Cushioned user interface or control device
First Claim
1. A user interface or control arrangement, comprising:
- a cushion-type support member; and
a user interface device separate from the cushion-type support member and secured to the cushion-type support member, wherein the user interface device is arranged so as to face upwardly;
wherein the cushion-type support member includes a downwardly facing conformable lower surface located below the user interface device, wherein the downwardly facing conformable lower surface is defined by a variably shaped displaceable material having a shape independent of a shape of the user interface device, wherein the variably shaped displaceable material enables the downwardly facing conformable lower surface to displace and conform to the contours of a surface on which the cushion-type support member is placed independent of the shape of the user interface device and also enables variation in the orientation of user interface device relative to the surface on which the cushion-type support member is placed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A user interface or control includes a cushion-type support member and a user input member that is interconnected with and carried by the support member. The support member defines an upwardly facing recess, and the input member may be a user interface or control device that is contained within the upwardly facing recess. The support member may be formed to surround the recess about the user interface or control device. The support member may include an air vent that vents air exhausted from the user interface or control device. The user interface or control device may be a laptop computer having a body including a keyboard contained within the recess, and a screen carried by the body. The user interface or control device may alternatively be an electronic input member having an upwardly facing screen, a convertible input member movably mounted to a mounting member, or a game controller.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A user interface or control arrangement, comprising:
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a cushion-type support member; and a user interface device separate from the cushion-type support member and secured to the cushion-type support member, wherein the user interface device is arranged so as to face upwardly; wherein the cushion-type support member includes a downwardly facing conformable lower surface located below the user interface device, wherein the downwardly facing conformable lower surface is defined by a variably shaped displaceable material having a shape independent of a shape of the user interface device, wherein the variably shaped displaceable material enables the downwardly facing conformable lower surface to displace and conform to the contours of a surface on which the cushion-type support member is placed independent of the shape of the user interface device and also enables variation in the orientation of user interface device relative to the surface on which the cushion-type support member is placed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of supporting a user interlace device, comprising the acts of:
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providing a user interface device having a user input area; providing a cushion-type support member separate from the user interface device, wherein the cushion-type support member includes a downwardly facing conformable lower surface located below the user interface device, wherein the downwardly facing conformable lower surface is defined by a variably shaped displaceable material having a shape independent of a shape of the user interface device; and engaging the user interface device with the cushion-type support member such that the user interface device faces upwardly relative to the cushion-type support member; wherein the variably shaped displaceable material enables the downwardly facing conformable lower surface to displace and conform to the contours of a surface on which the cushion-type support member is placed independent of the shape of the user interface device and also enables variation in the orientation of the user interface device relative to the surface on which the cushion-type support member is placed. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A user interface or control arrangement, comprising:
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a cushion-type support member; and a user interface device secured to the cushion-type support member, wherein the user interface device is arranged so as to face upwardly; wherein the cushion-type support member includes a downwardly facing conformable lower surface located below the user interface device, wherein the downwardly facing conformable lower surface is defined by a variably shaped displaceable material having a shape independent or a shape of the user interface device, wherein the variably shaped displaceable material enables the downwardly facing conformable lower surface to displace and conform to the contours of a surface on which the cushion-type support member is placed independent of the shape of the user interface device and also enables variation in the orientation of the user interface device relative to the surface on which the cushion-type support member is placed. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification