Universal Keyboard Scan Protocol for Shared Wiring and Key Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated keyboards in portable information handling systems require separate wires for keyboard and pointing device signals, leading to bulkiness and increased costs due to the need for firmware updates and different silicon for each keyboard matrix, complicating the integration and upgradeability of keyboard scan controllers.

Innovation Solution

A universal keyboard controller protocol that provides basic keyscan information from a dedicated keyscan controller to an embedded controller, allowing mapping to specific platforms and enabling the use of a single dedicated keyscan controller across various platforms without additional upgradeability costs, supporting functions like Fn keys and multimedia controls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate set of wires is used for keyboard and pointing device signals in integrated keyboards, then signal communication is achieved, but bulkiness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal communicationVSAvoidbulkiness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines keyboard and pointing device signals into a single wire communication channel. The keyscan controller multiplexes keyboard scan data and pointing device data onto the same communication interface, eliminating the need for separate wire sets and reducing overall system bulkiness while maintaining reliable signal transmission for both devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If firmware updates and different silicon are used for each keyboard matrix, then keyboard functionality is maintained, but costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekeyboard functionalityVSAvoidcosts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The keyscan controller is designed with a universal interface that can work with multiple different keyboard matrices without requiring firmware updates or different silicon variants. The controller uses a standardized protocol to communicate with various keyboard layouts, making the system more cost-effective by eliminating the need for platform-specific keyboard controller variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a dedicated keyscan controller is customized for each platform, then specific platform requirements are met, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatform specific requirementsVSAvoidcontroller variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the keyboard system into two independent parts: a universal keyscan controller that handles the communication protocol and a platform-specific embedded controller that handles platform-specific keycode mapping. This segmentation allows the keyscan controller to remain simple and universal while still meeting specific platform requirements through the embedded controller's customization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7420479B2Universal keyboard controller data protocol

Publication Date: 2008.09.02 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A keyboard system which includes a keyboard assembly and an embedded controller. The keyboard assembly includes a keyboard matrix and a keyscan controller coupled to the keyscan matrix. The keyscan controller receives position information from a pressed key of the keyboard matrix and generates basic keyscan information. The embedded controller receives the basic keyscan information and generates keycodes based upon the basic keyscan information.