Electronic sketch pad and auxiliary monitor

• US 20040183747A1
• Filed: 03/18/2004
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chelsea Trent
• Original Assignee: James H. Bowen
• Inventors: Bowen, James H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,209,127 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/1.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033

Abstract

An electronic sketch pad and auxiliary monitor to be used as a peripheral to personal computers. The electronic sketch pad and auxiliary monitor slides under or attaches to the computer keyboard and is used as an auxiliary monitor to the primary CRT monitor. The electronic sketch pad is above and parallel to the key tops, and can be adjusted to give enough room so you can still operate the keyboard. If you are video teleconferencing with a client or colleague you can sketch an idea on the electronic sketch pad and send it without interrupting your primary monitor screen. The operator can move the electronic sketch pad from an optimal sketch position to an optimal auxiliary monitor position below the primary monitor. Now while having a WEB screen on the primary monitor you can be taking notes, doing word processing or working other programs on the auxiliary monitor. With multi-monitor software the sketch pad and auxiliary monitor are in front of the operator relieving the need to twist the operators neck to the side, and saving desk space that would have been needed for a conventional CRT auxiliary monitor and digitizer.

Claims

1. An auxiliary/peripheral display to be used with a PC computer with a standard separate desktop main display and a standard separate desktop keyboard, comprising in combination:

said auxiliary/peripheral display having a display element for displaying information to a computer operator, said information can be the same or different information as being displayed on said main display,

means for affixing said display element in a position a distance above keys of said keyboard which allows said computer operator to operate said keys,

said means for affixing includes a vertical member affixed to said display element which elevates said display element above said keys affixed to a horizontal member placed under said keyboard, therefor positioning said vertical member to the rear and between said keyboard and said main display allowing said computer operators line of vision with said main display, said keyboard and said display element to be the same,

said display element having a moment of mass above said keys whereas said mass is counter balanced by said horizontal member.

2. An auxiliary/peripheral display of claim 1 wherein said display element is positionable in a first position that is approximately horizontal and directly above, over, and substantially parallel to said keys.

3. An auxiliary/peripheral display of claim 1 wherein said display element is positionable in a second position that is approximately vertical and substantially perpendicular to said keys.

4. An auxiliary/peripheral display of claim 1 further comprising a linkage means to pivot said display element from said first position to said second position.

5. An auxiliary/peripheral display of claim 4 further comprising a means for holding said display element in said first position or said second position.

6. An auxiliary/peripheral display of claim 1 further comprising a touch sensitive member for inputting electronic information into said computer.

7. An auxiliary/peripheral display of claim 1 wherein said horizontal member is thin enough so as not to affect the attitude of said keyboard.

8. An auxiliary/peripheral display to be used with a PC computer with a separate desktop main display and separate desktop keyboard, comprising in combination:

said auxiliary/peripheral display having a display element for displaying information to a computer operator, said information can be the same or different information as being displayed on said main display,

means for affixing said display element in a first position a distance directly above and over keys of said keyboard which allows said computer operator to operate said keys, said means for affixing includes either

a) a vertical element which elevates said display element above said keys and a horizontal member which fits under said keyboard therefor placing said vertical element to the rear and between said keyboard and said main display allowing said computer operators line of vision with said main display, said keyboard and said display element to be the same, said display element having a moment of mass above said keys whereas said mass is counter balanced by said horizontal member, or

b) a vertical member which elevates said display element above said keys and is connected at a base of said vertical member which is selectively connectable to and disconnectable from said keyboard, wherein said vertical element is connected to the rear of said keyboard in front of said main display allowing said computer operators line of vision with said main display, said keyboard and said display element to be the same, said display element having a moment of mass above said keys whereas said mass is counter balanced by said keyboard.

9. An auxiliary/peripheral display of claim 8 wherein said means for affixing is (a).

10. An auxiliary/peripheral display of claim 8 wherein said means for affixing is (b).

11. An auxiliary/peripheral display of claim 8 wherein said first position is approximately horizontal and directly above and substantially parallel to said keys.

12. An auxiliary/peripheral display of claim 8 wherein said display element is positionable in a second position that is more vertical than said first position and substantially perpendicular to said keys.

13. An auxiliary/peripheral display of claim 8 further comprising a linkage means to pivot said display element from said first position to said second position.

14. An auxiliary/perhipheral display of claim 13 further comprising a means for holding said display element in said first position or said second position.

15. An auxiliary/peripheral display of claim 8 further comprising a touch sensitive member for inputting electronic information into said computer.

16. An auxiliary/peripheral display of claim 8 wherein said horizontal member is thin enough so as not to affect the attitude of said keyboard.

17. A personal computer system, comprising:

a computer;

a keyboard connected to said computer;

an auxiliary/peripheral display connected to said computer having a display element for displaying information to a computer operator above said keyboard; and

means for affixing said display element in a position a distance above keys of said keyboard which allows said computer operator to operate said keys, said means for affixing includes a vertical member affixed to said display element which elevates said display element above said keys affixed to a horizontal member placed under said keyboard,

said display element having a moment of mass above said keys whereas said mass is counter balanced by said horizontal member.

18. An auxiliary/peripheral display of claim 17 further comprising a touch sensitive member for inputting electronic information into said computer.

19. An auxiliary/peripheral display of claim 17 wherein said horizontal member is thin enough so as not to affect the attitude of said keyboard.

20. An auxiliary/peripheral display of claim 17 further comprising a main display connected to said computer.