Wireless input device, wireless input system and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a wireless input device, a wireless input system and a control method thereof. The wireless input device comprises a wireless transceiver and a processor. The wireless transceiver communicates with the receiving device through a wireless communication protocol. The processor is coupled to the wireless transceiver. The processor controls the wireless transceiver to periodically enable the wireless transceiver to enter a signal transmission state so as to transmit a signal to be transmitted to a specific frequency band corresponding to a wireless communication protocol, and a first time interval exists between the signal transmission states; and periodically enabling the wireless transceiver to enter a listening state so as to obtain a received signal from a specific frequency band, the operation time of the signal transmission state and the operation time of the listening state are separated from each other, and a second time interval exists between the listening states.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a control technology for a wireless input device, and more particularly to a wireless input device, a wireless input system, and a control method for the wireless input device. Background Technology

[0002] Thanks to technological advancements, the transmission technology between computer devices and peripherals has gradually progressed from wired to wireless transmission. In many situations, such as when presenting a presentation by projecting the computer screen onto a projector, it is more convenient to control the computer device or remotely input information using a presentation pen or related wireless input devices (such as a wireless mouse, wireless keyboard, etc.).

[0003] To enable continuous communication between the presentation pen and a remote computer device, the pen continuously listens and transmits information on the frequency band of the wireless communication protocol. However, this increases the pen's power consumption. Because presentation pens and related input devices are designed to be slim and lightweight, their lithium-ion batteries have limited capacity. A more power-efficient operating method would extend the pen's operating time. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates to a wireless input device, a wireless input system, and a control method thereof, which reduces the power consumption of the wireless input device by periodically putting it into a listening state, rather than having it in a listening state all the time.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a wireless input device includes a wireless transceiver and a processor. The wireless transceiver communicates with a receiving device via a wireless communication protocol. The processor is coupled to the wireless transceiver. The processor controls the wireless transceiver to: periodically enter a signal transmission state to transmit a signal to be transmitted to a specific frequency band corresponding to the wireless communication protocol, wherein a first time interval exists between the signal transmission states; and periodically enter a listening state to obtain a received signal from the specific frequency band, wherein the operation times of the signal transmission state and the listening state are separated from each other, and a second time interval exists between the listening states.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a remote input system includes a receiving device and a wireless input device. The receiving device is coupled to a host. The wireless input device communicates with the receiving device via a wireless communication protocol. The wireless input device is configured to: periodically enter a signal transmission state to transmit a signal to be transmitted to a specific frequency band corresponding to the wireless communication protocol, wherein a first time interval exists between the signal transmission states; and periodically enter a listening state to obtain a received signal from the specific frequency band, wherein the operation times of the signal transmission state and the listening state are separated from each other, and a second time interval exists between the listening states.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a control method for a wireless input device is provided. The wireless input device communicates with a receiving device via a wireless communication protocol. The control method includes: periodically putting the wireless input device into a signal transmission state to transmit a signal to be transmitted to a specific frequency band corresponding to the wireless communication protocol, wherein a first time interval exists between the signal transmission states; and periodically putting the wireless input device into a listening state to obtain a received signal from the specific frequency band, wherein the operation times of the signal transmission state and the listening state are separated from each other, and a second time interval exists between the listening states.

[0008] Based on the above, the wireless input device, wireless input system, and control method described in this embodiment of the invention enter a listening state by periodically listening to a specific frequency band corresponding to a wireless communication protocol, with a time interval (e.g., 15ms) between two listening states. On the other hand, the receiving device also repeatedly issues commands multiple times in response to the listening state of the wireless input device until it receives a second feedback signal from the wireless input device. Therefore, the power consumption of the wireless input device can be reduced without affecting the communication between the wireless input device and the receiving device. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a system block diagram of a wireless input device, a receiving device, and a host according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the state of a wireless input device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the state of a wireless input device and a receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a control method for a wireless input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0013] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same element references are used in the drawings and description to denote identical or similar components.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a system block diagram of a wireless input device 100, a receiving device 107, and a host 105 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless input device 100 in this embodiment can be a presentation pen, a wireless mouse, or a corresponding remote input device. The wireless input device 100 and the receiving device 107 can be collectively referred to as a wireless input system.

[0015] The receiver 107, paired with the wireless input device 100, is connected to the host 105 via a bus interface 109. The host 105 is, for example, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a computer device connected to a projector, etc. The receiver 107 can be a wireless communication adapter (dongle) corresponding to the wireless input device 100. The bus interface 109 can be a Universal Serial Bus interface device, such as a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 interface device. In this embodiment, the wireless communication used between the receiver 107 and the wireless input device 100 is RF 2.4G as an example. Users of this embodiment can also use other wireless communication technologies, such as Wi-Fi or wireless communication protocols with specific frequency bands. The wireless transceiver in the receiver 107 communicates with the wireless transceiver 120 in the wireless input device 100 via the aforementioned wireless communication protocol.

[0016] The wireless input device 100 mainly includes a processor 110, a wireless transceiver 120, and a battery module 140. The wireless transceiver 120 and the wireless transceiver in the receiver 107 use the same wireless communication protocol to communicate with each other. The battery module 140 can be a lithium battery or other batteries that can be used as a power source. The wireless input device 100 of this embodiment is mainly used as a presentation pen or a device that allows the user to hold it for extended periods; therefore, its battery module 140 has a relatively small battery capacity.

[0017] The wireless input device 100 may also include multiple buttons 130, a charger 150, a sensor 160, and an LED 170. The charger 150 can charge the battery module 140 via an external AC adapter. The sensor 160 may be an infrared sensor used to detect whether a user is holding the wireless input device 100, thereby enabling corresponding operations (e.g., putting the wireless input device 100 into power-saving mode, etc.). The LED 170 may have multiple colors to indicate the operating status of the wireless input device 100, such as power-saving mode, normal operation mode, normal remote connection mode, connection failure mode, etc.

[0018] Generally, when the wireless input device 100 and the receiver 107 communicate with each other, both remain in a listening state for extended periods to receive data, signals, or responses from the other party via the frequency band corresponding to the aforementioned wireless communication protocol. The receiver 107 has relatively little concern regarding power consumption because its power source is the host 105, which typically has a stable power source (e.g., a large-capacity battery or direct AC power). In contrast, the wireless input device 100, which is normally in a listening state, does consume power, but the battery module 140 in the wireless input device 100 has a small capacity. Experiments have shown that the power consumption of the wireless input device 100 in the listening state may account for 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of its total power consumption.

[0019] This embodiment of the invention saves power by periodically putting the wireless input device 100 into a listening state (also known as an RX state), with a fixed time interval between two RX states. On the other hand, it also periodically puts the wireless input device 100 into a signal transmission state (also known as a TX state), with a fixed time interval between two TX states.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the state of a wireless input device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 The arrow indicating the TX state of the wireless input device 100 is the first signal transmission terminal PTX. The first signal transmission terminal PTX is also... Figure 1 Operation of the signal transmission end in the wireless transceiver 120 of the wireless input device 100 (XS). Figure 2 The arrow indicating the RX status of the wireless input device 100 is the first signal receiver PRX. The first signal receiver PRX is also... Figure 1 Operation of the signal receiving end in the wireless transceiver 120 of the wireless input device 100.

[0021] Figure 2 middle, Figure 1 Processor 110 controls wireless transceiver 120 to periodically put the first signal transmission terminal PTX into signal transmission state TXS. In signal transmission state TXS, Figure 1 Processor 110 can transmit the signal to be transmitted to a specific frequency band corresponding to the wireless communication protocol via wireless transceiver 120, allowing... Figure 1 Receiver 107 receives. Figure 2There is a first time interval TP1 between the two signal transmission states TXS. In this embodiment, the first time interval TP1 is set to 10ms. Users of this embodiment can adjust the length of the first time interval TP1 according to their needs. For example, it can be selected as the first time interval TP1 between 10ms and 15ms.

[0022] Figure 2 middle, Figure 1 Processor 110 controls wireless transceiver 120 to periodically put the first signal receiver PRX into listening state RXS1. In listening state RXS1, Figure 1 The processor 110 can receive signals from a specific frequency band corresponding to a wireless communication protocol via the wireless transceiver 120. Figure 2 The operation times of the signal transmission state TXS and the listening state RXS1 are separated, that is, Figure 1 The wireless input device 100 will not simultaneously enter the signal transmission state TXS and the listening state RXS1. Figure 2 A second time interval TP2 exists between the two listening states RXS1. In this embodiment, the second time interval TP2 is set to 15ms. Users of this embodiment can adjust the second time interval TP2 to 15ms according to their needs; for example, it can be selected as the second time interval TP2 between 10ms and 15ms.

[0023] Experiments showed that setting the second time interval TP2 between 10ms and 15ms resulted in the best power saving effect for the wireless input device 100, reducing power consumption by approximately 39%. Setting the second time interval TP2 above 15ms may lead to data loss during wireless transmission.

[0024] Figure 2 In this embodiment, the operating time of the signal transmission state TXS and the listening state RXS1 is 0.8ms. The fixed operating times corresponding to the signal transmission state TXS and the listening state RXS1 of the wireless input device 100 can be different. Users of this embodiment can adjust the operating times of the signal transmission state TXS and the listening state RXS1 according to their needs. For example, the operating time of the TX state in the wireless input device 100 can be set to 1ms, and the operating time of the RX state in the wireless input device 100 can be set to 0.8ms.

[0025] Because it enters the signal transmission state TXS periodically, Figure 1The wireless input device 100 integrates the data required to be provided to the receiving device 107 in each first time interval TP1 into a datagram DP. In this embodiment, the capacity of the datagram DP is designed so that it can be transmitted within the operating time of the signal transmission state TXS (e.g., 0.8 ms). The content of the datagram DP may be... Figure 1 The data packet DP may contain signals corresponding to one or more buttons 130, or signals corresponding to combination buttons (e.g., two buttons pressed simultaneously). The data packet DP may also contain the cursor's coordinates, commands issued to the receiving device 107 (e.g., ...). Figure 2 Commands such as CMD1, etc.

[0026] Figure 1 In the signal transmission state TXS, the wireless transceiver 120 in the wireless input device 100 transmits data packets DP to the receiving device 107, and in the listening state RXS1 (e.g., Figure 2 In the listening state (RFB11), a first feedback signal is received from the receiving device 107. On the other hand, when Figure 1 After the wireless transceiver 120 in the wireless input device 100 receives a command from the receiving device 107 in the listening state RXS1 (e.g., Figure 2 Command receiving status RCMD1 in the command reception system. Figure 1 The processor 110 responds to the receiver 107 via the wireless transceiver 120 with a second feedback signal FB2 after the command receiving state RCMD1.

[0027] If, during a certain first time interval TP1, no button 130 is pressed and no other command is requested from... Figure 1 If the wireless input device 100 transmits to the receiving device 107... Figure 1 The wireless input device 100 may not transmit data in the signal transmission state TXS (e.g., Figure 2 Empty data state (NU).

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the state of a wireless input device 100 and a receiving device 107 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 The arrow indicating the TX status of the receiving device 107 is labeled as the second signal transmission terminal DTX. The second signal transmission terminal DTX is also... Figure 1 Operation of the signal transmission end in the wireless transceiver of the receiving device 107. Figure 3 The arrow indicating the RX status of the receiving device 107 is labeled as the second signal receiver DRX. The second signal receiver DRX is also... Figure 1 Operation of the signal receiving end in the wireless transceiver of the receiving device 107. Figure 3 Below Figure 1 The wireless input device 100 in the wireless state PRF. The wireless state PRF displays... Figure 1 Whether the wireless input device 100 is in "power saving" or "operating" during the first to third states ST1~ST3.

[0029] This embodiment utilizes Figure 3 There are three scenarios. Scenario ST1 is that the wireless input device 100 transmits the aforementioned data packet DP to the receiving device 107. The data in the data packet DP mainly includes the corresponding signal of a pressed key, or the corresponding signal related to a combination of multiple keys, or the coordinate position or displacement information of the cursor, etc. In Scenario ST1, the wireless input device 100 enters the signal transmission state TXS to transmit the data packet DP to a specific frequency band of the wireless communication protocol. The receiving device 107 receives the data packet DP at its second signal receiving terminal DRX and transmits the first feedback signal FB1 to the aforementioned specific frequency band at its second signal transmission terminal DTX. The wireless input device 100, through the listening state RXS1 (e.g., ...), ... Figure 2 The listening state (RFB11) receives the first feedback signal FB1 from the receiving device 107.

[0030] The second scenario ST2 is that the receiving device 107 wants to transmit the command CMD to the wireless input device 100. When the receiving device 107 wants to send the command CMD to the wireless input device 100, the receiving device 107 will transmit this command multiple times to a specific frequency band. For example, the receiving device 107 will repeatedly send the command N times to the specific frequency band within 15ms (N is a positive integer, and in this embodiment, N is set to 4), and the receiving device 107 will also be in a listening state RXS2. The number of times the command CMD is sent (and "N") can be adjusted according to the settings of the user of this embodiment. For example, the command can be repeatedly sent 3 times or 10 times.

[0031] If the receiving device 107 does not receive the second feedback signal FB2 from the wireless input device 100 after issuing four commands, it will issue four more commands after a predetermined period of time (e.g., 10ms) in the hope that the wireless input device 100 will receive the aforementioned commands.

[0032] At Figure 3 In the second situation ST2, when Figure 1 After the wireless transceiver 120 in the wireless input device 100 receives a command from the receiving device 107 in the listening state RXS1 (e.g., Figure 3 Command receiving status RCMD1 in the command reception system. Figure 1The processor 110 will respond to the receiver 107 via the wireless transceiver 120 with a second feedback signal FB2 after the command receive state RCMD1. The receiver 107 will respond in the listening state RXS2 (e.g., Figure 3 The listening state RFB2 receives the second feedback signal FB2.

[0033] The third situation ST2 is Figure 1 The wireless input device 100 has no data to transmit to the receiving device 107. If, during a certain first time interval TP1, no button 130 is pressed and no other command is requested, then... Figure 1 If the wireless input device 100 transmits to the receiving device 107... Figure 1 The wireless input device 100 may not transmit data in the signal transmission state TXS (e.g., Figure 3 The empty data state NU). At this time, since data transmission is not required in the signal transmission state TXS, Figure 1 The wireless input device 100 can disable the wireless transceiver 120 in the signal transmission state TXS to save power.

[0034] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a control method for a wireless input device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 The control method can be applied to the aforementioned Figure 1 The wireless input device 100 is used in step S410. Periodically, the wireless input device 100 is used in step S410. Figure 1 The wireless input device 100 enters a signal transmission state to transmit the signal to be transmitted to a specific frequency band corresponding to the wireless communication protocol. A first time interval exists between the aforementioned signal transmission states. In step S420, the signal is periodically... Figure 1 The wireless input device 100 enters a listening state to receive signals from the aforementioned specific frequency band. The operation times of the aforementioned signal transmission state and the aforementioned listening state are separated from each other. A second time interval exists between the aforementioned listening states. Figure 4 The implementation details of the control method can be found in the foregoing embodiments.

