International Business Machines Corporation

Todd Clossen Wyant

Edwin Joseph Selker

Barton Allen Smith

Eric Andrew Knopf

Christopher Karl Eisbach

Derek Solomon Pai

Ramiro Ramirez

A computer input device including a keyboard with built in pointing device, and left- and right-pointer control buttons operable by the thumbs includes additional left- and right-pointer control buttons located to each side for easy operation by the outer edge of the hands.

Keyboard having buttons positioned for operation by heel of hand

A notebook computer operable in the normal clamshell-type arrangement and also capable of being physically reconfigured to enhance heat dissipation and to improve user ergonomics by placing the main body and a pivotably attached display into a substantially vertical orientation, thereby raising the display to a higher and more convenient position. The keyboard may be lowered and pivoted downward to a horizontal support surface to further enhance user comfort. The depth of the notebook computer is minimized to facilitate use in situations where user space is limited. The main body may be used as an easel to hold reference materials for easy viewing. Means for mechanically supporting the main body and attached display in the substantially vertical orientation are also disclosed. The main body may also include a second display facing the user.

Standup notebook computer

A user-manipulable in-keyboard pointing device is provided, for use in portable electronic apparatus such as laptop computers, for allowing the user to move a symbol, such as a cursor, around a GUI display. For small laptops whose displays close over their keyboards, such as in clamshell fashion, the device protects the display surface from smearing or abrasion from physical contact with the user-manipulable device. The device includes a post, rigidly coupled to motion sensors for producing motion signals, responsive to user manipulation, the post having a head-and-shoulder contour. The device further includes a resilient fingertip grip cap that fits over the head of the post. The grip cap has a shape which provides two cooperative arrangements for fitting onto the post. The first configuration, which is for normal use, has the cap projecting above the post by a first height. Responsive to downward pressure, such as exerted by the display surface when the laptop is closed, the grip cap deforms such that it now fits over the post in the second cooperative arrangement, in which the cap projects above the post by a second, lesser height. Therefore the display is less apt to become dirty or damaged that would be the case if the grip cap remained at the first height over the post.

Growing community of inventors

Morgan Hill, CA, United States of America

Todd Clossen Wyant