JP2001084079A - Keyboard incorporated with speaker and information device provided with the keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control whether an information device is used for key input or sound output by fixing a holding part to the rear face of the information device and attaching a keyboard with a holding member onto the bottom surface of a speaker facing this side of the information device. SOLUTION: Engaging member 15a and 15b being holding parts are projectingly formed at the upper part and the lower part of the center of the rear surface of an information device main body 10 to insert-hold a combined keyboard 50. Further, a connection terminal part 18 is recessedly formed at the center part and a connection terminal part 58 projectingly formed at the keyboard 50 is connected to the connection terminal part 18 to electrically connect both parts 18 and 58, thereby supplying signal and power from the main body 10. Namely, the keyboard 50 is attached by connecting the parts 18 and 58 being holding members so that the bottom surfaces of the speaker 52 is allowed to face this side of the main body 10. Thus it is controlled whether the information device is used for key input or sound output.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard having a built-in speaker and an information device such as a computer for controlling the keyboard. More specifically, the present invention relates to an alternative use of a keyboard as a speaker and control in accordance with a use form of the keyboard. It relates to information equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, personal computers (hereinafter, referred to as personal computers).
As represented by a panel PC (a liquid crystal integrated PC, etc.), a display unit such as a display is made thinner and a space saving is achieved in a PC (generally called an information device).
In addition, the use form of family use such as home PC has been pioneered, and not only as a computer that simply inputs, processes, and outputs results, but also as an entertainment system that incorporates video, audio, and two-way communication. In addition to a keyboard, mouse, and multifunctional joystick, a stereo speaker that maintains high sound quality and a compact disc (CD-R) that realizes high image quality
OM, music CD, etc.) drives, digital video disk (DVD) drives, and modem cards for realizing high-speed communication have come to be composed of various devices.

[0003] Specific forms of use of such an information device having high entertainment properties include conventional use as a PC and use as a karaoke, use as a conventional communication terminal, and use as a video / audio player. There is a feature that one information device plays a plurality of roles, such as a combined use.

[0004] At this time, it is rare that all the devices constituting the information equipment are required to be of the same level at the same time, and the required devices usually change as appropriate according to the role played by the information equipment. For example, when an information device is used as a conventional PC, input means such as a keyboard and a mouse are indispensable, and the frequency of use of these input means increases, while the information device is used as a karaoke or video / audio player. In such cases, the need for the input means may be reduced, but the need for a loudspeaker may increase, and the input means may even become a hindrance in terms of location. Furthermore, if there are many component devices, a cable group connecting them may cause trouble.

In view of the multifunctionality of one information device and the complexity of the device configuration as described above, the following devices have been developed for the purpose of compact design of devices, space saving, simplification of wiring cables, and the like. Techniques are disclosed.

The technique disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 30111493 relates to a keyboard having a built-in speaker, microphone, and the like, which simplifies computer design and saves space, and furthermore, a keyboard. By using a transmission cable designed by combining signals and audio signals, simplification of a distribution cable has been achieved.

[0007]

However, the above technique still has the following problems. If a computer is used as an AV device with a video display and acoustic speakers, a keyboard is often no longer needed, at which point the keyboard has already occupied extra space. In addition, if speakers are installed on the top of the keyboard, the size of speakers that can be installed is limited due to space limitations.
It is insufficient as a sound output device for equipment.

That is, in the conventional information equipment, the peripheral device form does not sufficiently cope with the characteristics of the equipment itself whose role clearly changes according to the usage scene. A device has been created, and eventually the space saving of the entire device has not been achieved, and one or both functions have become half-finished in terms of functionality in order to perform two roles at the same time. It has such a problem that it will be.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard provided with a speaker on a back surface and an information device for controlling a key input or a voice output depending on a connection state with the keyboard in order to solve the above problems. .

[0010]

An information device comprising at least a keyboard having a speaker on a bottom surface and a holding member for holding the keyboard, wherein the holding member is provided on a back surface of the information device. The keyboard is fixed, and the keyboard is mounted by the holding member with the bottom surface having the speaker facing the information device.

Further, the speaker is embedded in a bottom surface of the keyboard.

