The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 20, 2004
Filed:
Feb. 29, 2000
Nathan C. Sherman, Sammamish, WA (US);
Keith Mullins, Kent, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
A keyboard selectively operable to convey data to and from a host or personal computer (PC) through a universal serial bus (USB) port and/or a personal system/2 (PS/2) port. The keyboard is preferably connected to both the USB port and PS/2 port on the host or PC, if available. Preference is given to communicating data from the keyboard to the host or PC through the PS/2 port. However, if the PS/2 port is unavailable, not connected, or inoperative, the keyboard data are communicated to the host or PC through the USB port (assuming that it is available, operative, and connected). As soon as the PS/2 port on the host or PC is again connected to the keyboard, such data will again be communicated through the PS/2 port. In addition, the keyboard includes auxiliary USB ports to which USB-capable peripheral devices can be connected. USB data can then be communicated between the PC and the USB-capable peripheral devices via the keyboard and its connection to the USB port on the host or PC. Power supplied from the PS/2 port on the host or PC is monitored to determine whether that port is connected to the keyboard, and in response, to cause data arising from the user actuating keys on the keyboard to be supplied to the host or PC through the PS/2 port.