Computer-telephony integration employing an intelligent keyboard and method for same

• US 6,429,855 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2001
• Issued: 08/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: G & R Associates Incorporated
• Original Assignee: G & R Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Pabon, Reinaldo, Mauro, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengistu, Amare
• Application Number:
  US09/859,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20010033271A1
• Time in Patent Office: 447 Days
• Field of Search: 345/172, 345/168, 179/2.DP, 379/63, 379/88, 379/93, 379/96, 379/210
• US Class Current: 345/172
• 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 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2472 with programmable function keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2473 Telephone terminals interfacing a personal computer, e.g. using an API (Application Programming Interface) details of API H04M7/0021
• 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 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 PBX's with CTI arrangements

Abstract

An improved computer-telephony integrated user console includes a computer system electrically connected to a telephone system. The computer-telephony integrated user console further includes an intelligent integrated keyboard which includes at least one programmable display key. The intelligent integrated keyboard is electrically connected to the computer system. Each display key includes an electrical switch and a programmable electrical display element, such as a bit-mapped LCD array. The display is responsive to commands received from the computer system and displays text and/or graphics on the key to indicate a current function assigned to that key. The function of the key is dynamic, and is controlled by a software automation server operating in the computer.

Claims

1. A computer-telephony integrated user console for manipulating calls in a telephone system and manipulating data in a data processing system, the user console comprising:

a computer system, the computer system including the data processing system therein;

a telephone line interface, the telephone line interface being electrically interposed between the computer system and the telephone system; and

a keyboard electrically coupled to the computer system, the keyboard including at least one programmable display key, the at least one programmable display key including a switch electrically coupled to the computer system for providing input thereto and a programmable electrical display, the programmable electrical display providing a visual indication of at least one of text and graphics in response to signals received from the computer system;

computer software including a software automation server module at least partially operatively controlling the computer system, the automation server module having an architecture comprising;

a software input/output layer, the software input/output layer providing a standard interface between at least one software application and the software automation server module;

a keyboard communications layer, the keyboard communications layer controlling digital communications between the computer system and the keyboard; and

a keyboard control layer, the keyboard control layer being a private layer and interposed between the software input/output layer and the keyboard communications layer, the keyboard control layer being responsive to commands received from the at least one software application and generating keyboard control commands for the at least one display key, the keyboard control layer being further responsive to activation of the at least one switch and generating keyboard event commands in response thereto, the keyboard event commands being presented to the at least one software application through the software input/output layer.

2. A computer-telephony integrated user console as defined by claim 1, wherein the at least one software application includes a computer-telephony integration applications module, the computer-telephony integration applications module controlling commands and communication between the telephone line interface and the computer system.

3. A computer-telephony integrated user console as defined by claim 2, wherein the computer system is operating a Windows®

software platform and wherein the standard interface of the software input/output layer is Object Linking and Embedding compliant.

4. A computer-telephony integrated user console as defined by claim 3, wherein the at least one programmable display key includes twelve (12) programmable display keys.

5. A computer-telephony integrated user console as defined by claim 4, wherein the keyboard control layer establishes assignments for the programmable display keys among the at least one software application.

6. A computer-telephony integrated user console as defined by claim 5, wherein each programmable electrical display of the programmable display keys comprises a liquid crystal display.

7. A computer-telephony integrated user console as defined by claim 6, wherein the keyboard further includes a QWERTY alphanumeric keypad.

8. A method of operating a user console, which manipulates data in a device or system and manipulates data in a data processing system, the console including a keyboard with at least a first display key and at least a second display key, each of the at least first display key and the at least second display key including a switch and a display element and being configured to be assigned a function and a display, the method comprising the steps:

a) assigning the at least first display key to a first software application;

b) assigning a first function and a first display to the at least first display key assigned to the first software application;

c) assigning the at least second display key not assigned to the first software application to at least a second software application;

d) assigning a second function and a second display to the at least second display key assigned to the at least second software application;

e) detecting an event and correlating the event to one of the first software application and the at least second software application; and

f) reassigning the function and display of at least one of the at least first display key and the at least second display key assigned to the software application correlated to the detected event.

9. An integrated user console for manipulating data in a first device or system and manipulating data in a second data processing system, the user console comprising:

a computer system, the computer system including the data processing system therein;

an interface circuit, the interface circuit being electrically interposed between the computer system and the first device or system; and

a keyboard electrically coupled to the computer system, the keyboard including at least one programmable display key, the at least one programmable display key including a switch electrically coupled to the computer system for providing input thereto and a programmable electrical display, the programmable electrical display providing a visual indication of at least one of text and graphics in response to signals received from the computer system;

computer software including a software automation server module at least partially operatively controlling the computer system, the automation server module having an architecture comprising;

a software input/output layer, the software input/output layer providing a standard interface between at least one software application and the software automation server module;

a keyboard communications layer, the keyboard communications layer controlling digital communications between the computer system and the keyboard; and

a keyboard control layer, the keyboard control layer being a private layer and interposed between the software input/output layer and the keyboard communications layer, the keyboard control layer being responsive to commands received from the at least one software application and generating keyboard control commands for the at least one display key, the keyboard control layer being further responsive to activation of the at least one switch and generating keyboard event commands in response thereto, the keyboard event commands being presented to the at least one software application through the software input/output layer.

10. An integrated user console as defined by claim 9, wherein the at least one software application includes a computer integration applications module, the computer integration applications module controlling commands and communication between the interface circuit and the computer system.

11. An integrated user console as defined by claim 10, wherein the computer system is operating a Windows®

software platform and wherein the standard interface of the software input/output layer is Object Linking and Embedding compliant.

12. An integrated user console as defined by claim 11, wherein the at least one programmable display key includes twelve (12) programmable display keys.

13. An integrated user console as defined by claim 12, wherein the keyboard control layer establishes assignments for the programmable display keys among the at least one software application.

14. An integrated user console as defined by claim 13, wherein each programmable electrical display of the programmable display keys comprises a liquid crystal display.

15. An integrated user console as defined by claim 14, wherein the keyboard further includes a QWERTY alphanumeric keypad.