IP Library Granted Patent US 11,016,575
Granted Patent B2
US 11,016,575 · App. 15/941,268 · Granted May 25, 2021

Input tool

Inventors: Thomas Perelli (Raleigh, NC); Cuong Huy Truong (Cary, NC)
Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
G06F3/02G06F3/0482G06F3/0487
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,016,575
App. No.
15/941,268
Granted
May 25, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A computing device can include a processor; memory accessible by the processor; a display operatively coupled to the processor; and an input tool that mounts to a side of the display, where the input tool includes an axis and a wheel rotatable about the axis.

Claims (41)

1. A computing device comprising:

a processor;

memory accessible by the processor;

a stylus;

a display operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the display comprises digitization circuitry operable via the stylus;

a base;

an arm operatively coupled to the base, wherein the display comprises an arm mount that operatively couples to the arm to define a rotational axis wherein the display is rotatable about the rotational axis; and

an input tool that mounts to a side of the display, wherein the input tool comprises a wheel rotatable about an axis that controls digitization circuitry stylus functionality, wherein the input tool mounts to the side of the display such that the axis is substantially parallel to the rotational axis.

2. The computing device of claim 1 wherein the display comprises a left side socket and wherein the input tool removably mounts to the side of the display via the left side socket.

3. The computing device of claim 2 wherein the display comprises a right side socket on a right side of the display, and wherein the computing device comprises circuitry for a right-handed configuration that receives input of the stylus via a right hand and input of the input tool in the left side socket via a left hand and a left-handed configuration that receives input of the stylus via a left hand and input of the input tool in the right side socket via a right hand.

4. The computing device of claim 1 wherein the display comprises a serial bus connector and wherein the input tool comprises a serial bus connector that mates with the serial bus connector of the display.

5. The computing device of claim 1 comprising menu circuitry, wherein the input tool is operatively coupled to the menu circuitry.

6. The computing device of claim 5 wherein the menu circuitry renders a menu to the display wherein the menu is navigable at least in part via rotation of the wheel of the input tool.

7. The computing device of claim 5 wherein the menu circuitry comprises stylus menu items and wherein rotation of the wheel of the input tool navigates at least a portion of the stylus menu items.

8. The computing device of claim 1 wherein the input tool comprises a button.

9. The computing device of claim 8 wherein the button comprises an end button.

10. The computing device of claim 1 wherein the input tool comprises a plurality of wheels.

11. The computing device of claim 1 wherein the wheel comprises an outer wheel and wherein the input tool comprises an inner wheel that is rotatable about the axis.

12. The computing device of claim 1 comprising adjustment circuitry that issues a signal responsive to an adjustment to the wheel.

13. The computing device of claim 12 wherein the signal instructs the processor.

14. The computing device of claim 1 wherein the input tool is operatively coupled to the processor via wired circuitry.

15. The computing device of claim 1 wherein the input tool is operatively coupled to the processor via wireless circuitry.

16. The computing device of claim 1 further comprising a keyboard, wherein the keyboard comprises a socket and wherein the input tool comprises a plug end that is receivable by the socket to operatively couple the input tool to circuitry of the keyboard.

17. The computing device of claim 1 further comprising an input tool holder that comprises a base, wherein the input tool holder comprises a socket and wherein the input tool comprises a plug end that is receivable by the socket to operatively couple the input tool to circuitry of the input tool holder.

18. The computing device of claim 1 wherein the display comprises a widthwise dimension that extends from a left side to a right side of the display and a heightwise dimension that extends from a bottom side to a top side of the display, wherein the input tool mounts to the left side of the display.

19. A computing device comprising:

a processor;

memory accessible by the processor;

a display operatively coupled to the processor;

a base;

an arm operatively coupled to the base, wherein the display comprises an arm mount that operatively couples to the arm to define a rotational axis wherein the display is rotatable about the rotational axis;

an input tool that mounts to a side of the display, wherein the input tool comprises a wheel rotatable about an axis, wherein the input tool mounts to the side of the display such that the axis is substantially parallel to the rotational axis; and

menu circuitry, wherein the input tool is operatively coupled to the menu circuitry, wherein the menu circuitry comprises stylus menu items and wherein rotation of the wheel of the input tool navigates at least a portion of the stylus menu items.

20. A computing device comprising:

a processor;

memory accessible by the processor;

a display operatively coupled to the processor;

a base;

an arm operatively coupled to the base, wherein the display comprises an arm mount that operatively couples to the arm to define a rotational axis wherein the display is rotatable about the rotational axis; and

an input tool that comprises a wheel rotatable about an axis, wherein the input tool is mountable to the display wherein the axis of the input tool is substantially aligned with the rotational axis.

21. The computing device of claim 20 , wherein the arm mount comprises a socket wherein the input tool is mountable to the display via the socket.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2025
From: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
To: LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH
Reel/Frame 069870/0670 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 13, 2022
From: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
To: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Reel/Frame 060638/0160 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2018
From: PERELLI, THOMAS; TRUONG, CUONG HUY
To: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 046188/0968 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20190302896A1 · Oct 3, 2019