U.S. patent application number 11/765176 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-03 for peripheral devices for portable computer.
This patent application is currently assigned to NEWTON PERIPHERALS, LLC. Invention is credited to John D. GUNDLACH, Kevin M. JOHNSON, Jonathan C. MIXTER.
Application Number | 20080001922 11/765176 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35787829 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080001922 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JOHNSON; Kevin M. ; et
al. |
January 3, 2008 |
PERIPHERAL DEVICES FOR PORTABLE COMPUTER
Abstract
The present invention relates to the storage and recharging of
peripheral devices within a computer. In one exemplary embodiment
the invention relates to an expandable computer mouse that may be
stored and recharged in a port, such as a PCMCIA slot, of a
portable computing device.
Inventors: |
JOHNSON; Kevin M.; (Natick,
MA) ; GUNDLACH; John D.; (Acton, MA) ; MIXTER;
Jonathan C.; (Weston, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GROSSMAN, TUCKER, PERREAULT & PFLEGER, PLLC
55 SOUTH COMMERICAL STREET
MANCHESTER
NH
03101
US
|
Assignee: |
NEWTON PERIPHERALS, LLC
11 Mercer Road
Natick
MA
01760
|
Family ID: |
35787829 |
Appl. No.: |
11/765176 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11192336 |
Jul 28, 2005 |
7233319 |
|
|
11765176 |
Jun 19, 2007 |
|
|
|
60591948 |
Jul 28, 2004 |
|
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|
60678451 |
May 6, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/166 ;
345/163 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 2203/0333 20130101;
G06F 1/1698 20130101; G06F 2203/0335 20130101; G06F 1/169 20130101;
G06F 1/1656 20130101; G06F 3/03543 20130101; G06F 1/1616 20130101;
G06F 3/038 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/166 ;
345/163 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/033 20060101
G06F003/033 |
Claims
1. A wireless device capable of communicating with a computer, said
computer including a location for storing and recharging said
device, said device comprising a mouse which operates on a
supporting surface, said mouse further including a sensor and a
fiber optic bundle which transmits information from said supporting
surface to said computer, wherein said fiber optic bundle relays
diffuse light and not specular reflection and is capable of
providing image information to said sensor.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said device communicates
wirelessly with said computer
3. The device of claim 1 wherein said computer is a portable
computing device.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein said device is capable of being
stored and charged in a slot or port in said computer.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein said device is capable of being
stored and charged in the touch pad area of said computer.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein said slot is a PCMCIA slot or
express card slot.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein said device is capable of
operating externally from any computer and is capable of
communicating with said computer.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein said device comprises a computer
mouse.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein said imaging optics are capable of
controlling movement of an on-screen computer reference.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/591,948, filed Jul. 28, 2004 and U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/678,451, filed May 6, 2005. This
application is also a continuation application of U.S. application
Ser. No. 11/192,336, filed Jul. 28, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,233,319.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the storage and recharging
of peripheral devices within a computer, and in one exemplary
embodiment to a computer mouse that may be stored and recharged in
a port of a portable computing device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Portable computers have recently exceeded desktop computers
in their popularity. Laptop (notebook) and tablet style computers
may be found in the work environment, at home or used during
travel, perhaps as a result of their advantages, particularly when
equipped with wireless communicating technology. Advantages such as
low power consumption, long battery life, small size, low weight
and communicability make the portable computer available to nearly
everyone everywhere. One potential downside of these devices is
their interface with peripheral devices. Often the portable
computer must be accompanied by a carrying case which may be used
to store a variety of peripheral devices, such as a mouse, power
cord, dongles, USB cables, etc.
[0004] While text input may still occur through a keyboard,
non-text input and selection, via cursor movement such as by
pointing and clicking, has continuously evolved. Initially these
functions were performed with the keyboard. Then the wired,
mechanical mouse was introduced, followed by track balls and
joysticks. As the size of personal computers has been reduced and
laptops were introduced, "track pads" and "eraser-head" pointing
devices were introduced. At first tethered to the laptop by a
restrictive cable, wireless technology has allowed the mouse to now
be operated freely in the vicinity of the computer.
