Wireless keyboard and information processing device having the same

• US 6,839,781 B1
• Filed: 11/21/2000
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Kanazawa, Yukiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): KNAPP, JUSTIN R
• Application Number:
  US09/717,886
• Time in Patent Office: 1,505 Days
• Field of Search: 710/15, 710/62, 710/67, 710/72, 710/73, 348/14.02, 348/211.2, 463/39
• US Class Current: 710/67
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3271 Power saving in keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A wireless keyboard has a transmitting and receiving portion 12 for transmitting an input data D to an information processing device 2 and receiving a reception level from the information processing device 2, a transmission level setting portion 14 for storing the transmission level of the input data D, setting a new transmission level referring to the transmission level setting table in response to the combination of the stored transmission level and the reception level on receiving the reception level and detecting a distance information with respect to the information processing device 2 referring to a distance information table, a transmission level switching portion 15 for switching the transmission level of the input data D to a new transmission level, an LCD indicating portion 16 for receiving and indicating the distance information, a timer 13 for output a time-out signal in the event the reception level is not transmitted even a fixed period of time passed after the input data D is transmitted and an indication LED 17 for indicating the communications failure by receiving the above-mentioned time-out signal.

Claims

1. A wireless keyboard for use in transmitting an input signal input by operation of keys thereof to an information processing device, comprising:

transmitting means for transmitting said input signal input by operation of said keys to said information processing device at a predetermined transmission level;

receiving means for receiving a reception level of said input signal from said information processing device; and

said predetermined transmission level of said input signal being increased, decreased or maintained dependent on both the transmission level of said input signal and the reception level received in said receiving means.

2. A wireless keyboard for use in transmitting an input signal input by operation of keys thereof to an information processing device, comprising:

transmitting means for transmitting said input signal input by operation of said keys to said information processing device at a predetermined transmission level;

receiving means for receiving a reception level of said input signal from said information processing device;

first transmission level setting means for storing the transmission level of said input signal transmitted from said transmitting means and setting a new transmission level with reference to a predetermined transmission level setting table in accordance with both said transmission level and said reception level upon receiving the reception level from said receiving means; and

transmission level switching means for receiving a new transmission level set by said transmission level setting means and increasing, decreasing or maintaining the transmission level of the input signal transmitted through said transmitting means, according to both the transmission level of said input signal and the reception level received in said receiving means.

3. A wireless keyboard as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a timer for counting a time period from a first time that said input signal is transmitted from said transmitting means to a second time that said reception level is received by said receiving means and for outputting a time-out signal in the event said reception level is not transmitted within a predetermined time period; and

communication failure indicating means for indicating the communication failure upon receiving the time-out signal.

4. A wireless keyboard as claimed in claim 3, wherein said transmission level setting table has a minimum transmission level which is set therein and which can be received and detected normally by said information processing device even in the distance information between said wireless keyboard and said information processing device detected by said second transmission level setting means.

5. A wireless keyboard as claimed in claim 3, further comprising an integrated battery and power supply switching means for switching power supply by an operation of a user, wherein the power supply from said integrated battery to an internal circuit is stopped by said power supply switching means by the operation of the user.

6. A wireless keyboard as claimed in claim 2, further comprising an integrated battery and power supply switching means for switching power supply by an operation of a user, wherein the power supply from said integrated battery to an internal circuit is stopped by said power supply switching means by the operation of the user.

7. A wireless keyboard for use in transmitting an input signal input by operation of keys thereof to an information processing device, comprising:

transmitting means for transmitting said input signal input by operation of said keys to said information processing device at a predetermined transmission level;

receiving means for receiving a reception level of said input signal from said information processing device;

second transmission level setting means for storing the transmission level of said input signal transmitted from said transmitting means and setting a new transmission level with reference to a predetermined transmission level setting table in accordance with both said transmission level and said reception level upon receiving the reception level from said receiving means, said second transmission level setting means detecting a distance information between said wireless keyboard and said information processing device with reference to a predetermined distance information table in accordance with both said transmission level and said reception level upon receiving said reception level from said receiving means;

transmission level switching means for receiving a new transmission level set by said transmission level setting means and increasing, decreasing or maintaining the transmission level of the input signal transmitted through said transmitting means according to both the transmission level of said input signal and the reception level received in said receiving means; and

a distance information display means for displaying said distance information upon receiving said distance information.

8. A wireless keyboard as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

a timer for counting a time period from a first time that said input signal is transmitted from said transmitting means to a second time that said reception level is received by said receiving means and for outputting a time-out signal in the event said reception level is not transmitted within a predetermined time period; and

communication failure indicating means for indicating the communication failure upon receiving the time-out signal.

9. A wireless keyboard as claimed in claim 8, wherein said transmission level setting table has a minimum transmission level which is set therein and which can be received and detected normally by said information processing device even in the distance information between said wireless keyboard and said information processing device detected by said second transmission level setting means.

10. A wireless keyboard as claimed in claim 8, further comprising an integrated battery and power supply switching means for switching power supply by an operation of a user, wherein the power supply from said integrated battery to an internal circuit is stopped by said power supply switching means by the operation of the user.

11. A wireless keyboard as claimed in claim 7, wherein said transmission level setting table has a minimum transmission level which is set therein and which can be received and detected normally by said information processing device even in the distance information between said wireless keyboard and said information processing device detected by said second transmission level setting means.

12. A wireless keyboard as claimed in claim 7, further comprising an integrated battery and power supply switching means for switching power supply by an operation of a user, wherein the power supply from said integrated battery to an internal circuit is stopped by said power supply switching means by the operation of the user.

13. An information processing device having a wireless keyboard operable as input means, said information processing device comprising:

a receiving portion for receiving an input signal transmitted from said wireless keyboard;

a reception level detecting portion for detecting and outputting the reception level upon receiving said input signal; and

a transmitting portion for transmitting said reception level outputted from said reception level detecting portion to said wireless keyboard, said wireless keyboard increasing, decreasing or maintaining the transmission level of the input signal transmitted from said wireless keyboard according to both said transmission level and said reception level.

14. An information processing device as claimed in claim 13, wherein said transmitting portion transmits said reception level in sequence at regular intervals.

15. A transmission level switching system comprising a combination of the wireless keyboard as claimed in claim 2 and the information processing device as claimed in claim 13.