Combined computer keyboard and radio apparatus

• US 6,484,019 B1
• Filed: 10/18/1999
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aklian, Mannix V.
• Original Assignee: Aklian, Mannix V.
• Inventors: Aklian, Mannix V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAMOS FELICIANO, ELISEO
• Application Number:
  US09/420,446
• Time in Patent Office: 1,128 Days
• Field of Search: 455/556, 455/557, 455/344, 455/347, 455/348, 455/349, 455/350, 455/351, 455/550, 455/343, 455/346, 455/572, 455/90, 455/128, 455/66, 341/22, 345/168, 345/169
• US Class Current: 455/344
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/08 Constructional details, e.g. cabinet

Abstract

A combined computer keyboard and radio apparatus for use with a computer having a CPU contained in a housing comprising a keyboard housing, the keyboard housing is separate from the computer CPU housing and a plurality of alphanumeric keys are mounted in said keyboard housing, a selectively tunable radio unit located in the keyboard housing having circuitry isolated and independent of the keyboard circuitry and at least one speaker mounted within said keyboard housing for audibly reproducing the radio frequency waves received by said radio receiver whereby the radio unit may be played for the listening pleasure of the user without impacting, using or otherwise impacting the resources of the computer to which the combined computer keyboard and radio apparatus is interfaced.

Claims

1. A combined computer keyboard and radio apparatus for use with a computer having a CPU contained in a housing comprising:

a keyboard housing wherein said keyboard housing is separate from the computer CPU housing and a plurality of alphanumeric keys are mounted in said keyboard housing;

a selectively tunable radio unit located in said keyboard housing wherein said radio unit receives radio frequency waves;

at least one speaker mounted within said keyboard housing for audibly reproducing the radio frequency waves received by said radio unit;

a cable interconnecting the combined keyboard and radio apparatus and the CPU wherein a plurality of wires comprises said cable, wherein at least one of said plurality of wires provides power for said radio unit; and

a battery source located within said combined keyboard and radio apparatus housing for providing power to said radio unit, wherein power for said radio unit is selectively switchable between said battery source located in the combined keyboard and radio apparatus housing and at least one of said plurality of wires comprising said cable interconnecting the combined keyboard and radio apparatus and the computer CPU providing power to said radio unit by a switch mounted on said keyboard housing.

2. The combined keyboard apparatus of claim 1 wherein the combined keyboard and radio apparatus communicates with the CPU via wireless communication means.

3. The combined keyboard and radio apparatus of claim 1 further including two speakers mounted in said keyboard housing.

4. The combined keyboard and radio apparatus of claim 3 further including a selectively switchable switch for interrupting the function of said two speakers.

5. The combined keyboard and radio apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radio unit further includes digital tuning means.

6. The combined keyboard and radio apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radio unit further includes display means for displaying clock and radio functionals.

7. The combined keyboard and radio apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radio unit further includes a selectively settable clock.

8. The combined keyboard and radio apparatus of claim 1 further including a headphone jack mounted on said keyboard housing for connecting said radio unit to external headphones and speakers.

9. The combined keyboard and radio apparatus of claim 8 further including an interrupt circuitry connected to said headphone jack for interrupting function of said at least one speaker when headphones and external speakers are connected to said headphone jack.

10. The combined keyboard and radio apparatus of claim 1 further including a selectively switchable switch for interrupting the function of said at least one speaker.

11. The combined keyboard and radio apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radio receiver further includes an audio control circuitry for selectively varying the audio response of said radio receiver.