Multimedia keyboard

• US 20050030283A1
• Filed: 08/16/2004
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
• Inventors: Sim, Wong Hoo, Lim, Kok-Liang
• Granted Patent: US 7,215,328 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/34 Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 3/18 using a string, e.g. electric guitar mechanical features G10D1/085

Abstract

A multimedia console incorporating an alphanumeric keyboard, and a musical key-bed is described for generating multimedia work product conveniently when coupled with a digital personal computer or optionally as a stand alone music equipment. The musical key-bed is optionally detachably coupled with a protective cover for providing ergonomic support when said musical key-bed is not being used.

Claims

1. A multimedia console comprising:

(a) a housing;

(b) at least one alphanumeric keyboard located in the housing for inputting alphanumeric information;

(c) at least one musical key-bed located in the housing for generating musical signals,

wherein said keyboard and said musical key-bed face the same direction, are substantially parallel, and are integrated with the console for facilitating the generation of multimedia work product.

2. A multimedia console according to claim 1, further comprising a protective cover for covering the musical key-bed and for providing ergonomic support when the musical key-bed is not being used.

3. A multimedia console as claimed in claim 2, wherein the protective cover is a palm rest and cover.

4. A multimedia console as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a bottom having a plurality of jacks for securing thereon at least one strap for allowing the multimedia console to be carried by a user when in use.

5. A multimedia console according to claim 1, further comprising at least one accessory module for simulating musical string instruments.

6. A multimedia console according to claim 5, wherein the at least one accessory module is detachedly coupled to said multimedia console.

7. A multimedia console as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one accessory module comprises a string instrument module and a module housing, the module housing being detachably coupleable with an interface receptacle in the multimedia console.

8. A multimedia console as claimed in claim 7, wherein the string instrument module comprises a plurality of strings and an analog-to-digital converter.

9. A multimedia console as claimed in claim 7 wherein a pointer device is locatable in the interface receptacle when the at least one accessory module is not coupled in the interface receptacle.

10. A multimedia console as claimed in claim 7 wherein the interface receptacle comprises at least one electrical interface for the at least one accessory module.

11. A multimedia console as claimed in claim 1 wherein the musical key-bed can be disabled during input from the alphanumeric keyboard.

12. A multimedia console as claimed in claim 11 wherein the musical key-bed can be disabled by means of a toggle switch.