DESC:CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority of the provisional application with serial number 6236/CHE/2015 filed on 19th November, 2015 with title, “A System and Method for Converting Standard Keyboard Scan Codes into Multilingual Unicode Output (Lipi-Con) and the contents of which is incorporated in entirety.

A) TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention is generally related to keyboard systems and their functionality enhancements. The present invention is particularly related to a‘ Keyboard related enhancement as a universal code transformer, remapper and convertor’- which accepts input raw scan codes from a user given device (like keyboard) and converts, compiles, modifies and transforms given input through a program and process to generate a Standards compliant code output to be delivered through appropriate connectivity to user specified devices, which manage human linguistic communications as text, voice, interactively as HMI (Human Machine Interaction) devices and applications. The present invention is more particularly related to a system and method for converting a given raw scan code input from a device like a keyboard, into a user defined and provided HMI device and applications which work by accepting Standards compliant codes without requiring any change in the background functionality of the standard HMI end use device.

B) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The keyboard is a primary input device utilized to provide data-input in the form of text characters, numerals, symbols, modifiers like Alt, Shift, Control keys, Caps lock, Prt screen, Pre-programmed commands like F- Keys and screen display controls for brightness, running applications like media center, network to the data processing systems such as personal computers or laptops or other HMI devices . The typical keyboard, a scan code generator, serving as an input code generator, comprises an array of keys Organized, commonly in the patterns of rows and columns, where each key is associated with at least one character or function. For example, one of the most prevalent input devices is a QWERTY style keyboard. The QWERTY style keyboard comprises a Roman alphabet set with twenty-six base letters, ten cardinal numbers and a finite set of other characters, function keys and symbols.
[0003] In conventional keyboard systems, the keystrokes are detected through a microcontroller. The microcontroller is positioned within the keyboard to continuously scan each key to detect a key pressed by the user. When the pressing operation of a key / and –or press and release or in touch sensitive devices, the change in the electrical field values triggered by the user is detected, the microcontroller generates a unique scan code that specifies the character or functionality mapped to that change in the system for that user input at that locale of the key. Some of the existing keyboard systems have magnets/magnetic sensors arranged inside the keys. When a user presses a key, the system activates the Hall-effect magnetic sensors associated with the key. In some of the existing keyboard systems, the keystrokes are detected by identifying a change in resistance generated in response to a user action. In general, keyboards are primarily input scan code generators, using a matrix layout of keys, for further HMI interactivity and further processing.
[0004] After generating a scan code, the microcontroller serially transmits the scan code to an appropriate driver, like a keyboard driver within the keyboard system. The keyboard driver sends the scan code to a Central Processing Unit (CPU) of the computing system. The CPU reads the scan code generated by the keyboard microcontroller and translates the scan code into an input code recognizable by the computer operating system by utilizing a translation table within the Basic Input/ Output System (BIOS) code stored in Read Only Memory (ROM) to.
[0005] The traditional keyboard system consists of a fixed set of physical hard-coded keys to input one or more predefined characters. The layout has a pre-defined fixed layout mapping of the keys and their association to specific functionalities. For example, in a normal traditional QWERTY keyboard, there are no dedicated keys for letters or characters with diacritics Also, the traditional QWERTY keyboard does not have keys for representing languages which are not based on the Roman alphabets. As a result, the conventional computer systems require different key boards for providing input text in non-roman script languages, multiple languages and multiple modes of HMI environment.
[0006] In some traditional keyboard systems, the user needs to go through a series of dropdown menus or a table of symbols to input the text in multiple languages. Some input systems have layouts or key-front label markings on the keyboards to guide the user for locating the specific keys. These methods are time consuming, inefficient and often cause inconvenience to the native non-english like language user for multilingual work. Thus, the existing traditional keyboard systems are not capable of providing a mixed language support in a roman script and non-roman script language environment, or, multi-language support to the computer systems. The existing keyboard systems are not convenient or designed to take voice inputs. The same observation holds good for the touch screen mode keyboard inputs.
[0007] In the recent years, the computer systems uses an on-screen or virtual keyboard to facilitate a text entry in multiple languages. The on-screen keyboard is a picture of a keyboard with each key represented as a separate selectable graphic object. A cursor control device such as a mouse is used to move the cursor and select a particular character. In a typical text entry situation, the cursor is moved to a desired key through the direction control operation to select a desired key. However, these systems require a hotkey to select a language displayed on the virtual keyboard. The hotkey-based language switching causes much inconvenience to the users. Furthermore, the on-screen keyboards visually overlap with other graphical user interfaces and screen space and block useful information.
[0008] In some of the multilingual keyboard systems, an inbuilt software algorithm or a hardware circuitry is used for changing the scan code values with respect to a user selected language. These systems have a database that contains a library of the Non-Roman script /Non-English like foreign language characters. The CPU reads the scan code generated by the keyboard microcontroller and translates the scan code into an input code that is recognized by the operating system in a user selected language for screen display. Such mechanisms are not bi-directional and do not make a virtual re-map These additional functionalities cause burden on Random Access Memory (RAM) and processor of the computer which further affect the overall performance/efficiency of the system.
[0009] Hence, there is a need for a system and method for converting the raw scan codes of the keyboard currently functioning like scan code generator, into a device that can serve better in a multilingual and multimodal environment of HMI and make it multiple standards, devices, OS and applications compliant such as the Unicode-Standard for Text and other applicable ISO standards complaint for Voice, without requiring any change in the background functionality of the standard keyboard. Further, there is a need for a system and method for providing a portable and in-expensive universal HMI Interface which is configured to serve better as a ‘language converter’ that acts as an interface between a keyboard and an Operating System (OS)/ application of a computing HMI Digital device. Furthermore, there is a need for a system and method for providing a multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator that allows a keyboard to virtually simulate a keyboard with natural order of characters in the user selected language. There is also a need for a multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator that accepts the scan code inputs from the keyboard and outputs a multilingual Unicode / Standard complaint output to an OS or application of the computing system. Yet there is a need for a multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator that eliminates the need of using different keyboards or key front labels or re-legendable keys or custom key imprinting or pairing of language layouts while providing the multi-language inputs to a computing system. Yet there is a need for a multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator provided with a scan code converter configured to remap the scan code signals from a keyboard with Braille function with the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output corresponding to the desired language selected by the user. Yet there is a need for unifying the Text and Voice elements of Human Language Communication unified and extended to the less privileged brethren of human fraternity as visually challenged and voice impaired.
[0010] The above mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems and user convenient enhancements are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

C) OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for converting the scan codes from a given keyboard processed through a device, which is a 'universal code transformer, remapper and convertor’, to convert, compile, modify, transform and unify the user given additional inputs, to generate a multiple standards compliant or any other user-defined custom code for a HMI device, as output in a language appropriate way as text and/or voice, delivered through appropriate connectivity to user specified HMI (Human Machine Interaction) devices and applications, without requiring any change in the background functionality of the input source hardware device like keyboard.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for providing a portable and inexpensive universal language converter that acts as an interface between a keyboard and an Operating System (OS)/ application of a computing device.
[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for providing a multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator that allows a keyboard in one language- hardware marked layout like English /QWERTY to virtually simulate a keyboard with a natural order or user defined character layout in another language- virtual remapped layout appropriate for user selected language like Indian Brahmi phonetic languages (Kannada, Hindi, Devanagari Sanskrit, Tamil etc;) and other non-English human language layouts and conventions as selected by the user, and key processes in a user selected language.
