Wireless HID Coordination for Multi-Device Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless human interface devices (HIDs) like keyboards and mice, which are Bluetooth-enabled, face challenges in seamlessly switching between multiple computing devices without the need for physical connections, which can drain battery life by maintaining active wireless channels unnecessarily.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for coordinating wireless HIDs, allowing them to establish and manage wireless communication paths between each other and computing devices, enabling them to toggle between active and inactive states to conserve power and switch between connected devices efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless HIDs maintain active wireless channels to multiple computing devices, then device switching capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the state of wireless channels between active and inactive based on current operational needs. When a HID is connected to multiple computing devices, the system activates only the necessary wireless channel for current communication while keeping others inactive, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to switch between devices as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic activation of wireless channels rather than continuous activation. Wireless channels are activated only when data transmission is required and deactivated during idle periods, allowing the HID to maintain connectivity to multiple devices without continuously consuming power across all channels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless HIDs connect to multiple computing devices simultaneously, then versatility is improved, but coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a coordination mechanism that acts as an intermediary between multiple HIDs and computing devices. This coordination layer manages channel activation, monitors active connections, and ensures that when one HID switches devices, other HIDs are appropriately notified and adjust their connections accordingly, simplifying the overall coordination complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where HIDs communicate their active connection status to the coordination system, which then provides feedback to other HIDs about current device assignments. This feedback loop enables automatic coordination of device switching without requiring complex manual management of each HID's connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A method relating to wireless human interface device (HID) coordination is disclosed. A first human interface device (HID) is wirelessly coupled to two or more computing devices, wherein the first HID is configured to toggle between interactions with each of the two or more computing devices. An inquiry or paging message is broadcast to one or more HIDs, including a second HID wirelessly coupled to the two or more computing devices, wherein the second HID is configured to receive and provide a response to the inquiry or paging message. The second HID is located based on the response to the inquiry or paging message. A wireless link is established between the first HID and the second HID based on the locating, wherein the first HID is configured to coordinate, via the wireless link, interactions with the two or more computing devices by both the first HID and the second HID based on the toggle.