Input device and methods and systems for same
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsGlen A. Oross, Memphis Zhihong Yin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems for an input device are described. In one exemplary embodiment, the input device can comprise a housing and a deployable input device attached to the housing. The deployable input device can be deployed from a stowed position to an extended position without changing a desktop footprint of the computing device.
Claims40
A computing device comprising:
- a housing;
- and,
- a deployable input device attached to the housing, wherein the deployable input device can be deployed from a stowed position to an extended position without changing a desktop footprint of the computing device.
The computing device of claim I further comprising spring means associated with the deployable input device for deploying the input device.
An input device comprising:
- a manipulable structure that can generate signals that correspond to manipulation of the structure by a user;
- at least one user-activatable input mechanism coupled to said manipulable structure;
- the manipulable structure being configured to be mounted on a housing of a computing device and deployed from a stowed position in which a user cannot use the structure to provide input, to an extended position in which a user can use the structure to provide input;
- and,
- deployment of the manipulable structure taking place without changing a desktop footprint of the computing device.
A computing device comprising:
- a housing;
- an elongate stem on the housing, the elongate stem having a long axis, and capable of being deployed from a stowed position within the housing to an extended position without the housing;
- the elongate stem being deployable in a direction along the long axis;
- the elongate stem being configured to generate input signals responsive to engagement by a user;
- and,
- a depressible button on the stem configured to generate additional input signals responsive to being depressed by the user.
A computing device comprising:
- an elongate shaft that extends along a long axis, the shaft being configured to be deployed between a stowed position within the computing device and an extended position in which a user can, with one hand, grasp and manipulate the shaft for providing input signals to the computing device;
- and,
- the shaft being deployable without changing a desktop footprint of the computing device.
A computing device comprising:
- an input device in the form of a shaft connected to the computing device at a fixed location proximate a keyboard, the shaft being configured to be pivotably deployed about a pivot axis between a stowed position, at the location, in which the user cannot engage the input device for providing input to the computing device, and an extended position, at the location, in which the user can, with one hand, grasp and manipulate the input device to provide input to the computing device;
- and,
- an engagement structure connected on the shaft and configured to be grasped between a thumb and a finger of a user, the engagement structure comprising a button that can be depressed by the user for providing input to the computing device.
A method of using a computing device comprising:
- accessing an input device that is mounted on a computing device;
- moving the input device from a stowed position to an extended position without changing a desktop footprint of the computing device;
- and,
- manipulating the input device to provide user input to the computing device.
A computing device comprising:
- means for receiving user input on a computing device, the computing device having a desktop footprint;
- and,
- means for deploying the receiving means from a stowed position to an extended position without increasing the desktop footprint of the computing device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.