Sound-activated wake-up device for electronic input devices having a sleep-mode

• US 6,756,700 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2002
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: KYE Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: KYE Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Zeng, Yu-Wen
• Primary Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US10/095,940
• Publication Number:
  US 20030173829A1
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 307/112, 704/275, 340/825.69, 367/198, 345/158
• US Class Current: 307/112
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3231 Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3259 Power saving in cursor control device, e.g. mouse, joystick, trackball
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3262 Power saving in digitizer or tablet
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3271 Power saving in keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate

Abstract

A sound-activated wake-up device generates a wake-up signal for ending a sleep-mode in response to the sound of friction between an operating platform and an input device, or the sound of touching of the input device by the user. The wake-up device includes a sound detecting unit and a signal amplifying/comparing unit, and sound filtering structures and/or circuitry so as to prevent ambient sounds from activating the wake-up device.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

a housing; and

a sound detecting device within the housing,

wherein the input device includes a power-saving mode that cuts-off power to components of the input device if the input device is inactive for a predetermined period of time, and

wherein the sound detecting device is arranged to detect a sound of a user seeking to operate the input device and to cause generation of a wake-up signal for ending said power-saving mode when said sound of the user is detected, wherein said sound of the user is a sound of the user touching the input device.

4. An input device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a micro control unit having said power-saving mode; and

a signal amplifying/comparing unit connected to the sound detecting device for receiving signals representing detected sounds and supplying a wake-up signal to the micro control unit when said sound of the user is detected.

5. An input device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the amplifying/comparing unit comprises a transistor having a base connected to the sound detecting unit and one of a collector or emitter connected to the master control unit.

6. An input device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the amplifying/comparing unit device includes a differential amplifier for detecting an output signal of said sound detecting unit.

7. An input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sound detecting device includes a sound filter for filtering sounds associated with background noise.

8. An input device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said sound filter is a bandpass filter.

9. An input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing includes sound-absorbing materials.

10. An input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said input device is a wireless input device.

11. An input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said input device is a wireless pointing device.

2. An input device comprising:

a housing; and

a sound detecting device within the housing,

wherein the input device includes a power-saving mode that cuts-off power to components of the input device if the input device is inactive for a predetermined period of time, and

wherein the sound detecting device is arranged to detect a sound of a user seeking to operate the input device and to cause generation of a wake-up signal for ending said power-saving mode when said sound of the user is detected,

wherein said device is arranged to be used on a platform, and said sound of the user is a sound of friction between the input device and the platform.

3. An input device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said platform is a desktop or mousepad.

12. An input device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a micro control unit having said power-saving mode; and

a signal amplifying/comparing unit connected to the sound detecting device for receiving signals representing detected sounds and supplying a wake-up signal to the micro control unit when said sound of the user is detected.

13. An input device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the amplifying/comparing unit comprises a transistor having a base connected to the sound detecting unit and one of a collector or emitter connected to the master control unit.

14. An input device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the amplifying/comparing unit device includes a differential amplifier for detecting an output signal of said sound detecting unit.

15. An input device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sound detecting device includes a sound filter for filtering sounds associated with background noise.

16. An input device as claimed in claim 15, wherein said sound filter is a bandpass filter.

17. An input device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said housing includes sound-absorbing materials.

18. An input device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said input device is a wireless input device.

19. An input device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said input device is a wireless pointing device.