[0035] In summary, the wireless input device, wireless input system, and control method described in this embodiment of the invention enter a listening state by periodically listening to a specific frequency band corresponding to a wireless communication protocol, with a time interval (e.g., 15ms) between two listening states. On the other hand, the receiving device also repeatedly issues commands multiple times in response to the listening state of the wireless input device until it receives a second feedback signal from the wireless input device. Therefore, the power consumption of the wireless input device can be reduced without affecting the communication between the wireless input device and the receiving device.

[0036] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wireless input device, characterized in that, include: A wireless transceiver communicates with a receiving device via a wireless communication protocol. as well as The processor, coupled to the wireless transceiver, The processor controls the wireless transceiver to: The wireless transceiver is periodically put into a signal transmission state to transmit the signal to be transmitted to a specific frequency band corresponding to the wireless communication protocol, wherein there is a first time interval between the signal transmission states. as well as The system periodically enters a listening state to obtain a received signal from the specific frequency band, wherein the operation time of the signal transmission state and the listening state are separated from each other, and the listening states are separated by a second time interval.

2. The wireless input device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wireless transceiver transmits data packets to the receiving device in the signal transmission state, and obtains a first feedback signal from the receiving device through the listening state.

3. The wireless input device according to claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: At least one button, coupled to the processor, When the at least one button is pressed, a corresponding signal is generated. The data packet includes signals corresponding to one or more keys. Furthermore, when at least one button is not pressed, the processor does not transmit data in the signal transmission state.

4. The wireless input device according to claim 1, characterized in that, After the wireless transceiver receives a command from the receiving device in the listening state, the processor responds to the receiving device with a second feedback signal via the wireless transceiver.

5. The wireless input device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The receiving device repeatedly sends the command N times to the specific frequency band, and the receiving device determines whether it receives the second feedback signal from the wireless input device. When it is determined that the second feedback signal has not been received, the receiving device will repeatedly send the command N times to the specific frequency band after a predetermined period of time.

6. The wireless input device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first time interval is between 10ms and 15ms, and the second time interval is between 10ms and 15ms.

7. A remote input system, characterized in that, include: The receiving device is coupled to the host unit; as well as The wireless input device communicates with the receiving device via a wireless communication protocol. The wireless input device is configured to: The signal transmission state is periodically entered to transmit the signal to be transmitted to a specific frequency band corresponding to the wireless communication protocol, wherein there is a first time interval between the signal transmission states. as well as The system periodically enters a listening state to obtain a received signal from the specific frequency band, wherein the operation time of the signal transmission state and the listening state are separated from each other, and the listening states are separated by a second time interval.

8. The remote input system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The wireless input device transmits data packets to the receiving device in the signal transmission state, and obtains a first feedback signal from the receiving device through the listening state.

9. The remote input system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The wireless input device further includes at least one button, which generates a corresponding signal when pressed, and the data packet includes signals corresponding to one or more buttons.

10. The remote input system according to claim 9, characterized in that, When at least one button is not pressed, the wireless input device does not transmit data in the signal transmission state.

11. The remote input system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The receiving device will repeatedly send the command N times to a specific frequency band corresponding to the wireless communication protocol, and the receiving device will determine whether to receive a second feedback signal from the wireless input device. When it is determined that the second feedback signal has not been received, the receiving device will repeatedly send the command N times to the specific frequency band after a predetermined period of time.

12. The remote input system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first time interval is between 10ms and 15ms, and the second time interval is between 10ms and 15ms.

13. A control method for a wireless input device, wherein the wireless input device communicates with a receiving device via a wireless communication protocol, characterized in that, The control method includes: The wireless input device is periodically put into a signal transmission state to transmit a signal to be transmitted to a specific frequency band corresponding to the wireless communication protocol, wherein a first time interval exists between the signal transmission states; and The wireless input device is periodically put into a listening state to obtain a received signal from the specific frequency band, wherein the operation time of the signal transmission state and the listening state are separated from each other, and a second time interval is provided between the listening states.

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