INPUT DEVICE CHARGING SYSTEM

• US 20080002340A1
• Filed: 06/02/2006
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zhigu Holdings Limited
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Chatterjee, Monique, Odell, Daniel L., O'Neil, Daniel G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,589,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

An input device charging system is presented. The input device charging system includes a base having a primary alignment feature and a charging connection. The alignment feature and charging connection protrude from a surface of the base and the charging connection includes components for forming an electrical connection with an input device. The input device charging system also includes an input device, such as a mouse, configured for horizontal placement on the base. The input device includes a primary alignment feature and a charging connection configured to correspond to the primary alignment feature and charging connection of the base. The input device may be placed on the base in any direction in a horizontal plane and rotated into a charging position in which both alignment features are connected.

Claims

1. An input device charging system, comprising:

a base configured for receiving an input device and having a first alignment feature extending upwardly from a top surface;

an input device configured to be horizontally coupled to the base and including a second alignment feature, the second alignment feature corresponding to the shape of first alignment feature on the base and configured for mating with the first alignment feature; and

a charging connection further including a first charging element extending upwardly from the top surface of the base and a corresponding second charging element formed on a bottom surface of the input device.

2. The input device charging system of claim 1, wherein the input device is a mouse.

3. The input device charging system of claim 2, wherein the first alignment feature is a male type alignment feature and the second alignment feature is a recess formed in a bottom surface of the input device.

4. The input device charging system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second alignment features includes a magnet.

5. The input device charging system of claim 1, wherein the base is generally planar and is void of structure that would prevent the input device from being rotated about the first alignment feature.

6. The input device charging system of claim 5, wherein the first and second alignment features are generally hemispherical.

7. The input charging system of claim 1, further including a plurality of non-skid pads connected to a bottom surface of the base.

8. An input device configured to rest on a supporting surface, comprising:

a housing having a contoured upper portion and a recess formed in a generally flat bottom surface, the recess being configured to receive a mating component;

a plurality of actuators;

a motion detecting system for determining relative movement of the input device;

a charging element formed in the generally flat bottom surface and configured to receive a mating charging element.

9. The input device of claim 8, wherein the mating component being received into the recess is a projection formed on a top surface of a base.

10. The input device of claim 9, wherein the recess and the projection are configured to allow rotation in a horizontal plane.

11. The input device of claim 10, wherein the mating component and the recess are generally hemispherical.

12. The input device of claim 8, wherein the motion detecting system is an optical tracking system.

13. The input device of claim 8, further including a battery configured to act as a power source.

14. The input device of claim 13, wherein the battery is a rechargeable type battery.

15. The input device of claim 8, wherein the charging elements include components for forming an electrical connection.

16. An input device charging system, comprising:

a base configured for receiving an input device in a horizontal position and including a first alignment feature and a second alignment feature, wherein the second alignment feature includes components for forming a charging connection; and

an input device configured for horizontal placement on the base and including a third alignment feature and a fourth alignment feature, wherein the third alignment feature is configured to couple to the first alignment feature and the fourth alignment feature is configured to couple to the second alignment feature, wherein the fourth alignment feature includes components for forming a charging connection with the base.

17. The input device charging system of claim 16, wherein the input device is a mouse.

18. The input device charging system of claim 16, wherein the first and second alignment features are projections and the third and fourth alignment features are recesses.

19. The input device charging system of claim 16, wherein the base is void of structure that would prevent the input device from being rotated.

20. The input charging device of claim 19, wherein the first and third alignment features are generally hemispherical.