Charging device for removable input modules

• US 9,711,980 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2014
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Hodges, Stephen E, Taylor, Stuart, Helmes, John Franciscus Marie
• Primary Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, ARUN C
• Application Number:
  US14/553,819
• Publication Number:
  US 20160149426A1
• Time in Patent Office: 966 Days
• Field of Search: 320108
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• 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: H02J 2310/22 The load being a portable electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A charging device for one or more input modules for a touch-screen device is described. The charging device comprises a charging mechanism and portions which are shaped to receive an input module. The charging mechanism comprises a power input and a power output. The power input is configured to receive power from an external power source and the power input is configured to provide power to one or more input modules which are attached to the charging device.

Claims

1. A charging device for one or more removable input modules for a touch-screen device, the charging device comprising:

a charging mechanism comprising a power input to receive power from an external power source and a power output to provide power to one or more removable input modules, the one or more removable input modules configured to be removably attachable to the touch-screen device and to the charging device; and

one or more attachment portions, each attachment portion shaped to receive a corresponding removable input module of the one or more removable input modules to form a single composite device, the single composite device separate from the touch-screen device.

2. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the single composite device operates as a user input device for a computing device.

3. The charging device according to claim 2, further comprising one or more input controls, output devices and/or sensors.

4. The charging device according to claim 3, further comprising:

a communication element configured to receive commands from the computing device; and

a processor configured to control an output device, input control or sensor responsive to commands received from the computing device.

5. The charging device according to claim 2, further comprising a communication element configured to communicate user input data to the computing device, the user input data being generated in response to user input via input controls on the single composite device.

6. The charging device according to claim 2, further comprising a memory configured to store user data and a communication element configured to communicate the user data to the computing device directly or via the one or more removable input modules.

7. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the charging mechanism further comprises a battery and wherein the power input is electrically connected to the battery to enable the battery to be charged when the power input is receiving power from the external power source.

8. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the charging mechanism further comprises a power output to provide power to a touch-screen device.

9. The charging device according to claim 8, wherein the power output to provide power to the touch-screen device is connected to the battery to enable the battery to provide power to the touch-screen device when the power input is not receiving power from the external power source.

10. The charging device according to claim 8, wherein the power output to provide power to the touch-screen device comprises a coil to inductively charging the touch-screen device.

11. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the power output to provide power to the one or more removable input modules comprises a plurality of electrical contacts on each attachment portion, each attachment portion further comprising one or more electrical contacts for data communication between the charging device and one of the one or more removable input modules.

12. The charging device according to claim 1, further comprising a first part comprising an attachment portion, a second part comprising an attachment portion and an adjustable region configured to enable adjustment of a width of the single composite device.

13. The charging device according to claim 12, further comprising a processor configured to control operation of an input module via the one or more electrical contacts for data communication.

14. The charging device according to claim 1, further comprising a writable NFC tag and a processor, wherein the processor is configured, in response to receiving an identifier from one of the one or more removable input modules, to store the identifier in the writable NFC tag.

15. A user input device for a computing device comprising:

a charging device; and

a plurality of input modules, each of the plurality of input modules comprising at least one input control and an attachment mechanism to be removably attachable to a touch-screen device and to the charging device,

wherein the charging device comprises;

a charging mechanism comprising a power input to receive power from an external power source and a power output to provide power to the plurality of input modules; and

a plurality of attachment portions, each attachment portion shaped to receive a corresponding one of the plurality of input modules to form a single composite device separate from the touch-screen device.

16. The user input device according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of input modules and the charging device comprises:

a wireless communication element configured to communicate user input data to the computing device, the user input data being generated in response to user input via input controls on the user input device.

17. The user input device according to claim 15, wherein the charging device further comprises at least one of an input control, a sensor or an output device.

18. The user input device according to claim 15, wherein the charging mechanism further comprises a power output to provide power to a touch-screen device, wherein the power output to provide power to a touch-screen device is connected to the battery to enable the battery to provide power to the touch-screen device when the power input is not receiving power from the external power source.

19. The user input device according to claim 15, further comprising adjusting mechanism to adjust a shape of the user input device, the adjusting mechanism comprising:

an adjustable region of the charging device configured to enable adjustment of a width of the user input device; and

/or

one or more removable extension pieces.

20. A charging device for one or more removable input modules for a touch-screen device, the charging device comprising:

a power input to receive power from an external power source;

a power output to provide power to one or more removable input modules, each of the one or more removable input modules being removably attachable to a touch screen-device and the charging device;

a battery;

a power output to provide power to a touch-screen device, wherein the power output to provide power to the touch-screen device is connected to the battery to enable the battery to provide power to the touch-screen device when the power input is not receiving power from the external power source; and

one or more attachment portions, each attachment portion shaped to receive corresponding one of the one or more removable input modules,

wherein the charging device is capable of being configured as a single composite input device separate from the touch-screen device.