Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20030146903?ie=ISO-8859-1&dq=6,578,054
Timestamp: 2014-09-24 03:56:09
Document Index: 134069256

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 110', 'art 120', 'art 130', 'art 110', 'art 110', 'art 120', 'art 130', 'art 110', 'art 130', 'art 120', 'art 130', 'art 120', 'art 110', 'art 120', 'art 130', 'art 130', 'art 130', 'art 210', 'art 220', 'art 220', 'art 110', 'art 110', 'art 110', 'art 130', 'art 210', 'art 220', 'art 210', 'art 220', 'art 220', 'art 220', 'art 220', 'art 220', 'art 210', 'art 220']

Patent US20030146903 - Wired keyboard with built-in web camera - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsA wired keyboard with a built-in web camera, which eliminates the need of a separate web camera for image data transmission and which has an improved input key performance. According to one preferred embodiment, a wired keyboard with a built-in web camera includes a plurality of input keys and comprises:...http://www.google.com/patents/US20030146903?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20030146903 - Wired keyboard with built-in web cameraAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20030146903 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 10/060,994Publication dateAug 7, 2003Filing dateFeb 1, 2002Priority dateFeb 1, 2002Publication number060994, 10060994, US 2003/0146903 A1, US 2003/146903 A1, US 20030146903 A1, US 20030146903A1, US 2003146903 A1, US 2003146903A1, US-A1-20030146903, US-A1-2003146903, US2003/0146903A1, US2003/146903A1, US20030146903 A1, US20030146903A1, US2003146903 A1, US2003146903A1InventorsLeland YiOriginal AssigneeLeland YiExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManReferenced by (7), Classifications (7) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetWired keyboard with built-in web cameraUS 20030146903 A1Abstract A wired keyboard with a built-in web camera, which eliminates the need of a separate web camera for image data transmission and which has an improved input key performance. According to one preferred embodiment, a wired keyboard with a built-in web camera includes a plurality of input keys and comprises: a first input part for producing a code corresponding to an input key selected by a user, generating input key data corresponding to the code, and transmitting the input key data; a second input part for receiving image data, converting the image data into a digital image signal, and transmitting the digital image signal; an integrated processing part for receiving the input key data and/or the converted image data, assigning a predetermined identification code to the data, and converting the identification-coded data into a predetermined data format; and a transmitter for transmitting the data converted by the integrated processing part to a terminal device. Images(3) Claims(9)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0027] Hereinafter the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with the accompanying drawings. [0028] Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a wired keyboard with a built-in web camera 100 according to the present invention is shown. The wired keyboard with the built-in web camera 100 generally comprises a first input part 110, a second input part 120, an integrated processing part 130 and a transmitter 140. The first input part 110 for receiving specific user selected input key data generally comprises an input key signal generator 150 and an input key data generator 160. The first input part 110 will be described in detail in FIG. 3. The second input part 120 for receiving image data inputted from the web camera generally comprises an image receiver 170 and an image converter 180. [0029] The wired keyboard with the built-in web camera 100 also includes a plurality of input keys comprising an IC chip (e.g., bit code IC) that can produce an individual code corresponding to a specific input key selected by a user. Accordingly, if the user selects a specific input key, the input key signal generator 150 produces a predetermined code using the IC chip. Based on the information of the predetermined code, the input key data generator 160 determines which input key was selected by the user. The determined input key data are then transferred to the integrated processing part 130. [0030] In one preferred embodiment, the first input part 110 further comprises an additional memory (e.g., buffer) for storing a predetermined amount of input key data. While storing a certain amount of input key data inputted from the input key data generator 160, the memory can transmit a certain amount of input key data to the integrated processing part 130. This process can be executed so fast that the user cannot recognize a time-delay between storing and transmission. [0031] Still referring to FIG. 2, in the case that the user operates the second input part 120 for video chatting or video conferencing, the image receiver 170 receives corresponding image data and then transmits the image data to the image converter 180. The image converter 180 then converts the image data into electrical signals, or the image data in form of analog signals into image data in the form of digital signals, and then transmits the converted image data to the integrated processing part 130. [0032] In another preferred embodiment, the second input part 120 further comprises an image controller for adjusting the brightness and the colors of the inputted image data in order to improve the quality and an image compressor for compressing the image data. The image controller adjusts the brightness and the colors of the image data using a reference value extracted from the analysis of the image signal. The reference value is obtained from a histogram of brightness values of the entire image signal and by extracting several peak values. The brightness of the colors included in the image signal is processed by each color; however, standard adjustment of the entire brightness can be applied without change. Therefore, the brightness of the image will be adjusted so that it is entirely improved and has a clear outline. The image controller also adjusts the contrast. The adjusted image is then compressed in the image compressor to a predetermined data format (e.g., jpeg, mpeg). [0033] Still referring to FIG. 2, the input key data inputted from the first input part 110 and the image data inputted from the second input part 120 are transmitted to the integrated processing part 130. The integrated processing part 130 assigns a predetermined identification code to the data, converts the data into a predetermined data format (e.g., USB protocol), and then transmits the data to the transmitter 140. The integrated processing part 130 is also coupled to an external connection port for data transmission to and from at least one external USB device. [0034] The transmitter 140 transmits the received data to the computer 190 via USB cable. The input key data and the image data can be transmitted via a single USB cable since each kind of data has a specific identification code or via separated USB cables. The transmitter 140 generally comprises a USB hub and therefore, the input key part 210 (shown in FIG. 4) and the web camera part 220 (shown in FIG. 4) are recognized as separated devices. A hub is a device for connecting several ports to one port. In the case of using a hub obeying the USB transmission protocol, the hub can connect a maximum of 127 devices. The web camera part 220 can be further controlled by an additional device driver. [0035] Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of the first input part 110 according to the present invention is shown. The first input part 110 generally comprises the input key signal generator 150 and the input key data generator 160. In one preferred embodiment, the first input part 110 is a keyboard comprising several input keys. [0036] An integrated circuit IC controls the processes in the input key signal generator 150, as shown in FIG. 3. The IC produces a bit code corresponding to each input key, for example, the bit code �10101� is produced for the input key �1� and the bit code �10111� is produced for the input key �2�. If the user selects input key �1�, the bit code �10101� is produced by the IC. The produced bit code is then transferred through a recognition line on either side (as shown in FIG. 3) to the input key data generator 160. The input key data generator 160 recognizes the selected input key via the use of the bit code. Since the bit code produced by the input key signal generator 150 is transferred through the recognition line on either side, the input key data generator 160 will receive the same bit code twice. However, only the first-arrived bit code is recognized as a valid bit code and the last-arrived bit code is recognized as an invalid bit code to be deleted. The input key data generator 160 produces the input key data corresponding to the valid bit code and then transmits the input key data to the integrated processing part 130 (shown in FIG. 2). [0037] Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view of the wired keyboard with the built-in web camera according to the present invention is shown. The wired keyboard with the built-in web camera generally comprises an input key part 210 and a web camera part 220. The input key part 210 comprises a plurality of input keys, so the user can input specific characters or symbols. The web camera part 220 is an input device for image signals that can be used for video chatting or video conferencing. The lens included in the web camera part 220 can be controlled in an up, down, right, and left direction. Furthermore, the web camera part 220 can be stored in the keyboard to protect the lens while the web camera is not used. The web camera part 220 can also be detached from the keyboard. This way the user can move the web camera part 220 to a convenient place of his choice. As aforementioned, the input key part 210 and the web camera part 220 are implemented as separate devices, so each can operate as an independent device after being recognized. [0038] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7424740May 5, 2003Sep 9, 2008Microsoft CorporationMethod and system for activating a computer systemUS7440556Sep 30, 2003Oct 21, 2008Microsoft CorporationSystem and method for using telephony controls on a personal computerUS7443971May 5, 2003Oct 28, 2008Microsoft CorporationComputer system with do not disturb system and methodUS7548255 *Sep 30, 2003Jun 16, 2009Microsoft CorporationMethod and system for capturing video on a personal computerUS7634780Nov 23, 2004Dec 15, 2009Microsoft CorporationMethod and system for exchanging data between computer systems and auxiliary displaysUS8253594 *Nov 12, 2008Aug 28, 2012Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.KeyboardUS20100097245 *Nov 12, 2008Apr 22, 2010Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd .Keyboard* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification345/168International ClassificationG06F3/023, G06F3/02Cooperative ClassificationG06F3/023, G06F3/021European ClassificationG06F3/02A3, G06F3/023RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google