Wireless controlled wake up
First Claim
1. A method of operating a radio communications device connected to a computer to wirelessly communicate between the computer and at least one external device, wherein the computer has a suspend mode and an active mode and the radio communications device has a suspend mode and an active mode, the method comprising:
- entering the suspend mode in the radio communications device from an active mode with the computer in the suspend mode;
periodically entering a polling mode in the radio communications device including transmitting a wireless signal to poll one or more external devices, waiting a predetermined period for a response signal, returning to the suspend mode if no wake-up response signal is received during the predetermined period, and if a wake-up response signal is received during the predetermined period returning the radio communications device to the active mode and communicating with the computer to cause the computer to return to the active mode.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dongle 4 is attached to a USB port 8 of computer 2 through USB connector 6. The dongle in suspend mode wakes periodically, sends a polling signal, and if it receives a response the dongle enters an active mode. In embodiments, the dongle 4 uses an active scan request as the polling signal and receives a beacon frame as a response. When the dongle enters an active mode after receiving a response the dongle then wakes the computer 2 from its suspend mode. The dongle draws minimal current meeting the USB specifications.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of operating a radio communications device connected to a computer to wirelessly communicate between the computer and at least one external device, wherein the computer has a suspend mode and an active mode and the radio communications device has a suspend mode and an active mode, the method comprising:
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entering the suspend mode in the radio communications device from an active mode with the computer in the suspend mode;
periodically entering a polling mode in the radio communications device including transmitting a wireless signal to poll one or more external devices, waiting a predetermined period for a response signal, returning to the suspend mode if no wake-up response signal is received during the predetermined period, and if a wake-up response signal is received during the predetermined period returning the radio communications device to the active mode and communicating with the computer to cause the computer to return to the active mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of operating a system including a computer with a dongle attached to the computer and at least one remote device having a wireless transceiver arranged to wirelessly communicate with the dongle, the method comprising:
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in the dongle;
entering into a suspend mode;
periodically sending a polling signal to poll one or more of the remote devices;
waiting a predetermined period for a response; and
returning to an active mode if a wake-up response is received in the predetermined period;
and in the at least one remote device;
entering into a suspend mode in the remote device in which the transceiver in the remote device is off;
receiving user input in the remote device;
emerging from the suspend mode to the active mode on receiving the user input;
switching on the transceiver; and
waiting for a poll signal from the dongle before replying with a wake-up response to wake up the dongle. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A dongle for connecting to a computer for wirelessly linking the computer to one or more external devices, the dongle having an active mode and a suspend mode, the dongle comprising:
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a radio transceiver;
a controller;
wherein the controller is adapted to cause the dongle to enter the suspend mode from the active mode and in the suspend mode periodically to enter into a poll mode in which the controller sends a signal to poll one or more of the external devices, to wait a predetermined period for a response, to return to the suspend mode if there is no correct response, and to return to an active mode if a response is received. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system including
a computer; -
a radio communications device attached to the computer and powered by the computer having an active mode and a suspend mode;
at least one remote device having a wireless transceiver arranged to wirelessly communicate with the radio communications device, at least one of the at least one remote device or devices having an active mode in which the transceiver in the remote device is on and a suspend mode in which the transceiver in the remote device is off;
wherein in the suspend mode the radio communications device is arranged to periodically to enter into a poll mode in which the radio communications device sends a signal to poll one or more of the remote devices, to wait a predetermined period for a response, to return to the suspend mode if there is no correct response, and to return to an active mode if a response is received from one or more of the remote devices; and
the at least one remote device is arranged to emerge from the suspend mode to the active mode by user input and when emerging from the suspend mode to the active mode to switch on the wireless transceiver and to wait for a poll signal from the radio communications device before replying with a response signal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification