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I have a cordless mouse, and its great for getting rid of wires, but a total arse when the batteries run out.
Why not connect to the mouse ball a serires of dynamos which power the mouse when it is moving. An optical mouse could have a small ball just for providing power, and the optical sensor
for the usual movement.
I am not sure what the power consumption of a mouse compared to the amount generated by such a dynamo, but i reckon it should be enough to power it. If this is not the case, a battery could be used in conjunction with the dynamo to supplement the power, giving an extended battery life.
Any excess power created could be used to heat the mouse (see [dan] and [egnor] link...).
Temperature controlled keyboard (and mouse).
http://www.halfbake...ntrolled_20keyboard
To be used in conjunction with. [MikeOliver, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004]
Splash Power
http://www.splashpower.com
Use one of these as a mouse pad, and you're sorted. [friendlyfire, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004]
make it spherical
http://www.halfbake...a/spherical_20mouse
once it's powerless, you might want to lose the tail (sorry to tail fans) [neilp, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004]
Mouse Dynamo
http://www.halfbake...idea/Mouse_20Dynamo
looks like Nick beat you to it, Mike [FarmerJohn, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004]
Wire-Free Electric Power Recharge Thing
http://www.mobilewise.com/
the name says it all. [Valkyrie, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004]
[link]
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Or human body heat could be used to power it via the ever-popular Peltier devices! |
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Logitech does have a mouse charger now which makes cordless a bit more convenient, but this would be the ultimate in coolness. |
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Yeah, my packard bell mouse has a docking station, but i usually forget to dock the mouse when i'm done. |
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Why do I feel the need to fishbone any idea with the words "total arse" in it? |
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I use a Wacom tablet - no batteries, and wireless. In any case, good idea, though the name made me think of a mouse that does the moving and clicking for me...because moving your hand is still to much work. |
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I've got an optical wireless mouse, and I agree with you that it's a total arse when the batteries run out on you.
I haven't got a docking station on mine, but I always feel that if the mouse is in constant use, for example in shift work where as one person goes home another person comes into work and uses that computer, it'll run out and won't work at all (unless they can stick batteries in there just in case). I think your idea's great for this situation, except a ball just for power on optical mice might slow down the movement a little. |
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I don't have any 'total arse' problems with my wireless optical mouse. In fact, I get a dialog box pop up that tells me the batteries are very low and should be changed. I click okay, then change the batteries. A pair of AA alkalines lasts me about two months. Never have a problem. What sort of experiences are you guys having that's 'total arse'? |
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Mine contains two aaa NiMH rechargeables. The RF reciever is also a docking station charger and the batteries usually need charging weekly... The problem is when i forget to put it on the charge, and then cannot use my pc for a couple of hours while it charges up. Grrr.. |
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The problem with old skool ball mice is the grime that collects on the rollers. As everybody who has ever had a ball mouse knows, without regular cleaning, the dirt makes the mouse, well, rubbish. Cleaning the assumedly smaller rollers used for power generation on this mouse would probably be more fiddly. Failure to clean them would negate the purpose of having an optical mouse. |
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Responding to the ball problem, would it be possible to generate electricity by moving a special mouse through a magenetic field created by a special mousepad? Added bonus could be a little mag-lift feel to the mouse's gliding action. Downside, I suppose, would include risk of data loss by having a powerful magnet sitting on your desk. |
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There is really a computer mouse that can generate electricity. The idea is basically similiar to what had discussed here but with a different design of the mouse cord. Please visit http://www.timeguider.com/imouse/electric.htm for how it works. |
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If you can power a watch by kinetic energy (like seiko or pulsar) then why not a mouse. v. smart. |
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For all those guys dreaming about a mouse and pen with NO cables and batteries of any kind: www.wacom.com and stop thinking about putting generators inside the poor mice! |
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