Patent ID: 6011495
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A multimedia keyboard structure for interfacing with an external processing device, said keyboard comprising:a numeric key pad having a plurality of keys respectively representing multimedia functions, screen and cursor controls, and numerical values, said numeric key pad also having a Num Lock key;a Scroll Lock key;a microprocessor disposed internal to said keyboard;a scan matrix formed by I/O lines of said microprocessor and connected to said numeric key pad and to said Scroll Lock key;means for testing a flag bit of a WINDOWS-based operating system register to determine a value thereof, said flag bit value corresponding to an operational status of at least one of said Scroll Lock key and said Num Lock key, said microprocessor transferring key codes to the external processing device responsive to operation of said numeric key pad, said key codes representing respective numerical values or respective screen and cursor controls responsive to said flag bit value being set to a first value, and said key codes representing respective multimedia functions responsive to said flag bit being set to a second value.