# US 10,122,194 B2 · Input device stand and energy storage device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,122,194 B2 - Document ID: US10122194B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/248,903 - Filed: 2016-08-26 - Published: 2017-03-16 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-11 - Assignees: Logitech Europe S.A. - Applicants: Logitech Europe S.A. - Inventors: Jean-Marc Fluckiger; Chun-Wei Su; Yibo Shao - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10122194B2 ## CPC - H02J 7/731: {specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries (H02J7/751 takes precedence)} - G06F 1/1632: {External expansion units, e.g. docking stations} - G06F 1/26: Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof (for memories G11C) - H02J 7/00: Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - Y02P 70/50: Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus comprising a housing having a substantially rectangular shape and including a top side, a bottom side, and a slot that passes from the top side to the bottom side of the housing to secure a mobile input device in an upright configuration. The apparatus further includes an energy storage device disposed within the housing to charge the mobile input device. The energy storage device may charge the mobile input device by inductive charging or hardwire (e.g., via a retractable cable). The slot can include a coating or covering to increase a coefficient between the slot and the mobile input device. The slot can be disposed in the long end of the housing and can support the mobile input device in either a portrait or landscape upright configuration, from either the top end or the bottom end. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A charging apparatus comprising: a housing having a substantially rectangular shape and including: a top side; a bottom side; and a slot that passes through from the top side to the bottom side of the housing such that the slot is operable to receive a mobile input device from both the top side or from the bottom side of the housing and secure the mobile input device in an upright configuration; and an energy storage device disposed within the housing to electrically couple to and charge the mobile input device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an inductive device to inductively transfer energy from the energy storage device to the mobile input device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cable to couple to and transfer energy from the energy storage device to the mobile input device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the cable is retractable. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the slot includes inner walls having a surface area, wherein the surface area of the inner walls includes a covering to increase a coefficient of friction between the mobile input device and the surface area of the slot when the mobile input device is secured in the slot in the upright configuration. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the covering includes a rubber or polyurethane (PU) coating. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rectangular-shaped housing includes long edges and short edges, and wherein the slot extends along one of the long edges of the housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the slot supports the mobile input device in an upright portrait or landscape orientation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the slot supports the mobile input device in both a forward facing or rear facing upright configuration. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the slot widens to form a grip-like opening to conform to a human hand. ### Claim 11 A portable charging device comprising: a housing that includes: a top side; and a bottom side; a slot disposed in and passing through the housing, the slot operable to support a mobile input device in an upright configuration, wherein the slot is operable to receive the mobile input device from both the top side or the bottom side of the housing; and an energy storage device disposed in the housing to couple to and charge the mobile input device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The portable charging device of claim 11 wherein the slot is over-molded with a rubber or polyurethane (PU) coating to increase a coefficient of friction between the slot and the mobile input device when the mobile input device is placed in the slot. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The portable charging device of claim 11 wherein the slot includes a widened region forming a grip-like opening to conform to a human hand. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The portable charging device of claim 11 wherein the mobile input device is a tablet computer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The portable charging device of claim 11 wherein the slot supports the mobile input device in both a forward facing or rear facing upright configuration.