Human interface device and wireless communication method thereof

• US 7,920,882 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2005
• Issued: 04/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ATLab, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ATLab, Inc.
• Inventors: Joung, Chul-Yong, Jung, Jin-Woo, Cha, You-Young, Lee, Bang-Won, Shin, Young-Ho
• Primary Examiner(s): Wendell; Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran; Paul P
• Application Number:
  US11/273,189
• Publication Number:
  US 20060105716A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,968 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3.05, 455/41.2, 455/62, 455/63.1, 455/150.1, 455/151.1, 455/166.2, 455/179, 455/450, 455/452.2, 455/464, 455/462, 455/509, 455/554.2, 455/556.1, 455/557, 455/67.11, 455/2, 455 411- 414, 455/3.03, 455/3.06, 455/67.1, 455/67.3, 455/142, 455/154.1, 455/436, 455/513, 455/516, 455/517, 455/519, 455/550.1, 455/574, 370/329, 370/331, 370/433, 370/468, 370/319, 370/373, 370/278, 370/280, 370/294, 370/313, 370/314, 370/321, 370/326, 370/336, 370/298, 370/282, 710/9, 710/19, 710/45, 710/58, 710/72, 710/124, 345/156, 345/169, 345/905, 709/220, 709/246
• US Class Current: 455/509
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections

Abstract

Provided are a human interface device and a wireless communication method thereof. The wireless communication method of the human interface includes the steps of: setting up an occupancy channel of the host digital terminal and the wireless input unit by communicating data for setting up the occupancy channel through the emergency channel; transmitting, at the wireless input unit, operation data through the occupancy channel, and receiving, at the host digital terminal, the operation data; and when the operation data is not generated until a predetermined time lapses, enabling the wireless input unit and the host digital terminal to operate in an operation standby state, and confirming whether there is interference on the occupancy channel. Accordingly, efficiency of a frequency band is increased, and cost and size of the product can be reduced. Further, when interference on the occupancy channel is detected, a new occupancy channel can be set up so that reliability and efficiency of the wireless communication can be increased.

Claims

1. A wireless input unit of human interface device for communicating data with a host digital terminal, the wireless input unit comprising at least one emergency channel, one occupancy channel, and at least one unoccupied channel, transmission and reception channels of each channel using the same frequency band as employing a time divisional two-way communication scheme;

wherein the wireless input unit comprises an operation active mode for transmitting operation data generated by an internal operation of the wireless input unit through the occupancy channel, a standby mode for maintaining a lower power state than the operation active mode and sensing an interference on the occupancy channel, and a channel setup mode for communicating data used to set up the occupancy channel through the emergency channel and setting up the new occupancy channel;

wherein when there is no interference on the occupancy channel, the wireless input unit communicates the operation data with the host digital terminal through the occupancy channel, and when there is interference on the occupancy channel, the wireless input unit communicates data that includes substitute channel information to set up a new occupancy channel as the occupancy channel with the host digital terminal through the emergency channel; and

wherein when the operation data is not generated in a predetermined time, the wireless input unit enters into the standby mode and sends a standby mode setup command setting up the standby mode to the host digital terminal through the occupancy channel.

2. The wireless input unit according to claim 1, wherein the wireless input unit includes:

a wireless transceiver for communicating the data through the emergency channel in the channel setup mode, and the operation data through the occupancy channel in the operation active mode and the standby mode;

a transmission signal processor for, when the operation data is generated, setting up the operation active mode, encoding the operation data and transmitting the encoded data to the wireless transceiver, and setting up the standby mode when the operation data is not generated in the predetermined time;

a channel setup unit for, when receiving data used to set up the new occupancy channel in the channel setup mode, analyzing the data used to set up the new occupancy channel, obtaining substitute channel information, and setting up the substitute channel as the new occupancy channel;

and a receiving signal processor for, when receiving erroneous data on entering into the standby mode or on exiting the standby mode, sensing that there is interference on the occupancy channel and entering into the channel setup mode.

3. The wireless input unit according to claim 2, wherein the data used to set up the new occupancy channel includes the substitute channel information and unique ID information of the wireless input unit, and has a predetermined data format.

4. The wireless input unit according to claim 2, wherein the operation data includes unique ID information of the wireless input unit and has a predetermined data format.

5. The wireless input unit according to claim 2, wherein the erroneous data is any type of data that does not have the unique ID information of the wireless input unit or a predetermined data format, and is not recognized by the receiving signal processor.