[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multilingual alphanumeric Standards compliant Code generator, which is Unicode standards compliance for text mode and accepts the scan code inputs from the keyboard to output a multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output to an OS or application or HMI Device of the computing system.
[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multilingual alphanumeric Standards compliant Code generator, which is compliant to Unicode standards for text mode, and eliminates the need of using different keyboards or key front labels or relegendable keys or custom key imprinting or pairing of language layouts while providing the multi-language inputs to a computing system, application or a HMI device.
[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multilingual alphanumeric Standards compliant Code generator, which is Unicode standards generator for text mode and is provided with the scan code converter which is a software interface arranged between a touch sensitive keyboard and a touch screen driving the OS, application or HMI device.
[0017] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multilingual alphanumeric Standards compliant Code generator, which is Unicode or other ISO standards generator in a language character mode with a scan code converter which is a portable hardware interface arranged between a keyboard with Braille function and the operating system, application and HMI device.
[0018] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multilingual alphanumeric Standards compliant Code generator, which is Unicode or other ISO standards, generator for text mode with the scan code converter configured to remap the scan code signals from a keyboard with Braille function with the multilingual Standard complaint output corresponding to the desired language selected by the user.
[0019] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a Keyboard integrated mass data storage taking advantage of bidirectional connectivity of USB and other features, enhancing the hardware utility feature of the keyboard.
[0020] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a visual image input system and method of image processing it together with voice and data input management.
[0021] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method of software tools in built in to the device to make the total unit serve as a Portable multilingual translator and language tools processor.
[0022] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for providing a Supplemental Independent and Additional Input provider in the form of Voice through a Voice- recorder/ receiver, Visual and other supplementary devices ( like Camera/ image capturing devices), along with Keyboard as an add-on input, to be processed in a unified way with tools of speech to text, and the like for generating a multilingual Dictaphone like device to generate voiced text of user in selected language.
[0023] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

D) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a ' scan code enhancing and converting device' which unifies user inputs on scan codes, to output a standards compliant Or custom code as input for a HMI device, in a language appropriate way, alongside other benefits of serving as a mass storage device and multimodal input processor without requiring any change in the background functionality of the keyboard.
[0025] The present invention is particularly related to an intermediary device, positioned between raw scan code generators and a final receiving device / application, needing an enhanced pre-processing of raw input to desired standards compliance, by unifying additional inputs provided by user, for improving efficient functioning of user selected HMI devices. The device also functions as a bi-directional virtual remapper of source device layout and functionality for improving user convenience. The device may also serve as an additional storage and functionalities which the technology of connectivity by USB ports and the like may provide. The present invention is particularly related to a ‘ Keyboard related enhancement as a universal code transformer, remapper and convertor’- which accepts input raw scan codes from a user given device (like keyboard) ; a device which converts, compiles, modifies and transforms given input accepting additional inputs from users, through a program and process to generate a Standards compliant code output; to be delivered through appropriate connectivity to user specified devices, which manage human linguistic communications as text, voice, interactively as HMI (Human Machine Interaction) devices and applications. The output may be multiple standards compliant which for a text could be multilingual Unicode-characters covered under ISO639; for a visually impaired users, a Braille guidelines compliant; for voice and speech, a code compliant to Unified Speech and Audio Coding (USAC) international standard like ISO/IEC 23003-3, ISO/IEC 14496-3:2009/Amd 3 in 2012, Or any other user defined custom code for a HMI device. The present invention is more particularly related to a system and method for converting a given raw scan code input from a device like a keyboard, into a user defined and provided HMI device and applications which work by accepting Standards compliant codes without requiring any change in the background functionality of the standard HMI end use device.
[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system for converting scan code signals from a keyboard into a multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output is provided. The multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system comprises a keyboard, a scan code converter and an operating system. The keyboard enables the user for providing alphanumeric inputs. The keyboard is a keyboard of a particular type or layout. The scan code converter is configured for generating the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output from the scan codes corresponding to the alpha-numeric inputs received from the keyboard. The multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output is generated corresponding to a desired language selected by the user. The Operating System (OS) receives the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output from the processor to display a text on a display screen of a computing device. The text is displayed in the desired language selected by the user.
[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter comprises a plurality of numeric selectors, a language selection unit, an operating system (OS) selection unit, a keyboard type selection unit, a voice input unit, a scan code input unit and a processor. The plurality of numeric selectors is configured to enable the user to provide the input values to the scan code converter. Each numeric selector includes a plurality of alpha-numeric place holders to enable the user to provide the inputs regarding a desired language, a type of operating system, and a keyboard type. The language selection unit includes a first numeric selector configured to enable the user to select the desired language through a plurality of alpha-numeric place holders. There are options to make additional selections by the operating system, end application to which the final output is delivered, and selections for other pre and intermediary processes by which scan code is to be enhanced and unified. The operating system (OS) selection unit includes a second numeric selector configured to enable the user to provide an input regarding the type of OS. The keyboard type selection unit includes a third numeric selector configured to enable the user to provide an input regarding the input providing keyboard device type.
[0028] The voice input unit is configured to enable the user to provide the voice inputs. The voice inputs include the inputs regarding a desired language, a type of operating system, and a keyboard type. The scan code input unit is configured to receive the scan code signals from the keyboard. The scan code signals correspond to the alphanumeric inputs provided by the user through the keyboard. The processor is configured to remap the scan code signals with the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output corresponding to the desired language selected. The processor receives the scan code signals from the scan code input unit.
[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is configured to virtually simulate the keyboard with a natural order of characters in the desired language, (which is naturally phonetic in the case of Indian Languages) selected by the user; or define any kind of virtual key and character layout mapping association.
[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter makes use of the input values from the language selection unit to direct the scan codes into the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output of the desired language without recourse to the key board or the OS.
[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter directly sends the scan code signals from the keyboard to the OS / Applications of the computing device in case the interface is to function in a neutral mode; making the user to continue their work, as if they had no intermediary device.
[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is activated with user inputs/ additional and supplemental inputs when the desired language is selected by the user at the language selection / Interface selection unit.
[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is configured to perform a phonetic strings mapping, multilingual transcriptions, and dictation /speech to text conversions outside of OS / Applications, as a pre-processed input generator, while generating the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output.
[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the processor is a digital signal processor capable of digitally processing the received voice and visual scan code signals.
[0035] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is a portable interface arranged between the keyboard and the OS.
[0036] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is a software interface arranged between a touch sensitive keyboard and a touch screen driving operating systems.
[0037] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is a portable hardware interface arranged between a keyboard with Braille function and the operating system.
[0038] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is capable of remapping the scan code signals from a keyboard with Braille function with the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output corresponding to the desired language selected by the user.
[0039] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first numeric selector in the language selection unit includes three or more alpha numeric place holders enabling the user to feed the input values between 0000 and 9999 / alpha-numeric code of desired value for selecting a desired language and user input features.
[0040] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the language selection unit enables the user to switch from one language to another language outside of the OS and applications, without intervening with the software applications.
[0041] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the keyboard types include the keyboards with a layout selected from a group consisting of QWERTY keyboard, AZERTY keyboard, QWERTZ keyboard and HCESAR keyboard or any custom design and layouts.
[0042] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the input value regarding the type of OS represents the OS that is run by the user on the computing device.
[0043] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the type of OS is selected from a group consisting of Windows (versions), Mac, Linux and the like.