Further, the speaker is rotatably attached to the keyboard.

Alternatively, the information device includes at least a keyboard having a speaker and control means for mutually exclusively controlling a voice output process as a speaker and a key input process as a keyboard. And

Alternatively, the speaker-integrated keyboard includes key input means, first interface means for transmitting a key input signal input by the key input means to an information equipment main body (10), and the information equipment. Body (1
0) to the audio output unit (52) for outputting the audio signal transmitted from the second interface unit, and a control unit for controlling the first interface and the second interface exclusively. It is characterized by the following.

[0015] The control unit may include an information equipment main unit (1).
0).

Alternatively, in the above-described speaker-integrated keyboard and an information device equipped with the keyboard,
A keyboard having a speaker is connected to the information device main body (1).
0) a detecting means for detecting the detachment from the back of
When the detection means detects that the keyboard is attached to the back of the information device main body (10), an external speaker (5) is connected through the second interface means.
When the voice output is performed from 2) and it is detected that the keyboard is detached from the back of the information device main body (10),
Control means for controlling sound output from the internal speaker (23) through the first interface means;
Is further provided.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a speaker-integrated keyboard and an information device provided with the keyboard according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of a conventional computer, and also a perspective view showing an aspect when the speaker-integrated keyboard of the present invention is used as a keyboard.

The user uses the key input unit (51) of the keyboard (50) or the mouse (60) to input commands and data while viewing the display screen displayed on the display unit (4). (50), mouse (6)
0) is arranged and used in front of the display unit (4). At this time, the keyboard (50) is usually used while placed on a horizontal surface. The information device main body (PC main body) (10) is provided with a small audio output device (main body built-in speaker) (23). A sound or the like is output.

On the other hand, when the information device is used as, for example, a television, there is almost no work such as inputting characters and data, and a remote controller including only a few buttons is sufficient for device operation. In such a case, the necessity of the keyboard and mouse used up to that point was eliminated, and as a result, there was a problem that the storage location was troublesome. At the same time, as a sound output device of the AV device, a small device such as the speaker (23) is not enough, and a larger device is required.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view from the front showing the information equipment according to the embodiment of the present invention. A keyboard (50) is connected to the back of the information device main body (10) so that the back faces toward the front of the drawing, and audio output devices (external speakers) provided on both left and right ends of the back of the keyboard.
(52) can be used.

In this embodiment, the external speaker (52) can be used by the above connection, and at the same time, a microphone provided on the bottom of the mouse (60) conforming to the USB standard can be used as a voice input device.

The mouse (60) has a click button (63) and a USB for communication with the main unit as shown in FIG.
A cable (67) is provided, the bottom of which is shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), a voice input unit (62) is provided together with the trackball unit (64). The voice input unit (6
2), for example, when the keyboard (50) is connected to the information device main body (10), or the cable terminal of the mouse (60) (not shown) is connected to a USB standard terminal (19) provided on the information device main body (10). ), The necessary driver software is started in the information device main body (10), and the voice input unit (62) can be used. At this time, the mouse (60) functions as a microphone, and a click button (6)
3) can be a switch for voice control.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing the information device according to the embodiment of the present invention from the rear. The information device main body (10) has its rear surface facing the front of the drawing, and can be connected by the connection terminal portion (18) so as to face the rear surface of the keyboard (50) shown in FIG. (B) shows the back side, that is, the bottom surface of the keyboard shown in (A), and both ends are provided with an audio output unit (52).
A terminal (5) for connecting to the connection terminal (18)
8) is protruded.

Further, on the back of the information device main body (10),
At its upper center and lower center, hook members 15a and 15b
Are provided to protrude and serve as means for holding the coupled keyboard (50). Further, a connection terminal portion 18 is provided in the center at a concave portion, and the keyboard (5) is provided.
0) when it is coupled with the connection terminal portion (58) protruding from
As will be described later, electrical connection is also achieved, and signals and power are supplied from the device main body (10).

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a state in which the information device main body (10) and the keyboard (50) are connected. As shown in the center of the drawing, the interface circuit board (16) having the connection terminal section 18 and the connection terminal section (58) protruding from the keyboard (50) are also electrically connected to each other. It is also electrically connected to a USB standard terminal (19) provided on the front surface of the main body (10). As will be described later, the information device main body (10) monitors the connection states of these terminals, controls the connected devices, and supplies power.

The attachment example of the keyboard (50) to the information device main body (10) in FIGS. 4 and 5 described above is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this attachment example. In addition to the clamping as in the present embodiment, known holding members and mounting means can be used.

Further, as an example of attaching the audio output unit (52) provided on the bottom surface of the keyboard (50), the following application will be described.

FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B) both aim to widen the position width of the left and right audio output units, and can accommodate a larger display unit and obtain a higher acoustic effect. it can. In the drawing, (A) shows left and right audio output units (52) manufactured in a thin shape by axes Z1 and Z2, respectively.
Is attached to the keyboard (50) by a hinge (not shown) so that the keyboard (50) can be rotated and deployed / retracted around the center. When the audio output unit is used, it is used by being connected to the main body of the device in a form that is widened left and right as shown in (A). I do. Also, (B) in the figure is a keyboard (5
0) is an example of separation into two right and left parts, and if electrical connection is necessary, a connection (53) for connecting the left and right separation parts (50a) and (50b) is provided. Separated (50a)
And (50b) are respectively attached to both ends of the information device main body (10). When used as the keyboard (50) again, (50a) and (50b) are combined.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of an information device according to the present invention.

This information device includes a keyboard (50) with a voice output function, a mouse (60) with a voice input function,
Although it is composed of the PC body (10), it is not limited to this configuration. In other words, it should be noted that the above three components are the minimum components required for the system configuration, and that the essence of the present invention is not impaired even if, for example, a display device, a printer device, or the like is additionally provided. .

The keyboard (50) is a first interface (5) for outputting key input data to the device body (10).
5), a second interface (56) for inputting audio data output from the device body (10), a key input unit (51), and an audio output unit (52) such as a speaker.
The mouse (60) includes an interface (65) for outputting a mouse input signal (mouse movement, button pressed state) and a voice signal input as a voice, a mouse input unit (61) such as a click button, and voice input such as a microphone. (62).

The information device main body (10) has a first interface (17) connected to a first interface (55) of a keyboard and a second interface (17) similarly connected to a second interface (56) of a keyboard. (14) a third interface (20) connected to a mouse (interface (65)), connection detection means (18) for detecting a connection state to the first interface (17), and a second interface (14) ), A power supply circuit (19) for turning on / off the power supply of the first interface (17), an audio output unit (23) built in the main body, and a keyboard. The audio generation unit (15) which performs analog conversion and volume control of digitized audio data for the audio output unit (52), Built-in audio output unit (23)
Input unit (21) for digitizing analog audio data for an audio input unit (62) provided in a mouse, an auxiliary storage device (12) such as a hard disk, and the like; , A system unit (11) (CPU, RAM, R
OM and the like, which are program-controlled) and an application unit (1
3). The application unit is also software-controlled, and I / O to various devices is processed via the system unit (11). The hardware configuration includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, as in the system unit (11).

The external configuration of this information device is as shown in FIG. 1 during normal use and as shown in FIG. 2 when the keyboard is connected, and the connection of the first interfaces (17) and (55)
The connection of the second interfaces (14) and (56) is electrically configured to be exclusive (if one is connected, the other is not connected).

Here, in the present embodiment, the speaker (23) with a built-in device and the external speaker (52) integrated with the keyboard are different from each other in the configuration of the information device. 52) and (23) The output may be switched to each other as long as the configuration is at least possible. Further, the voice generating unit (15) may be built in a keyboard.

Further, a first interface (17),
(55) may be a wireless communication device such as an IR, etc., instead of a wire. In addition, although this embodiment does not include a display device or the like, it may be added as a video receiving / reproducing unit, or a remote controller may be provided as a unit for switching a video channel.

[0037]

[Table 1] Table 1 is a table for explaining the contents of data exchanged between the respective blocks. Here, data communication between the application unit (13) and the system unit (11) is controlled by software, and is a message exchange on implementation. For example, Ms output from the application unit to the system unit is “Ms
Ms output from the system unit to the application unit means "return the result of the call to the system function as Ms", which will be described later. In the description of the flowcharts and the like, the description is made assuming that the form is the same as the hardware form. This is for convenience of description, and the present invention is not limited to any form of software and hardware.

[0038]

[Table 2] Table 2 shows data contents stored in the auxiliary storage device (12). Filed data such as data files, system files, and execution files are stored. Here, the file name AutoRun1 is a file storing an application file name to be automatically executed when the system is started in a normal state, and the file name AutoRun2 is a keyboard connection state (second interface (14), (56) Is a file in which an application file name to be automatically executed when the system is started in a connected state is stored.

The contents of this file may be fixed at the default or may be changed by the user. Although omitted in the following flow, if the file does not exist or the content of the file does not exist, only the system is started and the application software is not automatically executed.

Further, if the data communication between the device body (10) and the keyboard (50) is made to conform to the USB standard or the like, the keyboard connection state can be established while the information device is operating in the normal state. When you do, AutoRu
It is also possible to make the system configuration such that n2 is automatically executed, and conversely, the system configuration is such that AutoRun1 is automatically executed when the information device is in the normal state while operating the information device with the keyboard connected. It is.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing a processing sequence in the system unit (11).

FIG. 8 is an initialization flow until the system is constructed. In practice, processing such as initialization of various peripheral devices is also performed, but is omitted because it is not directly related to the present invention.

In this initialization processing, first, the first interfaces (17) and (55) and the second interface (1)
The connection state of 4) and (56) is checked (S1), and when it is determined that the connection state is (connection of the first interface, connection of the second interface), the system unit (11)
The internal variable flag (not shown) managed in step (1) is set to ON (indicating the connection state) (S5), and then the power supply circuit (19) is turned OFF (power supply to the first interface is cut off) (S6). After performing the conversion process, the file name AutoRu stored in the auxiliary storage device (12)
The application having the content of n2 is executed (S7).

Here, the execution of the application means that the contents of the application file stored in the auxiliary storage device (12) are developed in the application section (13) and run.
This means that the system unit (11) appropriately reads and executes the data. When it is determined that the connection state is not established in S1, the internal variable flag is set to OFF (indicating a normal state) (S2), and the power supply circuit (19) is turned on.
(Power supply to the first interface) (S3) After performing the initialization process, the application having the content of the file name AutoRun1 stored in the auxiliary storage device (12) is executed (S4).

FIG. 9 shows a keyboard (50) and a mouse (6).
0) is a flow chart for explaining a control flow by communication between each peripheral device and the application unit (13),
The application unit (13) is a main process for controlling peripheral devices based on the connection state of the information device main body (10) and the keyboard (50).

First, a key input signal (I
1) It is checked whether or not there is an input signal (I2) from the mouse (S8). If any of the above-mentioned inputs is made, it is checked whether or not the keyboard (50) is in a connected state (S9). As described with reference to FIG. 8, the internal variable flag is checked to determine whether or not the connection state is established. If it is determined that the connection state is not established, the process proceeds to S10, where the input signal is simply output to the application unit (13). If it is determined that the connection state is established, the process proceeds to S11 to check whether the mouse button is pressed.

If it is determined in step S11 that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S12 in which the sound generation unit (15) is acoustically controlled (for example, in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the output is performed when the right button is pressed). Although the echo processing of the voice is performed, the present invention is not limited to this, and the UP / DOWN control of the volume may be performed, or the monaural / stereo switching control may be performed). If the button is not pressed, S12 is skipped and the next judgment timing is waited.

On the other hand, in S8, when neither the key input signal (I1) from the keyboard nor the input signal (I2) from the mouse is present, the process proceeds to S13, and there is an input signal (Ms output) from the application section (13). Determine whether or not.

In S13, when it is determined that the signal is an output signal from the application section (13), the process further proceeds to S18, and it is determined whether or not the content of Ms is a voice output request.

In S18, if it is determined that the content of Ms is not a voice output request, the process proceeds to S19, where processing according to the content of Ms is performed. If it is determined that it is a voice output request, the process proceeds to S15.

In S13, the application unit (1
If there is no output signal from 3), proceed to S14,
It is checked whether there is a voice input from the voice input unit (21). If it is determined that a voice input has been made, S15
When it is determined that there is no voice input, the process returns to S8 and waits for an opportunity for determination again.

In S15, it is determined whether or not the keyboard (50) is in the coupled state. If it is determined that the keyboard is in the coupled state, the process proceeds to S16, in which the voice generating unit (15), that is, the keyboard (50) side However, if it is determined in step S15 that the input voice is not in the combined state, the input voice is output to the voice generation unit (22), that is, the built-in voice output unit (23). Is output.

Finally, the effect obtained by the conventional technique and the present embodiment for the mouse (60) according to the present embodiment will be described below.

For a mouse with a microphone, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-248878 is known. The disclosed technology provides a mouse with a microphone and a mouse ON / OFF switch. As a result, the number of applications that use an application for performing voice recognition processing increases, so that a voice can be provided without a separate microphone. Input is possible.

However, the technology disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-24878 requires a separate and independent ON / OFF switch for the microphone, which makes the mechanism complicated. For example, when a full-scale microphone required for karaoke or the like is required, the attached microphone is halfway. There was such a problem.

Therefore, as described above with reference to FIG. 3, a mouse provided with a microphone on the bottom surface is provided so that it functions as a microphone automatically when the keyboard is attached to the back of the main unit. Effective utilization was achieved without any.

[0057]

The following effects can be obtained by the speaker-integrated keyboard according to the present invention and the information equipment provided with the keyboard.

First, when the keyboard of the information device is not used, the keyboard can be attached to the back of the computer main body, so that not only is it not troublesome to place it,
The keyboard can be used as a speaker.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a use mode when a speaker-integrated keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention is used as a keyboard.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view from the front showing the information device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view illustrating a mouse provided with a microphone on a bottom surface.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing the information device according to the embodiment of the present invention from behind.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection state between the information device main body (10) and the input device (keyboard) 1;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of attaching a speaker to a keyboard.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of an information device according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of an information device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of an initialization process after information device startup according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows an application unit (1) in an information device according to the present invention.
It is a flowchart explaining the communication control processing sequence between 3) and each peripheral device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 information device main unit 16 interface circuit board (information device main unit side) 18 connection terminal unit (information device main unit side) 19 USB standard terminal 23 audio output unit (built-in speaker) 4 display unit 50 keyboard 51 key input unit 52 audio Output unit (external speaker) 58 Connection terminal unit (keyboard side) 60 Mouse

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An information device comprising at least a keyboard having a speaker on a bottom surface, and a holding member for holding the keyboard, wherein the holding member is fixed to a back surface of the information device, An information device, wherein the keyboard is mounted by the holding member with the bottom surface of the speaker facing the information device. 2. The speaker-integrated keyboard according to claim 1, wherein the speaker is embedded in a bottom surface of the keyboard. 3. The speaker-integrated keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said speaker is rotatably attached to said keyboard. 4. An information device comprising at least a keyboard having a speaker, and control means for mutually exclusively controlling a voice output process as a speaker and a key input process as a keyboard. 5. Key input means, first interface means for transmitting a key input signal input by the key input means to the information equipment main body, and transmitted from the information equipment main body. Second interface means for outputting the audio signal to the audio output unit (52), and a control unit for controlling the first interface and the second interface exclusively. Speaker integrated keyboard. 6. A keyboard integrated with a speaker and an information device including the keyboard, wherein the control unit according to claim 5 is provided in an information device main body (10). 7. Detecting means for detecting that a keyboard having a speaker is detached from the back of the information device main body (10), and the detecting means causes the keyboard to be mounted on the information device main body (10). When it is detected that the external speaker (5) is attached to the back of the
When the voice output is performed from 2) and it is detected that the keyboard is detached from the back of the information device main body (10),
7. The speaker-integrated keyboard and the keyboard according to claim 5, further comprising: a control unit configured to perform control to output sound from the internal speaker (23) through the first interface unit. Equipped information equipment.