[0005] Originally, the mechanical mouse included a captured moving
ball and encoder wherein movement of the ball generated an x, y
directional signal to control the cursor. More recently, the
optical mouse has been developed which may not be quite as
dependent on a planar resting surface. Originally, optical mouse
technology bounced a focused beam of light off a highly reflective
mouse pad (surface) to a sensor. The mouse pad included a grid of
dark lines which interrupted the light beam. The interruption
caused a sensor to send a signal to the computer to trigger cursor
movement. A current type of optical mouse uses a relatively small
camera to take as may as 1,500 pictures per second. A
light-emitting diode (LED) bounces light off a work surface into a
complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. The sensor
sends each image to a digital signal processor (DSP) which is able
to detect changes in pattern in the images. Based on the changes in
pattern over a sequence of images, the DSP determines how far the
mouse has moved and sends the coordinates to the computer which
moves the cursor based on the coordinates received from the mouse.
An optical mouse may therefore provide improved tracking
resolution, is devoid of moving parts and may be suitable for use
on a variety of different surfaces.
[0006] Accordingly, within the computer industry, there is a
continuing need to improve the general interaction of peripheral
devices, such as a mouse, with the host computer. Such improvements
may center on expanding the use of a computer port, the
identification of special ports or the development of other unique
interface protocols. Such improvements may also center on the
peripheral device geometry and mechanical functionality and/or
optical functionality (e.g., adopting a first configuration when
engaging with the computer and a second, more functional and
ergonomically pleasing configuration when utilized by the
consumer). The peripheral devices may include any electronic device
capable of uploading or downloading of information, or even a
stand-alone electronic device that may uniquely rely on the
computer for storage and/or charging.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention is
directed at a wireless device capable of communicating with a
computer. The computer includes a location for storing and
recharging of the device and the device may assume a first
structural configuration to engage at least partially within a
location in the computer. The device may then be recharged and/or
stored. The peripheral device structure is also capable of assuming
a second configuration when removed from the computer. The device
may be capable of controlling movement of an on-screen computer
reference, for example a cursor or pointer.
[0008] In another exemplary embodiment the present invention is
directed at a system for storing and charging a peripheral device
comprising a computer including a location for storing and charging
a peripheral device and a device which may be stored and charged in
a computer wherein said device operates independently of said
computer, or is capable of communicating with said computer.
[0009] In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is
directed at a device capable of communicating with a computer
wherein said device includes imaging optics capable of controlling
movement of an on-screen computer reference, wherein the device
comprises a structure in a first state where the imaging optics are
in a stored configuration. The device is also capable of
configuring into a second state wherein the imaging optics are
capable of controlling movement of an on-screen computer
reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A brief description of the drawings is as follows:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laptop computer which may
incorporate the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a computer
mouse according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2A is a schematic view of the mouse of FIG. 2 in an
expanded configuration.
[0014] FIG. 2B is a schematic side view of the mouse of FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an alternative configuration
of the flat mouse according to the present invention.
[0016] FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views of alternative
configurations of the mouse of FIG. 2.
[0017] FIGS. 5A through 5E are schematic views of still further
alternative configurations of the mouse of FIG. 2.
[0018] FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic views of alternative
configurations of expansion mechanisms for the flat mouse,
according to the present invention.
[0019] FIGS. 7, 7A and 7B are various views of the mouse of FIG. 6,
according to the present invention, showing additional
features.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mouse, according to the
present invention, illustrating a further alternate
configuration.
[0021] FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are perspective views and a side view
respectively of a preferred embodiment of the mouse, according to
the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a laptop computer
illustrating an alternative storage location for a mouse, according
to the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a laptop computer
illustrating another alternative storage location for a mouse,
according to the present invention.
[0024] FIGS. 12 and 12A are perspective views of a laptop computer
illustrating further alternative configurations for a mouse,
according to the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 13 is a schematic of the optics used in the mouse
configuration shown in FIG. 4B, according to the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 14 is a schematic of the optics used in the mouse
configuration shown in FIG. 8, according to the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a low profile USB
connector, according to the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 15
mounted to a laptop, according to the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 17 is another perspective view of the mouse according
to the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a laptop computer
illustrating that the flat mouse of the present invention may be
stored at a location on the keys of the keyboard of the
computer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] The present invention is described more fully hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various
exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated. This
invention, may, however, be embodied in many different forms and
should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth
herein.
