Patent Abstract:
Mounting the cursor actuator control or mouse buttons on the keyboard portion of a portable computer in a manner to permit the translation of the cursor actuator control across the keyboard portion of the portable computer, thereby allows the positioning of the cursor actuator control for comfort and convenience of the operator. The ability to relocate the cursor actuator control further allows any operator of the portable computer to minimize inadvertent operation thereof by the accidental and unintentional contact of user&#39;s thumb with the cursor actuator controls.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to portable computers and, more specifically to the capability to relocate and reposition the cursor actuator control on the computer housing for more convenience, efficiency, and comfort. The cursor actuator control actuates a computer operation which then is depicted by the position of a cursor relative to an icon or symbol and displayed on the monitor or computer display. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Mouse buttons, the common term for control push-buttons, are used to control a computer through the identification of an icon by the cursor and the operation of the cursor actuator buttons. The control push-buttons are intended to be ergonomically located and typically are positioned either on the top surface or an edge surface of the keyboard section the portable computer. Within the wide audience of users, mouse buttons do not accommodate all people nor are convenient and comfortable for all. 
     Operating a portable computer with hands in a normal typing position to the keyboard almost inherently places the thumbs over or near the computer mouse buttons and may unintentionally activate one of the mouse buttons, causing the computer to initiate a computer operation that is not intended or desired. An inadvertent actuation of the computer operation may result in as little inconvenience as having to reverse the operation to return to the present task, or as much as a complete loss of all the work performed up to that point on a particular project. To avoid any inadvertent or unintentional occurrences by these computer-housing located mouse buttons, it is desirable to relocate them in a position relative to the keyboard that will prevent such accidental activation. 
     Laptop computers are becoming the communication device of choice for making presentations, particularly when the presentation is made to an individual. Laptop computers are also used in conjunction with overhead or other types of projectors to provide enlarged projections of graphics to larger groups. The graphic displays to be shown are electronically stored in memory, called up, and displayed in the desired sequence in response to a cursor being positioned over an icon or a command block displayed on the computer display, then the operator depresses a mouse button or cursor actuator control button. With fixed cursor actuator controls on the keyboard section of the computer, a presenter must reach from a side position to a position in front of the individual viewing the presentation in order to activate the cursor actuation control button to progress through the presentation. If making a one-on-one presentation, this presents a significant distraction to the viewer, not only offsetting a portion of the benefit of using the portable computer but also it is awkward and uncomfortable. 
     Further, to provide one-on-one training on the usage of laptop computers or software loaded thereon, the reach to the cursor actuator control buttons is difficult and awkward for the presenter. 
     Although most portable computers can accommodate a separate mouse, any extra device creates inconvenience in carrying and storage as well as distractions during setup. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide the operator of a portable computer the ability to position cursor actuator controls or mouse buttons in positions to avoid any inadvertent actuation of these controls. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide in a portable computer the ability to position the cursor actuation controls so that the cursor actuation controls are comfortably operable by a person positioned to one side of the computer. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide in a portable computer the ability to position the cursor actuation controls wherein the position of the controls may be optimized for the person who predominately uses the computer while allowing adjustments for other operators. 
     It is an additional object to provide a cursor actuator control in a portable computer which may be laterally displaced relative to the keyboard section of the computer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The cursor actuator control in the form of a pair of push-button controlled switches may be movably positioned within the region between the keyboard of a portable or laptop computer and the operator. The cursor actuator control may be pivotally displaced, slidably displaced, or both; displacement allows an operator to move the cursor actuator control out of a position subject to inadvertent actuation or to a more ergonomic or comfortable position. 
     The cursor position control itself may take the form of a conventional wobble post in the keyboard or a touch pad positioned within the arcuate path of movement of the cursor actuator control buttons. Both the wobble post and touch pad cursor position controls are conventional and used on various portable or laptop computers. Touch pads, as previously implemented, are fixed in location and/or orientation. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an illustration of a portable computer having a cursor actuator control which is displaceable relative to the keyboard portion of the computer housing. 
     FIG. 2 is an illustration of the portable computer of FIG. 1 with the cursor actuator control dislocated to the left. 
     FIG. 3 is an illustration of a portable computer having a cursor actuator control which is translatable laterally across the keyboard portion of the computer housing. 
     FIG. 4 is an illustration of a segment of the keyboard portion of the portable computer of 
     FIG. 3 wherein the cursor actuator control unit is both translatable as well as rotatable relative to the keyboard of the computer. 
     FIG. 5 is an illustration of a portable computer having a cursor actuator control surrounded by a rotatable control ring with a plurality of finger indentations in the control ring to aid in the rotation of the cursor actuator control. 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged illustration of the cursor actuator control shown in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is an illustration of a portable computer with a cursor actuator control wherein the control buttons are independently movable to alternate positions. 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged illustration of a cursor actuator control of the type shown in FIG. 7 with a touch pad cursor positional control disposed within the arcuate paths through which the cursor actuator controls may be moved. 
     FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the connections between the cursor positional control, the cursor actuator control, the display, and the computer processor. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     OF THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION 
     AS CONTEMPLATED BY THE INVENTOR 
     In this detailed description, the term “mouse controls” relates to and is used to identify and describe either a pair of depressible buttons or switches which are the equivalent of the finger controlled push-to-make switches found on a traditional desktop mouse or those depressible buttons and associated switches that perform equivalent functions on the face or edge of a keyboard portion of a portable or laptop computer. These buttons and switches cooperate with the computer and are combined with a computer recognized position by an arrow or other cursor icon on the display of the computer relative to the displayed graphics. The operation of the cursor actuator control or mouse controls create a cursor actuation control command which initiates the operation of the computer to perform the function as represented by the portion of the display graphics over which the cursor is positioned at the time a button is depressed and the corresponding switch is actuated. 
     Like reference numerals are used in the various figures to designate like elements and may appear in a plurality of the figures without a specific description of the element with regard to each figure. In instances wherein there is no description of an elements in regard to a figure but the element is described with regard to another figure, the description relates to all figures in which the numbered element appears. 
     Should the mouse buttons or cursor actuator controls  10  be located in a position uncomfortable and/or inconvenient for the operator, mouse buttons  10  may be moved relative to the keyboard section or portion  12  of portable computer  14  as illustrated in the various drawings. This description refers to FIG. 1, initially, which shows a laptop or portable computer  14  with the mouse button  10  displaceable in an arc  16  as indicated here by arrow  16 , disposed intermediate the normal operator position and keyboard  18  itself and positioned within the keyboard portion  12  of computer  14 . 
     The exterior of the keyboard section  12  of the computer  14  forms a circular guide  15  within which the mouse buttons  10  are movable. The internal mouse control switches (not shown) may be electrically connected by flexible circuit cables or other conductors (not shown). 
     Cursor actuator control  10  and cursor position control  20  together constitute a “mouse” or mouse control assembly  26 , common usage terms for a device for controlling a cursor position and activating a command indicated graphically by the cursor  22 . 
     The cursor position control  20  is typically a movable or wobble post or joy stick  20  disposed between individual keys of the keyboard  18  and, in fact, is found in a multitude of laptop computers. Movement by the user&#39;s index finger of post  20  is converted to signals which, in turn, control any movement and/or positioning of cursor  22  across the face of the display  24 . The cursor position control  20  operates to generate signals representing direction and velocity to move the cursor  22  about the face of the display  24  of the computer  14 , and ultimately electronically indicating a particular location or symbol on display  24 . The position of cursor  22 , typically an arrow symbol  22 , together with an electrical signal generated by the cursor actuator controls or mouse buttons  10  input a command to the computer  14  as is conventional and well understood by those of skill in the art of computer and mouse design. The combined signals are utilized by the microprocessor to initiate a command for a computer operation if a computer operation is indicated. 
     The cursor position control  20  and the cursor actuator controls  10  are connected to the computer electronics in the same manner as and function as the prior art counterparts and may be constructed and connected to control the computer  14  by one who is of ordinary skill in the art of computer design. 
     With hands in normal keyboarding positions, thumbs are thus over the cursor actuator control buttons  10 . This positioning can create problems for those who tend to rest their hands and particularly the heel of their hands on the computer; they may inadvertently actuate a cursor designated command. 
     Swivelling the entire cursor actuator control assembly  26  to the left, as in FIG. 2, or to the right repositions the cursor actuator control  10  to a more protected position from one where inadvertent actuation is likely. Mouse buttons  10  may be similarly displaced to the right, if desired by the operator. 
     The position of the cursor actuator control  10  is maintained by a locking device, such as a push-to-release mechanism controlled by release button  28 . The locking device need only be as simple as a friction pad spring-biased against a portion of the cursor actuator control assembly  26 . 
     As laptop computers have gained in capability and popularity, many are now used for making graphic presentations instead of using graphic charts or a projector and slides of transparencies. In most instances, such as this, the presentation graphics are controlled by the actuation of a cursor actuator control to page through the previously prepared graphics of the presentation. Currently, in order to avoid the problems associated with the position of the cursor actuator control, a conventional mouse must be connected to the portable computer. 
     With the present cursor actuator control swivelled to one side, the presenter may more easily and comfortably use the cursor actuator controls  1   0  while positioning an observer directly in front of the somewhat narrow viewing field of the screen of display  24 . Liquid crystal displays are the most common type displays  24  used on portable and laptop computers. Thus, the intended viewer must be positioned within the narrow angle of view of the display. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a computer  14  or a portion of a computer  14  having a cursor actuator control  30  formed in a rotatable unit  30  that is additionally translatable laterally across the keyboard portion  12  of the computer  14 . FIG. 4 illustrates only the movable cursor actuator control unit  30  and its retaining and guiding track  32 . The rotatable control unit  30  is guided and retained by track  32  formed in and by the case of computer  14 . 
     Rotatable control unit  30  carries the mouse buttons  10  or cursor actuator controls  10  which are electrically connected to the computer processor ( 40  in FIG. 9) in a conventional manner. The electrical connection between the cursor actuator controls  30  may be made of flexible circuit cables and either discrete wires or commutators. Rotatable unit  30  is provided with a depression  34  in the surface which permits insertion of a finger tip to translate or rotate the rotatable unit  30  relative to the computer  14 . 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a control similar to that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 except that the rotatable unit  30  provides a plurality of finger indentations or depressions  34  and the rotatable unit  30  is a complete ring. capable of full rotation. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates the mouse control  38  where the cursor actuator control buttons  10  are independently mounted and may be moved in opposite directions either to dispose the buttons  10  out of the way of an user&#39;s hands and thumbs or to accommodate the positional desires of the operator. Cursor positional control  20  is similarly disposed in the midst of keyboard  18 . 
     An alternative to the cursor positional control  20  is a touch pad  50  illustrated in FIG.  8 . The touch pad  50  may be formed in an ellipse, oval, circle or other convenient shape. Touch pad  50  is conventional in construction and is conventionally connected to the computer processor ( 40  in FIG.  9 ). The touch pad  50  may be fixed in a single lateral location or may be translatable on a rotatable member such as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The touch pad  50  may be rotatable to one side or the other so that the X-Y axis of the touch pad  50  may be oriented as desired by the operator with the same angular relation as the cursor actuator control  30  in FIG. 3; or, if of an elongated shape, touch pad  50  may remain fixed relative to the keyboard portion  12  of computer  14 . Even if touch pad is fixed and remains oriented at an angle to the user, the human brain can compensate and the user still may control the cursor accurately and efficiency. 
     Refer now to FIG. 9, a portion of the portable computer is illustrated in diagrammatic form. Computer processor  40  connects directly to all the other components illustrated  10 , 20 ,  24 . Computer processor  40  provides the signals to display  24  not only to produce and display the material, including icons and control blocks, but also to produce, display, and move a cursor on display  24 . 
     Control of the cursor (not shown) is provided by the cursor position control  20  and cursor actuator control  10 . The cursor position control  20  generates signals representative of the direction and velocity with which the cursor is to move; and, the cursor actuator control  10  generates signals which command the computer processor  40  to perform an operation, the identification of the operation being the icon or control block displayed on the display  24  and having a cursor symbol positioned thereon. 
     The software incorporated into the computer processor for accepting the signals from the cursor position control  30  and the cursor actuation control  10  and for initiating the indicated computer function is conventional and well known to those of skill in the art of computer design. 
     It will be understood by one of skill in the art of computer design that in light of the above detailed description of the invention, translatable and rotatable cursor actuator and/or rotatable touch pad may be implemented such that it is positioned on top of the keyboard portion of the computer or may be incorporated into the keyboard portion, as shown. One of skill in the art will also understand that other changes and variations in the design of the computer may result in minor changes and variations in the cursor actuation control device and its positioning and relationship relative to the computer without removing the modified device from the scope of the attached claims which define the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8