Numeric keypad integration system

A system for integrating an external numeric keypad with a built-in keyboard on a portable computer that does not have a separate numeric keyboard, said system comprising:

• a keyboard controller associated with said built-in keyboard that detects the activation of keys on said built-in keyboard and transmits scan codes to a processor, and wherein said scan codes are mapped in accordance with the configuration of said keys on said keyboard;
• a keypad controller associated with said external numeric keypad that detects the activation of a key on said keypad and transmits at least one serial scan code as an output signal, and wherein said serial scan code is mapped in accordance with the configuration of keys on said keypad;
• and
• means within said keyboard controller for receiving said serial scan code from said keypad and for re-mapping said serial scan code so as to allow for use of said external keypad while equivalent keys are operational on said built-in keyboard, said re-mapping of said serial scan code generating at least one scan code at said keyboard controller responsive to said serial scan code received from said keypad and further responsive to the activation of any key on said built-in keyboard, said generated scan code corresponding to a scan code generated by a keyboard having a built-in numeric keypad when keys equivalent to the keys activated on said external keypad and said built-in keyboard are activated on said keyboard having said built-in numeric keypad, said scan code generated by said keyboard controller being transmitted to said processor.

A portable computing system, comprising:

• a portable computer having a microprocessor and a built-in reduced size keyboard wherein the key functions associated with a numeric keypad on a full-size keyboard are provided by keys in the alphanumeric portion of the reduced size keyboard such that the numeric keypad functions cannot be used at the same time as the alphanumeric functions for said keys of said alphanumeric portion of the reduced sized keyboard, said portable computer having an auxiliary input port;
• a separate numeric keypad having a serial output cable for communicating serial data, which is mapped in accordance with the configuration of keys on said keypad, from said separate numeric keypad to said auxiliary input port of said computer, said separate numeric keypad providing numeric keypad functions independent of the alphanumeric portion of the reduced sized keyboard;
• and
• a keyboard controller in said reduced size keyboard for re-mapping said serial data, so as to allow for use of said external keypad while equivalent keys are operational on said built-in keyboard, said re-mapping of said serial data also integrating said serial data from said separate numeric keypad in combination with the activation of control keys on said reduced size keyboard so that scan codes communicated to said microprocessor from said keyboard controller in said reduced size keyboard in response to the activation of keys on said separate numeric keypad correspond to scan codes generated by a full-size keyboard when corresponding keys are activated on a keyboard and a numeric keypad of said full-size keyboard.