[0032] For elements common to the various embodiments of the
invention, the numerical reference characters between the
embodiments are held constant, but distinguished by the addition of
an alphanumeric character to the existing numerical reference
character. In other words, for example, an element referenced at 10
in the first embodiment is correspondingly references at 10A, 10B,
and so forth in subsequent embodiments. Thus, where an embodiment
description uses a reference character to refer to an element, the
reference character applies equally, as distinguished by
alphanumeric character, to the other embodiments where the element
is common.
[0033] According to one exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, peripheral electronic devices may be stored and
recharged by inserting them into a port, slot or other mechanical
electrical interface in a portable computer. These devices
preferably may operate in a wireless technology mode using, for
instance, RF, Bluetooth or IEEE 802.11 specification radio
frequency technology. The peripheral devices may communicate with
integrated wireless technology in the portable computer or may
operate using a dongle connected to a USB port. FIG. 1 is a
perspective view of a laptop computer 10 including a slot or port
12 into which a peripheral device 20 may be inserted for storage
when not in use and for recharging. Any type of electronic device
which requires recharging is contemplated, including those which
may or may not interface with the computer directly or some types
of devices which can operate in either mode. Examples include but
are not limited to: a mouse, an MP3 player, a PC card with battery
pack, a battery pack, a camera, a cell phone, VOIP phones and laser
pointers. It may also include a security device such as a biometric
device such as a finger-print scanner, a non-biometric security
device, a barcode scanner, a RFID reader, a flashlight, a disc
drive, an electronic wireless network detector, etc. This invention
therefore allows consolidation of peripheral devices and recharging
without the restriction of cables, cords or chargers.
[0034] In one embodiment, the peripheral device 20 may comprise a
MP3 player which may fit into the PC slot of a laptop. Upon
insertion of the device into the slot, the player connects
electrically to the laptop for recharging and may transfer music
from the laptop to the MP3 player. The MP3 player may be operated
independent from the laptop and may include headphones and controls
for navigating the stored song lists and for general operation. The
player may have a cross-sectional shape or "form factor" to allow
insertion into the slot and corresponding electrical contact
locations so that it may be readily recharged.
[0035] In another embodiment, the device may comprise a PC card
battery such as a lithium polymer battery. The battery may also
have a form factor that allows it to fit into a slot or port such
as a PCMCIA slot or express card slot in a laptop computer. The
device 20 may plug into the slot 12 and be recharged by power from
the laptop 10. Upon ejection from the slot, the PC card battery may
then be inserted into or connected via a cable to another
electronic device, such as a cell phone, a MP3 player or PDA, for
instance. The PC card battery may therefore serve as a power source
for any device which may be configured to engage with a PC card
battery.
[0036] In another embodiment, the device may comprise a pointing
device (mouse) for a computer. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a
relatively low profile mouse 22 according to one exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. The mouse 22 is shown in a
flat or collapsed configuration and is capable of fitting into a
slot or port in a portable computer, as indicated schematically in
FIG. 1. This then provides convenient storage and recharging. The
mouse 22 may include a body portion 30 which may house the optics
and electronic as well as functional areas or buttons 32 and 34 for
selecting functions in the computer, for instance, left click and
right click functions. FIG. 2A is a schematic view of the mouse 22
of the present invention in an expanded configuration for use with
the laptop 10. As shown, a base portion 40 has unfolded, hinged
around one end of the mouse and may be held open by a spring or
like mechanism (not shown). This expansion or change in shape of
the mouse may occur automatically upon ejection from the slot or
with the assistance of the user pushing a release button to unfold
the base 40. The release button (not shown) may be located anywhere
on the mouse, but preferably be located along one side of the
mouse.
[0037] In one preferred embodiment, the mouse 22 is configured in
its collapsed state to fit into a PCMCIA slot along a side or end
of a laptop. The mouse, as with the peripheral devices noted above,
may have a form factor that coincides to the slot along with
electrical contacts to facilitate recharging in the slot.
[0038] The expansion of the mouse 22 may therefore be primarily in
height or thickness to enable the user to grasp and move the mouse
along a surface. Further, since a device that will fit into a slot
or port such as a PCMCIA may typically be only about 3-10 mm in
height, there is typically little room for the operation of optical
and electronic components. Unfolding the mouse 22 may therefore
provide extra functional length for the imaging optics and
additional space for sources of illumination. This is shown
schematically in FIG. 2B in the dotted circle wherein 50 represents
an imaging chip including an image plane 52. Reference number 54
represents an illumination source and 56 a prism or light pipe. The
lines identified as A and B represent the projection of the image
and the light beam, respectively, onto a supporting surface (not
shown). Accordingly, unfolding of the mouse may enable the optics
to work or allow the optics to better focus on the supporting
surface, which would not be as efficient under those circumstances
where the mouse was not unfolded. In addition, upon closing of the
mouse for storage the optics may be protected from damage.
[0039] When the mouse 22 is ready for storage, it may be collapsed
back to its original form factor (FIG. 2) and inserted back into a
slot 12 in the laptop 10 (FIG. 1). Once inside, the mouse 22 (or
other device 20) may be recharged by drawing power from the laptop
10 power supply or alternately, from standard replaceable and
rechargeable laptop batteries.
[0040] The expansion of the mouse 22 by tilting a portion thereof
upward may be from either end. Ergonomically, it may be preferred
that the main body 30 of the mouse 22 be wider than, or proud to,
the folding base portion 40, making the mouse 22 easier to pick up
from a flat surface. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the base
portion 40A may be wider and the body 30A may be raised or pivoted
around one end to create the extra height. In this configuration,
it may be advantageous to have a depression 32 on one or both sides
of the mouse 22 to assist in the unfolding operation by the
user.
[0041] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate schematic views of alternate
methods for expanding the useable height of the mouse 22. While
FIG. 2B illustrates effectively a hinge at one end of the mouse 22,
FIG. 4A illustrates a pivoting member 42, preferably spring loaded,
that may be attached to the underside of the body 30 and when
activated or released pivots outwardly, preferably about
45.degree., elevating the body 30 off of the supporting surface and
rendering the mouse 22 functional (i.e. powering the mouse to an on
condition or positioning the optics so that they perform more
efficiently, as noted above). The pivoting member 42 or "kickstand"
may preferably fold up and may be retained by a detent in the lower
surface of the body 30.
[0042] FIG. 4B illustrates an alternate configuration for unfolding
or expanding the useable height of the mouse 22 wherein a top
support flap 44 may be pivoted upward, while the body portion 30
still contains the majority of the electro-optical components on
the supporting surface. In this configuration, the optics may be
pointed upward to reflect off the underside of the top support flap
44, for instance, as an optical mirror, allowing the optics and
illumination to be focused on the support surface beneath the
mouse. The body portion may include an opening therein for the
reflected light to reach the supporting surface. This is shown in
further detail (dotted circle) in FIG. 13 wherein the sensor chip
50 may be placed so that it is pointed upward and the optics A may
be reflected off the reflective underside 45 of the flap 44. The
base 30 may have an optical hole or opening 58 through which the
supporting surface 24 may be imaged.
[0043] An alternate mechanism for expanding the operating height of
the mouse 22 may include a spring member which may be held in a
constrained state (when the mouse is flat) and when released and
allowed to bend, causes the mouse 22 to expand in height. In other
words, a simple bending of the spring member may allow expansion of
the mouse from a supporting surface to improve the ability to grasp
the mouse and to provide space for the imaging optics to function.
Accordingly, the mouse device herein may include a member that in a
first state is constrained and which in an unconstrained state
bends and expands the device in height.
[0044] Two exemplary configurations of this feature are shown in
FIGS. 5A and 5B. FIG. 5A illustrates a modification of the mouse of
FIG. 4A where the pivoting member 42A or "kickstand" is moved into
position by releasing a bottom flap 46 from contact with the base
30. The spring member noted above may comprise strips of material
which may form the bottom flap 46 and which may comprise, for
instance, a carbon spring steel which has been coiled, wound and
formed to have an arc. The arc may invert in shape when depressed,
or the arc may be constrained in a flat condition for storage and
when released may form the arc, raising a portion of the mouse 22
off a supporting surface. Similarly, a U-shaped section of spring
steel which has the ends of the "U" compressed together (such as
with a hair clip) may provide a mechanism that inverts in curvature
to form a "stand" when pressed. In this latter embodiment, the ends
of the "U" may be held closely together by over-molding them in a
compressed condition with a flexible plastic.
[0045] Another configuration of this type is shown in FIG. 5B in
which the top flap 44A may bend upward in the center upon removal
of the mouse from a slot or port to allow for the mouse 22 to adopt
a functioning condition. As with the configuration shown in FIG.
4B, the underside of the top flap 44A, illustrated in FIG. 5B may
be reflective to improve the illumination/optic path. The base 30
of the mouse 22 in FIG. 5B may include recesses at either side of
the top flap 44A for ease of grasping, or the top flap 44A may be
curved on each side to be narrower at the center than at its ends.
The bendable flap may be overmolded or coated with plastic to
provide a soft-touch effect.
[0046] FIGS. 5C through 5E show options where at least a portion 31
of the body 30 of the mouse 22 may bend upon release of a spring
member to increase the working height of the mouse off a support
surface. The spring member may therefore operate to inwardly bias
the ends of the mouse. In a collapsed or flat state, the mouse 22
would resemble that of FIG. 2. The spring member may be of the
aforementioned types which may recover or invert when released from
a constrained state, such as being held by a detent. In FIG. 5C,
only the portion 31 may bend to increase the height of the mouse.
In FIG. 5D, the mouse 22 is shown as including an area 35 for
touchpad functions, such as dragging and scrolling, as opposed to
the finger activated switches 32 and 34 shown on the mouse 22 of
FIG. 5C. FIG. 5E illustrates a bendable mouse 22 which may recover
from a constrained state wherein the entire body 30 may form an arc
above a supporting surface and provide improved ergonomics and
space for the imaging optics to function. Here, the structure of
the mouse may be molded of a flexible plastic and may include a
spring member to assist in forming an arc. In the flexed or
expanded state as shown, the shape of the surface of the mouse 22
may approximate the curvature of the top surface of a conventional
mouse. In a flattened state, the mouse 22 may have a form factor
which allows it to fit within a port or slot in a laptop for
storage and for charging. (See FIG. 1).
[0047] In a related embodiment, rather than including a spring
member in the structure of the mouse 22, bending of the flexible
mouse 22 may also be provided by a chord-like member 37, shown in
FIG. 5E as a dotted pair of lines. The chord-like member 37 may be
attached to one end of the body 30 and when connecting the two ends
of the mouse, and pulling them together, will force the body 30 to
be formed into an arc.
[0048] Additional means for expanding the height of the mouse 22
are shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. In FIG. 6A a multi-bar linkage 50 may
be used, such as a 4-bar linkage, the linkage comprising a top flap
44B, the body 30 and pivoting members 42B and 42C. One or more of
the pivoting members 42B and 42C may be spring loaded to urge the
linkage to unfold. This general premise can also be utilized by
raising the optics and electronics from the imaging surface. In
FIG. 6B a compressible material 60 such as a flexible foam,
comprising urethane, silicone, rubber or the like may be compressed
under at least a portion of the top flap 44C to urge the flap to
unfold around the hinged end and expand the mouse 22 in height when
the flap is released from its stored condition.
[0049] While FIG. 2 illustrates some basic features of the mouse 22
of the present invention, it may be advantageous to provide
additional features for the user. To provide "middle button/scroll
wheel" type functionality, a virtual scroll wheel may be provided
by using a center spring mechanical slider 70, which includes the
ability to trigger a button when a downward force is applied. This
embodiment is shown in FIG. 7 with an enlarged view of the
slider/button mechanism shown in FIG. 7A. Moving the slider 70 fore
and aft (note arrows, FIG. 7) longitudinally along the mouse 22
will therefore create the similar functionality with respect to
moving a scroll wheel forward and backward. Holding the slider 70
at either extreme position may also provide scrolling (on the
computer screen) that may continue until the position of the slider
is released. Depressing the slider may also activate a button in
the mouse body which may serve the same function as a middle button
on a standard mouse. Position detection of the slider 70 may be by
linear potentiometer, capacitive sensing, linear optical encoder or
an optical interrupt which may measure the increase or decrease in
the amplitude of a light signal to detect relative position.
