GB2288368A

GB2288368A - Keyboard with audio functions.

Info

Publication number: GB2288368A
Application number: GB9406734A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shih-Chieh Hsu
Original assignee: Silitek Corp
Current assignee: Silitek Corp
Priority date: 1994-04-05
Filing date: 1994-04-05
Publication date: 1995-10-18
Also published as: GB9406734D0

Abstract

A keyboard (3), for use with a host computer (1) having an internal audio card and input/output sockets, includes a speaker (35) and a volume control (33) therefor, the audio-signals being communicated from the host to the keyboard via dedicated conductors in a connecting cable. The keyboard may include two loudspeakers (35, 36), an earphone socket (37) and a microphone (38). <IMAGE>

Description

KEYBOARD ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a keyboard assembly, more particularly, to a keyboard assembly for multi-media.

Existing computer assemblies generally include a host interconnected with a monitor and a keyboard through a connecting cable. The host machine has a built-in speaker which triggers an alarm or bi-bi sound when an incorrect input or operation is detected. As stated above, the keyboard is interconnected to the host through a connecting cable. This cable generally includes six individual lines, four of them being used for data transmission and two left for spare usage. The four lines carry the signals VCC, GND (ground), Data and Clock. This is the general configuration of the existing personal computer.

Since the PC becomes more and more popular, the function of the PC is not limited to data base only. In fact, the PC has been successfully applied in education and serves as an auxiliary educating equipment. In the very beginning, the PC has been used in teaching people who are incapable of speaking. As more and more functions are added to the computer, the PC can provide audio sound to enhance the education effect. This is achieved by installing an audio card to the motherboard. This audio card has an output terminal where an external speaker can plug in. As a matter of fact, there are many connecting cables between the host machine and the accessories. When the connecting wires for speakers are added, the cables and wires really introduce significant problems. After a period of usage, a poor connection on the socket and plug may arise if the cables or wires are pulled often. Once a poor connection arises, poor performance is activated.

In accordance with the present invention, a keyboard assembly for connection to a host including a motherboard and other peripherals, an audio card being installed on the motherboard, the audio card being provided with an audio output terminal and a speaker output socket comprises a keyboard provided with a speaker, and a volume controller for controlling the output level from the speaker, the keyboard being provided with socket for connection with the host; and a connecting cable for connecting the keyboard socket to the host for intercommunication therebetween.

The invention provides a keyboard assembly for multi-media wherein a speaker is incorporated with the keyboard means.

The invention can also provide a keyboard for multimedia wherein a microphone is incorporated with the keyboard.

The keyboard has a simple configuration for easy manufacture.

The structural and operational characteristics of the present invention and its advantages as compared to the known state of the prior art will be better understood from the following description, relating to the attached drawings which show illustratively but not restrictively an example of a keyboard means for multi-media. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a first block diagram of the circuit of the keyboard means of this invention; Figure 2 is a second block diagram of the circuit of the keyboard means of this invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the data transmitting cable having seven lines; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the data transmitting cable having eight lines; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the first hardware of the multi-media; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the second hardware of the multi-media; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the first keyboard means made according to this invention; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of the output socket made according to this invention.

Referring to Figure 1, signals generated from a host 1 are transmitted to a keyboard 3 through a keyboard output 12, an audio card output 13 and a cable 2. The signals sent to keyboard 3 include the VCC, the GND, the Data and the Clock. The signals are sent to the keyboard 3 through socket terminal 21. The audio signal is generated by the audio card 13 installed on the host 1. The signal is received by the left/right channel 131 and then sent to an audio chopper 132 for further treatment. At last, the signal for the left/right channel is transmitted to the keyboard 3 via the speaker output 1331 of a socket 133.

The connecting cable 2, as shown in Figure 3, includes lines connected to socket 21 and an audio line 22 connected to plug 23. The cable 2 further includes a bus connector 25 at the other end and serves as a main bridge between the host 1 and the keyboard 3. A ground line 24 is separated for providing further safety. The order of the signals transmitted from the host 1 to the keyboard 3 via the connecting cable 2, bus connector 25 are the DATA(251), Clock(252), +5V(253), GND(254), R-audio(255), L-audio(256) and +5V(257). Each of the signals are transmitted by a designated leg of the bus connector 25. Among the signals, there are four signals, DATA(251), Clock(252), +5V(253), GND(254), that are sent to the keyboard circuit 31 of the keyboard 3. The seventh leg, where it serves the +5V(257), and the GND(254) are connected to a boosting circuit 32 to increase the voltage into the 15V level. This relative high voltage is sent to an amplifier 34 to power a left speaker 35, a right speaker 36 and an earphone circuit 37. While the fifth leg of R-audio (255) and the sixth leg of L-audio (256) and the GND (254) are connected to a rheostat 33 to control the volume of the left and right speakers 35, 36 and the earphone 37. Then the signals are sent to the amplifier 34. At last, the signals are sent to the speakers 35, 36 or earphone 37 and an acoustic sound can be heard.

The third leg and the seventh leg are connected to the host 1 directly. If only a single +5V voltage is sent to the boosting circuit 32 of the keyboard circuit 31, the voltage may not be boosted to the desired level. As a result, the voltage sent to amplifier 34 is too low to power it and only a weak voice can be heard from the speaker 35, 36. In light of this, the third leg and the seventh leg are connected directly to the host 1 to provide sufficient voltage to the amplifier 34 to power it as well as the speaker 35, 36. This arrangement provides an excellent performance compared with the prior art.

Besides the speakers 35, 36 are built in the keyboard, a microphone 38 can be incorporated to the keyboard 3. As best shown in Figure 2, a socket 1332 for the microphone is provided at the output 133 of the audio card 13. The connecting cable 2, as shown in Figure 4, which has already combined one line of the socket 21 with an audio line 22 of the plug 23, further provides a signal line for the microphone on the plug 26. All of them are used for transmitting signals between the host 1 and the keyboard means 3. Then the bus connector 25 is added with the eighth leg for MIC(258), by this provision, a microphone 38 can be connected and functions well.

As shown in Figure 5, a perspective view of the first hardware of the multi-media also shown in Figure 1. The casing for the left and right speakers 35,36 are disposed at both sides of the keyboard, as shown in Figure 7. A control knob 33' is provided at the keyboard connected to the rheostat 33 to control the volume of the speakers. A connecting line is interconnected between the host 1 and the keyboard 3. A socket is provided at the keyboard end and a plug on the other end which is inserted into the socket of the speaker signal output terminal located at the output socket.

Similarly, Figure 6 shows the Figure 2 embodiment where in this case, a plug is inserted into the output socket of the microphone.

As shown in Figure 8, a more detailed perspective view of the output socket is shown. The first socket 1331 is used as speaker output, and the second socket 1332 is used as a microphone socket and the third socket is used as a line-in socket.

This keyboard has a number of advantages: 1. The keyboard includes a pair of speakers and optionally a microphone. Accordingly, a large room for installing speakers is saved while the user benefits from premium sound.

2. The audio signal line and the data signal line are separated from each other.

3. The connecting cable has an additional line for providing an extra voltage to the keyboard. As a result, there are two lines used to transmit the voltage. One provides the voltage to the boosting circuit and the other voltage line provides the voltage to the keyboard circuit for functional operation.

4. Two connecting cables, the seven-line and the eight-line, are used in connecting the host and the keyboard. For the seven-line type, the connecting cable is separated into two parts, one is connected to the keyboard and the other is connected to the output of the audio card.

For the eight-line, the connecting cable is divided into three parts, one is connected to the keyboard, the second is connected to the output of the audio card, and the third is connected to the socket for microphone.

Claims

1. A keyboard assembly for connection to a host including a motherboard and other peripherals, an audio card being installed on the motherboard, the audio card being provided with an audio output terminal and a speaker output socket the assembly comprising; a keyboard provided with a speaker, and a volume controller for controlling the output level from the speaker, the keyboard being provided with socket for connection with the host; and a connecting cable for connecting the keyboard socket to the host for intercommunication therebetween.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard further comprises a microphone socket, the connecting cable including a line for carrying signals from the microphone socket to the host.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein a microphone circuit is incorporated in the keyboard, the microphone circuit being interconnected with the audio card in use through the connecting cable.

4. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a rheostat controlled by the volume controller and to which signals for audio output are sent.

5. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein two lines in the connecting cable are used to provide voltage to the keyboard to power the keyboard and the speaker.

6. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the keyboard includes two speakers.

7. A keyboard assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the examples shown in the accompanying drawings.

8. A computer system comprising a host including a motherboard and other peripherals, an audio card installed on the motherboard, the audio card being provided with an audio output terminal and a speaker output socket; and a keyboard assembly according to any of the preceding claims connected to the host by the connecting cable.