Method and apparatus for performing power conservation in a pointing device located on a wireless data entry device
First Claim
1. A remote control input device for use with a computer system, the computer system having a video monitor, a processing unit, coupled to said video monitor, and a first wireless transmitter/receiver unit, said remote control input device comprising:
- a second wireless transmitter/receiver unit connected to the remote control input device, wherein the first wireless transmitter/receiver unit and the second wireless transmitter/receiver unit communicate data;
a power source that powers said remote control input device; and
a power management device;
the remote control input device including a cursor pointing device and a first plurality of keys coupled to a keyboard, wherein the power management device sets the cursor pointing device into an active mode, or into one of a plurality of sleep modes, the cursor pointing device being monitored for activity at different intervals in each of the sleep modes, and wherein the power management device sets the cursor pointing device from an initial sleep mode into a subsequent sleep mode upon activation of one of the first plurality of keys, the cursor pointing device being monitored for activity more often in subsequent the sleep mode than in the initial sleep mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A remote control input device for use with a computer system is disclosed. The remote control input device typically includes means for wirelessly connecting the remote control input device to the computer system, a trackball, coupled to the connecting means for manipulating a pointing icon displayed on the video monitor, and a power source that powers the remote control input device. The remote control input device further includes a power management means for managing the power of the power source by monitoring the status and activity of the trackball used on the remote control input device. The remote control input device typically includes a first set of keys that provide input to the computer system and a second set of keys that are assigned to the trackball that control the pointing icon manipulated by the trackball. Additionally, the remote control input device may be a keyboard type arrangement with a trackball attached and first and second wrist wings can be located adjacent on either side of the keys typically below the key set in order to provide adequate support of the wrists during operation.
120 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A remote control input device for use with a computer system, the computer system having a video monitor, a processing unit, coupled to said video monitor, and a first wireless transmitter/receiver unit, said remote control input device comprising:
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a second wireless transmitter/receiver unit connected to the remote control input device, wherein the first wireless transmitter/receiver unit and the second wireless transmitter/receiver unit communicate data; a power source that powers said remote control input device; and a power management device; the remote control input device including a cursor pointing device and a first plurality of keys coupled to a keyboard, wherein the power management device sets the cursor pointing device into an active mode, or into one of a plurality of sleep modes, the cursor pointing device being monitored for activity at different intervals in each of the sleep modes, and wherein the power management device sets the cursor pointing device from an initial sleep mode into a subsequent sleep mode upon activation of one of the first plurality of keys, the cursor pointing device being monitored for activity more often in subsequent the sleep mode than in the initial sleep mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A video system comprising:
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a video monitor; a display output controller, coupled to said video monitor; a remote controller, further comprising; a keyboard having a fist plurality of keys; a trackball, coupled to a wireless transceiver, for manipulating a pointing icon displayed on said video monitor, wherein the wireless transceiver exchanges information between said video system and said trackball; and a power management unit that sets the trackball into an active mode or one of a plurality of sleep modes, the power management unit setting the trackball from an initial sleep mode into a subsequent sleep mode when one of the first plurality of keys on the keyboard is activated, wherein the power management unit checks the trackball for input more often in the subsequent sleep mode than in the initial sleep mode. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of managing power usage in a remote controller having a trackball pointing device and a keyboard comprising the steps of:
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setting the trackball pointing device into an initial sleep mode, where the initial sleep mode is chosen from a plurality of sleep modes; subsequently, detecting that a key on the keyboard has been activated; and setting the trackball pointing device into a subsegment sleep mode, where the trackball pointing device is monitored for activity more often in the subsequent sleep mode than in the initial sleep mode. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification