Portable computer system including detachable peripheral device and combined mouse/joystick for use with same

Abstract

A portable computer system in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention includes a portable computer and a peripheral device adapted to be mechanically connected to one another.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A peripheral device for use on a surface, comprising: 
 a housing defining longitudinal ends and a longitudinal axis;    a first movement sensor associated with the housing and adapted to sense movement of the housing relative to the surface;    a movable member, associated with one of the longitudinal ends of the housing such that the movable member will engage the surface in response to a placement of the peripheral device on the surface with the longitudinal axis perpendicular to the surface, and movable relative to the housing; and    a second movement sensor associated with the housing and the movable member and adapted to sense movement of one of the housing and the movable member relative to the other of the housing and the movable member.    
     
     
         2 . A peripheral device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first movement sensor comprises an optical sensor.  
     
     
         3 . A peripheral device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the movable member comprises a ball and the second movement sensor comprises a sensor arrangement that monitors rotation of the ball.  
     
     
         4 . A peripheral device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing defines an exterior, the peripheral device further comprising: 
 at least one button associated with the exterior of the housing.    
     
     
         5 . A peripheral device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein movement sensed by the first and second movement sensors is converted into movement data that is indicative of movement, the peripheral device further comprising: 
 a wireless movement data transmitter.    
     
     
         6 . A peripheral device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing defines a bottom surface, the first movement sensor is associated with the bottom surface, and the movable member is positioned in spaced relation to the bottom surface.  
     
     
         7 . A peripheral device for use with a portable computer including a computer mechanical connector, comprising: 
 a housing defining longitudinal ends and a longitudinal axis and including a plurality of ridges configured to augment a user's grip on the housing;    a movement sensor associated with one of the longitudinal ends of the housing such that the movement sensor will engage a surface in response to a placement of the peripheral device on the surface with the longitudinal axis perpendicular to the surface; and    a peripheral device mechanical connector configured to mate with the computer mechanical connector.    
     
     
         8 . A peripheral device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the peripheral device mechanical connector comprises at least one housing aperture.  
     
     
         9 . A peripheral device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the movement sensor is adapted to sense movement of the housing relative to the surface.  
     
     
         10 . A peripheral device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the movement sensor includes a movable member movable relative to the housing and is adapted to sense movement of one of the housing and the movable member relative to the other of the housing and the movable member.  
     
     
         11 . A peripheral device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the movement sensor defines a first movement sensor, the peripheral device further comprising: 
 a second movement sensor adapted to sense movement of the housing relative to a surface on which the peripheral device in located.    
     
     
         12 . A peripheral device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein movement sensed by the first and second movement sensors is converted into movement data that is indicative of movement, the peripheral device further comprising: 
 a wireless movement data transmitter.    
     
     
         13 . A peripheral device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the second movement sensor comprises an optical sensor.  
     
     
         14 . A system, comprising: 
 a portable computer including a keyboard, a touch pad adjacent to the keyboard, a display, a housing, and a computer mechanical connector; and    a peripheral device including a housing, a movement sensor, and a peripheral device mechanical connector configured to mate with the computer mechanical connector.    
     
     
         15 . A system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the portable computer housing includes a handle portion, an open region is defined between the handle portion and another portion of the portable computer housing, and the peripheral device mechanical connector faces away from the open region.  
     
     
         16 . A system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the computer housing handle portion defines a portion of an overall device handle and the peripheral device housing defines a remainder of the overall device handle.  
     
     
         17 . A system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the peripheral device includes a wireless transmitter and the portable computer includes a wireless receiver.  
     
     
         18 . A system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the portable computer housing includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion pivotable relative to the first housing portion between an open position and a closed position.  
     
     
         19 . A system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the peripheral device comprises a mouse.