Method and apparatus for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions. An input device, personal computer host, and encoder in turn integrate hardware, operating system, and application programs to provide personal computer and electronic device functions at the same time.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions, comprising: 
 an input device, comprising a personal computer function hot key and at least one electronic device function hot key, the personal computer function hot key enabling personal computer mode and providing personal computer functions and electronic device function hot keys enabling electronic device mode and providing electronic device functions;    a personal computer host, comprising a customized BIOS and at least one electronic device application program, the customized BIOS executing power-up procedures when in electronic device mode, and electronic device application programs for executing electronic device functions when in electronic device mode;    an encoder, coupled with the personal computer host and the input device, producing a corresponding code according to the hot key used and sending the corresponding code to the personal computer host.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the input device, electronic device function hot keys are enabled by adding dedicated function keys to the input device layout.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein in the input device, electronic device function hot keys are enabled by assigning functionality to existing keys on the input device.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein in the personal computer host, electronic device application programs execute corresponding electronic device functions according to the hot key used and registered by the encoder.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein in the personal computer host, electronic device application programs are enabled by computer-executable program language.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the input device is a keyboard.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the input device is a remote controller.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the encoder is a keyboard encoder.  
     
     
         9 . A method for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions, comprising: 
 providing an input device, personal computer host, and encoder, the input device comprising a personal computer function hot key and at least one electronic device function hot key, the personal computer host comprising a customized BIOS and at least one electronic device application program for executing personal computer functions and electronic device functions, and the encoder coupled with the personal computer host and the input device, for producing corresponding code according to hot keys used;    the encoder producing code corresponding to the hot key used and sending the corresponding code to the personal computer host;    the personal computer host determining whether the hot key used is the personal computer function hot key or electronic device function hot key according to the corresponding code;    the personal computer host entering personal computer mode and executing personal computer functions if the hot key used is the personal computer function hot key; and    the personal computer host entering electronic device mode and initiating electronic device application programs to execute electronic device function if the hot key used is one of the electronic device function hot keys.    
     
     
         10 . The method for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the input device, electronic device function hot keys are enabled by adding dedicated function keys to the input device layout.  
     
     
         11 . The method for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the input device, electronic device function hot keys are enabled by assigning functionality to existing keys on the input device.  
     
     
         12 . The method for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein in the personal computer host, electronic device application programs execute the corresponding electronic device functions according to the hot key used and registered by the encoder.  
     
     
         13 . The method for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein in the personal computer host, electronic device application programs are enabled by computer-executable program language.  
     
     
         14 . The method for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the input device is a keyboard.  
     
     
         15 . The method for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the input device is a remote controller.  
     
     
         16 . The method for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the encoder is a keyboard encoder.