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Mouse Uses RFID Instead of Batteries

Posted by Zonk on from the bluetooth-concept-replacement dept.

ValourX writes "NewsForge (part of OSTG, like Slashdot) has a review of a mouse that is powered by RFID (and yes, it works with Linux). It's cordless and uses no batteries -- you just have to keep the mouse within 2 inches of the mousepad for it to work. What else could be powered by RFID?"

9 of 208 comments (clear)

  1. s/RFID/Induction by fatboy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    s/RFID/Induction

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    --fatboy
  2. More Like: Inductive Coupling by richardoz · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The statement that the mouse is powered by RFID is a bit of a misnomer. It may be RF that transmits the mouse movement, but it is actually Inductive Coupling. The mouse pad has a coil that transfers power to a coil in the mouse using magnetic flux. This transfer of power is limited to short distances. Passive RFID uses radio frequency to transmit the power to the tag and relay the information back to the "server". I think that using inductive coupling for Mouse power is a great idea! Anything to reduce consumption of batteries that wind up in a landfill.

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    All the worlds indeed a .sig, and we are mearly players..
  3. Wireless? lol by eyeye · · Score: 3, Insightful

    So you have to keep it within 2 inches of the mat, and where does the mat get its power from? It either has batteries or is cabled.

    I'll stick with my real wireless mouse thanks very much, no batteries just charge it once a week (or when I remember to put it back in its cradle).

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    Bush and Blair ate my sig!
    1. Re:Wireless? lol by Forthan+Red · · Score: 5, Insightful
      This is actually a step backwards. Optical mouses freed us from having to use a mousepad. Now we not only have to use a mousepad again, we have to have it plugged in.

      No thanks, I'll stick with an truly wireless mouse.

    2. Re:Wireless? lol by Stibidor · · Score: 4, Insightful


      You are absolutely right. The pad is wired (and thusly powered), which does still tether you to the computer. And although the OP is mildly misleading, the point of this device is that the actual mouse does not have any wires attached to it.

      To most people, the advantage of a wireless mouse is the freedom to move the mouse without worrying about what the cord is going to get snagged on. This gives users that freedom without requiring them ever to replace/recharge their batteries.

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      http://nerdfortress.com/
  4. Wacom? by atrus · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So, whats the difference between this and a wacom tablet, besides the fact that wacoms are generaly superior? If you've never tried photoshop/other graphics app with a wacom, you're missing out.

    1. Re:Wacom? by Phroggy · · Score: 3, Insightful

      This one costs $20?

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      $x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
      $x=~y+ -xz+\0-Tx+;print$_^chop$me for split'',$x;
  5. From the article by sunhou · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The mouse pad cannot be operated on any metal surface. Since the warnings about this are printed on the box, in the manual, and on the mouse pad itself, I figured it was in my best interest to avoid finding out why metal and power-over-RFID don't mesh.

    Well there's a sentence that sure didn't end the way I wanted it to... Where's his sense of adventure?

  6. Re:Corded mouse pad by TheBurrito · · Score: 3, Insightful

    You can buy a bluetooth wireless mouse and run all over the place with it without worrying about bringing your receiver along.
    This seems like it's just a really, really nice idea for desktops, where my MX700 needs to be cradled every night and still occasionally runs out of juice at just the wrong time.