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Keyboard touchpad combination in a bivalve enclosure

  • US 5,681,220 A
  • Filed: 06/18/1994
  • Issued: 10/28/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An input device for use with a computer system having a processor enclosed in a central enclosure, said input device comprising:

  • (a) a hinged bivalve enclosure separate from said central enclosure, said hinged bivalve enclosure including a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge joining said first and second housings for pivotal movement of said housings one relative to the other between at least an open position and a closed position;

    (b) a keyboard sensor having a plurality of keys, said keyboard sensor generating a keyboard electrical signal responsive to a closure event of each of said plurality of keys, each of said plurality of keys having a key touch surface a touching of which causes the closure event, said keyboard sensor being affixed to said first housing;

    (c) keyboard circuitry in circuit communication with said keyboard sensor, said keyboard circuitry receiving the keyboard electrical signal from said keyboard sensor and determining therefrom which key was touched;

    (d) a touchpad sensor generating a touchpad electrical signal, said touchpad sensor having a touch surface, with the touchpad electrical signal corresponding to a touched portion of said touch surface of said touchpad sensor, said touchpad sensor being affixed to said second housing, said touchpad sensor being oppositely disposed from said keyboard sensor in said closed position with said touch surface of said touchpad sensor facing said plurality of key touch surfaces;

    (e) coordinate determining circuitry in circuit communication with said touchpad sensor, said coordinate determining circuitry receiving the touchpad electrical signal from said touchpad sensor and determining therefrom the location of the touched portion of said touch surface of said touchpad sensor; and

    (f) interface circuitry in circuit communication with said keyboard circuitry and said coordinate determining circuitry, said interface circuitry transmitting to said processor a first type of data packet corresponding to one of the closure events of said keys of said keyboard sensor and a second type of data packet corresponding to the location of a touched portion of said touch surface of said touchpad sensor, and said interface circuitry acting as a multiplexer between said keyboard circuitry and said coordinate determining circuitry.

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