PATENT DOCUMENT

Abstract:
A computer mouse system and method of using is presented whereby the computer mouse system is used in conjunction with laptop or notebook computers or with external or auxiliary mouse, and with external or auxiliary computer keyboards. Each embodiment having touch pads, glide points, touch screens, or touch panels, integrated into the touch pads, glide points, touch panels, or touch screens by building, molding, manufacturing. The touch pads, glide points, touch screens, or touch panels, can also be placed at alternative locations on any of the mouse systems.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A computer mouse is a device used in conjunction with a computer to manipulate application software and/or a computer operating system to reduce keystrokes and, in general, make computers more user-friendly. A mouse device can be used to move a cursor around a computer text display and/or graphics display. Different types of mouse devices have been integrated into laptop or notebook computers, such as: pointing sticks, glide points, and track balls, to provide the user the convenience of travel without the necessity of multiple attachments. Current mouse designs on laptop computers provide left and right buttons and a separate touch pad, pointing stick, or trackball. Pointing sticks are typically joy sticks which are located in the keys of the keyboard and used to move the cursor. Separate press and hold buttons are provided. A trackball is a ball located in the mouse device which is rotated to move the cursor. The trackball also has separate press and hold buttons. Glide points, touch pads, touch panels, or touch screens are touch sensitive pointing devices used for positioning the cursor. There are separately located touch and hold mouse buttons. One drawback of these mouse designs is that the use of two hands is generally required for manipulating the left and right buttons when used in conjunction with the pointing device to perform operations, such as highlighting a selected portion of a document for printing. In this case, the left mouse button, for example, is depressed and held down with one finger of one hand of the user while another finger on the other hand of the user is used to manipulate the pointing device to direct the cursor to highlight the desired section for printing. Some users of this mouse design are able to use and manipulate the mouse using one finger on a mouse button and a second finger from the same hand on the pointing device to manipulate the cursor or screen selector to highlight the desired text. However, the buttons cannot be manipulated easily by using one hand due to the hand and finger positioning and coordination required of the user. Because of this, problems and errors have and continue to occur whether the user manipulates the mouse with one or two hands. For example, users of the prior art mouse devices, which require the user to hold down the mouse button while using the pointing device to manipulate the cursor or screen selector, may inadvertently release the mouse button being held down which terminates the operation. This can result in files being misplaced or stored in an erroneous location, inserted into other files, or completely deleted. Using such prior art mouse devices is inconvenient and cumbersome. The present invention overcomes the drawbacks noted above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a new and improved mouse system used for portable computers such as: laptop computers, notebook computers, palmtop computers, handspring computers, visor computers, pocket pc&#39;s, and personal organizers. Additionally, a new and improved mouse system is presented for an external or auxiliary mouse system which is used in conjunction with computers such as: laptop computers, notebook computers, palmtop computers, personal organizers, handspring computers, visor computers, pocket pc&#39;s, personal computers, home computers, office computers, desktop computers, and any other type of computer which is capable of using an external or auxiliary mouse system. Also, a new and improved mouse system is presented for external or auxiliary computer keyboards used in conjunction with personal computers, home computers, handspring computers, visor computers, pocket pc&#39;s, office computers, desktop computers, and any other type of computer device which is capable of using an external or auxiliary computer keyboard. The different mouse systems of the invention make operation of these computers easier and more convenient to use. Additionally, the design and method of the new and improved mouse system affords individuals with a disability, such as use of only one arm or hand, the ability to manipulate the new and improved mouse system without the inconvenience of holding down buttons while manipulating pointing devices such as touch pads. 
     In a first embodiment of this invention, it is an object to provide a new and improved mouse system for laptop computers, notebook computers, palmtop computers, handspring computers, visor computers, pocket pc&#39;s, and personal organizers which uses at least one press button and a touch pad, touch panel, glide point, or touch screen built, molded, or manufactured into the at least one press button of the improved mouse system. For example, the mouse system can have the touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad built into a left press button and/or a right press button forming a left and/or right press touch button. However, the invention is not limited to use of only one or two press buttons. The mouse system may also have the touch pad, touch panel, glide point, or touch screen integrated, built, molded, or manufactured into an area of the computer separate from the at least one press button. In this invention, the method of using or manipulating the mouse system does not require the user to hold the press buttons down while manipulating the touch screens, touch pads, touch panels, or glide points. That is, the touch pad, touch panel, glide point, or touch screen can be positioned in between at least two press buttons, on the right side of the at least one press button, adjacent and on the front side of the at least one press button, or adjacent and behind the at least one press button. 
     As a modification to the first embodiment, it is a further object of the invention to provide at least one press and lock button, which upon pressing from the original position, remains in a depressed or locked position. This does not require the user to hold the button down while manipulating the touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel. The depressed press and lock button is returned to its original position when pressed again. This alternative may also have the touch pad, touch panel, glide point, or touch screen, integrated, built, molded, or manufactured into the at least one press and lock button, forming a press and lock touch button, or into an area of the computer separate from the at least one press and lock button. That is, the touch pad, touch panel, glide point, or touch screen can be positioned in between at least two press and lock buttons, on the right side of at least one press and lock button, adjacent and on the front side of at least one press and lock button, or adjacent and behind at least one press and lock button. 
     As an additional modification to the first embodiment, it is a further object of the invention to use at least one sliding panel button. The at least one sliding panel button can have the touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screens built molded, or manufactured into the at least one sliding panel button forming at least one sliding panel touch button. The mouse system may also have the touch pad, touch panel, glide point, or touch screen, integrated, built, molded, or manufactured into an area of the computer separate from the at least one sliding panel button. That is, the touch pad, touch panel, glide point, or touch screen can be positioned in between at least two sliding panel buttons, on the right side of at least one sliding panel button, adjacent and on the front side of at least one sliding panel button, or adjacent and behind at least one sliding panel button. 
     Additionally, each of the methods of using the mouse systems of the instant invention does not require the user to hold down the mouse button with a finger or other object while manipulating the touch pad, touch screen, glide point, or touch panel. 
     In a second embodiment of the instant invention, it is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved external or auxiliary mouse system used for personal computers, laptop or notebook computers, palmtop computers, personal organizers, handspring computers, visor computers, pocket pc&#39;s, home computers, office computers, desktop computers, and any other type of computer which is capable of using or functioning with an external or auxiliary mouse system. The external or auxiliary mouse system of the instant invention has a housing with an upper surface shaped or formed to fit the palm or inside of the hand. Alternative designs are also permitted. The auxiliary mouse system is a hand-manipulated mouse system external to the keyboard, monitor, and central processing unit and connects to the central processing unit by way of at least one port. The external or auxiliary mouse system of the instant invention has at least one press button having a built-in touch pad, touch panel, glide point, or touch screen, forming a press touch button. The external or auxiliary mouse system can have a left press button and a right press button, for example. However, the invention is not limited to use of only one or two press buttons. The external or auxiliary mouse system can have a touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad built, manufactured, or molded into the left press button and/or the right press button, forming left and/or right press touch buttons. The external or auxiliary mouse system may also have the touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen built, molded, or manufactured into an area of the external or auxiliary mouse system separate from the at least one press button. That is, the touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen can be positioned in between at least two press buttons, on the left side of at least one press button, on the right side of at least one press button, on the front side of at least one press button, or behind at least one press button. 
     As a modification of the second embodiment, it is a further object to provide at least one press and lock button, which upon pressing from an original position, remains in the depressed or locked position. The depressed or locked press and lock button is returned to its original position when the depressed or locked press and lock button is pressed again. This modification may also have the touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel, integrated, built, molded, or manufactured into the at least one press and lock button forming a press and lock touch button, or integrated, built, molded, or manufactured into an area of the external or auxiliary mouse system that is separate from the at least one press and lock button. That is, the touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen can be positioned in between at least two press and lock buttons, on the left side of at least one press and lock button, on the right side of at least one press and lock button, on the front side of at least one press and lock button, or behind at least one press and lock button. 
     As an additional modification to the second embodiment, it is a further object of the invention to use at least one sliding panel button. The at least one sliding panel button can have the touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen integrated, built, manufactured, or molded into the at least one sliding panel button forming a sliding panel touch button. The external or auxiliary mouse system may also have the touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen built, molded, or manufactured into an area of the external or auxiliary mouse system that is separate from the at least one sliding panel button. That is, the touch pad, touch panel, glide point, or touch screen can be positioned in between at least two sliding panel buttons, on the left side of at least one sliding panel button, on the right side of at least one sliding panel button, on the front side of at least one sliding panel button, or behind at least one sliding panel button. 
     As a further modification to the second embodiment of this invention, it is an object to provide a new and improved external or auxiliary mouse system having at least one press button, at least one press and lock button, or at least one sliding panel button positioned on top or upper surface of the external or auxiliary mouse system wherein the touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen is positioned on a side-wall of the external or auxiliary mouse system such that the touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad can be manipulated with the thumb. It is an object of this invention to provide left-handed and right-handed external or auxiliary mouse systems which can be used with personal computers, laptop or notebook computers, palmtop computers, personal organizers, handspring computers, visor computers, pocket pc&#39;s, home computers, office computers, desktop computers, and any other type of computer which is capable of using or functioning with an external or auxiliary mouse system. It is noted that an external or auxiliary mouse system of the instant invention may have reversed “left” and “right” buttons relative to the right-handed external or auxiliary mouse system such that the “left” button for a right-handed external or auxiliary mouse system becomes the “right” button for a left-handed external or auxiliary mouse system and the “right” button for a right-handed external or auxiliary mouse system becomes the “left” button for a left-handed external or auxiliary mouse system. Additionally, the method of using or manipulating the different alternatives discussed for the external or auxiliary mouse system does not require the user to hold down the buttons while manipulating the touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel. 
     In a third embodiment of the instant invention, it is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved external computer keyboard by providing the external computer keyboard with a mouse system having at least one mouse press button. In this invention, the method of using or manipulating the external computer keyboard mouse system does not require the user to hold down the mouse button while manipulating a touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad. The external computer keyboard mouse system has at least one press button with a touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen integrated, built, molded, or manufactured into the at least one press button, forming a press touch button. The mouse system of the external computer keyboard can have a touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad integrated, built, molded, or manufactured into a left press button and/or a right press button forming left and/or right touch buttons. However, the invention is not limited to use of only one or two press buttons. The external computer keyboard mouse system may also have a touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen built, molded, or manufactured into an area of the external computer keyboard that is separate from the at least one press button. That is, the touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen can be positioned in between at least two press buttons, on the left side of at least one press button, on the right side of at least one press button, on the front side of at least one press button, or behind at least one press button. 
     As a modification to the third embodiment, it is a further object to provide at least one press and lock button, which upon pressing from an original position to a depressed or locked position, remains in the depressed or locked position while the user manipulates the touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel which is integrated, built, molded or manufactured into the at least one press and lock button, forming a press and lock touch button, or is built, molded, or manufactured into an area of the external computer keyboard that is separate from the at least one press and lock button. The touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point may also be positioned on a sidewall of the external computer keyboard. The mouse buttons may also be integrated, built, molded, or manufactured into a sidewall of the external computer keyboard. In this invention, the method of using or manipulating the external computer keyboard mouse system does not require the user to hold down the at least one press and lock button while manipulating the touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad. The depressed press and lock button is pressed again to return the depressed or locked press and lock button to its original position. 
     As an additional modification to the third embodiment, it is a further object to use at least one sliding panel button. The at least one sliding panel button can have the touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen built, integrated, molded, or manufactured into the at least one sliding panel button forming at least one sliding panel touch button. The mouse system of the external computer keyboard may also have the touch pad, touch panel, glide point, or touch screen built, molded, or manufactured into an area of the external keyboard that is separate from the at least one sliding panel button. That is, the touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen can be positioned in between at least two sliding panel buttons, on the left side of at least one sliding panel button, on the right side of at least one sliding panel button, on the front side of at least one sliding panel button, or behind at least one sliding panel button. The touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen may also be positioned on a sidewall of the external computer keyboard mouse system such that the touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad is manipulated with the thumb, other finger, or object. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent from the more detailed description which follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Throughout the drawing figures, like reference numerals refer to like parts. The design features of the embodiments represented in the drawings are not intended to be restrictive to the inventive concept and other variations or modifications to the design features shown may be applied. 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a laptop or notebook computer having a press button mouse system of the instant invention with the mouse system having the touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad built, molded, or manufactured into the left button and the right button. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of a press button mouse system having a touch screen, touch panel, touch pad, or glide point built, molded, or manufactured into the press button. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic top view drawing showing different positions for the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point relative to the left and right press buttons, press and lock buttons, or sliding panel buttons. 
         FIG. 4  is a right side perspective view of a laptop or notebook computer having a press and lock touch button mouse system of the instant invention. The mouse system has the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point built, molded, or manufactured into the left and right press and lock buttons. 
         FIG. 5A  is a sectional view of a press and lock touch button having the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point built, molded, or manufactured therein where the button is pressed vertically downward into a locked position within the cutout of the computer cabinet or housing. 
         FIG. 5B  is a sectional view of a press and lock touch button having the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point built, molded, or manufactured therein where one side of the press and lock button is pressed downward while the other side pivots. 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of a laptop or notebook computer having a sliding panel touch button mouse system of the instant invention with the mouse system having the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point built, molded, or manufactured into the left and right sliding panel touch buttons. 
         FIG. 7  is top view of an external or auxiliary mouse system of the instant invention used in conjunction with personal computers, laptop computers, home computers, office computers, desktop computers, and any other type of computer which is capable of using or functioning with an external or auxiliary mouse system. The left press button and the right press button each have a touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad built, molded, or manufactured therein. 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of a computer system composed of a central processing unit connected to a monitor, keyboard, and the external or auxiliary computer mouse system of the instant invention. The computer system is used in conjunction with the external mouse system of the instant invention, as described in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a left side-view of an external or auxiliary mouse system of the instant invention having a left press button and a right press button and a touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad located on the left sidewall of the external or auxiliary mouse system. 
         FIG. 10  is a right side-view of an external or auxiliary mouse system of the instant invention having a left press button and a right press button and a touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad located on the right side-wall of the external mouse system. 
         FIG. 11  is a left perspective view of an external or auxiliary mouse system of the instant invention having left and right press and lock touch buttons. The left and right press and lock buttons each have a touch panel, touch screen, touch pad, or glide point built, molded, or manufactured therein. 
         FIG. 12  is a left side view of an external or auxiliary mouse system of the instant invention having a left press and lock button and a right press and lock button and a touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point built, molded, or manufactured into the left sidewall of the external or auxiliary mouse system. 
         FIG. 13  is a right side view of an external or auxiliary mouse system of the instant invention having a left press and lock button and a right press and lock button with a touch panel, touch pad, touch screen, or guide point built, molded, or manufactured into the right sidewall of the external or auxiliary mouse system. 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of an external or auxiliary mouse system of the instant invention having left and right sliding panel touch buttons. The sliding panel buttons each have a touch panel, touch screen, touch pad, or glide point built, molded, or manufactured therein. 
         FIG. 15  is a left side view of an external or auxiliary mouse system of the instant invention showing a left sliding panel button displaced forwardly. There is also shown a left touch panel, touch screen, touch pad, or glide point, built, molded, or manufactured into the left sidewall. 
         FIG. 16  is a right side view of an external or auxiliary mouse system of the instant invention showing a left sliding panel button displaced forwardly. There is also shown a right touch panel, touch screen, touch pad, or glide point built, molded, or manufactured into the right sidewall. 
         FIG. 17  is a left front-side perspective of an external or auxiliary mouse system wherein the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point is built, molded, or manufactured into the upper surface of the external or auxiliary mouse system. This auxiliary mouse system has press buttons, press and lock buttons, or sliding panel buttons built, molded, or manufactured into the left sidewall. 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of  FIG. 17  showing the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point built, molded, or manufactured into the top surface. 
         FIG. 19  is a right front-side perspective of the external or auxiliary mouse system of  FIG. 17  showing a right press button, press and lock button, or sliding panel button built, molded, or manufactured into the right sidewall. 
         FIG. 20  is a computer keyboard unit of the instant invention connected to a central processing unit. The keyboard has a keyboard mouse system molded and/or manufactured into the computer keyboard unit. The mouse system of the external keyboard has left and right press touch buttons with touch screens, touch pads, glide points, or touch panels built, molded, or manufactured into the press buttons. 
         FIG. 21  is a computer keyboard unit of the instant invention connected to a central processing unit and monitor. The keyboard has a keyboard mouse system molded and/or manufactured into the computer keyboard unit. The mouse system of the external keyboard has left and right sliding panel touch buttons with touch screens, touch pads, glide points, or touch panels built into the sliding panels or sliding buttons. 
         FIG. 22  is a computer keyboard unit of the instant invention connected to a central processing unit and monitor. The keyboard has a keyboard mouse system molded and/or manufactured into the computer keyboard unit. The mouse system of the external keyboard has left and right press and lock touch buttons with touch screens, touch pads, glide points, or touch panels built, molded, or manufactured into the press and lock buttons. 
         FIG. 23  is a press button, press and lock button, or sliding panel button having a touch screen, touch pad, touch panel, or glide point built, molded, or manufactured into the button. There are also finger pressing devices built, molded, or manufactured into the outer lip or peripheral portion of the button. 
         FIG. 24  a sectional view of a sliding panel touch button having the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point built, molded, or manufactured therein where the button slides from an original position to a second position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following descriptions are presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described, but to be accorded with the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
     Portable Laptop or Notebook Computer Mouse System 
     For the purpose of describing the use of the instant invention, portable computers, such as: laptop computers, notebook computers, palmtop computers, personal organizers, handspring computers, visor computers, and pocket pc&#39;s, and any other type of computer which can be categorized as portable, will all be hereafter described in accordance with the invention by making reference only to laptop or notebook computers. It is noted, however, that palmtop computers, personal organizers, handspring computers, visor computers, and pocket pc&#39;s, and any other type of portable computers are compatible with and may be used with the computer mouse system of the instant invention. 
     A new and improved laptop or notebook computer mouse system of the instant invention, as shown by  FIG. 1 , provides a mouse system  101  for a laptop or notebook computer  100  by providing at least one press button  102  with a touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  103  built, molded, or manufactured into the at least one press button  102 . The at least one press button  102  may be a left press button  102   a  and/or a right press button  102   b , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Advantages to providing the touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  103  being integrated, built, molded, or manufactured into and on the at least one press button  102 , are that space is made available for other purposes on the laptop or notebook keyboard and that only one hand is needed by the user to manipulate the laptop or notebook computer mouse system  100 . As an example, a user of the new and improved laptop or notebook computer mouse system design  101  desiring to cut, copy, paste, move, delete, change the style or font of, print, change the spacing of, or perform any other operation on, a section of text displayed on the computer monitor  104 , or any other type of monitor associated with the laptop or notebook computer mouse system  101 , would first locate the arrow or screen selector to the desired position in the text using the left touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  103   a  located on the left press button  102   a  and/or the right touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  103   b  on the right press button  102   b  by lightly touching and moving a finger or other object over the surface of the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  103   a  located on the left press button  102   a  and/or the right touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  103   b  located on the right press button  102   b . When the screen selector or arrow is in the desired position in the text, the user then taps the touch screen, glide point, touch pad, or touch panel  103   a  and/or  103   b  to position the cursor at the starting point of the text to be highlighted. Next, the user depresses and releases the left press button  102   a  or the right press button  102   b , at least once, such that the left press button  102   a  or the right press button  102   b  returns to its original position after the pressure applied to press the press button is removed, which prompts the computer software and/or computer operating system that highlighting will be the next mode of operation. Note that the user is not required to hold the button after pressing and while manipulating the touch screen, glide point, touch pad, or touch panel. It is noted that the invention is not limited to use of only one or two press buttons. The user then uses the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  103   a  on the left press button  102   a  and/or the right touch panel, touch pad, touch screen, or glide point  103   b  located on the right press button  102   b  to highlight the desired text by touching and moving a finger or other object over the surface of the touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  103   a  located on the left press button  102   a  and/or the right touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  103   b  located on the right press button  102   b . After the desired text has been highlighted, the user again depresses and releases the left press button  102   a  or the right press button  102   b , such that the left press button  102   a  or the right press button  102   b  returns to the original position after the pressure applied to press the press button is removed. This releases the computer software and/or computer operating system from the highlighting mode. The user then uses the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  103   a  of the left press button  102   a  or the right touch pad, touch screen, glide point, or touch panel  103   b  of the right press button  102   b  to manipulate the arrow or screen selector to point to an icon or open a window, for example, to select the desired operation to be performed on the highlighted text; such as cut, copy, paste, move, delete, change style or font, print, change the spacing, or any other operation. It is noted that the left press button  102   a  and the right press button  102   b  are designed not to be sensitive to light pressure, such that they cannot be depressed easily, so as to avoid inadvertent depression of the press buttons. This design functions to avoid unintentional prompting of the highlighting mode, and other choice selections, with the left press button  102   a  and the right press button  102   b . The touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  103   a  associated with the left press button  102   a  and/or the right touch panel, touch screen, touch pad, or glide point  103   b  associated with the right press button  102   b , however, remains sensitive to light touch or tapping so as to manipulate the screen selector or arrow for pointing, highlighting, repositioning of the cursor, opening of windows, or for selection of other functions as so desired. 
       FIG. 2  shows a cross section of a mouse system  107  and  108   a  positioned in a cutout portion or void  120  in the walls  109  of a portable computer. The touch pad, touch panel, touch screen, or glide point  107 , built, molded, or manufactured into a press button  108   a . For portable computers, such as laptop computers, the mouse system  107  and  108   a  can be integrated into a cutout portion  120  formed in the housing. It is seen from  FIG. 2  that an opening  130  is present in the press button  108   a  for positioning of the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  107 . The periphery or peripheral sides  150  of the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point, are surrounded by the walls  140  formed in the press button  108   a . The touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  107  is built, molded, or manufactured in the opening  130  formed in the press button  108   a . Note that the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  107  has a touch surface  107   a  disposed on the outer surface of the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  107 . 
     In addition, a backlit area can be incorporated into the press button such that an area is illuminated when the press button is initially pressed, so as to indicate that the highlighting mode has been activated, and darkened when the press button is pressed again to release the highlighting mode. 
     As an alternative to the left touch screen, glide point, touch pad, or touch panel  103   a  being built, molded, or manufactured into the left press button  102   a  and/or the right touch pad, touch panel, touch screen, or glide point  103   b  being built, molded, or manufactured into right press button  102   b  for the laptop or notebook computer mouse system  100 , the touch screen, glide point, touch pad, or touch panel  111 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , can be located in between the left press button  110   a  and the right press button  110   b , on the left side of the left press button  110   a  and the right press button  110   b , or on the right side of the left press button  110   a  and the right press button  110   b , adjacent and on the front side of the left press button  110   a  and the right press button  110   b , or adjacent and below the left press button  110   a  and the right press button  110   b . The same method of operation, as previously recited, for manipulating the left press button  110   a  and/or the right press button  110   b  and the touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  111 , applies in all these alternative designs. It is noted that the buttons  110   a  and  110   b  of  FIG. 3  will be referred to as press buttons, press and lock buttons, and sliding panel buttons depending on the embodiment in which the buttons are referenced. 
     A modification to using the left press button  102   a  and the right press button  102   b , wherein the buttons are pressed, released, and immediately return to their original position upon release, is to depress at least one press and lock button  105  from an original position to a depressed or locked position, wherein the at least one press and lock button  105  remains in the depressed or locked position.  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  depict cross sections of the press and lock buttons  108   b  and  108   c , respectively, with a touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  107  built, molded, manufactured therein.  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  each show a cross section of a mouse system  107  and  108  positioned in a cutout portion or void  120  in the walls  109  of a portable computer The touch pad, touch panel, touch screen, or glide point  107  is built, molded, or manufactured into press and lock buttons  108   b  and  108   c . For portable computers such as laptop computers, the mouse system  107  and  108  can be integrated into a cutout portion  120  formed in the housing. It is seen from  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  that an opening  130  is present in the mouse press and lock buttons  108   b  and  108   c  for positioning of the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  107 . The periphery or peripheral sides  150  of the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point, are surrounded by the walls  140  formed by the mouse press and lock buttons  108   b  and  108   c . The touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  107  is built, molded, or manufactured in the opening  130  formed in the mouse press and lock buttons  108   b  and  108   c . Note that the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  107  has a touch surface  107   a  disposed on the outer surface of the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  107 . As an example, a user of the new and improved laptop or notebook computer mouse system  101 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , desiring to cut, copy, paste, move, delete, change the style or font of, print, change the spacing of, or perform any other operation on, a section of text would first locate the arrow or screen selector to the desired position in the text displayed on a computer monitor  104 , or other monitoring device, used with the laptop or notebook computer mouse system  100 , by using the left touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  106   a  integrated, built, molded, or manufactured into the left press and lock button  105   a  and/or the right touch panel, touch pad, touch screen, or glide point  106   b  integrated, built, molded, or manufactured on the right press and lock button  105   b . This is accomplished by lightly touching and moving a finger or other object over the surface of the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  106   a  located on the left press and lock button  105   a  and/or the right touch panel, touch screen, touch pad, or glide point  106   b  located on the right press and lock button  105   b . When the screen selector is in the desired position in the displayed text, the user then taps the left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  106   a  of the left press and lock button  105   a  or the right touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  106   b  of the right press and lock button  105   b  to position the cursor at the starting point of the text to be highlighted. Next, the user depresses the left press and lock button  105   a  or the right press and lock button  105   b , at least once, such that the press and lock button remains in the depressed or locked position, which prompts the computer software and/or computer operating system that highlighting will be the next mode of operation. It is noted that the user does not manually hold the press and lock button in the depressed or locked position. The user then uses the left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  106   a  located on the left press and lock button  105   a , or the right touch panel, touch pad, glide point, or touch screen  106   b  located on the right press and lock button  105   b , to highlight the selected text to be cut, copied, pasted, moved, deleted, changed in style or font, printed, changed in spacing, or any other operation. After highlighting the selected text, the user presses the depressed or locked left press and lock button  105   a  or the depressed or locked right press and lock button  105   b  which returns the press and lock button from the depressed or locked position back to the original position. This also releases or disengages the computer software and/or computer operating system from the highlighting mode. The user then uses the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  106   a  on the left press and lock button  105   a , or the right touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  106   b  on the right press and lock button  105   b , to manipulate the screen selector or arrow, by pointing to an icon or opening a window, for example, to select the desired operation to be performed on the highlighted text, such as; cutting, copying, pasting, moving, deleting, changing style or font, printing, changing the spacing, or any other operation. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5   b , the press and lock button  108   c  may pivot in that one end of the button moves downward while the other end pivots during pressing of the press and lock button  108   c . The press and lock button  108   c  may, alternatively, pivot at its center. Also, the entire press and lock button  108   b  may be depressed, as shown in  FIG. 5   a , where it locks at a level lower than the upper surface of the walls  109  of the portable computer. The press and lock button may also lock at a level higher than the upper surface of the walls  109 . 
     In addition, a backlit area can be incorporated into the press and lock button such that an area is illuminated when the press and lock button is initially depressed and locked, so as to indicate that the highlighting mode has been activated, and darkened when the depressed press and lock button is pressed again to return the depressed press and lock button back to its original position. 
