Charging device for removable input modules

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.

1 . A charging device, comprising:
 a charging mechanism including:
 an internal power source configured to store power; and 
 a power output interface coupled with the internal power source and configured to provide the power to an input module for controlling a computing device; and 
   a body portion comprising an attachment portion defined on the body portion and shaped to receive at least a part 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 input module or the computing device; and   a processor configured to control an output device, an input control, or a sensor responsive to the commands received from the input module or the computing device.   
     
     
         3 . The charging device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a communication element configured to receive commands from the input module or the computing device; and   a processor configured to control one or more of a visual indicator, an audible indicator, a tactile feedback device, or sensory feedback device responsive to the commands received from the input module or the computing device.   
     
     
         4 . 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. 
     
     
         5 . 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. 
     
     
         6 . The charging device of  claim 1 , further comprising a power input interface electrically coupled with the internal power source to enable the internal power source to be charged when the power input interface receives the power from an 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 . The charging device of  claim 1 , wherein the internal power source comprises a battery. 
     
     
         9 . 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 the computing device based on the user input; and 
 an attachment mechanism; and 
   a charging device removably attachable to the input module and configured to charge the input module, the charging device comprising:
 an attachment portion configured to removably attach to 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 an internal power source configured to store power and a power output interface configured to provide the power to the input module. 
   
     
     
         10 . The user input device of  claim 9 , wherein one or both of the input module or the charging device comprises a communication element configured to communicate with the computing device. 
     
     
         11 . The user input device of  claim 10 , wherein the communication element is a wireless communication element. 
     
     
         12 . The user input device of  claim 10 , wherein the charging device further comprises at least one of a sensor or an output device. 
     
     
         13 . The user input device of  claim 9 , further comprising a power input interface electrically coupled with the internal power source to enable the internal power source to be charged when the power input interface receives the power from an external power source. 
     
     
         14 . The user input device of  claim 9 , wherein the input module is configured to communicatively link with the computing device by providing an identifier to the computing device. 
     
     
         15 . The user input device of  claim 9 , further comprising a touch-screen device, wherein the power output interface is further configured to provide the power to the touch-screen device. 
     
     
         16 . The user input device of  claim 9 , wherein the internal power source comprises a battery. 
     
     
         17 . A user input device, comprising:
 a charging mechanism comprising:
 one or more of a power input interface configured to receive power from an external power source or an input power source configured to store the power; and 
 a power output interface configured to receive the power from the one or more of the power input interface or the input power source; and 
   an input module configured to removably attach to the charging mechanism to form a single composite device, the input module comprising:
 an input control configured to receive a user input and to control a computing device based on the user input; and 
 a power source configured to receive the power from the power output interface to charge the power source. 
   
     
     
         18 . The user input device of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a communication element configured to receive commands from the input module or the computing device; and   a processor configured to control an output device the input control, or a sensor responsive to the commands received from the input module or the computing device.   
     
     
         19 . The user input device of  claim 17 , wherein one or both of the input module or the charging mechanism comprises a communication element configured to communicate with the computing device. 
     
     
         20 . The user input device of  claim 17 , wherein the charging mechanism further comprises an attachment portion configured to removably attach the charging mechanism with the input module, the attachment portion being shaped to receive at least a part of the input module.