[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises a keyboard, a scan code converter and an Operating System (OS)/ application of the computing device. The keyboard is a keyboard of any type or layout. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the keyboard, which at its core of human language character set layout is a standard QWERTY keyboard that comprises a Roman alphabet set with twenty-six base letters, ten cardinal numbers and a finite set of other special symbols and characters and marks for formatting document layout . The special keys on some of the keyboards would be virtually remapped for user defined functionality, without requiring any change in the background functionality of the keyboard.
[0045] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is a portable interface that is externally connected between the keyboard and the OS/application of the computing device. The scan code converter further comprises a language selection unit, an OS selection unit, a keyboard type selection unit, a processor, a plurality of numeric selectors, a voice input unit, a scan code input unit and a Unicode output unit. Each numeric select or further comprises a plurality of alpha-numeric place holders that allows a user to feed the input values to the scan code converter. The language selection unit is a numeric selector with three or more alpha-numeric place holders which allows a user to input values between 0000and 9999. Each numerical corresponds to a language or user choice value input.
[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is configured to allow a user to provide the inputs through the plurality of numeric selectors. The language selection unit is configured to allow the user to select a desired language through a numeric selector for languages. The language selection unit is also configured to allow a user to switch from one language to another language through the numeric selector for languages. The OS selection unit is configured to allow the user to select a desired OS through a numeric selector for OS. The keyboard type selection unit is configured to allow the user to select a desired keyboard type or layout through a numeric selector for keyboard type.
[0047] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the processor in the scan code converter is configured to receive the user inputs from the language selection unit, OS selection unit, and the keyboard type selection unit. The processor is also configured to receive the scan code signals from the keyboard through a scan code input unit. Upon receiving the scan code signals and user inputs, the processor is configured to remap the scan code signals with a user selected language appropriate Unicode output. Further, the processor is configured to send the Unicode output to the OS/application of the computing system.
[0048] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is configured to allow the keyboard (with Roman alphabet characters and non-natural arrangement of user language characters) to virtually simulate a keyboard with natural order of characters in the user selected language.
[0049] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter uses the keyboard for generating the scan codes only and shifts the language selection and language appropriate template mapping to units placed outside the keyboard hardware.
[0050] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter uses the input values at the language selection unit to direct the scan codes into a Unicode output of a user desired language without recourse to the standard key board or the OS.
[0051] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter does not disturb the primary template or keyboard layout which is printed or pre-coded on the standard keyboard.
[0052] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter directly sends the scan code signals generated in the keyboard to the OS/application of the computing device, when the user does not selects any language at the language selection unit.
[0053] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter gets activated, when the user selects a desired language at the language selection unit. Upon activating, the processor in the scan code converter virtually overrides the keyboard layout with the natural order of characters in the user selected language. Thus the scan code converter does not influence the background functionality of the standard keyboard. For example, when the user selects the Kannada language in the language selection unit of the scan code converter, and types the ‘a’ –key in a standard QWERTY keyboard, the keyboard sends the scan code of ‘a’ (lower case- Unicode value 0061) to the scan code converter. The scan code converter receives the input scan code from the standard QWERTY keyboard and remaps the scan code with Kannada language appropriate –Unicode 0c95 ?.
[0054] When the user switches the language from Kannada to Hindi language, the scan code converter remaps the scan code of ‘a’ with Hindi language appropriate- Unicode 0915 - ?. The user maps in mind the Kannada or Hindi phonetic sound keeping in view the expected display on the computer screen.
[0055] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter generates the fully functional standards complaint output code according to Unicode standards. Thus the system avoids all conflicts of proprietary software coding limitations and OS /application specific processing.
[0056] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter generates Unicode-Standards complaint output for the user selected language and automatically takes care of language appropriate phonetics. The visual rendering of the Unicode as a display on the screen has to match the script symbol notation provided in the Standards and accepted by the language user community; and this functionality is the technical – program responsibility of the OS and Application.
[0057] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is also configured to perform a phonetic strings mapping, multilingual transcriptions, and dictation /speech to text conversions while providing the multi-language inputs to the computing system.
[0058] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the voice input- interactivity unit is configured to allow a user to provide the inputs such as desired language, OS, and keyboard type through voice. The voice input - interactivity unit is also configured to forward the user inputs to the processor.
[0059] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code input unit is configured to receive the scan code signals from the keyboard and forward the signals to the processor.
[0060] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the Unicode output unit is configured to forward the Unicode output signals from the scan code converter to the OS/application of the computing system.
[0061] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the processor is a digital signal processor that digitally processes the received signals.
[0062] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter works on each keystroke as a scan code input, irrespective of the diacritical character or otherwise nature of the language. The scan code converter maps the keyboard scan code inputs with a user selected language appropriate Unicode output. Further, there is no limitation of diacritical characters, which does not apply to Non-roman character sets, especially of Indian languages.
[0063] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan codes of the keyboard is trapped at the interface of the scan code converter before the scan codes is passed to the CPU and the Basic Input/ Output System (BIOS) of the computing system. The mapping of scan code with the user selected language appropriate Unicode output is done prior to the reaching of signal at the OS of the computing system.
[0064] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the user provides inputs such as desired language, Operating System (OS), and keyboard type to the scan code converter through a plurality of numeric selectors. A processor in the scan code converter receives the scan code signals from a standard keyboard. The processor also receives the user inputs such as desired language, Operating System (OS), and keyboard type from respective selection units. Upon receiving the scan code signals and user inputs, the processor remaps the scan code signals of the keyboard with a user selected language appropriate Unicode output. For example, when the user selects the Kannada language in the language selection unit of the scan code converter and types the ‘a’ –key in a standard QWERTY keyboard, the keyboard sends the scan code of ‘a’ (lower case- Unicode value 0061) to the scan code converter. The scan code converter receives the input scan code from the standard QWERTY keyboard and remaps the scan code with Kannada language appropriate –Unicode 0c95 ?.
[0065] When the user switches the language from Kannada to Hindi language, the scan code converter remaps the scan code of ‘a’ with Hindi language appropriate- Unicode 0915 - ?. The user maps in mind the Kannada or Hindi phonetic sound keeping in view the expected display on the computer screen. Further, the processor sends the Unicode output to the OS/application of the computing system which displays the text on the computer screen.
[0066] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating the preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of an illustration and not of a limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0067] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:
[0068] FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0069] FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of a scan code converter, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0070] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart explaining a method for converting a keyboard scan codes into a multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0071] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a universal language key board used with a universal scan code converter, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0072] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a Kannada key board used with a universal scan code converter, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0073] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a Hindi key board used with a universal scan code converter, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0074] FIG.7 illustrates a top view of a Tamil key board used with a universal scan code converter, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0075] Although the specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.

F) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0076] In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0077] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator that converts the scan codes of a keyboard into a multilingual Unicode-Standards complaint output without requiring any change in the background functionality of the standard keyboard.
[0078] The present invention is particularly related to an intermediary device, positioned between raw scan code generators and a final receiving device / application, needing an enhanced pre-processing of raw input to desired standards compliance, by unifying additional inputs provided by user, for improving efficient functioning of user selected HMI devices. The device also functions as a bi-directional virtual remapper of source device layout and functionality for improving user convenience. The device may also serve as an additional storage and functionalities which the technology of connectivity by USB ports and the like may provide. The present invention is particularly related to a ‘ Keyboard related enhancement as a universal code transformer, remapper and convertor’- which accepts input raw scan codes from a user given device (like keyboard) ; a device which converts, compiles, modifies and transforms given input accepting additional inputs from users, through a program and process to generate a Standards compliant code output; to be delivered through appropriate connectivity to user specified devices, which manage human linguistic communications as text, voice, interactively as HMI (Human Machine Interaction) devices and applications. The output may be multiple standards compliant which for a text could be multilingual Unicode-characters covered under ISO639; for a visually impaired users, a Braille guidelines compliant ; for voice and speech, a code compliant to Unified Speech and Audio Coding (USAC) international standard ISO/IEC 23003-3, ISO/IEC 14496-3:2009/Amd 3 in 2012, Or any other user defined custom code for a HMI device. The present invention is more particularly related to a system and method for converting a given raw scan code input from a device like a keyboard, into a user defined and provided HMI device and applications which work by accepting Standards compliant codes without requiring any change in the background functionality of the standard HMI end use device.
[0079] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system for converting scan code signals from a keyboard into a multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output is provided. The multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system comprises a keyboard, a scan code converter and an operating system. The keyboard enables the user for providing alphanumeric inputs. The keyboard is a keyboard of a particular type or layout. The scan code converter is configured for generating the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output from the scan codes corresponding to the alpha-numeric inputs received from the keyboard. The multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output is generated corresponding to a desired language selected by the user. The Operating System (OS) receives the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output from the processor to display a text on a display screen of a computing device. The text is displayed in the desired language selected by the user.
[0080] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter comprises a plurality of numeric selectors, a language selection unit, an operating system (OS) selection unit, a keyboard type selection unit, a voice input unit, a scan code input unit and a processor. The plurality of numeric selectors is configured to enable the user to provide the input values to the scan code converter. Each numeric selector includes a plurality of alpha-numeric place holders to enable the user to provide the inputs regarding a desired language, a type of operating system, and a keyboard type. The language selection unit includes a first numeric selector configured to enable the user to select the desired language through a plurality of alpha-numeric place holders. The operating system (OS) selection unit includes a second numeric selector configured to enable the user to provide an input regarding the type of OS. The keyboard type selection unit includes a third numeric selector configured to enable the user to provide an input regarding the keyboard type.
[0081] The voice input unit is configured to enable the user to provide the voice inputs. The voice inputs include the inputs regarding a desired language, a type of operating system, and a keyboard type. The scan code input unit is configured to receive the scan code signals from the keyboard. The scan code signals correspond to the alphanumeric inputs provided by the user through the keyboard. The processor is configured to remap the scan code signals with the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output corresponding to the desired language selected. The processor receives the scan code signals from the scan code input unit.
[0082] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is configured to virtually simulate the keyboard with a natural order of characters in the desired language selected by the user.
[0083] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter makes use of the input values from the language selection unit to direct the scan codes into the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output of the desired language without recourse to the standard key board or the OS.
[0084] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter directly sends the scan code signals from the keyboard to the OS of the computing device in case the desired language is not selected.
[0085] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is activated when the desired language is selected by the user at the language selection unit.
[0086] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is configured to perform a phonetic strings mapping, multilingual transcriptions, and dictation /speech to text conversions while generating the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output.
[0087] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the processor is a digital signal processor capable of digitally processing the received scan code signals.
[0088] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is a portable interface and / OR Integrally unified unit on the keyboard hardware arranged between the keyboard and the OS.
[0089] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is a software interface arranged between a touch sensitive keyboard and a touch screen driving operating systems.
[0090] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is a portable hardware interface and / OR Integrally unified unit on the keyboard hardware arranged between a keyboard with Braille function and the operating system.
[0091] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is capable of remapping the scan code signals from a keyboard with Braille function with the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output corresponding to the desired language selected by the user.
[0092] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first numeric selector in the language selection unit includes three alpha numeric place holders enabling the user to feed the input values between 000 and 999 for selecting a desired language.
[0093] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the language selection unit enables the user to switch from one language to another language.
[0094] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the keyboard types include the keyboards with a layout selected from a group consisting of QWERTY keyboard, AZERTY keyboard, QWERTZ keyboard and HCESAR keyboard or other keyboards and layouts.
[0095] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the input value regarding the type of OS represents the OS that is run by the user on the computing device.
[0096] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the type of OS is selected from a group consisting of Windows (versions), Mac, Linux and the like.
[0097] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises a keyboard, a scan code converter and an Operating System (OS)/ application of the computing device. The keyboard is a keyboard of any type or layout. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the keyboard is a standard QWERTY keyboard that comprises a Roman alphabet set with twenty-six base letters, ten cardinal numbers and a finite set of other characters and symbols.
[0098] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is a portable interface that is externally connected between the keyboard and the OS/application of the computing device and / OR Integrally unified unit on the keyboard hardware. The scan code converter further comprises a language selection unit, an OS selection unit, a keyboard type selection unit, a processor, a plurality of numeric selectors, a voice input unit, a scan code input unit and a Unicode output unit. Each numeric selector further comprises a plurality of alpha-numeric place holders that allows a user to feed the input values to the scan code converter. The language selection unit is a numeric selector with three alpha-numeric place holders which allows a user to input values between 000 and 999. Each numerical corresponds to a language.
[0099] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is configured to allow a user to provide the inputs through the plurality of numeric selectors. The language selection unit is configured to allow the user to select a desired language through a numeric selector for languages. The language selection unit is also configured to allow a user to switch from one language to another language through the numeric selector for languages. The OS selection unit is configured to allow the user to select a desired OS through a numeric selector for OS. The keyboard type selection unit is configured to allow the user to select a desired keyboard type through a numeric selector for keyboard type.
[00100] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the processor in the scan code converter is configured to receive the user inputs from the language selection unit, OS selection unit, and the keyboard type selection unit. The processor is also configured to receive the scan code signals from the keyboard through a scan code input unit. Upon receiving the scan code signals and user inputs, the processor is configured to remap the scan code signals with a user selected language appropriate Unicode output. Further, the processor is configured to send the Unicode output to the OS/application of the computing system.
[00101] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is configured to allow the keyboard (with Roman alphabet characters and non-natural arrangement of user language characters) to virtually simulate a keyboard with natural order of characters in the user selected language.
[00102] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter uses the keyboard for generating the scan codes only and shifts the language selection and language appropriate template mapping to units placed outside the keyboard hardware.
[00103] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter uses the input values at the language selection unit to direct the scan codes into a Unicode output of a user desired language without recourse to the standard key board or the OS.
[00104] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter does not disturb the primary template or keyboard layout which is printed or pre-coded on the standard keyboard.
[00105] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter directly sends the scan code signals generated in the keyboard to the OS/application of the computing device, when the user does not selects any language at the language selection unit.
[00106] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter gets activated, when the user selects a desired language at the language selection unit. Upon activating, the processor in the scan code converter virtually overrides the keyboard layout with the natural order of characters in the user selected language. Thus the scan code converter does not influence the background functionality of the standard keyboard. For example, when the user selects the Kannada language in the language selection unit of the scan code converter, and types ‘a’ –key in a standard QWERTY keyboard, the keyboard sends the scan code of ‘a’ (lower case- Unicode value 0061) to the scan code converter. The scan code converter receives the input scan code from the standard QWERTY keyboard and remaps the scan code with Kannada language appropriate –Unicode 0c95 ?.
