Abstract: A system includes a touchpad sensor array, a touch circuit, and a proximity circuit. The touch circuit executes a touch mode configured to track the position of a user or conductive object on the touchpad sensor array by detecting a change in an electrical property of the touchpad. The proximity circuit executes a proximity detection mode configured to track the position of a user or conductive object near or proximate to the touchpad sensor array by detecting a change in an electrical property of the touchpad. The system is configured to switch from the touch mode to the proximity detection mode after a predetermined period of inactivity, where the proximity detection mode can operate at one or more reduced polling rates, resulting in a reduced overall power dissipation. The system is configured to switch back to the touch mode when activity is detected by the proximity circuit.

Abstract: A communication protocol in a wireless network of a transceiver and a plurality of devices, in which at least one device is a bidirectional device, and in which one or more other devices can be unidirectional devices. The unidirectional device communicates with the transceiver in a unidirectional mode from the device to the transceiver and the bidirectional device communicates with the transceiver either in a bidirectional mode or in an unidirectional mode from the device to the transceiver. The communication protocol is configured to determine which transmission mode is to be used for each device. Various techniques are provided in order to optimize the time and energy spent to transmit information from one peer to the other.

Abstract: A communication protocol in a wireless network of a transceiver and a plurality of devices, in which at least one device is a bidirectional device, and in which one or more other devices can be unidirectional devices. The unidirectional device communicates with the transceiver in a unidirectional mode from the device to the transceiver and the bidirectional device communicates with the transceiver either in a bidirectional mode or in an unidirectional mode from the device to the transceiver. The communication protocol is configured to determine which transmission mode is to be used for each device. Various techniques are provided in order to optimize the time and energy spent to transmit information from one peer to the other.

Abstract: A communication protocol in a wireless network of a transceiver and a plurality of devices, in which at least one device is a bidirectional device, and in which one or more other devices can be unidirectional devices. The unidirectional device communicates with the transceiver in a unidirectional mode from the device to the transceiver and the bidirectional device communicates with the transceiver either in a bidirectional mode or in an unidirectional mode from the device to the transceiver. The communication protocol is configured to determine which transmission mode is to be used for each device. Various techniques are provided in order to optimize the time and energy spent to transmit information from one peer to the other.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless input device that employs optical sensing to effect the likes of cursor movement and scrolling. Power management techniques can be optionally employed to avoid premature depletion of the wireless input device's power source. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless device having a power management algorithm controlling its power consumption. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for managing the power consumption of a wireless device.

Abstract: A system includes a touchpad sensor array, a touch circuit, and a proximity circuit. The touch circuit executes a touch mode configured to track the position of a user or conductive object on the touchpad sensor array by detecting a change in an electrical property of the touchpad. The proximity circuit executes a proximity detection mode configured to track the position of a user or conductive object near or proximate to the touchpad sensor array by detecting a change in an electrical property of the touchpad. The system is configured to switch from the touch mode to the proximity detection mode after a predetermined period of inactivity, where the proximity detection mode can operate at one or more reduced polling rates, resulting in a reduced overall power dissipation. The system is configured to switch back to the touch mode when activity is detected by the proximity circuit.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is an apparatus and method for improved cursor control in a device which can operate both on a work surface and in air. Cursor resolution is reduced as the user engages with the device for clicking, leading to more precise movement closer to the target, as well as reduced parasitic and other unintentional motion of the cursor during clicking. Moreover, one aspect of the present invention is an apparatus and method for improved battery life in an in-air pointing device. In another aspect, the present invention is a method a system for improved user interface interaction, for UI controls such as sliders, pop-up boxes, menus, lists and button groups.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless input device that employs optical sensing to effect the likes of cursor movement and scrolling. Power management techniques can be optionally employed to avoid premature depletion of the wireless input device's power source. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless device having a power management algorithm controlling its power consumption. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for managing the power consumption of a wireless device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless input device that employs optical sensing to effect the likes of cursor movement and scrolling. Power management techniques can be optionally employed to avoid premature depletion of the wireless input device's power source. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless device having a power management algorithm controlling its power consumption. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for managing the power consumption of a wireless device.

Abstract: A communication protocol in a wireless network of a transceiver and a plurality of devices, in which at least one device is a bidirectional device, and in which one or more other devices can be unidirectional devices. The unidirectional device communicates with the transceiver in a unidirectional mode from the device to the transceiver and the bidirectional device communicates with the transceiver either in a bidirectional mode or in an unidirectional mode from the device to the transceiver. The communication protocol is configured to determine which transmission mode is to be used for each device. Various techniques are provided in order to optimize the time and energy spent to transmit information from one peer to the other.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless input device that employs optical sensing to effect the likes of cursor movement and scrolling. Power management techniques can be optionally employed to avoid premature depletion of the wireless input device's power source. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless device having a power management algorithm controlling its power consumption. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for managing the power consumption of a wireless device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless input device that employs optical sensing to effect the likes of cursor movement and scrolling. Power management techniques can be optionally employed to avoid premature depletion of the wireless input device's power source. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless device having a power management algorithm controlling its power consumption. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for managing the power consumption of a wireless device.