Selective implementation of power management schemes based on detected computer operating environment

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to managing peripheral device usage for a computer and specifically to managing power levels of radio frequency peripheral devices according to a detected environment.

2. Description of the Related Art

Computer systems may use many different types of user input devices. For example, computer systems may receive input from user input devices such as, but not limited to, a computer mouse, a keyboard, a microphone, a camera, a wireless pointing device, and a joystick. Because managing wires from different user input devices may be cumbersome, the computer system may use wireless, e.g., radio frequency (RF), signals to communicate with the user input device. However, user input devices using RF signals may require an independent power source (e.g., a battery) that may weaken over time. In addition, if more than one computer system is used within the range of the RF signal from the computer system and/or the user input device, RF signals from each computer system and/or user input device may overlap and interfere.

For example, if an RF computer mouse for one computer system is used too closely to a second computer system with an RF computer mouse, the RF signals from the RF computer mouse may be received by the second computer system and cause erroneous results on the second computer system. Computer system users may have to stop using RF user input devices when around other RF computer systems, or computer system users may need to space their computer systems enough apart to avoid RF overlap.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a computer system that implements different power management schemes based on the environment in which the computer system is being used. A computer system using a wireless user input device (e.g., an RF user input device) may determine what type of environment the computer system is being used. For example, the computer system may be used in a single user environment or a multi-user environment. While the invention is described in terms of a user input device, it is to be noted that the invention may also be applied to wireless output devices such as, but not limited to, wireless speakers, wireless monitors, and wireless printers. In one embodiment, the computer system may determine the type of environment the computer system is in by monitoring a number of RF signals being received above a first threshold and within a set frequency range by a first radio frequency transmitter/receiver (RFTR) coupled to the computer system. In one embodiment, the first threshold may be set at a power level above a background noise level and the frequency range may be a range of frequencies typically used for RF user input devices. Other threshold levels and other frequency ranges are also contemplated.

If the computer system is being used in the single user environment (i.e., only one RF signal is being received above the first threshold and within a set frequency range), a first power management scheme may be implemented to conserve battery power in the RF user input device. In one embodiment, the single user environment may include an environment where fewer than a number of available RF channels are being used. For example, the first power management scheme may be implemented if only four RF channels are being used and eight RF channels are available. The first power management scheme may comprise transmitting a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) from the first RFTR (of the computer system) to a second RFTR of the RF user input device. In one embodiment, the first RFTR may be transmitting the RSSI at full power to maximize a usable range of the user input device. The first power management scheme may include adjusting the power level of the second RFTR based on the RSSI from the first RFTR (i.e., the received signal strength of signals generated by the second RFTR). In one embodiment, the second RFTR power level may be adjusted to maintain the power level of the second RFTR to a power level in a range of minimally sufficient power levels to transmit signals to the first RFTR (e.g., minimum power level detectable by the first RFTR plus or minus three decibels). Other power level ranges are also contemplated.

If the computer system is not being used in the single user environment (e.g., is being used in a multi-user environment), a second power management scheme may be implemented to reduce interference with neighboring computer systems. In one embodiment, the multi-user environment may comprise multiple RF signals being detected above the first threshold and within the range of frequencies. Other environments for the second power management scheme are also contemplated.

In one embodiment of the second power management scheme, the first RFTR (of the computer system) may transmit a first RSSI to the second RFTR based on an RF signal received by the first RFTR from the second RFTR. In other words, the computer system may generate an indication of received signal strengths of signals generated by the user input device. The RF signal from the second RFTR may be adjusted according to the first RSSI from the first RFTR to maintain a power level minimally sufficient for the first RFTR to detect. In one embodiment, the minimally sufficient power level may include a power level barely detectable by the first RFTR plus a safety threshold plus or minus 3 decibels. The safety threshold may insure that the RF user input device is not moved out of range before the RF user input device receives another RSSI from the first RFTR and adjusts the RF signal from the second RFTR accordingly. Other minimally sufficient power levels are also contemplated.

In one embodiment of the second power management scheme, a second RSSI may be transmitted by the second RFTR to the first RFTR. The RF signal from the first RFTR may be adjusted according to the RSSI from the second RFTR. In one embodiment, the RF signals from the first RFTR and the second RFTR may be adjusted according to the RSSI received by the respective first RFTR and second RFTR to minimize the interference from the RF signals from the first RFTR and the second RFTR to neighboring computer systems. In one embodiment, neighboring computer systems may use different RF frequencies to allow a greater amount of interference from the RF signals than if the neighboring computer systems were using one RF frequency.

A better understanding of the present invention may be obtained when the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a computer system with an RF user input device, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a laptop with an RF computer mouse, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a computer system, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a first environment including a single user, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a second environment including multiple users, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for implementing a first power management scheme or a second power management scheme, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for managing the first power management scheme, according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for managing the second power management scheme, according to one embodiment.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 : Computer System with RF Computer Mouse

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a computer system with a wireless user input device (e.g., an RF user input device), such as, but not limited to, an RF computer mouse. In one embodiment, the computer system may detect an environment the computer system is in (e.g., a single user environment or a multi-user environment) and then implement a corresponding power management scheme. For example, if the computer system detects the single user environment, the computer system and the RF user input device may coordinate to minimize the power level of the RF user input device to conserve battery power in the RF user input device. In another example, if the computer system detects the multi-user environment, the computer system and the RF user input device may coordinate to minimize an interference range of RF signals the computer system and the RF user input device use to communicate with. Minimizing the interference range may allow more computer systems with RF user input devices to operate near each other. Other environments and power management schemes are also contemplated.

In various embodiments, the RF user input device may include, but is not limited to, a computer mouse, a keyboard, a microphone, a monitor, a speaker, a camera, a light pen, a wireless pointing device, and a joystick. Other user input devices are also contemplated. Embodiments of the user input devices described herein may also be used with wireless output devices, such as wireless speakers, wireless monitors, and wireless printers.

FIG. 2 : Laptop with RF Computer Mouse

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a computer system such as, but not limited to a laptop 201 , with an RF user input device 205 (e.g., an RF computer mouse). The laptop 201 may be used in single user environments or multi-user environments. In one embodiment, the laptop may detect the type of environment in which the laptop 201 is operating and implement an appropriate power management scheme.

FIG. 3 : Computer System Block Diagram

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a computer system. In one embodiment, the computer system may include a processor 301 , a memory 303 , a chipset logic 305 , a keyboard 307 , an RF user input device 309 , a bus 313 , and a display 315 . In one embodiment, the chipset logic 305 may not be used. In one embodiment, the computer system may have a first RFTR to send/receive RF signals to/from an RF user input device. In one embodiment, the RF user input device may use a second RFTR to communicate with the first RFTR in a wireless fashion. In one embodiment, the first RFTR and the second RFTR may use wireless antennae to send RF signals back and forth. For example, the first RFTR and the second RFTR may use omni-directional antennae. In one embodiment, a power amplifier in the first RFTR and a power amplifier in the second RFTR may be sensitive to power levels in three decibel increments. Other RFTR antennae and sensitivities are also contemplated. Other components are also contemplated.

FIG. 4 : Single User Environment

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a first environment having a single user. In one embodiment, the laptop 401 may determine that the laptop 401 is being used in a single user environment and implement a first power management scheme. For example, the laptop 401 may send an RSSI 407 to an RF user input device 403 . The RF user input device 403 may adjust its RF signal 405 according to the RSSI 407 . In one embodiment, the first power management scheme may be designed to maximize battery life of an RF user input device 403 .

FIG. 5 : Multi-user Environment

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a second environment such as, but not limited to, a multi-user environment. In one embodiment, if the laptop 501 determines that the laptop 501 is being used in the multi-user environment, the laptop 501 may implement a second power management scheme. In one embodiment, the laptop 501 may send a first RSSI 507 to the RF user input device 503 that may in return send an RF signal and a second RSSI 505 to the laptop 501 . In one embodiment, both the laptop 501 and the RF user input device 503 may adjust their RF signal strengths to minimize an interference range 509 while keeping the laptop 501 and RF user input device 503 in contact. The larger the interference range 509 is, the more neighboring laptops the signals (including the first and second RSSI) may interfere with (e.g., laptop 511 and 513 ).

FIG. 6 : Flowchart for Implementing the First and Second Power Management Schemes

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for implementing a first power management scheme or a second power management scheme. It should be noted that in various embodiments of the methods described below, one or more of the steps described may be performed concurrently, in a different order than shown, or may be omitted entirely. Other additional steps may also be performed as desired.

At 600 , the computer system may determine the environment in which the computer system is operating. For example, the computer system may detect what type of environment the computer system is operating in by monitoring any RF signals being received by the first RFTR above a first threshold and within a set frequency range. In one embodiment, the first threshold may be set at a power level above a background noise level and the frequency range may be set to a range of frequencies typically used by RF user input devices. Other threshold levels and other frequency ranges are also contemplated. Other ways of detecting the type of environment may also be contemplated. For example, a user may input in which type of environment the computer system is operating.

At 601 , the computer system may determine if the computer system and the RF user input device are being used in a single user environment. For example, the computer system may determine the computer system is operating in a single user environment if the computer system is receiving only one RF signal above the first threshold and with the set frequency range. In one embodiment, the single user environment may include an environment where fewer than a number of available RF channels are being used. For example, the first power management scheme may be implemented if only four RF channels are being used and eight RF channels are available. Other single user environments are also contemplated.

At 602 , if the computer system is being used in a single user environment, a first power management scheme may be implemented. In one embodiment, the first power management scheme may be implemented if only one RF signal above the first threshold and within the range of frequencies is detected. In one embodiment, the first power management scheme may be implemented if multiple RF signals are detected, but each is at a frequency different from the other RF signals being detected. Other reasons for implementing the first power management scheme are also contemplated.

At 611 , if the computer system is not being used in a single user environment, the second power management scheme may be implemented. For example, a multi-user environment may comprise multiple RF signals being detected above the first threshold and within the range of frequencies. Other reasons for using the second power management scheme are also contemplated.

FIG. 7 : Flowchart for Managing the First Power Management Scheme

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for managing a first power management scheme. It should be noted that in various embodiments of the methods described below, one or more of the steps described may be performed concurrently, in a different order than shown, or may be omitted entirely. Other additional steps may also be performed as desired.

Continuing from 602 in FIG. 6 , at 703 , the first power management scheme may comprise transmitting an RSSI from the first RFTR to the second RFTR. In one embodiment, the RSSI may be based on the power level of the RF signal received by the first RFTR from the second RFTR. As the second RFTR receives the RSSI, the second RFTR may increase the second RFTR power level or decrease the second RFTR power level to keep the power level the second RFTR operates at between the range of minimally sufficient power levels. For example, if the RSSI from the first RFTR indicates that the RF signal from the second RFTR is becoming too weak (e.g., the RF user input device is moving away from the computer system), the second RFTR may respond by increasing the RF signal strength (originating from the second RFTR). In another example, if the RSSI indicates that the RF signal from the second RFTR may be adjusted downward, the second RFTR may respond by decreasing the RF signal strength.

Operating at a range of minimally sufficient power levels may allow the RF user input device to conserve power. In one embodiment, the first RFTR may be in the computer system and may be transmitting the RSSI at full power such that the second RFTR will be able to detect the RSSI from the first RFTR throughout the range of the first RFTR. Other power levels besides the full power level may also be used by the first RFTR. In one embodiment, the second RFTR may be in an RF user input device, such as, but not limited to, an RF computer mouse. In one embodiment, the first power scheme may include allowing the RF user input device to enter a sleep mode (e.g., a low power state) when the computer system or the RF user input device detects that the RF user input device is not being used.

At 705 , the first power management scheme may comprise adjusting the power level of the second RFTR based on the RSSI. In one embodiment, the second RFTR power level may be adjusted to maintain the power level of the second RFTR to a power level in a range of minimally sufficient power levels (i.e., minimum power level detectable by the first RFTR plus or minus three decibels). Other power level ranges are also contemplated.

FIG. 8 : Flowchart for Managing the Second Power Management Scheme

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for managing the second power management scheme. It should be noted that in various embodiments of the methods described below, one or more of the steps described may be performed concurrently, in a different order than shown, or may be omitted entirely. Other additional steps may also be performed as desired.

