Patent ID: 8624843

Claim:
A keyboard apparatus integrated with a combined touch input module, comprising: (a) a keyboard controller configured to process input signals and output signals of the keyboard apparatus, and configured to convert a scan code received from a keyboard scan circuit connected with a key array, and configured to transmit the scan code to a communication unit; (b) the communication unit electrically connected to the keyboard controller, the communication unit configured to output touch control signals and scan code to a computer system via a communication port; (c) a touch input module electrically connected to the keyboard controller, the touch input module configured to support a cursor mode and a handwriting mode, and configured to transmit touch control signals to the computer system through the keyboard controller and the through the communication unit, the touch input module further comprising: (c1) a micro controller, electrically connected with the keyboard controller, the micro controller configured to convert a touch event and a handwriting event and configured to generate the touch control signals, and further configured to transmit the touch control signals; (c2) a touchpad module, electrically connected with the micro controller via a touch-sensing circuit, the touchpad module configured to sense the touch event through a touch panel in the cursor mode; (c3) a tablet module, electrically connected with the micro controller via a signal-tracking circuit, the tablet module configured to sense the handwriting event through a sensor board in the handwriting mode; and (c4) a mode switching circuit, electrically connected with the micro controller, the mode switching circuit configured to switch between the cursor mode and the handwriting mode in response to a switch signal made by the key array, wherein the touch input module, the communication unit, and the keyboard controller jointly use a power supply, wherein the keyboard apparatus comprises a single communication port to communicate with the computer system, and wherein the touchpad module is layered above the tablet module within the touch input module.