Abstract:
A self-contained module including finger depressible keys, said module being mountable on, and useable with, a wireless keyboard for a computer. The module includes a pre-programmed microcontroller for controlling basic functions of the TV and an associated VCR via an IR LED on the keyboard.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One of the interesting technologies presently being developed is focused on combining the Internet or World Wide Web with the standard television set, video cassette recorder (“VCR”) and other home and office electronic products. Surveys show that almost 90% of U.S. homes have television sets, and most homes have more than one set. Various companies have developed and are selling products to create Internet sites that are fully compatible with the technology; these sites will allow customers full access to the Internet via their television set. It has been observed that the challenge to universal acceptance of the World Wide Web is, in fact, the television set (TV). 
     To utilize the emerging Web-to-TV technology, standard computer keyboards having wires have been used. Keyboards have long been popular as PC (personal computer) accessories such as for this application. Companies which offer Internet access, using the user&#39;s TV as the display device, usually offer either corded or cordless keyboards. A user can use the keyboard for various Internet functions including the sending of e-mail (electronic mail). However, for a variety of reasons, infrared (IR) wireless keyboards which have a range of up to 30 feet appear to be the preferred structure for interfacing with a home TV. Thus, a user merely needs a wireless keyboard, the TV, a phone line, and the Internet access service or Internet terminal to conveniently utilize this new technology. It has been found that a desirable feature for the user of a cordless keyboard is to be able to turn on his TV, VCR or cable box, make adjustments to the volume, and make adjustments to other functions thereof, directly from the keyboard without having to set the keyboard down and pick up the TV remote control. 
     Presently, in order for a keyboard manufacturer to offer this capability, the manufacturer has to contract with an IR database owner to obtain an IR code library for TV control, modify his firmware and/or hardware inside the keyboard to support the TV control signal transmission, and either add keys to the keyboard or assign additional functions to the existing keyset to allow the user to access these functions. This is time consuming, inefficient and presents a range of technical problems. The present invention addresses the problems outlined above by providing a self-contained module that is available as a standard component and is mountable on a standard keyboard housing with only minimal changes, if any, to the plastic tooling of the housing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A self-contained universal and standardized module is mountable on, and is used in conjunction with a wireless keyboard for computer control of a TV, VCR or other consumer electronic products. A standard keyboard can be minimally modified to accommodate mounting of the module thereon and to electronically connect to the circuitry of the keyboard. A microcontroller within the module is programmed for controlling basic functions of a TV and VCR via the IR LED (light emitting diode) output of the keyboard. 
     The foregoing features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the invention. The accompanying drawings, listed hereinbelow, are useful in explaining the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of the inventive module; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the module of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 depicts a minimally modified standard keyboard in which the module is mounted; 
     FIG. 4 depicts another modified keyboard in which the module may be mounted; 
     FIG. 5 depicts a modification of the module housing for mounting on a keyboard with an essentially unmodified housing; 
     FIG. 6 is a listing of the key interpretation during digit entry; 
     FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the functional overview of the module; 
     FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the device code set-up function of the module; and 
     FIG. 9 shows the electronic circuitry of the module including the microcontroller. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of the inventive key module  11  that includes a pre-programmed microcontroller containing a universal TV and VCR library, together with a key pad, generally labeled as  16 , and all necessary support circuitry. It should be understood that although this particular embodiment controls TV and VCR, other devices may also be included in other versions, e.g. TV and cable or even TV, VCR and cable, etc. The modular mechanical package is approximately 5.5 inches in length and 0.5 inches in width. Module  11  is mountable on a standard computer type keyboard  15  with a base or housing  17 . FIG. 3 is an outline of a modified standard keyboard plastic housing  17  for the keyboard  15 , showing keys  18  mounted in respective recesses  21 , as is well known. For purpose of clarity in the drawing, only a few of the keyboard keys  18  are specifically shown. In a first embodiment of the invention, the mold (not shown) for a standard keyboard base  17  is modified to include an outwardly extending portion such as indicated by the numeral  23 . A recess  25  in extending portion  23  receives the module  11 . Holes  14  on the ends of flanges  19  of the module  11 , see FIG. 2, receive suitable securing screws, not shown. Portion  23  for the plastic housing  17  can be formed on any part of the housing basically dependent on ease of modifying the keyboard mold and on the attractiveness of design. 
     In a second embodiment of the invention a housing  17 A is molded to include a recess  21  A on its surface such as along the upper edge as shown in FIG.  4 . The module  11  is located and positioned in recess  21 A. 
     Another embodiment of the module  11 B is indicated in FIG. 5 which is an end view of the device. This embodiment is particularly applicable for retrofitting purposes. In FIG. 5 module  11 C is constructed to include extensions  27  that extend outwardly from each side of the module. Extensions  27  include downwardly depending spring clip arms  31 . On installation of the module  11 B on a housing similar to housing  17 A, but without the recess  21 A, the module is positioned on the top surface of the housing and the clip arms  31  are positioned (clipped-on) to engage an edge of a recess  21  and the side of the housing. Velcro(R) adhesive material  33  is used to further adhere the module  11  to the keyboard housing  17 A. (The Velcro (R) pad for the keyboard surface is not shown). The module  11  may be purchased from the manufacturer or seller of the keyboard  15  and mounted such as described above, or by other suitable means. 
     Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, module  11  includes a number of finger actuatable keys  16  that are depressed to enter selected desired basic functions or commands for the television set, as listed in FIG.  6 . The keys  16  provide the basic commands to control the TV and the VCR, as indicated in FIGS. 6,  7  and  8 . 
     Referring briefly to FIG. 9, the module  11  requires only two connections to the keyboard electronics. One connection is for obtaining power from the keyboard&#39;s existing battery power source, and the other connection to communicate through an IR device mounted within the keyboard. The IR output may alternatively be connected to an IR LED dedicated for the purpose of TV control. 
     Device selection keys “TV” and “VCR” (see FIGS. 1 and 6) are used to indicate which of the two devices is to be operated. Once a device type has been selected by pressing the appropriate key, as depicted in the flow diagrams of FIGS. 7 and 8, the module remains in that mode until the device type is explicitly changes by pressing the other device key. The standard keys labeled: PWR (power), CH (channel), UP/REW (re-wind), CH DN (down), etc. send the indicated function to the selected device. 
     For those keys that are double labeled (e.g. mute/stop) the first function is sent when the remote module is in the TV mode, and the second function is sent when the module is in the VCR mode. In the TV mode, the special keys, SCAN/REC initiate an automatic scan through the channels available on the TV set, by sending the CH UP command at regular intervals. The progression is stopped by pressing the SCAN/REC or any other key again, as known in the art. In the VCR mode, this key sends the “Record” command, after it has been pressed twice in succession. 
     The key labeled UEI is used during device set up as will now be described. Before first use of the module  11 , and also after the batteries have been removed from the keyboard, the user must indicate which brand and type of TV and VCR devices he wishes to control. This is done by entering into the module, a 3-digit code number corresponding to the desired device brand, from a listing in the user manual. 
     Refer now to the flow diagrams of FIGS. 7 and 8. First, the “UEI” key is pressed concurrently with one of the “TV” or “VCR” keys, and held for  3  seconds to set the particular device. At the end of this period, the visible LED (LED 1 ) flashes twice to indicate that the module has entered the device setup mode. Once in this mode, and upon release of the two keys (UEI key and the activated one of the TV or VCR key), the control software in the module will interpret the ten keys on the keypad as representing the digits 0through 9, see FIG.  6 . Using these keys, the user now may enter the desired 3-digit code number. If the number entered is a valid device number, the visible LED blinks twice to confirm the entry. If the number entered is invalid, or if the entry is not completed within 30 seconds, the visible LED  227  emits one long blink, and the unit exists the set-up mode with previous device settings unchanged. 
     Refer now to FIG. 9 for a brief description of the circuitry of the module  11 . The circuitry includes a microcontroller U 1 , such as a Motorola 68HC05RC18 that is programmed with a library of IR device codes and control software. The microcontroller is connected and used in a standard manner. Resistors R 1 , R 2  and C 3  comprise a delay circuit to ensure a clean reset of the microcontroller U 1  when power is first applied, by allowing power at the microcontroller input (Vdd) to stabilizer before the LPRST signal on lead  20  is released to initiate microcontroller initialization. Diode D 1  serves to protect the microcontroller against inadvertent application of reverse polarity, as well as blocking external discharge of C 1  during periods when no power is applied at the input connector. 
     As mentioned above, module  11  includes the keys, generally labeled as  16 , that form a key matrix of any conventional type, as is standard in remote controls. As oscillator circuit comprising resistor R 3 , capacitors C 4  and C 5 , and crystal Y 1  provides timing control for microcontroller U 1 . LED 1  connected in series with resistor R 4  provides visual feedback to the user during set-up, etc. Transistor Q 1  and resistors R 5 , R 6  and R 7  comprise a driver circuit for IR signals. The output of the driver circuit is connected to an IR LED on the base keyboard unit; any suitable IR LED, may be used. As an alternative, the IR LED may be physically incorporated in the module  11 . 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.