6. The wireless input unit according to claim 2, wherein the channel setup unit further includes functions to generate a communication connection request signal to request a setup of the new occupancy channel when entering into the channel setup mode, and to generate a response signal when successfully receiving data used to set up a new occupancy channel.

7. The wireless input unit according to claim 2, wherein the transmission signal processor further includes functions to, when the wireless input unit enters into the standby mode, generate the standby mode setup command to inform that the wireless input unit enters into the standby mode, and when the wireless input unit exits the standby mode, generate a standby mode exit command to inform that the wireless input unit exits the standby mode.

8. The wireless input unit according to claim 1, wherein the wireless input unit further comprises a display unit, and when the channel setup is failed, the channel setup unit displays a failure of the channel setup.

9. A host digital terminal wirelessly connected to a wireless input unit of human interface device and connected via cable to a computer, for interfacing between the wireless input unit and the computer, the host digital terminal comprising at least one emergency channel, one occupancy channel, and at least one unoccupied channel, transmission and reception channels of each channel using the same frequency as employing a time divisional two-way communication scheme;

wherein the host digital terminal comprises an operation active mode for receiving operation data of the wireless input unit through the occupancy channel, an standby mode for maintaining a lower power state than the operation active mode and sensing an interference on the occupancy channel, and a channel setup mode for communicating data used to set up the occupancy channel through the emergency channel and setting up a new occupancy channel;

wherein when there is no interference on the occupancy channel, the host digital terminal communicates the operation data through the occupancy channel, and when there is interference on the occupancy channel, the host digital terminal obtains a substitute channel from among the at least one unoccupied channel, generates data including substitute channel information to set up a new occupancy channel as the occupancy channel, and communicates the data through the emergency channel; and

wherein the host digital terminal enters into the standby mode by a standby mode setup command sent from the wireless input unit through the occupancy channel.

10. The host digital terminal according to claim 9, wherein the host digital terminal includes:

a wireless transceiver for communicating the data through the emergency channel in the channel setup mode, and receiving the operation data through the occupancy channel in the operation active and standby modes;

a channel setup unit for scanning the unoccupied channels and obtaining the substitute channel in the channel setup mode, and generating data to set up the new occupancy channel including the substitute channel information;

and a receiving signal processor for, when receiving the operation data, entering into the operation active mode, converting the operation data into a data format recognized by the computer and outputting the converted data format, and when receiving the erroneous data, confirming that there is interference on the occupancy channel and entering into the channel setup mode.

11. The host digital terminal according to claim 10, wherein the data used to set up the new occupancy channel includes the substitute channel information and an unique ID information of the wireless input unit, and has a predetermined data format.

12. The host digital terminal according to claim 10, wherein the operation data includes an unique ID information of the wireless input unit and has a predetermined data format.

13. The host digital terminal according to claim 10, wherein the erroneous data is any type of data that does not have the unique ID information of the wireless input unit or the predetermined data format, and is not recognized by the receiving signal processor.

14. The host digital terminal according to claim 10, wherein the receiving signal processor includes functions to enter into the standby mode when receiving data to inform that the host digital terminal enters into the standby mode from the wireless input unit, and to exit the standby mode when receiving data to inform that the host digital terminal exits the standby mode from the wireless input unit.

15. The host digital terminal according to claim 9, further comprising a display unit;

wherein when the channel setup is failed, the channel setup unit displays a failure of the channel setup on the display unit.

16. The host digital terminal according to claim 10, wherein when the channel setup is failed, the channel setup unit informs the computer that the channel setup has failed.

17. A wireless communication method in a wireless input unit of human interface device including at least one emergency channel, one occupancy channel, and at least one unoccupied channel, transmission and reception channels of each channel using the same frequency as employing a time divisional two-way communication scheme, the method comprising the steps of:

a) when receiving data that includes substitute channel information to set up a new occupancy channel as the occupancy channel through the emergency channel, analyzing the data to set up the new occupancy channel, obtaining the substitute channel, and setting up the substitute channel as the new occupancy channel;

b) transmitting operation data generated by an internal operation of the wireless input unit through the occupancy channel;

c) when the operation data is not generated before a predetermined time lapses, confirming whether there is interference on the occupancy channel and then enabling the wireless input unit to operate in a standby state when there is no interference on the occupancy channel, and enabling the wireless input unit to enter into the channel setup step when there is interference on the occupancy channel; and

d) when the operation data is generated in the standby state, confirming whether there is interference on the occupancy channel, enabling the wireless input unit to enter into step b) when there is no interference on the occupancy channel, and enabling the wireless input unit to enter into step a) when there is interference on the occupancy channel,

wherein the wireless input unit outputs a standby mode setup command setting up the standby state through the occupancy channel.

