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.

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.