Method and apparatus for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions

A method for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions, comprising:

• providing an input device, personal computer host, and encoder, the input device comprising a personal computer function hot key and at least one electronic device function hot key, the personal computer host comprising a customized BIOS and at least one electronic device application program for executing at least one personal computer function and at least one electronic device function, wherein the at least one electronic device function is a multimedia function, and the encoder coupled with the personal computer host and the input device, for producing corresponding code according to hot keys used;
• the encoder producing code corresponding to the hot key used and sending the corresponding code to the personal computer host;
• the personal computer host determining whether the hot key used is the personal computer function hot key or the at least one electronic device function hot key according to the corresponding code;
• if the hot keV used is the personal computer function hot key, the personal computer host entering personal computer mode, performing at least one first power-up procedure from the off mode, and executing personal computer functions, and
• if the hot key used is the at least one electronic device function hot key, initiating the customized BIOS, enabling electronic device mode, performing at least one second power-up procedure that includes aspects of the at least one first power-up procedure and includes aspects that are unique to the electronic device mode and are based on the used at least one electronic device function hot key, and executing the at least one electronic device application program based on the used electronic device function hot key.

A method for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions, comprising:

• providing an input device including hot keys, the hot keys including at least a personal computer function hot key that, when selected from an off mode, enables a personal computer mode to perform at least one personal computer function, a first electronic device function hot key, and a second electronic device function hot key;
• providing a personal computer host including a customized BIOS that performs power up procedures including aspects related to at least one electronic device function, a first electronic device application program that performs a first electronic device function, and a second electronic device application program that performs a second electronic device function;
• receiving a selection of one of the hot keys included in the input device while the personal computer host is in the off mode;
• determining, by the personal computer host, whether the selected hot key is the first or second electronic device function hot key;
• if the selected hot key is the first electronic device function hot key:
• enabling electronic device mode, initiating the customized BIOS to perform power-up procedures related to the first electronic device function, and executing the first electronic device application program to perform the first electronic device function;
• and
• if the selected hot key is the second electronic device function hot key:
• enabling electronic device mode, initiating the customized BIOS to perform power-up procedures related to the second electronic device function, and executing the second electronic device application program to perform the second electronic device function.

A system for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions, comprising:

• an input device including hot keys, the hot keys including at least a personal computer function hot key that, when selected from an off mode, enables a personal computer mode to perform at least one personal computer function, a first electronic device function hot key, and a second electronic device function hot key;
• and
• a personal computer host including a customized BIOS that performs power procedures including aspects related to at least one electronic device function, a first electronic device application program that performs a first electronic device function, and a second electronic device application program that performs a second electronic device function, the personal computer host configured to:
• receive an indication of a selection of one of the hot keys included in the input device while the personal computer host is in the off mode,
• determine whether the selected hot key is the first or second electronic device function hot key,
• if the selected hot key is the first electronic device function hot key, the personal computer enable electronic device mode, initiate the customized BIOS to perform power-up procedures related to the first electronic device function, and execute the first electronic device application program to perform the first electronic device function, and
• if the selected hot key is the second electronic device function hot key, enable electronic device mode, initiate the customized BIOS to perform power-up procedures related to the second electronic device function, and execute the second electronic device application program to perform the second electronic device function.