KR20010017924A - Keyboard having a capability of a telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A keyboard combined with a telephone is provided to improve a general function of a keyboard by equipping a telephone module with the keyboard of a computer and enabling a user to use the keyboard of the computer for the telephone according to the user's choice. CONSTITUTION: A keyboard control module(10) generates a corresponding signal in case that a user operates a numeric key included in each key and key inputting unit(30) in a keyboard and transmits the signal to a computer. A mode selecting unit(20) is equipped as a form of a button or a key and an ON/OFF is controlled by the user's operation. The mode selecting unit(20) operates the inputting unit(30) by the numeric key and a numeric key for dialing. The key inputting unit(30) is composed of a plurality of numeric keys equipped in the keyboard. A telephone control module(40) is composed of telephone circuits equipped in a general telephone. A speaker(50) and a microphone(60) enable the user to perform the dialing using the numeric key of the keyboard and to call the other person. An external connecting terminal(70) enables the user to connect a headphone mike and to use the headphone mike.

Description

Keyboard for both phones {KEYBOARD HAVING A CAPABILITY OF A TELEPHONE}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard used in a computer. More particularly, the present invention relates to a telephone combined keyboard capable of performing a telephone function by using a numeric key provided in a keyboard.

In general, a keyboard provided in a computer is an input device used to input a command or data to enable a computer to perform a specific operation. The keyboard generates a key signal corresponding to a key operated by a user from a key matrix and generates a key signal. To pass. One side of the general keyboard (usually the right side) is provided with a number of numeric keys that can be used exclusively for numbers using the 'Num Lock' key. In other words, this numeric key generates a numeric key signal corresponding to the user's operation when the 'Num Lock' key is ON, and when the 'Num Lock' key is OFF, right and left Function as a direction key.

On the other hand, in recent years, various office equipment or home appliances including computers have been miniaturized and multifunctional, and office equipment, which can simultaneously process functions of one device to another, has been released. If the phone function is built in and the user can dial by using the numeric keys on the keyboard, the overall function of the keyboard will be improved and more various user's needs will be met.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a telephone combined keyboard that allows a user to selectively use the keyboard as a telephone by incorporating a telephone function in a keyboard of a computer.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a keyboard for a telephone, comprising: a key input composed of a plurality of numeric keys provided on the keyboard and generating a key signal corresponding to a key operation; A keyboard control module for transmitting a key signal input through the plurality of key operations to the computer; A telephone control module connected to an external telephone line and converting a key signal input through manipulation of the plurality of keys into a corresponding tone signal to perform dialing through the telephone line; A mode selector which is switched according to a user's operation and selectively provides a key signal input from the key input unit to the keyboard control module or the telephone control module; A microphone for converting a user's voice signal into an electrical voice signal and transmitting the voice signal to the telephone line through the telephone control module; Provided is a telephone combined keyboard including a speaker for converting and outputting an electrical voice signal provided to the telephone control module through the telephone line to a voice signal.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a keyboard for a combined phone according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the dual-use keyboard in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing>

10: keyboard control module 20: mode selector

30: key input unit 40: telephone control module

50: speaker 60: microphone

70: external connection terminal

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail with respect to the telephone combined keyboard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a combined keyboard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the keyboard control module 10, the mode selection unit 20, the key input unit 30, the telephone control module 40 ), A speaker 50, a microphone 60, and an external connection terminal 70.

Referring to FIG. 1, the keyboard control module 10 generates a signal corresponding to a signal generated when a user manipulates various keys included in a keyboard and a numeric key included in the key input unit 30 and transmits the corresponding signal to a computer. As, generally, means a control module provided in the keyboard.

The mode selector 20 is provided on the keyboard in the form of a button or a key to be controlled on / off by a user's operation, and accordingly, a numeric key provided on the keyboard, that is, a key input unit 30 to be described later. ) With the numeric keys as with a conventional keyboard or with the numeric keys for telephone dialing. That is, when the mode selection unit 20 is switched to the on state based on the user's operation, the operation of the key input unit 30 is switched to the telephone mode, and the user presses the numeric key provided in the key input unit 30 again. When operated, the key signal generated from the key input unit 30 is transmitted to the telephone control module 40 described later.

On the contrary, when the operation mode of the mode selection unit 20 is selected to be off based on the user's operation, the operation of the key input unit 30 is switched to the keyboard mode, and the number is provided by the user in the key input unit 30. When the key is operated, the key signal generated from the key input unit 30 is transmitted to the keyboard control module 10.

The mode selector 20 is provided with a display means (for example, an LED) to display the on / off state of the mode selector 20 as necessary, so that the operation of the key input unit 30 is activated. The user can easily recognize whether the operation mode or keyboard mode.

The key input unit 30 includes a plurality of numeric keys provided in the keyboard, and generates a key signal based on a user's operation according to the above-described switching operation of the mode selection unit 20. Transfer to the control module 40.

The telephone control module 40 includes a telephone circuit provided in a general telephone, that is, a ring signal detecting means, a tone generating means, a hook switch circuit, and the like, and when the mode selector 20 is switched on, After the telephone line L45 is connected through an internal hook switch circuit (not shown), dialing is performed by converting a key signal generated from the key input unit 30 into a tone signal based on a user's key operation.

In addition, the speaker 50 and the microphone 60 are means provided to enable the user to dial by using the numeric keys of the keyboard and to make a call with the other party after a call is set up. It performs the speaker phone function of, the operation of the mode selector 20 is switched to the ON state can be driven by the control of the telephone control module 40 only in the state of operating in the telephone mode.

On the other hand, the external connection terminal 70 is provided to enable the user to connect and use the headphone microphone (not shown). In other words, it is a means for connecting the connection jack of the headphone microphone which is widely used in a computer or a small phone in recent years, and when the connection jack of the headphone microphone is inserted like the connector of a general headphone microphone, the phone control module is automatically It blocks the input / output of the external output means and input means, that is, the speaker 50 and the microphone 60, and enables only the voice input / output from the headphone microphone connected through the external connection terminal 70.

2 is a flowchart illustrating an overall operation process of a telephone combined keyboard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

While the operation of the dual-use keyboard as shown in Fig. 1 is operating in a standby state (keyboard mode) for performing a command inputted from a plurality of keys provided on the keyboard (step 201), the mode selection unit 20 When an arbitrary key signal is input through the key input unit 30 without changing the mode (step 205), the keyboard control module 207 generates and transmits a corresponding control key signal to the computer, thereby corresponding to the input key signal. Command to be executed (step 207).

On the contrary, when the overall operation mode of the keyboard operates as a keyboard of a general computer, a user inputs a mode change signal for switching the operation mode of the key input unit 30 to the telephone mode by operating the mode selector 20. The operation of the mode selector 20 is switched on (step 203), and the key input unit (the overall operation of the board is switched to the phone mode (step 209). In this case, the telephone control module 40 is in the mode. On the basis of the ON signal of the selection unit 20, the internal display means, not shown, is displayed in the on state, indicating that the overall operation mode of the key input unit 30 has been switched to the telephone mode. The telephone line L45 is connected through the hook switch circuit of (step 211), and the user then dies by outputting the call waiting sound from the telephone line L45 through the speaker 50. That ring standby state to be recognized.

When the user manipulates the numeric keys included in the key input unit 30 while the operation mode of the key input unit 30 is switched to the telephone mode through the above-described process, the corresponding key signal is converted to the mode selection unit ( 20 is input to the telephone control module 40 (step 213), and the telephone control module 40 generates a corresponding tone signal through the tone generating means provided therein (step 217). Dialing of the entered number (key signal) is performed (step 219).

On the other hand, the case of receiving a call from the outside from the telephone combined keyboard according to the present invention, when the ring signal transmitted from the outside through the telephone line (L45) is provided to the telephone control module 40, the telephone control module ( The ring signal detecting means (not shown) in FIG. 40 detects this and outputs it through the ring signal output means or speaker (not shown) so that the user can recognize that the telephone is coming from the outside. 20) to the on state by using the headphone microphone connected through the speaker 50 and the microphone 60 or the external connection terminal 70 is possible to talk with the other party.

As described above, according to the present invention, by embedding a telephone module in the keyboard of the computer to enable the user's selection of the keyboard of the computer for the use of the phone, there is an effect that can improve the overall function of the keyboard, even more There is an effect that can satisfy the needs of various users.

Claims (5)

In the telephone keyboard, A key input unit comprising a plurality of numeric keys provided on the keyboard and generating a key signal corresponding to a key operation; A keyboard control module for transmitting a key signal input through the plurality of key operations to the computer; A telephone control module connected to an external telephone line and converting a key signal input through manipulation of the plurality of keys into a corresponding tone signal to perform dialing through the telephone line; A mode selector which is switched according to a user's operation and selectively provides a key signal input from the key input unit to the keyboard control module or the telephone control module; A microphone for converting a user's voice signal into an electrical voice signal and transmitting the voice signal to the telephone line through the telephone control module; And a speaker for converting and outputting an electrical voice signal provided to the telephone control module through the telephone line to a voice signal. The telephone combination keyboard of claim 1, wherein the keyboard is connected to the telephone control module, and converts a user's voice signal into an electric voice signal to be transmitted to the phone line and receives an electric voice signal provided through the phone line. A telephone combined keyboard further comprising an external connector for connecting a headphone microphone for converting and outputting a voice signal. The keyboard as claimed in claim 2, wherein when the headphone microphone is connected to the external connection terminal, the phone keyboard is disconnected from the headphone microphone and the output signal from the headphone microphone and the input signal. A telephone combined keyboard, characterized in that the automatic switching. The telephone combined keyboard according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mode selector further comprises display means for displaying a switching state of the mode selector. 5. The telephone combined keyboard according to claim 4, wherein the display means is composed of LEDs.