Abstract:
Input devices such as computer mice are commonly used for interacting with personal computers (PCs). Increasingly, wireless computer mice are becoming popular with users due to their ability to provide cordless accessibility for interaction with the PCs. The wireless computer mice are usually powered using batteries and uses radio frequencies (RF) for transmitting the users&#39; input to the PCs. The wireless computer mice usually have a fixed transmission power, thus resulting in a fixed transmission range. Notably, the battery life and transmission range of the wireless mice share an inversely proportional relationship. Hence, a long battery life cannot be obtained without decreasing the transmission range and vice versa. However, existing wireless computer mice typically do not have provisions for making such adjustments. An embodiment of the invention describes an apparatus and a method for managing power usage of wireless input devices.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates generally to human interface devices for computers. In particular, the invention relates to a wireless input device with means for varying between battery life and wireless operating range of the wireless input device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Input devices such as computer mice are commonly used for interacting with personal computers (PCs). While the majority of the computer mice are connected directly to the PCs&#39; peripheral inputs via a cord and powered through the cord, wireless computer mice (hereinafter referred to as wireless mice) are becoming extremely popular in providing users with cordless accessibility for interaction with PCs. Due to the absence of a cord, the wireless mice are typically powered using disposable or rechargeable batteries such as AA-size batteries. 
         [0003]    Wireless mice usually communicate with the PCs via radio frequencies (RF) communication. In order to establish RF communication, an RF transmitter and an RF receiver are required. The RF transmitter is usually integrated within the wireless mouse whereas the RF receiver is typically coupled to the PC. The RF transmitter transmits signals from the wireless mouse to the RF receiver. Examples of such signals include button clicking of the wireless mouse or displacements of the wireless mouse relative to a working surface such as a surface of the desktop. Upon receiving the transmitted RF signals, the RF signals are then decoded by the PC to obtain information contained in the RF signals. 
         [0004]    Wireless mice are usually made available with a maximum transmission range pre-determined by the transmission power of the wireless mice. The transmission power of the wireless mice is typically fixed, thus resulting in a fixed transmission range. Therefore, using a wireless mouse with a long transmission range capability for short-range usage would result in unnecessary increased power consumption from the battery that powers the wireless mouse. However, using a wireless mouse with a short transmission range capability to curb power consumption of the battery would mean that the wireless mouse cannot be used in a position that is out of reach of the receiving range of the RF receiver which then in turn hampers user mobility when longer range usage of the wireless mouse is required. 
         [0005]    Hence, in view of the foregoing problems, there affirms a need for an apparatus and a method for allowing power usage management of wireless input devices. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide an apparatus and a method for managing power usage of wireless input devices. 
         [0007]    In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a wireless input device communicable with a processor-based device. The wireless input device comprises a transducer, a transceiver and a controller. The transducer is operable for generating instruction data. The transceiver transmits the instruction data as instruction signals for reception by the processor-based device. The instruction signals have a signal strength in which the signal strength determines the transmission range of the instruction signals. The transceiver further receives control signals from the processor-based device. The controller controls the transceiver. In addition, the controller controls the signal strength and consequently the transmission range of the instruction signals based on control data contained in the received control signals. The signal strength of the instruction signals is controlled by controlling rate of power consumption from a battery module and the battery module powers the transceiver. 
         [0008]    In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a power usage management method for a wireless input device communicable with a processor-based device. The method comprises receiving control signals from the processor-based device by the wireless input device. The wireless input device comprises a transducer and a transceiver. The transducer is operable for generating instruction data. The transceiver transmits the instruction data as instruction signals for reception by the processor-based device. The instruction signals have a signal strength in which the signal strength determines the transmission range of the instruction signals. The transceiver further receives the control signals from the processor-based device. The signal strength and consequently the transmission range of the instruction signals are controllable based on control data contained in the received control signals. The signal strength of the instruction signals is controlled by controlling rate of power consumption from a battery module and the battery module powers the transceiver. 
         [0009]    In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a device readable medium having stored therein a plurality of programming instructions, which when executed by a wireless input device, the instructions cause the wireless input device to receive control signals from a processor-based device. The wireless input device comprises a transducer and a transceiver. The transducer is operable for generating instruction data. The transceiver transmits the instruction data as instruction signals for reception by the processor-based device. The instruction signals have a signal strength in which the signal strength determines the transmission range of the instruction signals. The transceiver further receives the control signals from the processor-based device. The signal strength and consequently the transmission range of the instruction signals are controllable based on control data contained in the received control signals. Further, the signal strength of the instruction signals is controlled by controlling rate of power consumption from a battery module and the battery module powers the transceiver. 
