Computer input device and keyboard

• US 6,147,673 A
• Filed: 03/18/1998
• Issued: 11/14/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mei California, Inc. (Micron Technology, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Micro Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Zarek, Lynne
• Primary Examiner(s): Powell, Mark R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Thu
• Application Number:
  US09/044,387
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/169, 345/163, 400/489, 463/37, 463/38, 341/22, 341/21
• US Class Current: 345/156
• 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 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

An input device and keyboard for a computer. The input device includes controls that receive commands from a user and transmit the commands to the computer via a communication link. In one embodiment, the controls include an input button which is elongated and contoured to engage a relatively large portion of the user'"'"'s finger. The input button may also be curved and/or canted so as to support the user'"'"'s finger in an ergonomic position. In another embodiment, the input device may be housed within an opening in the keyboard and may be detached from the keyboard by removing it from the opening. The input device may be operated when either attached to or detached from the keyboard. In still another embodiment, right and left input devices are removably attached to the keyboard and may be operated with the user'"'"'s right and left hands, respectively.

Claims

1. An input assembly for a computer having a display, comprising:

a first input device having a first input device housing, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of input keys between the first and second ends; and

at least two second input devices;

wherein one second input device is removably attached to the first input device toward the first end thereof and movable relative to the first input device between an attached position in which the one second input device is attached to the first input device and a detached position in which the one second input device is spaced apart from the first input device, the one second input device having a first input button to transmit a first signal to the computer, a first pointing device to move an image on the display of the computer, and a first wireless signal transmitter operatively coupleable to the computer to transmit the first signal; and

further wherein the other second input device is removably attached to the first input device separately from the one second input device toward the second end of the first input device and is movable relative to the first input device between an attached position in which the other second input device is attached to the first input device and a detached position in which the other second input device is spaced apart from the first input device, the other second input device having a second input button to transmit a second signal to the computer and a second pointing device to move the image on the computer display, and a second wireless signal transmitter operatively coupleable to the computer to transmit the second signal; and

wherein at least one of the two second input devices includes a second input device housing having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface and an elongated input button proximate to the second input device housing and movable relative to the second input device housing, the input button having an elongated engaging surface to receive distal and middle phalanges of a human finger, the engaging surface being concave in a first plane relative to the upper surface of the second input device housing to engage lower and side surfaces of the finger, the engaging surface being convex in a second plane transverse to the first plane to engage the finger when the finger is bent, the input device transmitting signals to the computer by depressing the elongated input button when the input device is coupled to the computer.

2. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the second input device housing has a front portion and a back portion opposite the front portion, the elongated input button having a first end positioned toward the front portion and a second end positioned toward the back portion.

3. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the input button has a first concave portion facing a first direction to engage the distal phalange of the finger and a second portion facing a second direction different than the first direction to engage the middle phalange of the finger.

4. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the engaging surface of the input button is flush with the upper surface of the second input device housing.

5. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the input button is elongated along an axis and has a curved cross-sectional shape when intersected by a plane perpendicular to the axis.

6. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the input button is elongated along an axis and the engaging surface of the input button has a first elongated concave portion toward one edge thereof aligned with the axis and a second elongated concave portion toward an opposite edge aligned with the axis and facing the first elongated concave portion.

7. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the input button is elongated along an axis between a first end and a second end and the engaging surface of the input button has a concave portion toward the first end generally perpendicular to the axis and shaped to engage an end of the distal phalange.

8. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the input button is elongated along an axis and is canted about the axis relative to the upper surface of the second input device housing.

9. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the input button is movable relative to the second input device housing along a motion path between a first position and a second position such that an angle between the motion path and the upper surface of the second input device housing is acute.

10. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the input button is movable relative to the second input device housing along a motion path between a first position and a second position, the motion path being approximately normal to the upper surface of the second input device housing.

11. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the input button is movable relative to the second input device housing along a motion path between a first position and a second position, the motion path being approximately parallel to the lower surface of the second input device housing.

12. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the upper surface has an elongated aperture therein and the input button is accessible through the aperture in the upper surface.

13. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the input button is a first input button, further comprising a second input button positioned adjacent the first input button, the second input button being proximate the second input device housing and movable relative to the second input device housing and having an elongated engaging surface to receive distal and middle phalanges of another human finger, the second input device housing having a second aperture with the engaging surface of the second input button accessible through the second aperture.

14. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the other of the two second input devices includes:

a second input device housing having an outer surface with a lower portion configured to engage a support surface; and

another input button positioned proximate to the second input device housing outer surface and movable relative to the second input device housing outer surface, the other input button having an engaging surface concave relative to the second input device housing outer surface in a first plane to engage a lower surface and a side surface of a human finger, the engaging surface being convex in a second plane transverse to the first plane to engage the human finger when the human finger is bent, the other input button being movable relative to the second input device housing between a first position and a second position along an axis at least approximately parallel to the lower portion of the second input device housing.

15. The input assembly of claim 14 wherein the other input button is elongated along an axis and has a curved cross-sectional shape when intersected by a plane perpendicular to the axis.

