Keyboard with improved lateral region

• US 7,229,227 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2005
• Issued: 06/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Bathiche, Steven N., Vong, William H., Ledbetter, Carl J., Fry, Kenneth V., McLoone, Hugh E., Hayes, Jonathan A., Cauthorn, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Anthony H.
• Application Number:
  US11/044,164
• Publication Number:
  US 20050140655A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 400/489, 400/472, 400/486, 400/485, 400/478, 400/693, 400/691, 341/21, 341/22, 345/168, 345/169, 361/680, 364/146
• US Class Current: 400/489
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards

Abstract

A keyboard having an input region that provides a set of input elements designed to complement a separate pointing device such as a computer mouse. These input elements enable both the dominant and non-dominant hand to work easily together to perform various functions, which in turn, makes “consumption” and “composition” tasks more efficient. The input region may be spaced laterally from the alphanumeric or “QWERTY” section of the keyboard. The elements include a scrolling member, first and second groups of keys, and an application switching device. The scrolling member may take the form of a rotatable member. The rotatable member may have an asymmetric outer profile and/or be frustum-shaped. The first group of keys preferably includes a Back key and a Forward key. The first group of keys and the scrolling member make performing “consumption” tasks more efficient. The second group of keys preferably includes a Cut key, a Copy key, and a Paste key. The application switching device is preferably configured to provide a command, when actuated, to move between open applications. The application switching device may be independently-actuable, and/or dedicated and labeled as an application switching device. Additionally, the application switching device may be movable for actuation in opposing directions. Exemplary embodiments of the application switching device include a toggle switch, a rotatable dial, a laterally slidable member, and one or two keys. The second group of keys, application switching device and the scrolling member make performing “composition” tasks more efficient.

Claims

1. A keyboard comprising a rotatable frustum-shaped member, and further comprising an input element that provides a back command when actuated, wherein the input element is located 2.5 centimeters or less from the rotatable frustum-shaped member.

2. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the rotatable frustrum-shaped member is rotatable about an axis extending laterally relative to the keyboard.

3. The keyboard of claim 2, further including an alphanumeric section disposed lateral to the rotatable frustrum-shaped member.

4. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the rotatable frustrum-shaped member is configured to provide a scrolling command when rotated.

5. The keyboard of claim 1, further a keyboard housing having a planar section and a raised ridge, the rotatable frustum-shaped member located in the raised ridge.

6. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the rotatable frustum-shaped member is a scrolling device rotatably movable in opposing directions.

7. A keyboard comprising a rotatable member, and further comprising an input element that provides a back command when actuated, wherein the input element is located 2.5 centimeters or less from the rotatable member.

8. The keyboard of claim 7, wherein the rotatable member is rotatable about an axis extending laterally relative to the keyboard.

9. The keyboard of claim 8, further including an alphanumeric section disposed lateral to the rotatable member.

10. The keyboard of claim 7, wherein the rotatable member is configured to provide a scrolling command when rotated.

11. The keyboard of claim 7, further a keyboard housing having a planar section and a raised ridge, the rotatable member being located in the raised ridge.

12. The keyboard of claim 11, wherein the rotatable member has an outer profile exposed by the keyboard housing, the outer profile having a width and a diameter, the width being greater than the diameter.

13. The keyboard of claim 7, wherein the rotatable member is a scrolling device rotatably movable in opposing directions.

14. A keyboard comprising:

a keyboard housing;

a rotatable member at least partially exposed by the keyboard housing, the portion exposed by the keyboard housing having an assymetrical outer profile; and

an input element that provides a back command when actuated, wherein the input element is located 2.5 centimeters or less from the rotatable member.

15. The keyboard of claim 14, wherein the rotatable member is rotatable about an axis extending laterally relative to the keyboard.

16. The keyboard of claim 15, further including an alphanumeric section disposed lateral to the rotatable member.

17. The keyboard of claim 14, wherein the rotatable member is configured to provide a scrolling command when rotated.

18. The keyboard of claim 14, wherein the keyboard housing has a planar section and a raised ridge, the rotatable member being located in the raised ridge.

19. The keyboard of claim 14, wherein the outer profile has a width and a diameter, the width being greater than the diameter.

20. The keyboard of claim 14, wherein the rotatable member is a scrolling device rotatably movable in opposing directions.