System for providing input for a computing device

Abstract

A system for providing input for a computing device is provided. The system may include a base station having a first interface with a transceiver and at least one input module for connection to the base station. The at least one input module may include a second interface corresponding to the transceiver of the base station. The base station may be configured to detect a configuration of the at least one input module in such a manner that a transceiver of the base station engages a transceiver of the at least one input module, thereby causing a first change in a first electromagnetic field in the transceiver of the at least one input module and / or the transceiver of the base station, in this way, an electrical connection is established between the transceiver of the base station and the transceiver of the at least one input module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various embodiments are directed to systems for providing input to a computing device. Background Art

[0002] Computer peripherals are constantly improving to enhance functionality and provide a better user experience. Input devices include any device used to provide data or control signals to an information processing system such as a computer. Input devices include joysticks, game controllers, keyboards, motion sensing devices, or computer mice that receive user input. Input devices can be used in a variety of applications, which require different functions.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved system for providing input to a computing device. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a system for providing input to a computing device is provided. The system may include: a base station, wherein the base station includes a first interface having a transceiver; and at least one input module, which is used to connect to the base station, wherein the at least one input module includes a second interface having a transceiver corresponding to the transceiver of the base station, wherein the base station is configured to detect the configuration of the at least one input module, and the detection method is that the transceiver of the base station is engaged with the transceiver of the at least one input module, thereby causing a first change in the first electromagnetic field in the transceiver of the at least one input module and / or the transceiver of the base station, so as to establish an electrical connection between the transceiver of the base station and the transceiver of the at least one input module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals generally represent the same components in different views. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but generally focus on illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. In the following description, various embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0006] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example system for providing input to a computing device in accordance with various embodiments is shown.

[0007] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an example system for providing input to a computing device in accordance with various embodiments is shown.

[0008] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an example system for providing input to a computing device in accordance with various embodiments is shown.

[0009] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an example system for providing input to a computing device in accordance with various embodiments is shown.

[0010] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an example system for providing input to a computing device in accordance with various embodiments is shown.

[0011] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of an example input module is shown in accordance with various embodiments.

[0012] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of an example system for providing input to a computing device in accordance with various embodiments is shown.

[0013] Figure 8 A flow chart illustrating a method for providing input to a computing device according to various embodiments is shown.

[0014] Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of illustration specific details and embodiments in which the present disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present disclosure. Other embodiments may also be utilized, and structural, logical, optical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The various embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments may be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments.

[0016] Embodiments described in the context of one device or method are analogously valid for the other device or method. Similarly, embodiments described in the context of a method are analogously valid for the device, and vice versa.

[0017] Features described in the context of one embodiment may be correspondingly applicable to the same or similar features in other embodiments. Features described in the context of one embodiment may be correspondingly applicable to other embodiments, even if they are not explicitly described in these other embodiments. Moreover, additions and / or combinations and / or substitutions described for a feature in the context of one embodiment may be correspondingly applicable to the same or similar features in other embodiments.

[0018] It should be understood that the terms "upper", "above", "top", "bottom", "lower", "side", "rear", "left", "right", "front", "rear", "lateral", "sideways", "upward", "downward", "vertical", "horizontal", etc., when used in the following description, are for convenience and to help understand relative positions or directions, and are not intended to limit the orientation of any device or structure or any part of any device or structure. In addition, the singular terms "a, an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, "or" is intended to include "and" unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0019] It will be further understood that the terms "comprise" (and any forms thereof, such as "comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (and any forms thereof, such as "has" and "having"), "include" (and any forms thereof, such as "includes" and "including"), and "contain" (and any forms thereof, such as "contains" and "containing") are open linking verbs. Thus, a method or apparatus that "comprises," "has," "includes," or "contains" one or more steps or elements has those one or more steps or elements, but is not limited to having only those one or more steps or elements. Similarly, a step of a method or an element of an apparatus that "comprises," "has," "includes," or "contains" one or more features has those one or more features, but is not limited to having only those one or more features. Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in a certain manner is configured in at least that manner, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

[0020] Approximations as used herein throughout the specification and claims may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that may vary within an allowable range without causing a change in the basic function associated therewith. Therefore, values ​​modified by one or more terms such as "about," "substantially," and the like are not limited to the exact values ​​specified, but are within an acceptable tolerance range for the operation of the embodiment for its intended application. In some cases, approximations may correspond to the precision of the instrument used to measure the value.

[0021] The term “exemplary” may be used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs.

[0022] The terms "at least one" and "one or more" may be understood to include numerical quantities greater than or equal to one (e.g., one, two, three, four, [...], etc.). The term "plurality" may be understood to include numerical quantities greater than or equal to two (e.g., two, three, four, five, [...], etc.). The phrase "at least one" with respect to a group of elements may be used herein to indicate at least one element from the group consisting of the elements. For example, the phrase "at least one of" with respect to a group of elements may be used herein to indicate a selection of: one of the listed elements, multiple elements of one of the listed elements, multiple elements of a single listed element, or multiple elements of a multiple of the listed elements.

[0023] The words "plurality" and "multiple" in the specification and claims clearly denote quantities greater than one. Thus, any phrase that expressly invokes the above words to denote quantities of objects (e.g., "plurality of (objects)", "multiple (objects)") clearly denotes more than one of the objects. The terms "group(s)", "set(s)", "collection(s)", "series(s)", "sequence(s)", "group(s)", etc. in the specification and claims, if any, denote quantities equal to or greater than one, i.e., one or more.

[0024] The terms "first," "second," and "third" as used herein are used to distinguish one element from another similar element, and do not necessarily denote order or relative importance, unless otherwise specified.

[0025] As used herein, a phrase in the form of “at least one of A or B” may include A or B, or both A and B. Correspondingly, a phrase in the form of “at least one of A or B or C”, or including further listed items, may include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0026] As used herein, the term "connected" when used to refer to two electronic components or devices means a two-way connection through which the two electronic components or devices can communicate and either of the two electronic components or devices can send or receive signals or information from the other.

[0027] As used herein, the term "transmitter" generally refers to a component or device that transmits a signal or information. As used herein, the term "receiver" generally refers to a component or device that receives a signal or information.

[0028] As used herein, the term "engagement" may be understood as electrical engagement or mechanical engagement, referring to a component or device being moved into position so as to operate with or activate another component or device (or be activated), such as attachment or fixation, mere contact without any fixation, or mere proximity without direct contact, and it will be understood that direct engagement or indirect engagement (in other words: engagement without direct contact, such as through one or more intermediate elements) may be provided.

[0029] As used herein, the term "electromagnetic field" broadly includes electric fields and / or magnetic fields.

