Abstract: A base for a laptop computer. In one embodiment, the base has an upper surface with a keyboard and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. The lower surface may have two depressions extending from a forward edge to a rear edge of the lower surface. The depressions are configured to engage both the upper and side surfaces of the user's legs in a manner that restricts relative motion between the base and the user's legs. In one embodiment, the depressions may have a rough texture and/or a skid-resistant material to further restrict motion of the base relative to the user's legs. In another embodiment, first and second support members may be movably attached to the base to move from a stowed position to an unstowed position for providing more surface area to engage the user's legs.

Abstract: A base for a laptop computer. In one embodiment, the base has an upper surface with a keyboard and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. The lower surface may have two depressions extending from a forward edge to a rear edge of the lower surface. The depressions are configured to engage both the upper and side surfaces of the user's legs in a manner that restricts relative motion between the base and the user's legs. In one embodiment, the depressions may have a rough texture and/or a skid-resistant material to further restrict motion of the base relative to the user's legs. In another embodiment, first and second support members may be movably attached to the base to move from a stowed position to an unstowed position for providing more surface area to engage the user's legs.

Abstract: A base for a laptop computer. In one embodiment, the base has an upper surface with a keyboard and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. The lower surface may have two depressions extending from a forward edge to a rear edge of the lower surface. The depressions are configured to engage both the upper and side surfaces of the user's legs in a manner that restricts relative motion between the base and the user's legs. In one embodiment, the depressions may have a rough texture and/or a skid-resistant material to further restrict motion of the base relative to the user's legs. In another embodiment, first and second support members may be movably attached to the base to move from a stowed position to an unstowed position for providing more surface area to engage the user's legs.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly for a personal computer. In one embodiment, the keyboard assembly has a housing and an actuator coupled to the housing. The housing may have an elongated front edge, an elongated rear edge, a lower surface, and an upper surface. A plurality of keys may project from the upper surface of the housing. The actuator is coupled to the housing to rotate the housing about a rotational axis for changing the inclination of the housing and the keys during operation. For example, the actuator may continuously rotate the housing about a rotational axis during operation in a manner that causes a computer operator to continuously flex his/her wrists. In another embodiment, the housing may be attached to a separate base that has a bottom surface for resting on a support surface. The base may also have a top surface with a channel extending along the rotational axis that is defined by a curved surface with a circular cross-section.

Abstract: A method for operating an input device and keyboard for a computer. The input device has controls including an ergonomically shaped input button that receives commands from a user and transmits the commands to the computer via a communication link. Users operate the input device by engaging the lower surfaces of their fingers with lower portions of the input button and engaging side surfaces of their fingers with side portions of the input button. Where the input button is curved as it extends away from the users, the users may also curl their fingers to fit the curve of the input button. The users may then depress the input button vertically downward in one embodiment, or at an acute angle to the vertical in another embodiment, or horizontally in yet another embodiment.

Abstract: A base for a laptop computer. In one embodiment, the base has an upper surface with a keyboard and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. The lower surface may have two depressions extending from a forward edge to a rear edge of the lower surface. The depressions are configured to engage both the upper and side surfaces of the user's legs in a manner that restricts relative motion between the base and the user's legs. In one embodiment, the depressions may have a rough texture and/or a skid-resistant material to further restrict motion of the base relative to the user's legs. In another embodiment, first and second support members may be movably attached to the base to move from a stowed position to an unstowed position for providing more surface area to engage the user's legs.

Abstract: A base for a laptop computer. In one embodiment, the base has an upper surface with a keyboard and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. The lower surface may have two depressions extending from a forward edge to a rear edge of the lower surface. The depressions are configured to engage both the upper and side surfaces of the user's legs in a manner that restricts relative motion between the base and the user's legs. In one embodiment, the depressions may have a rough texture and/or a skid-resistant material to further restrict motion of the base relative to the user's legs. In another embodiment, first and second support members may be movably attached to the base to move from a stowed position to an unstowed position for providing more surface area to engage the user's legs.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly for a personal computer. In one embodiment, the keyboard assembly has a housing and an actuator coupled to the housing. The housing may have an elongated front edge, an elongated rear edge, a lower surface, and an upper surface. A plurality of keys may project from the upper surface of the housing. The actuator is coupled to the housing to rotate the housing about a rotational axis for changing the inclination of the housing and the keys during operation. For example, the actuator may continuously rotate the housing about a rotational axis during operation in a manner that causes a computer operator to continuously flex his/her wrists. In another embodiment, the housing may be attached to a separate base that has a bottom surface for resting on a support surface. The base may also have a top surface with a channel extending along the rotational axis that is defined by a curved surface with a circular cross-section.

Abstract: A method for supporting a base of a laptop computer on a user's lap. The base may have a lower surface with two concave depressions that extend from a forward edge to a rear edge of the base. The depressions are spaced apart from one another and configured to receive a user's legs to support the weight of the laptop computer. In one embodiment, the depressions have roughness elements or a skid-resistant material. In another embodiment, support members extending outwardly from the base provide extra support for the base and/or further restrict motion of the base relative to the user's legs.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly for a personal computer. In one embodiment, the keyboard assembly has a housing and an actuator coupled to the housing. The housing may have an elongated front edge, an elongated rear edge, a lower surface, and an upper surface. A plurality of keys may project from the upper surface of the housing. The actuator is coupled to the housing to rotate the housing about a rotational axis for changing the inclination of the housing and the keys during operation. For example, the actuator may continuously rotate the housing about a rotational axis during operation in a manner that causes a computer operator to continuously flex his/her wrists. In another embodiment, the housing may be attached to a separate base that has a bottom surface for resting on a support surface. The base may also have a top surface with a channel extending along the rotational axis that is defined by a curved surface with a circular cross-section.

Abstract: An input device and keyboard for a computer. The input device includes controls that receive commands from a user and transmit the commands to the computer via a communication link. In one embodiment, the controls include an input button which is elongated and contoured to engage a relatively large portion of the user's finger. The input button may also be curved and/or canted so as to support the user's finger in an ergonomic position. In another embodiment, the input device may be housed within an opening in the keyboard and may be detached from the keyboard by removing it from the opening. The input device may be operated when either attached to or detached from the keyboard. In still another embodiment, right and left input devices are removably attached to the keyboard and may be operated with the user's right and left hands, respectively.

Abstract: A method of operating a keyboard assembly for a personal computer. In one embodiment, the keyboard assembly has a housing and an actuator coupled to the housing. The housing may have an elongated front edge, an elongated rear edge, a lower surface, and an upper surface. A plurality of keys may project from the upper surface of the housing. The actuator is coupled to the housing to rotate the housing about a rotational axis for changing the inclination of the housing and the keys during operation. For example, the actuator may continuously rotate the housing about a rotational axis during operation in a manner that causes a computer operator to continuously flex his/her wrists. In another embodiment, the housing may be attached to a separate base that has a bottom surface for resting on a support surface. The base may also have a top surface with a channel extending along the rotational axis that is defined by a curved surface with a circular cross-section.