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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?"

5 of 208 comments (clear)

  1. Difference between this and digitzer pad... by toybuilder · · Score: 4, Interesting

    ...is that the mouse is responsible for position information, not the pad... Which is nice in some ways, because you mouse motion in real-world use doesn't always map nicely to the digitizing pad's cartesian grid.

    If your entire desk's surface was one big induction loop, this would allow you to have this mouse work over the whole of your desk (assuming there's enough power coupling). Beware the magnetic media, though! :)

  2. Re:Been done before by olman · · Score: 2, Interesting

    12 amps?? On that dinky wire?? That's like 5x12 = 60 watts! Thats, er, great efficiency right there.

    So this guy runs his 2.5V*~100mA= 0.25W mouse with 0.25W/60W = 0.4% efficiency? You people make me sick.

  3. So's my toothbrush. by xs650 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Since it's powered by inductive coupleing, not RFID, it's in the same category as my Sonicare toothbrush, except the toothbrush is more advanced.

    The toothbrush has a battery that is inductively recharged when it's sitting in it's base.

    I have used the toothbrush over 6,000 miles from it's base which is amore useful range than the 2 inch range of the mouse.

    A wireless mouse with a battery that got recharged when you left it on the mouse pad but didn't have to be near the mousepad to work would actually have some utility. They need to add a battery.

  4. Optical Mice with Pad by ebooher · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I've seen a couple posts where people have said "Hey, the first optical mouse let me throw away the pad." and have just got to drop a quick note here.

    I have several optical mice that *need* their pad, as it has a grid for the optics to read as you draw the mouse across it. So it took them awhile to figure out how to get the optical mouse to work with no pad. Just as it will take them awhile to figure out how to give the entire population of the Earth cancer by using Inductive style power beamed from satellites to power those mice.

    --
    "Genius may shine aloof and alone, like a star, but goodness is social, and it takes two men and God to make a Brother."
  5. This has been done. by Sloppyjoes7 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Wacom tablets use battery-less controls. Wacom has their particular technology patented, which is a big reason they're so popular. Their devices are very lightweight and never need batteries. While a pen is likely the most common device used with a tablet, Wacom sells mouses and (simulated) airbrushes that work the same way.

    If you buy Wacom's cheapest Graphire pad, it comes with a mouse. From my experience, the input device must be within 1/2 inch of the pad in order for it to work.

    Whatever the case, I don't see the point in having a wireless mouse, if the mousepad must be wired. But that's just me, I guess.