Multimedia computer keyboard

Claim 2

A multimedia computer keyboard for use with a personal computer, said personal computer having a CPU contained in an enclosure, said keyboard comprising: a keyboard housing separate from said CPU enclosure; a plurality of alphanumeric keys mounted to said housing; at least two speakers mounted within said housing to form built-in speakers capable of stereophonic sound reproduction; a microphone mounted to said housing to form a built-in microphone; and a headphone jack and a microphone jack mounted on said housing for connecting external speakers, headphones and microphone; whereby said keyboard housing integrates the foregoing hardware components into a single unitary keyboard apparatus.

Claim 3

The multimedia keyboard of claim 1, further including audio circuitry to operate said speakers and keyboard circuitry that is physically and electrically separate from said audio circuitry.

Claim 4

The multimedia keyboard of claim 2, further including a control panel; said control panel being affixed to said housing wherein said control panel permits said audio circuitry control.

Claim 5

The multimedia keyboard of claim 1, wherein said CPU further includes a sound card said keyboard further including a cable containing a plurality of wires, whereby said plurality of wires provides interconnection from said computer keyboard to said computer CPU and said sound card via external jacks on said CPU enclosure.

Claim 6

The multimedia keyboard of claim 4, further including interrupt circuitry connected to said headphone jack and said microphone jack, for interrupting function of said built-in speakers and said built-in microphone when an external speaker and microphone are attached.

Claim 7

The keyboard of claim 4 wherein said cable provides power from an external power supply to said audio circuitry for improved audio performance.

Claim 8

The multimedia keyboard of claim 6, wherein said built-in microphone is attached to said housing and is pivoting and retractable.

Claim 9

The multimedia keyboard of claim 3, wherein said control panel further includes an LED display for indicating audio circuitry response.

Claim 10

The multimedia keyboard of claim 1, wherein said built-in microphone is mounted within said housing proximal the lower front center of said housing, whereby feedback of said built-in speakers is reduced.

Claim 11

The multimedia keyboard of claim 1, further including a telecommunications means that connects to said housing.

Claim 12

The multimedia keyboard of claim 1, wherein a floppy disk drive means is incorporated into said housing.

Claim 13

The multimedia keyboard of claim 1, wherein a CD-ROM disk drive is incorporated into said housing.

Claim 14

A computer system, comprising: a computer CPU contained within an enclosure; a monitor electrically coupled to said computer CPU for displaying information; a sound card contained within said enclosure and electrically coupled to said computer CPU for converting digital sound input to analog sound output; a housing separate from said CPU enclosure; a plurality of alphanumeric keys mounted to said housing; two speakers mounted within said housing to form built-in speakers capable of stereophonic sound reproduction; at least one microphone mounted to said housing to form a built-in microphone; a headphone jack and a microphone jack mounted on said housing for connection to external speakers and headphones; audio circuitry mounted within said housing, said audio circuitry being electrically coupled to said sound card, said at least one microphone, said at least one speakers, said microphone jack and said headphone jack; keyboard circuitry mounted within said housing, said keyboard circuitry being electrically coupled to said computer CPU and said keyboard, said audio circuitry and said keyboard circuitry being mounted in a spaced configuration; said audio circuitry further including interrupt circuitry to disengage said at least one internal speaker when said external speakers are connected to said speaker jack and to disengage said built-in microphone when said external microphones are connected to said microphone jack.

Claim 15

A computer system, comprising: a computer CPU contained within an enclosure; a monitor electrically coupled to said computer CPU for displaying information; a sound card contained within said enclosure and electrically coupled to said computer CPU for converting digital sound input to analog sound output; a housing separate from said CPU enclosure; a plurality of alphanumeric keys mounted to said housing; two speakers mounted within said housing to form built-in speakers capable of stereophonic sound reproduction; at least one microphone mounted to said housing to form a built-in microphone; a headphone jack and a microphone jack mounted on said housing for connection to external speakers and headphones; audio circuitry mounted within said housing, said audio circuitry being electrically coupled to said sound card, said at least one microphone, said at least one speakers, said microphone jack and said headphone jack; keyboard circuitry mounted within said housing, said keyboard circuitry being electrically coupled to said computer CPU and said keyboard, said audio circuitry and said keyboard circuitry being mounted in a spaced configuration; said audio circuitry further including interrupt circuitry to disengage said at least one internal speaker when said external speakers are connected to said speaker jack and to disengage said built-in microphone when said external microphones are connected to said microphone jack.

Claim 16

The computer system of claim 13, further including a control panel mounted to said housing wherein said control panel is used to control said audio circuitry.

Claim 17

The computer system of claim 14, comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on said housing to form an LED display for indicating said audio circuitry response.

Claim 18

The computer system of claim 15, further including a cable containing a plurality of wires, whereby said plurality of wires provides interconnection from said computer keyboard to said computer CPU and said sound card.

Claim 19

The computer system of claim 16, wherein said built-in microphone is attached to said housing.

Claim 20

The computer system of claim 17, comprising: a floppy disk drive means incorporated into said housing.

Claim 21

The computer system of claim 18, comprising: a CD-ROM disk drive incorporated into said housing.

Claim 22

The computer system of claim 19, wherein said cable further contains said floppy disk drive and said CD-ROM disk drive wires.

Claim 23

The computer system of claim 20, wherein said cable further contains a power supply line to drive said audio circuitry from an external power source.

Claim 24

The computer system of claim 13, further including a telecommunications means that connects to said housing.

Claim 25

The computer system of claim 13, wherein said built-in microphone is mounted within said housing proximal the lower front center of said housing, whereby feedback of unwanted noise is reduced.