Retractable touchpad devices and methods

Retractable touchpad devices and methods are provided. In general, an electronic device can include a retractable frame configured to move between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration. In the retracted configuration, the frame can be contained within a base of the electronic device. In the expanded configuration, the frame can no longer be contained within the base, thereby allowing the frame to provide touchpad functionality when in the expanded configuration. The retractable frame can thus be configured to selectively provide touchpad functionality for the electronic device based on whether the frame is retracted or expanded. The retractable frame can be configured to be retracted in a variety of ways, such as by including a foldable member configured to be unfolded and folded so as to selectively provide touchpad access, or by including a slidable member configured to be slid so as to selectively provide touchpad access.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to touchpads, and more particularly to retractable touchpad devices and methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic devices such as notebook computers frequently use touchpads to receive spatial input. For example, a touchpad can be used to control a pointing device such as a cursor. The user can touch the touchpad, typically with a finger, and the contact from touching can be detected and translated into electrical input signals to control the pointing device.

Touchpads are often positioned on an electronic device between a user of the electronic device and a keyboard of the electronic device. As a result, the electronic device must provide room for the touchpad below the keyboard on a base of the electronic device. The base must therefore have a certain minimum size, which can increase an overall size of the electronic device. The electronic device can thus be bulky and/or can have unused, wasted space on the base on either side of the touchpad that is located below the keyboard. Even if a touchpad is located on the electronic device at a position other than below the keyboard, such as to the left or the right of the keyboard, the touchpad can still cause the electronic device to be bulky and/or have unused, wasted space on the base next to the touchpad.

Accordingly, there remains a need for improved touchpads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device is provided that in one embodiment includes a base of an electronic device. a frame attached to the base, a plurality of light sources, and a plurality of sensors. The frame can define a perimeter that surrounds an area. The plurality of light sources and the plurality of sensors can be attached to the frame along the perimeter thereof. The frame can be configured to move between a first configuration, in which the frame is retracted and the area is inaccessible so as to prevent receipt of a touch input thereto from a user, and, and a second configuration, in which the frame is expanded and the area is accessible so as to allow receipt of the touch input thereto form the user.

The device can vary in any number of ways. For example, the base can define a maximum perimeter. When the frame is in the first configuration, the frame can be contained entirely within the maximum perimeter. When the frame is in the second configuration, at least a portion of the frame can be positioned outside the maximum perimeter. For another example, the frame can have a different shape in the first configuration than in the second configuration. For yet another example, the frame can be configured to move between the first and second positions by pivoting a first end of the frame relative to the base and pivoting a second end of the frame relative to the base. For still another example, the frame can include a first leg including a first end hingedly attached to the base and including a second end, a second leg including a third end and including a fourth end hingedly attached to the second end, and a third leg including a fifth end hingedly attached to the base and including a sixth end hingedly connected to the third end. For another example, the frame can have a same shape in the first configuration and in the second configuration, and the frame can be configured to slidably move between the first and second positions. For yet another example, the base can have a keyboard thereon.

In another embodiment, a device is provided that includes a base of an electronic device, a frame attached to the base, a plurality of sensors attached to the frame, and a plurality of light sources attached to the frame. The frame can be selectively movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. The frame moving from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration can cause the frame to define a perimeter of a shape. The plurality of sensors and the plurality of light sources can be movable with the frame between the folded and unfolded configurations. The plurality of light sources and the plurality of sensors can be contained within the perimeter of the shape.

The device can have any number of variations. For example, the frame can include a plurality of legs. The plurality of sensors and the plurality of light sources can be disposed within the plurality of legs, and the legs can form the perimeter of the shape. When the frame is in the folded configuration, the legs can be in line with each other, and when the frame is in the unfolded configuration, the legs can be in a U-shape. For another example, the frame can include a first leg including a first end and including a second end, a second leg including a third end and including a fourth end, and a third leg including a fifth end and including a sixth end. The first end can be hingedly attached to the base, the third end can be hingedly attached to the second end; the fifth end can be hingedly connected to the third end, and the sixth end can be hingedly attached to the base. For yet another example, the base can have a keyboard thereon.

In another aspect, a method is provided that in one embodiment includes expanding a frame attached to a base of an electronic device so as to move the frame from a first configuration, in which a plurality of sensors attached to the frame are unaligned from a plurality of light sources attached to the frame such that the plurality of sensors are unable to sense light emitted from the plurality of lights sources, to a second configuration, in which the plurality of sensors are aligned with plurality of light sources such that the plurality of sensors are configured to sense light emitted from the plurality of lights sources.

