DE29922853U1 - Keyboard with receiving device for signals from several input / output devices - Google Patents

Description

Keyboard with reception device for signals from multiple input/output devices

The invention relates to a keyboard, in particular a keyboard with a receiving device for signals from several input/output devices (I/O devices).

Conventional keyboards generally receive signals from only one I/O device, such as a mouse, trackball, digital pad or joystick.

In addition, if the keyboard is designed to be connected to several different I/O devices via signal lines, the keyboard must have a plurality of connectors for the different I/O devices, which increases the cost and takes up additional space in the keyboard.

According to the invention, a keyboard with a receiving device for signals from several input/output devices is created, which is space-saving.

The keyboard according to the invention has a transmitting/receiving module on the main body of the keyboard, which can receive signals from the plurality of I/O devices. The receiving module is connected to a processor of the internal circuit of the keyboard. The processor is connected to a universal serial bus (USB), a plurality of pointers, a storage unit and a channel selector. The processor decodes the identification code (ID code) of the signal transmitted from the plurality of I/O devices and informs the user of the type of I/O device. The keyboard receives signals from a plurality of I/O devices, whereby space in the keyboard can be saved.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing using preferred embodiments. In the drawing

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show:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a first preferred embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 2 is a block diagram of a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

As can be seen from Figure 1, the keyboard according to the invention for receiving signals from several I/O devices 1 has a receiving module 2 and a keyboard 3.

In the first preferred embodiment, the plurality of I/O devices 1 may be low-power I/O devices such as a mouse 11, a trackball 12, a digital pad 13, a light pen 14, a joystick 15, a microphone 16, etc. The plurality of I/O devices 1 communicate with a processor 31 of the internal circuit unit of the keyboard 3 via wires or via the receiving module 2 via a wireless medium such as radio frequency (RF) or infrared (IR) modules.

The receiving module 2 is provided internally or externally on the main body of the keyboard 3 and communicates with the processor 31 of the internal circuit unit of the keyboard 3.

The receiving module 2 receives and demodulates the signal transmitted from the plurality of I/O devices 1 and sends the demodulated signal to the processor 31, the signal comprising ID codes of the different I/O devices 1 and data. The processor 31 receives the demodulated signal and identifies specific I/O devices 1 based on the ID code of the demodulated signal and encodes the demodulated signal into a digital signal.

The internal circuit unit of the keyboard 3 includes a processor 31, a storage unit 32, a USB controller 33, a channel selector 34 and a plurality of pointers 35, etc. The output of the processor 31 is electrically connected to the USB controller. The output

the USB control device 33 is electrically connected to a PC 4 via a single connection line and transmits the data read by the processor 31 to the PC 4 in the format defined by the USB control device 33. The processor 31 is electrically connected to a plurality of pointers 35 to inform the user whether the receiving module 2 has received the signals sent from the plurality of I/O devices 1 and which of the plurality of I/O devices 1 has sent the signal.

When the receiving module 2 has received the signal including the ID code of different I/O devices 1 and data from the plurality of I/O devices 1, the receiving module 2 demodulates the signal and sends the demodulated signal to the processor 31. Thereafter, the processor 31 receives the demodulated signal and identifies I/O devices 1 based on the ID code of the demodulated signal and encodes the demodulated signal into a digital signal. The digital signal is transmitted to the PC 4 through the USB controller 33 in the format defined by the USB controller 33.

As can be seen from Figure 2, in the second preferred embodiment of the invention, the receiving module 2 is replaced by a transmitting/receiving module 8. In addition, the processor 31 is connected to a digital signal processor (DSP) 5. The input of the DSP 5 is connected to an A/D converter 6. The A/D converter 6 converts an audio signal from an external device 7, such as a CD-ROM drive, headphones, a microphone or a loudspeaker, into a digital output. The digital signal is then sent from the A/D converter 6 to the DSP 5 and encoded by the latter. The encoded signal is sent to the processor 31. The processor 31 decodes the encoded signal and then transmits it via the transmitting/receiving module 8. In this embodiment too, the keyboard according to the invention can receive signals from several I/O devices.

Claims (20)

1. Keyboard with a receiving device for several input/output devices ( 1 ), which has: a keyboard ( 3 ), a transmitting/receiving module ( 8 ) and at least one I/O device ( 1 ), wherein the transmitting/receiving module ( 8 ) is arranged on the keyboard ( 3 ) and receives signals from the at least one I/O device ( 1 ), the transmitting/receiving module ( 8 ) is electrically connected to an internal control circuit of the keyboard ( 3 ) and the internal control circuit determines to which I/O device ( 1 ) the keyboard ( 3 ) is connected. 2. Keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the internal control circuit comprises a processor ( 31 ) which is connected to a USB control device ( 33 ), the USB control device ( 33 ) being connected to a PC ( 4 ) via a connecting line. 3. Keyboard according to claim 2, wherein the processor ( 31 ) is connected to a plurality of pointers ( 35 ) by means of which the user is informed as to which of the I/O devices ( 1 ) is sending the signal. 4. Keyboard according to claim 2, wherein the processor ( 31 ) is connected to a channel selector ( 34 ). 5. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the I/O device is a mouse ( 11 ). 6. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the I/O device is a trackball ( 12 ). 7. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the I/O device is a digital pad ( 13 ). 8. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the I/O device is a light pen ( 14 ). 9. Keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the I/O device is a joystick ( 15 ). 10. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the I/O device is a microphone ( 16 ). 11. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the I/O device ( 1 ) sends signals to the internal control circuit ( 3 ) via a wired medium. 12. Keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the I/O device ( 1 ) transmits signals to the transmit/receive module ( 8 ) via a wireless medium. 13. Keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the I/O device ( 1 ) transmits signals to the transmit/receive module ( 8 ) via infrared transmission. 14. Keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the transmit/receive module ( 8 ) is built into the keyboard. 15. Keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the transmit/receive module ( 8 ) is provided outside the keyboard. 16. Keyboard according to claim 2, wherein the processor ( 31 ) is connected to a digital signal processor ( 5 ), the input of the digital signal processor ( 5 ) is connected to an A/D converter ( 6 ), audio signals from at least one external device ( 7 ) are converted into a digital expression by means of the A/D converter ( 6 ), the digital signals are encoded by means of the digital signal processor ( 5 ), and the encoded signals are decoded by the processor ( 31 ) and transmitted by means of the transmit/receive module ( 8 ). 17. Keyboard according to claim 16, wherein the at least one external device ( 7 ) comprises a CD-ROM drive. 18. Keyboard according to claim 16, wherein the at least one external device ( 7 ) comprises a headset. 19. Keyboard according to claim 16, wherein the at least one external device ( 7 ) comprises a microphone. 20. Keyboard according to claim 16, wherein the at least one external device ( 7 ) comprises a loudspeaker.