Abstract:
An alphanumeric keyboard has a plurality of alphanumeric keys and includes at least one built-in microphone. The at least one microphone is controlled by a processor such that the at least one microphone is able to be operated in an automatic mode. When in the automatic mode and an alphanumeric key is activated, the at least one microphone is deactivated for a predetermined period. The predetermined period is controlled by a timer. Also disclosed is the inclusion in the keyboard of one or more of: echo cancellation; a card reader; a wireless data receiver; and a contactless induction charger.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a keyboard with at least one in-built microphone with an automatic function and preferably, but not exclusively, to such an alphanumeric keyboard that also has peripheral functionality. 
   DEFINITIONS 
   Throughout this specification reference to “alphanumeric” is to be taken as including any symbols that may be found on the keys of a computer keyboard including regional or national alphabets, scripts and symbols. For example, a so-called “western” keyboard may include the following alphanumeric keys:
         alpha keys a to z;   numeric keys 0 to 9;   function keys including dedicated function keys such as, for example, F1 to F12, and such keys as Internet access keys;   instructional keys such as, for example, “Esc”, “Enter”, “Ctl”, “Shift”, “Tab”, “Caps Lock”, “Delete”, “Ins”, “Home”, “Page Up”, “Page Down”, “End”, “Num Lock”;   cursor control keys;   and the “Shift” function of all of them.       

   BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
   Many alphanumeric keyboards for computers now have a digital data connection to the host computer. The digital data connection may be a USB connection or IEEE 1394, or other relevant system including wireless connections. In many instances this is to allow extra function keys on the keyboard to control audio functions of the host. The audio functions may be, for example, volume controls, play functions, and so forth. By use of the digital data connector these may be controlled from the keyboard. 
   Peripheral devices such as a mouse are often connected to the host by a wireless connection using a wireless hub, the wireless hub being connected to the host using a wired digital data connector. This means that if only the mouse is wireless, there is more hardware, and still the same number of cables connected to the host. The wireless hub will also require a power supply, thus adding more cables. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance one aspect of the present invention there is provided an alphanumeric keyboard having a digital data connector for connection with a host computer, the alphanumeric keyboard having at least one in-built functional components for cooperating with at least one external component to enable data received from the at least one external component to be communicated to the host computer using the digital data connector; and the in-built functional component is able to have power supplied to it from the host computer using the digital data connector, the external component being external to both the host and the alphanumeric keyboard. 
   In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided an alphanumeric keyboard having a digital data connector for connection with a host computer, the alphanumeric keyboard having built-in a wireless data receiver for receiving wireless communication from a peripheral device. The wireless data receiver is able to communicate with the host computer using the digital data connector, and is able to have power supplied to it from the host computer using the digital data connector. The second aspect may be in addition to the first aspect, or as an alternative to the first aspect. 
   In accordance with another aspect there may be provided an alphanumeric keyboard having a digital data connector for connection with a host computer, the alphanumeric keyboard having built-in a card reader. The card reader is able to communicate with the host computer using the digital data connector, and is able to have power supplied to it from the host computer using the digital data connector. This may be in addition to or as an alternative to the aspects described above. 
   The card reader may be either or both of a radio frequency card reader, and a reader of non-volatile memory devices for data transfer, data storage, multimedia file playback, multimedia data transfer, and multimedia data storage, and so forth. Memory devices may include Flash cards, Secure Digital memory cards, Multi-Media Cards, Compact Flash cards, Memory Sticks from Sony Corp, Microdrives from IBM Corp, and SmartMedia memory cards. The card reader may be additional to or as an alternative to the wireless data receiver. 
   For all aspects, the digital data connector may be a USB connector or an IEEE 1394 connector. The peripheral device may be a wireless mouse. 
   According to a further aspect there is provided an alphanumeric keyboard having a plurality of alphanumeric keys and including at least one built-in microphone. The at least one microphone is able to be operated in an automatic modes. In the automatic mode upon one of the alphanumeric keys being activated, the at least one microphone is deactivated for a predetermined period. The predetermined period is controllable by a timer. The further aspect may be additional to or as an alternative to one or more of the aspects described above. 
