Mouse cable management

Abstract

Disclosed are embodiments of portable electronic devices, such as computer mice, which have structures for temporarily storing a cable and/or electrical connector between uses. Some embodiments include structures and/or mechanisms for releasably attaching the electrical connector with a computer mouse or other peripheral device. Some embodiments may also include a storage mechanism for storing at least a portion of the cable. The storage mechanism may comprise a cable winding mechanism. Thus, the cable and electrical connector of the device may be conveniently stored for travel and/or between uses. In some embodiments designed for use in connection with optical mice, the device may also be configured such that an optical component window is covered while the cable and/or electrical connector are being temporarily stored.

1. A computer mouse device, comprising:
 a computer mouse comprising a cable extending therefrom;  
 a storage mechanism for storing at least a portion of the cable;  
 an electrical connector connected with the cable for electrically connecting the computer mouse with a computer; and  
 an attachment member for releasably attaching the electrical connector with the computer mouse.  
 
     
     
       2. The computer mouse device of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment member comprises a male component configured to be received within a female component to releasably attach the electrical connector with the computer mouse. 
     
     
       3. The computer mouse device of  claim 2 , wherein the female component comprises a slot. 
     
     
       4. The computer mouse device of  claim 3 , wherein the slot is formed within the computer mouse. 
     
     
       5. The computer mouse device of  claim 2 , wherein the male component is attached to the electrical connector. 
     
     
       6. The computer mouse device of  claim 1 , wherein the computer mouse comprises an optical mouse, and wherein the optical mouse comprises an optical component window. 
     
     
       7. The computer mouse device of  claim 6 , wherein the attachment member is configured such that, when the electrical connector is attached to the optical mouse, the optical component window is at least substantially covered. 
     
     
       8. The computer mouse device of  claim 7 , wherein the attachment member is configured such that, when the electrical connector is attached to the computer mouse, the optical component window is at least partially covered by the storage mechanism. 
     
     
       9. The computer mouse device of  claim 1 , wherein the storage mechanism comprises a cable winding mechanism. 
     
     
       10. The computer mouse device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical connector comprises a Universal Serial Bus connector. 
     
     
       11. A computer mouse device, comprising:
 a computer mouse comprising a cable extending therefrom;  
 an electrical connector connected with the cable for electrically connecting the computer mouse with a computer;  
 means for winding at least a portion of the cable;  
 means for releasably attaching the electrical connector with the computer mouse.  
 
     
     
       12. The computer mouse device of  claim 11 , wherein the means for releasably attaching the electrical connector with the computer mouse comprises a male component configured to be received within a female component to releasably attach the electrical connector with the computer mouse. 
     
     
       13. The computer mouse device of  claim 11 , wherein the means for releasably attaching the electrical connector with the computer mouse comprises a fabric with small hooks configured to fasten to a corresponding fabric of small loops. 
     
     
       14. The computer mouse device of  claim 11 , wherein the computer mouse comprises an optical mouse, and wherein the optical mouse comprises an optical component window. 
     
     
       15. The computer mouse device of  claim 14 , wherein the means for releasably attaching the electrical connector with the computer mouse is configured such that, when the electrical connector is attached to the optical mouse, the optical component window is at least substantially covered. 
     
     
       16. The computer mouse device of  claim 15 , wherein the means for releasably attaching the electrical connector with the computer mouse is configured such that, when the electrical connector is attached to the optical mouse, the optical component window is at least partially covered by the winding means. 
     
     
       17. The computer mouse device of  claim 11 , wherein the electrical connector comprises a Universal Serial Bus connector. 
     
     
       18. A computer mouse device, comprising:
 an optical mouse comprising a cable extending therefrom and further comprising an optical component window;  
 an electrical connector connected with the cable for electrically connecting the optical mouse with a computer;  
 a storage mechanism for storing at least a portion of the cable; and  
 means for releasably attaching the electrical connector with the optical mouse, wherein the means for releasably attaching the electrical connector with the computer mouse is configured such that, when the electrical connector is attached to the optical mouse, the optical component window is at least substantially covered, and wherein when the optical component window is covered, the optical component window is at least partially covered by the storage mechanism.