Patent ID: 8059835

Claim:
A method for controlling a computer having an operating system via a USB port engageable device in a self-contained compact package having a USB output connector for connecting to a computer USB input port, the device including a microprocessor and a memory and having a housing being substantially smooth on all sides, comprising: storing enumeration data in the memory to describe the device as a human interface device to the computer; storing report descriptor data in the memory to describe the device as a keyboard to the computer; storing in the memory a single byte sequence corresponding to preselected keyboard emulating signals to instruct the operating system of the computer to switch from an active program currently running to another desired program, each program having a respective active computer display; detecting an impulsive communication in the form of a sharp sound; generating an impulsive signal in response to the detected impulsive communication; responding to the impulsive signal to generate a start signal; retrieving and sending in response to the start signal the enumeration data to the computer identifying the device as a human interface device to the computer; retrieving and sending the report descriptor data to the computer in response to a request from the computer to describe the device as a keyboard to the computer; responding to the start signal using the microprocessor for retrieving and sending the stored single byte sequence corresponding to the preselected keyboard emulating signals to the operating system of the computer via the USB output connector to switch from the currently running active program; and commanding the operating system of the computer via the USB connector to switch between the initial active computer display and the desired active computer display in accordance with the single byte sequence, wherein the operating system of the computer remains in an active state with the active program associated with the desired active computer display being available to the user for immediate use, wherein the number of preselected keyboard emulating signals being stored is substantially fewer than the number of conventional keyboard signals in a conventional keyboard, and wherein the desired active computer display and its active program are stored externally from the device.