Systems and methods for transmitting data using selected transmission technology from among other transmission technologies

• US 9,369,825 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2014
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fast Track Global Limited
• Original Assignee: Mad Catz Interactive Incorporated
• Inventors: Bell, Simon
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Nhan
• Application Number:
  US14/299,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20140364063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 455/435.2, 455/428, 455/41.2, 455/4.04, 455/464, 455/188.1, 455418-420, 455/422.1, 455/550.1, 455/552.1, 709/241
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/32 using local area network [LAN] connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2433 Allocation of priorities to traffic types
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service

Abstract

This disclosure describes systems and methods for selecting from among two or more wireless transmission technologies depending on one or more factors. Aspects of this disclosure may apply to various computer systems that use Bluetooth technologies for transmitting and receiving data between two devices. In particular, aspects of this disclosure may be used in a gaming environment such that data is transmitted based on any of the shared capabilities of the devices, the type of data, the amount of the data, latency constraints associated with the data, and other considerations.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the method comprising:

selecting one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data;

causing the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology;

determining whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by each of the first and second devices;

selecting the first wireless transmission technology over the second wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices; and

using the second wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device only after determining that the first wireless transmission technology is not supported by at least one of the first and second devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless transmission technology is Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is Classic Bluetooth technology.

3. A method for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the method comprising:

selecting one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data;

causing the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology;

identifying the type of the data, wherein the selecting is based on the type of the data;

determining whether the type of the data is included among a first set of data types;

selecting the first wireless transmission technology over the second wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the type of the data is included among the first set of data types; and

selecting the second wireless transmission technology over the first wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the type of the data is not included among the first set of data types.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first set of data types include video, audio, and haptic data, and wherein the first wireless transmission technology is Classic Bluetooth technology, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology.

5. A method for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the method comprising:

selecting one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data;

causing the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology;

identifying the latency parameter associated with the data, wherein the selecting is based on the latency parameter associated with the data;

determining whether the latency parameter associated with the data exceeds a threshold latency condition;

selecting the first wireless transmission technology over the second wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the latency parameter associated with the data does not exceed the threshold latency condition; and

selecting the second wireless transmission technology over the first wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the latency parameter associated with the data exceeds the threshold latency condition.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first wireless transmission technology is Classic Bluetooth technology, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology.

7. A method for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the method comprising:

selecting one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data;

causing the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology;

identifying the data rate parameter associated with the data, wherein the selecting is based on the data rate parameter associated with the data;

determining whether the data rate parameter associated with the data exceeds a threshold data rate condition;

selecting the first wireless transmission technology over the second wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the data rate parameter associated with the data exceeds the threshold data rate condition; and

selecting the second wireless transmission technology over the first wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the data rate parameter associated with the data does not exceed the threshold data rate condition.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first wireless transmission technology is Classic Bluetooth technology, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology.

9. A method for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the method comprising:

selecting one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data;

causing the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology;

identifying the amount of the data, wherein the selecting is based on the amount of the data;

determining whether the amount of the data exceeds a threshold amount of data;

selecting the first wireless transmission technology over the second wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the amount of the data exceeds the threshold amount of data; and

selecting the second wireless transmission technology over the first wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the amount of the data does not exceed the threshold amount of data.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first wireless transmission technology is Classic Bluetooth technology, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology.

11. A method for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the method comprising:

selecting one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data; and

causing the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology,

wherein the first wireless transmission technology is selected to exchange the data between the first device and the second device, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is selected to exchange additional data between the first device and the second device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second wireless transmission technology is selected to exchange the additional data based on one or more of a type of the additional data, a latency parameter associated with the additional data, a data rate parameter associated with the additional data, or an amount of the additional data.

13. The method of claim 11, the method comprising:

causing the data to be transmitted using the first wireless transmission technology at the same time when the additional data is transmitted using the second wireless transmission technology.

14. A method for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the method comprising:

selecting one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data;

causing the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology;

determining whether a hardware switch of the first device is in a first position or a second position;

selecting the first wireless transmission technology when the hardware switch of the first device is in the first position; and

selecting the second wireless transmission technology when the hardware switch of the first device is in the second position,

wherein the first wireless transmission technology is Classic Bluetooth technology, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology.

15. Non-transitory machine-readable media embodying program instructions adapted to be executed to implement a method for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the method comprising:

selecting one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data;

causing the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology;

determining whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by each of the first and second devices;

selecting the first wireless transmission technology over the second wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices; and

using the second wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device only after determining that the first wireless transmission technology is not supported by at least one of the first and second devices.

16. The non-transitory machine-readable media of claim 15, wherein the first wireless transmission technology is Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is Classic Bluetooth technology.

17. Non-transitory machine-readable media embodying program instructions adapted to be executed to implement a method for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the method comprising:

selecting one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data;

causing the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology;

identifying the type of the data, wherein the selecting is based on the type of the data;

determining whether the type of the data is included among a first set of data types;

selecting the first wireless transmission technology over the second wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the type of the data is included among the first set of data types; and

selecting the second wireless transmission technology over the first wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the type of the data is not included among the first set of data types.

18. The non-transitory machine-readable media of claim 17, wherein the first set of data types include video, audio, and haptic data, and wherein the first wireless transmission technology is Classic Bluetooth technology, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology.

19. Non-transitory machine-readable media embodying program instructions adapted to be executed to implement a method for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the method comprising:

selecting one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data;

causing the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology;

identifying the latency parameter associated with the data, wherein the selecting is based on the latency parameter associated with the data;

determining whether the latency parameter associated with the data exceeds a threshold latency condition;

selecting the first wireless transmission technology over the second wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the latency parameter associated with the data does not exceed the threshold latency condition; and

selecting the second wireless transmission technology over the first wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the latency parameter associated with the data exceeds the threshold latency condition.

20. The non-transitory machine-readable media of claim 19, wherein the first wireless transmission technology is Classic Bluetooth technology, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology.

21. Non-transitory machine-readable media embodying program instructions adapted to be executed to implement a method for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the method comprising:

selecting one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data;

causing the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology;

identifying the data rate parameter associated with the data, wherein the selecting is based on the data rate parameter associated with the data;

determining whether the data rate parameter associated with the data exceeds a threshold data rate condition;

selecting the first wireless transmission technology over the second wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the data rate parameter associated with the data exceeds the threshold data rate condition; and

selecting the second wireless transmission technology over the first wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the data rate parameter associated with the data does not exceed the threshold data rate condition.

22. The non-transitory machine-readable media of claim 21, wherein the first wireless transmission technology is Classic Bluetooth technology, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology.

23. Non-transitory machine-readable media embodying program instructions adapted to be executed to implement a method for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the method comprising:

selecting one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data;

causing the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology;

identifying the amount of the data, wherein the selecting is based on the amount of the data;

determining whether the amount of the data exceeds a threshold amount of data;

selecting the first wireless transmission technology over the second wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the amount of the data exceeds the threshold amount of data; and

selecting the second wireless transmission technology over the first wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the amount of the data does not exceed the threshold amount of data.

24. The non-transitory machine-readable media of claim 23, wherein the first wireless transmission technology is Classic Bluetooth technology, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology.

25. Non-transitory machine-readable media embodying program instructions adapted to be executed to implement a method for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the method comprising:

selecting one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data; and

causing the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology,

wherein the first wireless transmission technology is selected to exchange the data between the first device and the second device, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is selected to exchange additional data between the first device and the second device.

26. The non-transitory machine-readable media of claim 25, wherein the second wireless transmission technology is selected to exchange the additional data based on one or more of a type of the additional data, a latency parameter associated with the additional data, a data rate parameter associated with the additional data, or an amount of the additional data.

27. The non-transitory machine-readable media of claim 25, the method comprising:

causing the data to be transmitted using the first wireless transmission technology at the same time when the additional data is transmitted using the second wireless transmission technology.

28. Non-transitory machine-readable media embodying program instructions adapted to be executed to implement a method for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the method comprising:

selecting one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data;

causing the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology;

determining whether a hardware switch of the first device is in a first position or a second position;

selecting the first wireless transmission technology when the hardware switch of the first device is in the first position; and

selecting the second wireless transmission technology when the hardware switch of the first device is in the second position,

wherein the first wireless transmission technology is Classic Bluetooth technology, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology.

29. A system for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the system comprising one or more devices to:

select one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data;

cause the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology;

determine whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by each of the first and second devices;

select the first wireless transmission technology over the second wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices; and

use the second wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device only after determining that the first wireless transmission technology is not supported by at least one of the first and second devices.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the first wireless transmission technology is Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is Classic Bluetooth technology.

31. A system for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the system comprising one or more devices to:

select one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data;

cause the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology;

identify the type of the data, wherein the selecting is based on the type of the data;

determine whether the type of the data is included among a first set of data types;

select the first wireless transmission technology over the second wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the type of the data is included among the first set of data types; and

select the second wireless transmission technology over the first wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the type of the data is not included among the first set of data types.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the first set of data types include video, audio, and haptic data, and wherein the first wireless transmission technology is Classic Bluetooth technology, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology.

33. A system for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the system comprising one or more devices to:

select one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data;

cause the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology;

identify the latency parameter associated with the data, wherein the selecting is based on the latency parameter associated with the data;

determine whether the latency parameter associated with the data exceeds a threshold latency condition;

select the first wireless transmission technology over the second wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the latency parameter associated with the data does not exceed the threshold latency condition; and

select the second wireless transmission technology over the first wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the latency parameter associated with the data exceeds the threshold latency condition.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the first wireless transmission technology is Classic Bluetooth technology, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology.

35. A system for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the system comprising one or more devices to:

select one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data;

cause the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology;

identify the data rate parameter associated with the data, wherein the selecting is based on the data rate parameter associated with the data;

determine whether the data rate parameter associated with the data exceeds a threshold data rate condition;

select the first wireless transmission technology over the second wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the data rate parameter associated with the data exceeds the threshold data rate condition; and

select the second wireless transmission technology over the first wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the data rate parameter associated with the data does not exceed the threshold data rate condition.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the first wireless transmission technology is Classic Bluetooth technology, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology.

37. A system for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the system comprising one or more devices to:

select one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data;

cause the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology;

identify the amount of the data, wherein the selecting is based on the amount of the data;

determine whether the amount of the data exceeds a threshold amount of data;

select the first wireless transmission technology over the second wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the amount of the data exceeds the threshold amount of data; and

select the second wireless transmission technology over the first wireless transmission technology to exchange the data between the first device and the second device when the amount of the data does not exceed the threshold amount of data.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the first wireless transmission technology is Classic Bluetooth technology, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology.

39. A system for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the system comprising one or more devices to:

select one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data; and

cause the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology,

wherein the first wireless transmission technology is selected to exchange the data between the first device and the second device, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is selected to exchange additional data between the first device and the second device.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the second wireless transmission technology is selected to exchange the additional data based on one or more of a type of the additional data, a latency parameter associated with the additional data, a data rate parameter associated with the additional data, or an amount of the additional data.

41. The system of claim 39, the system comprising the one or more devices to:

cause the data to be transmitted using the first wireless transmission technology at the same time when the additional data is transmitted using the second wireless transmission technology.

42. A system for selecting a wireless transmission technology over which data is transferred between two devices, the system comprising one or more devices to:

select one of a first wireless transmission technology or a second wireless transmission technology to exchange data between a first device and a second device,

wherein the selecting is based on one or more of;

whether the first wireless transmission technology is supported by both of the first and second devices, a type of the data, a latency parameter associated with the data, a data rate parameter associated with the data, or an amount of the data;

cause the data to be exchanged between the first device and the second device using the selected one of the first wireless transmission technology or the second wireless transmission technology;

determine whether a hardware switch of the first device is in a first position or a second position;

select the first wireless transmission technology when the hardware switch of the first device is in the first position; and

select the second wireless transmission technology when the hardware switch of the first device is in the second position,

wherein the first wireless transmission technology is Classic Bluetooth technology, and wherein the second wireless transmission technology is Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology.