Source: https://patents.justia.com/patent/5936555
Timestamp: 2019-12-11 06:35:01
Document Index: 546455038

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 14', 'arts 16', 'art 14', 'arts 16', 'art 16', 'art 17']

US Patent for Combined keyboard and mouse employing conventional typing keys Patent (Patent # 5,936,555 issued August 10, 1999) - Justia Patents Search
Justia Patents Including Keyboard Or KeypadUS Patent for Combined keyboard and mouse employing conventional typing keys Patent (Patent # 5,936,555)
A combined keyboard and pointing system for use with a computer is disclosed. The system comprises a keyboard consisting of at least two keyboard parts for generating keying commands wherein substantially all keys of a standard QWERTY or DVORAK keyboard are located on the keyboard, equally distributed with about half the keys being on a first keyboard part and the other half of the keys on a second keyboard part. At least one of the first and second keyboard parts are adapted to be gripped by one hand of a user and be moved on support surface as a mobile keyboard part to generate pointing movement commands to cause movement of a pointing member on the computer. A transducer is used to detect relative movement or positioning of the mobile keyboard part relative to the support surface and a communication mens is provided for the first and second keyboard parts to send the pointing movement commands and the keying commands to the computer.
The present invention relates to keyboards for electronic equipment (e.g. computers).
Pointing arrangements for desk top computers and other electronic equipment generally make use of the conventional mouse device. The mouse device includes a moveable unit typically joined by way of a cable to the electronic equipment (e.g. computer), the moveable unit being adapted to be moved on a surface, e.g. a desk. Invariably the mouse unit uses up valuable desk space. In addition it is inconvenient to move one's hand to and from the keyboard and the mouse unit.
According to the invention, there is provided a combined keyboard pointing arrangement which includes at least one moveable keyboard part moveably arranged on a support surface; and a communication means for at least one of the moveable keyboard parts for operative communication with a computer or other electronic equipment to cause movement of a pointing member.
FIG. 2 a sectional end view seen along arrows .vertline..vertline.--.vertline..vertline. in FIG. 1 (for clarity some details are not shown);
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an integrated keyboard pointing arrangement 10 according to the invention is shown. The arrangement 10 includes a stationary keyboard part 14 and two mobile keyboard parts 16 and 17 mounted on a support surface 12 (the support surface may be a table or a suitable pad such as a mouse pad). Each of the three parts i.e. the stationary part 14 and the two mobile parts 16 and 17 are coupled to a CPU in a conventional manner (details of these components not being shown). This may be via a cable or may be by way of wireless communication. The mobile part 16 is adapted to be operated by the right hand and the other mobile part 17 to be operated by the left hand of a user. The description below will describe operation with the right hand but it must be understood that operation by way of the left hand is similar.
1. A combined keyboard and pointing system for use with a computer, said system comprising a keyboard consisting of at least two keyboard parts having keys for generating keying commands wherein substantially all keys of a standard QWERTY or DVORAK keyboard are located on said keyboard, with about half the keys being on a first keyboard part and the other half of the keys on a second keyboard part, the first keyboard part being adapted to be gripped by one had of the user and be moved on a support surface as a mobile keyboard part to generate pointing movement commands to cause movement of a pointing member on said computer associated therewith, at least one transducer to detect relative movement or positioning of the mobile keyboard part relative to the support surface, and a communication means for said first and second keyboard parts to send said pointing movement commands and said keying commands to said computer.
5621436 April 15, 1997 Solhjell
Patent number: 5936555
Inventor: Ari Zagnoev (Newtown NSW 2042)
Application Number: 9/12,839
Current U.S. Class: Including Keyboard Or Keypad (341/22); Key-board Including Keys Grouped To Facilitate Positioning Of Typist's Fingers (400/489); Mouse (345/163); Including Keyboard (345/168)