   The microphones may detect the key press and mute an audio component. Additionally or alternatively, the processor may be able to detect a scan code generated by a keyboard driver of the alphanumeric keyboard and to mute the audio line from the microphones to disable the at least one microphone for the predetermined period in response to the receipt of the scan code. The predetermined period may be in the range 10 milliseconds to 10 seconds. At the end of the predetermined period the processor may reactivate the at least one microphone by cancelling the mute function. 
   Upon the microphones detecting a further key stroke sound and/or the keyboard driver generating a further scan code as a result of a further activation of at least one of the alphanumeric keys, the timer may reset the predetermined period. 
   The audio component may be one of: an audio line, a digital amplifier, an analog audio component, and a digital audio component. There may also be a buffer to delay processing of signals to prevent key press sounds from being processed as desired audio inputs. Upon a key press sound being detected, the buffer may be purged and muting take place. 
   The alphanumeric keyboard may further include one or more of: noise cancellation; a radio frequency card reader as described above; echo cancellation; and a wireless data receiver as described above. There may be a plurality of microphones in a spaced-apart relationship in the alphanumeric keyboard. 
   The keyboard may further include a switch to control the operation of the at least one microphone. The switch is preferably a physical switch and may have an LED display to indicate an operational mode of the switch. 
   There may be provided a keyboard driver for generating a scan code resulting from the activation of the at least one of the alphanumeric keys, the scan code being able to be detected by the processor to enable the processor to mute an audio line from the at least one microphone and, at the end of the predetermined period, the processor enables the at least one microphone by cancelling the muting of the audio line. Upon the processor detecting a further scan code resulting from a further activation of at least one of the alphanumeric keys within the predetermined period, the timer resets the predetermined period. 
   In a final preferred aspect there is provided an alphanumeric keyboard having a digital data connector for supplying received DC power to the keyboard, the keyboard comprising an inverter for transforming the received DC power to a primary AC power of a primary frequency; and a primary coil immediately adjacent a wall of the keyboard and being adapted to have applied to it the primary AC power. The primary coil is able to induce an eddy current in a secondary coil located within a wireless mouse when the secondary coil is brought into close proximity to the primary coil. This generates a secondary voltage across the secondary coil to enable recharging of at least one battery in the wireless mouse by contactless induction charging. The final aspect may be additional to or as an alternative to one or more of the aspects described above. 
   The primary coil and secondary coils may each have a hollow core, and the primary coil may have a ferrite rod in its hollow core. The primary coil may be perpendicular to the wall, the ferrite rod projecting through the wall for surface interlock charging; or may be parallel to the wall for surface close coupled charging. 
   The primary AC power may be of a frequency above the audible range such as, for example, the range of from 20 KHz to 25 KHz. 
   There may also be provided a secondary rectifier between the secondary coil and the at least one battery for rectifying the secondary voltage and charging the battery. 
   The alphanumeric keyboard may have a recess in a side wall thereof sized and shaped to receive a front portion of the mouse. The recess may have a wall. The primary coil may be adjacent the wall. The secondary coil may be in the front portion of the mouse. The recess may have a shelf on which the mouse can rest. 
   The wall of the alphanumeric keyboard may be a side wall, the mouse having a mouse wall, the mouse wall being able to contact the side wall; the secondary coil being adjacent the mouse wall. 
