Input device with user-balanced performance and power consumption

• US 20060028449A1
• Filed: 10/05/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Ranta, Craig S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,395,059 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3215 Monitoring of peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3259 Power saving in cursor control device, e.g. mouse, joystick, trackball
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

Operational characteristics of a wireless input device are modified so as to balance performance and power conservation. Power management algorithms may include an algorithm that improves device performance and increases device power consumption, as well as an algorithm that decreases device power consumption and reduces device performance. An algorithm that most closely corresponds to the desired balance of performance and power consumption is identified. The identified algorithm is then transmitted to the wireless device.

Claims

1. A wireless computer mouse configured to accept a power source, comprising:

a housing sized and configured for manual movement by a user across a surface so as to permit a corresponding movement of a cursor on a computer display, the housing having at least one depressible button movably attached thereto for initiating transmission of a selection signal by the user and at least one scrolling input;

a transceiver contained in the housing for wireless two-way communication with a computer;

a light source;

imaging circuitry; and

a controller, the controller configured to receive data from the computer and operate at least one of the light source and the imaging circuitry in conformity with the received data.

2. The wireless computer mouse of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to receive power management data from the computer and to operate at least one of the light source and the imaging circuitry in conformity with the received power management data.

3. The wireless computer mouse of claim 2, wherein the power management data comprises a power management algorithm, and wherein the controller is further configured to receive from the computer one of a plurality of power management algorithms, the plurality of algorithms including a first algorithm improving mouse performance and increasing mouse power consumption and a second algorithm decreasing mouse power consumption and reducing mouse performance.

4. The wireless computer mouse of claim 3, wherein the plurality of power management algorithms comprise one or more operational parameters for the mouse, each parameter having:

a first value improving performance of the mouse and increasing power consumption by the mouse,

a second value reducing performance of the mouse and decreasing power consumption by the mouse, and

one or more intermediate values,

the plurality of power management algorithms further comprise values for the one or more parameters for each algorithm, and

the controller is configured to receive one of the algorithms from the computer by receiving the values corresponding to the one of the algorithms.

5. The wireless computer mouse of claim 4, wherein the operational parameters comprise one of an imaging frame rate and a data reporting rate.