Carl J Ledbetter

US Patent:

D458258, Jun 4, 2002

Filed:

Apr 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

29/140973

Inventors:

Jonathan A. Hayes - Seattle WA
Carl J. Ledbetter - Lynnwood WA
Hugh E. McLoone - Bellevue WA
James H. Cauthorn - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

1402

US Classification:

D14392

US Patent:

6480372, Nov 12, 2002

Filed:

Apr 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/556981

Inventors:

William H. Vong - Seattle WA
Steven T. Kaneko - Medina WA
Kenneth R. Robertson - Redmond WA
Kenneth V. Fry - Seattle WA
Manolito E. Adan - Woodinville WA
Steven W. Fisher - Edmonds WA
Gregory G. Jones - Seattle WA
Carl J. Ledbetter - Lynnwood WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H05K 502

US Classification:

361680, 361686, 361683, 361727

Abstract:

A computer system has a keyboard storage portion and carrier. The computer system may be a personal computer capable of generating a control signal. A keyboard holding carrier slides in and out of a processing housing. This enables selective positioning of a keyboard within the processing housing. A drive mechanism imparts reciprocal movement to the carrier and a drive control system is responsive to the control signal from the personal computer. Also included is a sensor connected to the drive mechanism that determines a position of the carrier relative to the personal computer.

US Patent:

6486873, Nov 26, 2002

Filed:

Apr 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/544110

Inventors:

Timothy A. McDonough - Kirkland WA
Carl J. Ledbetter - Lynnwood WA
Robert Scott Plank - Bellevue WA
Steven W. Fisher - Bothell WA
Steven T. Kaneko - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G 508

US Classification:

345163, 345157

Abstract:

An input device, such as a mouse, for a computer is provided which enables a user to quickly and accurately position the input device during poor lighting conditions and determine whether the computer is ON. The input device according to the present invention is also arranged to illuminate the area proximate the input device. The input device includes a housing and an illumination device that is supported by the housing. Illumination from the illumination device is visible when the input device is placed on a supporting surface.

US Patent:

D470854, Feb 25, 2003

Filed:

May 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

29/160822

Inventors:

Gregory G. Jones - Seattle WA
Carl J. Ledbetter - Lynnwood WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

1402

US Classification:

D14456, D14455

US Patent:

6712535, Mar 30, 2004

Filed:

Apr 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/843723

Inventors:

Hugh E. McLoone - Bellevue WA
James H. Cauthorn - Seattle WA
Jonathan A. Hayes - Seattle WA
Carl J. Ledbetter - Lynnwood WA
Steven N. Bathiche - Redmond WA
William H. Vong - Seattle WA
Kenneth V. Fry - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

B41J 510

US Classification:

400489, 400472

Abstract:

A keyboard having an input region that provides a set of input elements designed to complement a separate pointing device such as a computer mouse. These input elements enable both the dominant and non-dominant hand to work easily together to perform various functions, which in turn, makes âconsumptionâ and âcompositionâ tasks more efficient. The input region may be spaced laterally from the alphanumeric or âQWERTYâ section of the keyboard. The elements include a scrolling member, first and second groups of keys, and an application switching device. The scrolling member may take the form of a rotatable member. The rotatable member may have an asymmetric outer profile and/or be frustum-shaped. The first group of keys preferably includes a Back key and a Forward key. The first group of keys and the scrolling member make performing âconsumptionâ tasks more efficient.

US Patent:

6932524, Aug 23, 2005

Filed:

Dec 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/326105

Inventors:

Hugh E. McLoone - Bellevue WA, US
James H. Cauthorn - Seattle WA, US
Jonathan A. Hayes - Seattle WA, US
Carl J. Ledbetter - Lynnwood WA, US
Steven N. Bathiche - Redmond WA, US
William H. Vong - Seattle WA, US
Kenneth V. Fry - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

B41J005/10

US Classification:

400489, 400472

Abstract:

A keyboard having an input region that provides a set of input elements designed to complement a separate pointing device such as a computer mouse. These input elements enable both the dominant and non-dominant hand to work easily together to perform various functions, which in turn, makes “consumption” and “composition” tasks more efficient. The input region may be spaced laterally from the alphanumeric or “QWERTY” section of the keyboard. The elements include a scrolling member, first and second groups of keys, and an application switching device. The scrolling member may take the form of a rotatable member. The rotatable member may have an asymmetric outer profile and/or be frustum-shaped. The first group of keys preferably includes a Back key and a Forward key. The first group of keys and the scrolling member make performing “consumption” tasks more efficient.

US Patent:

6939067, Sep 6, 2005

Filed:

Dec 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/735651

Inventors:

Hugh E. McLoone - Bellevue WA, US
James H. Cauthorn - Seattle WA, US
Jonathan A. Hayes - Seattle WA, US
Carl J. Ledbetter - Lynnwood WA, US
Steven N. Bathiche - Redmond WA, US
William H. Vong - Seattle WA, US
Kenneth V. Fry - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

B41J005/10

US Classification:

400489, 400472

Abstract:

A keyboard having an input region that provides a set of input elements designed to complement a separate pointing device such as a computer mouse. These input elements enable both the dominant and non-dominant hand to work easily together to perform various functions, which in turn, makes “consumption” and “composition” tasks more efficient. The input region may be spaced laterally from the alphanumeric or “QWERTY” section of the keyboard. The elements include a scrolling member, first and second groups of keys, and an application switching device. The scrolling member may take the form of a rotatable member. The rotatable member may have an asymmetric outer profile and/or be frustum-shaped. The first group of keys preferably includes a Back key and a Forward key. The first group of keys and the scrolling member make performing “consumption” tasks more efficient.

US Patent:

6940488, Sep 6, 2005

Filed:

Dec 16, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/212898

Inventors:

Kabir Siddiqui - Redmond WA, US
Timothy T. Brewer - Seattle WA, US
Eric H. Michelman - Seattle WA, US
Todd Roshak - Redmond WA, US
Ryan Kim - Redmond WA, US
Juha Niemisto - Mercer Island WA, US
Aditha M. Adams - Seattle WA, US
Carl T. Hellings - Bellevue WA, US
Carl Ledbetter - Lynnwood WA, US
Todd Holmdahl - Bothell WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G005/08

US Classification:

345163, 345671

Abstract:

An ergonomic pointing device, such as a mouse, includes a wheel to provide an input signal in addition to X and Y position signals provided by a rotatable ball of a standard mouse. The wheel extends from an upper surface of the pointing device and may be rotated and depressed by the finger of the user, the wheel being positioned and configured to allow a user to activate the wheel while maintaining a finger in a biomechanically neutral position. The mouse is coupled to a computer having a visual display device capable of displaying a data file having adjustable display characteristics. As a user rotates the roller, the mouse generates computer signals that are interpreted by an operating system and software applications running on the computer. The signals generated by the roller, together with a given software application, can be used in spatial navigation. In spatial navigation, a user rotates the roller to cause the computer and the visual display to zoom into and out of the document and thereby display increasing or decreasing magnification levels of the document on the display.