         [0010]    In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a device readable medium having stored therein a plurality of programming instructions, which when executed by a processor-based device, the instructions cause the processor-based device to transmit control signals to a wireless input device. The wireless input device comprises a transducer and a transceiver. The transducer is operable for generating instruction data. The transceiver transmits the instruction data as instruction signals for reception by the processor-based device. The instruction signals have a signal strength in which the signal strength determines the transmission range of the instruction signals. The transceiver further receives the control signals from the processor-based device. The signal strength and consequently the transmission range of the instruction signals are controllable based on control data contained in the received control signals. Further, the signal strength of the instruction signals is controlled by controlling rate of power consumption from a battery module and the battery module powers the transceiver. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Embodiments of the invention are disclosed hereinafter with reference to the drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a wireless input device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows a graphical format of a software application used for configuring the wireless input device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a graph depicting the inversely proportional relationship between transmission range and battery life; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of a wireless input device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    An apparatus and a method for managing power usage of wireless input devices are described hereinafter for addressing the foregoing problems. 
         [0017]    For purposes of brevity and clarity, the description of the invention is limited hereinafter to applications related to power usage management of wireless input devices. This however does not preclude various embodiments of the invention from other applications that require similar operating performance. The fundamental operational and functional principles of the embodiments of the invention are common throughout the various embodiments. 
         [0018]    Exemplary embodiments of the invention described hereinafter are in accordance with  FIGS. 1 to 4  of the drawings, in which like elements are numbered with like reference numerals. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic representation of a wireless input device  100  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The wireless input device  100  is preferably a wireless computer mouse for use in conjunction with a computer  102 . When implemented as a wireless computer mouse, the wireless input device  100  comprises both primary and secondary keys (not shown). The primary and secondary keys are operable by a user. Yet additionally, the wireless input device  100  also comprises a radio-frequency (RF) transmitter  106 , a transducer  108  and an indicator  110 . Furthermore, since the wireless input device  100  does not receive power through a cord that typically connects a wired computer mouse to the computer  102 , usage of a battery module  112  integrated with the wireless input device  100  is necessary in order to provide power for operating the wireless input device  100 . Batteries used for the battery module  112  are preferably either disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries such as AA-size batteries. The wireless input device  100  further comprises a memory module  113  for storing any miscellaneous profile settings of the wireless input device  100 . The memory module  113  is preferably a semiconductor memory device such as static random access memory (SRAM) or flash memory. 
         [0020]    The computer  102  preferably comprises a visual display device  114 . The visual display device  114 , which may be a cathode ray tube-type, active matrix display-type or other suitable device, can display a cursor (or a pointer)  116 , along with text and other graphical information. The computer  102  further comprises memory  118 , a processor  120  and a keyboard  122 . A RF receiver  124  is also coupled to the computer  102 , and used in conjunction with the wireless input device  100 . Specifically, the RF transmitter  106  wirelessly communicates with the RF receiver  124  through a wireless communication link  126  established between the RF transmitter  106  and the RF receiver  124 . The communication link  126  is preferably established using a communication protocol such as Bluetooth, wireless universal-serial-bus (WUSB) or the like. Hence, the wireless input device  100  is then able to communicate with the computer  102  in the absence of the cord, which is used conventionally by the wired computer mouse for communicating with the computer  102 . 
         [0021]    A software application  200 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , is provided to the user for varying rate of power consumption of the battery module  112  to thereby vary between a power conservation state and an increased transmission range state. When options provided in the software application  200  are adjusted by the user for operating the wireless input device  100  in the increased transmission range state, the rate of power consumption increases which in turn increases the signal transmission range (hereinafter transmission range) but hasten the depletion of power from the battery module  112 . Conversely, when the options provided in the software application  200  are adjusted by the user for operating the wireless input device  100  in the power conservation state, the rate of power consumption decreases, which in turn slows down the depletion of power from the battery module  112  but decreases the transmission range. The rate of depletion of power from the battery module  112  determines the life of the battery module  112 . Therefore, the life of the battery module  112  and the transmission range have an inversely proportional relationship. In addition, the transmission range shares a directly proportional relationship with the signal strength of the transmitted signals. 
         [0022]    The RF transmitter  106  comprises a controller (not shown) for modulating instruction data received by the RF transmitter  106  into instruction signals. A transceiver may alternatively be used to replace the RF transmitter  106  such that the wireless input device  100  possesses both signal transmitting and receiving capabilities. Typically, the transceiver also comprises the controller for modulating instruction data into instruction signals for transmission thereof. The RF transmitter  106  is for transmitting the instruction signals for reception by the RF receiver  124 . When the user adjusts the options provided in the software application  200 , rate of power consumption of the controller is varied.  FIG. 3  shows a graph  300  depicting the inversely proportional relationship between the life of the battery module  112  and the transmission range. In addition, a free-space-propagation model governs the relationship between the power at the RF transmitter  106  and the RF receiver  124 . The free-space-propagation model is known as the Friis equation, which is expressed as: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
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         [0000]    where P T  is the transmitted power at the transmitter, P R (d) is the received power at the receiver, G T  is the transmitter-antenna gain, G R  is the receiver-antenna gain, d is the transmitter-to-receiver separation distance, and λ is the wavelength. 
         [0023]    The Friis equation shows that the received power “falls off” as the square of the transmitter-to-receiver separation distance. The result implies that the received power decays with distance at a rate of 20 dB/decade. Hence, increasing the transmission range requires more power for farther transmission of signals and hence the rate of power consumption by the controller is higher, leading to increased usage of the battery power from the battery module  112 . Conversely, a decreased usage of battery power by the controller from the battery module  112  can be obtained by decreasing the transmission range since lesser electrical power is required for short distance transmission. 
         [0024]    To vary the rate of power consumption by the controller, the user adjusts the options in the software application  200 , which allows dynamic alteration of the transmission range of the RF transmitter  106  based on the user&#39;s selection. One or more of the rate of power consumption, the estimated transmission range and the corresponding estimated life of the battery module  112  even during and after adjustment by the user are displayable by the indicator  110 . The indicator  110  is preferably a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) formed on the body of the wireless input device  100 . 
         [0025]    When a user depresses or “clicks” either the primary key or secondary key of the wireless input device  100 , a switching function is executed. Specifically, depressing either one of the primary key or secondary key changes an associated switch state and generates a switching signal that is communicated by the RF transmitter  106  to the computer  102  via the RF receiver  124 . In addition, displacement of the wireless input device  100  relative to a surface is detected and transduced by the transducer  108  into positional signals. The transducer  108  is typically disposed within the wireless input device  100 . Furthermore, the transducer  108  is preferably either an optical sensor or a laser sensor. The positional signals are then communicated by the RF transmitter  106  to the computer  102  via the RF receiver  124  for effecting changes on the visual display device  114 , such as text scrolling or moving the cursor  116 . 
         [0026]    The software application  200 , when executed by the processor  120  of the computer  102  provides the user with the following options: an adjust-rate-of-power-consumption option, a remaining-battery-life indicator, an adjust-transmission-range option and a current-transmission-range indicator respectively. The adjust-rate-of-power-consumption option provides a slider for the user to specify the desired rate of power consumption for the wireless input device  100 . The adjust-transmission-range option also provides the user with a slider to specify if an increased or decreased transmission range is desired. 
         [0027]    The remaining-battery-life indicator displays an estimated amount of remaining life of the battery module  112  based on the settings defined in the adjust-rate-of-power-consumption option and the adjust-transmission-range option. On the other hand, the current estimated transmission range of the wireless input device  100  is then displayed in the current-transmission-range indicator. Furthermore, adjustment made to settings for either the adjust-rate-of-power-consumption option or the adjust-transmission-range option automatically triggers the software application  200  to adjust the settings defined in other options accordingly since the life of the battery module  112  and the transmission range share an inversely proportional relationship. In addition, the remaining-battery-life indicator and the current-transmission-range indicator will also automatically be adjusted accordingly. 
         [0028]    The various settings as defined by the user in the adjust-rate-of-power-consumption option and the adjust-transmission-range option are then converted into data by the computer  102  and transmitted as control signals to the wireless input device  100 . Upon receiving the control signals, the control signals are then decoded by the wireless input device  100  for obtaining the data contained in the control signals. The obtained data are then used by the wireless input device  100  for adjusting the power conservation state and the increased transmission range state as stipulated by the user using the software application  200 . In addition, an “operating” profile containing the obtained data is created and stored in the memory module  113 . The “operating” profile is retrievable from the memory module  113  by the wireless input device  100  and the settings defined in the “operating” profile is applicable for use by the wireless input device  100  whenever the wireless input device  100  is used in conjunction with any computers. 
         [0029]    Alternatively, according to a second embodiment of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 4 , a wireless input device  400  similar to the wireless input device  100  of  FIG. 1  is implementable. The wireless input device  400  of  FIG. 4  comprises an actuator  402  in addition to all the features as described previously for the wireless input device  100  of  FIG. 1 . The actuator  402  allows the user to vary rate of power consumption of the battery module  112  to thereby vary between a power conservation state and an increased transmission range state. When the actuator  402  is operated towards the increased transmission range state, the rate of power consumption increases which in turn increases the transmission range but hasten the depletion of power from the battery module  112 . When the actuator  402  is operated towards the power conservation state, the rate of power consumption decreases, which in turn slows down the depletion of power from the battery module  112  but decreases the transmission range. The rate of depletion of power from the battery module  112  determines the life of the battery module  112 . As aforementioned, the relationship of the life of the battery module  112  and the transmission range is inversely proportional to each other. 
         [0030]    To vary the rate of power consumption by the controller, the user operates the actuator  402 , which allows dynamic alteration of the transmission range of the RF transmitter  106  based on the user&#39;s selection. The actuator  402  is preferably one of a single button, a slider, a switch and a tactile sensor. The tactile sensor is either a capacitive sensor or a resistive sensor. One or more of the rate of power consumption, the estimated transmission range and the corresponding estimated life of the battery module  112  after adjustment by the user are then displayable by the indicator  110 . Further, an “operating” profile corresponding to a particular desired combination of the transmission range and the rate of power consumption as selected by the user is then created and stored in the memory module  113 . The “operating” profile is retrievable from the memory module  113  by the wireless input device  400  and the settings defined in the “operating” profile is applicable for use by the wireless input device  400  whenever the wireless input device  400  is used in conjunction with any computers. 
         [0031]    Yet alternatively, the software application  200  is also usable for adjusting the settings of the wireless input device  400  for varying the increased transmission range state and the power conservation state. Hence, as opposed to using the actuator  402 , adjustment of the rate of power consumption of controller of the wireless input device  400  of  FIG. 4  is performable by using the software application  200  instead. The manner of usage of the software application  200  to the wireless input device  400  of  FIG. 4  is similar as to the wireless input device  100  of  FIG. 1  as aforementioned. 
         [0000]    Further, the wireless input device  100  of  FIG. 1  and the wireless input device  400  of  FIG. 4  may optionally perform data transmission using the frame bursting transmission technique. Under the frame bursting transmission technique, data transmission is performed in a series of burst transmissions as opposed to the typical continuous transmission. Each of the burst transmission is preferably performed within a specified duration and at a specified frequency. Consequently, the rate of power consumption from the battery module  112  is further determinable by at least one of the specified duration and the specified frequency of the data transmission performed using the frame bursting transmission technique. 
         [0032]    The user is able to adjust advanced settings for additional features providable by the wireless input device  100  of  FIG. 1  and the wireless input device  400  of  FIG. 4  in order to optimize the rate of power consumption of the battery module  112  by the controller during transmission of data. The adjustable advanced settings include frequency of the burst transmission, duration of the burst transmission, required signal strength of the burst transmission and the like. Additionally, the user is also able to perform adjustment of the advanced settings through further options provided by the software application  200 . 
         [0033]    Furthermore, the wireless input device  100  of  FIG. 1  and the wireless input device  400  of  FIG. 4  may optionally provide other advanced techniques for improving the efficiency of data transmission. By improving the efficiency of data transmission, the rate of power consumption of the battery module  112  by the controller is then optimizable. The advanced techniques include data compression, data frames concatenation and the like. 
         [0034]    In the foregoing manner, an apparatus and a method for managing power usage of wireless input devices are described according to embodiments of the invention for addressing at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. Although a few embodiments of the invention are disclosed, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and/or modification can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.