Pointing device with hand detection
First Claim
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1. An input device comprising:
- a housing;
electronic circuitry for detecting user inputs and transmitting signals corresponding to said inputs to an electronic device;
a sleep-mode circuit, coupled to said electronic circuitry, for activating a reduced power operation of said electronic circuitry;
a capacitive hand detection circuit for detecting the proximity of a user'"'"'s hand to said housing and producing a hand detect signal; and
said sleep mode circuit being responsive to said hand detect signal to awaken said electronic circuitry from said reduced power operation.
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Abstract
An input device having a housing and electronic circuitry for detecting user inputs, and transmitting signals corresponding to those inputs to an electronic device, such as a computer. A sleep mode is provided for the electronic circuitry to conserve power. A hand detection circuit is provided for detecting the proximity of a user'"'"'s hand to the housing and producing a hand detect signal in response. The hand detect signal will awaken the input device from its sleep mode.
101 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An input device comprising:
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a housing;
electronic circuitry for detecting user inputs and transmitting signals corresponding to said inputs to an electronic device;
a sleep-mode circuit, coupled to said electronic circuitry, for activating a reduced power operation of said electronic circuitry;
a capacitive hand detection circuit for detecting the proximity of a user'"'"'s hand to said housing and producing a hand detect signal; and
said sleep mode circuit being responsive to said hand detect signal to awaken said electronic circuitry from said reduced power operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A mouse comprising:
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a housing;
electronic circuitry for detecting user inputs and transmitting said inputs to an electronic device, said electronic circuitry including an optical module for reflecting light off a surface and detecting movement of said mouse relative to said surface;
a sleep-mode circuit, coupled to said electronic circuitry, for activating a reduced power operation of said electronic circuitry, said sleep mode circuit being responsive to a wake-up signal to awaken said electronic circuitry from said reduced power operation; and
a capacitive hand detection circuit for detecting the proximity of a user'"'"'s hand to said housing and mounted inside a top of said housing, such that a portion of said housing insulates said user'"'"'s hand from said capacitive hand detection circuit, said hand detection circuit producing said wake up signal, said hand detection circuit comprising first and second electrodes on said housing for capacitive connection with a user'"'"'s hand, a first circuit, coupled to said first electrode, for determining an amount of time for charging of a capacitance connected to said first circuit, and a second circuit, coupled to said second electrode, for determining an amount of time for discharging of a capacitance connected to said second circuit;
such that an internal virtual ground is produced between said first and second electrodes.
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11. A method for operating an input device comprising:
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detecting user inputs and transmitting said inputs to an electronic device external to said input device;
activating a reduced power mode of said input device in the absence of user inputs for a period of time;
capacitively detecting the proximity of a user'"'"'s hand to said input device and producing a hand detect signal; and
awakening said input device from said reduced power mode in response to said hand detect signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification