Multi-functional device
First Claim
1. A computer mouse that performs dual functions, comprising:
- a housing having a base portion and a head portion;
at least one door hingedly connected with said housing;
a peripheral pointing device within said housing for determining the position of the computer mouse and signaling a computer;
a release mechanism for releasing said at least one door; and
a separate device within said housing capable of performing a function other than those of said peripheral pointing device, wherein said separate device is operational independently of peripheral pointing functions of said peripheral pointing device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A single or multi-functional device capable of performing one or more functions, such as those of a calculator, a recorder, or a computer mouse, for example, independently or in conjunction with each function. The multi-functional device has a housing, two hinged doors that buttress an inner chamber within the house, a release mechanism for releasing the doors, and may have a pointing device such as a rolling ball or a wireless communication device for operation as a computer mouse. Additionally, for operation as a computer mouse, the multifunctional device may include a separate device within the housing capable of performing a function other than those of the pointing device. The separate device may be operable independently of the pointing device, and may be one of a calculator, storage compartment, pencil sharpener, clock, radio, message center, dispenser, stapler and the like. The multifunctional device may be simulative of a ladybug.
44 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A computer mouse that performs dual functions, comprising:
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a housing having a base portion and a head portion;
at least one door hingedly connected with said housing;
a peripheral pointing device within said housing for determining the position of the computer mouse and signaling a computer;
a release mechanism for releasing said at least one door; and
a separate device within said housing capable of performing a function other than those of said peripheral pointing device, wherein said separate device is operational independently of peripheral pointing functions of said peripheral pointing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29)
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13. A computer mouse that performs dual functions, comprising:
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a housing having an interior chamber;
a plurality of doors connected with said housing;
a peripheral pointing device and associated hardware within said housing for performing peripheral pointing functions with a computer;
a release mechanism for releasing said at least one door; and
a separate device within said interior chamber capable of performing a function other than those of said peripheral pointing device, wherein said separate device is operational independently of and simultaneously with said peripheral pointing functions of said peripheral pointing device and the computer.
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27. A computer peripheral, comprising:
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a housing having a base portion and a head portion;
at least one door movably connected to said housing;
a release mechanism for releasing said at least one door; and
an insert within said housing capable of performing a designated function, wherein said insert is operational independently of said computer.
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30. A multi-functional device, comprising:
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a housing having base and head portions;
at least one door hingedly mounted to said housing by a wing mount, rotational about a mount pivot and a wing pivot, capable of movement between a closed position and an opened position in which said at least one door is oriented substantially orthogonal to said housing, and spring-biased to said opened position; and
a release mechanism provided on said base portion of said housing for releasing said at least one door to said opened position, said release mechanism being a spring-latch with a button capable of being operated by depressing said button or by depressing said at least one door, wherein said spring-biasing allows said at least one door to automatically open and remain in said opened position until manually closed. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification