Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
  • G06F3/023—Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F13/00—Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
  • G06F13/38—Information transfer, e.g. on bus
  • G06F13/40—Bus structure
  • G06F13/4004—Coupling between buses
  • G06F13/4022—Coupling between buses using switching circuits, e.g. switching matrix, connection or expansion network

Definitions

• the present invention relates to computer I/O for personal computers.
• the present invention address the foregoing problem by first recognizing that the one connection already present in the bulk of all desktop systems is a key ⁇ board connection.
• the present invention generally speaking, "soups up" the omni ⁇ present keyboard connection by applying to the connection a known high-speed multiplexed serial connection protocol.
• Peripheral devices are then incorporated into the keyboard, thereby minimizing cable and desktop clutter while providing a full feature set. Examples of peripheral devices that may be included in the key ⁇ board include a PC CardTM or Card BusTM slot, a smart card read/write unit, speak ⁇ ers, microphones, etc. Consumers may thereby be afforded a greater degree of choice, since keyboard models are generally easier than computer models to make, ship, and inventory.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a computer keyboard including an i/o device
• FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of the keyboard of Figure 1.
• a perspective view is shown of a keyboard 100 in accordance with one aspect of the invention.
• the keyboard 100 does not differ substantially from a conventional keyboard in the arrangement or feel of the keys. Keys are arrayed in three principle areas of the keyboard, including a "QUERTY" area 101, a function-key area 103, and a numeric keypad area 105. In operation as a keyboard therefore, the keyboard 100 may be indistinguishable from a conventional keyboard.
• the keyboard 100 incorporates additional features that further enhance its operation and increase its value and util ⁇ ity. Although multiple such features are illustrated in Figure 1 for purposes of illus- tration, a given keyboard may include from only one such feature to many such features, depending on the particular model of the keyboard.
• a keyboard housing 107 may be located one or more slots (109, 111) to receive record-bearing media.
• These media may include, for exam ⁇ ple, a PC CardTM or Card BusTM Card, a smart card, a credit card or other card pro ⁇ vided with a magnetic stripe, etc.
• a slot for receiving a hybrid card reader capable of reading both a smart card and a magnetic card and housed in the form of a PC Card.
• Various aspects of such a hybrid card reader are disclosed in the following U.S. Patents, inco ⁇ orated herein by reference: 5,331,138, 5,375,037 and 5,625,534.
• a speaker grill 113 On a top surface of the keyboard 100, above the function keys, for exam ⁇ ple, there may be provided a speaker grill 113, to accommodate one or more com ⁇ puter speakers, and a microphone 115.
• a serial port protocol engine 203 is coupled to a serial port connector 201 of the keyboard.
• the serial port protocol engine 203 may realize any of a num ⁇ ber of high-speed serial interconnect standard that provide for multiple simulta ⁇ neous digital data streams, including GeoPortTM, Universal Serial BusTM (USB.), etc. Further details concerning the GeoPort High Speed Serial Interface Protocol may be found in U.S. Patent 5,515,373, incorporated herein by reference.
• the pro ⁇ tocol engine may range in complexity from simple to complex. In one embodi ⁇ ment, the protocol engine is simple and easily realized.
• the data from the different devices is packetized (i.e., placed in "envelopes") and distinguished using different headers (i.e., different "address labels").
• the data may be sorted out and processed appropriately (no aspect of which forms part of the present invention).
• the serial port protocol engine 203 is coupled to an I/O controller 205.
• the I/O controller 205 includes circuitry to satisfy the particularized I/O requirements of each I/O device within the keyboard, and may be realized as an Application- Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), for example.
• the I/O devices may include, in addition to conventional keyboard logic 207, a PC CardTM or Card BusTM socket 213, a smart card read/write unit 215, a magnetic stripe reader 217, a speaker 221, a microphone 223, etc.
• the speaker and the microphone are preferably connected to the I/O controller through a sound chip 219, such as an audio codec.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• Mathematical Physics (AREA)
• Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
• Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
• Small-Scale Networks (AREA)
• Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=24697126

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (3)

Family Cites Families (8)

• 1997
  • 1997-06-23 EP EP97943288A patent/EP1016215A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1997-06-23 JP JP50362298A patent/JP2002508094A/ja active Pending
  • 1997-06-23 WO PCT/US1997/011793 patent/WO1997050027A2/en not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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