WO2008046077A2

WO2008046077A2 - Peripheral devices for portable computer

Info

Publication number: WO2008046077A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/081310
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kevin M. Johnson
Original assignee: Newton Peripherals Llc
Priority date: 2006-10-13
Filing date: 2007-10-12
Publication date: 2008-04-17
Also published as: WO2008046077A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to the charging of peripheral devices. In exemplary embodiments the present invention relates to a system, method and article for charging a peripheral device by a computing device. The computing device is capable of charging the peripheral device upon a determination that the peripheral device requires charging. The computing device may also be capable of charging the peripheral device for a set period of time.

Description

PERIPHERAL DEVICES FOR PORTABLE COMPUTER

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/829,377, filed October 13, 2006, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to recharging peripheral devices. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention relates to a system, method and article for recharging the peripheral device by a computing device. The computing device may be, for example, a portable device, laptop computer, desktop computer, etc.

BACKGROUND Portable computers have recently exceeded desktop computers in their popularity.

Laptop (notebook) and tablet style computers may be found in the work environment, at home or may be used during travel, perhaps as a result of their advantages, particularly when equipped with wireless communicating technology. Advantages such as low power consumption, long battery life, small size, low weight and communicability make the portable computer available to nearly everyone everywhere. One potential downside of these devices, as well as their non-portable predecessors, is their interface with peripheral devices. Often the portable computer must be accompanied by a carrying case which may be used to store a variety of peripheral devices, such as a mouse, power cord, dongles, USB cables, etc. In addition, desktop computers become unsightly due to the number of cords, cables and dongles associated with peripheral devices utilized in connection with such computers.

While text input into a computing device may still occur through a keyboard, non-text input and selection, via cursor movement such as by pointing and clicking, has continuously evolved. Initially these functions were performed with the keyboard. Then the wired, mechanical mouse was introduced, followed by track balls and joysticks. As the size of personal computers has been reduced and laptops were introduced, "track pads" and "eraser- head" pointing devices were introduced. Wireless technology has allowed peripheral devices to now be operated freely in the vicinity of the computer liberating devices, such as mice, that were once tethered to the laptop by a restrictive cable.

Originally, the mechanical mouse included a captured moving ball and encoder wherein movement of the ball generated an x, y directional signal to control the cursor. Early optical mouse technology bounced a focused beam of light off a highly reflective mouse pad (surface) to a sensor. The mouse pad included a grid of dark lines which interrupted the light beam. The interruption caused a sensor to send a signal to the computer to trigger cursor movement.

More recently, optical mice have been developed which may not be quite as dependent on a planar resting surface. An optical mouse may now use a relatively small camera to take as may as 1,500 pictures per second. A light-emitting diode (LED) bounces light off a work surface into a complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. The sensor sends each image to a digital signal processor (DSP) which is able to detect changes in pattern in the images. Based on the changes in pattern over a sequence of images, the DSP determines how far the mouse has moved and sends the coordinates to the computer which moves the cursor based on the coordinates received from the mouse. An optical mouse may therefore provide improved tracking resolution, may be devoid of moving parts and may be suitable for use on a variety of different surfaces.

Optical mice also may incorporate laser diodes, wherein the mouse may take more than 6,000 snapshots per second. Similar to optical technology utilizing LED's, sensors detect changes in the image patterns. Reportedly, however, laser is capable of resolving patterns on a variety of surfaces, including surfaces that may be glossy, further increasing the mobility of the peripheral device.

Furthermore, as the use of wires, which previously supplied both communication and power to a peripheral device, has been reduced, a need has been presented for the use of batteries and, in particular, rechargeable batteries in such device. Accordingly, many users must separately provide such batteries or rechargeable batteries or provide a docking station for recharging the peripheral devices. However, carrying around rechargeable batteries and/or separate docking stations, which may be "wired" peripheral devices in and of themselves, may be just as burdensome to a user as utilizing "wired" peripheral device.

Accordingly, within the computer industry, there is a continuing need to improve the general interaction of peripheral devices, such as mice, with the host computer. Such improvements may center on expanding the use of a computer port, the identification of special ports or the development of other unique interface protocols. Such improvements may also center on the peripheral device geometry and mechanical functionality and/or optical functionality (e.g., adopting a first configuration when engaging with the computer and a second, more functional and ergonomically pleasing configuration when utilized by the consumer). The peripheral devices may include any electronic device capable of uploading or downloading of information, or even a stand-alone electronic device that may uniquely rely on the computer for storage and/or charging.

SUMMARY

Provided herein is an exemplary system including a computing device and a peripheral device capable of communicating with the computing device. The computing device is capable of charging the peripheral device upon a determination that the peripheral device requires charging. In addition, an exemplary method is provided for determining whether the peripheral device requires charging and charging the peripheral device by the computing device.

Further provided herein is an exemplary system wherein a computing device is capable of a change in mode and a peripheral device is capable of communicating with the computing device. The computing device is also capable of charging the peripheral device upon an initiation of the change in mode for a time period T₁.

In addition, an exemplary article is provided herein wherein a storage medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed by a machine result in the operations of determining whether a peripheral device capable of being connected to a computing device requires charging and charging the peripheral device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The detailed description below may be better understood with reference to the accompanying figures which are provided for illustrative purposes and are not to be considered as limiting any aspect of the invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary computing device and a peripheral device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary mouse. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method and system. FIG. 4 is another flow diagram of an exemplary method and system. FIG. 5 is another flow diagram of an exemplary method and system. FIG. 6 is another flow diagram of an exemplary method and system. FIG. 7 is another flow diagram of an exemplary method and system.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an embodiment of the present invention relating to an article of machine readable media in relation to a processor and a user interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to the recharging of peripheral devices by operatively or electrically connecting said peripheral device to a computing device. In an exemplary embodiment the present invention relates to a system, method and article for recharging a peripheral device in a port of a computing device. The computing device may be, for example, a portable device such as a laptop, or a non-portable device such as a desktop computer.

Peripheral devices may be charged or recharged by operatively connecting the device to a computing device. According to one exemplary embodiment, the peripheral device may be operatively connected to the computing device via an interface that engages with a bus within the computing device. For example, the peripheral device may operate using a dongle connected to a port, such as a USB port or a port located in a PCMCIA slot.

According to another exemplary embodiment the peripheral device may operate in a wireless technology mode using, for instance, RF, Bluetooth or IEEE 802.11 specification radio frequency technology. The peripheral devices may therefore communicate with integrated wireless technology with the computing device. Such devices may be recharged by inserting the peripheral device or device interface into a slot and engaging the computing device via the slot. A slot may be understood as an opening in a computer that may provide a mechanical and/or electrical interface. The peripheral device may fit wholly or partially within a slot. It should be understood that when configured to fit wholly into a slot, the entire device is configured or exhibits a form factor that fits completely within the slot. To fit partially within a slot, just a portion of the device may be located within the slot. In such embodiments, the peripheral device may also be stored in the slot. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laptop computer 10 including a slot or port 12 into which a peripheral device 20 may be inserted for storage when not in use and for recharging. Any type of electronic device which requires recharging is contemplated, including those which may or may not interface with the computer directly or some types of devices that may operate wirelessly or via a cable or wire interface using protocols that may fall within or be compliant with portions of USB, RS-232, IEEE 1284, or IEEE 1394 standards. Examples include but are not limited to: a mouse, an MP3 player, a PC card with battery pack, a battery pack, a camera, a cell phone, VOIP phones and laser pointers. It may also include a security device such as a biometric device including finger-print scanners, non-biometric security devices, retinal scanners, barcode scanners, RFID readers, flashlights, disc drives, network detectors, cameras, etc. This invention therefore allows consolidation of peripheral devices and recharging without the restriction of cables, cords or chargers. Exemplary embodiments of peripheral devices are disclosed in U.S. patent application number 11/192,336 filed on July 28, 2005, incorporated herein by reference. In one embodiment, the peripheral device 20 may comprise a MP3 player which may fit into the PC slot of a laptop. Upon insertion of the device into the slot, the player connects electrically to the laptop for recharging and may transfer music from the laptop to the MP3 player. The MP3 player may be operated independently from the laptop and may include headphones and controls for navigating the stored song lists and for general operation. The player may have a cross-sectional shape or "form factor" to allow insertion into the slot and corresponding electrical contact locations so that it may be readily recharged.

In another embodiment, the device may comprise a PC card battery such as a lithium polymer battery. The battery may also have a form factor that allows it to fit into a slot or port such as a PCMCIA slot or ExpressCard™ slot in a laptop computer. The device 20 may plug into the slot 12 and be recharged by power from the laptop 10. Upon ejection from the slot, the PC card battery may then be inserted into or connected via a cable to another electronic device, such as a cell phone, a MP3 player or PDA, for instance. The PC card battery may therefore serve as a power source for any device which may be configured to engage with a PC card battery. In another embodiment, the device may comprise a pointing device (mouse) for a computer. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a relatively low profile mouse 22 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The mouse 22 is shown in an expanded configuration. The mouse 22 may include a fixed-size body portion 30 which may house the optics and electronics as well as functional areas or buttons 32, 34 for selecting functions in the computer, for instance, left click and right click functions. Accordingly, it may be appreciated that the low profile mouse 22 does not require the size configuration of a conventional mouse.

The mouse 22 may tilt upward from either end. Ergonomically, it may be preferred that the main body 30 of the mouse 22 be wider than, or proud to, the folding base portion 40, making the mouse 22 easier to pick up from a flat surface. For example, the base portion may be a pivoting member 40, which may be spring loaded, that may be attached to the underside of the body 30 and when activated or released pivots outwardly, such as about 45°, elevating the body 30 off of the supporting surface and rendering the mouse 22 functional (i.e. powering the mouse to an on condition or positioning the optics so that they perform more efficiently, as noted above). The pivoting member 40 or "kickstand" may fold up and, for example, may be retained by a detent in the lower surface of the body 30. This pivoting of the mouse may occur automatically upon ejection from the slot or with the assistance of the user pushing a release button to unfold the base 40. The release button (not shown) may be located anywhere on the mouse, such as along one side of the mouse.

In its flat configuration, the mouse is capable of fitting into a slot or port in a portable computer, as indicated schematically in FIG. 1. This then provides convenient storage and recharging. In one exemplary embodiment, the mouse 22 may be configured to fit into a PCMCIA slot along a side or end of a laptop. The mouse, as with the peripheral devices noted above, may have a form factor that coincides to the slot along with electrical contacts to facilitate recharging in the slot.

The expansion of the mouse 22 may therefore be primarily in height or thickness to enable the user to grasp and move the mouse along a surface. Further, since a device that will fit into a slot or port such as a PCMCIA may typically be only about 3-10 mm in height, there is typically little room for the operation of optical and electronic components. Unfolding the mouse 22 may therefore provide extra functional length for the imaging optics and additional space for sources of illumination. Accordingly, unfolding of the mouse may enable the optics to work or allow the optics to better focus on the supporting surface, which would not be as efficient under those circumstances where the mouse was not unfolded. In addition, upon closing of the mouse for storage the optics may be protected from damage. When the mouse 22 is ready for storage, it may return to its original form factor, for example into the shape of a PCMCIA card, and inserted back into a slot 12 in the laptop 10

(FIG. 1). Once inside, the mouse 22 (or other device 20) may be recharged by drawing power from the laptop 10 wall power supply or alternately, from standard replaceable and rechargeable laptop batteries.

