Protocol for a wireless control system

• US 6,415,439 B1
• Filed: 02/04/1997
• Issued: 07/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Musicqubed Innovations LLC (Ascend Innovation Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Randell, Scott, Castillo, Leonardo Del
• Primary Examiner(s): Faile, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Hai V.
• Application Number:
  US08/795,710
• Time in Patent Office: 1,974 Days
• Field of Search: 725/63, 725/73-74, 725/153, 348/61, 434/322, 434/307, 370/230, 370/329, 370/395.2, 340/825.52, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/2.4, 455/509, 455/514, 455/450, 455/117
• US Class Current: 725/153
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0083 using wireless transmission, e.g. radio, light, infrared
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/311 MIDI transmission G10H2240/056 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/00 Speech synthesis; Text to speech systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5038 for local use, e.g. in LAN or USB networks, or in a controller area network [CAN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/22 Parsing or analysis of headers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/06 Optimizing the usage of the radio link, e.g. header compression, information sizing , discarding information system modifying transmission characteristic according to link quality by modifying frame length H04L1/0007; dynamic adaptation of the packet size for flow control or congestion control H04L47/365
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

Wireless communication protocol for enabling unidirectional communications in a simplex environment, or bidirectional communications in a duplex environment, between a controller and one or more controlled devices. The controller transmits video data and control data that may include voice synthesis coefficients and motor movement coefficients for processing by the controlled devices. The video data drives a display device to depict a scene, and the control data drives the controlled devices so that the controlled devices behave as characters in the scene depicted on the display device. Each controlled device is operable for recognizing messages directed to the device and for parsing these messages into control signals for a number of end effectors, such as speech synthesizers, servo motors, lights, heat sources, pumps, etc. The content of messages for, and the set of end effectors in, any particular controlled device may be changed so that the system is forwardly compatible for new controlled devices using the protocol.

Claims

1. A method for communicating data between a controller and a controlled device having an assigned device code, comprising the steps of:

transmitting an acquisition message from the controller to the controlled device including a transmitted device code and a subchannel address;

at the controlled device, comparing the assigned device code to the transmitted device code;

if the assigned device code corresponds to the transmitted device code, storing the subchannel address at the controlled device as an assigned subchannel address;

transmitting a control data packet from the controller to the controlled device including a message header and control data, the message header including a message subchannel address;

at the controlled device, comparing the assigned subchannel address to the message subchannel address; and

if the assigned subchannel address corresponds to the message subchannel address, responding to the control data at the controlled device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the subchannel address consists of fewer data bits than the assigned device code.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the subchannel address consists essentially of three data bits and the assigned device code comprises at least sixteen data bits.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

extracting the control data from a data stream comprising video data and encoded control data;

driving a display device with the video data to depict a scene; and

modulating a radio-frequency carrier in response to the extracted control data to create the control data packet.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of:

synchronizing the control data with the video data so that the controlled device behaves as a character in the scene depicted on the display device.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the data stream comprises a video signal comprising a plurality of horizontal scan lines, each scan line comprising a horizontal overscan interval; and

the control data is encoded in the horizontal overscan intervals.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the data stream is recovered from a storage media.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the storage media comprises:

a magnetic tape, an analog laser disk, or a digital laser disk.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the data stream is received on a broadcast receiver.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the broadcast receiver comprises:

an aerial antenna, a satellite signal receiver, a direct broadcast satellite signal receiver, or a cable television tuner.

11. A method for communicating data between a controller and a plurality of controlled devices including a first controlled device having a first assigned device code and a second controlled device having a second assigned device code, comprising the steps of:

transmitting a first acquisition message from the controller to the controlled devices including a first transmitted device code and a first subchannel address;

at the first controlled device, comparing the first assigned device code to the first transmitted device code;

if the first assigned device code corresponds to the first transmitted device code, storing the first subchannel address at the first controlled device as a first assigned subchannel address;

transmitting a first control data packet from the controller to the first controlled device including a first message header and first control data, the message header including a first message subchannel address;

at the first controlled device, comparing the first assigned subchannel address to the first message subchannel address;

if the first assigned subchannel address corresponds to the first message subchannel address, responding to the first control data at the first controlled device;

transmitting a second acquisition message from the controller to the controlled devices including a second transmitted device code and a second subchannel address;

at the second controlled device, comparing the second assigned device code to the second transmitted device code;

if the second assigned device code corresponds to the second transmitted device code, storing the second subchannel address at the second controlled device as a second assigned subchannel address;

transmitting a second control data packet from the controller to the second controlled device including a second message header and second control data, the message header including a second message subchannel address;

at the second controlled device, comparing the second assigned subchannel address to the second message subchannel address; and

if the second assigned subchannel address corresponds to the second message subchannel address, responding to the second control data at the second controlled device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

extracting the first and second control data from a data stream comprising video data and encoded control data;

driving a display device with the video data to depict a scene; and

modulating a radio-frequency carrier with the extracted control data.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

synchronizing the first and second control data with the video data so that the first and second controlled devices behave as characters in the scene depicted on the display device.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the data stream comprises a video signal comprising a plurality of horizontal scan lines, each scan line comprising a horizontal overscan interval; and

the control data is encoded in the horizontal overscan intervals.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the data stream is recovered from a storage media.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the storage media comprises:

a magnetic tape, an analog laser disk, or a digital laser disk.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the data stream is received on a broadcast receiver.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the broadcast receiver comprises:

an aerial antenna, a satellite signal receiver, a direct broadcast satellite signal receiver, or a cable television tuner.

19. A method for communicating data between a controller and a controlled device having an assigned device code, comprising the steps of:

transmitting an acquisition message from the controller to the controlled device including a transmitted device code;

at the controlled device, comparing the assigned device code to the transmitted device code;

if the assigned device code corresponds to the transmitted device code, transmitting a response message, including a device identifier, from the controlled device to the controller;

transmitting a verification message, including a transmitted identifier and a subchannel address, from the controller to the controlled device;

at the controlled device, comparing the device identifier to the transmitted identifier; and

if the device identifier corresponds to the transmitted identifier, storing the subchannel address at the controlled device as an assigned subchannel address.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting a control data packet, including a message header and control data, from the controller to the controlled device, the message header including a message subchannel address;

at the controlled device, comparing the assigned subchannel address to the message subchannel address; and

if the assigned subchannel address corresponds to the message subchannel address, responding to the control data at the controlled device.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of:

extracting the control data from a data stream comprising video data and encoded control data;

driving a display device with the video data to depict a scene;

modulating a radio-frequency carrier with the extracted control data; and

synchronizing the control data with the video data so that the controlled device behaves as a character in the scene depicted on the display device.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the device identifier is based on a random number generated by the controlled device.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of:

computing a delay period based on another random number; and

delaying the response message by the delay period.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the device identifier is an electronic serial number assigned by the manufacturer.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the device identifier is stored within a user-configurable register within the controlled device.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein:

the data stream comprises a video signal comprising a plurality of horizontal scan lines, each scan line comprising a horizontal overscan interval; and

the control data is encoded in the horizontal overscan intervals.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the data stream is recovered from a storage media.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the storage media comprises:

a magnetic tape, an analog laser disk, or a digital laser disk.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the data stream is received on a broadcast receiver.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the broadcast receiver comprises:

an aerial antenna, a satellite signal receiver, a direct broadcast satellite signal receiver, or a cable television tuner.

31. A method for communicating data between a controller and a plurality of controlled devices including a first controlled device having a first assigned device code and a second controlled device having a second assigned device code, comprising the steps of:

transmitting a first acquisition message from the controller to the controlled devices including a first transmitted device code;

at the first controlled device, comparing the first assigned device code to the first transmitted device code;

if the first assigned device code corresponds to the first transmitted device code, transmitting a first response message, including a first device identifier, from the first controlled device to the controller;

transmitting a first verification message from the controller to the controlled devices including the first transmitted identifier and a first subchannel address;

at the first controlled device, comparing the first device identifier to the first transmitted identifier;

if the first device identifier corresponds to the first transmitted identifier, storing the first subchannel address at the first controlled device as a first assigned subchannel address;

transmitting a second acquisition message from the controller to the controlled devices including a second transmitted device code;

at the second controlled device, comparing the second assigned device code to the second transmitted device code;

if the second assigned device code corresponds to the second transmitted device code, transmitting a second response message, including a second device identifier, from the second controlled device to the controller;

transmitting a second verification message, including the second device identifier and a second subchannel address, from the controller to the second controlled device;

at the second controlled device, comparing the second device identifier to the second transmitted identifier; and

if the second device identifier corresponds to the second transmitted identifier, storing the second subchannel address at the second controlled device as a second assigned subchannel address.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting a first control data packet, including a first message header and first control data, from the controller to the first controlled device, the first message header including a first message subchannel address;

at the first controlled device, comparing the first assigned subchannel address to the first message subchannel address;

if the first assigned subchannel address corresponds to the first message subchannel address, responding to the first control data at the first controlled device;

transmitting a second control data packet, including a second message header and second control data, from the controller to the second controlled device, the second message header including a second message subchannel address;

at the second controlled device, comparing the second assigned subchannel address to the second message subchannel address; and

if the second assigned subchannel address corresponds to the second message subchannel address, responding to the second control data at the second controlled device.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising the steps of:

extracting the first and second control data from a data stream comprising video data and encoded control data;

driving a display device with the video data to depict a scene;

modulating a radio-frequency carrier with the extracted control data; and

synchronizing the first and second control data with the video data so that the first and second controlled devices behave as characters in the scene depicted on the display device.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein:

the first device identifier is based on a first random number generated by the first controlled device; and

the second device identifier is based on a second random number generated by the second controlled device.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the steps of:

computing a first delay period at the first controlled device;

delaying the first response message by the first delay period;

computing a second delay period at the second controlled device; and

delaying the second response message by the second delay period.

36. A method for communicating data between a controller and a controlled device including a plurality of end effectors, each end effector having an end effector address, comprising the steps of:

transmitting a first control data packet, including a first message header and first control data from the controller to the controlled device, the first message header including a first end effector address;

at the controlled device, responding to the first end effector address by routing the first control data to the first end effector;

transmitting second a control data packet, including a second message header and second control data from the controller to the controlled device, the second message header including a second end effector address; and

at the controlled device, responding to the second end effector address by routing the second control data to the second end effector.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the first control data comprises voice synthesis coefficients, further comprising the step of:

at the first end effector, synthesizing voice sounds based on the voice synthesis coefficients.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the second control data comprises motor movement data, further comprising the step of:

at the second end effector, operating a motor based on the motor movement data.

39. A controller for controlling a controlled device of a wireless control system comprising:

a processor for receiving a data stream comprising video data, encoded acquisition data, and encoded control data;

a display device for displaying the video data to depict a scene;

a protocol handler coupled to the processor;

the processor being operable for extracting the encoded acquisition data from the data stream and routing the encoded acquisition data to the protocol handler;

the protocol handler operable to receive the acquisition data, modulate a radio-frequency carrier in response to the encoded acquisition data to create an acquisition message including a device code associated with the controlled device and a subchannel address;

the protocol handler being further operable for extracting the control data from the data stream and modulating the radio-frequency carrier in response to the encoded control data to create a control data packet including a message header and the encoded control data, the message header including the subchannel address; and

a transmitter coupled to the protocol handler for transmitting the acquisition message and the control data packet to the controlled device so that the controlled device behaves as a character in the scene depicted on the display device.

40. The controller of claim 39, wherein the subchannel address comprises fewer data bits than the device code.

41. The controller of claim 39, wherein the control data comprises:

voice synthesis coefficients for synthesizing voice sounds at the controlled device based on the voice synthesis coefficients.

42. The controller of claim 39, wherein the control data comprises:

motor movement coefficients for operating a motor at the controlled device based on the motor movement coefficients.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein:

the data stream comprises a video signal comprising a plurality of horizontal scan lines, each scan line comprising a horizontal overscan interval; and

the control data is encoded in the horizontal overscan intervals.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the data stream is recovered from a storage media.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the storage media comprises:

a magnetic tape, an analog laser disk, or a digital laser disk.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein the data stream is received on a broadcast receiver.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the broadcast receiver comprises:

an aerial antenna, a satellite signal receiver, a direct broadcast satellite signal receiver, or a cable television tuner.

48. A controller for controlling a controlled device of a wireless control system comprising:

a processor for receiving a data stream comprising video data, encoded acquisition data, and encoded control data;

a display device coupled to the processor;

the processor being operable for routing the video data to the display device so that the display device depicts a scene;

the processor being further operable for extracting the acquisition data from the data stream and routing the acquisition data;

a protocol handler coupled to the processor for receiving the acquisition data from the processor and modulating a radio-frequency carrier in response to the acquisition data to create an acquisition message including a device code associated with the controlled device;

a receiver coupled to the protocol handler for receiving from the controlled device a response message including a device identifier;

the protocol handler being further operable for modulating the radio-frequency carrier to create a verification message including the device identifier and a subchannel address;

the protocol handler being further operable for extracting the control data from the data stream, modulating the radio-frequency carrier in response to the control data to create a control data packet including a message header and the control data, the message header including the subchannel address; and

a transmitter coupled to the protocol handler for transmitting the acquisition message, the verification message, and the control data packet to a controlled device so that the controlled device behaves as a character in the scene depicted on the display device.

49. The controller of claim 48, wherein the control data comprises:

voice synthesis coefficients for synthesizing voice sounds at the controlled device based on the voice synthesis coefficients.

50. The controller of claim 48, wherein the control data comprises:

motor movement coefficients for operating a motor at the controlled device based on the motor movement coefficients.

51. A controlled device having an assigned device code for a wireless control system comprising:

a receiver for receiving from a controller an acquisition message from a controller modulated on a radio-frequency carrier including a transmitted device code and a subchannel address;

a processor coupled to the receiver for comparing the assigned device code to the transmitted device code and, if the assigned device code corresponds to the transmitted device code, storing the subchannel address at the controlled device as an assigned subchannel address;

the receiver being further operable for receiving from the controller a control data packet modulated on the radio-frequency carrier including a message header and control data, the message header including a message subchannel address; and

the processor being further operable for comparing the assigned subchannel address to the message subchannel address and, if the assigned subchannel address corresponds to the message subchannel address, responding to the control data.

52. The controlled device of claim 51, wherein the control data includes voice synthesis coefficients, further comprising:

a voice synthesizer for synthesizing voice sounds based on the voice synthesis coefficients so that the controlled device behaves as a character in a scene depicted on a display device coupled to the controller.

53. The controlled device of claim 52, wherein the control data includes motor movement coefficients, further comprising:

a motor for operating an end effector based on the motor movement coefficients so that the controlled device behaves as a character in a scene depicted on a display device coupled to the controller.

54. A controlled device having an assigned device code for a wireless control system comprising:

a receiver for receiving from a controller an acquisition message modulated on a radio-frequency carrier including a transmitted device code;

a random number generator;

a processor coupled to the receiver and the random number generator for comparing the assigned device code to the transmitted device code and, if the assigned device code corresponds to the transmitted device code, generating a device identifier based on a random number;

the processor being further operable for modulating the radio-frequency carrier in response to the device identifier to create a response message;

a transmitter coupled to the processor for transmitting the response message to the controller;

the receiver being further operable for receiving from the controller a verification message including a transmitted device identifier and a subchannel address;

the processor being further operable for comparing the transmitted device identifier to the device identifier generated by the controlled device, and if the transmitted device identifier corresponds to the device identifier generated by the controlled device, storing the subchannel address at the controlled device as an assigned subchannel address;

the receiver being further operable for receiving from the controller a control data packet modulated on the radio-frequency carrier including a message header and control data, the message header including a message subchannel address; and

the processor being further operable for comparing the assigned subchannel address to the message subchannel address and, if the assigned subchannel address corresponds to the message subchannel address, responding to the control data.

55. The controlled device of claim 54, wherein the control data includes voice synthesis coefficients and motor movement coefficients, further comprising:

a voice synthesizer for synthesizing voice sounds based on the voice synthesis coefficients, and a motor for operating an end effector based on the motor movement coefficients so that the controlled device behaves as a character in a scene depicted on a display device coupled to the controller.

56. The controlled device of claim 55, wherein the processor is further operative for delaying the response message by a delay interval based on a second random number.

57. The controlled device of claim 54, further comprising:

a receptor, coupled to the processor, for sending receptor data to the processor in response to a stimulus; and

the receiver being further operable for receiving from the controller a receptor data request message modulated on the radio-frequency carrier;

the processor being further operable for modulating the radio-frequency carrier in response to the receptor data request message and the receptor data to create a receptor data response message; and

the transmitter being further operable for transmitting the receptor data response message to the controller.

58. The controlled device of claim 57, further comprising:

an elastic queue for storing the voice synthesis coefficients and providing the voice synthesis coefficients to the voice synthesizer so that the controlled device generates voice sounds based on the voice synthesis coefficients while the transmitter transmits the receptor data response message to the controller.

59. The method of claim 54, wherein the device identifier is an electronic serial number assigned by the manufacturer.

60. The method of claim 54, wherein the device identifier is stored within a user-configurable register within the controlled device.

61. A storage medium including a computer program which, when executed by a controller for a wireless control system, causes the controller to perform the steps of:

receiving a data stream comprising video data, encoded acquisition data, and encoded control data;

routing the video data to an output device for presenting a scene;

extracting the acquisition data from the data stream;

modulating a radio-frequency carrier in response to the acquisition data to create an acquisition message including a device code associated with the controlled device;

transmitting the acquisition message to the controlled device;

receiving a response message from the controlled device including a device identifier;

modulating the radio-frequency carrier to create a verification message including the device identifier and a subchannel address;

transmitting the verification message to the controlled device; and

extracting the control data including voice synthesis coefficients and motor movement coefficients, modulating the radio-frequency carrier in response to the control data to create a control data packet including a message header and the control data, the message header including the subchannel address, and transmitting the control data to the controlled device so that the controlled device synthesizes voice sounds and operates a motor in synchronization with the scene depicted on the display device.

