US 5,208,736 A · Portable computer with trackball mounted in display section

Abstract

A pointing device according to the present invention includes a trackball embedded in the case of a computer display. The trackball is placed adjacent to the display and the select buttons for the trackball are located on the backside of the display case behind the trackball. The user guides the trackball with his thumb and pushes the select buttons on the backside of the case with his index and middle fingers, allowing the user to operate the pointing device with only one hand. Alternatively, the trackball is embedded in the corner of the keyboard of a desktop system, with the select buttons on the opposite side of the keyboard behind the trackball. With the keyboard standing on legs, the user's fingers can reach the two select buttons opposite the trackball to operating the pointing device.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A portable computer system, comprising:

a base section;
and
a display section pivotably connected to said base section, said display section including:
a housing, said housing being generally a parallelepiped and including a front face, a back face, a bottom face, two side faces and a first opening in said front face, said first opening being less than the size of said front face so that a border results, a second opening in said border and a third opening in said back face;
a display for displaying an image, said display located inside said housing at said first opening;
and
a user interface device located inside said housing, said user interface device including:
a trackball projecting through said second opening;
and
a first select button located near said trackball and projecting through said third opening.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Portable computer with trackball mounted in display section

Life of this patent

Portable computer with trackball mounted in display section

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6