Patent ID: 8138717

Claim:
A method of charging an input device, comprising: providing a wireless transceiver and a rechargeable power store for powering the wireless transceiver in the input device; providing a sensor to monitor a position of the input device; forming a first magnetic coupling between a cord and a charging device to exert magnetic forces between the cord and the charging device; forming a second magnetic coupling between the cord and the input device to exert magnetic forces between the cord and the input device; supplying, across the cord, an electric current to the input device from the charging device so as to recharge the power store; utilizing the wireless transceiver to form a wireless communication connection between the input device and the charging device that enables the input device to wirelessly transmit the position of the input device to the charging device; and utilizing the cord to form a wired communication connection between the input device and the charging device that enables the input device to transmit the position of the input device to the charging device through the wired communication connection.