Data input device power management including beacon state
First Claim
1. A hand-held cursor control device comprising:
- an optical tracking engine including a light source which is flashed;
detector means for detecting light from said light source which has been reflected off of a trackable surface;
determining means for determining the presence or absence of a said trackable surface;
and control means for controlling said light source such that (a) when said determining means determines the presence of a said trackable surface said light source is flashed at a first rate permitting tracking of said trackable surface, and (b) when said determining means determines the absence of a said trackable surface said light source is flashed at a second rate lower than said first rate.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
Power management is provided in a user operated data input device utilizing proximity sensing and switching between three or more power states. Switching between the power states occurs based upon the presence or absence of input activity, and an operation instrumentality (e.g., a hand) in close proximity to or contact with the device. Capacitive proximity sensing is carried out by detecting a relative change in the capacitance of a “scoop” capacitor formed by a conductor and a surrounding ground plane. In an optical surface tracking cursor control device embodiment, switching to and from a BEACON state, which provides a reduced flash rate of a surface illuminating light source, is carried out based upon a detected presence or absence of a trackable surface.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A hand-held cursor control device comprising:
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an optical tracking engine including a light source which is flashed;
detector means for detecting light from said light source which has been reflected off of a trackable surface;
determining means for determining the presence or absence of a said trackable surface;
and control means for controlling said light source such that (a) when said determining means determines the presence of a said trackable surface said light source is flashed at a first rate permitting tracking of said trackable surface, and (b) when said determining means determines the absence of a said trackable surface said light source is flashed at a second rate lower than said first rate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. In a hand-held cursor control device comprising an optical tracking engine including a light source which is flashed, a method of operation comprising:
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detecting light from said light source which has been reflected off of a trackable surface;
determining the presence or absence of a said trackable surface; and
controlling said light source such that (a) when the presence of a said trackable surface is determined said light source is flashed at a first rate permitting tracking of said trackable surface, and (b) when the absence of a said trackable surface is determined said light source is flashed at a second rate lower than said first rate. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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Specification