18. The wireless communication method according to claim 17, wherein the step a) includes the steps of:

generating a communication connection request signal to request the occupancy channel setup and transmitting the communication connection request signal through the emergency channel;

and transmitting a response signal for the data to set up the new occupancy channel through the emergency channel, analyzing the data to set up the new occupancy channel and obtaining the substitute channel, and setting up the substitute channel as the new occupancy channel, when receiving the data to set up the occupancy channel through the emergency channel.

19. The wireless communication method according to claim 17, wherein the step c) includes the steps of:

confirming whether erroneous data is received through the occupancy channel when the operation data is not generated until a predetermined time lapses;

confirming that there has occurred interference on the occupancy channel and enabling the wireless input unit to enter into the step a) when the erroneous data is received, and enabling the wireless input unit to operate in the standby state when the erroneous data is not received.

20. The wireless communication method according to claim 17, wherein the step d) includes the steps of:

confirming whether the erroneous data is received through the occupancy channel, when the operation data is generated in the standby state;

and confirming that there has occurred interference on the occupancy channel and enabling the wireless input unit to enter into the step a) when the erroneous data is received, and enabling the wireless input unit to enter into the step b) when the erroneous data is not received.

21. The wireless communication method according to claim 19, wherein the erroneous data is any type of data that does not have unique ID information of the wireless input unit or a predetermined data format, and is not recognized by a receiving signal processor.

22. The wireless communication method according to claim 17, wherein the step b) further comprises the step of sensing whether there is periodically interference on the occupancy channel.

23. The wireless communication method according to claim 17, wherein the step b) further comprises the steps of:

requesting information on the host digital terminal through the occupancy channel after transmitting the operation data through the occupancy channel predetermined times;

confirming that there has not been interference on the occupancy channel and transmitting the operation data through the occupancy channel again when the information on the host digital terminal is received through the occupancy channel within a predetermined time, and confirming that there has been interference on the occupancy channel and enabling the wireless input unit to enter into the step a) when the information on the host digital terminal is not received.

24. The wireless communication method according to claim 17, wherein the step a) further comprises the step of, when the occupancy channel setup is failed, informing that the occupancy channel setup has failed, through a predetermined display unit.

40. The wireless communication method according to claim 20, wherein the erroneous data is any type of data that does not have unique ID information of the wireless input unit or a predetermined data format, and is not recognized by a receiving signal processor.

25. A wireless communication method in a host digital terminal of a computer including at least one emergency channel, one occupancy channel, and at least one unoccupied channel, transmission and reception channels of each channel using the same frequency as employing a time divisional two-way communication scheme, the method comprising the steps of:

a) scanning the one occupancy channel and the at least one unoccupied channel and obtaining a substitute channel, setting up the substitute channel as a new occupancy channel, generating data including information on the substitute channel to set up the new occupancy channel as the occupancy channel, and transmitting the data through the emergency channel;

b) when receiving operation data of a wireless input unit through the occupancy channel, converting the operation data into a format recognized by the computer, and transmitting the converted data to the computer;

c) when informed that the wireless input unit enters into an operation standby state by a standby mode setup command transmitted through the occupancy channel, enabling the wireless input unit to enter into the operation standby state and intermittently confirming whether there is interference on the occupancy channel, maintaining the operation standby state when there is no interference on the occupancy channel, and enabling the wireless input unit to enter into the step a) when there is interference on the occupancy channel; and

d) when informed that the wireless input unit exits the operation standby state through the occupancy channel in the operation standby state, confirming whether there is interference on the occupancy channel, enabling the wireless input unit to enter into the step b) when there is no interference on the occupancy channel, and enabling the wireless input unit to enter into the step a) when there is interference on the occupancy channel.

26. The wireless communication method according to claim 25, wherein the step a) comprises the steps of:

obtaining a channel on which the data is not received by scanning the unoccupied channels, and storing information on the channel as information on the substitute channel;

generating data to set up the new occupancy channel including a unique ID of the wireless input unit and the information on the substitute channel, and transmitting the data to set up the occupancy channel on the emergency channel; and

setting up the substitute channel as the occupancy channel when receiving a response signal for the data to set up the new occupancy channel from the wireless input unit.

27. The wireless communication method according to claim 25, wherein the step a) further comprises the step of re-entering into the step a) when the occupancy channel setup is failed or it is not confirmed whether the occupancy channel of the wireless input unit is set up.

28. The wireless communication method according to claim 25, wherein the step a) further comprises the step of informing that the occupancy channel setup is failed through a predetermined display unit, when the occupancy channel setup is failed.

29. The wireless communication method according to claim 25, wherein the step b) comprises the step of, when the wireless input unit requests information on the host digital terminal through the occupancy channel, sensing the request, obtaining information on the host digital terminal, and transmitting the information on the occupancy channel.

30. A wireless communication method in a human interface apparatus having a host digital terminal connected via cable to a computer and a wireless input unit including at least one emergency channel, one occupancy channel, and at least one unoccupied channel, transmission and reception channels of each channel using the same frequency as employing a time divisional two-way communication scheme, the method comprising the steps of:

a) setting up an occupancy channel of the host digital terminal and the wireless input unit by communicating data including substitute channel information to set up a new occupancy channel as the occupancy channel through the emergency channel;

b) transmitting, at the wireless input unit, operation data through the occupancy channel, and receiving, at the host digital terminal, the operation data; and

c) when the operation data is not generated until a predetermined time lapses, enabling the wireless input unit and the host digital terminal to operate in an operation standby state, and confirming whether there is interference on the occupancy channel,

wherein the host digital terminal enters into the operation standby state by receiving a standby mode setup command sent from the wireless input unit through the occupancy channel.

31. The wireless communication method according to claim 30, wherein the step a) comprises the steps of:

generating, at the wireless input unit, a communication connection request signal to request the occupancy channel setup and transmitting the communication connection request signal through the emergency channel;

scanning the at least one unoccupied channel and obtaining a substitute channel, and generating channel control data including a unique ID of the wireless input unit and information on the substitute channel and transmitting the channel control data on the emergency channel, when the host digital terminal receives the data to set up the new occupancy channel through the emergency channel;

transmitting the response signal on the emergency channel, and setting up the new occupancy channel when the wireless input unit receives the channel control data, generating a response signal; and

setting up the substitute channel as the new occupancy channel when receiving a response signal for the channel control data from the wireless input unit.

32. The wireless communication method according to claim 30, wherein the step a) further comprises the step of scanning, at the host digital terminal, the at least one unoccupied channel intermittently or periodically, and updating the substitute channel information.

33. The wireless communication method according to claim 30, wherein the step a) is performed by newly installing and initializing the wireless input unit or the host digital terminal.

34. The wireless communication method according to claim 30, wherein the step b) further comprises the step of, at the wireless input unit, sensing whether there is interference on the occupancy channel.

35. The wireless communication method according to claim 30, wherein the step b) further comprises the steps of:

requesting information on the host digital terminal through the occupancy channel after the wireless input unit transmits the operation data through the occupancy channel in a predetermined number times;

obtaining the information on the host digital terminal and transmitting the information on the occupancy channel when the host digital terminal detects that the wireless input unit requests the information on the host digital terminal through the occupancy channel; and

confirming that there has not occurred interference on the occupancy channel and transmitting the operation data again through the occupancy channel when the wireless input unit receives the information on the host digital terminal through the occupancy channel within the predetermined number times, and confirming that there has occurred interference on the occupancy channel and enabling the wireless input unit to enter into the step a) when the wireless input unit does not receive the information on the host digital terminal through the occupancy channel within the predetermined number times.

36. The wireless communication method according to claim 30, wherein the step c) comprises the steps of:

informing that the wireless input unit enters into the standby mode on the occupancy channel, and at the same time confirming whether there is interference on the occupancy channel, when the wireless input unit does not generate operation data until a predetermined time lapses;

enabling the host digital terminal to operate in the standby mode and confirming whether there is interference on the occupancy channel intermittently when it is informed that the wireless input unit enters into the standby mode through the occupancy channel;

exiting, at the wireless input unit, the standby mode on the occupancy channel, and at the same time confirming whether there is interference on the occupancy channel when the operation data is generated; and

exiting, at the host digital terminal, the standby mode when it is informed that the wireless input unit exits the standby mode through the occupancy channel.

37. The wireless communication method according to claim 30, wherein the step c) comprises the step of, when the wireless input unit enters into the standby mode or exits the standby mode, confirming whether there is interference on the occupancy channel.

38. The wireless communication method according to claim 30, wherein the step a) further comprises the step of, when the occupancy channel setup is failed, informing, at the wireless input unit and the host digital terminal, that the occupancy channel setup is failed through a predetermined display unit.

39. The wireless communication method according to claim 30, wherein the step a) further comprises the step of, when the occupancy channel setup is failed, informing, at the host digital terminal, a computer that the occupancy channel setup is failed.