The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 04, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 05, 1997
Applicant:
Inventors:
Robert K Hume, Austin, TX (US);
Steven D Gluskoter, Austin, TX (US);
Assignee:
Dell USA, L.P., Round Rock, TX (US);
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G09G / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
345157 ; 345168 ;
Abstract
An apparatus that includes a keyboard movable by a user while her hands are resting on the keyboard actuates a pointing device for a computer system. The movement of the keyboard maneuvers or steers the pointing device, and the user's hands need never be lifted from or leave the keyboard. The apparatus actuating a pointing device includes a first tray and a second tray. The first tray has a surface, and a portion of the pointing device is located on the surface. The second tray is positioned above the first tray whereby motion of the second tray actuates the pointing device.