[00107] When the user switches the language from Kannada to Hindi language, the scan code converter remaps the scan code of ‘a’ with Hindi language appropriate- Unicode 0915 - ?. The user maps in mind the Kannada or Hindi phonetic sound keeping in view the expected display on the computer screen.
[00108] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter generates the fully functional standards complaint output code according to Unicode standards. Thus the system avoids all conflicts of proprietary software coding limitations and OS /application specific processing.
[00109] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter generates Unicode-Standards complaint output for the user selected language and automatically takes care of language appropriate phonetics.
[00110] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter is also configured to perform a phonetic strings mapping, multilingual transcriptions, and dictation /speech to text conversions while providing the multi-language inputs to the computing system.
[00111] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the voice input unit is configured to allow a user to provide the inputs such as desired language, OS, and keyboard type through voice. The voice input unit is also configured to forward the user inputs to the processor.
[00112] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code input unit is configured to receive the scan code signals from the keyboard and forward the signals to the processor.
[00113] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the Unicode output unit is configured to forward the Unicode output signals from the scan code converter to the OS/application of the computing system.
[00114] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the processor is a digital signal processor that digitally processes the received signals.
[00115] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter works on each keystroke as a scan code input, irrespective of the diacritical character or otherwise nature of the language. The scan code converter maps the keyboard scan code inputs with a user selected language appropriate Unicode output. Further, there is no limitation of diacritical characters, which does not apply to Non-roman character sets, especially of Indian languages.
[00116] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan codes of the keyboard is trapped at the interface of the scan code converter before the scan codes is passed to the CPU and the Basic Input/ Output System (BIOS) of the computing system. The mapping of scan code with the user selected language appropriate Unicode output is done prior to the reaching of signal at the OS of the computing system.
[00117] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the user provides inputs such as desired language, Operating System (OS), and keyboard type to the scan code converter through a plurality of numeric selectors. A processor in the scan code converter receives the scan code signals from a standard keyboard. The processor also receives the user inputs such as desired language, Operating System (OS), and keyboard type from respective selection units. Upon receiving the scan code signals and user inputs, the processor remaps the scan code signals of the keyboard with a user selected language appropriate Unicode output. For example, when the user selects the Kannada language in the language selection unit of the scan code converter and types the ‘a’ –key in a standard QWERTY keyboard, the keyboard sends the scan code of ‘a’ (lower case- Unicode value 0061) to the scan code converter. The scan code converter receives the input scan code from the standard QWERTY keyboard and remaps the scan code with Kannada language appropriate –Unicode 0C95 ?.
[00118] When the user switches the language from Kannada to Hindi language, the scan code converter remaps the scan code of ‘a’ with Hindi language appropriate- Unicode 0915 - ?. The user maps in mind the Kannada or Hindi phonetic sound keeping in view the expected display on the computer screen. Further, the processor sends the Unicode output to the OS/application of the computing system which displays the text on the computer screen.
[00119] FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG.1, the system 100 comprises keyboard 101, scan code converter 102, and Operating System (OS)/ application 103 of the computing device. The scan code converter 102 is a portable interface that is externally connected between the keyboard 101 and the OS/application 103 of the computing device. The keyboard 101 is a keyboard of any type or layout. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the keyboard 101 is a standard QWERTY keyboard that comprises a Roman alphabet set with twenty-six base letters, ten cardinal numbers and a finite set of other characters and symbols. The keyboard 101 enables a user to provide alpha-numeric inputs to be displayed on a display screen of a computing system.
[00120] The scan code converter 102 is a hardware attachment/unit/interface placed between the keyboard 101 and OS 103. The scan code converter 102 receives the alpha-numeric inputs from the keyboard to generate a multilingual Unicode-Standards complaint output corresponding to a desired language selected by the user. The scan code converter 102 comprises a language selection unit for enabling the user to provide inputs for selecting the desired language for the keyboard 101. Once the desired language is selected by the user, the scan code converter 102 is activated. The scan code converter is further configured to enable the user to provide input regarding keyboard type and type of operating system used by the user. The types of the keyboard indicate keyboards with different layouts including but not limited to QWERTY type keyboard, AZERTY type keyboard, QWERTZ type keyboard and HCESAR type keyboard. The input regarding keyboard type is provided to identify the keyboard type providing inputs to the scan code converter 102 to process and generate output to be fed to the OS 103. Further, the type of the OS 103 run by the user is also provided. The OS 103 run by the user includes but are not limited to Windows (versions), Mac, Linux and the like.
[00121] The scan code converter 102 comprises a processor capable of virtually simulating a keyboard with the natural order of characters on the keyboard 102 in the desired language selected by the user. The bi-directional and virtual simulation of the keyboard-layout is done through a set of instructions executed by a processor and compiler combination in the scan code converter 102. The scan code converter 102 is configured to convert the scan codes output from the keyboard 101 into a multilingual Unicode-Standards complaint output without requiring any change in the background functionality of the keyboard 101. The scan code signals correspond to the alphanumeric inputs provided by the user through the keyboard 101. The multilingual Unicode-Standards complaint output is provided to the operating system 103 in a format compatible with the type of OS run by the user. The multilingual Unicode-Standards complaint output is displayed on the display screen of the computing device as a text in the desired language selected by the user. The scan code converter 102 is a hardware attachment installed through a USB port. Since, the scan code converter 102 operates from a position outside of OS 103 and applications that come under that OS 103. Therefore, the scan code converter 102 is flexible with all types of OS without any constraint.
[00122] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter 102 is upgraded to evolve as a part of touch screen display in the electronic devices. The electronic devices with touch screen display include but are not limited to smart phones, tablets, laptops etc. The scan code converter 102 is provided as a software interface between the soft key board and touch screen driving operating systems/software in the electronic devices with touch screen display. The soft key board comprises a soft key board layout which is configured to enable a user to provide touch inputs. The scan code converter 102 further enables the user to provide user inputs regarding desired language, type of touch screen operating drive systems, and soft key board type. The user inputs are provided either through voice inputs or touch inputs on pop-up menus that appear on the touch screen display. Each soft key board type comprises a soft key board layout enabling a user to provide touch inputs.
[00123] The scan code converter 102 is configured to allow the soft key board to virtually simulate the soft key board layout with natural order of characters in the user selected language. The processor in the scan code converter 102 is configured to analyze the touch screen codes generated by touch inputs provided on the soft key board layout to be displayed as characters on the touch screen display based on the desired language selected by the user. The bi-directional and virtual simulation of the soft keyboard-layout is done through a set of instructions executed by the processor and a compiler combination in the scan code converter 102. The scan code converter 102 is configured to convert the touch screen codes into a multilingual Unicode-Standards complaint output.
[00124] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter 102 is used as an interface for the keyboard 101 with Braille function. The keyboard 101 with Braille function includes the keyboard overlaid with a plastic keyboard top cover with Braille symbols. The plastic keyboard top cover carries/is engraved specific brail symbols as popped dots at the key positions. The scan code converter 102 is a hardware attachment placed between the keyboard 101 with Braille function and OS 103. The scan code converter 102 further enables the user to provide user inputs regarding desired language, type of operating systems, and key board type.
[00125] The processor in the scan code converter 102 is configured to allow the key board to virtually simulate the key board with natural order of characters in the desired language selected by the user. The processor in the scan code converter 102 processes the scan codes generated by inputs provided on the key board with Braille function to be displayed as characters on the display screen based on the desired language selected by the user. The bi-directional and virtual simulation of the keyboard-layout is performed through a program in the processor and a compiler combination. The scan code converter 102 is configured to convert the scan codes into a multilingual Unicode-Standards complaint output.
[00126] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter 102 is configured to allow a user to provide inputs such as a desired language, OS and keyboard type through a plurality of numeric selectors.
[00127] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter 102 is configured to allow the keyboard 101 to virtually simulate a keyboard with natural order of characters in the user selected language.
[00128] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter 102 makes the keyboard 101 as only a scan code generator and shifts the language selection and language appropriate template mapping to units outside of the keyboard 101.
[00129] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter 102 uses the language input values to direct the scan codes into a Unicode output of user desired language without recourse to the standard key board 101 or the OS 103.
[00130] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter 102 does not disturb the primary template or keyboard layout which is printed or pre-coded on the keyboard 101.
[00131] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the OS/application 103 of the computing device is configured to receive the Unicode output from the scan code converter 102 and displays the text on the computer screen.
[00132] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the user does not selects any language, the scan code converter 102 directly sends the scan code signals generated in the keyboard 101 to the OS/application 103 of the computing device.
[00133] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the user selects a desired language, the scan code converter 102 gets activated. Upon activating, the scan code converter 102 virtually overrides the keyboard 101 layout with the natural order of characters in the user selected language. Thus, the scan code converter 102 does not influence the background functionality of the keyboard 101. For example, when the user selects the Kannada language in the scan code converter 102 and types the ‘a’ –key in a standard QWERTY keyboard, the keyboard 101 sends the scan code of ‘a’ (lower case- Unicode value 0061) to the scan code converter 102. The scan code converter 102 receives the input scan code from the standard QWERTY keyboard 101and remaps the scan code with Kannada language appropriate –Unicode 0c95 ?. When the user switches the language from Kannada to Hindi language, the scan code converter 102 remaps the scan code of ‘a’ with Hindi language appropriate- Unicode 0915 - ?. The user maps in mind the Kannada or Hindi phonetic sound keeping in view the expected display on the computer screen.
[00134] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter 102 generates a fully functional standards complaint output code according to Unicode standards. Thus, the system 100 avoids all conflicts of proprietary software coding limitations and OS /application specific processing.
[00135] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter 102 generates the Unicode-Standards complaint output for the user selected language and automatically takes care of language appropriate phonetics.
[00136] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter 102 is also configured to perform the phonetic strings mapping, multilingual transcriptions, and dictation /speech to text conversions while providing multi-language inputs to the computing system.
[00137] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter 102 works on each keystroke as a scan code input, irrespective of the diacritical or otherwise nature of the language. The scan code converter 102 maps the keyboard scan code inputs with a user selected language appropriate Unicode output.
[00138] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan codes of the keyboard 101 is trapped at the interface of the scan code converter 102 before the scan codes goes into the CPU and the Basic Input/ Output System (BIOS) 103 of the computing system. The mapping of scan code with the user selected appropriate Unicode output is done prior to the signal reaching the OS103 of the computing system.
[00139] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a user input device 104 is connected to scan code converter 102 to input voice or visual signals selected OS, Key board and the like.
[00140] FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of a scan code converter, according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 2, the scan code converter 102 is explained. The scan code converter 102 comprises the language selection unit 201, OS selection unit 202,keyboard type selection unit 203, processor 204, plurality of numeric selectors (201a, 202a, and 203a), voice input unit 205, scan code input unit 206, and Unicode output unit 207. The plurality of numeric selectors 201a, 202a, and 203a is configured to enable the user to provide input values to the scan code converter 102. Each numeric selectors among the plurality of numeric selectors 201a, 202a, and 203a comprises a plurality of alpha-numeric place holders. Each numeric selector is configured to enable the user to provide inputs regarding desired language, type of operating system, and keyboard type.
[00141] The language selection unit 201comprises a first numeric selector 201a configured to enable the user to select the desired language through a plurality of alpha-numeric place holders. The first numeric selector 201a in the language selection unit 201 comprises three alpha numeric place holders enabling the user to feed the input values between 000 and 999 for selecting a desired language. Each numeral between 000 and 999 represent a language. The desired language is selected to direct the scan codes in languages including Indian languages like Kannada, Hindi, and Sanskrit having conjunct characters without the need to recourse to the keyboard or the OS. The language selection unit 201 is further configured to enable the user to switch from one language to another language by feeding the input values between 000 and 999. The selection of desired language through the language selection unit 201 activates the scan code convertor 102. Based on the input values from the language selection unit 201,the scan code converter 102 is configured to direct the scan codes into the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output appropriate for the desired language without recourse to the key board or the OS.
[00142] Further, an operating system (OS) selection unit 202 comprises a second numeric selector 202a configured to enable the user to provide input regarding type of OS. The second numeric selector 202a comprises a plurality of alpha-numeric place holders enabling the user to provide a numeral as the input. The OS selection unit 202 is further configured to enable the user to provide an input corresponding to the type of OS run by the user. The type of OS run by the user includes but is not limited to Windows (versions), Mac, Linux and the like. The input value regarding the type of the OS enables the scan code converter 102 to process the scan code signals and generate an output in a format compatible with the type of the OS.
[00143] The keyboard type selection unit 203 comprises a third numeric selector 203a configured to enable the user to provide input values corresponding to the type of keyboard used. The type of keyboard indicates keyboards with different layouts including but not limited to QWERTY type keyboard, AZERTY type keyboard, QWERTZ type keyboard and HCESAR type keyboard. The input values regarding the type of keyboard is provided to identify the type of keyboard used for generating scan code signals as input to the scan code converter 102 to process and generate output to be fed to the OS. Further, the scan code convertor 102 comprises the voice input unit 205 configured to enable the user to provide voice inputs. The voice inputs include inputs regarding desired language, type of operating system, and keyboard type. Therefore, the scan code converter 102 is capable of receiving the inputs regarding desired language, type of operating system, and keyboard type either as voice inputs or input values from the plurality of numeric selectors 201a, 202a, and 203a.
[00144] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter has a user input device 208 for providing voice or visual signals selected OS, Key board type and the like.
[00145] The processor 204 is configured to receive the inputs regarding desired language, type of operating system, and keyboard type from the plurality of numeric selectors 201a, 202a, and 203a and the voice input unit 205. The processor 204 in the scan code converter 102 is configured to virtually override the keyboard layout with the natural order of characters in the desired language selected by the user. The virtual simulation of the keyboard-layout is done through a set of instructions executed by a processor 204 and compiler combination in the scan code converter 102. Therefore, the scan code converter 102 does not influence the background functionality of the standard keyboard.
[00146] The scan code input unit 206 is configured to receive the scan code signals from the keyboard. The scan code signals correspond to the alpha-numeric inputs provided by the user through the keyboard. The user enters the alpha-numeric input through the standard keyboard. The scan code input unit 206 further forwards the signals to the processor 204. Upon receiving the scan code signals and the input values regarding desired language, type of operating system, and keyboard type, the processor 204 is configured to remap the scan code signals with a desired language appropriate Unicode output 207. Further, the processor 204 is configured to send the Unicode output 207 to the OS/application of the computing system. Therefore, the Unicode output 207 is a multilingual Unicode-Standards complaint output generated corresponding to the desired language selected among multiple languages.
[00147] The scan code converter 102 is further configured to perform the phonetic strings mapping, multilingual transcriptions, and dictation/speech to text conversions while providing Unicode output 207 to the computing system. The processor 204 makes use of the mapping tables and software present in scan code converter 102to perform the selections and mappings needed for phonetic and multilingual transcriptions.
