System having a dual-purpose telephone and mouse

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A dual-purpose telephone and wireless mouse, comprising:

a mode selection unit enabling user selection between a mouse function and a telephone function;

a receiver having a speaker controlling transmission of an audible signal from a caller during a telephone call;

a transmitter having a microphone controlling transmission of an audible signal from a user during the telephone call;

a keypad unit comprising a keypad generating an input signal in response to manual entry on said keypad;

mouse signal input devices, comprising a cursor control device governing movement of a cursor within a field displaying varying visible images and a mouse button activating functions corresponding to some of said images, when operated, generating an input signal corresponding to manual entry on said cursor control device and said mouse button;

an operation control unit generating a control signal enabling the functions of the selected telephone function and mouse function according to the user selection of said mode selection unit; and

a signal transmission control portion, depending upon the control signal from the operation control unit, controlling transmission of the input signal selectively through the keypad unit and the mouse signal input devices.

2. The dual-purpose telephone and wireless mouse of claim 1, further comprising a telephone transmit-receive apparatus that is installed in the computer system and, when a telephone call is received, controlling transmission of the input signal allowing for communication with the caller, via the signal transmitted from the transmitter.

3. A dual-purpose telephone and wireless mouse, comprising:

a mode selection unit enabling user selection between a mouse function and a telephone function;

a receiver having a speaker controlling transmission of an audible signal from a caller during a telephone call;

a transmitter having a microphone controlling transmission of an audible signal from a user during the telephone call;

a keypad unit comprising a keypad generating an input signal in response to manual entry on said keypad;

mouse signal input devices, comprising a cursor control device governing movement of a cursor within a field displaying varying visible images and a mouse button activating functions corresponding to some of said images, when operated, generating an input signal corresponding to manual entry on said cursor control device and said mouse button;

an operation control unit generating a control signal for enabling the telephone function and the mouse function according to the user selection of said mode selection unit; and

a signal transmission control portion, depending upon the control signal from the operation control unit, controlling transmission of the input signal selectively through the keypad unit and the mouse signal input devices, said signal transmission control portion comprising:

a dial signal transmission control unit changing an operational state, and controlling transmission of the input signal from said keypad unit according to the control signal from the operation control unit; and

a mouse signal transmission control unit changing an operational state, and controlling transmission of the input signal from the mouse signal input devices according to the control signal from the operation control unit, and the user selection of the mouse selection unit.

4. The dual-purpose telephone and wireless mouse of claim 3, further comprising a mode selection knob connected to alter operation of said mode selection unit to conform with a current setting of said mode selection knob.

5. The dual-purpose telephone and wireless mouse of claim 3, further comprising:

said cursor control device positioned on a first exterior surface for performing normal mouse functions, positioning a cursor across a variable visual display; and

said mouse button being positioned on a second and different exterior surface, and a cover rotatably attached to cover said keypad.

6. The dual-purpose telephone and mouse of claim 5, further comprised of:

said microphone being mounted within said cover; and

said cover having a closed position for shielding said keypad and said speaker and having an open position for exposing said keypad and said speaker to a user.

7. The dual purpose telephone and mouse of claim 4, comprised of said keypad responding to manual entry by altering operation of said mode selection unit.

8. A system comprising dual purpose telephone and mouse, comprising:

a computer system having a chassis and a video display unit, said computer system having a modem connectable to a telephone jack;

a base unit of a cordless telephone located inside said chassis of said computer system, said base unit being connectable to said telephone jack, said base unit comprising:

first receiving means for receiving electromagnetic communications for said base unit of said cordless telephone inside said computer system; and

transmitting means for transmitting electromagnetic radiation from said base unit of said cordless telephone inside said computer system;

second receiving means for receiving electromagnetic communications for said computer system; and

a remote control device, comprising:

a cursor control device converting manual user movements into electrical signals to enable a user to control a position of a cursor within a variable visual display provided by said video display unit;

a mouse button converting manual first user input into electrical signals to enable a user to control said position of said cursor within said variable visual display provided by said video display unit;

an antenna extending from said remote control device for receiving electromagnetic communications from said transmitting means;

a keypad converting manual second user input into electrical signals to enable a user to place a telephone call;

a telephone signal receiving unit receiving a signal from said antenna;

a telephone signal processing unit receiving a signal from said telephone signal receiving unit for controlling said signal from said telephone signal receiving unit;

a speaker receiving a signal from said telephone signal processing unit and converting said signal from said telephone signal processing unit into first aural signals;

a microphone receiving second aural signals from a user and converting said second aural signals into electrical signals;

a mode selection unit enabling user selection between a mouse function and a telephone function;

an operation control unit generating control signals for enabling the functions of the selected telephone function and mouse function according to the setting of said mode selection unit;

an aural signal transmission unit controlling said electrical signals from said microphone and converting said electrical signals from said microphone into first electromagnetic signals, and for transmitting said first electromagnetic signals to said first receiving means;

a dial signal transmitter changing its operational state, and controlling and transmitting the signal from said keypad unit according to the signal from the operation control unit, converting said electrical signals from said keypad into second electromagnetic signals and for transmitting said second electromagnetic signals to said first receiving means;

a mouse signal transmitter, controls and transmits the inputted signal according to the signal from the operation control unit, changes its operation state, and, according to the signal from the mouse signal input unit and setting of the mouse selection switch, receiving said electrical signals from said cursor control device and from said mouse button, and for converting said electrical signals into third electromagnetic signals, and for transmitting said third electromagnetic signals to said second receiving means; and

a mode select switch having a telephone mode position and a mouse mode position, said mode select switch operationally enabling said mouse signal transmitter, said second receiving means, and said modem while said mode select switch is in said mouse mode position, said mode select switch operationally enabling said dial signal transmitter, said aural signal transmission unit, said telephone signal processing unit, said first receiving means and said transmitting means while said mode select switch is in said telephone mode position.

9. The system of claim 8, with said remote control device comprised of:

a main body; and

a cover, said cover being movable between an open position and a closed position, said cover covering said keypad and said microphone while in said closed position, said cover exposing said microphone and said keypad while in said open position.

10. The system of claim 9, comprised of a pair of hinges pivotally attaching said cover to said main body of said remote control unit.

11. The system of claim 8, comprised of said second receiving means operationally responding to reception of infrared radiation.

12. The system of claim 11, with said mouse signal transmitter comprising an emitter of infrared radiation.

13. The system of claim 8, comprised of said second receiving means receiving electromagnetic communications for said computer system at a radio frequency.

14. The system of claim 13, comprised of said mouse signal transmitter generating radio frequency signals.

15. The system of claim 8, said mouse signal transmitter, said second receiving means, and said modem can be operationally enabled by user inputs on said keypad on said remote control unit.

16. The system of claim 8, said dial signal transmitter, said aural signal transmission unit, said telephone signal processing unit, said first receiving means, and said transmitting means are operationally enabled by user inputs on said keypad on said remote control unit.

17. A system comprising a dual purpose telephone and mouse, comprised of:

a computer system comprising a chassis, a central processing unit, a video display unit variably driven to provide a visual video display by said central processing unit, and a modem connectable to a telephone jack;

a base unit of a cordless telephone located inside said chassis of said computer system, said base unit being connectable to said telephone jack, said base unit comprising:

first receiving means positioned within said chassis, for receiving electromagnetic communications for said base unit of said cordless telephone; and

transmitting means positioned within said chassis, for transmitting electromagnetic radiation from said base unit of said cordless telephone;

second receiving means for receiving electromagnetic communications for said computer system; and

a remote control device operationally deployable outside of and spaced-apart from said chassis, comprising:

a mode selection unit enabling user selection between a mouse function and a telephone function;

an operational control unit generating control signals for enabling the functions of the selected telephone function and mouse function according to the setting of said mode selection unit;

a cursor control converting manual movements of the user into electrical signals to enable the user to control a position of a cursor within said visual video display;

a mouse button converting manual first input from the user into electrical signals to enable the user to control interaction between said cursor and said variable visual display provided by said video display unit;

an antenna extending from said remote control device for receiving electromagnetic communications from said transmitting means;

a keypad converting manual second input from the user into electrical signals to enable the user to select a number assigned to any telephone service subscriber and to place a telephone call to that subscriber via said number assigned;

a dial signal transmitter changing its operational state, and controlling and transmitting the signal from said keypad unit according to the signal for the operation control unit, responding to enablement of said telephone function by converting said electrical signals from said keypad into first electromagnetic signals and transmitting said first electromagnetic signals to said first receiving means; and

a mouse signal transmitter controls and transmits the inputted signal according to the signal from the operation control unit changes its operation state, and, according to the signal from the mouse signal input unit and setting of the mouse selection switch, responding to enablement of said mouse function by receiving said electrical signals from said cursor control and from said mouse button, converting said electrical signals into second electromagnetic signals, and transmitting said second electromagnetic signals to said second receiving means.

18. The system of claim 17, with said remote control device further comprised of:

a telephone signal receiving unit receiving a signal from said antenna;

a telephone signal processing unit converting said signal from said telephone signal receiving unit into audio frequency signals;

a speaker for broadcasting said audio frequency signals;

a microphone receiving aural signals from a user and converting said aural signals into electrical signals; and

an aural signal transmission unit converting said electrical signals into third electromagnetic signals, and transmitting said third electromagnetic signals to said first receiving means.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

said cursor control being positioned on a first exterior surface of said remote control device for performing normal mouse functions by positioning a cursor across a variable visual display;

said mouse button being positioned on a second and different exterior surface of said remote control device; and

a cover rotatably attached to said remote control device to shield said keypad.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprised of:

said microphone being mounted within said cover; and

said cover having a closed position for enclosing said keypad and said speaker and having an open position for exposing said keypad and said speaker to a user.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an appliance that serves both as a cordless telephone and as a computer with a wireless mouse, and more particularly, to a base unit of a cordless telephone is located inside the computer chassis while a mouse ball and mouse buttons located on the handset of the cordless telephone, enable the handset of the cordless telephone to remotely control a personal computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A mouse enables a user to control the position of a cursor on a video display connected to a personal computer. Recent efforts in the art have, with varying degrees of success, endeavored to establish wireless mice as useful peripherial devices with a computer system. As U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,268 for a Wireless Mouse Apparatus to Mori explains, wireless mice can be classified into two conventional types--the mechanical type that uses a mechanical transducer such as a trackball to operate, and an optical type that requires the wireless mouse to be used on a reflective pad. In both types, the wireless mouse communicates to the personal computer by way of radio waves or infrared electromagnetic radiation. With either type, the user is not confined by a cord extending form the personal computer to the mouse. Other literature in the art discuss a cordless device that operates as a mouse to move the cursor around on a personal computer. Examples of these may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,193 for a Cordless Pointing Apparatus to Giobbi et al and another in European Patent 0596,594 for a Remote Control and Pointing Device to Frank.

The notion of having the base unit of a cordless telephone located within a computer has been attempted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,659 for a Wireless Phone System Communicatively Combined with a Computer to Nishimura, by installing the base unit of the cordless telephone inside of a computer. As a result, the computer, containing the base unit, is connected to the telephone jack. Both the computer and the handset have antennas so that they can communicate with each other. In addition, the handset has a microphone, a speaker, a keypad, and a display. The handset can function as a conventional telephone or can communicate data to or from the computer. If the handset is used to communicate data through a telephone line to the master computer, the speaker and the microphone are used as a conventional acoustic coupler. Although the remote handset may send and receive data from the master computer, the remote handset does not appear to operate as a mouse or to perform the functions of a typical mouse, as in controlling the position of a cursor on a display terminal.

The notion of using a hinge operated protective cover to protect features on a telephone hand or slave set has been mentioned in JP1-319348, which shows a telephone set having speaker, a microphone and a push button section. When the slave set unit folds to a closed position, the push buttons, the microphone, and the speaker are protected. A hinge is formed along the middle of the slave set unit to allow both ends of the slave set unit to fold over onto each other, protecting the microphone, push buttons, and the speaker inside.

Other efforts, such as JP6-14370 using a cordless telephone that, in addition to operating as a telephone, allows the slave set to also be used to remotely control a television set. JP5-130181 using a cordless telephone set where the slave set can, in addition to functioning as a handset for a cordless telephone, function as a remote control for audio/visual equipment and air conditioning equipment. The slave set can communicate to these apparatuses by infrared radiation. JP5-130673 has a cordless telephone, where the slave set may, in addition to functioning as a handset, be used to remotely control apparatus such as a television receiver. Such remote control is accomplished by infrared radiation. JP5-268303 provides a cordless telephone set where the slave set can function both as a handset for the cordless telephone and as a remote controller for a variety of appliances such as air conditioners, television sets, and home appliances. The slave set can remotely control these various apparatuses while a user is busy conversing. JP5-153268 shows a cordless telephone set that can monitor household appliances such as washing machines. With this equipment, when the washing machine cycle is finished, a signal is sent to the slave set that converts the signal into sound signal so that a user can be alerted to the fact that the washing machine cycle is complete. JP4-51742 uses a cordless telephone set that can operate both as a cordless telephone or as a modem for a personal computer. A switch on the slave set enables a user to choose between speech mode and data transmission mode. Another cordless telephone set shown in JP4-354229, also operates either as a cordless telephone or as a modem for a personal computer. The slave set is electrically connected to the personal computer. A switch on the slave set enables a user to choose between voice mode or data transmission mode. JP3-148945 uses a cordless telephone, where the slave set can function both as a handset for the cordless telephone or as a remote controller for various appliances such as television sets and air conditioners. As shown in a figure, the slave set can also be used to remotely control a personal computer. JP2-198259 also uses a cordless telephone that can function both as a telephone and as a remote controller for various equipment. Optical pulses are emitted from the slave set of the cordless telephone to operate the various appliances. JP4-160845 provides a cordless telephone that can function both as a telephone and as a remote control for a facsimile machine. Both the facsimile machine and the master unit are plugged into the telephone jack. The slave set remotely control both the master unit and/or the facsimile unit. JP6-224418 suggests a cordless telephone that can be used to control a personal computer, while EP 630140-A has a cordless telephone that can be used to remotely control a facsimile machine, and UK 2 216 319A provides a cordless telephone with a handset can be used to access navigational information from a computer.

Despite these numerous examples of using the telephone handset to perform remote control functions, the art has failed to either appreciate the need for, or to construct a telephone handset that can also function as a wireless mouse for a personal computer. Nevertheless, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 320,197 to Weber discloses the ornamental design of a mouse with a dial telephone pad. The figures show a tracking ball as well as a telephone keypad, together on one device. The figures show a cord emanating from the rear of the device. This ornament does not however provide a cordless telephone endowed with the ability to functionally operate a computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved computer peripheral device.

It is another object to incorporate a mouse and a telephone into a single, integrated computer peripheral.

It is yet another object to provide an integrated peripheral device able to operationally function as a mouse and as a telephone, in conformance with selections of operational modes by a user.

It is still another object to provide a single device able to function as both a wireless mouse and as a handset for a cordless telephone at the discretion of the user, allowing the user to place telephone calls, receive telephone calls, and position the cursor on a personal computer screen, all from a remote location.

It is also an object to provide a dual-purpose telephone and wireless mouse in which telephone functions are added to a mouse used with a computer, and, when needed, the communication functions installed in the computer can be easily utilized.

These and other objects may be achieved by installing the base unit of a cordless telephone inside of the chassis of either a laptop computer or a personal computer, and by having a separate remote control unit that can function both as a wireless mouse for the computer and as a handset for a cordless telephone, selective at the discretion of the user. The remote control unit may be constructed with a microphone, a speaker, a keypad, an antenna, a mouse or trackball, a mouse button, and a selection switch that allows the user to choose between a mouse operational mode and a cordless operational telephone mode. The personal or laptop computer containing the base unit of the cordless telephone is connected to the telephone jack. From this single remote control unit, the user can place or receive telephone calls as well as operate the computer by, for example, being able to position the cursor on the video screen attached to the computer to initiate and selectively designate functional and operational selections from menus displayed on the screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of this invention, and many of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the circuit configuration of a dual-purpose cordless telephone and wireless mouse constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram of the remote control device for an embodiment of the present invention where a protective cover is covering the telephone dial pad as in the situation of where the remote device is being used as a cordless mouse;

FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram of the remote control device for an embodiment of the present invention where the telephone keypad exposed as in the situation where the remote control device is being used as a cordless telephone;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the remote control device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the remote control device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a left side view of the remote control device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a remote control device constructed as a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a structure diagram of a lap-top personal computer that incorporates the base unit of a cordless telephone which are to be used together with the remote control device illustrated by FIGS. 2 through 7 into one embodiment of the principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a structure diagram of a desk-top personal computer which incorporates the base unit of a cordless telephone to be used together with the remote control device illustrated by FIGS. 2 through 7 as another embodiment of the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings, as it is illustrated in FIG. 1, the assembly of a dual-purpose cordless telephone and wireless mouse is constructed as a preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed by two separate assemblies. The first assembly is computer system 104, examples of which are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Computer system 104 is connected to a telephone jack and includes, inside the chassis, a modem as well as electronics that function as a base unit for a cordless telephone. The second assembly is the remote control unit 200, and is shown in FIGS. 2 through 7. Remote control unit 200 is physically separated from any appliance and communicates with computer system 104 via electromagnetic radiation. Remote control unit 200 c