Integrated pointing and signaling device

In combination with a standard portable computer having a two-piece closable case including a top cover portion housing a display screen, and a bottom portion hinged to said top cover portion and comprising a keyboard having a substantial vertical front wall, a rear wall, a pair of oppositely disposed side walls, a substantial horizontal top having an opening, a bottom wall adapted to rest upon a supporting surface and a plurality of depressible keys arranged in rows and extending upwardly through said top opening;

• a pointing device having a manually manipulatable member for moving and positioning a cursor on said computer display screen, said manually manipulatable member being integrated into the keyboard and fixedly positioned in said bottom portion laterally adjacent the keys of the keyboard in between a last key in one of said rows of keys and one of said keyboard side walls, whereby said top cover may be closed over the bottom portion including the manually manipulatable member, and at least one depressible click button for signaling the choice of a computer command identified by the position of the cursor on the computer display screen, said click button extending substantial horizontally through the substantial vertical front wail of said computer keyboard immediately adjacent said keyboard bottom wall and being easily reachable with the thumb of one hand while a finger of that hand is in position for operating the manipulatable member and the hand may rest on the surface supporting said keyboard substantially normal to the manipulatable member bottom wall adjacent the computer during operation of the pointing device.

In combination with a standard portable computer having a two-piece closable case including a top cover portion housing a display screen and a bottom portion comprising a keyboard adapted to rest upon a supporting surface and having a substantial vertical front wall, a rear wail, a pair of oppositely disposed side walls, and a substantial vertical top having an opening, and a plurality of depressible keys arranged in rows and extending substantial vertically upwardly through said top opening;

• a pointing device having a manually manipulatable member for governing the position of a cursor on the computer display screen in accordance with the direction and magnitude of manual force applied to said member, said member extending substantial vertically upwardly and being integrated into the keyboard and located within said computer keyboard top opening immediately adjacent a last key in one of said rows of keys and between that last key and one of said keyboard side walls and being surrounded on at least two sides by the keys of the keyboard and the upper end of said member being approximately level with the top of said key, and at least one depressible click button for signaling the choice of a computer command identified by the position of the cursor on the computer display screen, said click button extending substantial horizontally through the front wall of said keyboard and being easily reachable with the thumb of one hand while a finger of that hand is in position for operating the manipulatable member and the hand may rest on the surface supporting the keyboard adjacent the computer during operation of the pointing device.