Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to input devices configured for use with computing devices. The present invention relates to input device configured with a plurality of input members grouped into contoured-shaped bowls on a portion of the input devices. The input device may also be configured for use with multiple hand positions and multiple profiles based on the hand positions. The input device may enable switching between user-programmable profiles, and may include sensory feedback indicating the profiles active on the input device.

Abstract: An apparatus including a removable modular insert disposed within a housing of a host device, the housing including one or more magnets, and one or more conductive contacts disposed on the removable modular insert to magnetically couple to the one or more magnets and secure the modular insert within the housing of the host device, and electrically couple the modular insert to the host device. A conductive coil can be coupled to the modular insert to electromagnetically receive power from a base device having a surface, where the host device moves and operates along the surface of the base device. The apparatus can include a communication device and a processor to control the communication device for communication between the modular insert and the host device, and control operation of the conductive coil. The communication device further controls the electromagnetic coupling between the modular insert and the base device.

Abstract: An apparatus including a removable modular insert disposed within a housing of a host device, the housing including one or more magnets, and one or more conductive contacts disposed on the removable modular insert to magnetically couple to the one or more magnets and secure the modular insert within the housing of the host device, and electrically couple the modular insert to the host device. A conductive coil can be coupled to the modular insert to electromagnetically receive power from a base device having a surface, where the host device moves and operates along the surface of the base device. The apparatus can include a communication device and a processor to control the communication device for communication between the modular insert and the host device, and control operation of the conductive coil. The communication device further controls the electromagnetic coupling between the modular insert and the base device.

Abstract: An apparatus including a removable modular insert disposed within a housing of a host device, the housing including one or more magnets, and one or more conductive contacts disposed on the removable modular insert to magnetically couple to the one or more magnets and secure the modular insert within the housing of the host device, and electrically couple the modular insert to the host device. A conductive coil can be coupled to the modular insert to electromagnetically receive power from a base device having a surface, where the host device moves and operates along the surface of the base device. The apparatus can include a communication device and a processor to control the communication device for communication between the modular insert and the host device, and control operation of the conductive coil. The communication device further controls the electromagnetic coupling between the modular insert and the base device.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a computer mouse includes a chassis to provide support for a user's hand, where the chassis includes a knuckle support region, a palm support region, a first side region having a first ledge to support a thumb, a second side region having a second ledge to support one or more of a pinky or ring finger, and a button region having one or more buttons to support one or more of a tip of an index finger or middle finger. Each region can be physically separated from one another on the surface of the chassis by a gap. The knuckle support region can include a coating or covering on a surface of the knuckle support region to provide a directionally dependent friction. The friction on the surface of the knuckle support region is higher for side-to-side movements then for front-to-back movements.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an input device includes a chassis and a depressible actuator disposed on the chassis that, when depressed, generates and sends a control signal to a processor, where the actuator is coupleable to a removable button cover that provides user-access to activate the actuator, and a removable blank cover to prevent user access to activate the actuator. The button cover and blank cover can be separate from the chassis and may directly attach to the actuator. The input device can further include a second depressible actuator disposed on the chassis that, when depressed, generates and sends a second control signal to the processor, where the second actuator is coupleable to the button cover and the blank cover.

Abstract: An apparatus including a removable modular insert disposed within a housing of a host device, the housing including one or more magnets, and one or more conductive contacts disposed on the removable modular insert to magnetically couple to the one or more magnets and secure the modular insert within the housing of the host device, and electrically couple the modular insert to the host device. A conductive coil can be coupled to the modular insert to electromagnetically receive power from a base device having a surface, where the host device moves and operates along the surface of the base device. The apparatus can include a communication device and a processor to control the communication device for communication between the modular insert and the host device, and control operation of the conductive coil. The communication device further controls the electromagnetic coupling between the modular insert and the base device.

Abstract: An apparatus including a removable modular insert disposed within a housing of a host device, the housing including one or more magnets, and one or more conductive contacts disposed on the removable modular insert to magnetically couple to the one or more magnets and secure the modular insert within the housing of the host device, and electrically couple the modular insert to the host device. A conductive coil can be coupled to the modular insert to electromagnetically receive power from a base device having a surface, where the host device moves and operates along the surface of the base device. The apparatus can include a communication device and a processor to control the communication device for communication between the modular insert and the host device, and control operation of the conductive coil. The communication device further controls the electromagnetic coupling between the modular insert and the base device.

