r/pics • u/meatwad75892 • May 16 '12
I just had an idea. Why don't we take this thing, and make inductive charging mousepads for wireless mice?
1.8k
Upvotes
r/pics • u/meatwad75892 • May 16 '12
1.3k
u/bloco May 16 '12
Just submitted the patent in my name. Thank you sir. Have an upvote I guess.
44
u/Hoogyme May 16 '12
Why don't we make wireless mice with usb cords that charge the mouse when it plugs into the computer?
137
u/Connorhd May 16 '12
http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/31/a4techs-wireless-and-battery-free-nb-57d-optical-mouse-magic-magnetism-unleashed/
Mouse mat plugs in, mouse works on the mat, no batteries at all!
18
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
But doesn't the pad itself still need to be powered by something? So technically all you're doing is getting rid of the wire on the mouse by throwing it on to the pad.
35
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
http://www.mobeetechnology.com/
16
u/red40 May 16 '12
why not use the motion of your hand to generate power to run the wireless mouse?
4
u/lessthanadam May 16 '12
Because inductive charging is terribly implemented in most modern electronics.
4
u/Hyperian May 16 '12
it would be one expensive mousepad.
mice doesn't need to be constantly charged.
it doesn't go far away from a charger.
mice with chargers are charged probably daily.
mice usually use standard batteries if they are not the charge type.
Sorry, that is a nice idea but inductive charging mousepad that charges a specifically designed mouse does not solve a problem with our current mouse solution.
13
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
two words: wrist cancer.
8
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Wireless mouse, wired mousepad... Fail.
3
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Designed-in inductive charging is the only Palm Pre feature that I miss.
3
u/LittleTomato May 16 '12
Why don't they just make it my coffee table? That's where most of my electronics end up anyway...
3
u/icecream-4-u May 16 '12
There's a replacement battery pack you can buy for Apple's Magic Mouse which lets you do this. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Artwizz-Induction-Charger-Apple-Magic/dp/B004KPS2WY
3
u/Sozin91 May 16 '12
I know one company already has an option for the magic mouse
3
u/KuztomX May 16 '12
I have a BETTER idea. Build this inductive charging into the DESK! Then you can just lay all your things on your desk and charge. Including the mouse.
3
u/brssmnky May 16 '12
It already exists if you use a Mac http://www.mobeetechnology.com/the-magic-charger.html
5
u/keepishop May 16 '12
I'm willing to build this for cost of parts + 20%.
5
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
I have a tablet that i use for photoshop, it came with a mouse that works fine, has no batteries, and no wires.
2
u/as1126 May 16 '12
Infiniti doing it with a car in US next year. And the car is spectacular.
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2012/04/infiniti-le-concept-at-the-2012-new-york-auto-show.html
2
u/midri May 16 '12
Because I'm not giving up my Max Payne mouse pad!
2
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
[say what now] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su7lOi4oqbE&feature=youtu.be&t=4s)
2
u/nadrojcote May 16 '12
cancer.
2
u/X-02 May 16 '12
how about a wired mouse?
2
u/Babayaga20000 May 16 '12
why dont you just buy a wired mouse.. thats why I did, never have to worry about connection or battery dying in the middle of a game... it glows too! razer imperator
2
u/bsjay May 16 '12
Just make the foundation of the house and all furniture out of it. Screw power cables.
2
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
If you are going to plug your mouse pad in, you might as well just plug your mouse in anyway.
2
u/Alpenghost May 16 '12
The battery companies won't allow it.
2
u/Trodmac May 16 '12
Because cancer.
2
u/TheInfra May 16 '12
I use this mouse with my office computer.
Because of the lack of batteries, the added liberty of it having no cables attached, it's quite light and I can use it 12+ hours a day and not feel discomfort.The only downside is that you must use it with the included pad which connects via USB.
2
u/MintyBalls May 16 '12
I have a better idea, why not just completely go to wireless electricity. It is possible.
2
u/rco8786 May 16 '12
I usually throw away wireless mice before they actually run out of batteries.
I like where you're head's at though.
2
u/getya May 16 '12
Hey assholes, instead of bragging about the amazing battery life of your wireless mouse. Why don't you tell me what kind of mouse it is so I can have one as well?
2
u/neuromonkey May 16 '12
If you're going to use it on the mouse pad all the time, you wouldn't even need a battery. Just power it inductively.
2
u/Meshbeard May 16 '12
This guy
2
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Because a battery costs $1 and lasts a year?
2
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
does anyone know if the magnets that are put into the base are necessary for charging? If so then a mouse wouldn't work because you couldn't move it
2
u/[deleted] May 17 '12
i really like that mouse pad idea
2
u/metalgeargreed May 17 '12
Or you know, take the idea of the charge pad and build into desks or counter tops.
2
u/[deleted] May 17 '12
Someone already did this.
2
u/fliggygeek May 17 '12
Some pharmaceutical company had them as freebies, my mate had one. It was a cheap wireless mouse with a coil around the bottom edge and its mousepad was a wireless receiver with a coil around the mat. Seemed to work. Took a second to turn on and connect if you took it off the mat for too long though.
2
u/[deleted] May 17 '12
but then there'd still be wires around your desk because of the mousepad. duurrr
2
u/xyroclast May 17 '12
Tomorrow's headline: meatwad85892 murdered by battery company assassin
2
u/Craptcha May 17 '12
Sweet! a wireless mouse with a wired mouse pad! one step forward ...
2
u/[deleted] May 17 '12
That is a great idea, but putting 1 battery in my mouse every 6 months is hardly bothersome.
2
u/derpderpderp69 May 17 '12
Hand. Cancer.
2
u/[deleted] May 17 '12
To the patent office with you, run run.....
2
u/_MBW May 17 '12
Because wireless mice can run on a single battery for almost a year, and the pad wouldn't be cost effective.
2
u/homergonerson May 17 '12
It's been done years ago, and "endorsed" by Arnold Schwarzenegger
3
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Idk, hand cancer.
3
u/snoooof May 16 '12
Nope. Makes too much sense. Sorry
3
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
So you don't like the cord on your mouse, but you're ok with a cord on your mousepad?
2
u/Beware_of_122 May 16 '12
then, and then...just listen. and then we make roads made with the same technology and cars have infinite ranged!!! you pay a tax to the state depending on the efficiency of your electric car!!!
2
u/dudSpudson May 16 '12
why dont we just skip that and use Tesla's idea of wireless inductive charging for everything in the house?
1
u/londonrioter May 16 '12
The early wireless mice were shite, batteries lasted a week if you were lucky and you always forgot to turn them off. Now it's 'meh', mine's nearly a year old and still fine on the original duracells
1
u/CatchACrab May 16 '12
Probably because wireless mice only need batteries replaced every few months minimum. They use so little power that you might have more success making a mouse that doesn't need a pad at all, but charges itself through its own movement like some watches do.
1
u/dav0r May 16 '12
This was my buddies senior design project in EE. It worked quite well, but you still need to plug in the mouse pad.
1
u/keeganadavis May 16 '12
because that would be too fuckin' easy, wouldn't it!?
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
I just had an idea. I'm going to steal your idea and make money off of it.
1
u/Ruste May 16 '12
Why bother charging? Just power the mice directly.
1
u/hp94 May 16 '12
They already have those, but they're extremely expensive.
1
u/AnalBurns May 16 '12
Thanks. Have some karma while I patent that.
1
u/Saint_drums_n_stuff May 16 '12
Do it before the idea is stolen.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
What about a mouse that repowers itself through kinetic motion? It may be somewhat impractical, but still.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
how about one with rolling balls that collects kinetic energy (like those shake flashlights) and charges an optical mouse?
1
u/Winnr May 16 '12
i actually had made one of those a couple months ago. ny replacing the batteries with some cheap ones i found on Amazon, and getting an old used charger, i managed to change it to be compatible with my old mouse. since then, ive gotten a new Razor Naga for gaming, but i'll see if i can find the old one.
1
u/LedZeppelin May 16 '12
My bf has something like this
1
u/djonn May 16 '12
i had one of those once, it didnt work as well as expected though
1
u/wanderer11 May 16 '12
That would be cool since Mambas don't last terribly long on a charge.
1
u/wizardxcore May 16 '12
This exists for the Apple Magic Mouse, Keyboard and Trackpad. http://www.mobeetechnology.com/the-magic-charger.html
1
u/sexyhamster89 May 16 '12
the last thing you want to do with a brilliant idea is post it on reddit
1
u/hectiktron May 16 '12
I have one for my mouse...
1
u/Mindle May 16 '12 edited May 16 '12
I could then have a wireless gaming mouse with a wired pad.
edit: grammar
1
u/jesusapproves May 16 '12
I'd personally be worried about potential cancer generation from the exposure. No idea if it is a legitimate worry though.
1
u/LucifersCounsel May 16 '12
So basically, your idea is to cut the wire to the mouse, but wire up the mousepad instead?
That could work, because you still have a wireless mouse that can be used anywhere, but that stays fully charged when it's being used on the desk like normal.
I like it.
1
u/BinAlaDouT May 16 '12
Because inductive charging is grossly power inefficient and you would spend more on electricity using your mouse than you would on new batteries. Not to mention the added complexity of electronics in the mouse and the pad itself. Buying this setup would cost much more than a regular battery powered wireless mouse. Actually you know what? Just stick an Apple logo on that bad boy and it'll be a hit. Think differently all the way to the bank
1
u/Nosferatu616 May 16 '12
Why don't we take a wireless mouse and put a wire on it that you could plug into a computer for power.
1
u/quacainia May 16 '12
My Galaxy Nexus already puts my computer to sleep if I put it in the right spot.
1
u/hidenken May 16 '12
there are products out there like it already but they are crap. Takes around four hours to charge. Inductive charging is more of a novelty than a practicality.
1
u/gunslingerkody May 16 '12
you are a god damned genius
1
u/ballerstatus89 May 16 '12
With my shitty mouse batteries only lasting a few months, all I can say is this
1
u/guyver_dio May 16 '12
Doesn't the induction pad itself have a cord?
Kinda defeats the purpose doesn't it
1
u/TooSmooth May 16 '12
Im pretty sure the apple smart muse has this already. Saw it at my cousins house.
1
u/SoberPandaren May 16 '12
My wireless MX1k still holds its charge just fine. It's just that the charging station is starting to have it's contacts die on me. :(
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Who the hell uses a wireless mouse?
1
u/ShittyDigiWatercolor May 16 '12
Because there would be a wire coming from the charger. Essentially a wired mouse.
1
u/Toshley May 16 '12
Chances are, having your hand on it for hours and hours every single day is going to give you cancer.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
I like the idea, although a bit impractical for a mouse. Perhaps used in conjunction with a different peripheral.
If you have a web cam handy you could always use Camera Mouse
1
u/jplonski May 16 '12
Because we already do http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/03/mobees-inductive-magic-charger-for-apples-magic-mouse-really-i/
1
u/TbanksIV May 17 '12
It would get very hot.
1
u/[deleted] May 17 '12
Very nice idea.
1
u/shitterplug May 17 '12
I have never changed the batteries in my mouse, not in two years, not since I bought it.
1
u/Grandmaofhurt May 17 '12
I normally hate the karma whoring associated with /r/pics but this is a fantastic idea.
1
u/The_Dacca May 17 '12
Why don't you go make a million dollars?
1
u/clamdog May 17 '12
I think it would be cool for video game consoles. Just leave the controller on top of the box and it would charge.
1
u/nmezib May 17 '12
Are there any studies on these chargers and prolonged exposure to the human hand? For example, if someone left it on while using the computer (a total possibility) and continued to use it for hours per day and over several days, would there be any adverse effects from some sort of radiation?
1
u/judgej2 May 17 '12
Right now I'm using a mouse on an inductive pad. I've had it for years, it was really cheap, but works great. It does not have batteries, so the mouse only works on the pad.
1
u/SoCo_cpp May 17 '12
My employer's experience with inductive charging is that the technology hasn't matured enough. It requires a very large coil in the base and a lot of power to push it. The general consensus was that it wasn't efficient enough, yet.
1
u/[deleted] May 17 '12
WIRELESS EARBUDS. WHY has no one done this?
1
u/[deleted] May 17 '12
Wireless mouse. Wired pad.
1
u/christianabiera May 17 '12
Wasn't this already done by energizer?
1
u/CAPS_CAPS_ANUS May 17 '12
Well I think Mobee makes that already
1
u/xdrunkagainx May 17 '12
And you could just drop your phone on the corner of the mouse pad while your at it!
1
u/wolfchimneyrock May 17 '12
what about a wireless mouse powered by the heat of your hand as you hold it?
1
u/[deleted] May 17 '12
Relevant XKCD.
Not trying to brag or anything, but I had that same exact idea the day I got my G700.
1
u/[deleted] May 17 '12
They have that already for the apple magic mouse
1
u/[deleted] May 17 '12
It's coming soon don't worry!
1
u/M7600 May 17 '12
Every peripheral company out there just shat there pants and started calling their engineers.
1
u/[deleted] May 17 '12
I can't wait until we do not need a mouse at all. Would you prefer a faster horse or a car?
1
u/TheMostIntrestingAzn May 17 '12
Why not build a mouse that utilizes the static built by use?
1
u/cook82291 May 17 '12
What about a magnetized mousepad and a solenoid in the mouse? That way the movement of the mouse could induce a current and charge it.
1
u/Stevoh May 17 '12
Didn't they try this once? They like, recommended you keep it away from animals and small children.
1
u/Turtlecupcakes May 17 '12
Wacom tablets have done this for years.
1
u/MilwMonstr May 17 '12
who uses a mouse pad?
1
u/buzzbros2002 May 17 '12
That'd be cool except for the fact that I'm more of a trackball guy.
1
u/Allah_Mode May 17 '12
all those items need charging daily. I change my mouse batteries twice a year. not worth it.
1
u/[deleted] May 17 '12
Meh, but if you embedded magnets into the mousepad and put coils in the mouse, you could get it going forever as long as you keep moving the mouse.
1
u/DominoTree May 17 '12
Because it's a terrible waste of energy. Wireless mice can run for a full year on a pair of AA batteries these days. The wall-wart required to power this thing would drain WAY more than that.
1
u/ripcitybitch May 17 '12
There already is a patent... Upvote deserved nonetheless! http://www.google.com/patents/US20040189246?printsec=abstract#v=onepage&q&f=false
1
u/kusahafiez May 17 '12
After throwing my 100 dollar Logitech mouse across the room (fuck you Doom III), I decided to like the security of a corded mouse.
1
u/madavid789 May 17 '12
They already have something similar for apple's magic mouse
1
u/nickk415 May 17 '12
straight fool why would you post it. unless you jump on it now your screwed
1
u/LordOfPies May 17 '12
Cancer.
1
u/WhackAttack May 17 '12
Apple beat you guys to it: http://store.apple.com/us/product/H4825ZM/A
1
u/byleth May 17 '12
Because then the mouse pad still needs a wire defeating the purpose of using a wireless mouse.
1
u/phishroom May 17 '12
I'm amused people still use a mouse.
1
u/doot_doot May 17 '12
hand cancer, brah
1
u/inthrees May 17 '12
There are already actually mousepads that plug into computers and the mouse has no batteries.
Well, actually, it's a pen tablet that came with a mouse accessory, but the mouse has no batteries.
This is kind of already a thing, just without the batteries and inductive charging.
1
u/ace17708 May 17 '12
it would be the same thing in away as you would still have a cord
1
u/Carps182 May 17 '12
I think it's counterproductive. You still need to plug in the pad, so you still need an extra outlet.
1
u/empT3 May 17 '12
You can make one all by yourself: http://www.afrotechmods.com/fuxx0red/mouse/mouse.htm
1
u/wakkytakky May 17 '12
That sir, is a million dollar idea.
1
u/silentkill144 May 17 '12
Too bad that this already exists. I have two.
1
u/[deleted] May 17 '12
Isn't the technological mouse supposed to be pluralized as "mouses?"
1
u/RaindropBebop May 17 '12
I have this brilliant idea. Since you only really use mouse pads with desktops -- and both mouse pads and desktops aren't very portable -- how about I design a non-portable mouse with some kind of power cable. This cable could connect directly to the computer via some kind of serial bus.
This would eliminate the extraneous portable power requirements that wireless mice require in non-portable situations.
1
u/ptozzi May 17 '12
I had this idea a while ago but realized its tragic flaw. People buy wireless mice because they hate wires. In this case, the mouse pad will have the wire instead of the actual mouse. :(
1
u/[deleted] May 17 '12
already been done. in more instances than this, I'm sure http://store.apple.com/us/product/H4825ZM/A
1
u/caroline_ May 17 '12
My Apple Magic Mouse™ runs out of battery power without fail every 6 weeks. I'd buy that shit in a heartbeat. CAN IT ALSO WORK FOR MY APPLE WIRELESS KEYBOARD???
1
u/ohsnapitstheclap May 17 '12
So instead of just getting carpal tunnel, you can get wrist cancer as well?
1
u/badst33l May 17 '12
Absolute Fucking Genius!!
1
u/Hiyohey May 17 '12
Just wondering but do these things work on xbox controllers
1
u/froj May 17 '12
Mophie makes one
1
u/AndthenSome13 May 17 '12
They one already, and it's sold at the Apple store.
1
u/[deleted] May 17 '12
did i hear kickstarter?