   Alternatively, the wall may be a top surface of the alphanumeric keyboard, there being provided a docking station in the top surface; the primary coil being located under the docking station; the secondary coil being located above a base of the mouse. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily put into practical effect there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only preferred embodiments of the invention, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of a computer system incorporating a keyboard according to a first aspect of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the keyboard of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the keyboard of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of the fascia of the card reader of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart for the operation of the microphones; 
       FIG. 6  is an architecture diagram; 
       FIG. 7  is a partial sectional view of a further embodiment, the section along the lines and in the direction of arrows B—B on  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 6  of a second form of the further embodiment; 
       FIG. 9  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 6  of a third form of the further embodiment; 
       FIG. 10  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 6  of a fourth form of the further embodiment; 
       FIG. 11  is a block diagram of the components of the further embodiment; 
       FIG. 12  is a top view of the wireless mouse of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 13  is one embodiment of a cross-sectional view along the lines and in the direction of arrows C—C on  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a partial underneath view of the embodiment of  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 15  is one embodiment of a partial cross-sectional view along the lines and in the direction of arrows A—A on  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 16  is a second embodiment of a cross-sectional view along the lines and in the direction of arrows C—C on  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a partial underneath view of the embodiment of  FIG. 16 ; 
       FIG. 18  is a second embodiment of a cross sectional view along the lines and in the direction of arrows A—A on  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 19  is a top view of a second embodiment of the wireless mouse of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view along the lines and in the direction of arrows E—E on  FIG. 19 ; 
       FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view along the lines and in the direction of arrows B—B on  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 22  is a partial perspective view illustrating the mouse of  FIGS. 12  to  14  with the keyboard of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 23  is a partial side view of the mouse and keyboard of  FIG. 22  prior to engagement of the mouse with the keyboard; 
       FIG. 24  is a partial perspective view corresponding to  FIG. 22  after engagement of the mouse on the keyboard; 
       FIG. 25  is a partial perspective view illustrating the mouse of  FIGS. 16 and 17  with the keyboard of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 26  is a partial top view of the mouse and keyboard of  FIG. 25  after engagement of the mouse with the keyboard 
       FIG. 27  is a partial perspective view corresponding to  FIG. 25  after engagement of the mouse on the keyboard; 
       FIG. 28  is a partial perspective view illustrating the mouse of  FIGS. 19 and 20  with the keyboard of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 29  is a partial side view of the mouse of  FIG. 28  prior to engagement of the mouse with the keyboard; 
       FIG. 30  is a partial perspective view corresponding to  FIG. 28  after engagement of the mouse with the keyboard; 
       FIG. 31  is a partial perspective view illustrating an alternative form of mouse with a variant of the keyboard of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 32  is a partial side view of the mouse and keyboard of  FIG. 31  after engagement of the mouse with the keyboard; 
       FIG. 33  is a partial perspective view corresponding to  FIG. 31  after engagement of the mouse with the keyboard; 
       FIG. 34  is a partial perspective view illustrating a further alternative form of mouse with a further variant of the keyboard of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 35  is a partial perspective view of the mouse of  FIG. 34  after engagement of the mouse with the keyboard; 
       FIG. 36  is a partial side cross-sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 34  after engagement of the mouse with the keyboard; and 
       FIG. 37  is a partial perspective view in cutaway of the mouse of  FIG. 34  after engagement with the keyboard. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   To first refer to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , there is shown a computer system including monitor  10 , host PC  12  and keyboard  14 . Keyboard  14  is shown connected to host PC  12  by a cable  16 . Alternatively, a wireless connection may be used. The wireless connection may be by any suitable system including, for example, Bluetooth, or any other radio frequency or infrared system. 
   Keyboard  14  may have built-in speakers  18 . Cable  16  is connected to keyboard  14  at one end, and has its other end at least one digital data connector  20 . It is preferred for there to be only one connector  20 . The connector  20  may be a USB connector or a IEEE 1394 connector, or other suitable digital data transfer connector. In the following description reference will be made to the use of a single USB connector for the sake of convenience. 
   As is shown in  FIG. 2 , the keyboard  14  has a number of built-in functional components including built-in wireless receiver  22  for a peripheral device to be able to communicate with the host  12 . The peripheral device may be a wireless mouse  23 . In this way a separate wireless hub connected to the host  12  is not required and the keyboard  14  acts as the wireless hub. This also clears a cable from the computer system and thus assists in clearing a desk of a user. Receiver  22  may be a transmitter/receiver, if desired or required. 
   Alternatively or additionally, the keyboard  14  may have a built-in card reader  24 . The card reader  24  fascia may be as illustrated in FIG.  3  and be to enable non-volatile memory to be used in conjunction with host  12  for data transfer and storage, multimedia file playback, multimedia data transfer and storage, and so forth. Memory devices may include, but are not limited to, for example, secure digital memory sticks, multi-media cards, compact Flash cards, memory sticks, MicroDrives as available from IBM, and SmartMedia memory cards. Card reader  24  may have a plurality of slots to receive different forms of memory devices. For example, slot  31  may be for SmartMedia memory cards, slot  32  may be for compact Flash cards or MicroDevices, slot  33  for Memory Stick and slot  34  for Secure Digital memory cards and Multi-Media Cards. 
   Alternatively or additionally, card reader  24  may be or include a radio frequency card reader and thus any card only needs to be placed in close proximity to card reader  24  for data transfer to take place. This would be relevant for radio frequency cards including, but not limited to, smart cards such as, for example, cash cards, membership cars, identity cards, and security passes, to be used in conjunction with host  12  for on-line payments, security access, security clearance, password confirmation, identity confirmation, and so forth. 
   Power for card reader  24  and wireless receiver  22  may be obtained from the power connection available through the digital data connector  20 . Data transfer between card reader  24  and host  12 , and between receiver  22  and host  12 , will also able to be through the digital data connector  20 . In this way card reader  24  and wireless receiver  22  do not need an external power source. In this way the keyboard  14  may be used for many of the basic functions for host computer  12  and thus enables keyboard  14  to be more versatile. It may also reduce cable clutter. 
   A docking station  40  for the wireless mouse  23  may also be provided. This may be in a top wall of the keyboard  14 . 
   As can be seen, the keyboard  14  may also have one or more built-in microphones  28 , the operation of which is illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Preferably, the microphones  28  are in a top wall of the keyboard  14 . However, one or more of them may be in a side wall of the keyboard  14 . 
   A switch  30  is provided to control the operation of microphones  28 . Switch  30  is preferably a physical switch because if a software switch was used it may be able to be remotely accessed and the microphones  28  activated. This may allow a remote person to record conversations in the room in which keyboard  14  is located. This may be a breach of security or a breach of privacy. The switch  30  may have a LED display to indicate the operational mode of switch  30 . Preferably, the switch  30  is in a top wall of the keyboard  14 , but it may be in a side wall, if desired or required. 
   When an alphanumeric key is pressed ( 100 ), the position of switch  30  is checked ( 102 ). The switch  30  preferably has three positions—ON, OFF and AUTO. OFF disables all microphones  28  ( 102 ). ON enables on all microphones  28  ( 104 ) and they remain enabled until the switch  30  is changed ( 106 ). If the switched  30  is moved to OFF ( 108 ), the activation of the microphones  28  ends ( 116 ). If the switch  30  is moved to auto ( 112 ) the microphones move to the auto mode ( 114 ). However, if desired or required, the switch  30  may have only two positions. These may be OFF and an ON position that corresponds directly to the AUTO position described above and below. 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , there is a processor  35  that controls the operation of microphones  28  in response to switch  30  and input from microphones  28 . The processor  36  may be in the host  12  or, alternatively, may be in the keyboard  14 . The processor  38  passes audio signals from microphones  28  to an audio system  36  along at least one audio line  37 . The processor  35  has timer  39  that may be integral with processor  35  or may be separate. There may also be a buffer  38  that may be integral with processor  35  or separate. Preferably, buffer  38  is in keyboard  14  even if processor  35  is in host  12 . 
   The output of microphones  28  will be analog audio. To be able to be processed in a digital environment, the analog audio needs to be:
         (i) converted to digital audio using an analog-to-digital converter in keyboard  14  and then sent over the digital data connection to a sound card in host  12 . It can then be sent back to the keyboard  14  over the digital data connection; or   (ii) processed in a separate processor(s) in keyboard  14  to enable it to be converted to digital audio and processed within the keyboard  14 . This may be in accordance with the system disclosed in my co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “Keyboard With Digital Audio” as filed on May 23, 2003, the contents of which are hereby Incorporated by reference.       

   In  FIG. 5 , when switch  30  is in AUTO, the microphones  28  are enabled ( 118 ) until a key of the keyboard  14  is pressed ( 100 ). As soon as a key is pressed, the keyboard driver  65  generates a scan code resulting from the key press, and processor  35  detects the scan code. The processor  35  purges buffer  38  and mutes audio line  37  ( 120 ) or, alternatively, switches off audio line  37 . The buffer  38  enables the processing of signals from the microphones  28  to be delayed to prevent key press sounds from being processed as desired audio inputs. Timer  39  is started ( 122 ) and, after a prescribed delay ( 124 ), the microphones are enabled by cancelling the mute function on lines  37  ( 126 ) unless there has been a further pressing of a key of keyboard  12 , in which case the timer  39  ( 122 ) is reset to zero, and recommended. This continues until there is no key pressed in the prescribed delay, whereupon the microphones  28  are enabled ( 126 ) by cancelling the mute function. 
   Additionally or alternatively, as soon as a key is pressed, the microphones  28  may be used to detect the noise of the key press and the signal passed to the processor  36 . The process proceeds as described above. 
   The prescribed delay may be preset, or be set by user input. It should be of a relevant duration such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 seconds. The buffer  38  introduces a time delay of less than second, preferably of the order of 50 to 500 milliseconds. 
   If at any time the switch  30  is moved to a different position this is detected at  128 . If yes, and the switch is in the OFF position ( 130 ) the inputs of the microphones into the audio system are disabled ( 132 ). If it is moved to the ON position ( 134 ) the system reverts to ON mode ( 136 ,  104 ). 
   The ON mode is more suitable for continuous use of microphones  28 . This may, for example, be when using voice-to-text word processing, Internet telephony such as VoIP, or voice recording. The AUTO mode would be more suitable for functions where there is both audio input and keyboard functions. In this way the microphones  28  do not detect the use of the alphanumeric keys of keyboard  14  and thus the audio system  36  does not record, playback, transmit or otherwise propagate the sounds of the keys. 
   By having more than one microphone  28 , it is possible to use an echo-cancelling feature such as, for example, the “Adaptive Echo Canceller” available from Infinior MicroSystems Co Ltd of Seoul, Korea; or “Acoustic Echo Canceller” available from NEC Electronics Corporation of Japan. Both of these systems are for a single microphone and speaker and thus it may be necessary to have a separate system for each microphone/speaker pair. 
   To now consider  FIGS. 7  to  11 , there is shown part of the keyboard  14  including apparatus for recharging batteries of the wireless mouse  23  by contactless induction charging. 
   The keyboard  14  has a wall  602 . This may be a front wall, side wall or rear wall. Located immediately adjacent the wall  602  is a primary coil  604 . Primary coil  604  receives power from digital data connector  20 . If digital data connector  20  is a USB connector, the power will be at 5V DC. This is inverted to AC using DC-AC inverter  606  and the AC power is applied to the primary coil  604 . 
   When wireless mouse  23  is brought into close proximity to primary coil  604 , a secondary coil  608  in mouse  23  moves to be within the magnetic field generated by primary coil  604 . Eddy currents will therefore be induced within secondary coil  608 . This generates an AC voltage across secondary coil  608 . This generated AC voltage is then rectified in an AC-DC rectifier  610  and used to recharge batteries  612  in mouse  23 . Rectifier  610  may also have a battery charging circuit (not shown). The battery charging circuit may be a separate component if desired. 
   Primary coil  604  may have a core  614  that may be hollow, or may have ferrite core  616  if desired or required. 
   Primary coil  604  may be arranged parallel to wall  602  for surface close coupled charging (FIG.  7 ); perpendicular to wall  602  but not projecting through wall  602  for surface close coupled charging (FIG.  8 ); perpendicular to wall  602  and with ferrite rod  616  projecting through wall  602  for surface interlock charging (FIG.  9 ); or may be around or immediately adjacent a concave recess  618  in wall  602  shaped to correspond to the shape of mouse  23  in the region of secondary coil  608  for surface close coupled charging (FIG.  10 ). 
   Secondary coil  608  preferably has a hollow core  620  with the core  620  being aligned to be perpendicular to wall  622  of mouse  23 . 
   The ratio of the number of windings of primary coil  604  and secondary coil  608 , together with the voltage applied to primary coil  604 , will determine the maximum possible voltage generated across secondary coil  608 . For example, if the voltage across the primary coil  604  is 20V AC, the voltage generated across secondary coil  608  may be of the order of 3.5V AC. This would be rectified to 3.5V DC to provide a slow change for batteries  612 . It is preferred for the secondary coil  608  voltage to be in the range 6 to 8 AC. The voltage generated across secondary coil  608  should be that required to recharge the batteries  612 . 
   It is preferred for the AC voltage to be of a high frequency—preferably above the normal hearing range of humans. For example, it may be in the range of 20 to 25 KHz, preferably 22 KHz. This would eliminate the usual, audible, transformer-style hum. 
   The efficiency of induction of the eddy currents in the secondary coil  608  will vary according to the relative positions of the secondary coil  608  and the primary coil  604 . That of  FIG. 7  has a relatively low efficiency, whereas that of  FIG. 8  has a relatively high efficiency. The efficiency way vary from as low as 5% up to about 20%. 
     FIGS. 12  to  18  show two variations of the embodiment of  FIGS. 7  to  11 . In  FIGS. 12  to  13 , the mouse  23  is to be used with the docking station  40 . The mouse  23  may have a recess  624  in its base  626 , the secondary coil  608  being wound around or be immediately adjacent (but preferably coaxial with) recess  624 . The recess  624  may have a tapered entry  628 , if desired. The docking station has ferrite rod  616  of primary coil  604  projecting through docking station  40  to engage in recess  624 . 
   For  FIGS. 16  to  18 , the primary coil  604  is beneath the surface of docking station  40 . The secondary coil  608  is therefore on base  626  of mouse  23 . 
     FIGS. 19  to  21  are a variation of  FIGS. 7  to  10  in that primary coil  604  is immediately adjacent wall  602 —in this case a side wall of keyboard  14 . The secondary coil  608  is adjacent a side  630  of mouse  23 . 
     FIGS. 22  to  24  show the mouse  23  of  FIGS. 12  to  14  with the docking station  40  of keyboard  14  where the rod  616  engages in recess  624 . 
     FIGS. 25  to  27  show mouse  23  of  FIGS. 16 and 17  with the keyboard of FIG.  2 . Here the docking station  40  is recessed into keyboard  14 . Coils  604  and  608  operate as previously. 
     FIGS. 28  to  30  show the mouse  23  of  FIGS. 19 and 20  with the keyboard  14  of FIG.  2 . Here the primary coil  604  is in the side  632  of keyboard  14 , and the secondary coil  608  is in the side  630  of mouse  23 . Bringing the two coils in close relationship enables recharging to take place. Preferably, the close relationship is offset so that an end of the secondary coil  608  is adjacent an end of the primary coil  604  with there being no overlap of primary coil  604  and secondary coil  608 . 
     FIGS. 31  to  33  show an alternative form of mouse  23  with a variant of the keyboard  14  of FIG.  2 . Here the secondary coil  608  is between the scroll wheel  634  and the front  636  of mouse  23 . The primary coil  604  is in the front/top surface  640  of a recess  638  in the side  632  of keyboard  14  and that is sized and shaped to receive the front portion  644  of mouse  23 . When the front portion of mouse  23  is fully inserted into recess  638 , the secondary coil  608  is brought into adjacent relationship with the primary coil  604  to enable recharging to take place.  FIGS. 34  to  37  show the mouse  23  of  FIGS. 31  to  33  with a variation of the keyboard  14  of  FIGS. 31  to  33 . The only differences are that recess  638  is elevated up wall  632  to allow the addition of a small shelf  642  on which the mouse  23  can rest when its batteries are being recharged, or for transport. This also enables primary coil  604  to be wound around recess  638 , and thus for an enlarged secondary coil  608  to be in the front portion  644  of mouse  23 . 
   In all other respects, the apparatus and operation to recharge the batteries  612  of mouse  23  is the same. 
   Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology that many variations or modifications in details of design, construction or operation may be made without departing from the present invention.