Patent ID: 7248466

Claim:
An improved computer workstation comprising: a central processing unit; a display coupled to said central processing unit for displaying visually perceptible information to a user of the workstation; a user interface means coupled to said central processing unit, said user interface means comprising: a first set of user operated means operable by a user for operating the workstation in a first mode; a second set of user operated means operable by a user for operating the workstation in a second mode; means for interchangeably positioning said user interface means in a first position in which said first set of user operated means is positioned to be operable by the user and in a second position in which said second set of user operable means is positioned to be operated by the user; and a sensor for sensing a current position of the user interface means; control means for allowing said display to show information commensurate with the operable one of said first and second sets of user operated means; wherein said control means is further defined as responsive to the sensed position of said user interface means in a selected one of said first and second positions for causing said display to show information commensurate with the operating mode of the workstation corresponding to the selected position of said user interface means.