Keyboard with keys for moving cursor

A method of forming a signal generator to effect movement of a cursor on a computer monitor, comprising:

• arranging a plurality of depressible keys on a keyboard so that when any of said keys are depressed, an electrical signal is sent through a first electrical circuit to a processing unit and to a monitor for display said signal thereon;
• arranging a sideways motion sensor with respect to at least two of said keys, the sideways motion sensor being operable to send a further electrical signal to said monitor to move a cursor in a desired direction when a plurality of said keys having said further circuit are moved with any component of sideways motion, the sideways motion sensor comprising a plurality of resistors about each of said at least two keys;
• and
• connecting in parallel, corresponding resistors from each of said at least two keys, said parallel resistors arranged as a circuit connected to a processing unit to establish a circuit for sending a proportionally increasing signal to said monitor when an increasing number of keys are moved in a corresponding sideways direction.

A method of forming a signal generator, comprising:

• fabricating an upper surface of a keyboard from a layer of flexible plastic sheet material;
• molding a plurality of keys into a digit depressible form as a unitary component of said flexible plastic sheet material;
• arranging a lower layer of material as a base of said keyboard which is sealed at a common periphery with said layer of flexible plastic material comprising said upper layer;
• injecting a charge of compressible foam into a cavity defined between said upper layer of flexible plastic sheet material and said lower layer of material;
• placing a dispersion of electrically conductive particles within said foam to permit portions of said foam to be electrically conductive when said particles are compacted against one another, increasing their conductivity to establish a completed circuit therein as said foam is compressed;
• and
• arranging a plurality of contacts adjacent the periphery of the lower surface of each of said plurality of keys, said contacts being part of a circuit connected to a processing unit to effect movement in a cursor or pointer on said monitor when a key is pressed sideways.