Method and apparatus for high performance key detection with key debounce

A system for detecting a key with key debounce comprising:

• a circuit for detecting a key activation;
• a first counter coupled to the circuit and a clock for testing the key activation for a first user definable number of clock cycles;
• a key debounce buffer for storing a key index identifying the activated key, if the key activation is valid for the first user definable number of clock cycles;
• a second counter for testing the identified activated key for a first user definable number of hardware key scan cycles;
• and
• a key event buffer for storing a key activation event, if the key activation is valid for the first user definable number of hardware key scan cycles.

A system for detecting a key comprising:

• means for detecting a key activation;
• means for testing the key activation for a user definable number of clock cycles;
• means for testing the tested activated key for a user definable number of hardware key scan cycles, if the key activation is valid for the user definable number of clock cycles;
• and
• means for establishing a key activation event, if the key activation is valid for the user definable number of hardware key scan cycles.