Mid-keyboard-monitor computer-based audio I/O device
View Patent ↗A system and device for placement between a keyboard and monitor on a work surface that routes cables and provides access to controls, where the system and device rest in a first position for use and a second position for access to ports and cables.
1. A mid-keyboard-monitor device (MKMD), comprising:
a bottom surface of the MKMD that supports the MKMD in a first position on a work surface;
a front surface of the MKMD having a front edge and a back edge, where the front surface is inclined at an angle less than ninety degrees relative to the bottom surface with the back edge being higher than the front edge;
a lower surface between the front surface the bottom surface of the MKMD, that supports the MKMD in a second position.
2. The MKMD of claim 1 , includes a back surface located between the bottom surface and the front surface, where the back surface has at least two ports.
3. The MKMD of claim 2 , where one of the at least two ports is a line in port.
4. The MKMD of claim 3 , where a second of the at least two ports is a master output port.
5. The MKMD of claim 1 , includes a side surface connected to the front surface, bottom surface and lower surface.
6. The MKMD of claim 5 , where the side surface further includes an electrical port.
7. The MKMD of claim 6 , where the electrical port is a headphone output port.
8. The MKMD of claim 6 , where the electrical port is an instrument input port.
9. The MKMD of claim 1 , where the front surface further includes at least one visual indicator.
10. The MKMD of claim 9 , where the at least one visual indicator is a LED.
11. The MKMD of claim 9 , where the at least one visual indicator is a LCD display.
12. The MKMD of claim 1 , where the front surface further includes at least one knob.
13. The MKMD of claim 12 , where the at least one knob is a volume control.
14. The MKMD of claim 13 , where the MKMD is in receipt of at least one audio signal and modifies the at least one audio signal in response to the volume control.
15. The MKMD of claim 1 , where the MKMD has at least one port that is coupled to a computer.
16. The MKMD of claim 15 , where the at least one port is a universal serial bus port.
17. The MKMD of claim 1 , where the bottom surface has at least two portions that are adapted to engage the work surface.
18. The MKMD of claim 1 , where the bottom surface is at least two legs that engage the work surface.
19. The MKMD of claim 1 where the bottom surface is molded plastic.
20. The MKMD of claim 1 where the front surface is molded plastic.
21. A method of mid-keyboard-monitor cable management with a mid-keyboard-monitor device (MKMD), comprising:
placing a bottom surface of a MKMD that supports the MKMD in a first position with at least a portion of the bottom surface in contact with a work surface, with a front surface of the MKMD having a front edge and a back edge, where the front surface is inclined at an angle less than ninety degrees relative to the bottom surface with the back edge being higher than the front edge; and
tilting the MKMD forward in order for a lower surface between the front surface the bottom surface of the MKMD to supports the MKMD in a second position for access to ports located on the back surface of the MKMD.