U.S. patent application number 09/765647 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-25 for keyboard with ports.
Invention is credited to Wu, Donald.
Application Number | 20020097552 09/765647 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26056779 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020097552 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wu, Donald |
July 25, 2002 |
KEYBOARD WITH PORTS
Abstract
A keyboard device comprises a body including a hub circuit and a
keyboard circuit coupled to hub circuit, a plurality of keys on the
top of the body coupled to keyboard circuit, a signal connection
means on the body coupled to hub circuit which is coupled to a
first electronic means such that key may be pressed to cause
keyboard circuit to generate a signal which is sent to first
electronic means through hub circuit and signal connection means
for being processed, and at least one port on the body each port
having one end coupled to hub circuit and the other end coupled to
a second electronic means. When second electronic means is coupled
to port, the input means of second electronic means is faced toward
user for ease of operation. Hence, signals from second electronic
means may be sent to first electronic device through keyboard for
being processed. Further, signals from first electronic means may
be sent back to second electronic means through keyboard in
response.
Inventors: |
Wu, Donald; (Taipei,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BACON & THOMAS, PLLC
4th Floor
625 Slaters Lane
Alexandria
VA
22314-1176
US
|
Family ID: |
26056779 |
Appl. No.: |
09/765647 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/023 20130101;
G06F 3/0227 20130101; G06F 3/038 20130101; G06F 3/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/680 |
International
Class: |
G06F 001/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A keyboard device comprising: a body including a hub circuit and
a keyboard circuit coupled to said hub circuit, a plurality of keys
on said top surface of said body coupled to said keyboard circuit,
a signal connection means on said body coupled to said hub circuit
which is coupled to a first electronic means such that said key is
operable to press to cause said keyboard circuit to generate a
signal which is sent to said first electronic means through said
hub circuit and said signal connection means for being processed;
and at least one port on said body each having one end coupled to
said hub circuit and said other end coupled to a second electronic
means having an input means which is positioned for being adapted
to operate; whereby signals from said second electronic means is
sent to said first electronic device through said keyboard for
being processed and signals from said first electronic means is
sent back to said second electronic means through said keyboard in
response.
2. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein said hub circuit is a
universal serial bus (USB) hub circuit, each of said ports is a USB
port, and said second electronic means further comprises a USB
connector.
3. The keyboard device of claim 2, wherein said USB connector of
said second electronic means is provided on a predetermined
position thereon such that said input means of said second
electronic means is positioned for being adapted to operate after
said second electronic means is coupled to said USB port.
4. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein said hub circuit is a
USB hub circuit, each of said ports has a predetermined interface
specification, and further comprising a signal conversion circuit
coupled between said USB hub circuit and said ports having said
predetermined interface specification such that said second
electronic means having a connector with said predetermined
interface specification is coupled to said port having said
predetermined interface specification whereby signal generated from
said second electronic means is sent to said signal conversion
circuit for converting into a USB signal through said connector
with said predetermined interface specification of said second
electronic device and said coupled port having said predetermined
interface specification of said keyboard device, and said USB
signal is sent to said first electronic device for being processed
through said signal connection means.
5. The keyboard device of claim 4, wherein said connector with said
predetermined interface specification of said first electronic
means is provided on a predetermined position thereon such that
said input means of said second electronic means is positioned for
being adapted to operate after said second electronic means is
coupled to said port having said predetermined interface
specification.
6. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein said signal connection
means is a cable having one end coupled to said hub circuit and
said other end coupled to said port.
7. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein said first electronic
means is a computer.
8. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein said second electronic
means is a fingerprint identifier.
9. The keyboard device of claim 1, 3, or 5, wherein said input
means of said second electronic means is positioned on said top
surface said same as that of said keys for being adapted to
operate.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of computer
keyboard and more particularly to a keyboard with ports having
improved characteristics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A conventional computer configuration is illustrated in FIG.
1. As shown, computer 4 comprises a variety of ports 40 each having
a specific interface specification (e.g., PS2 port, LPT port, 1394
port, or universal serial bus (USB) port) and a variety of
peripherals 5 each having a unique connector 50 coupled to a
corresponding port 40. Hence, signals from peripherals 5 may be
sent to computer 4 for being processed. Also, signals from computer
4 may be sent back to peripherals 5 in response. Typically, it is
required to install a specific driver in computer 4 when one of the
peripherals 5 is first coupled to computer 4 as stated above. Then
turn off computer 4 prior to powering on computer 4 again. Finally,
user may operate that peripheral 5 if the power on test is passed.
However, computer 4 may not be operated normally if that peripheral
5 is disconnected from computer 4. Further, the number of ports 40
may be not sufficient if there are many peripherals to be coupled
to computer 4. Furthermore, computer 4 may be operated abnormally.
It is required to install an associate driver in computer 4 when a
peripheral 5 having a USB connector is first coupled to computer 4.
User may operate the peripheral 5 immediately after the
installation. Computer 4 may be still operated normally if that
peripheral 5 is disconnected from computer 4. When user wants to
use the peripheral 5, it may be coupled to computer 4 again without
interrupting the normal operation of computer 4. It is a convenient
design. Thus, such USB connector is incorporated in almost all
peripherals 5.
[0003] Another conventional keyboard 7 is illustrated in FIG. 2. As
shown, keyboard 7 comprises a recessed socket 70 having a port
therein coupled to a connector of an electronic device 8 and a
connector 72 at the free end of keyboard cable such that signals
from keyboard 7 may be sent to computer 4 through connector 72. In
both the peripheral 5 having connector as shown in FIG. 1 and
peripheral 5 having USB connector, two cables are employed to
connect keyboard 7 and electronic device 8 to computer 4 and
keyboard 7 respectively. Hence, a plurality of cables are installed
around computer 4 when a plurality of peripherals 5 are coupled to
computer 4. It is known that there is little space available for
the provision of such cables because most available space on and
around table is occupied by computer, documents, or the like.