It is further envisioned that the flat mouse of the present invention, when in a thin profile, may be stored at a location on the keys of the keyboard of the computer. For example, when the laptop is closed, the mouse may be pressed against the keys deflecting them slightly such that the mouse may be depressed into charging contact with electrical contacts placed between the keys and aligned to interface with the mouse to recharge the battery.

As alluded to above, once the peripheral device interfaces with the computing device, either by a wired connection or by insertion into a slot or a port it may be charged by power supplied from the computing device. The present disclosure therefore contemplates a method and apparatus for recharging the peripheral device.

In an exemplary embodiment, a determination may be made that the peripheral device or a power supply for the peripheral device may require some amount of charging. This determination may be initiated by the peripheral device or by the computing device wherein either device provides information to the computing device, such as signals, that represents to the computing device whether the peripheral device requires charging. The computing device or peripheral device may also continuously monitor, indicate or otherwise display the status of the remaining charge of the peripheral device. This determination may be performed wirelessly when the peripheral device may not be in wired communication with the computing device or via an interface that physically engages the peripheral device with the computing device. As used herein, the term "requires" does not necessarily imply that charging must occur in order for the peripheral device to function, it may merely imply that some discharge by the peripheral device power supply has occurred. In addition charging and recharging are used interchangeably herein.

If not already engaged with the computing device by a cable, the peripheral device may be engaged with the computing device at any given time in a slot or a port. For example, the user may decide that it is no longer necessary to use the peripheral device and may insert the device into a slot for storage or otherwise interface the peripheral device with the computing device. Accordingly, the peripheral device may be so engaged when the computing device is in an operating mode, or when it is in a final mode, such as off.

Once electrically engaged with the computing device, the peripheral device may be charged while the computing device is in any mode of operation or in a transition between any mode of operation. Where the peripheral device is received prior to or upon initiation of a change in modes, the computing device may inquire as to whether the user would like to charge the peripheral device if some degree of charging is indeed detected. If it is indicated that charging is required, the computing device may then remain in its current mode or enter a different mode to charge the device prior to entering yet another mode such as a shut down. Charging may occur until the computing device determines that charging is no longer required or until a specific time period has passed. For example, the computing device may detect the current or flow of electric charge to the peripheral device. Once the power supply reaches a certain voltage, which may indicate the device is charged, the current may drop and the computing device may detect that the charge may be complete. In another embodiment, the processor aboard the peripheral is powered when the device is in the slot and can therefore communicate the state of charge and when a certain voltage, indicating the device is charged, is reached.

The computing device herein may therefore change modes or transition from a first mode to a second mode wherein the modes include a change in a state of operation, which may require different power requirements, some examples of which are provided above (i.e., operating mode or off mode). In addition to the examples provided above, a first mode may include, but is not limited to, an operating mode, standby, reduced power, hibernation, sleep or another mode wherein power consumption by one or more portions of the computing device, i.e. the CPU, display, disks, etc. may be reduced. A second mode may include, but is not limited to, standby, reduced power, hibernation, sleep or another mode wherein power consumption by one or more portions of the computing device, e.g., the CPU, display disks, etc., is reduced.

Also contemplated herein is that the specification of the slot protocol may include specific signals for controlling the power status of the slot. In such a manner, when it is determined that the peripheral device may need to be recharged, the slot protocol may reflect and initiate or require that power for recharging the peripheral device be supplied to the slot. Additionally, the computing device may make a determination as to an optimal power mode for charging the peripheral device. Such an optimal power mode may occupy the transition between a first and a second mode, or may be one of a first or second mode. An optimal power mode may be first understood as an operating mode in the computing device that is selected to recharge the peripheral device within, e.g., a shortest relative time interval, selected from a plurality of time intervals in which the peripheral device may be charged. It is further contemplated that the optimal power mode may be the lowest power mode wherein the computing device may operate wherein a port or slot may receive power to charge the peripheral device. In addition, the optimal power mode may combine optimizing to charge in the shortest relative amount of time as well as at the relatively lowest power.

Accordingly, such power mode may be the lowest relative power mode from a plurality of power modes. However, the optimal power mode may also be one wherein the computing device may detect and assume other power responsibilities (such as remaining in a stand-by mode) such that the computing device may then elect to recharge the peripheral device over a relatively longer period of time while maintaining such stand-by mode. In addition, the computing device may be able to recognize that there are no power requirements pending or called for by a user and then may elect to divert all available power to recharging the peripheral device. The optimal power mode may also be selected on the basis of whether the computing device is running on battery power or "wall" power as well as a consideration of the degree of charging necessary for the peripheral device. Furthermore, the computing device, upon instruction to change modes (e.g., from an operating mode to a power down mode) may determine or receive information from the peripheral device and communicate to the user that the peripheral device requires charging. In this situation, the computing device may prompt the user to engage the peripheral device with the computing device so that the peripheral device may be recharged prior to entering into, e.g., a power down or even shut-off mode. In addition the computing device may determine or receive instructions that the peripheral device requires charging, and may maintain a port for the peripheral device in charging mode, i.e. capable of providing a recharge current to the peripheral device, for a selected period of time. For example, upon instruction to power down, the computing device may enter into a power down mode, yet maintain a port or slot for the peripheral device in a charging mode for a user defined period of time. Furthermore, the computing device may itself select a period of time based upon determination of residual power capability when in battery power mode.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the computing device may also be simply set to charge the peripheral device for a set time period, such as a few seconds to a few hours (e.g. 1-24 hours) including all ranges and values therein, without consideration of any other variables, such as the amount of residual power in the peripheral device, or the particular operating mode of the computing device. At the expiration of the time period, the computing device may then enter a second mode such as a power down mode. The length of such set time period may be based on a user setting. However, the computing device may still evaluate whether it is powered by a wall outlet or a battery to determine whether or it may provide charging over the set period of time. Accordingly, once the peripheral device is engaged to the computing device, the peripheral device may be charged for the set time period and then the computing device may transition into a second mode.

In addition to the above, the computing device may also be set to compare the set time period, described above, to the total time in which the computing device separately determines that the peripheral device may be charged to reach full capacity and elect to charge the peripheral device for the lesser of the two times. Accordingly, the computing device may determine that the set time period for charging the peripheral device is a first time Ti, and to fully charge the peripheral device may require a charge that would take a second time T₂. The peripheral device may then be charged for the lesser of Ti or T₂. As may be appreciated, in this manner, when the set time Ti is longer than T₂, the computing device may fully charge the peripheral device and avoid charging for the longer time period initially instructed.

One embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated in the flow diagram of FIG. 3. The laptop or other computing device may determine whether the peripheral device needs to be charged 310 or the peripheral device may report to the computing device that it requires charging. This may be accomplished wirelessly. If the peripheral is not engaged with the computing device, then the user may be instructed to engage the peripheral device at 320. The peripheral device may then be charged by the computing device at 330. The computing device may then detect whether or not the peripheral device has been charged to a desired level of charge at 340. For example, an assessment of the capacity of the batteries in the peripheral device may be made to determine the degree of charge. If it has been either determined that the peripheral device does not require charging at 310 or that the charge is complete at 340, the computing device may optionally set an indicator such as a flag or pointer, at 325 and 345 respectively, indicating that the peripheral device is charged. Accordingly, when the user tries to put the computing device in shut down or another final mode, the computing device may determine whether the flag indicates that the peripheral device requires charging. If so, then the computing device may enter a different mode prior to entering a final mode wherein the peripheral device may be charged. If the flag indicates that the peripheral device does not require charging the computing device may proceed directly to a final mode. Illustrated in FIG. 4 is a further exemplary embodiment wherein a user may instruct the computing device to change modes (e.g., to enter into a standby or final power down mode) at 410 and a query is then made as to whether the peripheral device is charged at 420. Again, this may be done wirelessly. If the peripheral device is charged the computing device may be cleared to enter, e.g. a different mode 425. If the peripheral device is not charged, then the peripheral device may be charged for a set time period 430 and then the computing device may be cleared to enter a different mode 440.

Illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 5, in an exemplary embodiment shut down (or another final mode) may be initialized by a user or the computing device. Accordingly, the computing device may receive a command to enter the final mode 510. The computing device may then determine whether the peripheral device requires charging at 520. If no charging is required the computing device may proceed to a final mode at 530 such as a power down mode. If charging is required, the computing device may instruct the user to insert the peripheral device for charging at 525. If the peripheral device is not plugged into a slot or otherwise interfaced with the computing device after such prompting and after some set time interval at 540, then the computing device may proceed directly to the shut down procedure at 550.

If the computing device detects that a peripheral device is plugged in then the computing device may enter into a different mode at 560 and charge the peripheral device at 570. Such mode may be selected by the computing device to provide for optimum recharging of the peripheral device, as discussed above. When the computing device recognized that the peripheral device is charged at 580 the computing device may then proceed to shut down at 590. FIG. 6 illustrates a related embodiment wherein, unlike the above, the computing device, once engaged with a peripheral device that requires charging, does so for a given time period and does not specifically monitor the peripheral device with respect to its charging requirements. Accordingly, upon initiation of a change in mode 610 of the computing device, a determination may be made as to whether the peripheral device is charged 620. If the peripheral device is charged the computing device may proceed to complete the change of mode at 630. If the peripheral device is not charged, the computing device may begin a timer and determine whether the peripheral device is electrically connected to the computing device within a given time 640. Once again, such time interval may be determined or chosen based on a setting, the power capacity of the batteries of the computing device, whether the computing device is plugged into a wall, etc.

If the peripheral device is not installed into a slot or otherwise electrically connected to the computing device within the given time interval, the computing device may proceed to complete the change in mode at 650. If the computing device is engaged with the computing device within a given time interval, as alluded to above, the computing device may determine the optimum mode for charging the peripheral device 660. Once again, such a mode may be dependent upon user settings, the lowest mode of power consumption wherein the peripheral device may be charged, whether the computing device is using wall power or battery power and what the remaining battery capacity may be. Once a mode is chosen, the peripheral device may be charged in that mode at 670. The peripheral device may be charged for a given period of time 680. When the time period is complete the computing device may proceed to complete the change in mode at 690.

A further exemplary embodiment is illustrated in the flow diagram of FIG. 7. In this embodiment the user is prompted to decide whether or not the peripheral device, which is detected as requiring charging, should be charged when the user instructs the computing device to change its mode of operation. Accordingly, the change in computer mode may be initiated at 710 and the computing device may determine whether the peripheral device needs charging 720. For example, the computing device may send a signal to the peripheral device requesting the peripheral device to indicate the amount of charge the peripheral device has or needs. The peripheral device may then appropriately respond to the computer via a wireless signal or otherwise. If charging is not necessary, the computing device may proceed to shut down 735. If charging is needed 720 the computing device may signal to the user that charging of the peripheral device or its power supply may be needed and inquire as to whether the user would like to charge the peripheral device 730. If the user does not want to charge the peripheral device at that time, the computing device may proceed directly to the final mode 735. If the user would like to charge the peripheral device and indicates such at 730, the user may then engage the peripheral device with the computing device if not done so already 740. The computing device may proceed to an optimum mode at 750 for recharging. Once in the optimum mode 750, charging may begin at 760. The computing device may then determine whether charging is complete 770 and if so, the computing device may proceed to the final mode 735. If charging is not complete the computer may continue to charge until either the peripheral device or the computer indicates that the charge is complete. It should be appreciated that the device may be inserted before or after the computing device enters different mode.

It should also be appreciated that the functionality described herein for the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software, either within the peripheral device or within the computer, as desired. If implemented by software, a processor and a machine readable medium are required. The processor may be of any type of processor capable of providing the speed and functionality required by the embodiments of the invention. Machine-readable memory includes any media capable of storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor. Some examples of such memory include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electronically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), magnetic disk (e.g., floppy disk and hard drive), optical disk (e.g. CD-ROM), and any other device that can store digital information. The instructions may be stored on medium in either a compressed and/or encrypted format. Accordingly, in the broad context of the present invention, and with attention to FIG. 8, the portable device, for example, may contain a processor 810 and machine readable media 820 and user interface 830. It should be appreciated that the user interface may be any interface that the user has with the portable device, or any device that may be in communication with the portable device in which the user may input into the portable device. The foregoing description is provided to illustrate and explain the present invention. However, the description hereinabove should not be considered to limit the scope of the invention set forth in the claims appended here to.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system comprising: a computing device; and a peripheral device capable of communicating with said computing device, wherein said computing device is capable of charging said peripheral device upon a determination that said peripheral device requires charging.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said determination that said peripheral device requires charging is carried out by said computing device.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said determination that said peripheral device requires charging is carried out by said peripheral device.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said computing device and peripheral device are capable of wireless communication.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said computing device is capable of a change in a mode of operation and said determination that said peripheral device requires charging is configured to occur when said computing device changes said mode of operation.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein upon said change in said mode of operation, said computing device is configured to maintain a port or slot for charging said peripheral device in a charging mode for a defined period of time.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said computing device is capable of completing said change in said mode of operation when said peripheral device is fully charged.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said computing device is capable of selecting an optimal power mode for charging said peripheral device.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said optimal power mode is configured to charge said peripheral device by selecting a shortest relative time interval from a plurality of time intervals.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said computing device is further capable of indicating to a user whether said peripheral device requires charging.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said optimal power mode is configured to charge said peripheral device when said computing device elects the lowest relative power mode from a plurality of power modes.

12. A system comprising: a computing device wherein said computing device is capable of a change in mode; a peripheral device capable of communicating with said computing device, wherein said computing device is capable of charging said peripheral device upon an initiation of said change in mode for a time period T₁ upon engagement of said peripheral device to said computing device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said computing device is configured to determine the amount of time to charge said peripheral device to full capacity T₂ and charge said peripheral device for the lesser of T₁ or T₂.

14. A method for recharging a peripheral device for a computing device comprising: determining whether a peripheral device requires charging; and charging said peripheral device by said computing device when said peripheral device requires charging.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said peripheral device determines whether said peripheral device requires charging.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said computing device determines whether said peripheral device requires charging.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising: initiating a change in mode of said computing device and determining whether said peripheral device is charged upon said change in mode; and completing said change in mode when said peripheral device is fully charged.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising maintaining a port or slot for charging said peripheral device in a charging mode for a period of time.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising determining an optimal power mode for charging said peripheral device.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein said step of determining comprises detecting a current to said peripheral device; and further comprising: completing charging upon a drop in said current.

21. An article comprising: a storage medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed by a machine result in the following operations: determining whether a peripheral device capable of communication with a computing device requires charging; and charging said peripheral device by said computing device if said peripheral device requires charging.

22. The article of claim 21 wherein said storage medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed by said machine result in the further following operations: initiating a change in mode of said computing device prior to determining whether said peripheral device requires charging.

23. The article of claim 21 wherein said storage medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed by said machine result in the further following operations: maintaining a port or slot for charging said peripheral device in a charging mode for a period of time.

24. The article of claim 21 wherein said storage medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed by said machine result in the further following operations: determining an optimal power mode for charging said peripheral device.

25. The article of claim 24 wherein said optimal power mode is selected from a plurality of time intervals to provide a shortest relative time interval.

26. The article of claim 21 wherein charging said peripheral device is for a set period of time.

27. The article of claim 24 wherein said optimal power mode is selected from a plurality of power modes to provide a lowest relative power mode from a plurality of power modes.

28. The article of claim 21 wherein said step of determining comprises detecting a current to said peripheral device; said storage medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed by said machine result in the further following operations: completing charging upon a drop in said current.