Input device for a computer and method of operation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An input device for a computer, comprising:
- a housing adapted to fit within a PCMCIA chamber of a computer, the housing having a connector for connecting to a bus accessible within the PCMCIA chamber;
a position sensor disposed in the housing;
a transmitter disposed in the housing, capable of transmitting information to the computer including position information obtained from the position sensor; and
a power source disposed in the housing and operatively connected to the connector, the power source being rechargeable via the bus when the housing is disposed within the PCMCIA chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An input device for a computer comprises a housing adapted to fit within a PCMCIA chamber of a computer, the housing having a connector for connecting to a bus accessible within the PCMCIA chamber, a position sensor disposed in the housing; a transmitter disposed in the housing, capable of transmitting position information obtained from the position sensor to the computer; and a rechargeable power source disposed in the housing and operatively connected to the connector, the power source being rechargeable when the housing is disposed within the PCMCIA chamber.
90 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An input device for a computer, comprising:
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a housing adapted to fit within a PCMCIA chamber of a computer, the housing having a connector for connecting to a bus accessible within the PCMCIA chamber;
a position sensor disposed in the housing;
a transmitter disposed in the housing, capable of transmitting information to the computer including position information obtained from the position sensor; and
a power source disposed in the housing and operatively connected to the connector, the power source being rechargeable via the bus when the housing is disposed within the PCMCIA chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer system, comprising:
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a general-purpose computer comprising a base, a processor, memory, and a bus;
a PCMCIA chamber formed in the base through which a portion of the bus is accessible; and
an input device for providing positional input to the computer, the input device configured for being storable within the PCMCIA chamber, the input device functionally inoperative while stored within the PCMCIA chamber, the input device further comprising a rechargeable power source that is rechargeable from another power source accessible via the portion of the bus when the input device is inserted within the PCMCIA chamber. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for operating an input device storable within a PCMCIA chamber of a computer, comprising:
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generating a signal based on a sensed movement of an input device for controlling movement of a display reference of a computer;
disabling generation of the signal upon insertion of the input device within a PCMCIA chamber of the computer; and
establishing a power pathway from a power source within the computer to a rechargeable power source of the input device for charging the rechargeable power source upon insertion of the input device within the PCMCIA chamber. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer system comprising:
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a portable computer comprising a base, a processor, a power source, a display, memory, and a bus connected to the power source, the portable computer having a Type III PCMCIA chamber formed in the base and operatively coupled to a portion of the bus;
a wireless pointing apparatus for providing position data to the portable computer for controlling movement of a display reference of the computer, the pointing apparatus comprising;
a housing adapted to fit within the Type III PCMCIA chamber of the computer, the housing having a connector for connecting to the bus accessible within the Type III PCMCIA chamber when the housing is inserted within the Type III PCMCIA chamber;
a position sensor disposed in the housing for generating position data to be conveyed to the portable computer when the housing is not inserted within the Type III PCMCIA chamber;
a transmitter disposed in the housing for wirelessly transmitting position information obtained from the position sensor to the computer; and
a rechargeable power source disposed in the housing and operatively connected to the connector, the power source being rechargeable via the computer power source connected to the bus when the housing is inserted within the Type III PCMCIA chamber. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. An input device for a computer, comprising:
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a housing adapted to fit within a PCMCIA chamber of a computer, the housing having first means for connecting to a bus accessible within the PCMCIA chamber;
second means disposed in the housing for sensing a position of said input device;
third means disposed in the housing for transmitting information to the computer including position information obtained from the second means for sensing; and
fourth means disposed in the housing for providing a source of power to said input device, the fourth means operatively coupled to the first means for connecting and rechargeable via the bus when the housing is disposed within the PCMCIA chamber. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification