Abstract:
The present invention provides a keyboard with application program and capable of execution function by itself, comprising: at least one set of keyboard numeric code information, including Windows front numeric code information and executable file path numeric code information; at least one hotkey, with each hotkey corresponding to the keyboard numeric code information; and a microprocessor, outputting the keyboard numeric code information when its corresponding hotkey is pressed and prompting a computer to immediately execute a executable file corresponding to the keyboard numeric code information.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a keyboard, more particularly to a keyboard with application program and execution function.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Currently there are two ways to execute application programs with hotkeys on a keyboard. One way is to codify hotkeys with definitions in accordance to Microsoft Windows system. Once recognized by the system, these hotkeys are capable of executing their corresponding Windows application programs by themselves. For example, in Microsoft Windows system the code “EO 3A” triggered by a hotkey executes internet surfing function. The other way is to employee a driver. The existing hotkey numeric code information is not compatible to the Microsoft Windows system. A supplement driver is employed, operates in a computer continually, and monitors that if a hotkey numeric code is input in the computer. If true, the driver would prompt execution of a Windows application program corresponding to the hotkey pressed.  
         [0005]     The first type of hotkeys is few in number and cannot fulfill the need of increasing number of application programs. The second type, however, relies on a driver for their function. The design and maintenance of a driver cause cost increase and the inconvenience of installation for users.  
         [0006]     The present invention is made to overcome the above-mentioned problems of the related arts, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a keyboard with application programs. It can perform execution function without a driver. Upon pressing a hotkey, an user can prompts a computer to execute the corresponding application program.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a keyboard with hotkey function without the need of a driver. When an user presses a hotkey, its corresponding application program would be executed by a computer.  
         [0008]     To achieve the purpose of this present invention, the present invention provides a keyboard with application program and capable of execution function by itself, comprising: at least one set of keyboard numeric code information, including Windows front numeric code information and executable file path numeric code information; at least one hotkey, with each hotkey corresponding to the keyboard numeric code information; and a microprocessor, outputting the keyboard numeric code information when its corresponding hotkey is pressed and prompting a computer to immediately execute a executable file corresponding to the keyboard numeric code information.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows the circuit connection of the keyboard of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the keyboard of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  shows the structure of the keyboard numeric code information of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4A  to  4 C show one embodiment of the keyboard numeric code information used in Microsoft Windows system.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is an operation flow chart of the microcontroller of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6A  to  6 B show pictures on a monitor when the keyboard of the present invention performs execution in Windows operating system;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7A  shows the first picture on a monitor when the keyboard of the present invention by itself executing the virtual hotkey in a computer; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 7B  shows the second picture on a monitor when the keyboard of the present invention by itself executing the virtual hotkey in a computer.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0018]     The following description of the preferred embodiments discloses specific configurations, data value, and components. The description of various features and structures of the present invention which would be known to one skilled in the art are omitted for the sake of clarity and brevity.  
         [0019]     The present invention is to provide a keyboard  10  with hotkeys  109  capable of executing their corresponding application programs. When an user presses a hotkey  109 , its corresponding application program would be executed in a computer without any driver. Also, the application programs are not limited to those hotkey numeric codes defined in Windows operating system. Undefined programs could be carried out with the hotkeys  109 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  show the circuit connection and the perspective view of the keyboard of the present invention, respectively. The keyboard  10  of the present invention comprises at least one set of keyboard numeric code information  107 , at least one hotkey  109 , and a microcontroller  101 . Details for the present invention are described below.  
         [0021]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the keyboard numeric code information  107  comprises the Windows front numeric code information  107 A and executable file path numeric code information  107 B. The keyboard numeric code information  107  is stored in memory  105 , such as a nonvolatile memory.  
         [0022]      FIGS. 4A  to  4 C shows several embodiments of the keyboard numeric code information used in the Windows operating system. Therefore, the embodiment of keyboard numeric code information  107  is chosen according to the type of Windows operating system. As shown in  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B , the embodiment of the Windows front numeric code information  107 A is determined to be “&lt;Windows Logo&gt; R” defined by the Windows operating system. One skilled in the art would adapt different Windows front numeric code information in accordance with the Windows operating system. The embodiments of the executable file path numeric code information  107 B are: “WINWORD.EXE &lt;RETURN&gt;”, “EXCEL.EXE &lt;RETURN&gt;”, and “MANMSGR.EXE &lt;RETURN&gt;”. One skilled in the art would readily adapt a executable file path numeric code information according to the Windows operating system and the type of application program.  
         [0023]     The present invention adapts Key Matrix Circuit  103  to assign hotkeys  109 . The hotkeys  109  correspond to a set of keyboard numeric code information  107 . One embodiment of the hotkeys is single key. The other is a combination of singles keys, such as the combinations of hotkeys [F 1 ] and [A], [F 1 ] and [B], [F 1 ] and [C] and so on. The combination of hotkeys  109  [F 1 ] and [A] corresponds to keyboard numeric code information  107  “&lt;Windows Logo&gt; R WINWORD.EXE &lt;RETURN&gt;”. The combination of hotkeys  109  [F 1 ] and [B] corresponds to keyboard numeric code information  107  “&lt;Windows Logo&gt; R EXCEL.EXE &lt;RETURN&gt;”.  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  shows the operation flow chart for microcontroller of the present invention. The microcontroller  101  checks whether any key on the keyboard  10  is pressed. If true, the microcontroller  101  checks if the pressed key is a hotkey. If not, it continues to check if any key is pressed. If a hotkey  109  is pressed, the microcontroller  101  outputs its corresponding keyboard numeric code information  107 . For example, if the combination of hotkeys  109  [F 1 ] and [B] are pressed, the microcontroller  101  would output to keyboard numeric code information  107  “&lt;Windows Logo&gt; R EXCEL.EXE &lt;RETURN&gt;”. In the case that the key pressed is not a hotkey  109 , the microcontroller  101  would output its corresponding original key numeric code information, such as that for key [B] if it is pressed by itself. Furthermore, another embodiment of present invention could be combinations of key [Fn] with other single keys.  
         [0025]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  show the pictures of keyboard operations with the present invention in Windows operation system. If an user press a hotkey  109  in the keyboard  10  and the hotkey  109  corresponds to keyboard numeric code information “&lt;Windows Logo&gt; R NOTEPAD.EXE &lt;RETURN&gt;”, the monitor would show the picture in  FIG. 6A  and followed by the picture in  FIG. 6B . Simultaneously the computer enters the “notepad” Windows application program.  
         [0026]     The microcontroller  101  of the present invention is capable of outputting keyboard numeric code information  107 . The further enhance its capability, the keyboard  10  of the present invention possess a “virtual hotkey” used at the time of keyboard installation. The virtual hotkey of the present invention functions to connect internet and download webpages related to keyboard  10  drivers. When a user install for the first time the keyboard  10  of this present invention, the microcontroller activates the virtual hotkey mechanism, outputs “&lt;Windows Logo&gt; R http://www.btc.com.tw/english/3-1-6driver_download.htm&lt;RETURN&gt;”. As shown in  FIG. 7A , for example, the keyboard of the present invention by itself executes the virtual hotkey. Followed, the computer by itself connects and shows the driver download page, as shown in  FIG. 7B .  
         [0027]     The present invention enhance keyboard capability in the following ways: 1. The computer does not require a driver for hotkeys. The hotkeys are ready to use upon keyboard installation; 2. The application programs for hotkeys could be altered according to the needs of manufacturers. Even with new Windows Operating Systems, manufacturers can update their keyboard numeric code information and the keyboard is ready for new systems; 3. The keyboard of the present invention is made of known standard keyboard hardware and adapted to the firmware of the present invention. There is no increase of manufacturing cost, yet added value for the keyboard.  
         [0028]     Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understood that it is in no way limited to the details of such embodiment but is capable of numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims.