An apparatus and method for telephony tone signal and character code
generation for QWERTY keyboards includes a QWERTY style keyboard, a
processor and a keyboard mode control software module. The QWERTY style
keyboard has a plurality of letter keys, wherein each letter key is
configured to generate a unique input signal. The processor is coupled to
the keyboard and is configured to convert each unique input signal
generated by the letter keys into a character code and/or a telephony
tone signal. The keyboard mode control software module operates on the
processor, and controls whether the processor converts the unique input
signals from the letter keys into character codes or telephony tone
signals.