Translatable cursor actuator control for a portable computer

• US 6,429,847 B1
• Filed: 10/28/1999
• Issued: 08/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Johnson, Dax J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Saras, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spencer, William C.
• Application Number:
  US09/429,598
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 345/157, 345/161, 345/905
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

Mounting the cursor actuator control or mouse buttons on the keyboard portion of a portable computer in a manner to permit the translation of the cursor actuator control across the keyboard portion of the portable computer, thereby allows the positioning of the cursor actuator control for comfort and convenience of the operator. The ability to relocate the cursor actuator control further allows any operator of the portable computer to minimize inadvertent operation thereof by the accidental and unintentional contact of user'"'"'s thumb with the cursor actuator controls.

Claims

1. A portable computer, comprising:

a keyboard;

a display;

a frame, having a first position for supporting said keyboard, and a second portion for supporting said display relative to each other;

a cursor position control;

a cursor function actuator control for actuating functions of said computer when indicated by operation of said cursor position control to position a cursor over an indicator of a selected computer function;

said keyboard and said cursor function actuator control disposed on said first portion of said frame;

said cursor function actuator control displaceable in a plane substantially coextensive with a surface of said portion of said frame having said keyboard thereon, and

said cursor function actuator control positional by the user in one of a plurality of positions relative to said keyboard;

wherein said cursor function actuator is translatable laterally relative to said keyboard and said first portion of said frame, wherein said cursor control function actuator is repositionable in said selected position by a relatable latch engagable with said cursor function actuator and supported within said first portion or said frame, wherein said cursor control comprises a displaceable control disposed intermediate keys on said keyboard.

2. The computer of claim 1 wherein said cursor function actuator is repositionable in said selected position by relatable frictional resistance between said cursor function actuator control and a positional lock supported within said first portion of said frame.

3. The computer of claim 1 wherein said relatable latch is manually accessible and operable on said first portion of said frame.

4. The computer of claim 1 wherein said cursor function actuator is movable in an arcuate path, said arcuate path disposed intermediate said keyboard and an operator position proximate said keyboard.

5. The computer of claim 4 wherein said cursor function actuator is repositionable in said selected position by a relatable retainer.

6. The computer of claim 5 wherein said cursor control comprises a displaceable control disposed intermediate keys on said keyboard.

7. The computer of claim 1 wherein said cursor function actuator is further movable in an arcuate path, said arcuate path disposed intermediate said keyboard and an operator position proximate said keyboard.

8. The computer of claim 7 wherein said cursor function actuator is repositionable in said selected position by relatable frictional resistance between said cursor function actuator and a positional lock supported within said first portion of said frame.

9. The computer of claim 1 wherein said cursor function actuator is rotateable relative to said first portion of said frame.

10. A portable computer comprising:

a keyboard;

a display;

a frame, having a first and a second portion, said first portion for supporting said keyboard and said second portion for supporting said display relative to each other;

a cursor position control, said cursor position control disposed on said first portion of said frame;

a cursor actuator control, said cursor control translatable relative to said first portion of said frame, and

whereby said cursor actuator control may be positioned by an operator in a position of convenience and comfort relative to said keyboard, wherein said cursor actuator control is translatable in an arcuate path.

11. The portable computer of claim 10 wherein said cursor actuator control is translatable relative to said keyboard.

12. The portable computer of claim 10 wherein said cursor actuator control comprises a plurality of manually actuatable buttons, said buttons translatable independently of the other.

13. The portable computer of claim 10 wherein said computer further comprises said cursor positional control disposed within the bounds of said keyboard.

14. The portable computer of claim 10 wherein said cursor position control is disposed within said arcuate path and translatable with said cursor actuator control.

15. The portable computer of claim 14 wherein said cursor position control comprises a touch pad.

16. The portable computer of claim 10 wherein said cursor function actuator is rotateable relative to said first portion of said frame.