US 12,524,085 B1 · Hot-swappable battery system for computer peripherals

Abstract

A hot-swappable battery system for computer peripherals includes a wireless mouse having a battery compartment, a battery connector assembly mounted within the battery compartment, a removable battery configured to be inserted into and ejected from the battery connector assembly, a keep-alive battery mounted within the wireless mouse, and a docking station. The battery connector assembly includes electrical contacts and a push-push ejector mechanism. The keep-alive battery is electrically connected to provide backup power when the removable battery is removed. The docking station has a battery slot configured to receive and charge the removable battery when not in use in the wireless mouse. The system enables continuous operation of the wireless mouse while battery swapping between the mouse and docking station.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A hot-swappable battery system for a wireless mouse, comprising:

a wireless mouse having a battery compartment;
a battery connector assembly mounted within the battery compartment, the battery connector assembly including electrical contacts and a push-push ejector mechanism;
a removable battery configured to be inserted into and ejected from the battery connector assembly;
a keep-alive battery mounted within the wireless mouse and electrically connected to provide backup power when the removable battery is removed;
and
a docking station having a battery slot configured to receive and charge the removable battery when not in use in the wireless mouse;
wherein the battery connector assembly comprises a plurality of structural ribs and a plurality of support elements, wherein the plurality of support elements are positioned along sides of the opening of the assembly and secure the removable battery when inserted into the assembly.

4 more elements

A method for using a hot-swappable battery system, comprising:

providing a wireless mouse with a battery compartment and a battery connector assembly mounted within the battery compartment, wherein the battery connector assembly comprises a plurality of structural ribs and a plurality of support elements, wherein the plurality of support elements are positioned along sides of the opening of the battery connector assembly and secure a removable battery when inserted into the assembly;
inserting the removable battery into the battery connector assembly of the wireless mouse;
operating the wireless mouse using power from the removable battery;
monitoring a charge level of the removable battery;
removing the removable battery from the wireless mouse while maintaining operation of the wireless mouse using power from a keep-alive battery mounted within the wireless mouse;
inserting the removed battery into a battery slot of a docking station;
charging the removed battery in the docking station;
inserting a second removable battery from the docking station into the battery connector assembly of the wireless mouse;
and
resuming operation of the wireless mouse using power from the second removable battery.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hot-swappable battery system for computer peripherals

Life of this patent

Hot-swappable battery system for computer peripherals

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18