[0050] A second option for a "middle button/scroll wheel" type
functionality for the mouse 22 of the present invention is shown in
FIG. 7B and may comprise a touch pad finger zone 72 which may be
capacitive, resistive or other such method that allows position
detection. This zone 72 may therefore provide functionality like a
scroll wheel. For example, moving one's finger forward or aft in
the zone 72 may provide the scrolling function. Tapping the zone 72
to engage a mechanical switch in the body 30 of the mouse 22 may
also provide additional functionality. For example, tapping the
zone 72 may trigger the condition wherein movement of the mouse 22
may results in a continuous scrolling action on the computer
screen.
[0051] A still further option is shown in FIG. 8 wherein the low
profile mouse 22 may include spring loaded side wings 48 which may
unfold from depressions 52 within the body 30 of the mouse 22 for
improved ergonomics and functionality. The side wings 48 may lock
in place in a vertical or up position and may be spring loaded and
released by a separate button or by overcoming a detent (not
shown). As shown, the wings unfold upward, however it may also be
possible for the wings 48 to unfold from the sides downward beneath
the base 30 and elevate the mouse 22. As shown, the wings may not
expand the actual height of the mouse and may rely on a compressed
optical arrangement such as a bundle of optical fibers which would
transmit information from the supporting surface.
[0052] FIG. 14 illustrates a compressed optical arrangement of the
type alluded to above. As with FIG. 2B, an illumination source 54
may project light through a prism or light pipe 56 on to a
supporting surface 24 from the base 30. A bundle of optical fibers
62 may receive the information and transmit such from the surface
24 to the image sensor 50 which includes an imaging plane 52. The
fibers may relay only diffuse light and not specular reflection,
thereby providing reliable image information to the sensor.
[0053] FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are perspective views of a preferred
embodiment of the mouse of the present invention, illustrating some
additional features. The configuration to expand the vertical
height of the mouse for functionality is similar to the pivot or
kickstand configuration shown in FIG. 4A. As shown in side view in
FIG. 9C the mouse 22A includes a body 30A and pivot member 42D
which is shown extended. As shown, the rear of the mouse may be
pivoted upwards, alternatively the front end or both ends may be
elevated (see 4-bar linkage of FIG. 6A) to provide the expansion in
height for functionality.
[0054] FIG. 9A illustrates a perspective view of the backside of
optical mouse 22A illustrating the pivot member 42D extended as
well as a recess 54 beneath the member 42D for flush storage of the
pivot member 42D when the mouse 22A is being stored and recharged
in laptop 10 or a similar device. This collapsed condition is shown
in FIG. 9B. The pivot member 42D may be spring loaded to contact a
stop feature when the member is rotated outward about 45.degree.
from the bottom of the mouse 22A. The spring loading may be
sufficient to support the mouse 22A from collapsing during normal
operation but light enough to collapse the mouse 22A flat without
damage, should a relatively strong downward force be applied to it
(such as a book or other similar object falling on the mouse). The
mouse may also include a detent in the up position which would
increase the force necessary to collapse the mouse for storage.
[0055] FIGS. 9A and 9B also illustrate a feature wherein the left
click 32A and right click 34A buttons may be disposed on the
underside of the mouse 22A. FIG. 2 illustrates the more
conventional configuration with the depressible buttons 32, 34
located on the topside of the mouse 22. In the configuration shown
in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the buttons 32A and 34A may therefore be
located on the underside of the low profile optical mouse 22A and
may be actuated by rocking the mouse 22A about a pivot point 80.
Then, downward pressure may be applied at either of the front
corners of the mouse 22A to activate the click function. In
addition, it should be appreciated that the pivot point 80 is such
that it would allow the top side of the mouse, which may include a
finger activated input to be activated when depressed without
activating the buttons on the bottom side of said mouse.
[0056] It is also worth noting that the finger activated switches
may provide a first functionality when engaged with the computer
and a second functionality when removed from the computer, wherein
said first and second functionality are the same or different.
