WLAN-CAPABLE REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE

• US 20150036573A1
• Filed: 05/15/2014
• Published: 02/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Malik, Rahul, Tinnakornsrisuphap, Peerapol, Xue, Qi, Mohanty, Bibhu Prasad, Hayes, Kevin Neal
• Granted Patent: US 9,357,492 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/311
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/12 Power saving techniques of remote control or controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0254 detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0274 by switching on or off the equipment or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Operations for a WLAN-capable remote control device and a controlled device are disclosed. A first network device (e.g., remote control) may receive a user input for controlling operation of a second network device (e.g., controlled device) of a communication network. The first network device may transition to an active operating state in response to receiving the user input. The first network device may transmit the first user input to the second network device. The first network device may exit the active operating state in response to successfully transmitting the first user input to the second network device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

transmitting a first user input from a first network device to a second network device on a first communication channel, wherein the first user input is for controlling operation of the second network device;

determining whether the second network device is operating on the first communication channel based, at least in part, on not receiving an acknowledgment message from the second network device on the first communication channel; and

scanning a plurality of communication channels according to a channel scan sequence in response to determining that the second network device is not operating on the first communication channel, wherein the channel scan sequence is determined based, at least in part, on operating state feedback previously received from the second network device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting the first user input and an operating state feedback request from the first network device to the second network device in response to not receiving the acknowledgment message from the second network device on the first communication channel.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting an operating state feedback request from the first network device to the second network device in response to at least one of:

determining that a predetermined retransmission time interval for transmitting the first user input to the second network device has elapsed,

determining that a predetermined number of retransmission attempts for transmitting the first user input to the second network device has elapsed, and

determining that the first user input matches a predetermined user input.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting an operating state feedback request from the first network device to the second network device; and

determining to remain configured in an active operating state until a new operating state feedback is received from the second network device or a predefined time interval elapses.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the operating state feedback of the second network device comprises at least one of:

whether the second network device is configured in an active operating state,

whether the second network device is associated with an access point,

an identification of an operating communication channel on which the second network device is configured to communicate with the access point,

an identification of a time interval for which the second network device is configured to operate in the active operating state, and

an identification of a time interval for which the second network device is configured to operate in a sleep operating state.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining not to retransmit the first user input to the second network device on the first communication channel after a predetermined retransmission time interval elapses; and

transmitting an operating state feedback request from the first network device to the second network device on the first communication channel after determining not to retransmit the first user input.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein in response to not receiving the acknowledgment message from the second network device on the first communication channel, further comprising:

embedding an operating state feedback request in a retransmission of the first user input from the first network device to the second network device on the first communication channel.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the acknowledgment message from the second network device in response to transmitting an operating state feedback request from the first network device to the second network device;

determining that the acknowledgment message does not include a new operating state feedback of the second network device; and

determining to use the operating state feedback previously received from the second network device in response to determining that the acknowledgment message does not include the new operating state feedback.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a second user input at the first network device for transmission to the second network device;

determining whether the first network device is transmitting the first user input to the second network device; and

determining whether to transmit the second user input to the second network device based, at least in part, on whether the first network device is transmitting the first user input to the second network device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, in response to determining that the first network device is transmitting the first user input to the second network device, the method comprises:

determining whether the second user input is a duplicate of the first user input;

transmitting the first user input and the second user input from the first network device to the second network device in response to determining that the second user input is not a duplicate of the first user input; and

extending a retransmission time interval associated with transmitting the first user input in response to determining that the second user input is a duplicate of the first user input.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein, in response to determining that the first network device is transmitting the first user input to the second network device, the method comprises:

transmitting the first user input and the second user input from the first network device to the second network device.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein, in response to determining that the first network device is transmitting the first user input to the second network device, the method comprises:

determining not to retransmit the first user input and the second user input after a predetermined retransmission time interval elapses; and

transmitting an operating state feedback request from the first network device to the second network device after the predetermined retransmission time interval elapses.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transitioning to an active operating state at the first network device in response to receiving the first user input;

determining that the second network device is operating on a second communication channel in response to receiving an acknowledgment message from the second network device on the second communication channel after transmitting the first user input on the second communication channel; and

transitioning from the active operating state to an inactive operating state at the first network device in response to receiving the acknowledgment message from the second network device on the second communication channel.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein in response to not receiving the acknowledgment message from the second network device on the first communication channel, the method comprises:

retransmitting the first user input on the first communication channel for a predetermined retransmission time interval; and

determining that the second network device is not operating on the first communication channel based, at least in part, on not receiving the acknowledgment message after the predetermined retransmission time interval elapses.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining successful transmission of the first user input from the first network device to the second network device on a second communication channel; and

transitioning the first network device from an active operating state to a sleep operating state, wherein the sleep operating state is between the active operating state and an inactive operating state.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, while the first network device is configured in the sleep operating state, the method further comprises:

in response to receiving a second user input at the first network device, transitioning the first network device from the sleep operating state to the active operating state to transmit the second user input to the second network device; and

in response to determining that a predetermined time interval has elapsed, transitioning the first network device from the sleep operating state to the inactive operating state.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the first user input is provided in response to activating a trigger mechanism of the first network device.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining successful transmission of the first user input from the first network device to the second network device on a second communication channel;

transitioning the first network device from an active operating state to a sleep operating state, wherein the sleep operating state is between the active operating state and an inactive operating state; and

after a predetermined time interval elapses, automatically transitioning the first network device from the sleep operating state to the active operating state to transmit a second user input.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

transmitting a feedback request from the first network device to the second network device, wherein a response to the feedback request indicates whether the first network device should continue to provide subsequent user inputs to the second network device.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

determining whether a difference between the first user input and the second user input exceeds a predetermined threshold;

transmitting the second user input from the first network device to the second network device in response to determining that the difference between the first user input and the second user input exceeds the predetermined threshold; and

determining not to retransmit the second user input from the first network device to the second network device in response to determining that the difference between the first user input and the second user input does not exceed the predetermined threshold.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein:

the first user input and the second user input each include sensor information that represents a gesture input, or

the first user input and the second user input each include voice samples that represent a voice input.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting a first communication parameter of the first network device for transmitting the first user input from the first network device to the second network device on the first communication channel; and

after a predetermined retransmission time interval elapses, selecting a second communication parameter of the first network device for retransmitting the first user input from the first network device to the second network device on the first communication channel.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a performance measurement associated with the first communication channel between the first network device and the second network device; and

determining whether to present a link status regarding the first communication channel based, at least in part, on comparing the performance measurement to a threshold.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

presenting the link status to indicate that the first network device will lose connectivity to the second network device in response to determining that the performance measurement is not in accordance with the threshold.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said transmitting the first user input from the first network device to the second network device is in response to:

determining that the first network device will not lose connectivity to the second network device;

or

after presenting the link status, determining that the first network device is within a communication coverage range of the second network device.

26. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting a notification at the first network device to execute operations for pairing between the first network device and the second network device in response to:

determining that a predetermined number of user inputs were not successfully transmitted from the first network device to the second network device, or

determining that the second network device was not detected on the plurality of communication channels.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network device is a remote control device and the second network device is a consumer electronic device.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network device and the second network device each include wireless local area network (WLAN) capabilities.

29. A first network device comprising:

a processor; and

a communication unit coupled with the processor, the communication unit configured to;

receive a user input for controlling operation of a second network device, wherein the first network device is configured to operate asynchronously with respect to the second network device that operates in a non-beaconing operating mode;

transition to an active operating state in response to receiving the user input;

transmit the user input to the second network device; and

exit the active operating state in response to receiving an acknowledgment message from the second network device after transmitting the user input to the second network device.

30. The first network device of claim 29, wherein the communication unit is further configured to:

transmit an operating state feedback request to the second network device; and

determine to remain configured in the active operating state until operating state feedback is received from the second network device or a predefined time interval elapses.

31. The first network device of claim 29, wherein in response to not receiving the acknowledgment message from the second network device, the communication unit is further configured to:

embed an operating state feedback request in a retransmission of the user input from the first network device to the second network device.

32. A method comprising:

transmitting a first user input from a first network device to a second network device, wherein the first user input is for controlling operation of the second network device;

embedding an operating state feedback request in a retransmission of the first user input from the first network device to the second network device in response to not receiving an acknowledgment message from the second network device; and

.

determining a first communication channel to be used for retransmitting the first user input from the first network device to the second network device based, at least in part, on operating state feedback previously received from the second network device.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said determining the first communication channel to be used for retransmitting the first user input comprises:

scanning a plurality of communication channels according to a channel scan sequence to detect the second network device, wherein the channel scan sequence is determined based, at least in part, on the operating state feedback previously received from the second network device.

34. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

receiving a new operating state feedback from the second network device in response to the operating state feedback request;

determining that the second network device will transition from the first communication channel to a second communication channel based, at least in part, on a channel scan sequence, wherein the channel scan sequence is determined based, at least in part, on the new operating state feedback; and

retransmitting a subsequent user input on the second communication channel from the first network device to the second network device.

35. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

determining that a new operating state feedback was not received from the second network device in response to the operating state feedback request; and

retransmitting the first user input and the operating state feedback request from the first network device to the second network device via the first communication channel.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein said embedding the operating state feedback request in the retransmission of the first user input is in response to receiving a predefined user input at the first network device, wherein the predefined user input causes the first network device to request the operating state feedback from the second network device.

37. A first network device comprising:

a processor; and

a communication unit coupled with the processor, the communication unit configured to;

transmit a first user input to a second network device on a first communication channel, wherein the first user input is for controlling operation of the second network device;

determine whether the second network device is operating on the first communication channel based, at least in part, on not receiving an acknowledgment message from the second network device on the first communication channel; and

scan a plurality of communication channels according to a channel scan sequence in response to determining that the second network device is not operating on the first communication channel, wherein the channel scan sequence is determined based, at least in part, on operating state feedback previously received from the second network device.

38. The first network device of claim 37, wherein in response to not receiving the acknowledgment message from the second network device on the first communication channel, the communication unit is further configured to:

embed an operating state feedback request in a retransmission of the first user input from the first network device to the second network device on the first communication channel.

39. The first network device of claim 37, wherein the communication unit is further configured to:

receive a second user input for transmission to the second network device;

determine whether the first network device is transmitting the first user input to the second network device; and

determine whether to transmit the second user input to the second network device based, at least in part, on whether the first network device is transmitting the first user input to the second network device.

40. A communication system comprising:

a first network device configured to operate asynchronously with a second network device, the first network device configured to;

transition to an active operating state in response to receiving a first user input for controlling operation of the second network device of the communication system;

transmit the first user input to the second network device; and

exit the active operating state in response to receiving an acknowledgment message from the second network device after transmitting the first user input to the second network device; and

the second network device communicatively coupled with the first network device, the second network device configured to operate in a non-beaconing operating mode, the second network device configured to;

transmit the acknowledgment message to the first network device in response to receiving the first user input from the first network device; and

process the first user input and execute operations associated with the first user input.

41. The communication system of claim 40, wherein the second network device is configured to:

detect data traffic on a communication channel between the first network device and the second network device while the second network device is configured in the active operating state; and

dynamically increase a time interval for operating in the active operating state in response to detecting the data traffic on the communication channel.

42. The communication system of claim 40, wherein:

the second network device is configured in the active operating state, and

a duration of the active operating state associated with the second network device is based, at least in part, on a maximum latency associated with receiving the first user input from the first network device.

43. The communication system of claim 40, wherein the second network device is further configured to:

receive a second user input from the first network device;

determine whether the second user input is a duplicate of the first user input;

process the first user input and the second user input in response to determining that the second user input is not a duplicate of the first user input; and

determine not to process the second user input in response to determining that the second user input is a duplicate of the first user input.

44. The communication system of claim 43, wherein the second network device is further configured to determine whether the second user input is a duplicate of the first user input is based, at least in part, on a type and context of the first user input and the second user input.

45. The communication system of claim 40, wherein, in response to the second network device operating on a first communication channel and the first network device operating on a second communication channel, the second network device is further configured to:

periodically transition from the first communication channel to the second communication channel to communicate with the first network device.

46. The communication system of claim 40, wherein the first network device is further configured to:

determine that the acknowledgment message is not received from the second network device in response to transmitting the first user input on a first communication channel;

retransmit the first user input on the first communication channel for a predetermined retransmission time interval;

determine that the second network device is not operating on the first communication channel based, at least in part, on not receiving the acknowledgment message after the predetermined retransmission time interval elapses; and

scan a plurality of communication channels according to a channel scan sequence to detect the second network device, wherein the channel scan sequence is determined based, at least in part, on operating state feedback previously received from the second network device.

47. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium having machine executable instructions stored therein, the machine executable instructions comprising instructions to:

transmit a first user input from a first network device to a second network device on a first communication channel, wherein the first user input is for controlling operation of the second network device;

determine whether the second network device is operating on the first communication channel based, at least in part, on not receiving an acknowledgment message from the second network device on the first communication channel; and

scan a plurality of communication channels according to a channel scan sequence in response to determining that the second network device is not operating on the first communication channel, wherein the channel scan sequence is determined based, at least in part, on operating state feedback previously received from the second network device.

48. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 47, wherein in response to not receiving the acknowledgment message from the second network device on the first communication channel, said instructions further comprise instructions to:

embed an operating state feedback request in a retransmission of the first user input from the first network device to the second network device on the first communication channel.

49. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 47, wherein said instructions further comprise instructions to:

receive a second user input for transmission to the second network device;

determine whether the first network device is transmitting the first user input to the second network device; and

determine whether to transmit the second user input to the second network device based, at least in part, on whether the first network device is transmitting the first user input to the second network device.