Further, this may cause inconvenience and the office messy.
Furthermore, this is not a good working environment. Thus
improvement exists.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
keyboard comprising a body, a plurality of keys on the top surface
of the body, and at least one port. Hence, keyboard may be operated
normally when port of the keyboard is coupled to a first electronic
device. Also, a signal communication therebetween is effected when
port of the keyboard is coupled to a second electronic device.
[0005] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 schematically shows a conventional keyboard coupled
to a computer;
[0007] FIG. 2 schematically shows another conventional keyboard
coupled to a computer;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing major
components of a keyboard according to the invention;
[0009] FIG. 4 schematically shows a first preferred embodiment of
keyboard according to the invention coupled to a computer; and
[0010] FIG. 5 schematically shows a second preferred embodiment of
keyboard according to the invention coupled to a computer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5, there is shown a keyboard in
accordance with the invention comprising a body 1 including a hub
circuit 10, a keyboard circuit 12 coupled to hub circuit 10, and a
plurality of keys 14 on the top surface of the body 1 being coupled
to keyboard circuit 12, and a signal connection device 3 having one
end coupled to hub circuit 10 and the other end coupled to a first
electronic device 6. Hence, keyboard may be coupled to first
electronic device 6 through signal connection device 3. In an
embodiment of this invention, the first electronic device 6 is a
computer, while it is appreciated by those skilled in the art that
computer may be replaced by another suitable device without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In operation,
key 14 may be pressed to generate a signal from keyboard circuit
12. Then the signal is sent to first electronic device 6 through
hub circuit 10 and signal connection device 3 for being processed
by a conventional technique. Further, at least one port 16 is
provided at body 1. Each port 16 has one end coupled to hub circuit
10 and the other end coupled to a second electronic device 2. In
the embodiment, the second electronic device 2 is a fingerprint
identifier, an image fetching device, a credit card reader, or a
memory reader, while it is appreciated by those skilled in the art
that any of above devices may be replaced by another suitable
device without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention. As such, the input means of second electronic device 2
is faced toward user for ease of operation after second electronic
device 2 is coupled to port 16 (FIGS. 4 and 5). Hence, signals from
second electronic device 2 may be sent to first electronic device 6
through keyboard for being processed. Also, signals from first
electronic device 6 may be sent back to second electronic device 2
through keyboard in response.
[0012] As understood that a first electronic device having a USB
connector is readily adapted to couple to a second electronic
device having a USB port. Thus, the operation is convenient.
Further, the second electronic device having a USB port may be
expanded to accommodate 127 USB connectors through a plurality of
universal serial bus hubs (USB Hub). Thus, it is impossible for the
second electronic device having insufficient connectors when each
coupled first electronic device having an incorporated USB
connector.
[0013] In a first preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in
FIG. 4, the hub circuit 10 is a USB hub circuit and each of ports
16 is a USB port. Hence, any of second electronic devices 2 having
such USB port may be directly coupled to a USB connector. The USB
connector of the second electronic device 2 is provided on a
predetermined position thereon. Hence, the input means of second
electronic device 2 is faced toward user for ease of operation
after second electronic device 2 is coupled to USB port. As shown,
the predetermined position of USB port is on the same surface as
keys of keyboard. This configuration is suitable for compact
electronic device having signal transmission capability inserted
onto port of keyboard. Thus a keyboard incorporating such
electronic device may facilitate signal input. Further, drawbacks
of messy cables and space consuming occurred in prior art are
eliminated.
[0014] In a second preferred embodiment of the invention as shown
in FIG. 5, hub circuit 10 is a USB hub circuit and each of ports 16
is a port having a specific interface specification. A signal
conversion circuit (not shown) is coupled between the USB hub
circuit and the specific ports. Hence, any of second electronic
devices 2 having such specific connector may be directly coupled to
a port having a corresponding specific interface specification.
Signal generated from second electronic device 2 is sent to the
signal conversion circuit for converting into a USB signal through
the specific connector of second electronic device 2 and the
coupled corresponding specific port of keyboard. The converted
signal is sent to first electronic device 6 for being processed
through signal connection device 3. As shown, the specific
connector of second electronic device 2 is provided on a
predetermined position thereon. Hence, the input means of second
electronic device 2 is faced toward user for ease of operation
after second electronic device 2 is coupled to USB port. The
predetermined position of USB port is on the same surface as keys
of keyboard. This configuration is suitable for inputting signals
from second electronic device 2. Further, drawbacks of messy cables
and space consuming occurred in prior art are eliminated. In the
invention, signal connection device 3 is a cable having one end
coupled to hub circuit and the other end coupled to a port which is
a USB port. While it is appreciated by those skilled in the art
that the USB port may be replaced by another suitable means without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Moreover, a
connector of second electronic device 2 is coupled to the USB
port.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 5 again, the second preferred embodiment
of the invention is shown for illustrating the effect achieved by
the invention. As shown, keyboard is coupled to computer 6 through
signal connection device 3. A fingerprint identifier 2 is inserted
in port 16 of keyboard. A fingerprint fetching device (not shown)
of fingerprint identifier 2 is provided at the same surface as keys
14. Finger of a person is first placed on fingerprint fetching
device. Then fingerprint fetching device is activated to fetch
fingerprint from the finger. The fetched fingerprint data is then
sent to computer 6 for comparing with data in a fingerprint data
base through fingerprint identifier 2, port 16, hub circuit 10, and
signal connection device 3.
[0016] While the invention has been described by means of specific
embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made
thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.
* * * * *