Abstract: An apparatus including a removable modular insert disposed within a housing of a host device, the housing including one or more magnets, and one or more conductive contacts disposed on the removable modular insert to magnetically couple to the one or more magnets and secure the modular insert within the housing of the host device, and electrically couple the modular insert to the host device. A conductive coil can be coupled to the modular insert to electromagnetically receive power from a base device having a surface, where the host device moves and operates along the surface of the base device. The apparatus can include a communication device and a processor to control the communication device for communication between the modular insert and the host device, and control operation of the conductive coil. The communication device further controls the electromagnetic coupling between the modular insert and the base device.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a computer mouse includes a chassis to provide support for a user's hand, where the chassis includes a knuckle support region, a palm support region, a first side region having a first ledge to support a thumb, a second side region having a second ledge to support one or more of a pinky or ring finger, and a button region having one or more buttons to support one or more of a tip of an index finger or middle finger. Each region can be physically separated from one another on the surface of the chassis by a gap. The knuckle support region can include a coating or covering on a surface of the knuckle support region to provide a directionally dependent friction. The friction on the surface of the knuckle support region is higher for side-to-side movements then for front-to-back movements.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a computer mouse includes a chassis to provide support for a user's hand, where the chassis includes a knuckle support region, a palm support region, a first side region having a first ledge to support a thumb, a second side region having a second ledge to support one or more of a pinky or ring finger, and a button region having one or more buttons to support one or more of a tip of an index finger or middle finger. Each region can be physically separated from one another on the surface of the chassis by a gap. The knuckle support region can include a coating or covering on a surface of the knuckle support region to provide a directionally dependent friction. The friction on the surface of the knuckle support region is higher for side-to-side movements than for front-to-back movements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to input devices configured for use with computing devices. The present invention relates to input device configured with a plurality of input members grouped into contoured-shaped bowls on a portion of the input devices. The input device may also be configured for use with multiple hand positions and multiple profiles based on the hand positions. The input device may enable switching between user-programmable profiles, and may include sensory feedback indicating the profiles active on the input device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to input devices configured for use with computing devices. The present invention relates to input device configured with a plurality of input members grouped into contoured-shaped bowls on a portion of the input devices. The input device may also be configured for use with multiple hand positions and multiple profiles based on the hand positions. The input device may enable switching between user-programmable profiles, and may include sensory feedback indicating the profiles active on the input device.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an input device includes a chassis and a depressible actuator disposed on the chassis that, when depressed, generates and sends a control signal to a processor, where the actuator is coupleable to a removable button cover that provides user-access to activate the actuator, and a removable blank cover to prevent user access to activate the actuator. The button cover and blank cover can be separate from the chassis and may directly attach to the actuator. The input device can further include a second depressible actuator disposed on the chassis that, when depressed, generates and sends a second control signal to the processor, where the second actuator is coupleable to the button cover and the blank cover.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an input device includes a chassis and a depressible actuator disposed on the chassis that, when depressed, generates and sends a control signal to a processor, where the actuator is coupleable to a removable button cover that provides user-access to activate the actuator, and a removable blank cover to prevent user access to activate the actuator. The button cover and blank cover can be separate from the chassis and may directly attach to the actuator. The input device can further include a second depressible actuator disposed on the chassis that, when depressed, generates and sends a second control signal to the processor, where the second actuator is coupleable to the button cover and the blank cover.

Abstract: An apparatus including a removable modular insert disposed within a housing of a host device, the housing including one or more magnets, and one or more conductive contacts disposed on the removable modular insert to magnetically couple to the one or more magnets and secure the modular insert within the housing of the host device, and electrically couple the modular insert to the host device. A conductive coil can be coupled to the modular insert to electromagnetically receive power from a base device having a surface, where the host device moves and operates along the surface of the base device. The apparatus can include a communication device and a processor to control the communication device for communication between the modular insert and the host device, and control operation of the conductive coil. The communication device further controls the electromagnetic coupling between the modular insert and the base device.

Abstract: A method includes establishing, by a base device, a wireless communication connection between the base device and an input device, wirelessly emitting a continuous burst of electromagnetic (EM) power to charge the input device while the input device is on or near a surface of the base device, determining that the wireless connection with the input device has been disconnected, waiting for a threshold time period after the determination, maintaining the continuous burst of EM power during the threshold time period, maintaining the continuous burst of EM power after the threshold time period when the base device receives an indication that the wireless communication connection with the input device has been reestablished during the threshold time period, and ceasing emission of the continuous burst of EM power when the base device does not receive the indication by the end of the threshold time period.