Computer input system

A pair of essentially similarly configured computer input controllers including a first controller and a second controller. Each of the controllers has a front, a rear, an intermediate section, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top, and a bottom. A hand rest area is formed on the top of each of the controllers adjacent to the front. Each controller is at a lower elevation adjacent to the front and a higher elevation adjacent to the intermediate section. A track ball is rotationally supported in the interior surface adjacent to the intermediate section of the second controller. A keyboard portion is formed on the top of each of the controllers adjacent to the rear. A plurality of buttons is on the top of each of the controllers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a computer input system and more particularly pertains to positioning operational components at strategic locations on two similarly configured halves in a convenient and economical manner.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The use of computer input systems of known designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, computer input systems of known designs and configurations previously devised and utilized for the purpose of inputting data are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, they do not describe a computer input system that allows for positioning operational components at strategic locations on two similarly configured halves in a convenient and economical manner.

In this respect, the computer input system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of positioning operational components at strategic locations on two similarly configured halves in a convenient and economical manner.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved computer input system which can be used for positioning operational components at strategic locations on two similarly configured halves in a convenient and economical manner. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of computer input systems of known designs and configurations now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved computer input system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved computer input system and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a pair of essentially similarly configured computer input controllers including a first controller and a second controller. Each of the pair of controllers has a front section, a rear section and an intermediate section. Each of the controllers has an interior surface and an exterior surface. Each of the controllers has a contoured top. Each of the controllers has a planar bottom positionable upon a planar recipient surface, not shown.

Next provided is a pair of hand rest areas formed on the top of one of the controllers adjacent to the front section. Each hand rest area is imperforate and in an oval configuration with a major axis extending from the front section to the rear section and with a minor axis extending from the interior surface to the exterior surface. The hand rest area of each controller is at a lower elevation adjacent to the front section and at a higher elevation adjacent to the intermediate section.

Next provided is a track ball rotationally supported in the interior surface adjacent to the intermediate section of the second controller adjacent to the intermediate section. Each track ball is adapted to be rotated for moving a cursor, not shown.

A keyboard portion is formed on the top of each of the controllers adjacent to each rear section. Each keyboard portion has a plurality of keys arranged in four rows of seven keys with distinct alpha-numeric indicia on each key. The keyboard portions of the pair of controllers, when taken together, constitute a full conventional keyboard.

Each hand rest area has an upper edge, a first row of buttons, and a second row of buttons. Each of the rows of buttons contains six buttons located between the intermediate section and the rear section of one of the controllers. The first row of buttons is located on an underside of the hand rest. The second row of buttons is located at an angle spaced beneath the first row of buttons.

Each controller has a two button array formed of two laterally spaced upwardly facing buttons adjacent to the interior surface at the intermediate section.

Each controller has a large upwardly facing button laterally spaced from the hand rest adjacent to the interior surface.

Each controller has a small upwardly facing button laterally spaced from the two button array adjacent to the exterior surface at the intermediate section.

Lastly, a four button array on the first controller including four upwardly facing spaced buttons in an oval pattern between the two button array and the large button adjacent to the interior surface at the intermediate section.

All of the buttons are programmable while macros are adapted to be assigned to individual buttons that emulate multiple key strokes with the ability to set time delays between key strokes assigned in a macro. The system is adapted to be connected via cable and wireless methods. In addition, software and device drivers are adapted to be added on an accompanying computer disk that includes functionality for the default keyboard layout and graphic user interface for managing custom profiles of button assignments.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved computer input system which has all of the advantages of the prior art computer input systems of known designs and configurations and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved computer input system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved computer input system which is of durable and reliable constructions.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved computer input system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such computer input system economically available to the buying public.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a computer input system for positioning operational components at strategic locations on two similarly configured halves in a convenient and economical manner.

Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved computer input system having a pair of essentially similarly configured computer input controllers including a first controller and a second controller. Each of the controllers has a front, a rear, an intermediate section, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top, and a bottom. A hand rest area is formed on the top of each of the controllers adjacent to the front. Each controller is at a lower elevation adjacent to the front and a higher elevation adjacent to the intermediate section. A track ball is rotationally supported in the interior surface adjacent to the intermediate section of the second controller. A keyboard portion is formed on the top of each of the controllers adjacent to the rear. A plurality of buttons is on the top of each of the controllers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention, the computer input system10is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components in their broadest context include a pair of similarly configured computer input controllers each having a hard rest area, a track ball, a keyboard portion and a plurality of buttons. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.

The computer input system10of the present invention is for positioning operational components at strategic locations on two similarly configured halves. The positioning is in a convenient and economical manner. First provided are a pair of essentially similarly configured computer input controllers including a first controller14and a second controller16. Each of the pair of controllers has a front section18, a rear section20and an intermediate section22. Each of the controllers has an interior surface24and an exterior surface26. Each of the controllers has a contoured top28. Each of the controllers has a planar bottom30positionable upon a planar recipient surface, not shown.

Next provided is a pair of hand rest areas34formed on the top of one of the controllers adjacent to the front section. Each hand rest area is imperforate and in an oval configuration with a major axis extending from the front section to the rear section and with a minor axis extending from the interior surface to the exterior surface. The hand rest area of each controller is at a lower elevation adjacent to the front section and at a higher elevation adjacent to the intermediate section.

Next provided is a track ball38rotationally supported in the interior surface adjacent to the intermediate section of the second controller adjacent to the intermediate section. Each track ball is adapted to be rotated for moving a cursor, not shown.

A keyboard portion42is formed on the top of each of the controllers adjacent to each rear section. Each keyboard portion has a plurality of keys44arranged in four rows of seven keys with distinct alpha-numeric indicia on each key. The keyboard portions of the pair of controllers, when taken together, constitute a full conventional keyboard.

Each hand rest area has an upper edge48, a first row of buttons50, and a second row of buttons52. Each of the rows of buttons contains six buttons located between the intermediate section and the rear section of one of the controllers. The first row of buttons50is located on an underside of the hand rest. The second row of buttons52is located at an angle spaced beneath the first row of buttons.

Each controller has a two button array56formed of two laterally spaced upwardly facing buttons adjacent to the interior surface at the intermediate section.

Each controller has a large upwardly facing button60laterally spaced from the hand rest adjacent to the interior surface.

Each controller has a small upwardly facing button68laterally spaced from the two button array adjacent to the exterior surface at the intermediate section.

Lastly, a four button array64is provided on the first controller. The four button array includes four upwardly facing spaced buttons in an oval pattern between the two button array and the large button adjacent to the interior surface at the intermediate section.

The present invention is a split keyboard with integrated pointing devices that optimizes the button layout and structure. All of the buttons are programmable and macros may be assigned to individual buttons that emulate multiple key strokes with the ability to set time delays between key strokes assigned in a macro. The device is able to store multiple profiles of button assignments that can be quickly recalled and loaded for use via a profile-switching button. The device can be connected via cable or wireless methods. Software and device drivers may be added on an accompanying computer disk that includes functionality for the default keyboard layout and graphic user interface for managing custom profiles of button assignments.