[0030] Various embodiments may provide a modular system for providing input to a computing device. The proposed modular system may include multiple reconfigurable / detachable input modules with different types of user inputs, such as buttons, sliders, knobs, joysticks, trackballs, touchpads, touch screens, and other types of user interfaces. The multiple input modules may include a master input module and one or more slave input modules wirelessly or wired connected to the master input module. The master input module may be configured to communicate with a computing device wirelessly or wired connected to the master input module and relay inputs of one or more slave input modules to the computing device. The multiple reconfigurable / detachable input modules of the proposed modular system may provide flexibility and customization of the input modules.

[0031] Various embodiments may provide systems for providing input to a computing device. These systems may include a base station (e.g., a master input module) and at least one input module (e.g., one or more slave modules interconnected with the master input module). The base station may include a first interface having a transceiver (e.g., a receiver or a transmitter), and at least one input module may include a second interface having a transceiver corresponding to the transceiver of the base station (e.g., a corresponding transmitter or a corresponding receiver) for connecting to the transceiver of the base station.

[0032] The base station may be configured to detect the configuration of the at least one input module so that a transceiver (e.g., a receiver or a transmitter) of the base station engages with a corresponding transceiver (e.g., a corresponding transmitter or a corresponding receiver) of the at least one input module, thereby causing a first change in a first electromagnetic field so as to establish an electrical connection between the transceiver of the base station and the corresponding transceiver of the at least one input module. The first electromagnetic field may include either or both electromagnetic fields of the transceiver of the base station or the corresponding transceiver of the at least one input module.

[0033] In some embodiments, the transceiver of the base station may be a receiver and the transceiver of at least one input module may be a transmitter. The receiver of the base station may include a reed switch and the transmitter of at least one input module may include a magnet such that the receiver of the base station engages with the transmitter of at least one input module, thereby closing the reed switch. In some embodiments, the receiver of the base station may include a capacitive sensing receiver and the transmitter of at least one input module may include a capacitive sensing transmitter such that the receiver of the base station engages with the transmitter of at least one input module, thereby causing a change in capacitance between the capacitive sensing receiver and the transmitter. As used herein, capacitive sensing receivers and transmitters may be collectively referred to as capacitive sensors.

[0034] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the transmitter (e.g., reed switch, capacitive sensing transmitter) of at least one input module can be configured to send an interrupt to the base station to initiate polling of the at least one input module by the base station. The base station can be configured to send an interrupt to the transmitter (e.g., reed switch, capacitive sensing transmitter) of at least one input module to request a factory default identifier and / or a user customizable identifier. The base station can be configured to detect the configuration (e.g., position and orientation) of the at least one input module through an electrical connection between a receiver of the base station and the transmitter (e.g., reed switch, capacitive sensing transmitter) of the at least one input module. The base station can be further configured to provide the configuration (e.g., position and orientation) of the at least one input module to the at least one input module through an electrical connection between a receiver of the base station and the transmitter (e.g., reed switch, capacitive sensing transmitter) of the at least one input module.

[0035] There may be no bus connection between the base station and the at least one input module. The configuration (e.g., position and orientation) of the at least one input module may be detected by the base station through a connection between a receiver of the base station and a transmitter (e.g., a reed switch, a capacitive sensing transmitter) of the at least one input module.

[0036] In the proposed system of various embodiments, at least one input module may include a battery. The battery may be built-in and may be charged wirelessly or wired. Thus, through the electrical connection between the receiver (or transmitter) of the base station and the corresponding transmitter (or corresponding receiver) of the at least one input module, there may be no power exchange between the base station and the at least one input module.

[0037] The following examples relate to various aspects of the disclosure.

[0038] Example 1 is a system for providing input to a computing device, the system comprising: a base station, wherein the base station comprises a first interface having a transceiver; and at least one input module, which is used to connect to the base station, wherein the at least one input module comprises a second interface having a transceiver corresponding to the transceiver of the base station, wherein the base station is configured to detect the configuration of the at least one input module, and the detection method is that the transceiver of the base station is engaged with the transceiver of the at least one input module, thereby causing a first change in a first electromagnetic field in the transceiver of the at least one input module and / or the transceiver of the base station, so as to establish an electrical connection between the transceiver of the base station and the transceiver of the at least one input module.

[0039] In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 may optionally include that the transceiver of the base station is a receiver and the transceiver of the at least one input module is a transmitter, wherein the first interface of the base station further includes a transmitter and the second interface of the at least one input module further includes a receiver, wherein the base station is further configured to detect the configuration of the at least one input module by engaging the transmitter of the base station with the receiver of the at least one input module, thereby causing a second change in a second electromagnetic field in the transmitter of the base station and / or the receiver of the at least one input module so as to establish an additional electrical connection between the transmitter of the base station and the receiver of the at least one input module.

[0040] In Example 3, the subject matter of Example 2 may optionally include that at least one input module further includes an additional interface having an additional transmitter and an additional receiver, and the additional transmitter and the additional receiver are arranged at the edge of the at least one input module, so that the base station is configured to detect the configuration of the at least one input module through its interface.

[0041] In Example 4, the subject matter of Example 3 can optionally include that at least one input module has a rectangular, hexagonal, or square shape and has additional interfaces of a transmitter and a receiver arranged at each edge of the rectangular, hexagonal, or square shape.

[0042] In Example 5, the subject matter of Example 3 may optionally include that at least one input module includes a first input module and a second input module, the first input module has a second interface and an additional interface, and the second input module has a third interface, wherein the base station is configured to detect the configuration of the first input module through the second interface of the first input module, wherein the second input module is configured to be connected to the first input module through the additional interface of the first input module, and the base station is configured to detect the configuration of the second input module via the first input module.

[0043] In Example 6, the subject matter of Example 2 may optionally include that the base station further includes an additional interface having an additional transmitter and an additional receiver, and at least one input module includes a first input module and a second input module, the first input module has a second interface, and the second input module has a third interface, wherein the base station is configured to detect the configuration of the first input module through the first interface of the base station, and wherein the base station is configured to detect the configuration of the second input module through the additional interface of the base station.

[0044] In Example 7, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally include that the receiver of the base station includes a reed switch and the transmitter of the at least one input module includes a magnet, such that the receiver of the base station engages the transmitter of the at least one input module to close the reed switch.

[0045] In Example 8, the subject matter of Example 1 may optionally include that the receiver of the base station includes a capacitive sensing receiver, and the transmitter of the at least one input module includes a capacitive sensing transmitter, so that the receiver of the base station engages with the transmitter of the at least one input module, thereby causing a change in capacitance between the capacitive sensing receiver and the transmitter.

[0046] In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally include that the base station is further configured to pair with the at least one input module, and wherein, after pairing, the base station is configured to wirelessly communicate with the at least one input module.

[0047] In Example 10, the subject matter of Example 9 may optionally include that at least one input module includes a first input module and a second input module, the first input module has a second interface and an additional interface, and the second input module has a third interface, wherein the base station is configured to detect the configuration of the first input module through the second interface of the first input module, and is further configured to pair with the first input module and perform wireless communication, wherein the second input module is configured to be connected to the first input module through the additional interface of the first input module, and the base station is configured to detect the configuration of the second input module via the first input module.

[0048] In Example 11, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally include that at least one input module includes a built-in wireless or wired rechargeable battery.

[0049] In Example 12, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally include that at least one input module includes a factory default identifier, and the user customizable identifier is addable to the at least one input module.

[0050] In Example 13, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally include that the configuration of the at least one input module comprises a position and an orientation of the at least one input module.

[0051] In Example 14, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally include that the transmitter of the at least one input module is configured to send an interrupt to the base station to start polling the at least one input module.

[0052] Example 15 is a method implemented in the system of Example 1, comprising: detecting, by a base station, a configuration of at least one input module, the detection being performed by engaging a transceiver of the base station with a transceiver of at least one input module, thereby causing a first change in a first electromagnetic field in the transceiver of at least one input module and / or the transceiver of the base station to establish an electrical connection between the transceiver of the base station and the transceiver of at least one input module.

[0053] In Example 16, the subject matter of Example 15 can optionally include sending, by a transceiver of the at least one input module, an interrupt to the base station to initiate polling of the at least one input module.

[0054] In Example 17, the subject matter of Example 16 can optionally include sending, by the base station, an interrupt to the at least one input module to query an identifier of the at least one input module.

[0055] In Example 18, the subject matter of Example 17 can optionally include distributing, by the base station, the position and orientation information to the at least one input module.

[0056] In Example 19, the subject matter of Example 15 can optionally include pairing the at least one input module with the base station; and wirelessly communicating between the base station and the at least one input module.

[0057] In Example 20, the subject matter of Example 19 may optionally include that at least one input module includes a first input module and a second input module, the first input module has a second interface and an additional interface, and the second input module has a third interface, and the method further includes: detecting, by the base station, the configuration of the first input module through the second interface of the first input module; pairing and wireless communication between the base station and the first input module; connecting the second input module with the first input module through the additional interface of the first input module; relaying, by the first input module, a signal / information from the second input module to the base station; and detecting, by the base station, the configuration of the second input module based on the signal / information relayed by the first input module.

[0058] Example 21 is a computer program comprising instructions for causing the system of claim 1 to perform the steps of the method of Example 15.

[0059] Example 22 is a computer readable medium having stored thereon the computer program of Example 21.

[0060] In various embodiments, a system for providing input to a computing device will be described by way of the following non-limiting examples.

[0061] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example system 10 for providing input to a computing device (not shown) according to various embodiments is shown. The system 10 may include a base station 11 and a plurality of input modules 12, 13, 14, 15 connected to the base station 11. One or more of the plurality of input modules 12, 13, 14, 15 may be operably connected to the base station 11 by wire, or wirelessly connected to the base station 11, including, for example, Zigbee, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) / Bluetooth, Wifi, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Near Field Communication (NFC), 2.4 GHz proprietary, 5 GHz proprietary, 433 MHz proprietary, Infrared Data Association (IRDA), capacitive sensing, etc.

[0062] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the base station 11 may be connected to a computing device, such as a desktop or laptop computer. The internal components of the base station 11 may include an electronic circuit module (not shown). The electronic circuit module may include a printed circuit board or any other suitable electronic circuit. The computing device may include applications, including but not limited to word processing, development tools, games, music, and professional applications via suitable application plug-ins. The connection between the base station 11 and the computing device may be hardwired, such as through a universal serial bus (USB), or may alternatively be a wireless connection established through any number of different types of short-range wireless connections, such as Zigbee, BLE / Bluetooth, Wifi, RFID, NFC, 2.4GHz proprietary, 5GHz proprietary, 433MHz proprietary, IRDA, capacitive sensing.

[0063] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the plurality of input modules 12, 13, 14 and 15 can be reconfigurable, including knobs, buttons, sliders, joysticks, trackballs, touch pads, touch screens and other types of user interfaces. The plurality of input modules can be generally square, or a rectangular shape of two square modules put together, etc. In alternative embodiments, it will be understood that the plurality of input modules can be other shapes that can be removably interconnected, such as hexagons to form a honeycomb pattern. The plurality of input modules can also be a mixture of different shapes that are selected to allow removable interconnection and reconfiguration.

[0064] Each of the multiple input modules 12, 13, 14, and 15 may include a microcontroller that converts input provided by a user and received by the corresponding input module into a signal and sends the signal to the base station 11. The base station 11 may transmit the signal to a computing device connected to the base station 11, thereby controlling (multiple) applications running on the computing device. Each of the multiple input modules 12, 13, 14, and 15 may be mapped to at least one application running on the computing device to which the base station 11 is connected. The multiple input modules 12, 13, 14, and 15 may also include lighting effects that may be controlled by the base station 11 and / or the computing device to emit light. Any type of user interface that can be built into the system for providing input to a computing device may be used.

[0065] For the sake of simplicity, the system 10 Figure 1 Some features shown in FIG. 1 are not described in detail, and system 10 may include Figure 1 In some embodiments, system 10 may include one or more input modules, such as one or more buttons, one or more joysticks, one or more sliders, one or more touch screens, which may be connected to system 10 and receive input from a user. A system for providing input to a computing device to which embodiments are applicable may have the same Figure 1 The systems 10 are shown in different shapes, different sizes, different numbers and / or placements of input modules, and / or other differences.

[0066] For example, input modules 12, 13 are shown as knobs, input module 14 is shown as a button, and input module 15 is shown as a slider. Figure 1 The illustrated system 10 has three input modules 12, 13, 14 arranged above the base station 10 and one input module 15 arranged near the upper left corner of the base station 10; however, it should not be limited to such an arrangement / configuration and includes (multiple) input modules having different positions and / or orientations relative to the base station 11.

[0067] In the context of various embodiments, "providing input to a computing device" may be understood as converting input from a user (e.g., pressing a button) through a user interface (e.g., an input module) to a computing device to which the user interface is connected or to a base station to which both the user interface and the computing device are connected, and controlling one or more corresponding applications running on the computing device through the input from the user.

[0068] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an example system 100 for providing input to a computing device is shown in accordance with various embodiments.

[0069] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the system 100 may include a base station 110 and at least one input module 120. The base station 110 may include a first interface 112a having a receiver (RX) 112. The input module 120 may include a second interface 123a having a transmitter (TX) 123. It should be understood that although Figure 1 It is shown that the base station 110 includes a first interface 112a having a receiver (RX) 112, and the input module 120 includes a second interface 123a having a transmitter (TX) 123, but the base station 110 may include the first interface 112a having a transmitter, and the input module 120 may include the second interface 123a having a receiver. That is, the base station 110 may include the first interface 112a having a transceiver, and the input module 120 may include the second interface 123a having a transceiver corresponding to the transceiver of the base station. For example, the base station 110 may include a transceiver-receiver (RX) 112, and the input module 120 may include a corresponding transceiver-transmitter (TX) 123. The base station 110 may be configured to detect the configuration of at least one input module 120 in a manner that the receiver 112 of the base station 110 engages with the transmitter 123 of at least one input module 120. The engagement of the receiver 112 of the base station 110 with the second transmitter 123 of the input module 120 may include: the receiver 112 of the base station 110 is connected to the second transmitter 123 of the input module 120, thereby causing a first change in the first electromagnetic field in the transmitter 123 of at least one input module 120, so as to establish an electrical connection between the receiver 112 of the base station 110 and the transmitter 123 of at least one input module 120.

[0070] In various embodiments, the configuration of the at least one input module 120 may include a position and an orientation of the at least one input module 120. This may mean that the base station 110 may be configured to detect the position and orientation of the at least one input module 120 relative to the base station 110. Figure 2 As shown, input module 120 is positioned above base station 110 and oriented toward the upper left of base station 110. Thus, base station 110 may be configured to determine the physical layout of all connected input modules and the types of connected input modules.

[0071] According to various non-limiting embodiments, at least one input module 120 may include a factory default identifier, such as a serial number set by the factory that manufactured the input module 120 as the default identifier of the input module 120. A user of the system 100 may generate a user-customizable identifier and add the user-customizable identifier to at least one input module 120. In the event that a factory reset is required, the user may identify the input module 120 by the user-customizable identifier. The base station 110 may be configured to detect the configuration of the at least one input module 120 so as to detect the factory default identifier (and / or the user-customizable identifier) ​​of the at least one input module 120 in a manner that the receiver 112 of the base station 110 engages with the transmitter 123 of the at least one input module 120.

[0072] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the transmitter 123 of the at least one input module 120 may be configured to send an interrupt to the base station 110 to initiate polling of the at least one input module 120 by the base station 110. The base station 110 may be configured to interrupt the at least one input 120 to obtain a factory default identifier of the at least one input module 120. The base station 110 may be further configured to send configuration information of the at least one input module 120 (e.g., the location and orientation of the input module 120) to the at least one input module 120. The transmitter 123 of the at least one input module 120 may also receive detection and allocation commands from the base station 110, which respectively cause the transmitter 123 of the at least one input module 120 to detect a newly inserted adjacent input module, as described herein.

[0073] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the base station 110 may include a processor (not shown), a memory (not shown), and a wireless circuit 111. The at least one input module 120 may include a microcontroller / microprocessor (not shown) and a wireless circuit 121. The wireless circuit 111 of the base station may be configured to communicate wirelessly with the wireless circuit 121 of the at least one module 120 or to communicate with the at least one input module 120 via a wired connection. The microcontroller of the at least one input module 120 may process input events (e.g., button presses, dial turns / presses, slider positions, etc.) from a user and then send the data to the base station 110 (e.g., in real time or upon query). Additionally or alternatively, upon receiving a detection and assignment command from the base station 110, the microcontroller of the at least one input module 120 may cause the transmitter 123 of the at least one input module 120 to detect a newly inserted adjacent input module, as described herein.

[0074] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the base station 110 is further configured to communicate with a computing device to which the base station 110 is connected and to provide input from at least one input device 120 to the computing device. The base station 110 can be connected to the computing device via a hard-wired connection such as a USB cable. The connection can alternatively be a wireless connection implemented by any number of different types of short-range wireless connections, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, BLE, or NFC. The base station 110 can communicate with the computing device using various protocols, such as: CDC / ACM (Communication Device Class / Abstract Control Model), HID (Human Interface Device), and MIDI (Music Interface Digital Interface). The main module maintains communication via the CDC / ACM protocol and can switch modes between HID, MIDI, or CDC / ACM.

[0075] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the receiver 112 of the base station may include a reed switch, and the transmitter 123 of the at least one input module 120 may include a magnet, so that the receiver 112 of the base station 110 engages with the transmitter 123 of the at least one input module 120, thereby closing the reed switch. The reed switch may consist of two flat ferromagnetic reeds sealed in an inert gas within a glass capsule. In the presence of a magnetic field, the reeds may attract each other and close to complete the magnetic circuit and the electrical circuit.

[0076] Thus, the engagement of the receiver 112 of the base station 110 with the transmitter 123 of the at least one input module 120 may include: the reeds of the reed switch of the base station 110 (i.e., the receiver 112) are attracted to each other by the magnet of the at least one input module 120 (i.e., the transmitter 123) and closed to complete the magnetic circuit and the circuit so as to establish an electrical connection between the receiver 112 of the base station 110 and the transmitter 123 of the at least one input module 120. Therefore, the electromagnetic field (e.g., magnetic field) in the reed switch of the base station 110 (i.e., the receiver 112) may change due to the engagement of the receiver 112 of the base station 110 with the transmitter 123 of the at least one input module 120.

[0077] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the receiver 112 of the base station 110 may include a capacitive sensing (or capacitive sensing) receiver, and the transmitter 123 of the at least one input module 120 may include a capacitive sensing transmitter, such that the receiver 112 of the base station 110 engages with the transmitter 123 of the at least one input module 120, thereby causing a change in capacitance between the capacitive sensing receiver (i.e., the receiver 112) and the capacitive sensing transmitter (i.e., the transmitter 123). The capacitive sensor may be performing measurements to detect changes in capacitance between the capacitive sensing receiver and the transmitter.

[0078] Thus, the engagement of the receiver 112 of the base station 110 with the transmitter 123 of the at least one input module 120 may include: the capacitive sensing transmitter (i.e., transmitter 123) of the at least one input module 120 is placed near the capacitive sensing receiver (i.e., receiver 112) of the base station 110 and causes a capacitance change so as to establish an electrical connection between the receiver 112 of the base station 110 and the transmitter 123 of the at least one input module 120. Therefore, the electromagnetic field (e.g., electric field) in the capacitive sensing transmitter (i.e., transmitter 123) of the at least one input module 120 and / or the capacitive sensing receiver (i.e., receiver 112) of the base station 110 may change due to the engagement of the receiver 112 of the base station 110 with the transmitter 123 of the at least one input module 120.

[0079] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an example system 200 for providing input to a computing device according to various embodiments is shown. The system 200 may include the Figure 2 Features of the system 100 are described, and therefore, common features are labeled with the same reference numerals and need not be discussed.

[0080] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the first interface 112a of the base station 110 may further include a transmitter 113, and the second interface 123a of the at least one input module 120 may further include a receiver 122. Therefore, the first interface 112a of the base station 110 may include a pair of the receiver 112 and the transmitter 113, and the second interface 123a of the at least one input module 120 may include a pair of the receiver 122 and the transmitter 123.

[0081] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the base station 110 may be configured to detect the configuration of the at least one input module 120 in a manner that the transmitter 113 of the base station 110 engages with the receiver 122 of the at least one input module 120. The engagement of the transmitter 113 of the base station 110 with the receiver 122 of the input module 120 may include: the transmitter 113 of the base station 110 connects with the receiver 122 of the input module 120, thereby causing a second change in the second electromagnetic field in the transmitter 113 of the base station 110, so as to establish an electrical connection between the transmitter 113 of the base station 110 and the receiver 122 of the at least one input module 120.

[0082] In various embodiments, the first change in the first electromagnetic field in the second transmitter 123 of the at least one input module 120 may occur in a synchronized manner with the second change in the second electromagnetic field in the transmitter 113 of the base station 110. This may mean that when the at least one input module 120 is connected to the base module 110, the receiver 112 of the base station 110 engages with the transmitter 123 of the at least one input module 120 in a synchronized manner with the engagement of the transmitter 113 of the base station 110 with the receiver 122 of the at least one input module 120. In an alternative embodiment, when the at least one input module 120 is connected to the base module 110, the receiver 112 of the base station 110 engages with the transmitter 123 of the at least one input module 120 before or after the transmitter 113 of the base station 110 engages with the receiver 122 of the at least one input module 120.

[0083] Features described in the context of system 100 may be correspondingly applicable to the same or similar features in system 200. Moreover, additions and / or combinations and / or substitutions described for one feature in the context of system 100 may be correspondingly applicable to the same or similar features in system 200.

[0084] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an example system 300 for providing input to a computing device according to various embodiments is shown. The system 300 may include the Figure 2 and Figure 3 Features of the described systems 100, 200, therefore, common features are labeled with the same reference numerals and need not be discussed.

[0085] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the base station 110 may further include an additional interface 114a having an additional receiver 114 and an additional transmitter 115. The at least one input module may include a first input module 120 and a second input module 130, the first input module 120 having a second interface 123a, and the second input module 130 having a third interface 133a. The third interface 133a of the second input module 130 may include a receiver 132 and a transmitter 133. The base station 110 may be configured to detect the configuration of the first input module 120 through the first interface 112a of the base station, as described herein, and further configured to detect the configuration of the second input module 130 through the additional interface 114a of the base station 120.

[0086] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the base station 110 may be configured to detect the configuration of the second input module 130 in a manner that the additional receiver 114 of the base station 110 engages with the transmitter 133 of at least one input module 130. The engagement of the additional receiver 114 of the base station 110 with the transmitter 133 of the second input module 130 may include: the additional receiver 114 of the base station 110 is connected to the transmitter 133 of the input module 130, thereby causing a third change in the third electromagnetic field in the transmitter 133 of the second input module 130, so as to establish an electrical connection between the transmitter 133 of the second input module 130 and the additional receiver 114 of the base station 110.

[0087] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the base station 110 may be configured to detect the configuration of the second input module 130 in a manner that the additional transmitter 115 of the base station 110 engages with the receiver 132 of the second input module 130. The engagement of the additional transmitter 115 of the base station 110 with the receiver 132 of the second input module 130 may include: the additional transmitter 115 of the base station 110 connects with the receiver 132 of the input module 130, thereby causing a fourth change in a fourth electromagnetic field in the additional transmitter 115 of the base station 110, so as to establish an electrical connection between the receiver 132 of the second input module 130 and the additional transmitter 115 of the base station 110.

[0088] In various embodiments, the third change of the third electromagnetic field in the third transmitter 133 of the second input module 130 may occur in a synchronized manner with the fourth change of the fourth electromagnetic field in the additional transmitter 115 of the base station 110. This may mean that when the second input module 130 is connected to the base module 110, the additional receiver 114 of the base station 110 engages with the transmitter 133 of the second input module 130 in a synchronized manner with the engagement of the additional transmitter 115 of the base station 110 with the receiver 132 of the second input module 130. In an alternative embodiment, when the second input module 130 is connected to the base module 110, the additional receiver 115 of the base station 110 engages with the transmitter 133 of the second input module 130 before or after the additional transmitter 115 of the base station 110 engages with the receiver 132 of the second input module 130.

[0089] Features described in the context of systems 100 and 200 may be correspondingly applicable to the same or similar features in system 300. Moreover, additions and / or combinations and / or substitutions described for one feature in the context of systems 100 and 200 may be correspondingly applicable to the same or similar features in system 300.

[0090] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an example system 400 for providing input to a computing device according to various embodiments is shown. The system 400 may include the Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 3 Features of the described systems 100, 200, 300, therefore, common features are labeled with the same reference numerals and need not be discussed.

[0091] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the first input module 120 may further include an additional interface 125a having an additional transmitter 125 and an additional receiver 124, which are arranged at an edge of the first input module 120. The second input module 130 may further include an additional interface 135a having an additional transmitter 135 and an additional receiver 134, which are arranged at an edge of the second input module 130.

[0092] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the first input module 120 may have a rectangular, hexagonal, or square shape, and have a pair of transmitters and receivers arranged at each edge of the rectangular, hexagonal, or square shape, for example, the interface 123a has a transmitter 123 and a receiver 122, 125a has a transmitter 125 and a receiver 124, 127a has a transmitter 127 and a receiver 126, 129a has a transmitter 129 and a receiver 128, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 The base station 110 may be configured to detect the configuration of the first input module 120 through its interface, in that the base station 110 may be configured to detect the corresponding interface by detecting the receiver / transmitter of the corresponding interface engaged by the base station 120. Therefore, the base station 110 may be configured to detect the position and orientation of the input module 120 through its interface.

[0093] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the second input module 130 may be configured to be connected to the first input module 120 through the additional interface 125a of the first input module 120. Specifically, the transmitter 135 of the second input module 130 may be connected to the additional receiver 124 of the first input module 120, and the receiver 134 of the second input module 130 may be connected to the additional transmitter 125 of the first input module 120. The base station 110 may be configured to detect the configuration of the second input module 130 via the first input module 120. This may mean that the first input module may act as an intermediary, receiving signals / information from the second input module 130 and sending the signals / information to the base station 110, and receiving commands / information from the base station 110 and sending the commands / information to the second input module 130.