     As an alternative to the left touch screen, glide point, touch pad, or touch panel  106   a  being built, molded, or manufactured into the left press and lock button  105   a  and/or the right touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point,  106   b  being built, molded, or manufactured into the right press and lock button  105   b  for the laptop or notebook computer mouse system  101 ,  FIG. 3  shows the touch screen, glide point, touch pad, or touch panel  111  can be located in between the left press and lock button  110   a  and the right press and lock button  110   b , on the left side of the left press and lock button  110   a  and the right press and lock button  110   b , or on the right side of the left press and lock button  110   a  and the right press and lock button  110   b , adjacent and on the front side of the left press and lock button  110   a  and the right press and lock button  110   b , or adjacent and below the left press and lock button  110   a  and the right press and lock button  110   b . The same method of operation, as previously recited, for manipulating the left press and lock button  110   a  and/or the right press and lock button  110   b  and the touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  111 , applies in all these alternative designs. 
     A further modification is to provide a sliding panel or sliding button  112  having a touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  113  for the laptop or notebook computer mouse system  101 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . At least one sliding panel  112  is provided with a touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  113  built, molded, or manufactured into the at least one sliding panel  112  forming at least one sliding panel touch button  114 . An advantage to providing a sliding panel  112  formed with a touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  113  is that only one hand, finger, or other object is needed by the user to manipulate the laptop or notebook computer mouse system  101 . Additionally, space is saved.  FIG. 24  shows a cross-section of a mouse system  107  and  108   d  positioned in a cutout portion or void  120  in the walls  109  of a portable computer. The touch pad, touch panel, touch screen, or glide point  107 , is built, molded, or manufactured into a sliding panel button  108   d . Note that the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  107  has a touch surface  107   a  disposed on the outer surface of the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  107 . For portable computers, such as laptop computers, the mouse system  107  and  108   d  can be integrated into a cutout portion  120  formed in the housing. It is seen from  FIG. 24  that an opening  130  is present in the sliding button  108   d  for positioning of the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  107 . The periphery or peripheral sides  150  of the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point,  107 , are surrounded by the walls  140  formed in the sliding panel button  108   d . The touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  107  is built, molded, or manufactured in the opening  130  formed in the sliding panel button  108   d . As an example, a user of this new and improved design desiring to cut, copy, paste, move, delete, change the style or font of, print, change the spacing of, or perform any other operation on, a desired section of text displayed on a computer monitor  104 , or other type of monitoring device used in conjunction with the laptop or notebook computer mouse system, would first locate the arrow or screen selector to the desired position in the displayed text using the left sliding panel touch button  114   a  and/or the right sliding panel touch button  114   b  by lightly touching and moving a finger or other object over the surface of the left sliding panel touch screen, glide point, touch panel, or touch pad  113   a  or the right sliding panel touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  113   b . After the screen selector or arrow has been positioned at the starting point of the text intended to be highlighted, the user then taps the left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  113   a  located on the left sliding panel  112   a  or the right touch screen, glide point, touch pad, or touch panel  113   b  located on the right sliding panel  112   b  to position the cursor at the starting point of the text intended to be highlighted. Next, the user slides the left sliding panel touch button  114   a  or the right sliding panel touch button  114   b  from an original position to a position which prompts the computer software and/or computer operating system that highlighting will be the next mode of operation. The user then uses the left touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  113   a  of the left sliding panel  112   a  and/or the right touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  113   b  of the right sliding panel  112   b  to highlight the desired text by lightly touching, brushing, rubbing by moving a finger or other object over the surface of the left sliding panel  112   a  touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  113   a  or the right sliding panel  112   b  touch panel, touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  113   b . Next, the user slides the left sliding panel touch button  114   a  or the right sliding panel touch button  114   b , back to the original position which releases or disengages the computer software and/or computer operating system from the highlighting mode, but retains the highlighted text as displayed on the monitor  104 . The user then uses the left sliding panel  112   a  touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  113   a  or the right sliding panel  112   b  touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  113   b  to manipulate the screen selector or arrow, by pointing to an icon or opening a window, for example, to select the desired operation to be performed on the highlighted text, such as cutting, copying, pasting, moving, deleting, changing style or font, printing, changing the spacing, or any other operation. 
     As an alternative to the left touch screen, glide point, touch pad, or touch panel  113   a  being built, molded, or manufactured into the left sliding panel button  112   a  and/or the right touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point,  113   b  being built, molded, or manufactured into the right sliding panel button  112   b  for the laptop or notebook computer mouse system  101 , the touch screen, glide point, touch pad, or touch panel  111 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , can be located in between the left sliding panel button  110   a  and the right sliding panel button  110   b , on the left side of the left sliding panel button  110   a  and the right sliding panel button  110   b , or on the right side of the left sliding panel button  110   a  and the right sliding panel button  110   b , adjacent and on the front side of the left sliding panel button  110   a  and the right sliding panel button  110   b , or adjacent and below the left sliding panel button  110   a  and the right sliding panel button  110   b , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The same method of operation, as previously recited, for manipulating the left sliding panel button  110   a  and/or the right sliding panel button  110   b  and the touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  111 , applies in all these alternative designs. 
     External or Auxiliary Computer Mouse System 
     A new and improved external or auxiliary computer mouse system of the instant invention, as shown in  FIG. 7 , can be used with personal computers, laptop or notebook computers, palmtop computers, personal organizers, home computers, office computers, handspring computers, visor computers, pocket pc&#39;s, desktop computers, and any other type of computer which is capable of using an external or auxiliary mouse system  200 . The external or auxiliary mouse system  200  is a stand-alone mouse system and is apart, or separate from a central processing unit and/or monitor. The external or auxiliary mouse system  200  is connected by way of at least one port to a central processing unit  203 , as depicted in  FIG. 8 . The external or auxiliary mouse system  200  of the instant invention has at least one press button  201  and at least one touch pad, touch panel, touch screen, or glide point  202  built, molded, or manufactured therein. For example, the external or auxiliary mouse system can have a left press button  201   a  and a right press button  201   b  as depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . However, the invention is not limited to use of only one or two press buttons. The left press button  201   a  and the right press button  201   b  have left and/or right touch screens, touch pads, glide points, or touch panels,  202   a  and  202   b , respectively, built, manufactured, or molded therein. An advantage of providing the touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  202   a  and  202   b  integrated, built, molded, or manufactured into and on the surface of the left press button  201   a  and/or the right press button  201   b  is that only one hand, finger, or object is necessary by the user to manipulate the external or auxiliary computer mouse system  200  for performing computer related operations or functions. Additionally, when using the external or auxiliary computer mouse system  200  of the instant invention, it is no longer necessary to move the bottom of the mouse system across a surface to position the arrow or screen selector displayed on the monitor  204  That is, movement of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200  of the instant invention is not required for positioning the arrow or screen selector. The instant invention also eliminates the need for mouse system pads conventionally used in conjunction with the trackball type mouse designs, but does not restrict their use. The external or auxiliary mouse system  200  of the instant invention can be positioned on a surface desirable to the user of the instant external or auxiliary mouse system  200 . The need to move the external or auxiliary mouse  200  across a surface to perform functions such as pointing, as in the prior art, is completely eliminated with the instant external or auxiliary computer mouse system  200 . As an example, a user of the new and improved external or auxiliary mouse system  200  design desiring to cut, copy, paste, move, delete, change the style or font of, print, change the spacing of, or perform any other operation on, a section of text displayed on the computer monitor  204 , or any other monitor associated with the external or auxiliary mouse system, would first locate the arrow or screen selector to the desired position in the text using the left touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  202   a  located on the left press button  201   a  and/or the right touch screen, touch pad, glide point, touch panel  202   b  located on right press button  201   b  by lightly touching and moving a finger or other object over the surface of the touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  202   a  and/or  202   b . When the screen selector is in the desired position in the displayed text, the user then taps the left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  202   a  located on the left press button  201   a  and/or the right touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  202   b  located on the right press button  201   b  to position the cursor at the starting point in the displayed text intended to be highlighted. The user then presses and releases the left press button  201   a  or right press button  201   b , at least once, such that the left press button  201   a  or right press button  201   b  returns to the original position after the pressure applied to press the press button is removed. This prompts the computer software and/or computer operating system that highlighting will be the next mode of operation. The user then uses the left touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  202   a  of the left press button  201   a  or the right touch panel, touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  202   b  of the right press button  201   b  to highlight the desired text by lightly touching and moving a finger or other object over the surface of the left press button  201   a  touch screen, glide point, touch pad, or touch panel  202   a  or the right press button  201   b  touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  202   b . Next, the user depresses and releases the left press button  201   a  or the right press button  201   b  again, such that the left press button  201   a  or the right press button  201   b  returns to the original position after the pressure applied to press the press button is removed, which also releases or disengages the computer software and/or computer operating system from the highlighting mode. The user then uses the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  202   a  of the left press button  201   a  or the right touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  202   b  of the right press button  201   b  to manipulate the screen selector or arrow to select, by pointing to an icon or opening a window, for example, the desired operation intended to be performed on the highlighted text; such as to cut, copy, paste, move, delete, change the style or font, print, change the spacing, or perform any other operation. It is noted that the left press button&#39;s  201   a  touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  202   a  and the right press button&#39;s  201   b  touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  202   b  are not sensitive to lightly applied pressure so as to avoid easy depression of the press buttons. This design functions to avoid unintentional prompting of the highlighting mode. The left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  202   a  of the left press button  201   a  and the right touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  202   b  of the right press button  201   b , however, remain sensitive to light touch or tapping so as to manipulate the screen selector or arrow for highlighting, repositioning of the cursor, opening of windows, or for selection of other functions. 