[00148] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code converter 102 is configured to allow a user to provide the inputs through the plurality of numeric selectors. The language selection unit 201 is configured to allow the user to select a desired language through a numeric selector 201a for languages. The language selection unit 201 is also configured to allow a user to switch from one language to another language through the numeric selector for language 201a. The OS selection unit 202 is configured to allow the user to select a desired OS through a numeric selector for OS 202a. The keyboard type selection unit 203 is configured to allow the user to select a desired keyboard type through a numeric selector for keyboard type 203a.
[00149] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the processor 204 is configured to receive the user inputs from the language selection unit 201, OS selection unit 202, and the keyboard type selection unit 203. The processor 204 is also configured to receive the scan code signals from the keyboard through a scan code input unit 206. Upon receiving the scan code signals and user inputs, the processor 204 is configured to remap the scan code signals with a user selected language appropriate Unicode output. Further, the processor 204 is configured to send the Unicode output to the OS/application of the computing system.
[00150] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the voice input unit 205 is configured to allow a user to provide the inputs such as desired language, OS, and keyboard type through voice. The voice input unit 205 is also configured to forward the user inputs to the processor 204.
[00151] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the scan code input unit 206 is configured to receive the scan code signals from the keyboard and forward the signals to the processor 204.
[00152] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the processor 204 is a digital signal processor that digitally processes the received signals.
[00153] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the Unicode output unit 207 is configured to forward the Unicode output signals from the scan code converter to the OS/application of the computing system.
[00154] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart explaining a method for converting a keyboard scan codes into a multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Initially, the user provides inputs such as desired language, type of Operating System (OS), and keyboard type to the scan code converter through a plurality of numeric selectors (301). Further, the user provides inputs through the keyboard for exhibiting on a display screen of a computing device (302). A processor in the scan code converter receives inputs from the keyboard as scan code signals. The processor also receives the inputs such as desired language, Operating System (OS), and keyboard type from respective selection units (303). Upon receiving the scan code signals and user inputs, the processor remaps the scan code signals of the keyboard with the desired language appropriate Unicode output (304).
[00155] For example, when the user selects the Kannada language in the language selection unit of the scan code converter and types the ‘a’ –key in a standard QWERTY keyboard, the keyboard sends the scan code of ‘a’ (lower case- Unicode value 0061) to the scan code converter. The scan code converter receives the input scan code from the standard QWERTY keyboard and remaps the scan code with Kannada language appropriate –Unicode 0c95 ?. When the user switches the language from Kannada to Hindi language, the scan code converter remaps the scan code of ‘a’ with Hindi language appropriate- Unicode 0915 - ?. The user maps in mind the Kannada or Hindi phonetic sound keeping in view the expected display on the computer screen. Further, the processor sends the Unicode output to the OS/application of the computing system which displays the text on the display screen of the computing device (305).
[00156] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a universal language key board used with a universal scan code converter, according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG.4, the alphabets are arranged in the natural order of the alphabets figured in the native language list.
[00157] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a Kannada key board used with a universal scan code converter, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The keyboard 501 is a standard QWERTY keyboard that comprises a Roman alphabet set with twenty-six base letters, ten cardinal numbers and a finite set of other characters and symbols. A hardware attachment of a scan code converter provided between the keyboard 501 and the operating system of the computing device is capable of bidirectional remapping and virtually simulating a keyboard with natural order of characters in a desired language selected by the user.The bi-directional and virtual simulation of the keyboard-layout is done through a set of instruction executed by a processor and compiler combination in the scan code converter.
[00158] The scan code converter is activated upon selecting the desired language by the user. The desired language selected for keyboard 501 in FIG. 5 is Kannada. The scan code converter is configured to allow the keyboard 501 to virtually simulate a keyboard with natural order of characters in the desired language selected by the user. Therefore, the keyboard 501is configured to virtually simulate the keyboard with natural order of characters in the Kannada language. The user is enabled to virtually observe the English- QWERTY key board as Kannada Keyboard with character mapping as depicted in FIG. 5. When the user provides alpha-numeric inputs on the keyboard 501, the scan code converter receives the input alphanumeric inputs as scan code signals. The scan code signals are further converted into Unicode output appropriate for Kannada language. For example, when the user types the ‘a’ –key in a standard QWERTY keyboard, the keyboard 501 sends the scan code of ‘a’ (lower case- Unicode value 0061) to the scan code converter. The scan code converter receives the input scan code from the standard QWERTY keyboard and remaps the scan code with Kannada language appropriate –Unicode 0c95 ?. Therefore, on typing the lower case letter ‘a’, the Kannada letter ‘?’ is displayed on the display screen of a computing device. The user maps in mind the Kannada phonetic sound keeping in view the expected display on the computer screen. The scan code converter makes use of the mapping tables and software codes to perform the selections and mappings needed for phonetic and multilingual transcriptions.
[00159] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a Hindi key board used with a universal scan code converter, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The keyboard 601 is a standard QWERTY keyboard that comprises a Roman alphabet set with twenty-six base letters, ten cardinal numbers and a finite set of other characters and symbols. A hardware attachment of a scan code converter is provided between the keyboard 601 and the operating system of the computing device for bidirectional remapping and virtually simulating a keyboard with natural order of characters in a desired language selected by the user. The bi-directional and virtual simulation of the keyboard-layout is done through a set of instructions executed by a processor and compiler combination in the scan code converter.
[00160] The scan code converter is activated on selecting the desired language by the user. The desired language selected for keyboard 601 in FIG. 6 is Hindi. The scan code converter is configured to allow the keyboard 601 to virtually simulate a keyboard with natural order of characters in the desired language Hindi selected by the user. The user is enabled to virtually observe the English- QWERTY key board as Hindi Keyboard with character mapping as depicted in FIG. 6.When the user provides alpha-numeric inputs on the keyboard 601, the scan code converter receives the input alphanumeric inputs as scan code signals. The scan code signals are further converted into Unicode output appropriate for Hindi language. For example, when the user types ‘a’ –key in a standard QWERTY keyboard, the keyboard 601 sends the scan code of ‘a’ (lower case- Unicode value 0061) to the scan code converter. The scan code converter remaps the scan code of ‘a’ with Hindi language appropriate- Unicode 0915 - ?. Therefore, on typing the lower case letter ‘a’, the Hindi letter ‘?’ is displayed on the display screen of a computing device. The user maps in mind the Hindi phonetic sound keeping in view the expected display on the computer screen. The scan code converter makes use of the mapping tables and software codes to perform the selections and mappings needed for phonetic and multilingual transcriptions.
[00161] FIG.7 illustrates a top view of a Tamil key board used with a universal scan code converter, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The keyboard 701 is a standard QWERTY keyboard that comprises a Roman alphabet set with twenty-six base letters, ten cardinal numbers and a finite set of other characters and symbols. A hardware attachment of a scan code converter is provided between the keyboard 701 and the operating system of the computing device for bidirectional remapping and virtually simulating a keyboard with natural order of characters in a desired language selected by the user.
