Method and System for Connecting Remote Devices for Communication With Each Other

• US 20070294556A1
• Filed: 06/17/2006
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm technologies international, ltd. (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cambridge Silicon Radio Limited (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wutka, Anthony D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,711,324 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/324
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0384 Wireless input, i.e. hardware and software details of wireless interface arrangements for pointing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4401 Bootstrapping security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

A data processing system operable in a powered-up mode to accept user input from a first set of user input means and in a powered-down mode to accept user input from only a second set of user input means, the data processing system being configured when not in the powered-down mode to detect a user input from one of the second set of user input means, and in response to such detection to initiate a connection procedure to enable communication in the powered-up mode between the data processing system and a remote user input means.

Claims

1. A data processing system operable in a powered-up mode to accept user input from a first set of user input means and in a powered-down mode to accept user input from only a second set of user input means, the data processing system being configured when not in the powered-down mode to detect a user input from one of the second set of user input means, and in response to such detection to initiate a connection procedure to enable communication in the powered-up mode between the data processing system and a remote user input means.

2. A data processing system according to claim 1 comprising an operating system and volatile data storage, wherein in the powered-down mode the operating system is not stored in the volatile data storage.

3. A data processing system according to claim 2 further comprising non-volatile data storage, wherein in the powered-down mode the operating system is entirely stored in the non-volatile data storage.

4. A data processing system according to claim 2 wherein in the powered-up mode at least a part of the operating system is stored in the volatile data storage.

5. A data processing system according to claim 1 further comprising a central processing unit, wherein in the powered-down mode the central processing unit is configured not to execute instructions.

6. A data processing system according to claim 1 configured in the powered-down mode to detect a user input from one of the second set of user input means and in response to such detection to initiate a start-up procedure causing the data processing system to enter the powered-up mode.

7. A data processing system according to claim 6 configured to be responsive to the same one of the second set of user input means to:

(i) when not in the powered-down mode, initiate the connection procedure; and

(ii) when in the powered-down mode, initiate the start-up procedure.

8. A data processing system according to claim 6 configured to initiate the connection procedure only in response to a user input from one of the second set of user input means during the start-up procedure.

9. A data processing system according to claim 8 configured to perform the following steps in response to the said user input during the start-up procedure:

(a) suspend the start-up procedure;

(b) initiate the connection procedure; and

(c) after the connection procedure is complete, resume the start-up procedure.

10. A data processing system according to claim 9 further configured to resume the start-up procedure automatically in response to completion of the connection procedure.

11. A data processing system according to claim 1 wherein the said communication between the data processing system and the remote user input means is wireless.

12. A data processing system according to claim 11 wherein the said communication between the data processing system and the remote user input means is by means of the Bluetooth protocol.

13. A data processing system according to claim 12 wherein the connection procedure comprises setting a link key to enable secure communication between the data processing system and the remote user input means.

14. A data processing system according to claim 13 comprising a Bluetooth module.

15. A data processing system according to claim 14 wherein the connection procedure further comprises transmitting a USB command to the Bluetooth module in order to initiate the setting of the link key.

16. A data processing system according to claim 14 wherein the Bluetooth module is embedded within the data processing system.

17. A data processing system according to claim 12 wherein the connection procedure involves transmitting an inquiry message from the data processing system.

18. A data processing system according to claim 1 wherein the step of detecting a user input from one of the second set of user input means comprises determining the duration of a button press.

19. A data processing system according to claim 18 configured to initiate the connection procedure only if the determined duration is less than a predetermined time.

20. A data processing system according to claim 18 configured to initiate the connection procedure only if the determined duration is greater than a predetermined time.

21. A data processing system according to claim 1 wherein the second set of user input means is a subset of the first set of user input means.

22. A method for use in a data processing system operable in a powered-up mode to accept user input from a first set of user input means and in a powered-down mode to accept user input from only a second set of user input means, the method comprising:

when the data processing system is not in the powered-down mode, detecting a user input from one of the second set of user input means; and

in response to such detection, initiating a connection procedure to enable communication in the powered-up mode between the data processing system and a remote user input means.

23. A computer program for use in a data processing system that is operable in a powered-up mode to accept user input from a first set of user input means and in a powered-down mode to accept user input from only a second set of user input means, the computer program being arranged to:

when the data processing system is not in the powered-down mode, detect a user input from one of the second set of user input means; and

in response to such detection, initiate a connection procedure to enable communication in the powered-up mode between the data processing system and a remote user input means.

24. A connection initiator for use in a data processing system that is operable in a powered-up mode to accept user input from a first set of user input means and in a powered-down mode to accept user input from only a second set of user input means, the connection initiator being arranged to:

when the data processing system is not in the powered-down mode, detect a user input from one of the second set of user input means; and

in response to such detection, initiate a connection procedure to enable communication in the powered-up mode between the data processing system and a remote user input means.

25. A data processing system, comprising:

a wireless communication module that allows communication with a wireless addressable input device;

a processor responsive to an actuation of an integral input mechanism of said data processing to initiate a procedure to establish a communication connection with a wireless addressable input device;

whereby

said wireless addressable input device may be individually connected to said data processing system for communication therewith without the use of any other disconnectable input mechanism.

26. A data processing system as set forth in claim 25, wherein said integral input mechanism is a power button.

27. A data processing system as set forth in claim 25, wherein said integral input mechanism is a reset button.