Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Integration von Zeigerfunktionen in einer Computertastatur

摘要

A device providing pointing device functions in a keyboard (11) without requiring the keyboard operator to remove any fingertip from the keys. A computer keyboard key switch mounting plate (10) is supported for horizontal displacement against a resistive force. A transducer (27) for measuring the force exerted in the plane of the keyboard key tops (16) is attached between the keyboard case (8) and the key switch mounting plate (10). The direction and magnitude of the force can be measured and encoded so they may be used to emulate the signals generated by a pointing device. The operator may elect a pointing device mode by merely applying sufficient force along the plane of the surface of the key tops, thus switching from a keyboard mode to a pointing device mode, without moving the fingers from a typing position.