[00162] The scan code converter is activated on selecting the desired language by the user. The desired language selected for keyboard 701 in FIG. 7 is Tamil. The scan code converter is configured to allow the keyboard 701 to virtually simulate a keyboard with natural order of characters in the desired language ‘Tamil’ selected by the user. The user is enabled to virtually observe the English- QWERTY key board as Tamil. When the user provides alpha-numeric inputs on the keyboard 701, the scan code converter receives the input alphanumeric inputs as scan code signals. The scan code signals are further converted into Unicode output appropriate for Tamil language. The user maps in mind the Tamil phonetic sound keeping in view the expected display on the computer screen. The scan code converter makes use of the mapping tables and software codes to perform the selections and mappings needed for phonetic and multilingual transcriptions.
[00163] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.

G) ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[00164] The present invention is particularly related to an intermediary device, positioned between raw scan code generators and a final receiving device / application, needing an enhanced pre-processing of raw input to desired standards compliance, by unifying additional inputs provided by user, for improving efficient functioning of user selected HMI devices. The device also functions as a bi-directional virtual remapper of source device layout and functionality for improving user convenience. The device may also serve as an additional storage and functionalities which the technology of connectivity by USB ports and the like may provide. The present invention is particularly related to a ‘ Keyboard related enhancement as a universal code transformer, remapper and convertor’- which accepts input raw scan codes from a user given device (like keyboard) ; a device which converts, compiles, modifies and transforms given input accepting additional inputs from users, through a program and process to generate a Standards compliant code output; to be delivered through appropriate connectivity to user specified devices, which manage human linguistic communications as text, voice, interactively as HMI (Human Machine Interaction) devices and applications. The output may be multiple standards compliant which for a text could be multilingual Unicode-characters covered under ISO639 ; for a visually impaired users, a Braille guidelines compliant ; for voice and speech, a code compliant to Unified Speech and Audio Coding (USAC) international standard ISO/IEC 23003-3, ISO/IEC 14496-3:2009/Amd 3 in 2012, Or any other user defined custom code for a HMI device. The present invention is more particularly related to a system and method for converting a given raw scan code input from a device like a keyboard, into a user defined and provided HMI device and applications which work by accepting Standards compliant codes without requiring any change in the background functionality of the standard HMI end use device.
[00165] The embodiments of the present invention provide an inexpensive, portable multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator that upgrades the Keyboard functionality without requiring any change in the background functionality of the standard keyboard. The system eliminates the need of using different keyboards or key front labels or relegendable keys or custom key imprinting or pairing of language layouts while providing multi-language inputs to a computing system. The system provides a new method of using Indian natural language alphabet, as primary layout to create digital interface for use of several digital devices in a user-friendly manner for Indian language users.
[00166] The system provides a method of typing English in its various notations of transliterations like International Phonetic Association with diacritics on roman alphabets, Harvard Kyoto convention, using a base alphabet and phonetics without need of any transliteration software to be installed.
[00167] The system provides a method of typing target Indic language, as a straight Indic language transliteration using a base alphabet and phonetics of source to target language without need of any intermediary software to be installed.
[00168] The system also provides a method of transcribing a given target world language, in a phonetic way using a base alphabet and phonetics of Indic Brahmi language character set through a virtual remapping mode without need of any intermediary software to be installed. The system allows the keyboard as a scan code generator and shifts the language selection and language appropriate template mapping in a bi-directional mode outside of the primary hardware keyboard. Thus, the system does not require software installation on OS or application in-side. Also, the system makes the standard keyboards adaptable for use around the multilingual world using Roman and Non-roman Language alphabet character sets. Also, the scan code converter generates a fully functional standards complaint output code according to the Unicode standards. Thus, the system avoids all conflicts of the proprietary software coding limitations and OS /Application specific processing by aligning the operation to a Standards Compliant output mode.
[00169] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such as specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.
[00170] It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.
[00171] Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein with modifications. ,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system for converting scan code signals from a keyboard into a multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output, the multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator, comprises:
a keyboard configured to enable a user to provide alpha-numeric inputs, wherein the keyboard is a keyboard of a particular layout;
a scan code converter configured for generating the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output from scan codes corresponding to alpha-numeric and functional command inputs received from the keyboard, wherein the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output is generated corresponding to a desired language selected by the user; and
an Operating System (OS) receives the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output from the processor to display text on a display screen of a computing device, wherein the text is displayed in the desired language selected by the user
wherein the Unicode generator is attached to or formed as an Integrally unified unit on the keyboard hardware.
2. The multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system according to claim 1, wherein the scan code converter comprises:
a voice input unit configured to enable the user to provide voice inputs, wherein the voice inputs comprise inputs regarding desired language, type of operating system, and keyboard type;
a scan code input unit configured to receive the scan code signals from the keyboard, wherein the scan code signals correspond to the alphanumeric inputs provided by the user through the keyboard;
a plurality of numeric selectors configured to enable the user to provide input values to the scan code converter, wherein each numeric selector comprises a plurality of alpha-numeric place holders enabling the user to provide inputs regarding desired language, type of operating system, and keyboard type;
a language selection unit comprising a first numeric selector configured to enable the user to select the desired language through a plurality of alpha-numeric place holders;
an operating system (OS) selection unit comprising a second numeric selector configured to enable the user to provide input regarding type of OS;
a keyboard type selection unit comprising a third numeric selector configured to enable the user to provide input regarding keyboard type; and
a hardware processor configured to remap the scan code signals with the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output corresponding to the desired language selected, wherein the processor receives the scan code signals from the scan code input unit.
3. The multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system according to claim 1, wherein the scan code converter is configured to virtually simulate the keyboard with natural order of characters in the desired language selected by the user.
4. The multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system according to claim 1, wherein the scan code converter uses the input values from the language selection unit to direct the scan codes into the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output of the desired language without recourse to the standard key board or the OS.
5. The multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system according to claim 1, wherein the scan code converter is configured to directly send the scan code signals from the keyboard to the OS of the computing device in case the desired language is not selected.
6. The multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system according to claim 1, wherein the scan code converter is activated when the desired language is selected by the user at the language selection unit.
7. The multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system according to claim 1, wherein the scan code converter is configured to perform a phonetic strings mapping, multilingual transcriptions, and dictation /speech to text conversions while generating the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output.
8. The multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system according to claim 1, wherein the hardware processor is a digital signal processor capable of digitally processing the received scan code signals.
9. The multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system according to claim 1, wherein the scan code converter is a portable interface arranged between the keyboard and the OS.
10. The multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system according to claim 1, wherein the scan code converter is a software interface arranged between a touch sensitive keyboard and a touch screen driving operating systems.
11. The multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system according to claim 1, wherein the scan code converter is a portable hardware interface and / or Integrally unified unit on the keyboard hardware arranged between a keyboard with Braille function and the operating system.
12. The multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system according to claim 1, wherein the scan code converter is capable of remapping the scan code signals from a keyboard with Braille function with the multilingual Unicode-Standard complaint output corresponding to the desired language selected by the user.
13. The multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system according to claim 1, wherein the first numeric selector in the language selection unit comprises three alpha numeric place holders enabling the user to feed the input values between 000 and 999 for selecting a desired language.
14. The multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system according to claim 1, wherein the language selection unit enables the user to switch from one language to another language.
15. The multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard type includes keyboards with layouts selected from a group consisting of QWERTY type keyboard, AZERTY type keyboard, QWERTZ type keyboard and HCESAR type keyboard.
16. The multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system according to claim 1, wherein the input value regarding the type of OS represents the OS run by the user on the computing device.
17. The multilingual alphanumeric Unicode generator system according to claim 1, wherein the type of OS is selected from a group consisting of Windows (versions), Mac, Linux and the like.