Assembly of independent mouse or track ball device using keyboard as an operational relay with keyboard

• US 7,227,530 B1
• Filed: 07/28/2000
• Issued: 06/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tai-Her Yang
• Original Assignee: Tai-Her Yang
• Inventors: Yang, Tai-Her
• Primary Examiner(s): Decady; Albert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alphonse; Fritz
• Application Number:
  US09/628,428
• Time in Patent Office: 2,503 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/161, 345/163, 345/165, 345/166, 345/167, 345/158, 345/175, 345/177, 345/156, 359/1
• US Class Current: 345/158
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0384 Wireless input, i.e. hardware and software details of wireless interface arrangements for pointing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

An independent mouse or trackball device assembly uses a keyboard as an operational relay providing for the wired or wireless coupling of the mouse or trackball device to the keyboard assembly.

Claims

1. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device, comprising:

a keyboard having a housing, external pushkeys and internal pushkey circuits for each pushkey, said pushkey circuits being connected to a computer by a cable;

a mouse or trackball device;

wireless coupling means including a one-way wireless receiving device or a two-way wireless receiving and transmitting device, said wireless coupling means being built-in and situated inside said keyboard housing for wirelessly coupling signals from said mouse or trackball device to a relay lead for transmission to said computer,

wherein said relay lead extends from said keyboard to said computer,

wherein at least one infrared sensor is positioned in a notch in a side of said keyboard, and

further comprising a cover for at least partially blocking said notch to prevent interference.

2. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a number of said sensors is at least two, and said sensors share a common said receiver.

3. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a number of said sensors and said receivers is at least two.

4. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a set of said sensors is situated on at least two sides of said keyboard.

5. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a set of said sensors and a corresponding set of said receivers is situated on at least two sides of said keyboard.

6. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising light guide means for guiding infrared signals from said mouse or trackball to said at least one infrared sensor and controlling an angle over which said infrared signals may be sensed.

7. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claims 6, wherein said light guide means include reflective materials.

8. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover is selected from the group consisting of a snap-on, push-pull, solenoidal suction, and blocking plug type cover.

9. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coupling means includes a receiver selected from the group consisting of an infrared and an ultrasound receiver, and further comprising a channel extending through said keyboard from an edge of said keyboard to said receiver for guiding infrared or ultrasound signals to said receiver.

10. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coupling means include at least one sensor for detecting wireless signals transmitted by said mouse or trackball device, and further comprising means for adjusting an azimuth angle of said sensor.

11. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means including a movable reflective surface for adjusting a horizontal angle over which signals may be transmitted to said one-way wireless receiving device or two-way wireless receiving and transmitting device.

12. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means including a movable reflective surface for adjusting a vertical angle over which signals may be transmitted to said one-way wireless receiving device or two-way wireless receiving and transmitting device.

13. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means including a movable spheroidal reflective surface for adjusting horizontal and vertical angles over which signals may be transmitted to said one-way wireless receiving device or two-way wireless receiving and transmitting device.

14. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device, comprising:

a keyboard having a housing, external pushkeys and internal pushkey circuits for each pushkey, said keyboard being separated from a computer and said pushkey circuits being connected to a computer by a cable;

a mouse or trackball device;

wireless coupling means including a one-way wireless receiving device or a two-way wireless receiving and transmitting device, said wireless coupling means being built-in and situated inside said keyboard housing for wirelessly coupling signals from said mouse or trackball device to a relay lead for transmission to said computer,

wherein said coupling means includes at least one ultrasound sensor positioned in said keyboard, and at least one receiver for coupling an output of said at least one sensor to said relay lead.

15. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 14, wherein a number of said sensors is at least two, and said sensors share a common said receiver.

16. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 14, wherein a number of said sensors and said receivers is at least two.

17. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 14, wherein a set of said sensors is situated on at least two sides of said keyboard.

18. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 14, wherein a set of said sensors and a corresponding set of said receivers situated on at least two sides of said keyboard.

19. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device, comprising:

a keyboard having a housing, external pushkeys and internal pushkey circuits for each pushkey, said keyboard being separated from a computer and said pushkey circuits being connected to a computer by a cable;

a mouse or trackball device;

wireless coupling means including a one-way wireless receiving device or a two-way wireless receiving and transmitting device, said wireless coupling means being built-in and situated inside said keyboard housing for wirelessly coupling signals from said mouse or trackball device to a relay lead for transmission to said computer,

wherein said coupling means includes at least one an ultrasound sensor positioned within said keyboard, and further comprising sound guide means for guiding ultrasound signals from said mouse or trackball to said at least one ultrasound sensor and controlling an angle over which said ultrasound signals may be sensed.

20. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said sound guide means include reflective materials.

21. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said at least one ultrasound sensor is positioned in a notch in a side of said keyboard.

22. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 21, further comprising a cover for at least partially blocking said notch to prevent interference.

23. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 22, wherein said cover is selected from the group consisting of a snap-on, push-pull, solenoidal suction, and blocking plug type cover.

24. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device, comprising:

a keyboard having a housing, external pushkeys and internal pushkey circuits for each pushkey, said keyboard being separated from a computer and said pushkey circuits being connected to a computer by a cable;

a mouse or trackball device;

wireless coupling means including a one-way wireless receiving device or a two-way wireless receiving and transmitting device, said wireless coupling means being built-in and situated inside said keyboard housing for wirelessly coupling signals from said mouse or trackball device to a relay lead for transmission to said computer,

wherein said relay lead extends from said keyboard to said computer and said coupling means includes an R.F. receiver positioned in said keyboard and arranged to couple R.F. signals from said mouse or trackball to the receiver installed in said keyboard and then to said computer through said relay lead.

25. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 24, further comprising a mouse pad attached to said keyboard.

26. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 25, wherein said detachable mouse pad includes a plurality of pillars and said keyboard includes a plurality of openings for removably receiving said pillars.

27. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 25, wherein said mouse pad is articulated to said keyboard.

28. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 25, wherein said mouse pad includes means for movably retaining said mouse or trackball.

29. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 24, wherein said relay lead extends parallel to said cable.

30. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 24, wherein said relay lead is situated within said cable.

31. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 24, wherein said relay lead is an electrical lead.

32. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 24, wherein said relay lead is a fiber optic lead.

33. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device, comprising:

a keyboard having a housing, external pushkeys and internal pushkey circuits for each pushkey, said keyboard being separated from a computer and said pushkey circuits being connected to a computer by a cable;

a mouse or trackball device;

wireless coupling means including a one-way wireless receiving device or a two-way wireless receiving and transmitting device, said wireless coupling means being built-in and situated inside said keyboard housing for wirelessly coupling signals from said mouse or trackball device to a relay lead for transmission to said computer,

wherein said coupling means include a plurality of sensors selected from the group consisting of infrared and ultrasonic sensors, and further comprising means for switchably connecting said sensors to a single common receiver.

34. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device, comprising:

a keyboard having a housing, external pushkeys and internal pushkey circuits for each pushkey, said keyboard being separated from a computer and said pushkey circuits being connected to a computer by a cable;

a mouse or trackball device;

wireless coupling means including a one-way wireless receiving device or a two-way wireless receiving and transmitting device, said wireless coupling means being built-in and situated inside said keyboard housing for wirelessly coupling signals from said mouse or trackball device to a relay lead for transmission to said computer,

wherein said coupling means include a plurality of sensors and corresponding receivers selected from the group consisting of infrared and ultrasonic receivers, and further comprising means for switchably connecting said receivers to said relay lead.

35. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device, comprising:

a keyboard having a housing, external pushkeys and internal pushkey circuits for each pushkey, said keyboard being separated from a computer and said pushkey circuits being connected to a computer by a cable;

a mouse or trackball device;

wireless coupling means including a one-way wireless receiving device or a two-way wireless receiving and transmitting device, said wireless coupling means being built-in and situated inside said keyboard housing for wirelessly coupling signals from said mouse or trackball device to a relay lead for transmission to said computer, wherein said coupling means include at least one sensor for detecting wireless signals transmitted by said mouse or trackball device, and further comprising means for adjusting a pitch of said sensor.

36. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device, comprising:

a keyboard having a housing, external pushkeys and internal pushkey circuits for each pushkey, said keyboard being separated from a computer and said pushkey circuits being connected to a computer by a cable;

mouse or trackball device;

wireless coupling means including a one-way wireless receiving device or a two-way wireless receiving and transmitting device, said wireless coupling means being built-in and situated inside said keyboard housing for wirelessly coupling signals from said mouse or trackball device to a relay lead for transmission to said computer, wherein said coupling means include at least one sensor for detecting wireless signals transmitted by said mouse or trackball device, and further comprising means for adjusting vertical and horizontal orientations of said sensor.

37. An assembly for using a keyboard as an operational relay for a mouse or trackball device as claimed in claim 36, wherein said means for adjusting vertical and horizontal orientations of said sensor include a spherical member and a corresponding spheroidal socket.