Data input device power management including beacon state

• US 6,816,150 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2001
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Casebolt, Mark W., Gorman, Sean, Rensberger, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Henry N.
• Application Number:
  US09/991,651
• Publication Number:
  US 20030058222A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: 345/157, 345/156, 345/163, 345/166, 345/161, 345/168, 345/179, 345/183, 178/18.09, 178/19.01, 178/19.05, 250/368, 250/214.RC, 725/37, 713/300, 713/320, 200/211, 200/215, 200/600
• US Class Current: 345/166
• 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 1/3271 Power saving in keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0317 in co-operation with a patterned surface, e.g. absolute position or relative movement detection for an optical mouse or pen positioned with respect to a coded surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

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.

Claims

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. A hand operated cursor control device according to claim 1, wherein said second rate approximately 1 Hz.

3. A hand operated cursor control device according to claim 1, wherein said cursor control device is a computer mouse, and said optical tracking engine is configured to track on a said trackable surface which is planar and upon which the mouse rests.

4. A hand operated cursor control device according to claim 1, wherein said cursor control device incorporates therein a power supply power to said tracking engine.

5. A hand operated cursor control device according to claim 1, wherein said cursor control device is linkable to a host computer without a hard wired connection.

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:

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.

7. A method of operation according to claim 6, wherein said second rate is approximately 1 Hz.

8. A method of operation according to claim 6, wherein said cursor control device is a computer mouse, and said optical tracking engine is configured to track on a said trackable surface which is planar and upon which the mouse rests.