US5565889A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pointing devices for a portable computer
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
•
Filing: 1994-06-30
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Granted: 1996-10-15
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Expires: 2014-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A pointing device according to the present invention includes a trackball embedded in the case of a computer display. The trackball is placed adjacent to the display and the select buttons for the trackball are located on the backside of the display case behind the trackball. The user guides the trackball with his thumb and pushes the select buttons on the backside of the case with his index and middle fingers, allowing the user to operate the pointing device with only one hand. Alternatively, the trackball is embedded in the corner of the keyboard of a desktop system, with the select buttons on the opposite side of the keyboard behind the trackball. With the keyboard standing on legs, the user's fingers can reach the two select buttons opposite the trackball to operating the pointing device.
Inventors
- 👤 Cynthia A. Crooks
- 👤 Michael W. Ambrose
- 👤 Stephan A. Mato, Jr.
- 👤 Gopal C. Bhagat
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:09
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1684; G06F1/169; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202; G06F3/021; G06F3/0213
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A keyboard for use with a computer system, the keyboard comprising: a housing having a top face, a bottom face and two ends and a first opening in said top face, a second opening in said top face and a third opening in said bottom face; a plurality of keys located in said housing and projecting through said first opening; and a user interface device located within said housing, said user interface device including: a pointing device positioned in said second opening; and a first select button positioned in said third opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A keyboard for use with a computer system, the keyboard comprising: a housing having a top face, a bottom face and two ends and a first opening in said top face, a second opening in said top face and a third opening in said bottom face; a plurality of keys located in said housing and projecting through said first opening; and a user interface device located within said housing, said user interface device including: a pointing device positioned in said second opening; and a first select button positioned in said third opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein said pointing device is a trackball.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
A keyboard for use with a computer system, the keyboard comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a plurality of keys positioned in the top of said housing; and a user interface device located inside said housing, said user interface device including: a pointing device positioned in the top of said housing, and a first select button positioned in the bottom of said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A keyboard for use with a computer system, the keyboard comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a plurality of keys positioned in the top of said housing; and a user interface device located inside said housing, said user interface device including: a pointing device positioned in the top of said housing, and a first select button positioned in the bottom of said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The keyboard of claim 3 wherein said pointing device is a trackball.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The keyboard of claim 4 wherein said housing further includes a recess formed in the top of said housing to receive said pointing device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
Keyboard of claim 3 wherein said housing further includes a recess formed in the top of said housing to receive said pointing device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The keyboard of claim 3 wherein said pointing device does not substantially protrude beyond the top of said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The keyboard of claim 3 wherein said first select button includes an outside surface, said outside surface does not protrude beyond the bottom of said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The keyboard of claim 8 wherein said first select button outside surface is substantially flush with the bottom of said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The keyboard of claim 3 wherein said housing includes a second select button positioned adjacent said first select button.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The keyboard of claim 10 wherein said second select button is positioned on the bottom of said housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The keyboard of claim 3 further comprising a pair of legs to support the housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The keyboard of claim 3 wherein said pointing device being positioned on either end of the front side of the keyboard.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
82 words
A keyboard for use with a computer system having a display including a cursor, the keyboard comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a plurality of keys positioned in the top of said housing; and a user interface device located inside said housing, said user interface device including: a pointing device positioned in the top of said housing for moving the cursor in any direction on the display, and a first select button positioned in the bottom of said housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
82 words
A keyboard for use with a computer system having a display including a cursor, the keyboard comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a plurality of keys positioned in the top of said housing; and a user interface device located inside said housing, said user interface device including: a pointing device positioned in the top of said housing for moving the cursor in any direction on the display, and a first select button positioned in the bottom of said housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The keyboard of claim 14 wherein said pointing device is a trackball.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The keyboard of claim 15 wherein said trackball moves the cursor in any direction on the display.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The keyboard of claim 14 wherein said housing includes a second select button positioned adjacent said first select button.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The keyboard of claim 14 further comprising a pair of legs to support the housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The keyboard of claim 14 wherein said pointing device being positioned on either end of the front side of the keyboard.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The keyboard of claim 14 wherein when said first select button is activated a program being pointed to by the pointing device is executed without moving the cursor on the display.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-15 | 2000-04-15 | 2000-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-15 | 2004-04-15 | 2004-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-15 | 2008-04-15 | 2008-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |