Computer communications device

• US 5,787,152 A
• Filed: 09/12/1997
• Issued: 07/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alst Technical Excellecnce Center Corporation
• Original Assignee: Tommyca Freadman
• Inventors: Freadman, Tommyca
• Primary Examiner(s): Zele, Krista
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEAVER, SCOTT LOUIS
• Application Number:
  US08/928,890
• Time in Patent Office: 319 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67, 379/88, 379/89, 379/90.01, 379/93.05, 379/102.01, 379/102.02, 379/110.01, 379/339, 379/353, 379/387, 379/441, 379/442, 379/443, 379/444, 379/52, 704/270, 704/271, 704/272, 704/275, 455/73, 455/465
• US Class Current: 379/88.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/06 Hooks; Cradles
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/215 by non-intrusive coupling means, e.g. acoustic couplers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/271 controlled by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6033 for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets arrangements for preventing acoustic echo H04M9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors

Abstract

A computer peripheral device for voice and synthesized voice communication is disclosed. The device serves in place of a telephone handset, in a telephone mode of operation, and as a remote-control computer-based media center in a voice control mode of operation, without requiring the use of headphones. Thus the device frees integrated multimedia and voice-command computer control operations from the physical limitations of the workstation, with its keyboard and CRT. The device also integrates telephone communication functions, into a computer remote control interface, thereby providing modal flexibility, minimizing disruption and increasing operator efficiency.

Claims

1. A communications device for a computer comprising:

a) a controller adapted to operate in a telephone mode and a voice control mode, the controller including a housing having a Plurality of manually actuated keys for use in operating the controller and having a microphone and a speaker disposed in the housing for use in the telephone mode and the voice control mode, the controller including a mode control switch disposed on said housing for selecting a mode of operation of the controller from the telephone mode and voice control mode, the controller controlling exchange of audio between the controller and a telephone line to conduct a telephone conversation while operating in the telephone mode and the controller controlling operation of a program which is performed by the computer in response to audio input to the controller while operating in the voice control mode, the controller including a transmitter for selectively transmitting audio which is input to the controller to the telephone line and for generating sound in response to audio signals received by the controller via the telephone line while operating in the telephone mode and for selectively transmitting data to the computer in response to audio input to the controller for controlling the operation of the program which is performed by the computer while the controller is operating in the voice control mode, the controller including a first converter for converting audio input to the controller into signals to be transmitted to at least one of the telephone line and the computer, a second converter for converting audio signals input to the controller into sound; and

b) an interface operatively connected to the controller and being adapted to be connected to the computer and the telephone line, the interface including a telephone line interface device for connecting the interface to the telephone line and an audio controller including auxiliary AUDIO IN and AUDIO OUT connections adapted to be connected to an auxiliary speaker located remote from the speaker disposed in the housing, the audio controller being arranged to receive audio signals from the microphone in the controller and from the auxiliary AUDIO IN connection, and to selectively transmit audio signals to the computer, to the telephone line via the telephone line interface and to the auxiliary AUDIO OUT connection.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second converter for converting the audio signals input to the controller into sound includes the speaker disposed in the housing and an earpiece;

and said

controller further comprising output selection means for selecting one of said speaker disposed in the housing and said earpiece.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said output selection means is a jack that supersedes the speaker disposed in the housing when the earpiece is plugged into said jack.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the interface is connected to the controller by a conductive cable.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controller and the interface each includes a radio frequency transceiver, and wherein the interface is connected to the controller via a wireless, radio frequency link.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the interface has an RS232 connector for direct connection to the computer.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is a lightweight, portable unit movable relative to the computer.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the controller includes:

a keyboard disposed on said housing for manually generating signals for transmission to at least one of the computer and the telephone line;

the housing having a support surface located opposite to a surface of said housing on which said keyboard is located, said support surface providing support for the keyboard when the housing is placed on a flat surface; and

a microphone aperture in an oblique surface of said housing, said oblique surface being substantially orthogonal to said support surface.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controller also includes a privacy switch.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said keys include media control keys for controlling operation of a media program being performed by the computer.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said keys include cursor control keys.

12. The device according to claim 2, wherein the output selection means includes a speaker selection switch on the housing, said speaker selection switch selectively providing audio output through the speaker on the housing or through the auxiliary speaker connected to the auxiliary AUDIO OUT connection.

13. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a selection unit for enabling a user to selectively operate the controller in one of the telephone mode and the voice control mode.