Peripheral input device having a retractable cord

• US 6,088,021 A
• Filed: 06/03/1998
• Issued: 07/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Yong, Edward G.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHOW, DOON Y
• Application Number:
  US09/089,988
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/40, 345/179, 361/683-686, 341/22
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A peripheral input device having a retractable cord operably coupling the device to a computer system is disclosed. A reel assembly disposed within the body of the peripheral input device allows the cord to be alternately extended and retracted as desired by the user. The reel assembly may include a stop mechanism for limiting tension on the cord while the device is being manipulated by the user.

Claims

1. A peripheral input device for a computer system comprising:

an input device for inputting information into the computer system;

a cord for operatively coupling the input device to the computer system; and

a reel assembly disposed in the input device, the reel assembly for alternately extending and retracting the cord from the input device between a first length and a second length.

2. The peripheral input device of claim 1, wherein the reel assembly comprises:

a spool rotatably disposed within the input device for receiving the cord; and

a spring coupled to the spool, the spring for rotating the spool to receive the cord wherein the cord is at least partially coiled about the spool when the cord is retracted between the first length and the second length.

3. The peripheral input device of claim 2, wherein the spring comprises a spiral coiled spring having an inner end attached to the spool and an outer end attached to the input device wherein the spring is tightened as the cord is extended.

4. The peripheral input device of claim 2, wherein the reel assembly further comprises a stop mechanism coupled to the spool, the stop mechanism for engaging the spool to prevent the spring from rotating the spool to receive the cord.

5. The peripheral input device of claim 1, further comprising a connector attached to the cord opposite the input device for operatively coupling the cord to the computer system.

6. The peripheral input device of claim 1, wherein the input device is a keyboard type input device.

7. The peripheral input device of claim 1, wherein the input device is an absolute coordinate input device.

8. The peripheral input device of claim 7, wherein the absolute coordinate input device is a mouse.

9. The peripheral input device of claim 8, further comprising one or more depressible keys disposed on the input device, the one or more depressible keys for inputting commands into the computer system based the position of a cursor displayed on the display.

10. The peripheral input device of claim 9, further comprising a wheel assembly disposed on the input device, the wheel assembly operable by a user for inputting commands into the computer system based the position of a cursor displayed on the display.

11. The peripheral input device of claim 8, further comprising a rotatable ball extending from a bottom surface of the input device for contacting the surface such that movement of the input device over the surface causes rotation of the ball to provide the position indications.

12. The peripheral input device of claim 8, having a curved upper surface shaped for comfortably fitting within the hand of a user.

13. The peripheral input device of claim 7, wherein the absolute coordinate input device comprises a trackball.

14. The peripheral input device of claim 7, wherein the absolute coordinate input device comprises a pointing stick.

15. The peripheral input device of claim 7, wherein the absolute coordinate input device comprises a touch sensitive surface.

16. The peripheral input device of claim 1, further comprising a connector attached to the cord opposite the input device for operatively coupling the cord to the computer system.

17. A peripheral input device for a computer system comprising:

a body movable over a surface for controlling the position of a cursor displayed on a display of the computer system, the body including one or more depressible keys disposed thereon for inputting commands into the computer system based the position of the cursor;

a cord capable of being operatively coupling the body to the computer system; and

a reel assembly disposed in the body for receiving the cord, the reel assembly for alternately extending and retracting the cord from the body between a first length and a second length.

18. The peripheral input device of claim 17, wherein the reel assembly comprises:

a spool rotatably disposed within the body for receiving the cord; and

a spring operatively coupled to the body and the spool, the spring for rotating the spool to receive the cord wherein the cord is at least partially wound around the spool when the cord is retracted between the first length and the second length.

19. The peripheral input device of claim 18, wherein the spring comprises a spiral coiled spring having an inner end attached to the spool and an outer end attached to the body wherein the spring is tightened as the cord is extended.

20. The peripheral input device of claim 18, wherein the reel assembly further comprises a stop mechanism coupled to the spool and the body for engaging the spool to prevent the spring from rotating the spool to receive the cord.

21. The peripheral input device of claim 17, further comprising a connector attached to the cord opposite the body for operatively coupling the cord to the computer system.

22. The peripheral input device of claim 17, further comprising a rotatable ball extending from a bottom surface of the body for contacting the surface such that movement of the body over the surface causes rotation of the ball to control movement of the cursor on the display.

23. The peripheral input device of claim 17, further comprising a wheel assembly disposed on the body, the wheel assembly rotatable by a user for inputting commands into the computer system.

24. The peripheral input device of claim 17, having a rounded upper surface shaped to comfortably fit within the hand of a user.

25. A peripheral input device for a computer system comprising:

means for inputting information into a computer system;

means for coupling the information inputting means to the computer system; and

means, disposed in the information inputting means, for extending and retracting the coupling means from the information inputting means.

26. The peripheral input device of claim 25, wherein the information inputting means comprises means for controlling the position of a cursor displayed on a display of the computer system.

27. The peripheral input device of claim 25, further comprising means for preventing the means for alternately extending and retracting the coupling means from retracting the coupling means.

28. The peripheral input device of claim 25, further comprising means for inputting commands into the computer system.

29. A computer system comprising:

a central processing system for processing information;

a memory interconnected with the central processing system for storing information;

a display system interconnected with the central processing system for displaying information;

an input/output system interconnected with the processing system; and

a peripheral input device operatively coupled to the input/output system, the peripheral input device further comprising;

an input device for inputting information into the computer system;

a cord for operatively coupling the input device to the computer system; and

a reel assembly disposed in the input device, the reel assembly for alternately extending and retracting the cord from the input device between a first length and a second length.

30. The computer system of claim 29, wherein the reel assembly comprises:

a spool rotatably disposed within the input device for receiving the cord; and

a spring coupled to the spool, the spring for rotating the spool to receive the cord wherein the cord is at least partially coiled about the spool when the cord is retracted between the first length and the second length.

31. The computer system of claim 30, wherein the spring comprises a spiral coiled spring having an inner end attached to the spool and an outer end attached to the input device wherein the spring is tightened as the cord is extended.

32. The computer system of claim 30, wherein the reel assembly further comprises a stop mechanism coupled to the spool, the stop mechanism for engaging the spool to prevent the spring from rotating the spool to receive the cord.