[0094] Features described in the context of systems 100, 200, 300 may be correspondingly applicable to the same or similar features in system 400. Moreover, additions and / or combinations and / or substitutions described for one feature in the context of systems 100, 200, 300 may be correspondingly applicable to the same or similar features in system 400.

[0095] Figure 6 Schematic diagrams of example input modules 120, 130 are shown in accordance with various embodiments.

[0096] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the input modules 120, 130 may include batteries 102, 103, respectively. The batteries 102, 103 may be built into at least one of the input modules and may be replaceable. The batteries 102, 103 may be further charged via wired charging, for example, via a power adapter, a USB port of a personal computer or laptop, or a power bank. The batteries 102, 103 may also be charged via wireless charging, for example, via Qi technology, Power Matters Alliance, proprietary inductive charging. Figure 6 The input modules 120 , 130 are shown to be placed on top of the wireless charging pad 620 , so wireless charging can be performed through the wireless charging pad 620 . Figure 6 It is also shown that the input module 120 can be charged by the power source 610 through wired charging, for example, through a wired connection between the input module 120 and the power source 610.

[0097] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the batteries 102, 103 of the input modules 120, 130 may include a battery management module. The battery management module of the batteries 102, 103 may be configured to shut down the batteries 102, 103, and thereby shut down the input modules 120, 130, to prevent connection failures during input module connection / disconnection. The battery management module of the batteries 102, 103 may be further configured to switch the input modules 120, 130 to a low-power transmission mode when the input modules 120, 130 are not in use (e.g., not connected to the base station 110 or connected but inactive) to save power, switch the input modules 120, 130 to a normal wireless pairing operation mode with data interaction, and switch to any other mode if designed. The battery management module of the batteries 102, 103 may also be configured to start charging when the state of charge of the batteries 102, 103 is about to reach a certain percentage (e.g., 10%, 5%) or less if power is available.

[0098] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of an example system 500 for providing input to a computing device according to various embodiments is shown. The system 500 may include the Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 Features of the described systems 100, 200, 400, therefore, common features are labeled with the same reference numerals and need not be discussed.

[0099] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the system 500 may include a base station 110, a first input module 120, and a second input module 130. The second input module 130 may be connected to the first input module 120 and configured to communicate with the base station 110 via the first input module 120. The base station 110 may be configured to detect the configuration of the first input module 120 in a manner that the receiver 112 of the base station 110 engages with the transmitter 123 of at least one input module 120. The base station 110 may be configured to detect the configuration of the second input module 130 via the first input module 120. This may mean that the first input module may act as an intermediary, receiving signals / information from the second input module 130 and sending the signals / information to the base station 110, and receiving commands / information from the base station 110 and sending the commands / information to the second input module 130.

[0100] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the first input module 120 may be configured to pair with the base station 110 to facilitate wireless communication. The pairing process may be performed after the detection process as described herein. The first input module 120 may be configured to pair with the base station 110 via short-range NFC, capacitive sensing, IRDA, etc. The base station 110 may be configured to obtain a factory default identifier and / or a user-customizable identifier from the first input module 120. The base station 110 may be configured to provide its identifier to the first input module 120 before or at the time of receiving the factory default identifier and / or user-customizable identifier from the first input module 120. This may mean that the base station 110 and the first input module 120 may exchange identifiers during the pairing process. When the pairing is completed, the first input module 120 may receive a pairing status from the base station 110, so that the two devices can be connected in the future without repeating the pairing process to confirm the device identity. After pairing, the first input module 120 may communicate with the base station 110 within the wireless range of the base station 110.

[0101] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the second input module 130 may be configured to pair with the base station through the first input module 120. This may mean that the first input module 120 may act as an intermediary, receiving a factory default identifier and / or a user customizable identifier of the second input module 130 from the second input module 130 and sending the factory default identifier and / or the user customizable identifier of the second input module 130 to the base station 110, and receiving an identifier of the base station 110 from the base station 110 and sending the identifier of the base station 110 to the second input module 130. When pairing is completed, the second input module 130 may receive a pairing status from the base station 110 via the first input module 120. After pairing, the second input module 130 may communicate with the base station 110 within the wireless range of the base station 110.

[0102] Features described in the context of systems 100, 200, 400 may be correspondingly applicable to the same or similar features in system 500. Moreover, additions and / or combinations and / or substitutions described for one feature in the context of systems 100, 200, 400 may be correspondingly applicable to the same or similar features in system 500.

[0103]

[0046] Methods for providing input to a computing device implemented in the systems of various embodiments will now be described. Figure 8 A flow chart illustrating a method 800 for providing input to a computing device according to various embodiments is shown. The method 800 may be implemented in the systems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500.

[0104] In step 801, method 800 may include detecting, by a base station, a configuration of at least one input module by engaging a receiver of the base station with a transmitter of the at least one input module, thereby causing a first change in a first electromagnetic field in the transmitter of the at least one input module to establish an electrical connection between the receiver of the base station and the transmitter of the at least one input module.

[0105] According to various non-limiting embodiments, method 800 may include sending an interrupt, by a transmitter of at least one input module, to a base station to initiate polling of the at least one input module.

[0106] According to various non-limiting embodiments, method 800 may include sending an interrupt by the base station to at least one input module to query an identifier of the at least one input module. The identifier of the at least one input module may include a factory default identifier, such as a serial number set by the factory that manufactured the input module as the default identifier of the input module. The identifier of the at least one input module may additionally or alternatively include a user-customizable identifier generated by a user of the system of various embodiments and added to the at least one input module.

[0107] According to various non-limiting embodiments, method 800 may include allocating, by the base station, the position and orientation information to the at least one input module.Method 800 may also include sending, by the base station, the position and orientation information of the at least one input module to the at least one input module.

[0108] According to various non-limiting embodiments, method 800 may include pairing at least one input module with a base station; and wirelessly communicating between the base station and the at least one input module. At least one input module may be placed on a pairing port of the base station for pairing with the base station, or paired with the base station via short-range NFC, capacitive sensing, IRDA, etc. After pairing, the at least one input module may communicate with the base station within the wireless range of the base station.

[0109] According to various non-limiting embodiments, method 800 may include detecting, by the base station, the configuration of the first input module through the second interface of the first input module, and performing pairing and wireless communication between the base station and the first input module. Method 800 may further include connecting the second input module to the first input module through the additional interface of the first input module; relaying, by the first input module, the signal / information from the second input module to the base station; and detecting, by the base station, the configuration of the second input module based on the signal / information relayed by the first input module. This may mean that the first input module may act as an intermediary, receiving signals / information from the second input module and sending the signals / information to the base station, and receiving commands / information from the base station and sending the commands / information to the second input module. Furthermore, method 800 may include performing pairing between the base station and the second input module through the first input module, and performing wireless communication and direct communication between the base station and the second input module after pairing.

[0110] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the receiver of the base station may include a magnet and the transmitter of at least one input module may include a reed switch, such that the receiver of the base station engages the transmitter of at least one input module, thereby closing the reed switch. The reed switch may consist of two flat ferromagnetic reeds sealed in an inert gas within a glass capsule. In the presence of a magnetic field, the reeds may attract each other and close to complete the magnetic circuit and the electrical circuit.

[0111] Thus, the engagement of the receiver of the base station with the transmitter of the at least one input module may include: the reeds of the reed switch of the base station (i.e., the transmitter) are attracted to each other by the magnet of the at least one input module (i.e., the receiver) and closed to complete the magnetic circuit and the circuit so as to establish an electrical connection between the receiver of the base station and the transmitter of the at least one input module. Therefore, the electromagnetic field (e.g., magnetic field) in the reed switch of the base station (i.e., the transmitter) may change due to the engagement of the receiver of the base station with the transmitter of the at least one input module.

[0112] According to various non-limiting embodiments, the receiver of the base station may include a capacitive sensing (or capacitive sensing) receiver, and the transmitter of the at least one input module may include a capacitive sensing transmitter, such that the receiver of the base station engages with the transmitter of the at least one input module, thereby causing a change in capacitance between the capacitive sensing receiver (i.e., receiver) and the transmitter (i.e., transmitter). The capacitive sensor may be performing measurements to detect changes in capacitance between the capacitive sensing receiver and the transmitter.

[0113] Thus, the engagement of the receiver of the base station with the transmitter of the at least one input module may include: the capacitive sensing transmitter (i.e., transmitter) of the at least one input module is placed near the capacitive sensing receiver (i.e., receiver) of the base station and causes a change in capacitance so as to establish an electrical connection between the receiver of the base station and the transmitter of the at least one input module. Thus, the electromagnetic field (e.g., electric field) in the capacitive sensing transmitter (i.e., transmitter) of the at least one input module and / or the capacitive sensing receiver (i.e., receiver) of the base station may change due to the engagement of the receiver of the base station with the transmitter of the at least one input module.

[0114] Although the above method is illustrated and described as a series of steps or events, it will be understood that any ordering of such steps or events should not be interpreted as having a restrictive meaning. For example, some steps may occur in different orders and / or occur simultaneously with other steps or events other than the steps or events illustrated and / or described herein. In addition, all illustrated steps will not be required to realize one or more aspects or embodiments described herein. Moreover, one or more steps described herein can be performed in one or more separate actions and / or stages.

[0115] Also provided is a computer program comprising instructions for causing the systems of various embodiments to perform the steps of method 800, as described herein, for example with reference to Fig. 9 described.

[0116] A computer readable medium is also provided on which a computer program of various embodiments is stored, as described herein for example with reference to Fig. 9 described.

[0117] Fig. 9900 is a block diagram of an example electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic device 900 may be a laptop, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a car computer, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, a server, or other electronic device capable of running computer applications. In some embodiments, the electronic device 900 includes a processor 902, an input / output (I / O) module 904, a memory 906, a power unit 908, and one or more network interfaces 910. The electronic device 900 may include additional components. In some embodiments, the processor 902, the input / output (I / O) module 904, the memory 906, the power unit 908, and the network interface 910 are housed together in a common housing or other array.

[0118] The example processor 902 can execute instructions, for example, to generate output data based on data input. Instructions may include programs, codes, scripts, modules, or other types of data stored in a memory (e.g., memory 906). Additionally or alternatively, instructions may be encoded as pre-programmed or reprogrammable logic circuits, logic gates, or other types of hardware or firmware components or modules. The processor 902 may be a multi-core processor with multiple cores, or may include a multi-core processor with multiple cores, and each such core may have an independent power domain and may be configured to enter and exit different operating or performance states based on workload. Additionally or alternatively, the processor 902 may be a general-purpose microprocessor as a dedicated coprocessor or another type of data processing device, or may include a general-purpose microprocessor as a dedicated coprocessor or another type of data processing device. In some cases, the processor 902 performs high-level operations of the electronic device 900. For example, the processor 902 may be configured to execute or interpret software, scripts, programs, functions, executable files, or other instructions stored in the memory 906.

[0119] An example I / O module 904 may include a mouse, keyboard, touch screen, scanner, optical reader, and / or stylus (or other input device) through which a user of the electronic device 900 may provide input to the electronic device 900, and may also include one or more speakers for providing audio output and a video display device for providing text, audiovisual, and / or graphical output.

[0120] The example memory 906 may include a computer-readable storage medium, such as a volatile memory device, a non-volatile memory device, or both. The memory 906 may include one or more read-only memory devices, random access memory devices, buffer memory devices, or a combination of these and other types of memory devices. In some cases, one or more components of the memory may be integrated or otherwise associated with additional components of the electronic device 900. The memory 906 may store instructions that can be executed by the processor 902. In some examples, the memory 906 may store instructions for an operating system 912 and instructions for an application 914. The memory 906 may also store a database 916.

[0121] The example power unit 908 provides power to other components of the electronic device 900. For example, other components can operate based on power provided by the power unit 908 through a voltage bus or other connection. In some embodiments, the power unit 908 includes a battery or battery system, such as a rechargeable battery. In some embodiments, the power unit 908 includes an adapter (e.g., an AC adapter) that receives an external power signal (from an external source) and converts the external power signal into an internal power signal regulated for the components of the electronic device 900. The power unit 908 may include other components or operate in other ways.

[0122] The electronic device 900 may be configured to operate in a wireless, wired, or cloud network environment (or a combination thereof). In some embodiments, the electronic device 900 may access a network using (multiple) network interfaces 910. The (multiple) network interfaces 910 may include one or more adapters, modems, connectors, jacks, terminals, ports, slots, etc. The wireless network accessed by the electronic device 900 may operate, for example, according to a wireless network standard or another type of wireless communication protocol. For example, the wireless network may be configured to operate as a wireless local area network (WLAN), a personal area network (PAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), or another type of wireless network. Examples of WLANs include networks configured to operate according to one or more standards in the 802.11 series of standards developed by the IEEE (e.g., Wi-Fi networks), etc. Examples of PANs include networks configured to operate according to short-range communication standards (e.g., The wired network accessed by the electronic device 900 may include, for example, Ethernet, SONET, a circuit switching network (for example, using components such as SS7, cables, etc.), etc.

[0123] Some of the themes and operations described in this specification may be implemented in digital electronic circuits, or in computer software, firmware or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or a combination of one or more of them. Some of the themes described in this specification may be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions, which are encoded on a computer storage medium for execution by a data processing device or for controlling the operation of a data processing device. A computer storage medium may be or may be included in a computer-readable storage device, a computer-readable storage substrate, a random or serial access memory array or device, or a combination of one or more of them. In addition, although a computer storage medium is not a propagation signal, a computer storage medium may be a source or destination of computer program instructions encoded in an artificially generated propagation signal. A computer storage medium may also be one or more separate physical components or media (e.g., multiple CDs, disks or other storage devices) or be included in one or more separate physical components or media.

[0124] Some of the operations described in this specification can be implemented as operations performed by a data processing apparatus on data stored on one or more computer-readable storage devices or received from other sources.

[0125] The term "data processing apparatus" covers all types of apparatus, devices and machines for processing data, including, for example, a programmable processor, a computer, a system on a chip, or multiple or combinations of the foregoing. The apparatus may include dedicated logic circuits, such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). In addition to hardware, the apparatus may also include code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, for example, code constituting processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, a cross-platform operating environment, a virtual machine, or a combination of one or more thereof.

[0126] A computer program (also referred to as a program, software, software application, script, or code) may be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, declarative or procedural languages, and it may be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. A program may be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, subroutines, or portions of code). A computer program may be deployed to execute on one computer, or on multiple computers located at one site or distributed over multiple sites and interconnected by a communications network.

[0127] Some of the processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform actions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by special purpose logic circuits (e.g., FPGA (field programmable gate array) or ASIC (application specific integrated circuit)), and the device can also be implemented as a special purpose logic circuit.

[0128] Although the present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent meaning and scope of the claims are therefore intended to be covered.

Claims

1. A system for providing input to a computing device, comprising: A base station, wherein the base station comprises a first interface having a transceiver; and at least one input module, the at least one input module being configured to be connected to the base station, wherein the at least one input module comprises a second interface corresponding to a transceiver of the base station, The base station is configured to detect the configuration of the at least one input module by engaging the transceiver of the base station with the transceiver of the at least one input module, thereby causing a first change in the first electromagnetic field in the transceiver of the at least one input module and / or the transceiver of the base station so as to establish an electrical connection between the transceiver of the base station and the transceiver of the at least one input module.

2. The system according to claim 1, in, the transceiver of the base station is a receiver and the transceiver of the at least one input module is a transmitter, wherein the first interface of the base station further comprises a transmitter, and the second interface of the at least one input module further comprises a receiver, Wherein, the base station is further configured to detect the configuration of the at least one input module, and the detection method is that the transmitter of the base station engages with the receiver of the at least one input module, thereby causing a second change in the second electromagnetic field in the transmitter of the base station and / or the receiver of the at least one input module, so as to establish an additional electrical connection between the transmitter of the base station and the receiver of the at least one input module.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein: The at least one input module further comprises an additional interface having an additional transmitter and an additional receiver, wherein the additional transmitter and the additional receiver are arranged at an edge of the at least one input module, so that the base station is configured to detect the configuration of the at least one input module through its interface.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein: The at least one input module has a rectangular, hexagonal or square shape and has additional interfaces of transmitters and receivers arranged at each edge of the rectangular, hexagonal or square shape.

5. The system according to claim 3, in, The at least one input module comprises a first input module and a second input module, the first input module having the second interface and an additional interface, the second input module having a third interface, The base station is configured to detect the configuration of the first input module through the second interface of the first input module, The second input module is configured to be connected to the first input module through an additional interface of the first input module, and the base station is configured to detect the configuration of the second input module via the first input module.

6. The system according to claim 2, in, The base station further comprises an additional interface, the additional interface having an additional transmitter and an additional receiver, and the at least one input module comprises a first input module and a second input module, the first input module having the second interface, and the second input module having a third interface, The base station is configured to detect the configuration of the first input module through the first interface of the base station, The base station is configured to detect the configuration of the second input module through an additional interface of the base station.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The receiver of the base station includes a reed switch and the transmitter of the at least one input module includes a magnet such that the receiver of the base station engages the transmitter of the at least one input module, thereby closing the reed switch.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The receiver of the base station includes a capacitive sensing receiver, and the transmitter of the at least one input module includes a capacitive sensing transmitter, such that the receiver of the base station engages with the transmitter of the at least one input module, thereby causing a change in capacitance between the capacitive sensing receiver and the transmitter.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The base station is further configured to pair with the at least one input module, and wherein, after pairing, the base station is configured to wirelessly communicate with the at least one input module.

10. The system according to claim 9, in, The at least one input module comprises a first input module and a second input module, the first input module having the second interface and an additional interface, and the second input module having a third interface, The base station is configured to detect the configuration of the first input module through the second interface of the first input module, and is further configured to pair with the first input module and perform wireless communication. The second input module is configured to be connected to the first input module through an additional interface of the first input module, and the base station is configured to detect the configuration of the second input module via the first input module.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one input module includes a built-in wireless or wired rechargeable battery.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein: The at least one input module includes a factory default identifier, and a user customizable identifier can be added to the at least one input module.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein: The configuration of the at least one input module includes a position and an orientation of the at least one input module.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein: The transmitter of the at least one input module is configured to send an interrupt to the base station to start polling the at least one input module.

15. A method implemented in the system according to claim 1, comprising: The configuration of the at least one input module is detected by the base station by engaging the transceiver of the base station with the transceiver of the at least one input module, thereby causing a first change in a first electromagnetic field in the transceiver of the at least one input module and / or the transceiver of the base station to establish an electrical connection between the transceiver of the base station and the transceiver of the at least one input module.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: An interrupt is sent by the transceiver of the at least one input module to the base station to start polling the at least one input module.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: An interrupt is sent by the base station to the at least one input module to query an identifier of the at least one input module.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: Position and orientation information is distributed by the base station to the at least one input module.

19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: pairing the at least one input module with the base station; as well as Wireless communication is performed between the base station and the at least one input module.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein: The at least one input module comprises a first input module and a second input module, the first input module having a second interface and an additional interface, and the second input module having a third interface, The method further comprises: Detecting, by the base station, the configuration of the first input module through the second interface of the first input module; Pairing and wireless communication between the base station and the first input module; connecting the second input module to the first input module via the additional interface of the first input module; relaying, by the first input module, signals / information from the second input module to the base station; and The configuration of the second input module is detected by the base station based on the signal / information relayed by the first input module.

21. A computer program comprising instructions for causing the system of claim 1 to perform the steps of the method of claim 15.

22. A computer readable medium having stored thereon the computer program of claim 21.

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