Patent ID: 7589496

Claim:
A user input device charging system, comprising: a base configured for receiving a user input device and having a first alignment feature having a male type alignment feature extending upwardly from a top surface of the base, wherein the top surface of the base is generally planar, and wherein the base is void of structure that would prevent a user input device from being rotated about the first alignment feature; a user input device configured with a planar bottom surface, wherein the user input device is supported on its bottom surface by the planar top surface of the base, and wherein the user input device includes a second alignment feature having a recess formed in the planar bottom surface of the user input device, the second alignment feature corresponding to the shape of the first alignment feature of the base and configured for mating with the first alignment feature when the second alignment feature is positioned over the first alignment feature and the planar bottom surface of the user input device is on the planar top surface of the base; wherein when the first and second alignment features are mated the planar top surface of the base is horizontally coupled to the planar bottom surface of the user input device such that the input device is not prevented from being rotated about the first alignment feature; and a charging connection further including a first charging element extending upwardly from the planar top surface of the base and a corresponding second charging element formed on the planar bottom surface of the user input device wherein the first and second charging elements are electrically connected when the first and second alignment features are mated and when the planar bottom surface of the user input device is horizontally coupled to the planar top surface of the base.