Configuration and management of human interface and other attached devices through bi-directional radio frequency link

• US 20040203480A1
• Filed: 04/09/2003
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Standard Microsystems Corporation (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Standard Microsystems Corporation (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dutton, Drew J., MacDonald, James R., Cox, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US10/410,090
• Publication Number:
  US 20040203480A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/74
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device

Abstract

A system and method for configuring a radio frequency (RF) peripheral device using bi-directional communication. A computer may be coupled to a first radio frequency transmitter/receiver (RFTR). The first RFTR may transmit an RF signal comprising configuration information to a second RFTR in an RF peripheral device. The RF peripheral device may be configured using the configuration information in the RF signal. For example, configuration information such as keymaps, status indicators, and annunciators and other beacon activators may be sent to the RF peripheral device. A status indicator such as a Caps lock indicator, a Num lock indicator, and a Scroll lock indicator may be activated/deactivated. Alternate key layouts may also be activated/deactivated using configuration information. Other configuration information may also be transmitted to and used to configure the RF peripheral device.

Claims

1. A computer system, comprising:

a processor;

a first radio frequency transmitter/receiver (RFTR); and

an RF peripheral device comprising a second RFTR configured to transmit a radio frequency (RF) signal, wherein the first RFTR and the second RFTR are operable to communicate in a wireless fashion; and

a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store program instructions executable to transmit configuration information for the RF peripheral device from the first RFTR to the second RFTR.

2. The computer system of claim 1,

wherein the RF peripheral device is configured using the configuration information.

3. The computer system of claim 1, further comprising:

a base station for the first RFTR, wherein the base station is coupled to the processor.

4. The computer system of claim 1,

wherein the RF peripheral device is an RF computer mouse, an RF keyboard, an RF touchscreen, an RF gamepad, an RF microphone, an RF joystick, or an RF camera.

5. The computer system of claim 1,

wherein the RF peripheral device is an RF speaker, an RF display, or an RF printer.

6. The computer system of claim 1,

wherein the RF peripheral device is an RF keyboard, and wherein the configuration information is a keymap for the RF keyboard.

7. The computer system of claim 6,

wherein the keymap is used for language support or for a point of sale application.

8. The computer system of claim 1,

wherein the configuration information is used to activate an indicator on the RF peripheral device.

9. The computer system of claim 8,

wherein the indicator is an audio beacon or a visual beacon to aid in locating the RF peripheral device.

10. The computer system of claim 1,

wherein the configuration information is used to activate a status indicator including a Caps lock indicator, a Num lock indicator, a Scroll lock indicator, or an alternate key layout.

11. The computer system of claim 10,

wherein the status indicator comprises a light emitting diode.

12. The computer system of claim 1,

wherein the configuration information is used to activate an indicator on the RF peripheral device to indicate to a user when a time deadline has passed.

13. The computer system of claim 1,

wherein the configuration information is used to cause the RF peripheral device to vibrate.

14. The computer system of claim 1,

wherein the configuration information includes location specific channel restrictions.

15. The computer system of claim 1,

wherein the configuration information includes regulatory information for the RF peripheral device to operate under to be in regulatory compliance.

16. The computer system of claim 1,

wherein the configuration information includes a mouse report rate.

17. The computer system of claim 1,

wherein the configuration information includes a keyboard key repeat speed.

18. The computer system of claim 1,

wherein the configuration information includes feedback regarding RF peripheral device actions.

19. The computer system of claim 1,

wherein the configuration information includes an RF peripheral device identification and a base station identifier.

20. The computer system of claim 1,

wherein the configuration information includes a channel for the RF peripheral device to use in case of signal loss.

21. The computer system of claim 1,

wherein the configuration information includes a mode for an RF peripheral device.

22. The computer system of claim 1,

wherein the configuration information includes information for considering false inputs.

23. A method, comprising:

transmitting an RF signal comprising configuration information from a first RFTR, wherein the first RFTR is coupled to a computer system;

receiving the RF signal from the first RFTR with a second RFTR, wherein the second RFTR is coupled to an RF peripheral device; and

configuring the RF peripheral device according to the configuration information.

24. The method of claim 23,

wherein the RF peripheral device is an RF computer mouse, an RF keyboard, an RF touchscreen, an RF gamepad, an RF microphone, an RF joystick, or an RF camera.

25. The method of claim 23,

wherein the RF peripheral device is an RF speaker, an RF display, or an RF printer.

26. The method of claim 23,

wherein the configuration information comprises a keymap.

27. The method of claim 23,

wherein the configuration information is used to activate an indicator on the RF peripheral device.

28. The method of claim 27,

wherein the indicator is an audio beacon or a visual beacon to aid in locating the RF peripheral device.

29. The method of claim 27,

wherein the indicator includes a Caps lock indicator, a Num lock indicator, a Scroll lock indicator, or an alternate key layout indicator.

30. The method of claim 23,

wherein the configuration information is used to activate an indicator on the RF peripheral device to indicate to a user when a time deadline has passed.

31. The method of claim 23,

wherein the configuration information is used to cause the RF peripheral device to vibrate.

32. The method of claim 23,

wherein the configuration information comprises location specific channel restrictions.

33. The method of claim 23,

wherein the configuration information includes regulatory information for the RF peripheral device to operate under to be in regulatory compliance.

34. A system, comprising:

means for transmitting an RF signal comprising configuration information from a first RFTR, wherein the first RFTR is coupled to a computer system;

means for receiving the RF signal from the first RFTR with a second RFTR, wherein the second RFTR is coupled to an RF peripheral device; and

means for configuring the RF peripheral device according to the configuration information.

35. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer executable to:

transmit an RF signal comprising configuration information from a first RFTR, wherein the first RFTR is coupled to a computer system;

receive the RF signal from the first RFTR with a second RFTR, wherein the second RFTR is coupled to an RF peripheral device; and

configure the RF peripheral device according to the configuration information.