     In addition, a backlit area can be incorporated into the press button such that an area is illuminated when the press button is initially pressed, so as to indicate that the highlighting mode has been activated, and darkened when the press button is pressed again to indicate release of the highlighting mode. 
     An alternative to the left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  202   a  being integrated, built, manufactured, or molded into the left press button  201   a  and/or the right touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  202   b  being integrated, built, molded, or manufactured into the right press button  201   b  for the external or auxiliary mouse system  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , is that shown in  FIG. 3  wherein the touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  111  can be located in between the left press button  110   a  and the right press button  110   b , or on the left side of the left press button  110   a  and the right press button  110   b , or on the right side of the left press button  110   a  and the right press button  110   b , or adjacent and above the left press button  110   a  and the right press button  110   b , or adjacent and below the left press button  110   a  and the right press button  110   b . The same method of operation, as recited previously, for manipulating the left press button  110   a  and/or the right press button  110   b  and the separate touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  111 , applies in these alternative designs. 
     A further modification for placement of the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad, is to locate the left touch panel, touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  203 L on a left sidewall  204 L of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Note that L and R denote left and right, respectively. In this modification, the user can manipulate the arrow or screen selector by touching and lightly rubbing or brushing the left touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  203 L, located on the left sidewall  204 L of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200 , using the thumb, and manipulate the left press button  205  and/or the right press button  206 , which is positioned on the top surface  207  of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200 , with other fingers or objects, if so desired. As an example, a user of the new and improved external or auxiliary computer mouse system  200  desiring to cut, copy, paste, move, delete, change the style or font of, print, change the spacing of, or perform any other operation on, a section of text displayed on a computer monitor  204 , or any other type of monitor associated with the external or auxiliary computer mouse system  200 , would first locate the arrow or screen selector to the desired position in the text displayed on the monitor  204  by using the left touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  203 L located on the left sidewall  204 L and/or the right touch panel, touch screen, glide point, touch pad,  203 R located on the right sidewall  204 R of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200  by lightly touching and moving a thumb, other finger, or other object over the surface of the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  203 L positioned on the left sidewall  204 L and/or the right touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  203 R positioned on the right sidewall  204 R of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200 . When the screen selector or arrow has been located to the starting position in the text intended to be highlighted, the user then taps the left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  203 L on the left sidewall  204 L with the right thumb for a right-handed mouse and/or the right touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  203 R on the right sidewall  204 R with a right ring finger, middle finger, or right index finger for a right-handed mouse system. It is noted that for a left-handed mouse system, the left thumb would manipulate the right touch screen, touch pad, touch panel, or glide point  203 R located on the right sidewall  204 R and the left ring finger, index finger, or middle finger would manipulate the left touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  203 L located on the left sidewall  204 L. This step positions the cursor at the starting point of the text to be highlighted. Next, the user depresses and releases the left press button  205  or right press button  206 , at least once, using a finger or other desired object, such that the pressed press button returns to its original position after the pressure applied to press the press button is removed. This prompts the computer software and/or computer operating system that highlighting will be the next mode of operation. The user then uses the left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  203 L on the left sidewall  204 L and/or the right touch panel, touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  203 R on the right sidewall  204 R of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200  to highlight the selected text to be cut, copied, pasted, moved, deleted, changed in style or font, printed, change the spacing of, or any other operation, by lightly touching, brushing, rubbing or moving the thumb, other finger, or other object over the surface of left touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  203 L located on the left sidewall  204 L or the right touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  203 R located on the right sidewall  204 R. After highlighting the selected text, the user presses the left press button  205  or the right press button  206 , again. This releases or disengages the computer software and/or computer operating system from the highlighting mode. The user then uses the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  203 L on the left sidewall  204 L or the right touch panel, touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  203 R on the right sidewall  204 R of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200  to manipulate the screen selector or arrow, by pointing to an icon or opening a window, for example, for selecting the desired operation to be performed on the highlighted text; such as, cutting, copying, pasting, moving, deleting, changing the style or font, printing, changing the spacing, or any other operation. It is noted that an alternative method of operating this external mouse system includes holding the press button down with the index finger while manipulating the touch pad, touch panel, glide point, or touch screen with the thumb to highlight the text and then releasing the press button at the conclusion of the highlighting step. 
     In addition, a backlit area can be incorporated into the press button such that an area of the button is illuminated when the press button is initially pressed, so as to indicate that the highlighting mode has been activated, and darkened when the press button is pressed again to release the highlighting mode. 
     An alternative to the press buttons which are pressed, released, and immediately return to their original position, is to depress at least one press and lock button  208  from an original position to a depressed or locked position wherein the at least one press and lock button,  208 , remains in the depressed or locked position, as seen in  FIG. 11 . As an example, a user of the new and improved external or auxiliary computer mouse system  200  desiring to cut, copy, paste, move, delete, change the style or font of, print, change the spacing of, or perform any other operation on, a section of text displayed on a computer monitor  204 , or any other type of monitor associated or connected with the external or auxiliary mouse system  200 , would first locate the arrow or screen selector to the desired position in the text using the left touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  209   a  located on the left press and lock button  208   a  and/or the right touch panel, touch screen, glide point, touch pad  209   b  located on the right press and lock button  208   b  by lightly touching and moving a finger or other object over the surface of the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  209   a  positioned on the left press and lock button  208   a  and/or the right touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  209   b  positioned on the right press and lock button  208   b . When the screen selector or arrow has been located to the starting position in the text intended to be highlighted, as displayed by a monitor  204 , the user then taps the left or right touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  209   a  or  209   b , respectively, to position the cursor at the starting point of the text to be highlighted. Next, the user depresses the left press and lock button  208   a  or the right press and lock button  208   b  from an original position such that the left press and lock button  208   a  or the right press and lock button  208   b  remains in the depressed or locked position. This prompts the computer software and/or computer operating system that highlighting will be the next mode of operation. The user then uses the left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  209   a  located on the left press and lock button  208   a  and/or the right touch panel, touch pad, glide point, or touch screen  209   b  located on the right press and lock button  208   b , to highlight the selected text to be cut, copied, pasted, moved, deleted, changed in style or font, printed, change the spacing of, or to perform any other operation. After highlighting the selected text, the user presses the left press and lock button  208   a  or the right press and lock button  208   b  which returns the press and lock button  208   a  or  208   b , respectively, from the depressed or locked position back to the original position. This also releases or disengages the computer software and/or computer operating system from the highlighting mode. The user then uses the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  209   a  on the left press and lock button  208   a  or the right touch pad, glide point, touch screen, touch panel  209   b  on the right press and lock button  208   b  to manipulate the screen selector or arrow, by pointing to an icon or opening a window, for example, to select the desired operation to be performed on the highlighted text; such as, cutting, copying, pasting, moving, deleting, changing style or font, printing, changing the spacing of, or any other operation. 
     In addition, a backlit area can be incorporated into the press and lock button such that an area is illuminated when the press and lock button is initially depressed and locked, so as to indicate that the highlighting mode has been activated, and darkened when the depressed press and lock button is pressed again to return the depressed press and lock button back to its original position. 
     An alternative to the left touch screen, glide point, touch pad, or touch panel  209   a , being built, manufactured, or molded into the left press and lock button  208   a  and/or the touch screen, touch panel, touch pad, glide point  209   b  being built, molded, or manufactured into the right press and lock button  208   b  for the external or auxiliary mouse system  200 , as shown in  FIG. 11 , is that shown in  FIG. 3  wherein the touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  111  can be located in between the left press and lock button  110   a  and the right press and lock button  110   b , on the left side of the left press and lock button  110   a  and the right press and lock button  110   b , on the right side of the left press and lock button  110   a  and the right press and lock button  110   b , adjacent and on the front side of the left press and lock button  110   a  and the right press and lock button  110   b , or adjacent and beneath the left press and lock button  110   a  and the right press and lock button  110   b . The same method of operation, as recited previously, for manipulating the left press and lock button  110   a  and the right press and lock button  110   b  and the touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  111 , applies in these alternative designs. 
