Recharging system for wireless input devices

• US 20080180060A1
• Filed: 01/26/2007
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Odell, Daniel L., O'Neil, Daniel G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,755,324 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/115
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A charging device for charging a rechargeable power store is discussed. The charging device includes a housing having a top surface and a bottom surface. The charging device has a ledge extending from the top surface. The charging device also includes a power source and a pair of charging terminals positioned under the ledge and connected to the power source. The charging device is configured to engage terminals on a wireless input device.

Claims

1. A charging device for charging a rechargeable power store, comprising:

a housing having a top surface and a bottom surface with a ledge extending from one of the top and bottom surfaces;

a power source provided within the housing; and

a first pair of charging terminals positioned on the ledge, connected to the power source, and configured to engage terminals on a first wireless input device.

2. The charging device of claim 1 and further comprising:

second and third pairs of terminals connected to the power source and positioned on the top surface of the housing to engage terminals on a second wireless input device.

3. The charging device of claim 1 and further comprising:

a locating feature on the top surface of the housing positioned between the second and third pairs of terminals and configured to engage the second wireless input device.

4. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the charging device is configured to receive wireless communication signals from the first wireless input device.

5. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the charging device comprises:

at least one magnet positioned in the ledge.

6. In combination with a wireless keyboard having a rechargeable power store, a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a pair of terminals at a location on the first surface, a charging element configured to rest on a supporting surface, the charging element comprising:

a housing having a main portion and a ledge having top and bottom surfaces cantilevered from the main portion between a first side and a second side of the housing;

a power source provided within the housing;

a pair of terminals coupled to the power source and positioned along a bottom surface of the ledge;

wherein a distance between the bottom surface of the ledge and the support surface is about the same as a distance between the first surface and the second surface at the location of the terminals on the keyboard; and

wherein a portion of the keyboard is configured to be positioned under the ledge so that the pair of terminals on the keyboard are in contact with the pair of terminals on the charging element.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein the power store is configured to receive an electric current from the power source when the pair of terminals on the keyboard are in contact with the pair of terminals on the charging element.

8. The combination of claim 6, wherein the charging element comprises:

a first pair of magnets disposed within and spaced apart at a first distance along the ledge.

9. The combination of claim 8, wherein the keyboard comprises:

a second pair of magnets spaced apart at a second distance different from the first distance and positioned within the keyboard so that when the keyboard is positioned under the ledge, the second pair of magnets are attracted to the first pair of magnets.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the portion of the keyboard that is configured to be positioned under the ledge has a width generally equal to a width of the charging element and a height lower than an adjacent portion of the keyboard.

11. The combination of claim 6, wherein the keyboard comprises:

a plurality of keys; and

a light source positioned behind at least one of the plurality of keys.

12. A method of charging a wireless input device, comprising:

providing a charging element having a first pair of exposed terminals adjacent a front edge of the charging element on a generally flat support surface;

positioning the wireless input device having exposed terminals on the generally flat support surface;

moving the wireless input device toward the charging element along the generally flat support surface until the exposed terminals on the front edge of the charging element are engaged with the exposed terminals on the wireless input device; and

supplying an electric current to the wireless input device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of positioning the wireless input device includes positioning a wireless keyboard and further comprising:

positioning a second wireless input device having exposed terminals on a top surface of the charging element; and

providing an electrical current to the second wireless input device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of providing a charging element further includes providing a charging element with second and third pairs of exposed terminals.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of positioning the second wireless data input includes positioning the second wireless data input so that its exposed terminals are in contact with the second pair of exposed terminals.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of positioning the second wireless data input includes positioning the second wireless data input so that its exposed terminals are in contact with the third pair of exposed terminals.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of providing a charging element having exposed terminals adjacent a front edge includes providing terminals that are oriented to face the support surface when the charging element is positioned on the support surface.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of providing a charging element having exposed terminals adjacent a front edge includes providing terminals that are oriented to face in a direction generally normal to the support surface.

19. The method of claim 12, and further comprising:

exerting a force on the wireless input device to urge the wireless input device to maintain contact with the exposed terminals on the charging element.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of providing the charging element includes providing a charging element configured to receiving wireless signals from the wireless input device.