System and method for transmitting bidirectional signals over a cable antenna

• US 7,313,640 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2004
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Sommer, Rene, Junod, Philippe, Ch nes, Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Simon
• Application Number:
  US10/910,951
• Publication Number:
  US 20060031608A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,239 Days
• Field of Search: 455 411- 413, 4555561-5562, 455557-559, 710/100, 710/316, 710 1- 19, 710 62- 73, 710105-106
• US Class Current: 710/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/18 Packaging or power distribution

Abstract

A method and system for data wireless systems on computers, for using the same cable to bi-directionally transmit antenna signals as well as other signals to and from the inside of a shielded computer housing. An example of a control signal is a connect signal for establishing initial contact between the computer and a remote wireless device. An example of a control signal transmitted from inside the computer housing to the outside, is a signal for lighting an LED. Antenna signals are separated from the control signals based on differences between these signals, for example, differences in frequency. In one embodiment, a capacitor filters out a DC control switch signal, while the high frequency antenna signal is filtered by the normal input pin circuitry of a processor.

Claims

1. A system for transmitting a plurality of signals over a cable from the outside of a shielded housing of a device to the inside of the shielded housing, wherein one of the plurality of signals is an antenna signal for wireless communication, the system comprising:

an antenna module for communicating with a remote wireless device via the antenna signal;

a signal generator module for generating a second of the plurality of signals which originates separately from said antenna module;

a cable in communication with the antenna module and the signal generator module for transmitting the plurality of signals from the outside of the shielded device housing to the inside of the shielded device housing;

a signal separator module for separating the antenna signal from the second of the plurality of signals;

a transceiver for receiving the antenna signal; and

a Micro Controller Unit (MCU) for receiving the second of the plurality of signals.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second of the plurality of signals is a control signal.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the control signal is a signal for establishing an initial connection between the device and the remote wireless device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the remote wireless device is a wireless computer peripheral device.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second signal separator module which is located outside the computer housing,

wherein the cable further transmits the second of the plurality of signals from the inside of the device housing to the outside of the device housing.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an impedance matching module communicatively coupled to the antenna module and the cable, for matching the impedance of the antenna module to the impedance of the cable.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the second of the plurality of signals is a signal in accordance with the Wi-Fi standard.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the antenna signal has a first frequency and the second of the plurality of signals has a second frequency.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the signal separator module separates the plurality of signals based on the first frequency and the second frequency.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the second frequency is lower than the first frequency.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the signal separator module comprises a capacitor, which allows the first frequency to pass through, while blocking the second frequency.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a second signal separator module located outside the device housing, wherein the second signal separator module comprises a choke which allows the second frequency to pass through, while blocking the first frequency.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the cable is a coaxial cable.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein said antenna signal has an amplitude below an input detection level of an input of said MCU, such that said cable can be connected directly to said input of said MCU.

15. A method for transmitting a plurality of signals over a cable from the outside of a shielded housing of a device to the inside of the shielded housing, and routing the plurality of signals appropriately, wherein one of the plurality of signals is an antenna signal for wireless communication, the method comprising:

receiving said antenna signal at an antenna module;

generating a second of the plurality of signals which originates separately from said antenna module;

transmitting the plurality of signals over the cable from the outside of a shielded housing of a device to the inside of the shielded housing;

separating the plurality of signals into an antenna signal and a second of the plurality of signals;

routing the antenna signal to a transceiver within the device housing; and

routing the second of the plurality of signals to a Micro Controller Unit (MCU) within the device housing.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the antenna signal has a first frequency and the second of the plurality of signals has a second frequency.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second frequency is lower than the first frequency.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the steps of separating the plurality of signals comprise:

selectively allowing the first frequency to pass through while selectively blocking the second frequency along a first path to the transceiver; and

selectively allowing the second frequency to pass through while selectively blocking the first frequency along a second path to the MCU.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein said separating step comprised providing an antenna signal with an amplitude below an input detection level of an input of said MCU, such that said cable can be connected directly to said input of said MCU.