Background technology
Low cost, the appearance of high density solid-state memory (for example, flash memory) and the improvement of battery technology have brought a large amount of new consumer electronic appliance.Most popular during these are used perhaps is immanent portable handheld media device (for example, digital camera, MP3 player, iPod
TM).These handheld media device allow the consumer also easily to store, organize, transmit and otherwise operate lot of data, Voice ﹠ Video file fast.The advantage of this handheld media device is that size is little, and this has made things convenient for the consumer that they are carried everywhere.But because size is little, display on these handheld media device (if existence) and control knob are difficult to watch and operate usually, and the function that these handheld media device had is very limited.Therefore, these equipment need be connected to desktop computer or laptop computer usually, are used to make consumer organization, transmission or service data, audio or video file.
Usually, realize that as USB (USB (universal serial bus)) or live wire (IEEE 1394) cable, this interface cable handheld media device is connected to the interface port of computing machine with being connected of desktop computer or laptop computer via the detachable interface cable.Then, the consumer can from he/data, audio or video file that her computing machine visits on the handheld media device to be stored.Yet interface cable has influenced attractive in appearance to a certain extent, and can make consumer's computing machine workspace on every side more mixed and disorderly and chaotic.In addition, need independent battery charger and power cable to come to recharge usually for the battery of handheld media device.Battery charger and power cable further influence are attractive in appearance, and further make consumer's computing machine workspace on every side more mixed and disorderly.
Recently, the function of interface cable and battery charger being combined in Docking station in the packing single, more attractive in appearance is developed and is used for handheld media device.Figure 1A is the concept figure of the relevant Docking station in the workspace around the computing machine with the consumer.As can be seen, common computing machine 100 has monitor display 102, keyboard 104 and pointing apparatus (mouse) 106.These assemblies are used for operational computations machine 100 minimum needed assemblies common the composition.Addible other equipment comprise printer, scanner, modulator-demodular unit or the like.Yet, depend on that the quantity and the type of equipment, these utility appliance can make the workspace around the computing machine 100 more mixed and disorderly very soon.For fear of further disarraying mixed and disorderly workspace, can be connected to computing machine 100 to media device Docking station 108.Media device Docking station 108 has replaced interface cable, battery charger and power cable.
Figure 1B is the close up view of media device Docking station 108.As can be seen from this figure, Docking station 108 mainly comprises having carriage 110, and this carriage has from its outstanding interface connector 112.Be used to carry the media device port that goes to and interface connector 112 is connected to computing machine 100 from the butt joint station track 114 of the electric energy of computing machine 100 and signal of communication.(for example, in its bottom) provides corresponding interface connector 116 on the handheld media device 118, and when handheld media device 118 placed Docking station 108, this interface connector was used for cooperating with the interface connector 112 of Docking station 108. Interface connector 112 and 116 can be any suitable industrial standard connector (for example, USB, live wire etc.), is used to allow computing machine 100 and handheld media device 118 to communicate.
Although media device Docking station 108 is the improvement to independent interface cable, battery charger and power cable, yet still it has occupied the space, and can make consumer's computing machine workspace on every side more mixed and disorderly.Therefore, need a kind of handheld media device to be connected to computing machine, and in some cases equipment to be charged, can not cause the more mixed and disorderly mode of the workspace around the computing machine.
Embodiment
Below be the detailed description of with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrative examples of the present invention being carried out, wherein, identical Reference numeral is used for same or analogous element.Should be noted that the accompanying drawing that is provided only is schematically, does not draw with any concrete dimension scale, and does not advise the preferential selection of any concrete configuration.
Mentioned indirectly that as mentioned embodiments of the invention provide a kind of computer keyboard with the built-in Docking station that is used for handheld media device.The implication of employed here term " built-in " is: Docking station (and/or other assemblies) can be the independent assembly that is installed to or is otherwise connected to keyboard, perhaps, Docking station can be keyboard integral body assembly (promptly, form one with keyboard), or both combinations (promptly, the part of Docking station is mounted in the independent assembly on the keyboard, and a part becomes one with keyboard).
Fig. 2 shows the concept figure of computer keyboard 200 according to an embodiment of the invention.Keyboard 200 is similar with the computer keyboard of standard on size, shape and layout, and button 202 is arranged with " QWERTY " pattern of knowing.For example, other keyboard layout and/or the key patterns that is designed to hold different letter collection or character set also can be used, and do not deviate from scope of the present invention.Yet different with standard computer keyboard is that keyboard 200 has the Docking station that is used for handheld media device 204 that is built in this keyboard.Because keyboard exists, do not cause around the computing machine more mixed and disorderly so built-in Docking station 204 allows handheld media device to insert computing machines.
In one embodiment, built-in Docking station 204 comprise in the main body of keyboard 200 seat 206 and from this outstanding interface connector 208.Seat 206 is fixed on handheld media device (clearly not illustrating) on the keyboard 200, and with respect to the main body of keyboard 200, this can become flat and depression, to keep this handheld media device better.Handheld media device can be any suitable handheld media device, comprises digital camera (image and video), MP3 player, iPod
TMOr the like.The interface connector 208 that stretches out from keyboard 200 is near the center of seat 206, this interface connector can be to be suitable in some interface connectors of handheld media device any one, comprises customized version of USB connector, live wire connector, USB and live wire connector or the like.This seat 206 and the interface connector 208 common handheld media device that allow are directly docked with keyboard 200.
In case butt joint, keyboard chord 210 handheld media devices are connected to computing machine (clearly not illustrating), as laptop computer or desktop computer.In one embodiment, keyboard chord 210 comprises two cables that bind together: keyboard cable 212 and media device cable 214.Keyboard cable 212 is carried into the keyboard port of computing machine to key code from keyboard 200, and media device cable 214 the media device signals that goes to built-in Docking station 204 from the media port of computing machine carry out/media device signals from built-in Docking station 204 is carried into the media port of computing machine.Keyboard cable 212 can be the known any suitable keyboard cable of those of ordinary skills, comprises revision of PS/2 cable, USB cable, PS/2 and USB cable or the like.Media device cable 214 can also be those of ordinary skills known with any suitable media device cable interface connector 208 compatibilities.
Specific handheld media device can be charged again by the same media device cable that is used for computer access.For these handheld media device, media device cable 214 can also be carried and is used for electric energy (via computing machine) that this handheld media device is charged again.Therefore, for these embodiment, handheld media device can be charged accessed and again, and can not cause the workspace around the computing machine more mixed and disorderly.Can also be for built-in Docking station 204 provide independent power cable (clearly not illustrating), this power cable separates with keyboard chord 210 or binds together with this keyboard chord, is used for handheld media device is charged again.The connector (that is, inserting an end of handheld media device) that is used for this power cable can be installed in the position suitable on the built-in Docking station 204.
In order to assemble, seat 206 can form the main body part of the whole of keyboard 200, or as the independent assembly of the opening in the end face of the main body that is connected to keyboard 200 or be installed in independent assembly on this opening.Under each situation, seat 206 allows interface connector 208 to be placed in the seat 206 near the opening at its center.Like this, the main body route that media device cable 214 (can bind together in advance with keyboard chord 210) can be by keyboard 200 and be connected to interface connector 208.Preferably, the size (that is, length, width, the degree of depth) of seat 206 is enough to hold the handheld media device of a plurality of brand/types, but certainly is customized to the handheld media device that is suitable for particular brand/type as required.Other assemblies of keyboard 200 (for example, button 202 etc.) can link together with those of ordinary skills known mode and Docking station 204 assemblings.
Fig. 3 shows another keyboard 300 of the present invention, and wherein, Docking station 304 is positioned on the end face of keyboard 300 rather than recessed keyboard 300.The built-in Docking station 304 in this example and the similar part of the Docking station 108 among Figure 1B are: this built-in Docking station 304 comprises carriage 306, and this holder has from its outstanding interface connector 308 (for example, USB, live wire, its customized version etc.).Yet different with the Docking station 108 among Figure 1B, built-in Docking station 304 is affixed to keyboard 300, thereby can not occupy any space in the computing machine workspace on every side.Keyboard chord 310 with keyboard cable 312 and media device cable 314 is connected to computing machine to keyboard 300 and built-in Docking station 304 in the keyboard chord 210 described modes that are similar to Fig. 2.Can carry out the charging again of handheld media device by media device cable 314 or independent power cable, in the 210 described modes of the keyboard chord among Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 shows another keyboard 400 of the present invention, and wherein, Docking station 404 comprises the media reader 406 of the removable memory (clearly not illustrating) that is used to admit handheld media device.In this example, built-in media reader 406 resides in the opening of keyboard 400, still, also built-in media reader 406 can be placed on the end face of keyboard 400, makes it be positioned on the keyboard 400.This built-in media reader 406 allows to visit the detachable memory of handheld media device from computing machine, and can not cause the workspace around the computing machine more mixed and disorderly.Keyboard chord 410 with keyboard cable 412 and media device cable 414 is connected to computing machine to keyboard 400 and built-in media reader 406 in the keyboard chord 210 described modes that are similar to Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 shows another keyboard 500 of the present invention, and wherein, except built-in Docking station 504, one or more loudspeakers 506 are built in the keyboard 500.With regard to built-in Docking station 504 and keyboard chord 510, this keyboard 500 is similar to the keyboard 200 among Fig. 2, but, when handheld media device is docked in the built-in Docking station 504, the audio file of being stored in this handheld media device of the existence of boombox 506 permission playback.The electric energy that is used for boombox 506 can be provided via handheld media device self by power cable (independent or bind together with keyboard chord 510) by media device cable 514, perhaps provides from the compact power as the battery installed the keyboard 500.If use handheld media device self, power cable or battery, then need not at first open computing machine just can access audio files.
Fig. 6 shows another keyboard 600 according to the embodiment of the invention, wherein, is built in the keyboard 600 as the programable display 606 of miniature LCD (LCD).When handheld media device was docked in the built-in Docking station 604, built-in programmable display 606 allowed to watch the video/picture file of being stored in this handheld media device.The user can also use built-in programmable display 606 to carry out various functions on the handheld media device, as the editing media playlist, and service data, audio frequency and/or video file or the like.In the operating period of handheld media device, can also be on built-in programmable display 606 display graphics, as graphic equalizer, various visual pattern (for example, bar, line, ripple etc.) or the like.
The electric energy that is used for built-in programmable display 606 can be by media device cable 614, provided via handheld media device self by power cable (independent or bind together with keyboard chord 610), perhaps provides from the compact power as the battery installed the keyboard 600.Therefore, if use handheld media device self, power cable or battery, then before watching built-in programmable display 606, need not at first to open computing machine.
The advantage of built-in programmable display 606 is: because keyboard has been essential assembly, so need not to consume the workspace exceptional space on every side of consumer's computing machine.In addition, compare with common obtainable interface on the handheld media device, built-in programmable display 606 provides the more complete interface that is used for handheld media device.In addition, as mentioned above, if use handheld media device self, power cable or battery to come to be display 606 power supplies, in addition need not the user at first open his/her computing machine just can enjoy the feature based on figure that may be displayed on the built-in programmable display 606, as graphic equalizer.In addition, in certain embodiments, can upgrade, with the handheld media player that adapts to redaction and/or add new feature or upgrade existing feature to storer on the plate of built-in programmable display 606.Alternatively, built-in programmable display 606 can also be controlled by consumer's computing machine, thereby provides extra functional to the consumer.
Fig. 7 shows keyboard 700 of the present invention, and wherein, display 706 (for example, LCD) is built in the keyboard 700 with loudspeaker 708.In this, keyboard 700 comes down to the keyboard 500 among Fig. 5 and the combination of the keyboard 600 among Fig. 6, and comprises the advantage of keyboard 500 and 600.When handheld media device is docked in the built-in Docking station 704, this keyboard 700 allow to watch with the playback handheld media device in video/picture and audio file.Can also use built-in programmable display on handheld media device, to carry out various functions, as the editing media playlist, service data, audio frequency and/or video file or the like.In the operating period of handheld media device, can also be on built-in programmable display display graphics, as graphic equalizer, various visual pattern (for example, bar, line, ripple etc.) or the like.Can be by media device cable 714, power via handheld media device self by power cable (independent or bind together with keyboard chord 710), perhaps power from compact power as the battery installed the keyboard 700.
The functional block diagram of exemplary keyboard 800 according to an embodiment of the invention has been shown among Fig. 8.Keyboard 800 comprises a plurality of buttons 802 (for example, based on the button of scum rubber, capacitance key etc.) and the button controller 804 (for example, microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor etc.) that is electrically connected to button 802.Keyboard 800 further comprises and is used to admit handheld media device and is connected to computing machine, can cause more mixed and disorderly built-in Docking station 806 around the computer operation district.In this, keyboard 800 is similar to the keyboard 200,300 and 400 among Fig. 2,3 and 4 respectively.In fact, the functional block diagram among Fig. 8 can be distinguished the keyboard 200,300 and 400 in presentation graphs 2,3 and 4, and the Docking station 204,304 and 404 in the Docking station 806 difference representative graphs 2,3 and 4 among Fig. 8.
