Pointing stick in a computer keyboard for cursor control

Details Pointing stick in a computer keyboard for cursor control Pointing stick in a computer keyboard for cursor control

1994-07-14

1995-04-18

Burr, Edgar S.

Typewriting machines

Key-board or key lever-actuating mechanism

Key-cap or key-stem structure

400485, 200 6A, D14115, B41J 528

Patent

active

054072859

ABSTRACT:
Apparatus for use in a computer keyboard for cursor control is disclosed. The apparatus includes a compound key which serves for both typing a character and for pointing operations, i.e. for cursor control like a mouse. For pointing operations, a pointing stick or shaft is pressed in a desired direction by a user for moving a cursor in a corresponding direction on a display screen. The pointing stick is disposed in an aperture that extends through a modified key cap, so that no additional keyboard space is required for the pointing device, thereby obviating a separate mouse, keyboard mounted trackball or the like. In an alternative embodiment, the pointing stick extends through an aperture in the keyboard space bar. In another embodiment, adjacent key caps are modified so as to fit closely around the key cap that houses the pointing stick without interfering with operation of either the pointing stick or the keyswiches.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3523184 (1970-08-01), Vogel
patent: 4680577 (1987-07-01), Straayer et al.
patent: 4947461 (1990-08-01), Yoshioka et al.
patent: 5012230 (1991-04-01), Yasuda
patent: 5204511 (1993-04-01), Baitz et al.
Bennett et al. "Digital Joystick Switch" IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 21, No. 12, May 1979.
"Cover Story: Green Machine," PC Magazine, May 25, 1993, p. 135.
Toshiba's Sale Flyer "Portege" Models T3400CT & T3400.

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