WO2007102804A1 - Dongle with integrated cable management - Google Patents

Dongle with integrated cable management Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2007102804A1
WO2007102804A1 PCT/US2006/007879 US2006007879W WO2007102804A1 WO 2007102804 A1 WO2007102804 A1 WO 2007102804A1 US 2006007879 W US2006007879 W US 2006007879W WO 2007102804 A1 WO2007102804 A1 WO 2007102804A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
input device
user input
cable
power
dongle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2006/007879
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Chern Ann Ng
Min-Liang Tan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Razer Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
Razer USA Ltd
Original Assignee
Razer Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
Razer USA Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Razer Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, Razer USA Ltd filed Critical Razer Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
Priority to PCT/US2006/007879 priority Critical patent/WO2007102804A1/en
Publication of WO2007102804A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007102804A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G11/00—Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts
    • H02G11/02—Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts using take-up reel or drum
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of two-dimensional [2D] relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
    • G06F3/03543—Mice or pucks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/039—Accessories therefor, e.g. mouse pads

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to the field of computer peripherals, and more particularly to wireless user input devices such as a wireless computer mouse.
  • mice and other computer input devices are designed to control/provide input to computers (or similar machines) either via a physical wire plugged into the computer through which communication signals between the mouse and the computer are sent (as well as power for the mouse), or via a wireless/radio link, where the mouse is designed to communicate directly either with an inbuilt wireless interface in the computer itself (e.g., for Bluetooth radio-equipped mice and computers) or via a small transmitter/receiver (transceiver), known as a dongle.
  • Dongles are often supplied with the mouse and are commonly plugged into a generic interface port on the computer, such as a PS/2 port or a USB port. Power for the mouse is supplied via onboard batteries, which may either be replaced, or charged when the mouse is not in use.
  • Computer input devices are typically connected to the computer via a cable that provides both communications and power to the device (the power and signal cable).
  • a cable that provides both communications and power to the device (the power and signal cable).
  • cable management solutions currently in use that store the cable when not in use within a spring loaded reel, and when required the user pulls on this reel, releasing the cable to the desired length, where a brake prevents the cable from retracting back into the reel. In order to retract the cable again, the user applies additional pulling force which releases the brake, retracting the cable through force supplied by the spring.
  • Such prior art cable management systems require an additional housing external to the mouse to store the cable.
  • An alternative approached is described in U.S. Patent No. 6,392,651, which discloses housing the cable management system within the mouse, but this solution takes up valuable internal space on the device and adds to its weight when in use.
  • An improved dongle having integrated cable management.
  • the dongle houses a retractable cable that is extensible by the user. When the length of cable is desired to be reduced to enhance ease of movement and reduce clutter, the cable is retractable into the dongle.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a dongle with a cutout view showing the cord retraction mechanism for cord management. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
  • inventions of the invention provide an improved dongle having integrated cable management.
  • the dongle houses a retractable cable that is extensible by the user. When the length of cable is desired to be reduced to enhance ease of movement and reduce clutter, the cable is retractable into the dongle.
  • the connector on the cable of the input device houses the cable management system, including a cable extension and retraction system.
  • the cable management system is not longer external and unwieldy, and does not add to the weight of the mouse when not in use.
  • the mouse (not shown), power and signal cable 20, and dongle 10 are non-detachable and are one device.
  • Connector to input device 30 can be of any variety, including those known in the art.
  • Cable 20 is retractable within housing 15 of dongle 10 by cable management system 50. By applying extensive pressure, the length of cable 20 exterior to housing 15 can be increased by pulling from cable management system 50.
  • cable management system 50 may be spring-loaded so as to automatically retract some or all of cable 20 upon application of force. Brake (not shown) in cable management system 50 allows the user to manipulate the length of cable 20 exterior to said housing 15 per user needs.
  • the cable and dongle including the cable management system are separate components from the input device, and can be detached from the mouse when not in use.
  • dongle and cable may be reconnected to the mouse via, for example, a small plug and connector, or a generic interface connector.
  • An additional advantage of this design may be that if a generic interface connector is used, this cable management system can be used with input devices not specifically designed for it.
  • a mouse or similar input device can be specially designed to function in both wired and wireless modes, and supplied with a transceiver/dongle.
  • a mouse with a wireless mode has an on-board power supply such as a battery.
  • the transceiver is plugged into the computer. In this mode, the mouse communicates wirelessly with the transceiver, and relies on the on-board power supply.
  • the dongle if the dongle is connected to the mouse via a power and signal cable, the mouse can detect this and switch to wired mode, and communicate with the computer over the cable.
  • the on-board power e.g., battery
  • dongle 10 incorporates the cable management system 50 into its housing 15 (the dongle further incorporating the connector 40).
  • the cable 20 is detachable from the mouse as described above. This application thus enhances the function of the aforementioned wired/wireless input device by adding a cable management system to the invention already described.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for providing an improved dongle (10) having integrated cable management. The dongle (10) houses a retractable cable (20) that is extensible by the user. When the length of cable (20) is desired to be reduced to enhance ease of movement and reduce clutter, the cable (20) is retractable into the dongle (10).

Description

DONGLE WITH INTEGRATED CABLE MANAGEMENT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of computer peripherals, and more particularly to wireless user input devices such as a wireless computer mouse.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currently, computer mice and other computer input devices (such as keyboards and game pads) are designed to control/provide input to computers (or similar machines) either via a physical wire plugged into the computer through which communication signals between the mouse and the computer are sent (as well as power for the mouse), or via a wireless/radio link, where the mouse is designed to communicate directly either with an inbuilt wireless interface in the computer itself (e.g., for Bluetooth radio-equipped mice and computers) or via a small transmitter/receiver (transceiver), known as a dongle. Dongles are often supplied with the mouse and are commonly plugged into a generic interface port on the computer, such as a PS/2 port or a USB port. Power for the mouse is supplied via onboard batteries, which may either be replaced, or charged when the mouse is not in use.
Computer input devices are typically connected to the computer via a cable that provides both communications and power to the device (the power and signal cable). There are cable management solutions currently in use that store the cable when not in use within a spring loaded reel, and when required the user pulls on this reel, releasing the cable to the desired length, where a brake prevents the cable from retracting back into the reel. In order to retract the cable again, the user applies additional pulling force which releases the brake, retracting the cable through force supplied by the spring. Such prior art cable management systems, however, require an additional housing external to the mouse to store the cable. An alternative approached is described in U.S. Patent No. 6,392,651, which discloses housing the cable management system within the mouse, but this solution takes up valuable internal space on the device and adds to its weight when in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An improved dongle is provided having integrated cable management. The dongle houses a retractable cable that is extensible by the user. When the length of cable is desired to be reduced to enhance ease of movement and reduce clutter, the cable is retractable into the dongle.
A person of skill in the art will appreciate that while the specification discusses the present invention in the context of the computer mouse, other wireless computer input devices, including joysticks, game pads, and the like, can also benefit from the present invention.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to represent each embodiment, or every aspect, of the present invention. The detailed description and figures will describe many of the embodiments and aspects of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a dongle with a cutout view showing the cord retraction mechanism for cord management. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As set forth above, embodiments of the invention provide an improved dongle having integrated cable management. The dongle houses a retractable cable that is extensible by the user. When the length of cable is desired to be reduced to enhance ease of movement and reduce clutter, the cable is retractable into the dongle.
The connector on the cable of the input device (e.g., the mouse) houses the cable management system, including a cable extension and retraction system. Advantageously, the cable management system is not longer external and unwieldy, and does not add to the weight of the mouse when not in use. Referring now to Fig. 1, in a first embodiment, the mouse (not shown), power and signal cable 20, and dongle 10 are non-detachable and are one device. Connector to input device 30 can be of any variety, including those known in the art. Cable 20 is retractable within housing 15 of dongle 10 by cable management system 50. By applying extensive pressure, the length of cable 20 exterior to housing 15 can be increased by pulling from cable management system 50.
Similarly, cable management system 50 may be spring-loaded so as to automatically retract some or all of cable 20 upon application of force. Brake (not shown) in cable management system 50 allows the user to manipulate the length of cable 20 exterior to said housing 15 per user needs. In yet another embodiment, the cable and dongle including the cable management system are separate components from the input device, and can be detached from the mouse when not in use. In this embodiment, dongle and cable may be reconnected to the mouse via, for example, a small plug and connector, or a generic interface connector. An additional advantage of this design may be that if a generic interface connector is used, this cable management system can be used with input devices not specifically designed for it.
Reference is made to PCT Patent Application S/N , entitled "Computer Input
Device with Wired/Wireless Modes," filed and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
As noted in the incorporated specification, a mouse or similar input device can be specially designed to function in both wired and wireless modes, and supplied with a transceiver/dongle.