In operation, when button 802 was pressed, each this button provided unique discernible input signal to button controller 804.When button 802 receives input signal, button controller 804 is searched suitable key code for this button 802, and (for example, keyboard cable) is transferred to computing machine along key code path 808 with this key code.Any key code that relates to or influence handheld media device is handled by the software application in the computing machine.Appropriate signals (if existence) is passed back to built-in Docking station 806 along media device signal path 810 (for example, media device cable) subsequently, is transferred to handheld media device afterwards.Can as power cable, realize the charging again of handheld media device by built-in Docking station 806 or optional independent current source 812.
The functional block diagram of exemplary keyboard 900 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention has been shown among Fig. 9.Keyboard 900 comprises a plurality of buttons 902, button controller 904 and built-in Docking station 906, wherein each all with the keyboard 800 of Fig. 8 in appropriate section identical in fact.Yet in keyboard 900, tap 914 has been inserted in the key code path 908.Tap 914 intercepts the key code that is transmitted, and the copy of this key code is sent to media device signal path 910, any handheld media device of being docked in arrive soon after built-in Docking station 906 and this built-in Docking station.This layout allows directly to visit handheld media device (that is, need not at first to pass through computing machine) from keyboard 900.For example, the tap 914 that is used for duplicating from key code path 910 key code that is transmitted can be the known any appropriate signal tap of demultiplexer or those of ordinary skills.As mentioned, can as power cable, realize the charging again of handheld media device by built-in Docking station 906 or optional independent current source 912.Power cable also is used under the situation that computing machine do not open and directly is provided for operating the electric energy of handheld media device from keyboard 900.Also can use the battery of installing in the keyboard 900 to be keyboard 900 and handheld media device power supply.
Figure 10 is the functional block diagram according to another exemplary keyboard 1000 of the embodiment of the invention.Keyboard 1000 has a plurality of buttons 1002, button controller 1004 and built-in Docking station 1006, all these all with the keyboard 800 and 900 of Fig. 8 and 9 in appropriate section similar.In addition, keyboard 1000 can also have the programable display 1008 that is built in this keyboard 1000 (for example, LCD) and loudspeaker 1010.When handheld media device is docked in the built-in Docking station 1006, this keyboard 1000 allow to watch with the playback handheld media device in video/picture and the audio file and the various feature of being stored based on figure.Aspect this, the keyboard 700 of the functional block diagram of Figure 10 in can presentation graphs 7, and the keyboard 500 and 600 in the presentation graphs 5 and 6 to a certain extent also.
In operation, tap 1016 interceptings are from the key code of key code controller 1004 transmission, and the copy of this key code is sent to media device signal path 1014, subsequently this key code is delivered to any handheld media device of being docked in built-in Docking station 1006 and this built-in Docking station.In response to receiving key code, handheld media device produces suitable video and/or audio signal, and by built-in Docking station 1006, along media device signal path 1014 these signals of transmission.Then, can use tap 1018 and 1020 to intercept the video and/or audio signal respectively, this signal be provided to display 1008, this signal be provided to loudspeaker 1010 by audio signal path 1024 by video signal path 1022.Again the charging of realization handheld media device can be undertaken by built-in Docking station 1006, or is undertaken by optional independent current source 1026, as using power cable.As mentioned, power cable also is used under the situation that computing machine do not open and directly is provided for operating the electric energy of handheld media device from keyboard 1000.Can also use the battery of installing in the keyboard 1000 to be keyboard 1000, handheld media device, display 1008 and loudspeaker 1010 power supplies.
Though invention has been described with reference to one or more specific embodiments, what those skilled the in art will appreciate that is: under the prerequisite that does not deviate from the spirit and scope of the present invention, can carry out many changes to the present invention.For example, although built-in Docking station of the present invention, media reader, loudspeaker and keyboard display are shown as the specified point that is positioned on the keyboard, yet what one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that is: this position only is exemplary, under the prerequisite that does not deviate from scope of the present invention, also can use other suitable positions.Therefore, each embodiment among these embodiment and conspicuous variation that embodiment is carried out all are counted as falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention that claims limit.