Notebook computer force-controlled pointing stick device
First Claim
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1. A computer system, comprising:
- a system unit;
a keyboard interconnected with the system unit and having a plurality of keys, wherein upper ends of the keys define a plane;
a pointing actuator mounted to the keyboard between selected ones of the keys for manipulation by a user'"'"'s fingerwherein at least a portion of an upper end of the actuator is located beneath the plane defined byte upper ends of the keys; and
wherein the upper end of the actuator has a perimeter above the plane with an upper surface area defined therein, wherein the upper surface area, excluding said perimeter, is located beneath the plane.
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Abstract
A notebook computer force-controlled pointing stick device incorporates a more comfortable cap with enhanced ergonomic features. The device is generally cylindrical in shape and is located between the G, H, and B keys on the computer keyboard. The upper end of the device has a donut-like shape with a concave or crown-shaped central portion that forms well to the user'"'"'s finger and provides better control, but does not interfere with typing. The upper end preferably has a rubber tip that provides improved control for a finger of a user. In an alternate version, the device is similar in shape to a bicycle saddle.
24 Citations
5 Claims
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1. A computer system, comprising:
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a system unit; a keyboard interconnected with the system unit and having a plurality of keys, wherein upper ends of the keys define a plane; a pointing actuator mounted to the keyboard between selected ones of the keys for manipulation by a user'"'"'s finger wherein at least a portion of an upper end of the actuator is located beneath the plane defined byte upper ends of the keys; and wherein the upper end of the actuator has a perimeter above the plane with an upper surface area defined therein, wherein the upper surface area, excluding said perimeter, is located beneath the plane.
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2. A computer system, comprising:
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a system unit; a keyboard interconnected with the system unit and having a plurality of keys, wherein upper ends of the keys define a plane; a pointing actuator mounted to the keyboard between selected ones of the keys for manipulation by a user'"'"'s finger; wherein at least a portion of an upper end of the actuator is located beneath the plane defined by the upper ends of the keys; wherein the upper end of the actuator has a perimeter above the plane with an upper surface area defined therein, wherein the upper surface area, excluding said perimeter, is located beneath the plane; and wherein the upper end of the actuator is configured in a bicycle saddle-like shape. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
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Specification