Combination computer mouse and telephony handset

• US 6,694,391 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2001
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Blood, Roger M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEYTON, TAMMARA R
• Application Number:
  US09/761,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20020095535A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,127 Days
• Field of Search: 710/62, 710/72, 710/73, 345/157, 345/163, 455/557
• US Class Current: 710/62
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A computer peripheral apparatus includes a housing having a first portion and a second portion connected to the first portion. The second portion is pivotable between a first position nested with the first portion and a second position extended from the first portion. The first portion includes computer mouse input members and a telephony handset. The second portion includes a telephony microphone.

Claims

1. A combination computer mouse and telephony handset comprising:

a housing having a first portion and a second portion pivotally connected to the first portion, the second portion being movable between a first position nested with the first portion and a second position extended from the first portion;

the first portion including computer mouse input members, a rotatably mounted tracking member and a telephony handset speaker; and

;

the second portion including a telephony microphone and an opening, whereby when the second portion is in the first position, nested with the first portion, the tracking member protrudes through the opening.

2. The combination is defined in claim 1 wherein the housing includes a flat side for sliding on a surface, and a hand grip side opposite the flat side.

3. The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein the computer mouse input members include a first click member and a second click member.

4. The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein the first and second click members are on the hand grip side, and the tracking member and the speaker are on the flat side.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein the housing includes a pair of opposed edges, one of the edges comprising the second portion.

6. The combination as defined in claim 5 wherein the microphone in the second portion is extendible from the first portion.

7. The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein the second portion is a substantially planar portion pivotable into and out of abutment with the flat side.

8. The combination as defined in claim 7 wherein the microphone in the second portion is extendible from the first portion.

9. A computer peripheral apparatus comprising:

a housing having a first portion and a second portion connected to the first portion, the second portion being pivotable between a first position nested with the first portion and a second position extended from the first portion;

the first portion including computer mouse input members, a tracking member and a telephony handset; and

the second portion including a telephony microphone and an opening, whereby when the second portion is in the first position, the tracking member operably protrudes through the opening.

10. A computer system comprising:

a chassis;

a microprocessor mounted in the chassis;

a storage coupled to the microprocessor; and

an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor, the input including a computer mouse in combination with a telephony handset comprising;

a housing having a first portion and a second portion pivotally connected to the first portion;

the first portion including computer mouse input members, a protruding tracking member and a telephony handset speaker; and

the second portion including a telephony microphone and an opening, whereby when the second portion is in the first position, the tracking member operably protrudes through the opening.

11. The system as defined in claim 10 wherein the housing includes a flat side for sliding on a surface, and a hand grip side opposite the flat side.

12. The system as defined in claim 11 wherein the computer mouse input members include a first click member and a second click member.

13. The system as defined in claim 12 wherein the first and second click members are on the handgrip side, and the tracking members and the speaker are on the flat side.

14. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein the housing includes a pair of opposed edges, one of the edges comprising the second portion.

15. The system as defined in claim 14 wherein the microphone in the second portion is extendible from the first portion.

16. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein the second portion is a substantially planar portion pivotable into and out of abutment with the flat side.

17. The system as defined in claim 16 wherein the microphone in the second portion is extendible from the first portion.

18. A method of providing a telephony handset in combination with a computer mouse comprising:

providing a housing having a first portion and a second portion movably mounted on the first portion for movement between a first position nested with the first portion, and a second position extended from the first portion;

providing a computer mouse including input members and a protruding tracking member in the first portion;

providing a telephony speaker and an opening in the second portion; and

nesting the second portion with the first portion, whereby the tracking member operably protrudes through the opening.

19. The method as defined in claim 18 further comprising:

pivoting the extension member to the nested position with the housing for using the mouse.

20. The method as defined in claim 19 further comprising:

pivoting the extension member to an extended position away from the housing for using the telephony handset.