Computer system having a configurable touchpad-mouse button combination

• US 6,507,338 B1
• Filed: 09/13/2000
• Issued: 01/14/2003
• 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:
  US09/661,645
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/156, 345/157
• 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 method of sectioning usable areas on a touchpad for use in a computer system comprising:

providing a chassis;

mounting a microprocessor in the chassis;

mounting a touchpad on the chassis to provide input to the microprocessor;

providing a first portion and a second portion on the touchpad which are user configurable and programmable to provide button functions and cursor functions;

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

configuring the second portion of the touchpad to be usable for cursor movement and placement functions;

providing 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

mounting the overlay member on the touchpad.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising detachably mounting the overlay member on the touchpad.

3. The method as defined in claim 2 further comprising providing the overlay member with connectors extending therefrom for detachably mounting the overlay member on the touchpad.

4. The method as defined in claim 2 further comprising providing the overlay member with an adhesive layer for detachably mounting the overlay member on the touchpad.