US5572237A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pointing device for a portable computer
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
•
Filing: 1994-06-28
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Granted: 1996-11-05
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Expires: 2014-06-28
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 07:23
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: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A portable computer system comprising: a base section; and a display section pivotably connected to said base section, said display section including: a housing, said housing being generally a parallelepiped and including a front face, a back face, a bottom face, two side faces and a first opening in said front face, said first opening being less than the size of said front face so that a border results, a second opening in said border and a third opening in said back face; a display for displaying an image, said display located inside said housing at said first opening; and a user interface device located inside said housing, said user interface device including: a pointing device projecting through said second opening; and a first select button located near said pointing device and projecting through said third opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A portable computer system comprising: a base section; and a display section pivotably connected to said base section, said display section including: a housing, said housing being generally a parallelepiped and including a front face, a back face, a bottom face, two side faces and a first opening in said front face, said first opening being less than the size of said front face so that a border results, a second opening in said border and a third opening in said back face; a display for displaying an image, said display located inside said housing at said first opening; and a user interface device located inside said housing, said user interface device including: a pointing device projecting through said second opening; and a first select button located near said pointing device and projecting through said third opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The portable computer system of claim 1, wherein said housing further includes a recess formed around said second opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The portable computer of claim 1, wherein said housing includes a fourth opening in said back face, said fourth opening located near said third opening, and wherein said user interface device further includes a second select button projecting through said fourth opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
A computer system including a base section pivotably connected to a display section, comprising: a housing for one of said sections having a front face, a back face, side faces and a first opening in said front face, and a second opening in said back face; and a user interface device located within said housing, said user interface device including: a pointing device positioned in said first opening; and a first select button positioned in said second opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
A computer system including a base section pivotably connected to a display section, comprising: a housing for one of said sections having a front face, a back face, side faces and a first opening in said front face, and a second opening in said back face; and a user interface device located within said housing, said user interface device including: a pointing device positioned in said first opening; and a first select button positioned in said second opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
System of claim 4, wherein said housing includes a third opening in said back face, said third opening located near said second opening, and wherein said user interface device further includes a second select button projecting through said third opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
System of claim 4 wherein said housing is in said display section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
A computer system having a base section pivotably connected to a display section comprising: a housing for one of the computer system sections having a front and a back; and a user interface device embedded in said housing, said user interface device including: a pointing device positioned in the front of said housing; and a select button positioned in the back of said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
A computer system having a base section pivotably connected to a display section comprising: a housing for one of the computer system sections having a front and a back; and a user interface device embedded in said housing, said user interface device including: a pointing device positioned in the front of said housing; and a select button positioned in the back of said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
System of claim 7 wherein said pointing device is a trackball.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
System of claim 7 wherein said housing further includes a recess formed around said pointing device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
System of claim 8 wherein said housing further includes a recess formed around said pointing device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
System of claim 7 wherein said housing includes a second select button positioned adjacent said first select button.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
System of claim 11 wherein said second select button is positioned on the back of the housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
System of claim 7 wherein said housing is in said display section.
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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) | 1999-11-05 | 2000-05-06 | 2000-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-05 | 2004-05-06 | 2004-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-05 | 2008-05-06 | 2008-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |