Communications Device and User Interface Device with Millimeter Wave Transceiver and Methods for use Therewith

• US 20090143101A1
• Filed: 11/30/2007
• Published: 06/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rofougaran, Ahmadreza (Reza)
• Application Number:
  US11/948,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20090143101A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving

Abstract

A user interface device includes an actuator for generating user data in response to the actions of a user. A millimeter wave transceiver receives an RF signal from a host device, converts the RF signal into a power signal for powering the user interface device, and backscatters the RF signal based on the user data.

Claims

1. A user interface device comprising:

an actuator for generating user data in response to the actions of a user;

a millimeter wave transceiver coupled to;

receive an RF signal from a host device;

convert the RF signal into a power signal for powering the user interface device; and

backscatter the RF signal based on the user data.

2. The user interface device of claim 1 wherein the actuator includes at least one of, a button and wheel.

3. The user interface device of claim 1 wherein the actuator includes at least one of, a keyboard, a touch pad and a keypad.

4. The user interface device of claim 1 wherein the actuator includes a photo emitter and a photo sensor, and wherein the user data includes data that represents motion of the interface device.

5. The user interface device of claim 1 wherein the host device is one of, a computer, a wireless telephony device, and a personal digital assistant.

6. An interface module that couples a user interface device to a host device, the interface module comprising:

a millimeter wave transceiver coupled to;

transmit an RF signal for powering the user interface device; and

demodulate backscattering of the RF signal to produce user data.

7. The interface module of claim 6 wherein the user interface device includes at least one of, a mouse, a keypad, a touchpad and a keyboard.

8. The interface module of claim 6 wherein the host device is one of, a computer, a wireless telephony device, and a personal digital assistant.

9. The interface module of claim 6 wherein the user data represents a position of the user interface device.

10. The interface module of claim 6 wherein the host device includes a plurality of applications that operate based on the user data.

11. A method comprising:

generating user data in response to the actions of a user of a user interface device;

receiving an RF signal from a host device;

converting the RF signal into a power signal for powering the user interface device; and

backscattering the RF signal based on the user data.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the RF signal includes a millimeter wave signal.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the user interface device includes a least one of, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad and a keypad.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the user data includes data that represents motion of the interface device.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the host device is one of, a computer, a wireless telephony device, and a personal digital assistant.

16. A method of coupling a user interface device to a host device, the method comprising:

transmitting an RF signal for powering the user interface device; and

demodulating backscattering of the RF signal to produce user data.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the user interface device includes at least one of, a mouse, a keypad, and a keyboard.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the host device is one of, a computer, a wireless telephony device, and a personal digital assistant.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the user data represents a position of the user interface device.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the host device includes a plurality of applications that operate based on the user data.