Christopher Karl Eisbach

6341061, Jan 22, 2002

Dec 28, 1999

09/473320

Christopher Eisbach - Mountain View CA
Eric Andrew Knopf - Mountain View CA
Derek Solomon Pai - Redwood City CA
Ramiro Ramirez - Apex NC
Edwin Joseph Selker - Cambridge MA
Todd C. Wyant - Morgan City CA

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

G06F 120

361687, 361697, 3122237, 345905

A notebook computer operable in the normal clamshell-type arrangement and also capable of being physically reconfigured to enhance heat dissipation and to improve user ergonomics by placing the main body and a pivotably attached display into a substantially vertical orientation, thereby raising the display to a higher and more convenient position. The keyboard may be lowered and pivoted downward to a horizontal support surface to further enhance user comfort. The depth of the notebook computer is minimized to facilitate use in situations where user space is limited. The main body may be used as an easel to hold reference materials for easy viewing. Means for mechanically supporting the main body and attached display in the substantially vertical orientation are also disclosed. The main body may also include a second display facing the user.

62978071, Oct 2, 2001

Jul 31, 1998

9/127668

Christopher Eisbach - Mountain View CA
Edwin Joseph Selker - Palo Alto CA

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

G09G 508

345163

A computer dictation device provides a slender microphone sheath into which a hand-held microphone is inserted. The sheath incorporates a miniature pointing device and control buttons, and provides a single electrical cable connection between the hand-held device and a computer system. The comfortable, light weight device can easily be operated with one hand because it makes the microphone and pointer controls accessible to the fingers and thumb of the microphone-holding hand.

59344547, Aug 10, 1999

Oct 10, 1997

8/949025

Winslow Scott Burleson - Palo Alto CA
Christopher Eisbach - Mountain View CA

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

H01H 1370

200343

A keyboard apparatus is provided for small and lightweight computers and the like. Keyswitches and a keyboard assembly comprise a sheet member having a plurality of key faces fixed thereon in a conventional keyboard arrangement. A plurality of cutouts are provided in the sheet member, partially surrounding each key face. Two living hinge members are provided in the sheet member, preferably at opposite sides of the cutout. Each living hinge member includes a base section, an intermediate section, and a key face section. The former two and the latter two sections each interface at a living hinge. Depressing the key face causes the key face sections of each of the hinge members to pivot about the living hinges to operate a corresponding set of electrical contacts, indicating operation of the key. The multiple hinge members provide stability to the downward motion of the key face, providing goood functionality and tactile feel. In a preferred embodiment, a first one of the hinge members includes a relatively wide key face section with a notch in the middle.

60052090, Dec 21, 1999

Nov 24, 1997

8/979341

Winslow Scott Burleson - Palo Alto CA
William Marvin Dyer - San Jose CA
Christopher Karl Eisbach - Mountain View CA
Derek Solomon Pai - Bellevue WA
Edwin Joseph Selker - Palo Alto CA

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

H01H 1352
H01H 1370

200343

A keyboard apparatus is provided for small and lightweight computers and the like. Keyswitches and a keyboard assembly comprise a sheet member having a plurality of key faces fixed thereon in a conventional keyboard arrangement. A plurality of cutouts are provided in the sheet member, partially surrounding each key face. A living hinge member is provided in the sheet member at one side of each key face. Each living hinge member includes a base section, an intermediate section, and a key face section. The former two and the latter two sections each interface at a living hinge. Depressing the key face causes the key face section to pivot about the living hinges to operate a corresponding set of electrical contacts, indicating operation of the key. A conventional rubber spring may transmit the pivot motion of the key face to the electrical contacts. The living hinges are made to have a greater resilience and flexibility than those of the sections, such as by scoring, scribing, perforation, or other suitable treatment.

59890991, Nov 23, 1999

May 30, 1997

8/866497

Perry C. Arnold - Austin TX
Lawrence David Cutler - Berkeley CA
Christopher Karl Eisbach - Mountain View CA
Brian J. Fogg - Stanford CA

A63H 3300

446487

A hand operated tactile device including a tactile body positionable in a hand of a user. The tactile body includes at least one articulated member movable relative to the remainder of the body in a manual operation phase with the user manipulating the articulated member relative to the remainder of the body and in an automatic operation phase with the articulated member being manipulated relative to the remainder of the body and the hand of the user. A control system is carried by the body. The control system receives a first signal from the articulated member when the articulated member is manually manipulated by the user and control system generates a second signal controlling movement of the articulated member to automatically move the articulated member relative to the remainder of the body and the hand of the user.