Continuing from 611 in FIG. 6 , at 813 , the first RFTR may transmit the first RSSI to the second RFTR in response to the power level of the RF signal received from the second RFTR. The first RFTR may be coupled to the computer system and the second RFTR may be coupled to the RF user input device.

At 815 , the RF signal from the second RFTR may be adjusted according to the RSSI from the first RFTR. In one embodiment, the second RFTR may adjust the RF signal according to the RSSI from the first RFTR to be in a range of minimally sufficient power levels for the first RFTR to detect. In one embodiment, the range of minimally sufficient power levels may include a power level barely detectable by the first RFTR plus a safety threshold plus or minus three decibels. The safety threshold may insure that the RF user input device is not moved out of range before the RF user input device receives another first RSSI from the first RFTR and adjusts the RF signal from the second RFTR accordingly. Other minimally sufficient power levels are also contemplated.

In one embodiment, the safety threshold may be equal to a power level sufficient to prevent the RF user input device from moving out of range too quickly. For example, if the RF user input device is moved to a point where it cannot detect the first RSSI, the RF user input device may be programmed to assume that the computer system has entered a low power state. In one embodiment, the safety threshold may insure that the second RFTR is not moved out of the first RFTR's RSSI range before the next RSSI signal can be sent from the first RFTR. In other words, the safety threshold may prevent the RF user input device from losing contact with the computer system. In one embodiment, the safety threshold may not be used (i.e., the safety threshold may be set to zero). Operating at a range of minimally sufficient power levels may decrease the interference range of the second RFTR's RF signal affecting nearby computer systems.

At 817 , a second RSSI may be transmitted by the second RFTR to the first RFTR. In one embodiment, the first RSSI from the first RFTR and the second RSSI from the second RFTR may be based on the strength of the received RF signal from the other RFTR. For example, the second RSSI from the second RFTR may be indicative of the strength of the RF signal (e.g., the first RSSI) from the first RFTR. Other RSSI signals are also contemplated.

At 819 , the RF signal from the first RFTR may be adjusted according to the second RSSI from the second RFTR. In one embodiment, the RF signals from the first RFTR and the second RFTR may be adjusted according to the RSSI received by the respective first RFTR and second RFTR to minimize the interference from the RF signals from the first RFTR and the second RFTR to neighboring computer systems. In one embodiment, neighboring computer systems may use different RF frequencies to allow a greater amount of interference from neighboring RF signals than if the neighboring computer systems were using only one RF frequency.

In one embodiment, the second power management scheme may include not allowing the RF user input device to enter a sleep mode (e.g., a low power state) when the computer system or the RF user input device detects that the RF user input device is not being used. The RF user input device may need to remain at a normal power mode to insure a regular exchange of RSSIs with the computer system. In one embodiment, if the second RFTR moves out of range of the first RSSI, the RF user input device may be programmed to assume that the computer system has entered a low power state. To insure that the first RFTR and the second RFTR remain in contact, the computer system and RF user input device may be programmed to expect a regular exchange of RSSIs. In one embodiment, if the second RFTR stops receiving the first RSSI from the first RFTR (e.g., the second RFTR moves out of range of the first RSSI signal), the RF user input device may be programmed to send out the second RSSI at a higher power level and wait for a response. The second RSSI may be sent out at a higher and higher power level until the first RFTR detects the second RSSI and responds with a first RSSI detectable by the second RFTR. In one embodiment, if the first RFTR stops receiving the second RSSI, the first RFTR may send out higher and higher power levels of the first RSSI until the first RFTR receives the second RSSI.

Various embodiments may further include receiving or storing instructions and/or information implemented in accordance with the foregoing description upon a carrier medium. Suitable carrier media may include storage media or memory media such as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk or CD-ROM, random access memory or other memory, as well as transmission media or RF signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital RF signals, conveyed via a communication medium such as a network and/or a wireless link.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention shown and described herein are to be taken as the presently preferred embodiments. Elements and materials may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts and processes may be reversed, and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the invention. Changes may be made in the elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.