Multimedia computer keyboard

• US 5,717,430 A
• Filed: 07/31/1996
• Issued: 02/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bloomberg Finance LP (Bloomberg LP)
• Original Assignee: SC&T International, Inc. (CA Goldfields, Inc.)
• Inventors: Muerzl, Klaus, Copland, James L., Crunk, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Powell, Mark R.
• Application Number:
  US08/690,025
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/169, 400/472, 400/485-490, 341/22, D14/115, 364/708.1
• US Class Current: 345/168
• 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: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

A multimedia computer keyboard that is adaptable to new or existing computer systems. The computer keyboard has built-in full range stereo speakers with a control panel located above the standard alphanumeric and function key pads. The computer keyboard also has external headphone and microphone jacks with interrupt circuitry. The standard alphanumeric and function key pad circuitry and the audio circuitry are maintained as separate circuit components within the multimedia computer keyboard housing. Individual component cables are combined into a single cable that connects the multimedia computer keyboard to the computer CPU terminal. Also, floppy disk drive, CD-ROM disk drive and telecommunications components may be incorporated into said multimedia computer keyboard system.

Claims

1. A multimedia computer keyboard for use with a personal computer, said personal computer having a CPU contained in an enclosure, said keyboard comprising:

a keyboard housing separate from said CPU enclosure;

a plurality of alphanumeric keys mounted to said housing;

at least two speakers mounted within said housing to form built-in speakers capable of stereophonic sound reproduction;

a microphone mounted to said housing to form a built-in microphone; and

a headphone jack and a microphone jack mounted on said housing for connecting external speakers, headphones and microphone;

whereby said keyboard housing integrates the foregoing hardware components into a single unitary keyboard apparatus.

2. The multimedia keyboard of claim 1, further including audio circuitry to operate said speakers and keyboard circuitry that is physically and electrically separate from said audio circuitry.

3. The multimedia keyboard of claim 2, further including a control panel;

said control panel being affixed to said housing wherein said control panel permits said audio circuitry control.

4. The multimedia keyboard of claim 1, wherein said CPU further includes a sound card said keyboard further including a cable containing a plurality of wires, whereby said plurality of wires provides interconnection from said computer keyboard to said computer CPU and said sound card via external jacks on said CPU enclosure.

5. The multimedia keyboard of claim 4, further including interrupt circuitry connected to said headphone jack and said microphone jack, for interrupting function of said built-in speakers and said built-in microphone when an external speaker and microphone are attached.

6. The keyboard of claim 4 wherein said cable provides power from an external power supply to said audio circuitry for improved audio performance.

7. The multimedia keyboard of claim 6, wherein said built-in microphone is attached to said housing and is pivoting and retractable.

8. The multimedia keyboard of claim 3, wherein said control panel further includes an LED display for indicating audio circuitry response.

9. The multimedia keyboard of claim 1, wherein said built-in microphone is mounted within said housing proximal the lower front center of said housing, whereby feedback of said built-in speakers is reduced.

10. The multimedia keyboard of claim 1, further including a telecommunications means that connects to said housing.

11. The multimedia keyboard of claim 1, wherein a floppy disk drive means is incorporated into said housing.

12. The multimedia keyboard of claim 1, wherein a CD-ROM disk drive is incorporated into said housing.

13. A computer system, comprising:

a computer CPU contained within an enclosure;

a monitor electrically coupled to said computer CPU for displaying information;

a sound card contained within said enclosure and electrically coupled to said computer CPU for converting digital sound input to analog sound output;

a housing separate from said CPU enclosure;

a plurality of alphanumeric keys mounted to said housing;

two speakers mounted within said housing to form built-in speakers capable of stereophonic sound reproduction;

at least one microphone mounted to said housing to form a built-in microphone;

a headphone jack and a microphone jack mounted on said housing for connection to external speakers and headphones;

audio circuitry mounted within said housing, said audio circuitry being electrically coupled to said sound card, said at least one microphone, said at least one speakers, said microphone jack and said headphone jack;

keyboard circuitry mounted within said housing, said keyboard circuitry being electrically coupled to said computer CPU and said keyboard, said audio circuitry and said keyboard circuitry being mounted in a spaced configuration;

said audio circuitry further including interrupt circuitry to disengage said at least one internal speaker when said external speakers are connected to said speaker jack and to disengage said built-in microphone when said external microphones are connected to said microphone jack.

14. The computer system of claim 13, further including a control panel mounted to said housing wherein said control panel is used to control said audio circuitry.

15. The computer system of claim 14, comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on said housing to form an LED display for indicating said audio circuitry response.

16. The computer system of claim 15, further including a cable containing a plurality of wires, whereby said plurality of wires provides interconnection from said computer keyboard to said computer CPU and said sound card.

17. The computer system of claim 16, wherein said built-in microphone is attached to said housing.

18. The computer system of claim 17, comprising:

a floppy disk drive means incorporated into said housing.

19. The computer system of claim 18, comprising:

a CD-ROM disk drive incorporated into said housing.

20. The computer system of claim 19, wherein said cable further contains said floppy disk drive and said CD-ROM disk drive wires.

21. The computer system of claim 20, wherein said cable further contains a power supply line to drive said audio circuitry from an external power source.

22. The computer system of claim 13, further including a telecommunications means that connects to said housing.

23. The computer system of claim 13, wherein said built-in microphone is mounted within said housing proximal the lower front center of said housing, whereby feedback of unwanted noise is reduced.