[0057] While the mouse or other peripheral devices of the present
invention may be stored and recharged in a slot or port in the edge
of a laptop or other similar computing device, other locations are
possible. For example, in one embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, the
mouse 122 may be stored and recharged in the touch pad area 112 of
the laptop 100. When in such recharge location, the mouse may be
fully functional. The mouse 122 may then be ejected from the area
112 and function as a wireless mouse adjacent the computer 100. It
should be understood that the mouse 122 may include a touch pad on
the top surface for the drag and scroll feature, or the mouse 122
may adopt any of the other embodiments disclosed herein, such as
finger activated switches and a scroll wheel and the use of imaging
optics.
[0058] Another configuration for interfacing the mouse with a
laptop or similar device for storage and recharging may use a mouse
port module 114 (see FIG. 11) which may receive the mouse 122 in a
pocket 116 or slot therein. The combination mouse/module may then
be plugged into a slot 112A or port to make electrical contact. The
module may incorporate a Bluetooth radio or other compatible means
for wireless communication with the mouse. While shown in FIG. 11
being insertable in the touch pad area 112A of the laptop 100, the
module 114 may also be inserted into a port or slot in the edge of
the computer.
[0059] It is further envisioned, as illustrated in FIG. 18, that
the flat mouse 122' of the present invention, when in a thin or
collapsed profile, may be stored at a location 118 (illustrated in
phantom) on the keys of the keyboard of the computer 100'. For
example, when the laptop is closed, the mouse may be pressed
against the keys deflecting them slightly such that the mouse may
be depressed into charging contact with electrical contacts placed
between the keys and aligned to interface with the mouse to
recharge the battery.
[0060] Some laptops or other portable computing devices may not be
equipped with a compatible radio such as Bluetooth which is
embedded inside the laptop. In order for some of the peripheral
devices, such as the flat mouse of the present invention, to work
with such a laptop, an external adaptor or "dongle" containing a
radio may be required to communicate with the laptop. This adaptor
may plug into a USB port or similar slot and may allow wireless
communication from the mouse to the laptop. However, typical
dongles are fairly large and project out the side, front or back of
the laptop such that they may become a hazard. Further, they must
be removed when the laptop is folded up and stowed. This then
becomes another peripheral device for the user to separately manage
and store. As shown in FIG. 12 a dongle 150 may therefore be
integrated with the flat mouse 22 of the present invention and may
be insertable with the mouse 22 into a slot or port 12 in the
laptop 10 when the mouse is recharged. Upon ejection of the mouse
from the laptop for use, the dongle 150 may remain with the laptop
10 or may be removed from the mouse 22 and plugged elsewhere into
the laptop (for instance, a USB port) for communicating between the
mouse and laptop. In a still further embodiment, as shown in FIG.
12A, a USB dongle 152 may be stored in a location 154 partially or
entirely in the underside of the mouse 22. When not in use the
dongle may reside in the depression 154 while the mouse 22 is being
recharged in a laptop 10 (not shown). Upon ejection of the mouse
the dongle may be removed and plugged into a USB port in the
laptop.
[0061] In a related embodiment, a low profile dongle may be
provided which may not need to be removed when the laptop is
stowed, e.g., in a bag or carrying case. As shown in FIG. 15, the
low profile dongle 250 may comprise a low profile USB connector 256
and a thin radio housing portion 252 connected by a wire or ribbon
cable 254. The connector may be plugged into a USB port in a laptop
210 (see FIG. 16) and the radio housing 252 attached to an adjacent
flat surface 258 by adhesive, etc. Accordingly, dongle 250 may be
configured such that it does not interfere with the operation of
the laptop 210 or the ability of the laptop to be stowed. As
illustrated, the flexible cable or wire 254 permits opening and
closing of the laptop without interference. The USB connector may
be disconnected from its' port if the port is required for some
other use or if the laptop is intended for "docking." Accordingly,
the present invention relates to a dongle for communicating with a
laptop computer, the laptop including a surface and a port, the
dongle comprising a computer connector, a radio and a flexible
connector therebetween, wherein the radio mounts to the surface and
is capable of connecting to the computer connector via the flexible
connector, and wherein the computer connector is capable of
connecting to said port.
[0062] The description and drawings illustratively set forth the
presently preferred invention embodiment. We intend the description
and drawings to describe this embodiment and not to limit the scope
of the invention. Obviously, it is possible to modify these
embodiments while remaining within the scope of the following
claims. Therefore, within the scope of the claims one may practice
the invention otherwise than as the description and drawings
specifically show and describe.
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