62. A storage medium including a computer program which, when executed by a controlled device for a wireless control system, causes the controlled device to perform the steps of:

receiving from a controller an acquisition message modulated on a radio-frequency carrier including a transmitted device code;

comparing an assigned device code to the transmitted device code and, if the assigned device code corresponds to the transmitted device code, obtaining a device identifier;

modulating the radio-frequency carrier in response to the device identifier to create a response message;

transmitting the response message to the controller;

receiving from the controller a control data packet modulated on the radio-frequency carrier including a message header and control data including voice synthesis coefficients and motor movement coefficients, the message header including a message subchannel address; and

comparing the assigned subchannel address to the message subchannel address and, if the assigned subchannel address corresponds to the message subchannel address, synthesizing voice sounds based on the voice synthesis coefficients and operating a motor based on the motor movement coefficients so that the controlled device behaves as a character in a scene depicted on a display device coupled to the controller.

63. The storage medium of claim 62, wherein the step of obtaining a device identifier further comprises the steps of:

generating a random number; and

basing the device identifier on the random number.

64. The storage medium of claim 62, wherein the step of obtaining a device identifier further comprises the steps of:

reading an electronic serial number from a memory device within the controlled device; and

basing the device identifier on the electronic serial number.

65. The storage medium of claim 62, wherein the step of obtaining a device identifier further comprises the steps of:

receiving user input commands defining a personal identification number;

storing the personal identification number within a user-configurable register device within the controlled device;

reading the personal identification number from the user-configurable register; and

basing the device identifier on the personal identification number.

66. The storage medium of claim 62, further comprising the step of delaying the response message by a delay interval based on a random number.

67. A controlled device having an assigned device code, comprising:

a processor for receiving an acquisition message including a transmitted device code and a subchannel address;

the processor further operable for comparing the assigned device code to the transmitted device code and, if the assigned device code corresponds to the transmitted device code, storing the subchannel address at the controlled device as an assigned subchannel address;

the processor further operable for receiving a control data packet including a message header and control data, the message header including a message subchannel address; and

the processor being further operable for comparing the assigned subchannel address to the message subchannel address and, if the assigned subchannel address corresponds to the message subchannel address, responding to the control data.

68. The controlled device of claim 67, wherein the control data includes voice synthesis coefficients, further comprising:

a voice synthesizer for synthesizing voice sounds based on the voice synthesis coefficients so that the controlled device behaves as a character in a scene depicted on a display device coupled to the controller.

69. The controlled device of claim 67, wherein the control data includes motor movement coefficients, further comprising:

a motor for operating an end effector based on the motor movement coefficients so that the controlled device behaves as a character in a scene depicted on a display device coupled to the controller.

70. A controlled device having an assigned device code for, comprising:

a processor for receiving an acquisition message including a device code;

a random number generator;

the processor coupled to the random number generator for comparing the assigned device code to the received device code and, if the assigned device code corresponds to the received device code, generating a device identifier based on a random number;

the processor being further operable for creating a response message in response to the device identifier;

the processor being further operable for receiving a verification message including a received device identifier and a subchannel address;

the processor being further operable for comparing the received device identifier to the device identifier generated by the controlled device, and if the received device identifier corresponds to the device identifier generated by the controlled device, storing the subchannel address at the controlled device as an assigned subchannel address;

the processor being further operable for receiving a control data packet including a message header and control data, the message header including a message subchannel address; and

the processor being further operable for comparing the assigned subchannel address to the message subchannel address and, if the assigned subchannel address corresponds to the message subchannel address, responding to the control data.

71. The controlled device of claim 70, wherein the processor is further operative for delaying the response message by a delay interval based on a second random number.

72. The controlled device of claim 70, further comprising:

a receptor, coupled to the processor, for sending receptor data to the processor in response to a stimulus; and

the processor being further operable for receiving a receptor data request message;

the processor being further operable for, in response to the receptor data request message, creating a receptor data response message.

73. The controlled device of claim 72, further comprising:

an elastic queue for storing the voice synthesis coefficients and providing the voice synthesis coefficients to the voice synthesizer so that the controlled device generates voice sounds based on the voice synthesis coefficients while the processor creates the receptor data response message.