Abstract:
A multimedia console incorporating an alphanumeric keyboard, and a musical key-bed is described for generating multimedia work product conveniently when coupled with a digital personal computer or optionally as a stand alone music equipment. The musical key-bed is detachably coupled with a protective cover for providing ergonomic support when, said musical key-bed is not being used.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an input device for generating multimedia information with digital processor. In particular, the present invention pertains to a versatile accessory for providing input information to digital processor and music equipment for generating multimedia work product. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Input devices such the keyboard and mouse are well known in the personal computer industry for providing text and command to the digital computer for generating multimedia work products. Although the industry initially marketed such input devices as discrete accessories, the advent of the internet and the requirement for multimedia information have prompted input device manufacturers to extend the capability of stand alone input devices to cater to the needs of authors of multimedia work products. 
   At the same time, the music industry evolved from a mainly analogue world to a digital one: music synthesizers and music composition programs contributed significantly to the origination of musical output from the music industry. The popularity and acceptance of internet no doubt hastens this process. 
   While the multimedia console of Singapore patent application no. 200001593-3 provided realistic simulation of musical key-bed instruments such as piano, organ or harpsichord; string instruments such as guitar or banjo were difficult to emulate. 
   It is an object of the present invention to incorporate string instrument input function into an unitary input device. 
   It is another object of the present invention to consolidate the text/command and a broad range of musical input functionality into an integrated keyboard for facilitating the origination of multimedia work product. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to disable physically the musical input functionality while it is not required while providing ergonomic benefits to the user of the present invention. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A multimedia console incorporating an alphanumeric keyboard and a musical key-bed and a string instrument module is described for generating multimedia work product conveniently when coupled with a digital personal computer or optionally as a stand alone music equipment. When the musical key-bed functionality is not required, a palm rest cover converts the top surface area of the musical key-bed into an ergonomic support for the user&#39;s hands. In a second embodiment, a string instrument module encourages users of personal computers and music instrument players alike to generate original multimedia work products effectively and economically. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top, plan, elevational view of a first embodiment of the present invention with the palm rest cover being removed and exposing the top surface of the musical key-bed. 
       FIG. 2  is a right side, partial elevation view of a second embodiment of the present invention highlighting the string instrument module before it is coupled with the multimedia console. 
       FIG. 3  is top, plan, elevational view of the multimedia console of  FIG. 2  showing the string instrument module being coupled thereto. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  is a top, plan, elevational view of applicants multimedia console as described in Singapore patent application no. 20001593-3 filed on 20 Mar. 
   2000. A multimedia console  5  comprises a housing  10  for receiving a keyboard  20 , a musical key-bed  30 , a pointing device  40  and a protective cover  60 . In the preferred embodiment, the keyboard  20  is an extended QWERTY keyboard that features a full alphanumeric key set and function key set. Disposed substantially parallel with and below the keyboard  20  is the musical key-bed  30  which is integrated with the console  5 . The pointing device  40  can either be a touch pad or a mouse for directing the cursor on an onboard display (not shown in figures) or optionally on a display screen of a digital personal computer (also not shown in figures). 
   When the musical key-bed  30  is not used, the user may place the protective cover  60  over the length of the musical key-bed  30 . This cover  60  not only serves to as a palm rest for the key-bed  30 , but also provides the user with the ergonomic benefits of such a protective cover. It should be understood by one skilled in the art that prolong and uninterrupted use of the keyboard  20  may cause psychological changes to the user&#39;s fingers and palms. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the pointing device  25  is also integrated as part of the multimedia console. Here, the distance between the alphanumeric key pads of the keyboard  20  and the pointing device  40  is kept at a minimum. As such, the user can control the process of composition of multimedia work product optimally. It should be understood by one skilled in the art that the pointing device can be either a mouse, touch pad or equivalent accessory for controlling the direction and command of a cursor on a display screen (not shown). 
   Referring again to  FIG. 1 , a plurality of jacks  50  are disposed strategically on the side of housing  10  for securing thereon a strap (not shown). Such a strap facilitates a musician or user in carrying the multimedia console on his or her shoulders in generating musical signals with the musical key-bed. 
   Not shown but understood by one skilled in the arts is a link (not shown in figures) between the multimedia console  5  and the processor unit (not shown in figures). As mentioned briefly above, the processor can be a digital signal processor or a dedicated processor or an embedded chip. The link can be internal or can be a cable based on existing industry standards such as PS2 or Universal Serial Bus (USB) in combination with MIDI. In other instances, the multimedia console of the present invention can have a wireless link such as infrared or radio frequency. 
   With the multimedia console  5 , authors and creators of multimedia content or even everyday user of personal computer can generate multimedia work product such as new web application on the spot without relying on traditionally dedicated equipment. As such, the cycle time for the origination of multimedia work product can be reduced tremendously. The multimedia console  5  of the present invention comes with the flexibility of disabling the musical key-bed  30  with a toggle switch (not shown). Alternatively, the protective cover  60  is detachably laid over the top surface of the key-bed  30  when the key-bed  30  is not required. The protective cover  60  also provides ergonomic support for the user. 
   While the multimedia console  5  is a adequate accompaniment for the origination of multimedia work product, the range of musical instruments represented is limited. For instance, the musical key-bed  30  simulates the input strokes of a piano or organ player. However, string instruments such as guitar or banjo is difficult to emulate with the multimedia console  5 . 
     FIG. 2  is a right side, partial elevation view of the embodiment of the present invention highlighting the string instrument module before it is coupled with the multimedia console. The string instrument module comprises an accessory module  80  and a housing  90  that is detachably coupled to a interface receptable  65  that is previously occupied by the pointing device of applicants Singapore patent application no. 20001593-3. Instead of the pointing device, the space is taken by a cover  45  and the interface receptable  65 . Disposed within the interface receptacle  65  is at least one electrical interface for the accessory module  80 . 
   Again in  FIG. 2 , the accessory module  80  further comprises a plurality of strings  82  that are arranged substantially parallel with each other. The vibration of strings is sent to an analog-to-digital converter  84  (not shown in the figure but understood to be embedded in the module or within the body  10 ). The electrical signals from the accessory module  80  are transmitted via wires  86  to the console via the electrical interface  70 . The accessory housing  90 : is capped over the accessory module  80  before the entire assembly is coupled to the interface receptacle  65  on the console. 
     FIG. 3  is top, plan, elevational view of the improved multimedia console  100  of the present invention showing the string instrument housing  90  being coupled thereto. The string instrument housing  90  is located within the easy reach of the user such that the strings  82  can be plucked just as any guitarist or banjo player. Of course, the accessory cover  45  has to be removed: from the interface receptacle  65  before the accessory housing  90  can be coupled with the improved multimedia console. 
   The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are, therefore, to be embraced therein.