the operator's normal keyboard operations to feed information to main machines will not be affected; learning mode, in which the stacked key commands are memorised; execution mode; in which the stacked key commands are transmitted to the mother board; and command-receiving mode, -in which the key commands to control the operation of the intelligent key-in device itself are accepted.

5. A method of using said intelligent key-in device, as claimed in Claim 4, wherein in the execution and command-receiving modes, said device may realise the control of keyboard instructions in one of the following three manners: A. Intelligent key-in device ignores all keyboard instructions.

B. Intelligent key-in device temporarily stores all input commands from keyboard, pending the execution mode or the command-receiving mode to be completed, before commands will be sent to the mother board.

C. Intelligent key-in device treats all commands from keyboard as operator's instructions to the device and executes them.

6. A method of using said intelligent key-in device, as claimed in claim 4 or 5, the stacked key commands, memorised in the learning mode, are stored in RAM and can be stored on a floppy too, the contents of which are then transferred to other intelligent key-in devices.

7. A method of using said intelligent key-in device, as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, whereby the control of said intelligent key-in device can be done in one of the following three ways: A. through the small keyboard of the intelligent key-in device, B. through the original keyboard, in command receiving mode, and C. through the special input/output interface, whereto a radio receiver is connected.

8. An intelligent key-in device constructed and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

9. A method of using an intelligent key-in device, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.