Rechargeable Cordless Input and Pointing Device

• US 20060284842A1
• Filed: 08/28/2006
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DRB Institute, LLC
• Original Assignee: DRB Institute, LLC
• Inventors: Poltorak, Alexander I.
• Application Number:
  US11/467,705
• Publication Number:
  US 20060284842A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0395 Mouse pads

Abstract

A human interface device (HID), comprising A human activity detector, a wireless communication link for communicating a signal corresponding to at least one human activity to a receiver, and a wireless powering device for supplying power to power at least the wireless communication device. The wireless powering device may be an inductive coil to scavenge magnetic field energy, an electromechanical energy converter, a fuel cell, or the like.

Claims

1. A human interface device (HID), comprising:

(a) a human activity detector;

(b) a wireless communication link for communicating a signal corresponding to at least one human activity to a receiver; and

(c) a wireless powering device for supplying power to power at least the wireless communication device.

2. The HID according to claim 1, wherein the powering device comprises a photocell and a fuel cell.

3. The HID according to claim 1, wherein the powering device comprises a flywheel and a generator.

4. The HID according to claim 1, wherein the powering device comprises an inductive coil adapted for converting varying magnetic fields into electric current.

5. The HID according to claim 1, further comprising an activity detector, wherein the HID has a low power consumption state wherein the wireless communication link is in a low power mode and a high power consumption state wherein the wireless communication link is in a high power mode, the power consumption state of the HID being dependent on a signal received from the activity detector.

6. The HID according to claim 1, wherein the human activity detector comprises a position detector.

7. The HID according to claim 1, wherein the human activity detector comprises a motion detector.

8. The HID according to claim 1, wherein the human activity detector comprises a detector for the state of a switch.

9. The HID according to claim 1, wherein the human activity detector comprises a timer.

10. The HID according to claim 9, wherein an expiration of the timer leads to a reduction in power consumption of the HID.

11. The HID according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication link is bidirectional, adapted for receiving information.

12. The HID according to claim 11, wherein the HID receives at least one command through the wireless communication link.

13. The HID according to claim 12, wherein the at least one command comprises a request for a status of the HID.

14. The HID according to claim 11, wherein the information comprises a set of parameters for operation of the activity detector.

15. The HID according to claim 11, wherein the information comprises a set of parameters for operation of the power generating device.

16. The HID according to claim 1, further comprising a microcontroller.

17. The HID according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication link comprises a radio frequency transmitter and an antenna, further comprising a microcontroller, the microcontroller and the radio frequency transmitter being integrated.

18. The HID according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication link comprises a modulated magnetic field communication device and an inductive antenna.

19. The HID according to claim 18, further comprising a microcontroller, wherein the magnetic field communication device and the microcontroller are integrated.

20. The HID according to claim 1, wherein the HID comprises a computer mouse, further comprising a mouse pad, wherein the mouse pad is electrically connected to a computer, the mouse pad comprising an inductive coil for transferring power to the powering device.

21. The HID according to claim 1, wherein the HID comprises a computer mouse, further comprising a mouse pad, wherein the mouse pad is electrically connected to a source of line power, the mouse pad comprising an inductive coil for transferring power to the powering device.

22. The HID according to claim 1, wherein the HID comprises a computer mouse, further comprising a mouse pad, the mouse pad comprising an oscillator and an inductive coil producing magnetic waves derived from the oscillator, for transferring power to the powering device.

23. The HID according to claim 1, further comprising a mouse pad having a set of spatially varying permanent magnetic fields, wherein the powering device comprises an inductive coil for receiving power derived from a movement of the inductive coil with respect to the permanent magnetic fields.

24. The HID according to claim 1, wherein the powering device comprises a self-winding mechanism, a kinetic energy converter, and a generator.

25. The HID according to claim 1, wherein the powering device comprises an inertial mass and a spring.

26. The HID according to claim 1, further comprising a timer, wherein the HID has three power consumption states, a first state, wherein the HID is fully operational to detect user activity, a second state wherein the HID enters a sleep mode, and a third state wherein the HID is shut down, the power consumption state being dependent on a timer and a user activity.

27. A method for operating a human interface device (HID), comprising:

(a) detecting a human activity;

(b) wirelessly communicating a signal corresponding to at least human activity to a receiver; and

(c) wirelessly supplying power to power at least the wirelessly communication.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein said wirelessly supplying power comprises providing a power supply device, comprising a photocell and a fuel cell.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein said wirelessly supplying power comprises providing a power supply device, comprising a flywheel and a generator.

30. The method according to claim 27, wherein said wirelessly supplying power comprises providing a power supply device, comprising an inductive coil adapted for converting varying magnetic fields into electric current.

31. The method according to claim 27, further comprising detecting an initiation activity, the initiating activity causing the HID to transition from a low power consumption state wherein the wirelessly communicating is inactive and a high power consumption state wherein the wirelessly communicating is active in a high power mode.

32. The method according to claim 27, further comprising timing a period after a most recent initiation activity, and entering a low power state after expiration of a timing period.

33. The method according to claim 27, wherein the wirelessly communicating is bidirectional, further comprising the steps of transmitting a signal representing a human activity and receiving information from a remote system.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the information comprises a request for transmission of a status of the HID.

35. The method according to claim 33, wherein the information comprises a set of parameters for operation of the activity detector.

36. The method according to claim 33, wherein the information comprises a set of parameters for operation of the power generating device.

37. The method according to claim 27, wherein the wirelessly supplying power step comprises moving a magnetic mass linked to a spring with respect to an inductive coil.

38. The method according to claim 27, wherein the HID has three power consumption states, a first state, wherein the HID is fully operational to detect user activity, a second state wherein the HID enters a sleep mode, and a third state wherein the HID is shut down, the power consumption state being dependent on time lapse since a prior user activity.