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  Low power optical mouseUSPTO Application #: 20080100577Title: Low power optical mouse Abstract: A wireless optical mouse comprises an optical movement detection module that emits light to detect movement of the wireless optical mouse. A touch detection module detects user contact with the wireless optical mouse. A control module selectively stops detecting movement of the wireless optical mouse using the optical movement detection module. After the touch detection module detects user contact, the control module restarts detecting movement of the wireless optical mouse using the optical movement detection module. (end of abstract) Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce P.L.C - Troy, MI, US Inventor: Sehat Sutardja USPTO Applicaton #: 20080100577 - Class: 345166 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080100577. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/700,645, filed Jan. 31, 2007, which application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/885,299, filed Jan. 17, 2007, and 60/863,863, filed on Nov. 1, 2006. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. FIELD [0002]The present disclosure relates to optical mice, and more particularly to low power wireless optical mice. BACKGROUND [0003]The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. [0004]Referring now to FIG. 1, a functional block diagram of an optical mouse 100 according to the prior art is shown. The optical mouse 100 includes a control module 102, a user interface 104, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver 106, an antenna 108, a light detecting module 110, a light generating module 112, and a battery 114. [0005]The light generating module 112 emits light to a surface adjacent to the light generating module 112. The light generating module 112 may include a laser and/or a light emitting diode (LED). The light detecting module 110 receives reflected light from the surface. The light detecting module 110 processes the reflected light as image data, and analyzes the image data to detect movement of the optical mouse 100 relative to the surface. The control module 102 communicates with the user interface 104. The user interface 104 may include buttons, scroll wheels, tilt wheels, and/or other input devices. [0006]The control module 102 outputs movement signals and user input data such as button clicks and/or scrolling from the user interface 104 to the RF transceiver 106. The RF transceiver 106 wirelessly communicates this data to a host (not shown) via the antenna 108. The battery 114 provides electrical power to the components of the optical mouse 100. [0007]Since the optical mouse 100 is battery powered, it is important to reduce power consumption to prolong battery life. At least the light generating module 112 and light detecting module 110 need to be powered to detect movement of the mouse 100. Light generation and detection tends to consume relatively high power. However, the user may not use the wireless mouse for hours, days, or months on end. Some wireless optical mice may include on/off switches, which reduces power consumption and increases battery life when used. However, the user needs to remember to turn the wireless optical mouse off, which may not happen regularly. SUMMARY [0008]A wireless optical mouse comprises an optical movement detection module, a movement detection module, and a control module. The optical movement detection module emits light to detect movement of the wireless optical mouse. The movement detection module has a lower accuracy and consumes less power than the optical movement detection module when detecting movement of the wireless optical mouse. The control module selectively stops detecting movement of the wireless optical mouse using the optical movement detection module. After the movement detection module detects movement, the control module restarts detecting movement of the wireless optical mouse using the optical movement detection module. [0009]In other features, a user interface detects user input. The control module restarts detecting movement of the wireless optical mouse using the optical movement detection module after the user interface detects user input. The control module stops detecting movement of the wireless optical mouse using the optical movement detection module after a predetermined period during which the user interface does not detect user input and the optical movement detection module does not detect movement. The optical movement detection module is powered down after the control module stops detecting movement of the wireless optical mouse using the optical movement detection module. [0010]In further features, the optical movement detection module detects movement of the wireless optical mouse with lower accuracy when in a low-power active state and enters the low-power active state after a second predetermined period during which at least two of: the user interface does not detect user input, the optical movement detection module does not detect movement, and the movement detection module does not detect movement. The second predetermined period is shorter than the predetermined period. [0011]In still other features, the movement detection module comprises a ball assembly including a ball; and a sensor module that detects movement of the wireless optical mouse based upon movement of the ball. The ball assembly includes a first roller that rotates about a first axis and is rotationally coupled to the ball. The ball assembly includes a second roller that rotates about a second axis and is rotationally coupled to the ball. The first and second axes are generally orthogonal. The ball assembly includes a disk including a magnet. The sensor module includes a Hall effect sensor. The ball assembly includes a disk including a magnet. The sensor module includes a current sensor. [0012]A wireless optical mouse comprises an optical movement detection module that emits light to detect movement of the wireless optical mouse; a movement detection module that has a lower accuracy and consumes less power than the optical movement detection module when detecting movement of the wireless optical mouse; and a control module that selectively powers down the optical movement detection module and wherein after the movement detection module detects movement, the control module powers up the optical movement detection module. [0013]In other features, a user interface that detects user input. The control module powers up the optical movement detection module after the user interface detects user input. The control module powers down the optical movement detection module after a predetermined period during which the user interface does not detect user input and the optical movement detection module does not detect movement. The user interface comprises at least one button. [0014]In further features, the optical movement detection module detects movement of the wireless optical mouse with lower accuracy when in a low-power active state and enters the low-power active state after a second predetermined period during which at least two of: the user interface does not detect user input, the optical movement detection module does not detect movement, and the movement detection module does not detect movement. The second predetermined period is shorter than the predetermined period. [0015]In still other features, the movement detection module comprises a ball assembly including a ball; and a sensor module that detects movement of the wireless optical mouse based upon movement of the ball. The ball assembly includes a first roller that rotates about a first axis and is rotationally coupled to the ball. The ball assembly includes a second roller that rotates about a second axis and is rotationally coupled to the ball. The first and second axes are generally orthogonal. The ball assembly includes a disk including a magnet. The sensor module includes a Hall effect sensor. The ball assembly includes a disk including a magnet. The sensor module includes a current sensor. [0016]A method comprises using an optical movement detection module that emits light to detect movement of the wireless optical mouse; using a movement detection module that has a lower accuracy and consumes less power than the optical movement detection module when detecting movement of the wireless optical mouse; selectively stopping detecting movement of the wireless optical mouse using the optical movement detection module; and restarting detecting movement of the wireless optical mouse using the optical movement detection module after the movement detection module detects movement. [0017]In other features, the method further comprises detecting user input. The method further comprises restarting detecting movement of the wireless optical mouse using the optical movement detection module after user input is detected. The method further comprises stopping detecting movement of the wireless optical mouse using the optical movement detection module after a predetermined period during which user input is not detected and the optical movement detection module does not detect movement. The method further comprises powering down the optical movement detection module after stopping detecting movement of the wireless optical mouse using the optical movement detection module. [0018]In further features, the optical movement detection module detects movement of the wireless optical mouse with lower accuracy when in a low-power active state and enters the low-power active state after a second predetermined period during which at least two of: user input is not detected, the optical movement detection module does not detect movement, and the movement detection module does not detect movement. The second predetermined period is shorter than the predetermined period. The movement detection module comprises a ball assembly including a ball; and a sensor module that detects movement of the wireless optical mouse based upon movement of the ball. [0019]In still other features, the ball assembly includes a first roller that rotates about a first axis and is rotationally coupled to the ball. The ball assembly includes a second roller that rotates about a second axis and is rotationally coupled to the ball. The first and second axes are generally orthogonal. The ball assembly includes a disk including a magnet. The sensor module includes a Hall effect sensor. The ball assembly includes a disk including a magnet. The sensor module includes a current sensor. [0020]A wireless optical mouse comprises using an optical movement detection module that emits light to detect movement of the wireless optical mouse; using a movement detection module that has a lower accuracy and consumes less power than the optical movement detection module when detecting movement of the wireless optical mouse; selectively powering down the optical movement detection module; and powering up the optical movement detection module after the movement detection module detects movement. Continue reading... Full patent description for Low power optical mouse Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Low power optical mouse patent application. 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