Wireless user input device providing host link indication

• US 20040192413A1
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Frank, Edward H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,203,526 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/574
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A wireless interface device services communications between a wirelessly enabled host and at least one user input device. The wireless interface device includes a wireless interface unit, a processing unit, an input/output unit, and may include a power management unit. The wireless interface unit wirelessly interfaces with the wirelessly enabled host. The processing unit and the wireless interface unit interact to determine when the wireless interface unit has established a link with the wirelessly enabled host. When the wireless interface unit has established a link with the wirelessly enabled host, the processing unit interacts with the input/output unit to direct the input/output unit to output a link established indication. When the wireless interface unit enters a sniff mode or a park mode, a second link established indication may be provided. When the link is taken down or lost, a link non-established indication may be provided.

Claims

1. A wireless interface device that services communications between a wirelessly enabled host and at least one user input device, the wireless interface device comprising:

a wireless interface unit that wirelessly interfaces with the wirelessly enabled host;

a processing unit operably coupled to the wireless interface unit;

an input/output unit operably coupled to the wireless interface unit and to the processing unit, wherein the input/output unit interfaces to the at least one user input device;

wherein the processing unit and the wireless interface unit interact to determine when the wireless interface unit has established a link with the wirelessly enabled host; and

wherein when the wireless interface unit has established a link with the wirelessly enabled host, the processing unit interacts with the input/output unit to direct the input/output unit to output a link established indication.

2. The wireless interface device of claim 1, further comprising a power management unit that manages power consumption of the wireless interface device, wherein the wireless interface device supports a plurality of power consumption modes including a busy mode and at least one power saving mode.

3. The wireless interface device of claim 2, wherein when the wireless interface device is in the busy mode the processing unit interacts with the input/output unit to provide a first link established indication.

4. The wireless interface device of claim 3, wherein:

when the wireless interface device is in the at least one power saving mode the wireless interface unit enters a parked mode of operation; and

when the wireless interface is in the parked mode of operation, the processing unit interacts with the input/output unit to provide a second link established indication.

5. The wireless interface device of claim 3, wherein:

when the wireless interface device is in the at least one power saving mode the wireless interface unit enters a sniff mode of operation; and

when the wireless interface is in the sniff mode of operation, the processing unit interacts with the input/output unit to provide a second link established indication.

6. The wireless interface device of claim 3, wherein:

when the wireless interface device is in the at least one power saving mode the wireless interface unit enters a power down mode of operation; and

when the wireless interface is in the power down mode of operation, the processing unit interacts with the input/output unit to provide a link non-established indication.

7. The wireless interface device of claim 2, wherein when the wireless interface device transitions from a power saving mode to the busy mode, the processing unit interacts with the input/output unit to provide a link being attempted indication.

8. The wireless interface device of claim 1, wherein the wireless interface unit supports one or more versions of the Bluetooth interface standard.

9. The wireless interface device of claim 1, wherein the wireless interface device is formed as a single monolithic integrated circuit.

10. The wireless interface device of claim 1, wherein the wireless interface device enters one of a plurality of power consumption operating states comprising:

busy mode in which all components of the wireless interface device are powered and operational;

idle mode in which the wireless interface unit performs first power conserving operations; and

power down mode in which the wireless interface unit is powered down and the processing unit enters one of a plurality of reduced power operations.

11. A wireless interface device that services communications between a wirelessly enabled host and at least one user input device, the wireless interface device comprising:

a wireless interface unit that wirelessly interfaces with the wirelessly enabled host;

a processing unit operably coupled to the wireless interface unit;

an input/output unit operably coupled to the wireless interface unit and to the processing unit, wherein the input/output unit interfaces to the at least one user input device;

a power management unit that manages power consumption of the wireless interface device, wherein the wireless interface device supports a plurality of power consumption modes including a busy mode and at least one power saving mode;

wherein the processing unit and the wireless interface unit interact to determine that the wireless interface unit has established a link with the wirelessly enabled host;

wherein when the wireless interface unit has established a link with the wirelessly enabled host, the processing unit interacts with the input/output unit to direct the input/output unit to output a link established indication.

12. The wireless interface device of claim 11, wherein:

when the wireless interface device is in the busy mode the input/output unit outputs a first link established indication;

when the wireless interface device is in the at least one power saving mode the wireless interface unit enters a parked mode of operation; and

when the wireless interface is in the parked mode of operation, the processing unit interacts with the input/output unit to provide a second link established indication.

13. The wireless interface device of claim 11, wherein:

when the wireless interface device is in the busy mode the input/output unit outputs a first link established indication;

when the wireless interface device is in the at least one power saving mode the wireless interface unit enters a sniff mode of operation; and

when the wireless interface is in the sniff mode of operation, the processing unit interacts with the input/output unit to provide a second link established indication.

14. The wireless interface device of claim 11, wherein:

when the wireless interface device is in the at least one power saving mode the wireless interface unit enters a power down mode of operation; and

when the wireless interface is in the power down mode of operation, the processing unit interacts with the input/output unit to provide a link non-established indication.

15. The wireless interface device of claim 11, wherein the wireless interface unit supports one or more versions of the Bluetooth interface standard.

16. The wireless interface device of claim 11, wherein the wireless interface device is formed as a single monolithic integrated circuit.

17. The wireless interface device of claim 11, wherein the wireless interface device enters one of a plurality of power consumption operating states comprising:

busy mode in which all components of the wireless interface device are powered and operational;

idle mode in which the wireless interface unit performs first power conserving operations; and

power down mode in which the wireless interface unit is powered down and the processing unit enters one of a plurality of reduced power operations.

18. A method for controlling the operation of a wireless interface device that services communications between a wirelessly enabled host and at least one user input device, the wireless interface device including a wireless interface unit, a processing unit, and an input/output unit that couples to the at least one user input device, the method comprising:

the wireless interface unit establishing a wireless link with the wirelessly enabled host;

the wireless interface unit interacting with the processor to indicate to the processing that the wireless interface unit has established a link with the wirelessly enabled host;

the processing unit interacting with the input/output unit to direct the input/output unit to output a link established indication; and

the input/output unit outputting a link established indication.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the wireless interface device supporting a plurality of power consumption modes including a busy mode and at least one power saving mode.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein in the busy mode the input/output unit provides a first link established indication.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein:

in the at least one power saving mode the wireless interface unit enters a parked mode of operation; and

when the wireless interface is in the parked mode of operation, the input/output unit provides a second link established indication.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein:

in the at least one power saving mode the wireless interface unit enters a sniff mode of operation; and

when the wireless interface is in the parked mode of operation, the input/output unit provides a second link established indication.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein:

in the at least one power saving mode the wireless interface unit enters a power down mode of operation; and

when the wireless interface is in the power down mode of operation, the input/output unit provides a link non-established indication.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein when the wireless interface device transitions from a power saving mode to the busy mode, the processing unit interacts with the input/output unit to provide a link being attempted indication.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the wireless interface unit supports one or more versions of the Bluetooth interface standard.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one user input device is selected from the group consisting of cursor control devices and keypads.

27. The method of claim 18, wherein the wireless interface device enters one of a plurality of power consumption operating states comprising:

busy mode in which all components of the wireless interface device are powered and operational;

idle mode in which the wireless interface unit performs first power conserving operations; and

power down mode in which the wireless interface unit is powered down and the processing unit enters one of a plurality of reduced power operations.