Patents by Inventor Cynthia A. Crooks

Cynthia A. Crooks has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Pointing device for a portable computer
    Patent number: 5572237
    Abstract: A pointing device according to the present invention includes a trackball embedded in the case of a computer display. The trackball is placed adjacent to the display and the select buttons for the trackball are located on the backside of the display case behind the trackball. The user guides the trackball with his thumb and pushes the select buttons on the backside of the case with his index and middle fingers, allowing the user to operate the pointing device with only one hand. Alternatively, the trackball is embedded in the corner of the keyboard of a desktop system, with the select buttons on the opposite side of the keyboard behind the trackball. With the keyboard standing on legs, the user's fingers can reach the two select buttons opposite the trackball to operating the pointing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Cynthia A. Crooks, Michael W. Ambrose, Stephan A. Mato, Jr., Gopal C. Bhagat
  • Pointing devices for a portable computer
    Patent number: 5565889
    Abstract: A pointing device according to the present invention includes a trackball embedded in the case of a computer display. The trackball is placed adjacent to the display and the select buttons for the trackball are located on the backside of the display case behind the trackball. The user guides the trackball with his thumb and pushes the select buttons on the backside of the case with his index and middle fingers, allowing the user to operate the pointing device with only one hand. Alternatively, the trackball is embedded in the corner of the keyboard of a desktop system, with the select buttons on the opposite side of the keyboard behind the trackball. With the keyboard standing on legs, the user's fingers can reach the two select buttons opposite the trackball to operating the pointing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Cynthia A. Crooks, Michael W. Ambrose, Stephan A. Mato, Jr., Gopal C. Bhagat
  • Portable computer with trackball mounted in display section
    Patent number: 5208736
    Abstract: A pointing device according to the present invention includes a trackball embedded in the case of a computer display. The trackball is placed adjacent to the display and the select buttons for the trackball are located on the backside of the display case behind the trackball. The user guides the trackball with his thumb and pushes the select buttons on the backside of the case with his index and middle fingers, allowing the user to operate the pointing device with only one hand. Alternatively, the trackball is embedded in the corner of the keyboard of a desktop system, with the select buttons on the opposite side of the keyboard behind the trackball. With the keyboard standing on legs, the user's fingers can reach the two select buttons opposite the trackball to operating the pointing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Cynthia A. Crooks, Gopal C. Bhagat, Michael W. Ambrose, Stephen Mato, Jr.