     A further modification for placement of the touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad, is to locate the touch panel, touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  210 L on a sidewall  211 L of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . In this modification, the user can manipulate the arrow or screen selector by touching and lightly rubbing or brushing the touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  210 L, located on the left sidewall  211 L of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200 , using the thumb, and manipulate the left press and lock button  212  and/or the right press and lock button  213  positioned on the top surface  207  of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200  with other fingers or objects, if so desired. As an example, a user of the new and improved external or auxiliary computer mouse system  200  desiring to cut, copy, paste, move, delete, change the style or font of, print, change the spacing of, or perform any other operation on, a section of text displayed on a computer monitor  204 , or any other type of monitor associated with the external or auxiliary computer mouse system  200 , would first locate the arrow or screen selector to the desired position in the text displayed on the monitor  204  by using the left touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  210 L located on the left sidewall  211 L and/or the right touch panel, touch screen, glide point, touch pad,  210 R located on the right sidewall  211 R of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200  by lightly touching and moving a thumb, other finger, or other object over the surface of the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  210 L positioned on the left sidewall  211 L and/or the right touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  210 R positioned on the right sidewall  211 R of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200 . When the screen selector or arrow has been located to the starting position in the text intended to be highlighted, the user then taps the left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  210 L on the left sidewall  211 L with the right thumb for a right-handed mouse and/or the right touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  210 R on the right sidewall  211 R with a right ring finger, right middle finger, or right index finger for a right-handed mouse system. It is noted that for a left-handed mouse system, the left thumb would manipulate the right touch screen, touch pad, touch panel, or glide point  210 R located on the right sidewall  211 R and the left ring finger, left index finger, or left middle finger would manipulate the left touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  210 L located on the left sidewall  211 L. This step positions the cursor at the starting point of the text to be highlighted. Next, the user depresses and releases the left press and lock button  212  or right press and lock button  213 , using a finger or other desired object, such that the press and lock button  212  or  213  remains in a depressed or locked position after the pressure applied to press the press and lock button is removed. This prompts the computer software and/or computer operating system that highlighting will be the next mode of operation. The user then uses the left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  210 L on the left sidewall  211 L and/or the right touch panel, touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  210 R on the right sidewall  211 R of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200  to highlight the selected text to be cut, copied, pasted, moved, deleted, changed in style or font, printed, change the spacing of, or any other operation, by lightly touching, brushing, rubbing or moving the thumb, other finger, or other object over the surface of left touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  210 L located on the left sidewall  211 L or the right touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  210 R located on the right sidewall  211 R. After highlighting the selected text, the user presses the depressed or locked left press and lock button  212  or the depressed or locked right press and lock button  213 , again. This releases or disengages the computer software and/or computer operating system from the highlighting mode. The user then uses the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  210 L on the left sidewall  211 L or the right touch panel, touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  210 R on the right sidewall  211 R of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200  to manipulate the screen selector or arrow, by pointing to an icon or opening a window, for example, for selecting the desired operation to be performed on the highlighted text; such as, cutting, copying, pasting, moving, deleting, changing the style or font, printing, changing the spacing, or any other operation. 
     In addition, a backlit area can be incorporated into the press button, press and lock button, or sliding panel button, such that an area is illuminated when the press button is pressed, the press and lock button is depressed and locked, or the sliding panel button is moved by sliding from its original position, so as to indicate that the highlighting mode has been activated. The backlit area is darkened when the press button is pressed again, the depressed press and lock button is pressed again to return it to its original position, or the sliding panel button is moved back to its original position. 
     A further alternative is to provide at least one sliding panel or sliding button  215  with a touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  216  integrated, built, molded, or manufactured therein, hereafter referred to as a sliding panel touch button  217  for the external or auxiliary computer mouse system  200 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . An advantage to providing at least one sliding panel touch button  217  is that only one hand, finger, or other object is needed by the user to manipulate the external or auxiliary mouse system  200 . As an example, a user of this new and improved external or auxiliary mouse system  200  design desiring to cut, copy, paste, move, delete, change the style or font of, print, change the spacing of, or perform any other operation on, a desired section of text displayed on a computer monitor  204 , or any other type of monitor, would first locate the arrow or screen selector to the desired position in the displayed text by lightly touching and moving a finger or other object over the surface of the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  216   a  located on the left sliding panel touch button  217   a  and/or the surface of the right touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point located on the right sliding panel touch button  217   b . The left sliding panel touch button  217   a  is constructed from a left sliding panel  215   a  and a left touch screen, touch panel, touch pad, or glide point  216   a . The right sliding panel touch button  217   b  is constructed from a right sliding panel  215   b  and a right touch screen, touch panel, touch pad, or glide point  216   b . After the screen selector or arrow has been positioned at the starting point of the text intended to be highlighted, the user then taps the left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  216   a  of the left sliding panel touch button  217   a  and/or the right touch panel, touch pad, glide point, or touch screen  216   b  of the right sliding panel touch button  217   b  to position the cursor at the starting point of the text intended to be highlighted. Next, the user slides the left sliding panel touch button  217   a , as shown in  FIG. 14 , or the right sliding panel touch button  217   b  from an original position to a position which prompts the computer software and/or computer operating system that highlighting will be the next mode of operation. The displacement of the sliding panel touch button relative to its original position is represented by  218 . The user then uses the left touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  216   a  of the left sliding panel touch button  217   a  or the right touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  216   b  of the right sliding panel touch button  217   b  to highlight the desired text by lightly touching, brushing, rubbing and moving a finger or other object over the surface of the left touch panel, touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  216   a  of the left sliding panel touch button  217   a  and/or the right touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  216   b  of the right sliding panel touch button  217   b . After the desired text has been highlighted, the user then slides the left sliding panel touch button  217   a , or the right sliding panel touch button  217   b , back to the original position which releases or disengages the computer software and/or computer operating system from the highlighting mode, but retains the highlighted text. The user then uses the left touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  216   a  of the left sliding panel touch button  217   a  and/or the right touch panel, touch pad, glide point, or touch screen  216   b  of the right sliding panel touch button  217   b  to manipulate the screen selector or arrow, by pointing to an icon or opening a window, for example, to select the desired operation to be performed on the highlighted text, such as cutting, copying, pasting, moving, deleting, changing the style or font, printing, changing the spacing, or performing any other operation. 
     In addition, a backlit area can be incorporated into the sliding panel button such that an area is illuminated after sliding the sliding panel button from an original position to a position that indicates that the highlighting mode has been activated. The backlit button is then darkened when the sliding panel button is returned to its original position, indicating release of the highlighting mode. 
     An alternative to the left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  216   a  being integrated, built, manufactured, or molded into the left sliding panel button  215   a  and/or the right touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  216   b  being integrated, built, molded, or manufactured into the right sliding panel button  215   b  for the external or auxiliary mouse system  200 , as shown in  FIG. 14 , is that shown in  FIG. 3  wherein the touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  111  can be located in between the left sliding panel button  110   a  and the right sliding panel button  110   b , or on the left side of the left sliding panel button  110   a  and the right sliding panel button  110   b , or on the right side of the left sliding panel button  110   a  and the right sliding panel button  110   b , or adjacent and above the left sliding panel button  110   a  and the right sliding panel button  110   b , or adjacent and below the left sliding panel button  110   a  and the right sliding panel button  110   b . The same method of operation, as previously recited, for manipulating the left sliding panel button  110   a  and/or the right sliding panel button  110   b  and the corresponding touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  111 , applies in these alternative designs 
     A further modification for placement of the touch screens, touch panels, glide points, or touch pads  216   a  and  216   b , is to locate the left touch panel, touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  219 L on the left sidewall  220 L of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . In this modification, the user can manipulate the arrow or screen selector by touching and lightly rubbing or brushing the left touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  219 L, located on the left sidewall  220 L of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200 , using the thumb, other finger, or object and manipulate the left sliding button  221  and/or the right sliding panel button  222 , which is positioned on the top surface  223  of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200  with other fingers or objects, if so desired. As an example, a user of the new and improved external or auxiliary computer mouse system  200  desiring to cut, copy, paste, move, delete, change the style or font of, print, change the spacing of, or perform any other operation on, a section of text displayed on a computer monitor  204  or any other type of monitor associated with the external or auxiliary computer mouse system  200  would first locate the arrow or screen selector to the desired position in the text displayed on the monitor  204  by using the left touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  219 L located on the left sidewall  220 L and/or the right touch panel, touch screen, glide point, touch pad,  219 R located on the right sidewall  220 R of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200  by lightly touching and moving a thumb, other finger, or other object over the surface of the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  219 L positioned on the left sidewall  220 L and/or the right touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  219 R positioned on the right sidewall  220 R of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200 . When the screen selector or arrow has been located to the starting position in the text intended to be highlighted, the user then taps the left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  219 L on the left sidewall  220 L with the right thumb for a right-handed mouse and/or the right touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  219 R on the right sidewall  220 R with the right ring finger, middle finger, or right index finger, for example, for a right-handed mouse system. It is noted that for a left-handed mouse system, the left thumb would manipulate the right touch screen, touch pad, touch panel, or glide point  219 R located on the right sidewall  220 R and the left ring finger, left index finger, or left middle finger, for example, would manipulate the left touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  219 L located on the left sidewall  220 L. This step positions the cursor at the starting point of the text to be highlighted. Next, the user slides the left sliding panel button  221  or right sliding panel button  222 , using a finger or other desired object, such that the sliding panel button is displaced forward, backward, sideways, or diagonal from its original position.  FIGS. 15 and 16  show a forward displacement of sliding panel  221 . This prompts the computer software and/or computer operating system that highlighting will be the next mode of operation. The user then uses the left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  219 L on the left sidewall  220 L and/or the right touch panel, touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  219 R on the right sidewall  220 R of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200  to highlight the selected text to be cut, copied, pasted, moved, deleted, changed in style or font, printed, change the spacing of, or any other operation, by lightly touching, brushing, rubbing or moving the thumb, other finger, or other object over the surface of left touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  219 L located on the left sidewall  220 L or the right touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  219 R located on the right sidewall  220 R. After highlighting the selected text, the user slides the left sliding panel button  221  or the right sliding panel button  222  back to its original position. This releases or disengages the computer software and/or computer operating system from the highlighting mode. The user then uses the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  219 L on the left sidewall  220 L or the right touch panel touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  219 R on the right sidewall  220 R of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200  to manipulate the screen selector or arrow, by pointing to an icon or opening a window, for example, for selecting the desired operation to be performed on the highlighted text; such as, cutting, copying, pasting, moving, deleting, changing the style or font, printing, changing the spacing, or any other operation. 
     A further modification to the external or auxiliary computer mouse system is to provide a left press button, left press and lock button, or left sliding panel button  224 L on the left sidewall  225 L, as shown in  FIG. 17 , and/or a right press button, right press and lock button, or right sliding panel button  224 R on the right sidewall  225 R with a touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  226  on the top surface  227  of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200 , as shown in  FIG. 19 . The buttons are reversed for a left-handed external or auxiliary computer mouse system  200 . The left press button, left press and lock button, or left sliding panel button  224 L located on the left sidewall  225 L corresponds to the left thumb position of the user. The right press button, right press and lock button, or right sliding panel button  224 R located on the right sidewall  225 R corresponds to, for example, the right ring finger or right middle finger of the user. The same method of operation for manipulating the left and right press buttons, left and right press and lock buttons, and the left and right sliding panel buttons  224 L and  224 R, and the touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  226 , as previously presented, applies in this alternative. As an example, a user of the new and improved external or auxiliary computer mouse system  200  desiring to cut, copy, paste, move, delete, change the style or font of, print, change the spacing of, or perform any other operation on, a section of text displayed on a computer monitor  204 , or any other type of monitor associated with the external or auxiliary computer mouse system  200 , would first locate the arrow or screen selector to the desired position in the text displayed on the monitor  204  by using the touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  226  located on the upper surface  227  of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200  by lightly touching and moving a thumb, other finger, or other object over the surface of the touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  226  of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200 . When the screen selector or arrow has been located to the starting position in the text intended to be highlighted, the user then taps the touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  226  using a right finger for a right-handed mouse system. It is noted that for a left-handed mouse system, a left finger would manipulate the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point  226  located on the upper surface  227 . This step positions the cursor at the starting point of the text to be highlighted. Next, the user presses the left press button, the left press and lock button, or slides the left sliding panel button  224 L or presses the right press button, presses the right press and lock button, or slides the right sliding panel button  224 R, using a finger, thumb, or other desired object, such that the button is pressed for a press button, depressed and locked for a press and lock button, or displaced forward, backward, sideways, or diagonal from its original position for a sliding panel button. This prompts the computer software and/or computer operating system that highlighting will be the next mode of operation. The user then uses the touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  226  of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200  to highlight the selected text to be cut, copied, pasted, moved, deleted, changed in style or font, printed, change the spacing of, or any other operation, by lightly touching, brushing, rubbing or moving the thumb, other finger, or other object over the surface of touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  226 . After highlighting the selected text, the user presses the left press button, presses the left press and lock button, or slides the left sliding panel button  224 L back to its original position, or presses the right press button, presses the right press and lock button, or slides the right sliding panel button  224 R back to its original position. This releases or disengages the computer software and/or computer operating system from the highlighting mode. The user then uses the touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  226  of the external or auxiliary mouse system  200  to manipulate the screen selector or arrow, by pointing to an icon or opening a window, for example, for selecting the desired operation to be performed on the highlighted text; such as, cutting, copying, pasting, moving, deleting, changing the style or font, printing, changing the spacing, or any other operation. It is noted that for a left-handed mouse system of this modification, the left thumb can manipulate the right press button, right press and lock button, or right sliding panel located on the right sidewall and the left ring finger or middle finger, for example, can manipulate the left press button, left press and lock button, or left sliding panel located on the left side wall. 
     Additionally, a modification wherein the left and right press buttons, press and lock buttons, or sliding panel buttons  224 L and  224 R located on the left and right sidewalls  225 L and  225 R may have the touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad,  226  built, molded, or manufactured, therein. This would allow the upper surface  227  to be used for other purposes or functions. The same method for manipulating the touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point,  226  and the press button, press and lock button, and sliding panel button,  224 L and  224 R, as previously recited, applies herein. 
     In addition, a backlit area can be incorporated into the press button, press and lock button, or sliding panel button, such that an area is illuminated when the press button is pressed, the press and lock button is depressed and locked, or the sliding panel button is moved by sliding from its original position, so as to indicate that the highlighting mode has been activated. The backlit area is darkened when the press button is pressed again, the depressed press and lock button is pressed again to return it to its original position, or the sliding panel button is moved back to its original position. 
     External Computer Keyboard Mouse System 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved external computer keyboard with a mouse system  300  which can be used with personal computers, laptop or notebook computers, home computers, office computers, desktop computers, handspring computers, visor computers, pocket pc&#39;s, and any other type of computer which are capable of using or functioning with an external computer keyboard mouse system. The computer keyboard mouse system  300  of the instant invention is connected by way of at least one port  302  to the central processing unit  303 . A computer monitor  304  is also connected by way of at least one port  305  to the central processing unit  303 . The external computer keyboard mouse system  300  has at least one mouse system press button  306 , as shown in  FIG. 20 , with a touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  307 , integrated, built, manufactured, or molded into the at least one mouse system press button  306 . As an example, the computer keyboard mouse system  300  can have a left press button  306   a  and a right press button  306   b . However, the invention is not limited to use of only one or two press buttons. The left press button  306   a  and the right press button  306   b  can each have a touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  307   a  and  307   b , respectively, built, manufactured, or molded into these press buttons. The advantage of this design, and the following disclosed method, being that only one hand, finger, or object is required to manipulate the external computer keyboard mouse system  300 . The mouse system  300  can be built, molded, or manufactured into any area of the external computer keyboard  301 . The new and improved design for the external computer keyboard mouse system  300  frees up keyboard space, and makes use of the mouse system easier and more convenient. As an example, a user of the new and improved external computer keyboard mouse system  300  design desiring to cut, copy, paste, move, delete, change the style or font of, print, change the spacing of, or perform any other operation on, a section of text displayed on a computer monitor  304 , or any other type of monitoring device used in conjunction with the external computer keyboard mouse system  300 , would first locate the arrow or screen selector to the desired position in the displayed text using the left touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  307   a  on the left press button  306   a  and/or the right touch pad, touch screen, glide point, or touch panel  307   b  on the right press button  306   b  by lightly touching and moving a finger or other object over the surface of the left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  307   a  on the left press button  306   a  and/or the right touch panel, touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  307   b  on the right press button  306   b  After the screen selector or arrow has been positioned at the starting point in the text intended to be highlighted, the user then taps the left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  307   a  on the left press button  306   a  or the right touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  307   b  on the right press button  306   b  to position the cursor at the starting point in the text to be highlighted. The user then presses and releases the left press button  306   a  and/or the right press button  306   b , at least once, such that the press button returns to the original position after the pressure applied to press the press button is removed. This prompts the computer software and/or computer operating system that highlighting will be the next mode of operation. The user then uses the left touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  307   a  on the left press button  306   a  and/or the right touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  307   b  on the right press button  306   b  to highlight the desired text by touching and moving a finger, or other object, over the surface of the touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  307   a  and/or  307   b . After the desired text has been highlighted, the user depresses and releases the left press button  306   a  and/or the right press button  306   b , again, such that the left press button  306   a  or right press button  306   b  returns to the original position after the pressure applied to press the press button is removed. This releases or disengages the computer software and/or computer operating system from the highlighting mode, but retains the highlighted text on the monitor. The user then uses the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  307   a  on the left press button  306   a  and/or the right touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  307   b  on the right press button  306   b  to manipulate the screen selector or arrow, by pointing to an icon or opening a window, for example, to select the desired operation intended to be performed on the highlighted text; such as to cut, copy, paste, move, delete, change the style or font, print, change the spacing, or perform any other operation. It is noted that the left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  307   a  located on the left press button  306   a  and the right touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  307   b  located on the right press button  306   b  are not sensitive to lightly applied pressures so as to avoid easy depression of the press buttons  306   a  and  306   b . This will avoid and function to prevent unintentional prompting of the highlighting mode. The left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  307   a  of the left press button  306   a  and the right touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  307   b  of the right press button  306   b , however, remain sensitive to light touch or tapping so as to manipulate the screen selector or arrow for highlighting, repositioning of the cursor, opening of windows, or for selection of other functions. 
     An alternative to the left touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  307   a  being built, manufactured, or molded into the left press button  306   a  and/or the right touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  307   b  being built, molded, or manufactured into the right press button  306   b  for the external computer keyboard mouse system  300 , as shown in  FIG. 20 , is that shown in  FIG. 3  wherein the touch screen, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  111  can be located in between the left press button  110   a  and the right press button  110   b , on the left side of the left press button  110   a  and right press button  110   b , on the right side of the left press button  110   a  and right press button  110   b , on the front side of the left press button  110   a  and right press button  110   b , on the bottom side of the left press button  110   a  and right press button  110   b . The same method of operation, as previously presented, for manipulating the left press button  110   a  and the right press button  110   b  and their corresponding touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  111  applies in these alternative designs. 
     As a further alternative, the external computer keyboard mouse system  300  of the instant invention can be equipped with at least one sliding panel or sliding button, as shown in  FIG. 21 . A further alternative for the external computer keyboard mouse system is to use at least one sliding panel or sliding button  308  having a touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  309  integrated, built, molded, or manufactured into and on the sliding panel or sliding button  308 , as shown in  FIG. 21 . An advantage to providing a touch panel, touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  309  integrated, built, molded, or manufactured into a sliding panel or sliding button is that only one hand, finger, or other object is needed by the user to manipulate the external computer keyboard mouse system  300 . As an example, a user of this new and improved design desiring to cut, copy, paste, move, delete, change the style or font of, print, change the spacing of, or perform any other operation on, a desired section of text displayed on a computer monitor  304 , or any other type of monitoring device used in conjunction with the external or auxiliary computer keyboard mouse system  300 , would first locate the arrow or screen selector to the desired position in the displayed text using the left touch panel, touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  309   a  of the left sliding panel touch button  310   a  and/or the right touch panel, touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  309   b  of the right sliding panel touch button  310   b  by lightly touching and moving a finger or other object over the surface of the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  309   a  of the left sliding panel touch button  310   a  and/or the right touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  309   b  of the right sliding panel touch button  310   b . After the screen selector or arrow has been positioned at the starting point of the text intended to be highlighted, the user then taps the left touch screen, glide point, touch pad, or touch panel  309   a  of the left sliding panel touch button  310   a , and/or the right touch panel, touch pad, glide point, or touch pad  309   b  of the right sliding panel touch button  310   b  to position the cursor at the starting point of the text intended to be highlighted. Next, the user slides the left sliding panel touch button  310   a  or the right sliding panel touch button  310   b , using a finger or other desired object, such that the sliding panel touch button is displaced forward, backward, sideways, or diagonal from an original position to a position which prompts the computer software and/or computer operating system that highlighting will be the next mode of operation. The user then uses the left touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  309   a  of the left sliding panel touch button  310   a  and/or the right touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  309   b  of the right sliding panel touch button  310   b  to highlight the desired text by lightly brushing, touching, or rubbing a finger or other object over the surface of the left touch button, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  309   a  of the left sliding panel touch button  310   a , and/or the right touch panel, touch pad, glide point, or touch screen  309   b  of the right sliding panel touch button  310   b . After the desired text has been highlighted, the user then slides the left sliding panel touch button  310   a , or the right sliding panel touch button  310   b  back to the original position which releases or disengages the computer software and/or computer operating system from the highlighting mode. The user then uses the left touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  309   a  of the left sliding panel touch button  310   a  and/or the right touch pad, touch screen, glide point, or touch panel  309   b  of the right sliding panel touch button  310   b  to manipulate the screen selector or arrow to select, by pointing to an icon or opening a window, for example, the desired operation, to be performed on the highlighted text, such as cutting, copying, pasting, moving, deleting, changing the style or font, printing, changing the spacing, or performing any other operation. 
     As an alternative to the left touch screen, glide point, touch pad, or touch panel  309   a  being built, molded, or manufactured into the left sliding panel button  308   a  and/or the right touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point,  309   b  being built, molded, or manufactured into the right sliding panel button  308   b  for the external computer keyboard mouse system  300 , the touch screen, glide point, touch pad, or touch panel  111 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , can be located in between the left sliding panel button  110   a  and the right sliding panel button  110   b , on the left side of the left sliding panel button  110   a  and the right sliding panel button  110   b , or on the right side of the left sliding panel button  110   a  and the right sliding panel button  110   b , adjacent and on the front side of the left sliding panel button  110   a  and the right sliding panel button  110   b , or adjacent and below the left sliding panel button  110   a  and the right sliding panel button  110   b . The same method of operation, as previously recited, for manipulating the left sliding panel button  110   a  and/or the right sliding panel button  110   b  and the touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  111 , applies in all these alternative designs. 
     As a further alternative, the external computer keyboard mouse system  300  of the instant invention can be equipped with at least one press and lock touch button  313 , as shown in  FIG. 22 . A further alternative for the external computer keyboard mouse system is to use at least one press and lock touch button  313  having a touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  312  integrated, built, molded, or manufactured into and on the press and lock button  311 , as shown in  FIG. 22 . An advantage to providing a touch panel, touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  312  integrated, built, molded, or manufactured into a press and lock button  311  is that only one hand, finger, or other object is needed by the user to manipulate the external computer keyboard mouse system  300 . As an example, a user of this new and improved design desiring to cut, copy, paste, move, delete, change the style or font of, print, change the spacing of, or perform any other operation on, a desired section of text displayed on a computer monitor  304 , or any other type of monitoring device used in conjunction with the external or auxiliary computer keyboard mouse system  300 , would first locate the arrow or screen selector to the desired position in the displayed text using the left touch panel, touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  312   a  of the left press and lock button  311   a  and/or the right touch panel, touch screen, glide point, or touch pad  312   b  of the right press and lock button  311   b  by lightly touching and moving a finger or other object over the surface of the left touch screen, touch panel, glide point, or touch pad  312   a  of the left press and lock touch button  313   a  and/or the right touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  312   b  of the right press and lock touch button  313   b . After the screen selector or arrow has been positioned at the starting point of the text intended to be highlighted, the user then taps the left touch screen, glide point, touch pad, or touch panel  312   a  of the left press and lock touch button  313   a , and/or the right touch panel, touch pad, glide point, or touch pad  312   b  of the right press and lock touch button  313   b  to position the cursor at the starting point of the text intended to be highlighted. Next, the user presses the left press and lock touch button  313   a  or the right press and lock touch button  313   b , using a finger or other desired object, such that the press and lock touch button is displaced from an original position to a position to a depressed and locked position which prompts the computer software and/or computer operating system that highlighting will be the next mode of operation. The user then uses the left touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  312   a  of the left press and lock touch button  313   a  and/or the right touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  312   b  of the right press and lock touch button  313   b  to highlight the desired text by lightly brushing, touching, or rubbing a finger or other object over the surface of the left touch button, touch pad, glide point, or touch panel  312   a  of the left press and lock touch button  313   a , and/or the right touch panel, touch pad, glide point, or touch screen  312   b  of the right press and lock touch button  313   b . After the desired text has been highlighted, the user then presses the left press and lock touch button  313   a , or the right press and lock touch button  313   b , back to the original position which releases or disengages the computer software and/or computer operating system from the highlighting mode. The user then uses the left touch pad, glide point, touch panel, or touch screen  312   a  of the left press and lock touch button  313   a  and/or the right touch pad, touch screen, glide point, or touch panel  312   b  of the right press and lock touch button  313   b  to manipulate the screen selector or arrow to select, by pointing to an icon or opening a window, for example, the desired operation to be performed on the highlighted text, such as cutting, copying, pasting, moving, deleting, changing the style or font, printing, changing the spacing, or performing any other operation 
     As an alternative to the left touch screen, glide point, touch pad, or touch panel  312   a  being built, molded, or manufactured into the left press and lock button  311   a  and/or the right touch pad, touch screen, touch panel, or glide point,  312   b  being built, molded, or manufactured into the right press and lock button  311   b  for the external computer keyboard mouse system  300 , is to locate the touch screen, glide point, touch pad, or touch panel  111 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , in between the left press and lock button  110   a  and the right press and lock button  110   b , on the left side of the left press and lock button  110   a  and the right press and lock button  110   b , or on the right side of the left press and lock button  110   a  and the right press and lock button  110   b , adjacent and on the front side of the left press and lock button  110   a  and the right press and lock button  110   b , or adjacent and below the left press and lock button  110   a  and the right press and lock button  110   b . The same method of operation, as previously recited, for manipulating the left press and lock button  110   a  and/or the right press and lock button  110   b  and the touch pad, glide point, touch screen, or touch panel  111 , applies in all these alternative designs. 
     In addition, a backlit area can be incorporated into the press and lock button, or such that an area is illuminated when the press and lock button is depressed and locked, to indicate that the highlighting mode has been activated. The backlit area is darkened when the depressed press and lock button is pressed again to return it to its original position. 
     An added design feature for the press touch buttons, press and lock touch buttons, and the sliding panel touch buttons, all of which are schematically represented by  400 L and  400 R of  FIG. 23  of the instant invention, includes providing finger pressing devices  401 L  401 R which are molded, manufactured, or formed on the press touch buttons, press and lock touch buttons, and sliding panel touch buttons,  400 L and  400 R as depicted in  FIG. 23 . The finger pressing devices  401 L and  401 R provide the user of the new and improved mouse system with an area or location on the press touch button, press and lock touch button, or sliding panel touch button  400 L and  400 R for applying pressure for pressing of the press touch buttons and press and lock touch buttons, and for the sliding of the sliding panel touch buttons  400 L and  400 R. There is no restriction for the location of the finger pressing devices  401 L and  401 R on the press touch buttons, press and lock touch buttons, and sliding panel touch buttons  400 L and  400 R. The finger pressing devices  401 L and  401 R may also be located on press buttons, press and lock buttons, and sliding panel buttons  403 L and  403 R which are without touch screens, touch pads, glide points, or touch panels  402 L and  402 R built, molded, or manufactured in the press button, press and lock button, or sliding panel button  403 L and  403 R. The finger pressing devices  401 L and  401 R can have a hollowed portion, for example, which generally fits the shape of a finger tip. However, the finger pressing devices  401 L and  401 R can take on any desired shape or design.