Cursor key unit for a computer having a mouse function removably mounted on a keyboard section of a base

• US 5,049,863 A
• Filed: 02/09/1990
• Issued: 09/17/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Oka, Mayumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaw, Dale M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Long T.
• Application Number:
  US07/477,458
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 364/709.01, 364/709.08, 364/709.11, 364/709.12, 364/708, 340/706, 340/709, 340/710, 340/711
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0382 Plural input, i.e. interface arrangements in which a plurality of input device of the same type are in communication with a PC
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0384 Wireless input, i.e. hardware and software details of wireless interface arrangements for pointing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2207/048 Inductive or infrared coupling

Abstract

A computer includes a key input unit having both cursor keys and a mouse mechanism, a keyboard having a holding section for detachably holding the key input unit, and a connector which electrically connects the key input unit and the keyboard together when the key input unit is held in the holding section of the keyboard. The computer further includes a signal transmitter which transmits a signal from the key input unit to the keyboard when the key input unit is removed from the holding section of the keyboard. The signal transmitter is made up of a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section. The light-emitting section is provided for the key input unit, and converts a signal entered from the key input unit into an optical signal and emits this optical signal. The light-receiving section is provided for the keyboard, and receives the optical signal emitted from the light-emitting section and converts the optical signal into an electric signal. Through the light-emitting section and light-receiving section, a signal entered from the key input unit is transmitted to the keyboard.

Claims

1. An input unit for a computer comprising;

a base unit including a keyboard section having a keyboard and a holding portion;

a cursor key unit having cursor keys and a mouse mechanism removably mounted on the holding portion;

connection means for electrically connecting the cursor key unit and the base unit when the cursor key unit is mounted on the holding portion; and

signal transmission means for transmitting a signal from the cursor key unit to the base unit when the cursor key unit is removed from the holding portion.

2. An input unit according to claim 1, wherein the cursor key unit is an integral combination of both the cursor keys and the mouse mechanism, and some of the cursor keys are used as mouse buttons of the mouse mechanism.

3. An input unit according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard includes a plurality of data input keys and function keys.

4. An input unit according to claim 1, wherein the connection means includes a first connector provided for the cursor key unit, and a second connector provided for the keyboard and engageable with the first connector, the cursor key unit being electrically connected to the keyboard through the first and second connectors.

5. An input unit according to claim 1, wherein the signal transmission means includes a cable which electrically connects the cursor key unit and the keyboard together and which transmits a signal from the cursor key unit to the keyboard.

6. An input unit according to claim 5, wherein the cable is fixedly connected to both the cursor key unit and the keyboard.

7. An input unit according to claim 5, wherein the cable is detachably connected to both the cursor key unit and the keyboard.

8. An input unit according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit pivotally connected to the base unit, the display unit being rotatable between an open position for operating the computer and a closed position for covering the keyboard and the cursor key unit mounted on the holding portion.

9. An input unit according to claim 1, wherein the signal transmission means includes light-emitting means for converting a signal entered from the cursor key unit into an optical signal and outputting the optical signal and light-receiving means for receiving the optical signal output from the light-emitting means and converting the optical signal into an electrical signal.

10. An input unit with a mouse function for a computer comprising:

key input means, having cursor keys and a mouse mechanism, for inputting data;

a keyboard having a holding section for removably holding the key input means;

cursor key function means for permitting the cursor keys to function when the key input means is held in the holding section of the keyboard;

mouse function means for permitting the mouse mechanism to function when the key input means is removed from the holding section of the keyboard;

connection means for transmitting a signal input from the cursor keys of the key input means to the keyboard when the cursor keys are made to function by the cursor key function means; and

signal transmission means for transmitting a signal input from the mouse mechanism of the key input means to the keyboard when the mouse mechanism is made to function by the mouse function means.

11. An input unit according to claim 10, wherein the key input means is an integral combination of both the cursor keys and the mouse mechanism, and some of the cursor keys are used as mouse buttons of the mouse mechanism.

12. An input unit according to claim 10, wherein the keyboard includes a plurality of data input keys and function keys.

13. An input unit according to claim 10, wherein the cursor key function means includes a circuit for electrically connecting the cursor keys of the key input means to predetermined points on a keyboard matrix of the keyboard when the key input means is held in the holding section of the keyboard.

14. An input unit according to claim 10, wherein the mouse function means includes a switch mechanism for turning off a power source used for allowing the mouse mechanism of the key input means to function, when the key input means is held in the holding section of the keyboard, and for turning on the power source when the key input means is removed from the holding section of the key input means.

15. An input unit according to claim 10, wherein the connection means includes a first connector provided for the key input means, and a second connector provided for the keyboard and engageable with the first connector, whereby a signal input from the cursor keys of the key input means is transmitted to the keyboard through the first and second connectors.

16. An input unit according to claim 10, wherein the signal transmission means includes a cable which electrically connects the key input means and the keyboard together and which transmits a signal entered from the mouse mechanism of the key input means to the keyboard.

17. An input unit according to claim 16, wherein the cable is fixedly connected to both the key input means and the keyboard.

18. An input unit according to claim 16, wherein the cable is detachably connected to both the key input means and the keyboard.

19. An input unit to claim 10, wherein the signal transmission means includes light-emitting means for converting a signal entered from the key input means into an optical signal and outputting the optical signal and light-receiving means for receiving the optical signal output from the light-emitting means and converting the optical signal into an electrical signal.