Charging device for removable input modules

• US 10,348,108 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2017
• Issued: 07/09/2019
• 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:
  US15/621,229
• Publication Number:
  US 20170346317A1
• Time in Patent Office: 756 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, comprising:

a charging mechanism including;

a power input interface configured to receive power from an external power source; and

a power output interface configured to provide power to an input module for controlling a computing device; and

a body portion comprising an attachment portion defined on the body and shaped to receive at least a portion of the input module to form a single composite device separate from the computing device.

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

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

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

3. The charging device of claim 1, 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.

4. The charging device of claim 1, 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 input module.

5. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the charging mechanism further comprises a battery configured to provide power to the input module via the power output interface.

6. The charging device of claim 5, wherein the power input interface is electrically connected to the battery to enable the battery to be charged when the power input interface receives power from the external power source.

7. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the power output interface comprises a plurality of electrical contacts on the attachment portion, and wherein the attachment portion comprises one or more electrical contacts for data communication between the charging mechanism and the input module.

8. A user input device for a computing device, comprising:

an input module comprising;

an input control configured to receive a user input and to control a computing device based on the user input; and

an attachment mechanism; and

a charging device configured to charge the input module, the charging device comprising;

an attachment portion for removable attachment of the attachment mechanism of the input module to form a single composite device, the attachment portion being shaped to receive at least a portion of the attachment mechanism; and

a charging mechanism comprising a power input interface configured to receive power from an external power source and a power output interface configured to provide power to the input module.

9. The user input device of claim 8, wherein one or both of the input module or the charging device comprises a communication element configured to communicate with the computing device.

10. The user input device of claim 9, wherein the communication element is a wireless communication element.

11. The user input device of claim 9, wherein the charging device further comprises at least one of an input control, a sensor, or an output device.

12. The user input device of claim 8, wherein the charging mechanism further comprises a battery configured to provide power to the input module via the power output interface.

13. The user input device of claim 8, wherein the input module is configured to communicatively link with the computing device by providing an identifier to the computing device.

14. The user input device of claim 8, further comprising a touch-screen device, wherein the power output interface is further configured to provide power to the touch-screen device.

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

a removable input module comprising;

an input control configured to receive a user input and to control a computing device based on the user input;

a communication element configured to wirelessly communicate with the computing device; and

an attachment mechanism; and

a charging device configured to charge the removable input module, the charging device comprising;

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

a battery;

a power output interface configured to provide power from the power input interface or the battery to the removable input module; and

an attachment portion shaped to receive the attachment mechanism of the removable input module,

wherein the charging device is configured as a single composite input device when coupled with the removable input module, the single composite input device being separate from the computing device.

16. The charging device of claim 15, wherein the communication element is further configured to receive commands from the computing device;

and the charging device further comprising;

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

17. The charging device of claim 15, wherein the communication element is further configured to communicate the user input to the computing device.

18. The charging device of claim 15, further comprising a memory, the memory configured to store user data,

wherein the communication element is further configured to communicate the user data to the computing device.

19. The charging device of claim 15, wherein the power input interface is electrically connected to the battery to enable the battery to be charged when the power input interface receives power from the external power source.

20. The charging device of claim 15, wherein the power output interface comprises a plurality of electrical contacts for data communication between the charging device and the removable input module.