US5990868A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for performing power conservation in a pointing device located on a wireless data entry device
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1997-04-01
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Granted: 1999-11-23
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Expires: 2017-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A remote control input device for use with a computer system is disclosed. The remote control input device typically includes means for wirelessly connecting the remote control input device to the computer system, a trackball, coupled to the connecting means for manipulating a pointing icon displayed on the video monitor, and a power source that powers the remote control input device. The remote control input device further includes a power management means for managing the power of the power source by monitoring the status and activity of the trackball used on the remote control input device. The remote control input device typically includes a first set of keys that provide input to the computer system and a second set of keys that are assigned to the trackball that control the pointing icon manipulated by the trackball. Additionally, the remote control input device may be a keyboard type arrangement with a trackball attached and first and second wrist wings can be located adjacent on either side of the keys typically below the key set in order to provide adequate support of the wrists during operation.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Frederick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:32
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/038; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/32; G06F1/3203; G06F1/3234; G06F1/325; G06F1/3259; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202; G06F3/021; G06F3/0213; G06F3/0219; G06F3/023; G06F3/0231; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03543; G06F3/03549; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/038; G06F2203/0384; H; H01; H01H; H01H2207/00; H01H2207/048; H01H2300/00; H01H2300/022; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A remote control input device for use with a computer system, the computer system having a video monitor, a processing unit, coupled to said video monitor, and a first wireless transmitter/receiver unit, said remote control input device comprising: a second wireless transmitter/receiver unit connected to the remote control input device, wherein the first wireless transmitter/receiver unit and the second wireless transmitter/receiver unit communicate data; a power source that powers said remote control input device; and a power management device; the remote control input device including a cursor pointing device and a first plurality of keys coupled to a keyboard, wherein the power management device sets the cursor pointing device into an active mode, or into one of a plurality of sleep modes, the cursor pointing device being monitored for activity at different intervals in each of the sleep modes, and wherein the power management device sets the cursor pointing device from an initial sleep mode into a subsequent sleep mode upon activation of one of the first plurality of keys, the cursor pointing device being monitored for activity more often in subsequent the sleep mode than in the initial sleep mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A remote control input device for use with a computer system, the computer system having a video monitor, a processing unit, coupled to said video monitor, and a first wireless transmitter/receiver unit, said remote control input device comprising: a second wireless transmitter/receiver unit connected to the remote control input device, wherein the first wireless transmitter/receiver unit and the second wireless transmitter/receiver unit communicate data; a power source that powers said remote control input device; and a power management device; the remote control input device including a cursor pointing device and a first plurality of keys coupled to a keyboard, wherein the power management device sets the cursor pointing device into an active mode, or into one of a plurality of sleep modes, the cursor pointing device being monitored for activity at different intervals in each of the sleep modes, and wherein the power management device sets the cursor pointing device from an initial sleep mode into a subsequent sleep mode upon activation of one of the first plurality of keys, the cursor pointing device being monitored for activity more often in subsequent the sleep mode than in the initial sleep mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The remote control input device according to claim 1 further comprising: a second plurality of keys, coupled to a trackball, that control a pointing icon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The remote control input device according to claim 1 further comprising: first and second wrist wings, located adjacent, on either side and below the first plurality of keys, constituting a keyboard.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The remote control input device according to claim 3 wherein said power management device schedules monitoring according to a level of input.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The remote control input device according to claim 3 wherein a sleep mode selector unit selects an activity level based on the level of idleness of said remote control input device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
133 words
A video system comprising: a video monitor; a display output controller, coupled to said video monitor; a remote controller, further comprising: a keyboard having a fist plurality of keys; a trackball, coupled to a wireless transceiver, for manipulating a pointing icon displayed on said video monitor, wherein the wireless transceiver exchanges information between said video system and said trackball; and a power management unit that sets the trackball into an active mode or one of a plurality of sleep modes, the power management unit setting the trackball from an initial sleep mode into a subsequent sleep mode when one of the first plurality of keys on the keyboard is activated, wherein the power management unit checks the trackball for input more often in the subsequent sleep mode than in the initial sleep mode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
133 words
A video system comprising: a video monitor; a display output controller, coupled to said video monitor; a remote controller, further comprising: a keyboard having a fist plurality of keys; a trackball, coupled to a wireless transceiver, for manipulating a pointing icon displayed on said video monitor, wherein the wireless transceiver exchanges information between said video system and said trackball; and a power management unit that sets the trackball into an active mode or one of a plurality of sleep modes, the power management unit setting the trackball from an initial sleep mode into a subsequent sleep mode when one of the first plurality of keys on the keyboard is activated, wherein the power management unit checks the trackball for input more often in the subsequent sleep mode than in the initial sleep mode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The video system according to claim 6 wherein said remote controller further comprises: a second plurality of keys, coupled to said trackball, that control said pointing icon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The video system according to claim 6 wherein said remote controller further comprises: first and second wrist wings, located adjacent, on either side and below a first plurality of keys.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The video system according to claim 6 wherein said power management unit schedules monitoring according to a level of trackball activity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The video system according to claim 6 wherein a sleep mode selector selects an activity level based on the level of idleness of said trackball.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of managing power usage in a remote controller having a trackball pointing device and a keyboard comprising the steps of: setting the trackball pointing device into an initial sleep mode, where the initial sleep mode is chosen from a plurality of sleep modes; subsequently, detecting that a key on the keyboard has been activated; and setting the trackball pointing device into a subsegment sleep mode, where the trackball pointing device is monitored for activity more often in the subsequent sleep mode than in the initial sleep mode.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of managing power usage in a remote controller having a trackball pointing device and a keyboard comprising the steps of: setting the trackball pointing device into an initial sleep mode, where the initial sleep mode is chosen from a plurality of sleep modes; subsequently, detecting that a key on the keyboard has been activated; and setting the trackball pointing device into a subsegment sleep mode, where the trackball pointing device is monitored for activity more often in the subsequent sleep mode than in the initial sleep mode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of managing power of claim 11 wherein sad step of setting the trackball pointing device into an initial sleep mode reduces power by idling a microprocessor scheduled to monitor the activity of said trackball pointing device and process the activity of said trackball pointing device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of managing power of claim 11 further comprising setting the trackball pointing device into an active mode upon detecting activation of the trackball pointing device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of managing power of claim 13 wherein said setting the trackball pointing device into an initial sleep mode step further comprises the step of selecting a second level of monitoring of said trackball pointing device according to a predetermined level of idleness of said remote controller.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of managing power of claim 14 further comprising selecting a third sleep mode for said trackball pointing device according to a second predetermined level of idleness of said remote controller exceeding said predetermined level of idleness.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-22 | 2003-05-24 | 2003-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-22 | 2007-05-24 | 2007-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-22 | 2011-05-24 | 2011-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |