GB2425003A

GB2425003A - Kinetic wireless mouse

Info

Publication number: GB2425003A
Application number: GB0507176A
Authority: GB
Inventors: An-Sheng Chang; Yi Ming Lee
Original assignee: Giga Byte Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Giga Byte Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2004-12-31
Filing date: 2005-04-08
Publication date: 2006-10-11
Anticipated expiration: 2025-04-08
Also published as: FR2884942A1; CN100367176C; DE102005016293A1; JP2006340453A; GB0507176D0; FR2884942B1; GB2425003B; CN1801065A

Abstract

A wireless mouse can self-generate and self-accumulate electrical energy by utilizing the kinetic energy during user shaking the mouse. The wireless mouse (100) has a shell (1), a command device (2), a rechargeable battery (3) and a generating device (4). The command device has a controller (22) for detecting the position of the shell and producing an electronic signal, a demodulator (24) for transforming the electronic signal to a wireless signal, and an antenna (26) for transmitting the wireless signal. The rechargeable battery is assembled in the shell for supplying electrical energy to the command device. The generating device is assembled in the shell and has an inertial linear generator (42) which is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery.

Description

KINETIC WIRELESS MOUSE

The present invention relates in general to a wireless mouse, and more particularly to a wireless mouse having the functions of self-generating and self-accumulating electrical energy by utilizing the kinetic energy during moving itself for providing the required electric power.

The development of the mouse has made it easier to operate computers. To avoid the inconvenience of the connecting cable of the conventional mouse during use, a wireless mouse has been proposed. A wireless mouse needs a battery to power its wireless module, which is used for transmitting an electrical signal to the computer. The battery is usually provided internally in the wireless mouse. However, frequent replacement of the battery still causes the user great inconvenience and extra expense. Moreover, discarded batteries waste natural resources and produce environmental pollution.

To ameliorate the disadvantages mentioned above, US 6,686,903 disclosures a "wireless mouse capable of generating and accumulating electrical energy". Referring to the Fig. 1, the above wireless mouse comprises a rolling ball 123, a first rolling wheel 125, a second rolling wheel 127, an auxiliary wheel 129, a first gear-wheel 130 and a second gear-wheel 132. The first rolling wheel 125 longitudinally supports the rolling ball 123 in order to detect the X-displacement of the wireless mouse. The second rolling wheel 127 transversely supports the rolling ball 123 in order to detect the Y-displacement of the wireless mouse.

The first gear-wheel 130 is driven by the first rolling wheel 125, and the second gear-wheel 132 is driven by the second rolling wheel 127. The auxiliary wheel 129, the first rolling wheel 125 and the second rolling wheel 127 support and locate the rolling ball 123.

The above wireless mouse further comprises a first generating device 115 and a second generating device 119. The first generating device 115 is connected to and driven by a third gear-wheel 117 which in turn is engaged with and driven by the first gear-wheel 130 for transforming kinetic energy into electrical power. The second generating device 119 is similarly connected to and driven by a fourth gear-wheel 121 which in turn is engaged with and driven by the second gear-wheel 1 32 for transforming kinetic energy into electrical power.

The electrical power is output to a power storage device 131.

The conventional wireless mouse still has disadvantages as follows: 1. The generating devices are drove by gear-wheels which increases the loading on the gear-wheels, so that the user needs to apply additional force in use to power the generating devices.

2. The two generating devices increase the total weight, which not only makes the mouse cumbersome, but also increases the loading of the user's wrist, if only one generating device were used, the gear wheel loading would be unbalanced.

Therefore, the above kinetic wireless mouse still has some inconveniences and disadvantages.

An object of the present invention is to alleviate at least some of the above disadvantages.

The invention is defined in the independent claims.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a wireless mouse comprising a shell, a command device, a rechargeable battery and a generating device. The command device is assembled in the shell. The command device has a controller for detecting a position of the shell and producing an electronic signal, a demodulator for transforming the electronic signal to a wireless signal, and an antenna for transmitting the wireless signal.

The rechargeable battery is assembled in the shell for supplying electrical energy to the command device. The generating device is assembled in the shell and has a linear generator which is electrically connecting to the rechargeable battery.

A preferred embodiment is described below by way of example only with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 (referred to above) is an internal plan view of a wireless mouse disclosed in US 6,686,903; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wireless mouse according to the present invention FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the wireless mouse of Figure 1; and FIG 4 is a circuit diagram of a generator used in the wireless mouse of Figures 2 and 3.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate a wireless mouse 100 that is used for controlling movement of a cursor on a computer monitor (not shown).

In the preferred embodiment, the wireless mouse 100 comprises a shell 1, a command device 2, a rechargeable battery 3 and a regenerating device 4.

In use, the shell I is gripped by user to move the wireless mouse 100, which is provided with a conventional switch unit, such as a plurality of buttons, and has a rolling-wheel. The invention is not limited to the illustrated shape or button or roller wheel configuration.

The command device 2 is assembled in the shell 1 and is conventionally assembled on a PCB (not shown). Its function is to detect the movement of the wireless mouse 100 and to produce a corresponding signal, which is then transmitted to the computer (not shown). The command device 2 has a controller 22, a demodulator 24, an antenna 26 and a switch unit 28. The controller 22 is used to detect the position of the shell 1 and produce an electronic signal. Then, the electronic signal is transmitted to the demodulator 24. The demodulator 24 receives the electronic signal and converts the electronic signal to a wireless signal. The wireless signal is transmitted to the antenna 26 and is transmitted to a receiver of computer.

In detail, the controller 22 comprises a detecting unit 222 and an encoding unit 224. The detecting unit 222 can for example be a mechanical type detecting unit or an optical type detecting unit, for example a encoding rolling-wheel, a raster device, or an image sensor, whose function is detecting movement of the wireless mouse 100 and transmitting the detected data to the encoding unit 224. The encoding unit 224 is used to sample and encode the detected data from the detecting unit 222 or the switch unit 28.

The function of the demodulator 24 is transforming the encoded signal from the encoding unit 224 to comply with the format of the wireless transmission protocol, for example infrared rays, or Bluetooth (RTM) radio transmission.

Assuming that radio transmission is used, the radio signal is transmitted by the antenna 26. The switch unit 28 is coupled with switches under the buttons of the shell 1.

The rechargeable battery 3 is assembled in the shell 1 and is connected to the command device 2 for supplying electrical energy to the command device 2.

The generating device 4 is assembling in the shell 1. The generating device 4 has a linear inertial kinetic electric generator 42 which is electrically connecting to the rechargeable battery 3, a rectifier 44 and a constant voltage regulator 46. In this embodiment, the linear generator 42 comprises a horizontally extending elongate coil 422 whose windings are flattened in the vertical direction and a flat magnet 424 that is movably disposed above the coil 422. The magnet 424 provides a surrounding magnetic field and is aligned with the coil 422. When the magnet 424 slides over the coil 422, the magnetic flux changes and the coil 422 produces an induced electromotive force (voltage), and therefore produces an induced current. In this embodiment, the linear generator is shown schematically. For ensuring that the magnet 424 slides on the coil 422, a guiding device (such as guiding rails) can be formed on the two sides of the coil 422. Further, a retaining device can be added to the two ends of the coil 422, such as a magnet, or shock-absorbing element.

The rectifier 44 of the generating device 4 is electrically connecting to the linear generator 42, and is composed of diodes, which are used to prevent induced current from flowing to a negative electrode of the rechargeable battery 3, and ensure that the induced current flows to a positive electrode of the rechargeable battery 3 for recharging. In this embodiment, the rectifier 44 is a bridge rectifier, but this is not essential.

The constant voltage regulator 46 of the generating device 4 is used for stabilizing the voltage. The constant voltage regulator 46 has one end terminal connected to the rectifier 44 and the other terminal connected to the rechargeable battery 3. In this embodiment, the constant voltage regulator 46 comprises a resistance 462 and a capacitance 464. The resistance 462 has one terminal connected to the rectifier 44 and another terminal connected to the rechargeable battery 3. The capacitance 464 has one terminal connected to the rectifier 44 and the other terminal connected to earth.

The kinetic energy of the moving mouse body itself is used to provide its power. When the user operates the wireless mouse, the wireless mouse is moved right and left frequently and the magnet 424 of the linear generator 42 moves relative to the coil 422 as a result of its inertia, and therefore produces an induced current and generates electrical power. In this manner the battery can be charged at anytime and need not be replaced. Optionally, the battery can also be recharged externally from an external electrical power source (not shown). If provided, this option is preferably selectable by the user.

The inertial kinetic electric generator, does not increase the resistance of the rollers of the wireless mouse, and does not impose an additional strain on the user. The arrangement utilizes the kinetic energy of use to generate electrical energy. Optionally, the mouse can be shaken (when lifted from the work surface) to provide rapid charging.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. For example, a kinetic electric generator with non-rectilinear relative movement of the coil and magnet could be used.

Although it is preferred that the variations in motion of the mouse during use (i.e. use to control a cursor) are sufficient to power the mouse, in less preferred embodiments the mouse can be powered by shaking it when lifted from the work surface.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A wireless mouse, comprising: a shell; a command device,

assembled in said shell, and having a controller for detecting a position of said shell and producing an electronic signal, a demodulator for transforming said electronic signal to a wireless signal, and an antenna for transmitting said wireless signal; and a rechargeable battery, assembled in said shell for supplying electrical energy to said command device; and a generating device, assembling in said shell, said generating device having a linear generator which is electrically connecting to said rechargeable battery.

2. The wireless mouse as in claim 1, wherein said controller has a detecting unit and an encoding unit.

3. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 2, wherein said detecting unit is a mechanical type detecting unit.

4. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 2, wherein said detecting unit is an optical type detecting unit.

5. The wireless mouse as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said command device further has a switch unit electrically connected to said encoding unit.

6. The wireless mouse as in claim 1, wherein said linear generator has a coil having vertically flattened windings and a magnet movably disposed above or below said windings and arranged to induce an emf therein.

7. The wireless mouse as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said generating device further comprises a rectifier electrically connecting to said linear generator.

8. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 7, wherein said rectifier is a bridge rectifier.

9. The wireless mouse as in claim 7, wherein said generating device further comprises a constant voltage regulator, and said constant voltage regulator has one terminal connected to said rectifier and another terminal connected to said rechargeable battery.

10. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 9, wherein said constant voltage regulator comprises a resistance and a capacitance, and wherein said resistance has one terminal connected to said rectifier and the other terminal connected to said rechargeable battery, and wherein said capacitance has one terminal connected to said rectifier and the other terminal grounded.

11. A wireless mouse comprising an inertial kinetic electric generator which is arranged to generate power from the variations in motion of the mouse.

12. A wireless mouse according to claim 11 wherein the mouse is powered by variations in its motion during normal use to control a cursor.

13. A wireless mouse substantially as described hereinabove with reference to Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A wireless mouse comprising an inertial kinetic electric generator which is arranged to generate power from the variations in motion of the mouse, the kinetic electric generator having a coil and a magnet which are arranged to move freely with respect to each other.
2. A wireless mouse according to claim 1 wherein the mouse is powered by variations in its motion during normal use to control a cursor.
3. A wireless mouse according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said kinetic electric generator is a rectilinear motion inertial generator.
4. A wireless mouse according to any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a shell; a command device, assembled in said shell, and having a controller for detecting a position of said shell and producing an electronic signal, a demodulator for transforming said electronic signal to a wireless signal, and an antenna for transmitting said wireless signal; and a rechargeable battery housed in said shell and electrically connected to said kinetic electric generator for supplying electrical energy to said command device.
5. A wireless mouse as claimed in claim 4, wherein said controller has a detecting unit and an encoding unit.
6. A wireless mouse as claimed in claim 5, wherein said detecting unit is a mechanical type detecting unit.
7. A wireless mouse as claimed in claim 5, wherein said detecting unit is an optical type detecting unit.
8. A wireless mouse as laiined in any of claims 4. to 7, wherein said commanci aevice turther has a switcri umi eiecricaiiy connected to said encoding unit.
9. A wireless mouse as claimed in any of claims 3 to 8, wherein said linear generator has a coil having vertically flattened windings and a magnet movably disposed above or below said windings and arranged to induce an emf therein.
10. A wireless mouse as claimed in any preceding claim which further comprises a rectifier electrically connected to said inertial kinetic electric generator.
11. A wireless mouse as claimed in claim 10, wherein said rectifier is a bridge rectifier.
12. A wireless mouse as in claim 10 or claim ii, further comprising a constant voltage regulator having one terminal connected to said rectifier and another terminal connected to said rechargeable battery.
13. A wireless mouse as claimed in claim 12, wherein said constant voltage regulator comprises a resistance and a capacitance, and wherein said resistance has one terminal connected to said rectifier and the other terminal connected to said rechargeable battery, and wherein said capacitance has one terminal connected to said rectifier and the other terminal grounded.
14. A wireless mouse substantially as described hereinabove with reference to Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.