Patent ID: 7154480

Claim:
A computer keyboard and cursor control system, comprising: a keyboard having a plurality of text typing keys and coupled to a display screen, a controller and a memory; a first keymap and a second keymap, the first and second keymaps operable to control functions of the text typing keys upon manual touching of a pointing device by a user, the first keymap operable to activate a typing mode at the keyboard without a need to activate a mode change key, action key or pointing key and the second keymap operable to activate a cursor mode at the keyboard without a need to activate a mode change key, action key or pointing key; the pointing device serving to control an operation of a cursor on the display screen, the pointing device consisting of a device other than a text typing key and coupled to a touch sensor and remaining active at all times to permit instant manual control of the cursor; whereby the pointing device deactivates the first keymap and activates the second keymap when the pointing device is touched, and whereby the second keymap switches functions of selected one or more typing keys on the keyboard from typing functions to cursor control functions, and whereby at least one typing key is changed to operate as a mouse click button upon activation of the second keymap.