Wireless Mouse Power Management via Dynamic Signal Strength Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless input devices face a trade-off between battery life and transmission range, as fixed transmission power leads to inefficient power consumption and limited user mobility, with existing devices unable to dynamically manage power usage effectively.
Innovation Solution
A wireless input device with a transceiver and controller that adjusts signal strength and transmission range based on control signals from a processor-based device, allowing for dynamic power management by varying the rate of power consumption from a battery module, enabling users to balance transmission range and battery life through software configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the transmission power of the wireless mouse is increased to extend transmission range, then the wireless mouse can be used at longer distances from the PC, but the power consumption from the battery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic transmission power adjustment where the transmission power is no longer fixed but can be varied based on operational requirements. The system allows users to select different power levels (e.g., high, medium, low) through software configuration, enabling the transmission range to be dynamically adapted to the actual usage scenario, thus avoiding unnecessary power consumption when maximum range is not required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission power parameter from a fixed value to a variable that can be adjusted according to different operational modes. By modifying this key parameter, the system can optimize the balance between transmission range and battery life, allowing users to configure appropriate power levels for different usage situations (e.g., short-range desk use versus long-range mobility)
2Use of energy by moving object
If the transmission power of the wireless mouse is decreased to reduce power consumption, then the battery life is extended, but the transmission range is reduced and user mobility is hampered
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic power level selection where users can switch between different transmission power settings based on their current needs. When mobility requirements are low, users can select lower power levels to extend battery life. When longer range is needed, users can switch to higher power levels, making the system adaptable to varying operational requirements throughout usage periods
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission power parameter is made adjustable with multiple discrete levels available for selection. This allows the system to optimize battery life by operating at lower power levels during extended periods of use, while still providing the capability to increase power when longer transmission range is required, thus resolving the trade-off between battery life and range
3Adaptability or versatility
If a wireless mouse with long transmission range capability is used, then user mobility is improved, but power consumption increases unnecessarily for short-range usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single wireless mouse device universal by enabling it to operate effectively in multiple transmission range scenarios. Through software-configurable power levels, the same hardware can be optimized for both short-range desk usage and long-range mobile usage, eliminating the need for users to choose between different devices based on their primary usage scenario
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its transmission power output based on the selected operational mode. Whether the user needs short-range precision control or long-range mobility, the system can adjust its power output accordingly, making the device versatile across different usage scenarios without the penalty of always operating at high power consumption levels
Data Source
AI summary
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' 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.