16. The input assembly of claim 14 wherein the other input button is elongated along an axis and the engaging surface of the input button has a first elongated concave portion toward one edge thereof aligned with the axis and a second elongated concave portion toward an opposite edge aligned with the axis and facing the first elongated concave portion.

17. The input assembly of claim 14 wherein the other input button is elongated along an axis between a first end and a second end and the engaging surface of the input button has a concave portion toward the first end generally perpendicular to the axis and shaped to engage a distal phalange of the finger.

18. The input assembly of claim 14 wherein the other input button is elongated along an axis and is canted about the axis relative to the upper surface of the housing.

19. The input assembly of claim 14 wherein the second input device housing has an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, and a back surface between the upper and lower surfaces, the input button being proximate the upper surface and back surface of the housing.

20. The input assembly of claim 14 wherein the other input button is a first other input button, further comprising a second other input button positioned proximate to the second input device housing outer surface and movable relative thereto, the second other input button having an engaging surface concave relative to the second input device housing outer surface to engage a lower surface and a side surface of another human finger.

21. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the first input device housing has a first opening sized and shaped to removably receive the one second input device and a second opening sized and shaped to removably receive the other second input device.

22. The input assembly of claim 21 wherein the first input device housing has a curved outer surface and the one second input device has a corresponding curved outer surface that is flush with the outer surface of the first input device when the one second input device is in the first opening.

23. The input assembly of claim 21 wherein the first input device housing has a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, the first opening being positioned in the top surface of the housing.

24. The input assembly of claim 23 wherein the first opening extends through the housing from the top surface to the bottom surface.

25. The input assembly of claim 23 wherein the first opening has an open end in the upper surface and a closed end opposite the open end.

26. The input assembly of claim 25 wherein the closed end has a generally flat end surface facing the open end and the one second input device has an upper surface and a flat lower surface opposite the upper surface, the flat lower surface of the one second input device being proximate to the flat end surface of the closed end of the first opening when the one second input device is in the attached position.

27. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the first input button and the first pointing device are proximate to an upper surface of the one second input device, the one second input device having a generally flat lower surface opposite the upper surface thereof to engage a generally flat working surface when the one second input device is in the detached position.

28. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the one second input device has a housing and the pointing device comprises a sphere, a portion of which projects from the housing, the sphere being rotatable relative to the housing to receive commands from the user.

29. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the pointing device comprises a touch-sensitive surface.

30. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the one second input device has a housing and the pointing device comprises a joystick projecting from the housing.

31. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the first end of the first input device is a right end and the second end is a left end, the one second input device being accessible to a user'"'"'s right hand when in its attached position, the other second input device being accessible to the user'"'"'s left hand when in its attached position.

32. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the signal transmitter comprises a radio signal transmitter and the signal receiver comprises a radio signal receiver.

33. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the signal transmitter comprises an infrared signal transmitter and the signal receiver comprises an infrared signal receiver.

34. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the one second input device has a first portion facing a first direction to engage a distal phalange of a human finger and a second portion facing a second direction different than the first direction to engage at least one of a middle phalange and a proximal phalange of the finger.

35. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the first input button is elongated.

36. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein the one second input device has a housing with an aperture therein and the first input button is accessible through the aperture, the first input button having an engaging surface that is concave relative to the housing to engage lower and side surfaces of a human finger.

37. The input assembly of claim 1 wherein one of the first and the one second input device has a first engagement member and the other of the first and the one second input device has a second engagement member, the first engagement member being biased toward and engaging the second engagement member when the one second input device is in its attached position to restrict motion of the one second input device away from the attached position.

38. An input assembly for a computer having a display, comprising:

a first input device having a housing, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of input keys between the first and second ends, the first input device further having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, the top surface having a curved outer edge and first and second openings extending through the outer edge from the top surface to the bottom surface, sidewalls of the first and second openings bring canted inwardly, and

at least two second input devices;

wherein one second input device is removably attached to the first input device toward the first end thereof and movable relative to the first input device between an attached position in which the one second input device is positioned within the first opening and a detached position in which the one second input device is spaced apart from the first opening, the one second input device having a curved outer edge approximately flush with the outer edge of the first input device housing when the one second input device is in the attached position, the one second input device further having a first input button and a first pointing device operatively coupled to the computer with a first communication link to transmit a first signal to the computer, the one second input device still further having a lower surface that is approximately flush with the bottom surface of the first input device and a tapered side surface approximately parallel to the sidewall of the first opening when the one second input device is positioned within the first opening in its attached position; and

further wherein the other second input device is removably attached to the first input device separately from the one second input device toward the second end of the first input device and is movable relative to the first input device between an attached position in which the other second input device is positioned within the second opening and a detached position in which the other second input device is spaced apart from the second opening, the other second input device having a curved outer edge approximately flush with the outer edge of the first input device housing when the other second input device is in the attached position, the other second input device further having a second input button and a second pointing device operatively coupled to the computer with a second communication link to transmit a first signal to the computer, the other second input device still further having a lower surface that is approximately flush with the bottom surface of the first input device and a tapered side surface approximately parallel to the sidewall of the second opening when the other second input device is positioned within the second opening in its attached position; and

wherein the one second input device has a second input device housing that includes the lower surface and an upper surface opposite the lower surface, further wherein the first input button includes an elongated input button proximate to the second input device housing and movable relative to the second input device housing, the first input button having an elongated engaging surface to receive distal and middle phalanges of a human finger, the engaging surface being concave in a first plane relative to the upper surface of the second input device housing to engage lower and side surfaces of the finger, the engaging surface being convex in a second plane transverse to the first plane to engage the finger when the finger is bent, the one second input device transmitting signals to the computer by depressing the elongated input button when the one second input device is coupled to the computer.

39. The input assembly of claim 38 wherein the first input device housing includes a forward portion and a rear portion opposite the forward portion, the first opening extending through the rear portion of the first input device housing.

40. The input assembly of claim 38 wherein the first pointing device includes a sphere, a portion of which projects from the housing of the one second input device, the sphere being rotatable relative to the housing to receive commands from the user.

41. The input assembly of claim 38 wherein the communication link includes a cable.

42. The input assembly of claim 38 wherein the first input button and the first pointing device are proximate to an upper surface of the one second input device, the one second input device having a generally flat lower surface opposite the upper surface thereof to engage a generally flat working surface when the one second input device is in the detached position.

43. The input assembly of claim 38 wherein the one second input device has a housing and the first pointing device comprises a sphere, a portion of which projects from the housing, the sphere being rotatable relative to the housing of the one second input device to receive commands from the user.

44. The input assembly of claim 38 wherein the first pointing device comprises a touch-sensitive surface.

45. The input assembly of claim 38 wherein the one second input device has a housing and the first pointing device comprises a joystick projecting from the housing of the one second input device.

46. The input assembly of claim 38 wherein the first end of the first input device is a right end and the second end is a left end, the one second input device being accessible to a user'"'"'s right hand when in its attached position, the other second input device being accessible to the user'"'"'s left hand when in its attached position.

47. The input assembly of claim 38 wherein the first communication link includes a radio signal transmitter and a radio signal receiver.

48. The input assembly of claim 38 wherein the first communication link includes an infrared signal transmitter and an infrared signal receiver.

49. The input assembly of claim 38 wherein the one second input device has a first portion facing a first direction to engage a distal phalange of a human finger and a second portion facing a second direction different than the first direction to engage at least one of a middle phalange and a proximal phalange of the finger.

50. The input assembly of claim 38 wherein the first input button is elongated.

51. The input assembly of claim 38 wherein the one second input device has a housing with an aperture therein and the first input button is accessible through the aperture, the first input button having an engaging surface that is concave relative to the housing to engage lower and side surfaces of a human finger.

52. The input assembly of claim 38 wherein one of the first input device and the one second input device has a first engagement member and the other of the first input device and the one second input device has a second engagement member, the first engagement member being biased toward and engaging the second engagement member when the one second input device is in its attached position to restrict motion of the one second input device away from the attached position.

53. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the second input device housing has a front portion and a back portion opposite the front portion, the elongated input button having a first end positioned toward the front portion and a second end positioned toward the back portion.

54. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the first input bottom has a first concave portion facing a first direction to engage the distal phalange of the finger and a second portion facing a second direction different than the first direction to engage the middle phalange of the finger.

55. The assembly of claim 38 wherein at least a portion of the engaging surface of the input button is flush with the upper surface of the second input device housing.

56. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the first input button is elongated along an axis and has a curved cross-sectional shape when intersected by a plane perpendicular to the axis.

57. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the first input button is elongated along an axis and the engaging surface of the first input button has a first elongated concave portion toward one edge thereof aligned with the axis and a second elongated concave portion toward an opposite edge aligned with the axis and facing the first elongated concave portion.

58. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the first input button is elongated along an axis between a first end and a second end and the engaging surface of the first input button has a concave portion toward the first end generally perpendicular to the axis and shaped to engage an end of the distal phalange.

59. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the first input button is elongated along an axis and is canted about the axis relative to the upper surface of the second input device housing.

60. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the first input button is movable relative to the second input device housing along a motion path between a first position and a second position such that an angle between the motion path and the upper surface of the second input device housing is acute.

61. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the first input button is movable relative to the second input device housing along a motion path between a first position and a second position, the motion path being approximately normal to the upper surface of the second input device housing.

62. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the input button is movable relative to the second input device housing along a motion path between a first position and a second position, the motion path being approximately parallel to the lower surface of the second input device housing.

63. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the upper surface of the second input device housing has an elongated aperture therein and the first input button is accessible through the aperture in the upper surface.

64. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the first communication link includes a cable extending between the second input device housing and the computer.

65. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the first communication link includes a wireless signal transmitter in one of the housing and the computer and a wireless signal receiver in the other of the second input device housing and the computer.

66. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the signal transmitter includes a radio signal transmitter and the signal receiver comprises a radio signal receiver.