The method can vary in any number of ways. For example, the expanding can include pivoting the frame relative to the base. For another example, the expanding can include sliding the frame relative to the base. For yet another example, the expanding can change a shape of the frame from a first shape to a second, different shape. For still another example, the expanding can cause the frame to move from being contained within a maximum perimeter defined by the base to being at least partially located outside the maximum perimeter defined by the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the present disclosure, like-named components of the embodiments generally have similar features, and thus within a particular embodiment each feature of each like-named component is not necessarily fully elaborated upon. Sizes and shapes of devices and components of electronic devices discussed herein can depend at least on the electronic devices in which the devices and components will be used.

Various exemplary retractable touchpad devices and methods are provided. In general, an electronic device can include a retractable frame configured to move between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration. In the retracted configuration, the frame can be contained within a base of the electronic device, thereby facilitating portability of the device and/or helping prevent damage to the frame and any electronic components attached thereto. In the expanded configuration, the frame can no longer be contained within the base, thereby allowing the frame to provide touchpad functionality when in the expanded configuration. The retractable frame can thus be configured to selectively provide touchpad functionality for the electronic device based on whether the frame is retracted or expanded. The retractable frame can be configured to be retracted in a variety of ways, such as including a foldable member configured to be unfolded and folded so as to selectively provide touchpad access, or including a slidable member configured to be slid so as to selectively provide touchpad access.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the devices and methods disclosed herein can be implemented using any type of electronic device. Embodiments of electronic devices include a mobile telephone, a smartphone, a computer (e.g., a laptop or notebook computer, a netbook, a server, a tablet, etc.), a DVD player, a CD player, a portable music player, a gaming system, a television, a radio, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. In an embodiment, the electronic device is a portable device configured to be transported by a user between different locations and configured to be placed on a support surface during use and/or for storage. The electronic device can, however, be a non-portable, stationary device.

The term “display” as used herein refers to any of a variety of display devices, e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) screen, a cathode ray tube (CRT) screen, a touchscreen, a3D screen, and the like. Additionally, the term “display” as used herein can refer to a display that is fixedly mounted in the same chassis or package as a base of an electronic device, as well as to displays that are removably and replaceably mounted to the same chassis or package as a base of an electronic device.

FIG. 1Billustrates one embodiment of an electronic device10that includes a frame32configured to move between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. The electronic device10in this illustrated embodiment includes a base14configured to have a display (not shown) removably and replaceably attached thereto, such as a tablet that includes a display, as will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art. Although the device10in this illustrated embodiment includes the base14configured to electronically communicate with a display, other embodiments can include other types of electronic devices, as mentioned above. The device10can include any of a variety of software and/or hardware components. In addition, although an exemplary device10is depicted and described herein, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that this is for sake of generality and convenience. In other embodiments, the electronic device may differ in architecture and operation from that shown and described with respect to any of the illustrated embodiments.

As shown inFIG. 2, the illustrated device10can include a processor16which controls the operation of the device10, for example by executing an operating system (OS), a basic input/output system (BIOS), device drivers, application programs, and so forth. The processor16can include any type of microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU), including programmable general-purpose or special-purpose microprocessors and/or any one of a variety of proprietary or commercially-available single or multi-processor systems. The device10can also include a memory18, which can provide temporary storage for code to be executed by the processor16or for data that is processed by the processor16. The memory18can include read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, one or more varieties of random access memory (RAM), and/or a combination of memory technologies. The various elements of the device10can be coupled to a bus system20. The illustrated bus system20is an abstraction that a person skilled in the art will appreciate represents any one or more separate physical busses, communication lines/interfaces, and/or multi-drop or point-to-point connections, connected by appropriate bridges, adapters, and/or controllers.

The device10can also include a network interface22, an input/output (I/O) interface24, a storage device26, and a display controller28. The network interface22can enable the device10to communicate with remote devices, e.g., other electronic devices, over a network. The I/O interface24can facilitate communication between one or more I/O units30. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the device10can be configured to communicate with a variety of I/O units30. Non-limiting examples of input units include a keyboard, a pointing device, and an accelerator element. Non-limiting examples of output units includes a speaker, a printer, a scanner, and a removable memory. The storage device26can include any conventional medium for storing data in a non-volatile and/or non-transient manner. The storage device26can thus hold data and/or instructions in a persistent state, i.e., the value is retained despite interruption of power to the device10. The storage device26can include one or more hard disk drives, flash drives, universal serial bus (USB) drives, optical drives, various media disks or cards, and/or any combination thereof, and can be directly connected to the other components of the device10or remotely connected thereto, such as over a network. The display controller28can include a video processor and a video memory, and can generate images to be displayed on a display12in accordance with instructions received from the processor16. As mentioned above, the display12can be configured to be removably and replaceably attached to the base14. The base14can include the processor16, the memory18, the bus system20, the network interface22, the I/O interface24, the storage device26, and the display controller28.

One or more software modules can be executed by the device10to facilitate human interaction with the device10. These software modules can be part of a single program or one or more separate programs, and can be implemented in a variety of contexts, e.g., as part of an operating system, a device driver, a standalone application, and/or combinations thereof. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that any software functions being performed by a particular software module can also be performed by any other module or combination of modules.

As shown inFIG. 1B, a top surface34of the base14can have a keyboard36thereon. The base14can include any number of additional elements. Non-limiting examples of elements that can be included with the base14are a media drive (e.g., a disk drive, a DVD drive, etc.), a port (e.g., a USB port, a FireWire port, an Ethernet port, etc.), a power control (e.g., a button, a switch, etc.), a WiFi network switch, a power cord outlet, a pointing stick, a jog ball, an optical scanner, a joystick, a parameter control (e.g., brightness, contrast, etc.), a close or lock latch to help hold the device10closed, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the base14includes in a housing thereof the processor16, the memory18, the bus system20, the network interface22, the I/O interface24, the storage device26, and the display controller28illustrated inFIG. 2. In other embodiments, as will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, any one or more of the processor16, the memory18, the bus system20, the network interface22, the I/O interface24, the storage device26can be located external to the base14, e.g., a tablet attached to the base14, an external storage device plugged into a USB port, etc.

The frame32can define a perimeter of a touchpad area38. The touchpad area38can be configured to receive spatial input, as will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art. Touchpad functionality of the touchpad area38can generally allow movement control of a pointing device, such as a cursor on the display in electronic communication with the base14. Examples of touchpad functionality are described further in U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,187 entitled “Optical Scanning-Type Touch Panel” filed Apr. 17, 1998, and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2010/0238138 entitled “Optical Touch Screen Systems Using Reflected Light” filed Apr. 15, 2010.

FIGS. 1A and 1Billustrate touchpad functionality that can be accomplished using the frame32and the touchpad area38by way of comparison with a first (prior art) electronic device44and a second (prior art) electronic device48. The first and second electronic devices44,48each include a base56,58configured to have a display (not shown) removably and replaceably attached thereto. The touchpad functionality of the frame32and the touchpad area38can be akin to functionality of a pointing stick50and selection buttons52of the first electronic device44, and can be akin to functionality of a built-in touchpad54on a surface of the base58of the second electronic device48. Similarly, the frame32can be located below the keyboard36, similar to positioning of the selection buttons52of the first electronic device44and to positioning of the built-in touchpad54of the second electronic device48. The frame32can be located in another position relative to the keyboard36, e.g., to a left side thereof. In some embodiments, an electronic device can include a first foldable frame on a left side of the device's keyboard and a second foldable frame on a right side of the keyboard. Having frames on left and right sides of the keyboard can accommodate usage of touchpad areas defined by the foldable frames by a right hand or a left hand of a user, at the user's discretion and comfort. An electronic device can have a frame located below an electronic device's keyboard in addition to left and/or right side frames.

FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the touchpad area38. The touchpad area38can be surrounded by a plurality of sensors, such as photo diodes40, and a plurality of light sources, such as infrared (IR) light emitting diodes (LEDs)42. As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other types of sensors and other types of light sources can be used. As will also be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, when touch is applied within the touchpad area38, e.g., a user moves their finger into and/or within the touchpad area38, light emitted by the IR LEDs42will be interrupted within the area38. Light sensed by the photo diodes40will thus change, thereby allowing the touch input to be sensed and processed to cause movement of a pointing device, such as a cursor on the display in electronic communication with the base14. The processing can be performed by the processor16and/or one or more other processors. Examples of arrangements of lined up light sources and sensors are described in further detail in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2010/0238138 entitled “Optical Touch Screen Systems Using Reflected Light” filed Apr. 15, 2010.

The touchpad area38can be an open area, e.g., an empty space, with a table or other support surface on which the base14rests serving as a touch surface within the touchpad area38. However, a touch surface is not necessary, as the photo diodes40and the IR LEDs42can be configured to sense input by a finger or other object moving into or moving within the touchpad area38so as to sense input without the finger or other object touching any portion of the device10or any support surface upon which the device10may be resting. The open area within the touchpad area can allow the electronic device's touchpad functionality to include fewer components than many traditional touchpads, which often require electronic and/or other components within an interior thereof in order to properly function.

A total number of the photo diodes40and a total number of the IR LEDs42can vary based on, e.g., a size of the frame32, a size of the IR LEDs42, and a size of the photo diodes40. As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, light emitted from each one of the IR LEDs42can be detected by one or more of the photo diodes40, so a number of the photo diodes40can be greater than a number of the IR LEDs42. In some embodiments, a number of photo diodes and a number of IR LEDs can be equal.

A first number of the photo diodes40can be located on a first side of the touchpad area38, and a remaining number of the photo diodes40can be located on a second, adjacent side of the touchpad area. Similarly, a first number of the IR LEDs42can be located on a third side of the touchpad area38, and a remaining number of the IR LEDs42can be located on a fourth, adjacent side of the touchpad area38.

A subset of the photo diodes40and the IR LEDs42can be attached to the frame32(not shown inFIG. 3), and a remainder of the photo diodes40and the IR LEDs42can be attached to the base14(not shown inFIG. 3). For example, the photo diodes40and the IR LEDs42on three of the four sides surrounding the touchpad area38can be attached the frame32. The photo diodes40and/or the IR LEDs42on the fourth side surrounding the touchpad area38can be attached the base14. The frame32and a portion of the base14can thus define a perimeter of the touchpad area38.

FIGS. 4-8illustrate the base14and the frame32ofFIG. 1Bwith a plurality of photo diodes60and a plurality of IR LEDs62attached thereto and surrounding the touchpad area38. As shown inFIGS. 4-6, a subset of the IR LEDs62can be attached to the base14. The base14can include a first recessed area70formed therein in which the subset of the IR LEDs62can be attached to the base14. The first recessed area70can help protect the subset of the IR LEDs62from being damaged when the base14is resting on a table or other support surface and when the frame32is in the folded configuration. A remaining number of the IR LEDs62can be attached to the frame32, e.g., to a first leg64of the frame32that can be hingedly attached to the base14, as discussed further below. The IR LEDs62attached to the frame32can be attached thereto on an inner-facing surface thereof, as in this illustrated embodiment, which can help hide and protect the IR LEDs62from being damaged when the frame32is in the folded configuration. Although fifteen IR LEDs62are attached to the base14and twelve IR LEDs62are attached to the first leg64in this illustrated embodiment, a different number of IR LEDs62can be attached to the base14and the first leg64, as mentioned above. As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, a subset of the photo diodes60can be attached to the frame32, e.g., to a second leg66of the frame32that can be hingedly attached to the first leg64and that can be hingedly attached to a third leg68of the frame32, as discussed further below. As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, a remainder of the photo diodes60can be attached to the frame32, e.g., to the third leg68of the frame32that can hingedly attached to the base14, as discussed further below. The photo diodes60attached to the second leg66can be attached thereto on an inner-facing surface thereof, and the photo diodes60attached to the third leg68can be attached thereto on an inner-facing surface thereof, as in this illustrated embodiment, which can help hide and protect the photo diodes60from being damaged when the frame32is in the folded configuration. Although sixteen photo diodes60are attached to the second leg66and photo diodes60are attached to the third leg68in this illustrated embodiment, a different number of photo diodes60can be attached to the second and third legs66,68, as mentioned above.

When the frame32is in the unfolded configuration, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 4-8, the IR LEDs62and the photo diodes60can be exposed and facing the touchpad area38. In this way, the IR LEDs62and the photo diodes60can cooperate to provide touchpad functionality. When the frame32is in the folded configuration, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, the IR LEDs62and the photo diodes60can be unexposed, and the touchpad area38can be unexposed and collapsed. In this way, the touchpad area38can be inaccessible for touch input thereto when the frame32is in the folded configuration, while the touchpad area38can be exposed and expanded when the frame32is in the unfolded configuration. The touchpad area38can thus be prevented from inadvertently receiving input when the frame32is folded, as the frame32being folded can indicate that the device10is not currently in use by a user and/or is being transported.

The base14can include a second recessed area72formed therein that can be configured to seat the frame32therein when the frame32is in the folded configuration. The second recessed area72can be formed at an edge of the base14, as shown inFIGS. 4-10, which can facilitate easy access to the frame32for easy manual unfolding and folding thereof. The second recessed area70configured to seat the subset of the IR LEDs62can be a sub-recess of the second recessed area72, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. The second recessed area72can have a length72L greater than a maximum length of any of the first, second, and third foldable legs64,66,68of the frame14. The length72L of the second recessed area72can accordingly be greater than a maximum length of the frame32and a maximum width of the frame32. The maximum width of the frame32can be defined by a length of the second leg66. The maximum length of the frame32can be defined by lengths of the first and third legs64,68, which can have the same length. The second recessed area72can have a width72W sized to allow the frame32in the folded configuration to be seated within an outer perimeter of the base14, thereby helping to protect the frame32by allowing the frame32to be fully seated within the base's outer perimeter when the frame32is folded.

As mentioned above, and as shown inFIGS. 4-8, each of the first, second, and third legs64,66,68of the frame32can be hingedly attached to at least one other one of the legs64,66,68. The various hinged attachments of the legs64,66,68and the base14can facilitate folding and unfolding of the frame32. The hinged attachments can have a variety of configurations. The first leg64can have a first end thereof hingedly attached to the base14at a first pivot point74and can have a second end thereof hingedly attached to a first end of the second leg66at a second pivot point76.FIGS. 11-13also show the connection of the first and second legs64,66at the second pivot point76. The second leg66can have a second end thereof hingedly attached to a first end of the third leg68at a third pivot point78. The third leg68can have a second end thereof hingedly attached to the base14at a fourth pivot point80. The four pivot points74,76,78,80can cooperate to allow hinged opening and closing of the frame32between the folded and unfolded configurations. The four pivot points74,76,78,80can, as in this illustrated embodiment, be at each corner of the touchpad area38.

The frame32can have a first shape, e.g., an elongate, linear shape in which the legs66,68,70are generally in-line, when in the folded configuration and can have a second, different shape, e.g., a U-shape in which adjacent ones of the legs66,68,70are at right angles to one another. The angles may not be precisely right angles, as will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, due to one or more factors, such as manufacturing tolerances. A perimeter of the second shape can define a larger internal area than an internal area defined by a perimeter of the first shape. In other words, the frame32moving from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration can allow for the touchpad area38within an internal area defined by a perimeter of the frame32to increase in size and, hence, facilitate user touch therein. As the frame32transitions from the first shape to the second shape, the frame32can have an intermediate shape, e.g., a parallelogram shape, as the legs66,68,70unfold from within the second recessed area72.

FIG. 14illustrates movement of the frame32from the folded configuration (the frame32identified with reference32f) to the unfolded configuration (the frame32identified with reference32u) with an intermediate configuration (the frame32identified with reference32i) therebetween. Only one intermediate configuration is shown inFIG. 14, but the frame32will have a plurality of intermediate configurations as the frame32moves between the folded and unfolded configurations.FIGS. 15-22also illustrate movement of the frame32from the folded configuration32f(FIG. 15) to the unfolded configuration32u(FIGS. 18-22), with the intermediate configuration32i(FIG. 16) being after the folded configuration32fand a second intermediate configuration32j(FIG. 17) being after the intermediate configuration and before the unfolded configuration32u. As the frame32moves between the unfolded configuration32uand the folded configuration32f, the legs64,66,68can pivot at their associated ones of the pivot points74,76,78,80so as to expand the frame32(in the case of moving toward the unfolded configuration) or collapse the frame32(in the case of moving toward the folded configuration). The frame32can move relative to the base14as the frame folds/unfolds.

The frame32can be configured to be manually moved by hand between the unfolded configuration32uand the folded configuration32f, e.g., by grasping one or more of the legs64,66,68by hand and folding or unfolding the frame32to a desired configuration. The frame32can be manually moved using something other than direct hand contact, such as by using a tool (e.g., a pencil tip, a paper clip, etc.) to push the frame32into a desired configuration.

As shown inFIGS. 9, 13, and 17-19, a bottom surface82of the base14that is opposite to the top surface34can be configured to rest on a table or other support surface during use of the device10, as will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art. The bottom surface82in this illustrated embodiment does not include any feet or other stabilization members that conventional electronic devices typically include to steady the device when resting on a support surface to help prevent tipping or rollover of the device. Such stabilization members are not necessary for the device10because the frame32in the unfolded configuration can serve as a stabilization member configured to help prevent tipping or rollover of the device10. Lacking stabilization members can help reduce a weight of the device10and/or can help simplify, and accordingly reduce cost, of manufacturing of the device10.

In another embodiment of an electronic device (not shown), the electronic device can include a frame configured to move between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration but instead of including light sources and sensors aligned along legs of a frame, as with the frame32in the embodiment ofFIG. 1B, the frame can include light sources and sensors at corners thereof. Examples of arrangements of light sources and sensors at corners are described in further detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,187 entitled “Optical Scanning-Type Touch Panel” filed Apr. 17, 1998.

FIG. 23Billustrates another embodiment of an electronic device100that includes a frame (not shown) configured to move between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. The frame is in the folded configuration inFIG. 23Band is represented in dark outline102in the unfolded configuration inFIG. 23B. The device100includes the frame configured to provide touchpad functionality, e.g., using photo diodes and IR LEDs. The device100also includes a pointing stick104and selection buttons106configured to provide touchpad functionality. A user of the device100can thus choose whether to use the frame and/or the pointing stick104and the selection buttons106to achieve touchpad functionality, e.g., to move a cursor, thereby providing a more versatile user experience.

Similar to that discussed above, the frame of the device100can include first, second, and third legs (not shown). The first leg can have a first end thereof hingedly attached to a base108of the device100at a first pivot point (not shown) and can have a second end thereof hingedly attached to a first end of the second leg at a second pivot point (not shown). The second leg can have a second end thereof hingedly attached to a first end of the third leg at a third pivot point (not shown). The third leg can have a second end thereof hingedly attached to the base108at a fourth pivot point (not shown).

The base108can include a recessed area (not shown) on a bottom surface (not shown). The recessed area can, as discussed above, be configured to seat the frame therein when the frame is in the folded configuration.

The frame can be located below the keyboard110of the device100, as shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 23B.FIG. 23Ashows a prior art electronic device114for comparison purposes. Both of the devices100,114include a pointing stick104and selection buttons106that can facilitate movement of a cursor, but only the device100ofFIG. 23Bincludes a foldable frame that can facilitate movement of a cursor. As demonstrated by a comparison of a light outline112around a portion of the device100toward a bottom side of the base110and a second light outline116around a portion of the device114toward a bottom side of a base118of the device114, the keyboard110of the device100that includes the foldable frame can be closer to a user typing normally on the keyboard110than to a user typing normally on a keyboard120of the device114that does not include a foldable frame. The device100with the foldable frame can thus be easier and/or more comfortable for the user to use than the device114without a foldable frame. Additionally, as mentioned above, the device100need not include feet and/or other stabilizing members, whereas the device114without the foldable frame does include stabilizing members in the form of retractable feet (not shown) on a bottom surface thereof. The device100with the foldable frame can thus be lighter and/or easier to manufacture than the device114without a foldable frame that can keep stabilize the device114.

FIG. 24illustrates another embodiment of an electronic device200that includes a frame202. The frame202in this illustrated embodiment is configured to move between an exposed configuration and an unexposed configuration. The frame202is in the exposed configuration inFIG. 24. In the exposed configuration, a touchpad area204defined by a perimeter of the frame202can be exposed and available for touching by a user similar to the unfolded frame32in the embodiment ofFIG. 1B. In this illustrated embodiment, the frame202in the exposed configuration is located on a right side of the electronic device's keyboard204. A base206of the device200can include a track (not shown) formed therein. The track can, similar to the recessed area discussed above for a foldable frame, be configured to seat the frame202therein when the frame202is in the unexposed configuration. The frame202can be configured to slide within the track, thereby allowing the frame202to slidably move between the exposed and unexposed configurations. The frame202can maintain a same shape in the exposed and unexposed configurations, e.g., maintain a U-shape.

The frame202in this illustrated embodiment extends along an entire side of the base206. In other words, the frame202in this illustrated embodiment has a same length as a length of a side of the base206from which the frame202extends. However, a slidable frame similar to the frame202can, similar to the frame32in the embodiment ofFIG. 1B, have a length less than a length of side of a electronic device's base to which it is attached.

Although the invention has been described by reference to specific embodiments, a person skilled in the art will understand that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. A person skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the invention based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.