Computer system having a configurable touchpad-mouse button combination

• US 6,392,637 B2
• Filed: 08/13/1998
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Liao, Reynold, OʼNeal, Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala, Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kovalick, Vincent E.
• Application Number:
  US09/133,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20010048429A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,377 Days
• Field of Search: 345/113, 345/168, 345/173, 364/130
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04809 Textured surface identifying touch areas, e.g. overlay structure for a virtual keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

A computer touchpad includes a first portion usable for button functions to select items on a computer display panel. A second portion of the touchpad is usable for cursor movement and placement functions. An overlay member is detachably mounted on the touchpad. The overlay member includes a first part and a second part. The first part of the overlay member includes several defined sections and the second part of the overlay member includes a single defined section. The first part of the overlay member mounts on the first portion of the touchpad and the second part of the overlay member mounts on the second portion of the touchpad.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

a chassis;

a microprocessor mounted in the chassis;

an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor;

a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor in the chassis;

a video controller coupled to the microprocessor;

a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor in the chassis;

a touchpad mounted on the chassis, the touchpad having a first portion and a second portion which are user configurable and programmable to provide button functions and cursor functions;

the first portion of the touchpad being usable for button functions to select items on a computer display panel;

the second portion of the touchpad being usable for cursor movement and placement functions;

an overlay member corresponding to the touchpad such that the overlay member includes a first part and a second part, the first part of the overlay member including a plurality of defined button sections overlaying the first portion of the touchpad, and the second part of the overlay member including a single defined cursor section overlaying the second portion of the touchpad; and

connectors extending from the overlay member for detachably engaging the chassis adjacent the touchpad.

2. The computer system as defined in claim 1 wherein the overlay member includes a panel including a plurality of separated openings formed therein.

3. A computer system comprising:

a chassis;

a microprocessor mounted in the chassis;

an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor;

a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor in the chassis;

a video controller coupled to the microprocessor;

a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor in the chassis;

a touchpad mounted on the chassis, the touchpad having a first portion and a second portion which are user configurable and programmable to provide button functions and cursor functions;

the first portion of the touchpad being usable for button functions to select items on a computer display panel;

the second portion of the touchpad being usable for cursor movement and placement functions;

an overlay member corresponding to the touchpad such that the overlay member includes a first part and a second part, the first part of the overlay member including a plurality of defined button sections overlaying the first portion of the touchpad, and the second part of the overlay member including a single defined cursor section overlaying the second portion of the touchpad; and

an adhesive layer on a surface of the overlay member for detachably engaging the touchpad.

4. The computer system as defined in claim 3 wherein the overlay member includes a solid flexible panel having a plurality of raised resilient areas formed thereon which snap back into a raised position in response to being depressed.

5. A computer system comprising:

a chassis;

a microprocessor mounted in the chassis;

an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor;

a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor in the chassis;

a video controller coupled to the microprocessor;

a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor in the chassis;

a touchpad mounted on the chassis, the touchpad having a first portion and a second portion which are user configurable and programmable to provide button functions and cursor functions;

the first portion of the touchpad being usable for button functions to select items on a computer display panel;

the second portion of the touchpad being usable for cursor movement and placement functions;

an overlay member corresponding to the touchpad such that the overlay member includes a first part and a second part, the first part of the overlay member including a plurality of defined button sections overlaying the first portion of the touchpad, and the second part of the overlay member including a single defined cursor section overlaying the second portion of the touchpad; and

the overlay member including a solid flexible panel having a plurality of raised surface areas formed thereon.

6. A computer system comprising:

a chassis;

a microprocessor mounted in the chassis;

an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor;

a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor in the chassis;

a video controller coupled to the microprocessor;

a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor in the chassis;

a touchpad mounted on the chassis, the touchpad having a first portion and a second portion which are user configurable and programmable to provide button functions and cursor functions;

the first portion of the touchpad being usable for button functions to select items on a computer display panel;

the second portion of the touchpad being usable for cursor movement and placement functions;

an overlay member corresponding to the touchpad such that the overlay member includes a first part and a second part, the first part of the overlay member including a plurality of defined button sections overlaying the first portion of the touchpad, and the second part of the overlay member including a single defined cursor section overlaying the second portion of the touchpad; and

the overlay member including a solid flexible panel having a plurality of variable height areas formed thereon.

7. A computer system comprising:

a chassis;

a microprocessor mounted in the chassis;

an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor;

a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor in the chassis;

a video controller coupled to the microprocessor;

a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor in the chassis;

a touchpad mounted on the chassis, the touchpad having a first portion and a second portion which are user configurable and programmable to provide button functions and cursor functions;

the first portion of the touchpad being usable for button functions to select items on a computer display panel;

the second portion of tie touchpad being usable for cursor movement and placement functions;

an overlay member corresponding to the touchpad such that the overlay member includes a first part and a second part, the first part of the overlay member including a plurality of defined button sections overlaying the first portion of the touchpad, and the second part of the overlay member including a single defined cursor section overlaying the second portion of the touchpad; and

the overlay member including a solid flexible panel having a plurality of defined sections separated by raised rib members.

8. A computer system comprising:

a chassis;

a touchpad mounted on the chassis, the touchpad having a first portion and a second portion which are user configurable and programmable to provide button functions and cursor functions;

the first portion of the touchpad being usable for button functions to select items on a computer display panel;

the second portion of the touchpad being usable for cursor movement and placement functions; and

an overlay member having connectors extending therefrom for detachably engaging the chassis, the overlay member corresponding to the touchpad such that the overlay member includes a first part and a second part, the first part of the overlay member including a plurality of defined button sections overlaying the first portion of the touchpad, and the second part of the overlay member including a single defined cursor section overlaying the second portion of the touchpad.

9. A computer system comprising:

a chassis;

a touchpad mounted on the chassis, the touchpad having a first portion and a second portion which are user configurable and programmable to provide button functions and cursor functions;

the first portion of the touchpad being usable for button functions to select items on a computer display panel;

the second portion of the touchpad being usable for cursor movement and placement functions; and

an overlay member having an adhesive layer for detachably engaging the chassis, the overlay member corresponding to the touchpad such that the overlay member includes a first part and a second part, the first part of the overlay member including a plurality of defined button sections overlaying the first portion of the touchpad, and the second part of the overlay member including a single defined cursor section overlaying the second portion of the touchpad.