Multimedia computer keyboard

• US 6,268,806 B1
• Filed: 01/19/1996
• Issued: 07/31/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Lawson, Richard J., Bell, Joseph W., Frager, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US08/588,836
• Time in Patent Office: 2,020 Days
• Field of Search: 341/27, 341/20, 341/22, 381/24, 381/205, 345/168, 345/169, 846/44, 846/70, 847/19, 847/44, 379/110, 708/174, 708/142
• US Class Current: 341/22
• 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 3/162 Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs

Abstract

A multimedia computer keyboard is provided having one or more high fidelity, diaphragm-type speakers mounted within the keyboard. Mono or stereophonic wiring to each speaker is achieved using existing keyboard cable extending from the keyboard to a keyboard connector arranged upon a host computer. A terminal at the end of the keyboard cable can plug directly into the keyboard connector, such that the terminal can receive an audio output signal generated from a sound card placed within the computer. Accordingly, audio output can be sent to the computer keyboard as an integrated system in order to achieve multimedia function.

Claims

1. An alphanumeric computer keyboard physically separate from and externally coupled to a desktop computer, said desktop computer comprising a main board having at least one input line, a sound card for producing an audio output signal corresponding to a current of varying frequency, said sound card having first and second output lines, and a primary electrical coupling, said primary electrical coupling electrically coupled to said main board by said input line and to said sound board by said first and second output lines, said alphanumeric computer keyboard comprising:

a left channel speaker and a right channel speaker, each said left and right channel speakers being integrated into said keyboard and comprising a diaphragm partially enclosed within said keyboard;

a keyboard cable extending between said keyboard and said computer, said keyboard cable having six conductors, wherein a first one of said six conductors is electrically coupled to said left channel speaker and adapted for coupling to said primary electrical coupling, a second one of said six conductors is electrically coupled to said right channel speaker and adapted for coupling to said primary electrical coupling and a third one of said six conductors is electrically connected to said keyboard and adapted for coupling to said primary electrical coupling;

said first and second conductors capable of transmitting said current of varying frequency from said sound card to said left and right channel speakers via said first and second sound card output lines and said primary electrical coupling when said keyboard is electrically coupled to said computer;

said third conductor capable of transmitting a serialized digital data stream from said keyboard to said main board of said computer via said primary electrical coupling and said input line when said keyboard is electrically coupled to said computer.

2. The computer keyboard as recited in claim, 1, wherein said keyboard cable further comprises a six pin terminal at one end of said cable distal to said computer keyboard, said first, second and third ones of said six conductors terminating in first, second and third ones of said six pin terminal.

3. The computer keyboard as recited in claim 2, wherein said six pin terminal is adapted to electrically couple to said primary electrical coupling, said six pin terminal electrically coupling said first, second and third ones of said six conductors to said first output line, said second output line and said input line, respectively, when said keyboard is electrically coupled to said computer.

4. An alphanumeric computer keyboard physically separate from and externally coupled to a desktop computer, said desktop computer comprising a main board having at least one input line, a sound card for producing an audio output signal corresponding to a current of varying frequency, said sound card having first and second output lines, a primary electrical coupling, and a secondary electrical coupling, said primary electrical coupling electrically coupled to said main board by said input line, said secondary electrical coupling electrically coupled to said sound board by said first and second output lines, said alphanumeric computer keyboard comprising:

a left channel speaker and a right channel speaker, each said left and right channel speakers being integrated into said keyboard and comprising a diaphragm partially enclosed within said keyboard;

a keyboard cable extending between said keyboard and said computer, said keyboard cable having six conductors, wherein a first one of said six conductors is electrically coupled to said left channel speaker and adapted for coupling to said secondary electrical coupling, a second one of said six conductors is electrically coupled to said right channel speaker and adapted for coupling with said secondary electrical coupling and a third one of said six conductors is electrically coupled to said keyboard and adapted for coupling with said primary electrical coupling;

said first and second conductors capable of transmitting said current of varying frequency from said sound card to said left and right channel speakers via said first and second sound card output lines and said secondary electrical coupling when said keyboard is electrically coupled to said computer; and

said third conductor capable of transmitting a serialized digital data stream from said keyboard to said main board of said computer via said primary electrical coupling and said input line when said keyboard is electrically coupled to said computer.

5. The computer keyboard as recited in claim 4, wherein said keyboard cable further comprises a six pin terminal and an audio plug at one end of said cable distal to said computer keyboard, said first and second ones of said six conductors terminating in said audio plug and said third one of said six conductors terminating in said six pin terminal.

6. The computer keyboard as recited in claim 5, wherein said six pin terminal is adapted to electrically couple to said primary electrical coupling and said audio plug is adapted to electrically couple to said secondary electrical coupling, said audio plug electrically coupling said first and second conductors with said first and second output lines, respectively, and said six pin terminal electrically coupling said third conductor with said input line when said keyboard is electrically coupled to said computer.