Computer communications device

Claim 1

A communications device for a computer comprising: a) a controller adapted to operate in a telephone mode and a voice control mode, the controller including a housing having a Plurality of manually actuated keys for use in operating the controller and having a microphone and a speaker disposed in the housing for use in the telephone mode and the voice control mode, the controller including a mode control switch disposed on said housing for selecting a mode of operation of the controller from the telephone mode and voice control mode, the controller controlling exchange of audio between the controller and a telephone line to conduct a telephone conversation while operating in the telephone mode and the controller controlling operation of a program which is performed by the computer in response to audio input to the controller while operating in the voice control mode, the controller including a transmitter for selectively transmitting audio which is input to the controller to the telephone line and for generating sound in response to audio signals received by the controller via the telephone line while operating in the telephone mode and for selectively transmitting data to the computer in response to audio input to the controller for controlling the operation of the program which is performed by the computer while the controller is operating in the voice control mode, the controller including a first converter for converting audio input to the controller into signals to be transmitted to at least one of the telephone line and the computer, a second converter for converting audio signals input to the controller into sound; and b) an interface operatively connected to the controller and being adapted to be connected to the computer and the telephone line, the interface including a telephone line interface device for connecting the interface to the telephone line and an audio controller including auxiliary AUDIO IN and AUDIO OUT connections adapted to be connected to an auxiliary speaker located remote from the speaker disposed in the housing, the audio controller being arranged to receive audio signals from the microphone in the controller and from the auxiliary AUDIO IN connection, and to selectively transmit audio signals to the computer, to the telephone line via the telephone line interface and to the auxiliary AUDIO OUT connection.