Computer keyboard with pointer control
OwnerRobert R. Kodamainventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A computer pointer control device includes a support base and a keyboard. The device includes a structure configured to reduce friction between the support base and an underlying surface. A wrist support is positioned on the support base, configured to receive a user's wrist thereon such that keys of the keyboard are under the fingers of the user's hand, while the user is able to slide the device over the underlying surface by applying lateral pressure to the wrist support. A position tracking mechanism coupled to the device detects horizontal movement of the base over the underlying surface and transmit a signal to an associated computer to control an on-screen pointer. The keyboard includes a column of special use keys between the right- and left-hand keys, for easy access to selected functions.
Claims19
A computer keyboard, comprising:
- a housing;
- a first plurality of keys positioned on the housing and arranged for access by a user's left hand;
- a second plurality of keys positioned on the housing and arranged for access by a user's right hand;
- and
- a plurality of special operation keys arranged in a column on the housing between the first plurality of keys and the second plurality of keys, each of the special operation keys having a height that is different from a height of any of the first and second pluralities of keys positioned in a same row with the respective special operation key.
A computer keyboard, comprising:
- a housing;
- a plurality of keys positioned on the housing and arranged for access by a user, and including a home-row of keys a majority of which correspond to letters of the alphabet;
- and
- a toggle key configured such that when the toggle key is struck, selected ones of the home row of keys are reconfigured to correspond to numbers, and that when the toggle key is struck again, the keys are reconfigured to their original configuration.
A device, comprising:
- a support base;
- a wrist support pad configured to support right and left wrists of a user while operating a computer keyboard;
- a position tracking mechanism configured to track movement of the pointer control device over an underlying surface;
- and
- a tracking control mechanism configured to enable and disable the position tracking mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.