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GoogleGranted patentPhones & computersInterest 4/10

Google patents method to remap external keyboard keys to internal inputs

This patent describes a way for a computer to automatically match keys on an external keyboard to specific functions on the built-in keyboard. When an external device is plugged in, the system creates a background link between the two, so pressing a key on the outside device sends the correct signal to the operating system.

Why it mattersIt improves the reliability of using third-party keyboards with laptops by ensuring key presses are correctly interpreted without manual configuration.

In the filing’s own words

Disclosed implementations for remapping input received from an input device. In an example implementation, a connection with an external input device is detected via an embedded controller communicably coupled to an electronic processor. An association between a first input of the external input device and a second input of an internal input device is retrieved from the embedded controller via firmware executed by the electronic processor. The first input from the external input device is received via a driver executed by the electronic processor. In response to receiving the first input from the external input device, a value associated with the second input is determined via the driver. The value is provided to an operating system.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method comprising: detecting, via an embedded controller, a connection with an external input device, the embedded controller communicably coupled to an electronic processor; retrieving, from the embedded controller via the electronic processor, an association between a first input of the external input device and a second input of an internal input device; in response to retrieving the association, via the electronic processor: storing the association to at least one memory address, and instantiating a background process having access to the at least one memory address and configured to access the association; receiving, via the electronic processor, the first input from the external input device; and in response to receiving the first input from the external input device, determining, via the electronic processor using a driver configured to access the background process, a value associated with the second input based on the association and providing the value to an operating system.

Facts

Company
Google (GOOGLE LLC)
Official title
Dynamic code resequencing for external input
Patent number
US12754619B1
Application number
19213630
Filed
May 20, 2025
Granted
Oct 6, 2026
Inventors
2
Claims
20

Classified under

G06F 3/0233 Physics & computingG06F 3/0219 Physics & computing
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.