Pointing device having two parts and method of use therefor

• US 6,590,563 B1
• Filed: 07/21/2000
• Issued: 07/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Bliven, Robert P., Oross, Glen A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Saras, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): AWAD, AMR A
• Application Number:
  US09/620,948
• Time in Patent Office: 1,082 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156-173, 341/20-22, 361/683, 361/686
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/039 Accessories therefor, e.g. mouse pads

Abstract

This invention describes an electronic device having a pointing device consisting of a first portion and a second portion. The second portion of the pointing device is separable from the first and is configured to be stored in an opening formed in the electronic device. The opening formed in the electronic device is configured to receive the second portion of the pointing device once the second portion of the pointing device is separated from the first. Additionally, a method for configuring the pointing device and storing the second portion of the pointing device inside of the electronic device is described.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a pointing device having a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions of the pointing device being configured to move together translationally to control the position of a cursor on an associated display, wherein the second portion includes a communications port for communicating with the first portion; and

an opening configured to receive the second portion of the pointing device when the second portion is separated from the first portion.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the opening configured to receive the second portion includes rails for guiding the second portion into the opening.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the second portion includes a rechargeable battery.

4. The electronic device of claim 3 wherein the opening contains circuitry for recharging the battery contained in the second portion.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the second portion electronically communicates with the electronic device substantially independently of the first portion.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising a communications port configured for wireless communication with at least the second portion.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a monitor having a cursor wherein the second portion of the pointing device is a translation device for substantially controlling the positioning of the cursor on the monitor of the electronic device.

8. A pointing device for an electronic device, comprising:

a first portion; and

a second portion, the first portion including a slot wherein the second portion is received, the second portion is separable from the first portion and is configured for storage in the electronic device;

wherein,

the first and second portions are configured to move together translationally to control the position of a cursor on a display associated with the electronic device, wherein the second portion includes a communications port for communicating with the first portion.

9. The pointing device of claim 8 wherein the first portion includes rails positioned inside of the slot for guiding the second portion into the first portion.

10. The pointing device of claim 8 wherein the second portion communicates with the electronic device substantially independent of the first portion.

11. The pointing device of claim 8 wherein the first portion is configured as a hand rest, the first portion being exchangeable with another first portion configured to achieve a function selected from the group consisting of:

a keypad, a scanner, a digital camera, a video recorder, a telephone, a power supply, and a calculator.

12. The pointing device of claim 11 wherein the first portion is a scanner.

13. The pointing device of claim 11 wherein the first portion is a hand rest.

14. The pointing device of claim 8 wherein the second portion bilaterally communicates wirelessly with the electronic device.

16. The pointing device of claim 8 wherein the second portion includes a rechargeable battery.

15. The pointing device of 8 wherein the second portion includes a communications port for communicating with the first portion.

17. A method of configuring a pointing device comprising, the steps of:

providing a first portion;

providing a second portion;

inserting the first portion into the second portion, wherein, the first and second portions are configured to move together translationally to control the position of a cursor on an associated display, and wherein the second portion includes a communications port for communicating with the first portion; and

pressing the first portion into the second portion until a clicking sound occurs.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of positioning the second portion on rails for guiding the first portion into the second portion.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of pressing a lever to release the first portion from the second portion.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of exchanging the first portion with another first portion configured to achieve a function selected from the group consisting of a keypad, a scanner, a digital camera, a video recorder, a telephone, a power supply, and a calculator.

21. A method of storing a pointing device comprising the steps of:

providing an electronic device having an opening;

providing a pointing device having a first portion and a second portion;

separating the first portion from the second portion wherein, the first and second portions are configured to move together translationally to control the position of a cursor on a display associated with the electronic device, wherein the second portion includes a communications port for communicating with the first portion; and

inserting the second portion into the opening of the electronic device.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of coupling the second portion to communications circuitry formed inside of the electronic device by firmly inserting the second portion into the electronic device until a clicking sound occurs.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of charging a battery contained within the second portion.

24. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of removing the second portion from the electronic device and coupling the second portion to the first portion.