Abstract: Copying and pasting information are among the most frequently used computer functions. In some operating systems, they are performed by pressing Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V respectively on a conventional keyboard with two fingers simultaneously. When such actions are repeated many times each day, they become tedious and tiring. The present keyboard provides one-touch Copy and Paste keys adjacent the Ctrl key where users are accustomed to pressing conventional key combinations for the copy and paste functions. Therefore the present Copy and Paste keys are relatively easy to learn and remember.

Abstract: The present ergonomic mouse is shaped for being held by a hand generally in an upright or handshake position. It has a thumb side for engaging a thumb and a finger side for engaging the fingers. Buttons are arranged at a front portion of the finger side. A forward-facing transverse edge and a backward facing transverse edge extend across adjacent buttons and define there between a concave transverse channel for receiving the fingertips. Forward-facing transverse edge provides grip when pulling the mouse backward, and backward-facing transverse edge provides grip when pushing the mouse forward. The channel prevents the mouse from slipping within the hand during maneuvering and enables precise control with a relaxed grip.

Abstract: A mobile computer such as tablet computer or mobile phone typically lacks built-in structure for standing up on its own. The user must hold it up by hand during use. The present invention is a pillow stand for mobile computers that may be comfortably placed on the lap of a user. It includes an outer shell enclosing a soft filler. A gripping member is positioned on the outer shell for supporting the computer in a backwardly tilting free-standing position. A stabilizing plate is positioned under the outer shell and connected to the gripping member. The stabilizing plate is engaged against the filler to spread the weight of the computer across a large enough area of the soft filler to stably support the computer. The gripping member includes a slot for receiving a lower edge of the computer. An adjusting device connected to the slot is operable to change the width of the slot and thus the tilt and viewing angle of the computer. The pillow stand also lifts the computer higher for reducing neck strain.

Abstract: A mobile computer such as tablet computer or mobile phone typically lacks built-in structure for standing up on its own. The user must hold it up by hand during use. The present invention is a pillow stand for mobile computers that may be comfortably placed on the lap of a user. It includes an outer shell enclosing a soft filler. A gripping member is positioned on the outer shell for supporting the computer in a backwardly tilting free-standing position. A stabilizing plate is positioned under the outer shell and connected to the gripping member. The stabilizing plate is engaged against the filler to spread the weight of the computer across a large enough area of the soft filler to stably support the computer. The gripping member includes a slot for receiving a lower edge of the computer. An adjusting device connected to the slot is operable to change the width of the slot and thus the tilt and viewing angle of the computer. The pillow stand also lifts the computer higher for reducing neck strain.

Abstract: Tablet computers typically cannot stand up on their own. There are prior art padded stands for supporting tablet computers but they support the computers too low for reading, are too uncomfortable, or are oddly shaped. The present pillow stand includes an outer shell with flexible top and bottom panels connected by a planar seam to form an elongated olive-shaped cross section. A soft filler is enclosed within the outer shell. A receiving member is positioned on an exterior of the top panel for supporting a tablet computer in a standing position only along its lower end. A stabilizing member is positioned within the outer shell and connected to the receiving member through the top panel. The stabilizing member is engaged against the filler to support the receiving member and the computer. The stabilizing member spreads the weight of the computer across a large enough area of the soft filler to stably support the computer.

Abstract: A display object controller includes a sensor elevated above the keys of a keyboard. The sensor is directed to view and monitor a user's first hand in a typing position on the keyboard. The controller includes a switch positioned adjacent the spacebar of the keyboard. The sensor and switch are connected to a processor which is connected to a computer system. The switch is arranged to enable or disable display object control. When the switch is engaged by the thumb of the user's second hand, the processor is responsive to the sensor to track hand motion for controlling display objects. When the switch is disengaged by the thumb, the processor communicates with the computer system to disable tracking hand motion so the fingers may type on the keyboard without controlling the display objects.

Abstract: An inflatable ball includes interconnected first and second half ball bodies. The first half ball body has a first half ball wall with first inner and outer wall surfaces, and a first rib structure formed as one piece with the first half ball wall and projecting from one of the first inner and outer wall surfaces. The first half ball wall has a through hole extending through the first inner and outer wall surfaces, and a first annular connecting edge interconnecting circumferential ends of the first inner and outer wall surfaces. The second half ball body has a second half ball wall with second inner and outer wall surfaces, and a second rib structure projecting from one of the second inner and outer wall surfaces. A valve unit is attached to the first half ball body in connection with the through hole.

Abstract: An inflatable ball includes interconnected first and second half ball bodies. The first half ball body has a first half ball wall with first inner and outer wall surfaces, and a first rib structure formed as one piece with the first half ball wall and projecting from one of the first inner and outer wall surfaces. The first half ball wall has a through hole extending through the first inner and outer wall surfaces, and a first annular connecting edge interconnecting circumferential ends of the first inner and outer wall surfaces. The second half ball body has a second half ball wall with second inner and outer wall surfaces, and a second rib structure projecting from one of the second inner and outer wall surfaces. A valve unit is attached to the first half ball body in connection with the through hole.

Abstract: A computer mouse includes a bottom and glide pads attached to convex mounting surfaces on the bottom. The glide pads are flexible enough to conform to the convex mounting surfaces. A surrounding outer portion of each glide pad has a slightly angled surface relative to a mousing surface under the mouse to prevent the rims of the glide pads from scraping on the mousing surface. The mouse is thus moveable around on the mousing surface with reduced friction and noise.

Abstract: A compact ergonomic mouse comprises a thumb side with a thumb engaging portion, a finger side with a finger engaging portion, a top with a button, a bottom, a front, and a rear. The distance between a distal end of the button and a rear of the thumb engaging portion is about 45-55 mm, which is just long enough to enable a last phalanx of the thumb of a relaxed hand to be generally centered on a rear half of the thumb side when a tip of a first finger is on the button and generally even with the distal end of the button, wherein the first finger is substantially curled with a distal phalanx thereof at an angle of about 80-100 degrees from a proximal phalanx thereof, so as to encourage relaxation of the hand.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a scheduler select multiplexer is described. In one example, a multiplexer is provided having a plurality of input ports in respective communication with a plurality of queues, an output port, and a select port. A scheduler is provided to execute a scheduling algorithm to periodically generate a schedule comprising a set of entries. Each of the entries comprises at least one bit for controlling the select port of the multiplexer. A memory is provided to store the schedule. For each of a plurality of clock cycles, the select port of the multiplexer is driven with one of the entries such that the multiplexer sends data from one of the plurality of queues to the output port.

Abstract: A computer keyboard wrist pad is comprised of right and left ulnar support surfaces, and right and left wrist support surfaces respectively angled up from the inner sides of the ulnar support surfaces. The wrist support surfaces are angled toward each other in a bottom-to-top direction, and also angled toward each other in a front-to-back direction. Right and left thumb pad support surfaces are respectively angled up from the right and left ulnar support surfaces forward of the wrist support surfaces. The thumb pad support surfaces are angled toward each other more sharply than the wrist support surfaces. An intermediate portion of a front edge of the wrist pad is generally level with the ulnar support surfaces. A forwardly extending concavity is positioned between the wrist support surfaces.