US Patent number 6,018,335 .
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Key Benefits
- Device is inline with the keyboard.
- Operating System Independent.
- Small size.
Abstract
An apparatus adapted to be coupled between a keyboard and a computer
to enable a user to define desired keys as coded keys which are
associated with MACROS defined by the user. The apparatus includes a
microcontroller and an electrically erasable, programmable read only
memory (EEPROM) which monitors codes transmitted from the keyboard and
is placed in a programming mode when a predetermined program code is
received from the keyboard. Once in the program mode, the next key
depressed by the user is denoted as a coded key and the following keys
depressed by the user are designated as a user programmed MACRO
associated with the coded key. The apparatus stores this information in
the EEPROM and thereafter when the coded key is depressed by the user
the associated MACRO is generated and transmitted to the computer. The
apparatus forms a very compact, relatively inexpensive means for
enabling conventional keyboards to function as programmable keyboards.
In an alternative preferred embodiment, editing and creation of the
MACROS can be accomplished by receiving information from the computer
through the use of a software program which enables the user to more
conveniently enter and exit the programming mode, as well as make
necessary edits to previously stored MACROS.