A mouse with a wireless mode has an on-board power supply such as a battery. The transceiver is plugged into the computer. In this mode, the mouse communicates wirelessly with the transceiver, and relies on the on-board power supply. In this embodiment, if the dongle is connected to the mouse via a power and signal cable, the mouse can detect this and switch to wired mode, and communicate with the computer over the cable. The on-board power (e.g., battery) is also optionally charged by the power and signal cable, so the mouse may still be used while the battery is charged without having to replace the battery. In this application of the invention, dongle 10 incorporates the cable management system 50 into its housing 15 (the dongle further incorporating the connector 40). The cable 20 is detachable from the mouse as described above. This application thus enhances the function of the aforementioned wired/wireless input device by adding a cable management system to the invention already described.
While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A cable management system comprising: a power and signal cable; a dongle comprising: a housing; a cable extension and retraction system disposed within said housing; and a computer interface; wherein said dongle is adapted to selectively receive lengths of said power and signal cable within its housing using said cable extension and retraction system.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said power and signal cable further comprises an interface adaptable to couple with a port on a user input device for enabling communication signals and power supply to said user input device.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein said user input device is a mouse.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein said user input device is a computer keyboard.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein said user input device is a game pad.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user input device fixedly attached to said power and signal cable.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein said user input device is a mouse.
8. The system of claim 6, wherein said user input device is a computer keyboard.
9. The system of claim 6, wherein said user input device is a game pad.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein said user input device has a wired mode and a wireless mode.
11. A method for managing cable for a user input device comprising: providing a power and signal cable; providing a dongle comprising: a housing; a cable extension and retraction system disposed within said housing; and a computer interface; selectively extracting lengths of said power and signal cable from said housing using said cable extension and retraction system.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing an interface adaptable to couple with a port on a user input device.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting and receiving signals from said user input device via said power and signal cable.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing power to said user input device via said power and signal cable.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein said user input device is a mouse.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein said user input device is a computer keyboard.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein said user input device is a game pad.
18. The method of claim 11, further comprising fixedly attaching said user input device to said power and signal cable.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said user input device is a mouse.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein said user input device is a computer keyboard.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein said user input device is a game pad.
22. The method of claim 11, wherein said user input device has a wired mode and a wireless mode.
PCT/US2006/007879 2006-03-06 2006-03-06 Dongle with integrated cable management Ceased WO2007102804A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2006/007879 WO2007102804A1 (en) 2006-03-06 2006-03-06 Dongle with integrated cable management

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2006/007879 WO2007102804A1 (en) 2006-03-06 2006-03-06 Dongle with integrated cable management

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007102804A1 true WO2007102804A1 (en) 2007-09-13

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ID=36387307

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2006/007879 Ceased WO2007102804A1 (en) 2006-03-06 2006-03-06 Dongle with integrated cable management

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2007102804A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030071783A1 (en) * 2001-10-16 2003-04-17 Wei-Han Chen Wire/wireless dual mode operating input device
US20030207611A1 (en) * 2002-05-02 2003-11-06 Lin Chen Che USB cable adapter with cable winding mechanism
GB2403282A (en) * 2003-06-13 2004-12-29 Yu-Lin Chung Computer mouse with retractable wire

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030071783A1 (en) * 2001-10-16 2003-04-17 Wei-Han Chen Wire/wireless dual mode operating input device
US20030207611A1 (en) * 2002-05-02 2003-11-06 Lin Chen Che USB cable adapter with cable winding mechanism
GB2403282A (en) * 2003-06-13 2004-12-29 Yu-Lin Chung Computer mouse with retractable wire

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