TWI454929B - Wireless communications system, method of transferring pairing between wireless devices and non-transitory computer readable medium for storing computer code executable by processor at host device for transferring pairing between wireless devices - Google Patents

Description

Wireless communication system, method for transferring pairing between wireless devices, and non-transitory computer readable medium for storing computer code executable by a processor on the first host device for transferring pairing between wireless devices

The present invention relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to pairing between an accessory device and a host device that are executed for wireless communication.

Recent technological advances have led to the proliferation of computers, electronic devices, and associated accessory devices and peripheral devices that are suitable for interconnection and communication. Although many of the connections and communications between these devices and the accessory devices are made via wired connections, such connections and communications between the devices are increasingly being performed wirelessly. Examples of "host" devices for such wireless communication may include devices such as personal computers, mobile phones, laptops, and tablets, and examples of "accessories" or peripheral devices may include headphones, wireless. Auxiliary or peripheral devices such as headphones, keyboards, mice, printers, and various other Human Interface (HI) devices. The ability of such devices to communicate wirelessly brings many advantages and conveniences to users and consumers, and thus an increase in the amount of wireless communication between devices in the future will be inevitable.

One type of program that is ubiquitous in such wireless communication configurations is the connection or paring of the various devices. Pairing is a program that is used to associate a wireless accessory or peripheral device with a wireless host device. Pairing ensures that the data being transmitted is not only secure, but is also transmitted between the appropriate devices. For example, a particular pairing can be used to associate or reverse the association of a particular headset or headset with a particular mobile phone. Another example may include pairing a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse to a particular computer or other host device. The pairing typically provides for secure data transfer between the devices using encryption.

While pairing may sometimes require the user to manually enter a person's pin code or other identification code to pair a host device with an accessory device, many of the pairings between devices now use, for example, Bluetooth. A more streamlined procedure such as the Secure Simple Paring protocol required by devices in versions 2.1 and later. Such examples may involve "just works" type devices, such as earphones for mobile phones and devices for computers such as wireless mice and keyboards. In other cases, the user may not need to enter a personal identification number or take other actions, as proprietary information exchange may also assist in pairing. In such a case, it is sufficient that a wireless accessory device only has to input the distance of the wireless host device it can pair with. This streamlined program enables many users and consumers to have a more convenient and user-friendly experience.

In many such simplified examples, a wireless accessory device that has not been paired with a host device is placed in a "search" mode in which the wireless accessory device actively searches for a pairable host device. Thus, when the accessory device first enters an appropriate host device range, the host device is first discovered, and when paired with the host device for the first time, the pairing procedure is typically triggered automatically. During the pairing procedure, the two devices involved establish a relationship by generating a shared key or a link key. Once a unique link key has been stored by the two devices, the two devices are now paired. A device that only wants to communicate with an already paired device can cryptographically identify the identity of another device to determine that the other device is the same device that has been previously paired. Once a link key has been generated, the authenticated link between one of the devices can be encrypted so that the data exchanged via the airwaves is not subject to eavesdropping or other unauthorized communications.

Once a pair has been established, the devices will remember the pairings and will therefore be connected to each other without further intervention by the user. In fact, pairing of wireless devices will typically be maintained for a relatively long period of time, even for an indefinite period of time. The user can manually terminate the pairing relationship afterwards as needed. Moreover, removal of one of the devices from the wireless range of the other device may also facilitate termination of a pairing relationship. In these examples, any device can delete the link key at any time. If any device performs a delete of the link key, the pairing between the devices will be implicitly removed.

Unfortunately, the promotion of pairing between wireless devices has been streamlined to the potential for unpairing of paired devices in some situations. The above-mentioned troubles usually occur when a particular accessory device is a simplified device without a display, or a simplified device with an easy-to-understand unpairing procedure. In these situations, when a pair is transferred to another host device, or when the accessory device is unpaired from the currently paired host device, it may be necessary to isolate the devices until the devices are in a certain period of time. Exceeding each other's wireless range, the simpler accessory will eventually re-enter the search mode for another host device. Other inconvenient solutions that cause the pairing of wireless accessory devices to be changed may include: turning off one or more devices; or unpairing the accessory device and reassigning the new pairing with excessive manual intervention.

While many of the designs and techniques used to provide pairing between wireless host devices and accessory devices have generally worked well in the past, it would never be desirable to provide improvements to such wireless systems and pairing methods. What is needed is a system and method that can easily transfer a pair of wireless host devices to another wireless host device and that can readily select a wireless host device from among a plurality of existing and possibly host devices for a particular accessory device.

One advantage of the present invention is that it provides for easy transfer of a pair from a wireless host device to another wireless host device and that can easily select a wireless host device from among a plurality of existing and possibly host devices for a particular accessory device. method. The method can be implemented, at least in part, using a wireless host device adapted to recognize a triggering event and transfer the pairing with the wireless accessory device to an appropriate other host device. In addition, the wireless accessory device can be adapted to: recognize a simple gesture and input, and pair with a correct host device in response to a gesture or input and its associated identification code stored in the accessory device.

In various embodiments, a wireless communication system can include: an accessory device adapted to wirelessly pair with another device for wireless communication with the other device; a first host device, the The first host device is adapted to pair with the accessory device in a wireless manner; and a second host device adapted to wirelessly pair with the accessory device and to communicate with the first host device. The initial pairing between the accessory device and the first host device can include the generation of a unique connection key between the first host device and the accessory device. The first host device can be adapted to: detect a primary trigger event, and pair the accessory device and the two host devices with each other when they are within the wireless communication range of each other Automatically transfer to the second host device as a response. Further embodiments may include one or more additional accessory devices adapted to pair with the first host device and to cause the pairing to be transferred to the second host device in a similar manner . In some embodiments, such transfer of a plurality of accessory devices between the first and second host devices can occur simultaneously.

In various embodiments, the pairing transfer can include the step of the first host device transmitting the unique link key to the second host device. The first host device may retain a copy of the unique link key after transmitting the unique link key to the second host device, and in some examples, the accessory device may be adapted to the first The host device recognizes it as its default host device. Moreover, the first host device can be adapted to detect an assist trigger event and automatically recover its pairing with the accessory device in response. These accessory devices and host devices may all be Bluetooth devices, but other types of paired wireless communication may also be used. In various embodiments, the primary triggering event may be a wired connection (such as a connection) generated from the second host device to the first host device, and other configurations may cause the primary triggering event to be involved from the first The second host device wirelessly communicates with one of the first host devices. Some further triggering events are also possible.

In various embodiments, the method of transferring pairing between the wireless devices may include the steps of: establishing an accessory device to wirelessly pair one of the first host devices; detecting a primary trigger event on the first host device, The primary triggering event relates to the presence of one of the second host devices within the wireless pairing range of the first accessory device; the primary triggering event is triggered, and the pairing information of the accessory device is transmitted from the first host device to the second And the host device; and using the received pairing information to transfer the pairing control of the first accessory device from the first host device to the second host device. The transferring step may be performed when both the first host device and the second host device remain within the wireless communication or even the pairing range of the first accessory device, and the transferring step may include the following steps: releasing the first accessory Pairing the device with the first host device; and establishing wireless pairing of the accessory device to the second host device. The pairing information may still include a link key unique to the accessory device, and the primary trigger event may include a wired connection generated from the second host device to the first host device. The transferring step may comprise the steps of: unpairing the accessory device from the first host device; or alternatively comprising the steps of: disconnecting, but retaining pairing information between devices to facilitate future rapid re-entry of each device pair.

In various detailed embodiments, the further step may include: establishing a wireless connection of a second accessory device to a first host device; and also responding to the primary trigger event, and pairing the second accessory device with the Transferring a host device to the second host device; and using the received pairing information of the second accessory device to transfer pairing control of the second accessory device from the first host device to the second host device. Further steps may include: detecting an auxiliary trigger event on the first host device, and responding to the auxiliary trigger event, and transferring the pairing control of the accessory device from the second host device back to the first host Device. These pairing transfers can still be made while all of the involved devices remain within each other's wireless communication range or pairing range.

In a further additional embodiment, a wireless communication system can include a plurality of host devices adapted to be paired wirelessly with one or more accessory devices, and within a wireless pairing range of all of the host devices and adapted to be associated with the hosts One or more accessory devices are paired with any of the host devices in the device. At least one accessory device is adapted to select a host device of the host device and to pair with the host device in response to a specific user gesture detected by the accessory device, wherein the pairing involves a unique linkage key of the accessory device produce. One or more additional accessory devices located within the wireless pairing range of all host devices can also be adapted to pair with any host device, and these second, third, or additional accessory devices can be adapted to respond to the second A particular second, third, or additional user gesture detected by the third, or additional accessory device, selects one of the host devices and pairs with the host device. In some embodiments, the user gestures are the same, and the plurality of accessory devices are adapted to pair with the same host device in response to the same user gesture detected by the two or all of the accessory devices. Such multiple pairing of some accessory devices to the same host device can be performed simultaneously.

In various detailed embodiments, an accessory device includes an internal memory having data associated with each of a plurality of host devices and for being stored in the internal memory A specific user gesture of the host device. The internal memory includes a list of one of a plurality of known host devices to which the accessory device can be paired, and a different user gesture associated with each respective host device on the list. In some embodiments, at least one of the host devices is adapted to retain a unique link key associated with the accessory device even when the respective accessory device is not connected to the host device. A copy. In some embodiments, the accessory device is adapted to recognize a particular host device as its default host device. These accessory devices and host devices can still be Bluetooth devices, but other types of paired wireless communication can also be used. In various embodiments, the user gesture can be a button press, a sound that is emitted, a movement of a hand, an acceleration of the first accessory that can be detected by an accelerometer, or other possible user gestures. .

In a further additional embodiment, the method of automatically selecting a host device for pairing to a plurality of possible host devices for a wireless accessory device can include the step of maintaining the accessory device in a memory of a wireless accessory device a list of one of a plurality of known host devices capable of pairing; correlating a different user gesture input with each of the respective known host devices in the list; detecting a first user input by the accessory device Gesture; and automatically establishing the wireless device pairing of the first host device associated with the detected first user gesture input in response to detecting the first user gesture. The establishing step can be performed when the first host device and one or more other host devices are within the wireless communication range of the accessory device. The establishing step may include the step of exchanging pairing information between the accessory device and the first host device, wherein the pairing information includes a unique link key of the accessory device.

In various further embodiments, the additional method steps may include: detecting a second user gesture input by the accessory device when the accessory device is paired with the first host device; and responding to detecting the first The user gesture automatically switches the pairing of the accessory device from the first host device to a second host device associated with the second user gesture. The switching step can be performed when both the first host device and the second host device are within the wireless communication range of the accessory device. The switching step can include the steps of: unpairing the accessory device from the first host device; and establishing a wireless pairing of the accessory device to the second host device. The switching step may further comprise the steps of: unpairing the accessory device from the first host device; or alternatively comprising the steps of: disconnecting, but retaining pairing information between devices to facilitate future fastness of each device Re-pair. A further method step may include: detecting a repeated first user gesture input by the accessory device, and the first gesture of the repetition occurs immediately after the initial first user gesture; and according to the first The number of times the user gesture is repeated and the first host device is selected from a plurality of possible host devices for pairing. The number of times the first user gesture input is repeated may be a different user gesture input associated with each of the respective known host devices in the list.

Further embodiments may include storing non-transitory computer readable media executable by a processor on the first host device for transferring a pair of wireless devices, wherein the computer code includes The computer code of each of these steps in the method described above.

Other devices, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the <RTIgt; All such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages are included within the scope of the present invention and are protected by the scope of the appended claims.

An illustrative application of the apparatus and method in accordance with the present invention will be described in this section. These examples are provided merely to add context and to assist in understanding the invention. Thus, those skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the invention can be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known procedural steps have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Other applications are also possible, and the examples below should not be considered limiting.

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the claims Although the embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that these examples are not to be construed as limiting. Make various changes.

In various embodiments, the present invention relates to pairing of wireless devices, for example, to pairing of accessory or peripheral devices to host devices. A variety of devices can be used as accessory devices, and non-limiting examples of accessory devices include devices such as headphones, earphones, keyboards, mice, printers, and game controllers. Likewise, a variety of devices can be used as the host device, while non-limiting examples of host devices include devices such as personal computers, mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and gaming machines. In each of the examples, a typical host type device can also be used as an accessory to another host device. There are many other examples of accessory and host devices, and we should be aware that such other configurations can be arranged to implement the various systems and methods provided by the present invention.

In addition, various types of wireless communications and protocols can be used with the systems and methods provided by the present invention. Preferably, such different types of wireless communication include the ability of the accessory and host device to pair for dedicated wireless communication between devices. Although the specific examples provided by the present invention are described in connection with Bluetooth wireless communication, it should be understood that any other suitable form of wireless communication between each paired device can be used. Moreover, although the detailed examples described herein are often referred to pairings occurring within the wireless or pairing range of a new host device, it is also possible to pass through a bonjour/regional network (LAN) that is not in the wireless range or other suitable Connect for this pairing. For example, the paired data can be transmitted to a remote device via a bonjour/LAN connection, and then after the accessory device enters the range of the new host device, the accessory device is connected to the new host device, and the new host device is used as the Run with the paired device. Other variations to the specific embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and all such variations can be included.

The detailed description below will generally refer to various device pairing structures and techniques, and then the transfer of the paired host devices will be described, and finally the selection of the paired host devices will be described. These general topics are explained in more detail below.

Device pairing

Referring first to FIG. 1A, a front view shows an exemplary wireless system having one host device and two accessory devices. Wireless system 10 can include a host device 20, which can be, for example, a desktop computer or various other possible host devices. The various accessory devices paired with the host device 20 may include one of the wireless keyboards 30 paired with a wireless connection or link 50, and one wireless mouse 40 paired with a wireless connection or link 52. We should be able to easily understand that some additional wireless accessory devices can also be paired with the host device 20 at the same time, and other types of wireless accessory devices can be used. In an embodiment, the wireless connections may be regional Bluetooth connections, but other types of wireless connections may also be used.

As previously described, the wireless links 50, 52 can be established via a standard pairing procedure between the accessory devices 30, 40 and the host device 20. Such pairing procedures typically result in the generation of a unique collateral for each wireless link 50, 52. Assuming that the pairing between a wireless host device and a wireless accessory device has been successful, the connection key established during the pairing operation can then be utilized to perform the secure and controlled manner between the wireless host device and the wireless accessory device. Data transmission. When an accessory device 30, 40 is paired, it typically only responds to the host device 20. Thus, if there are other host devices in the vicinity of the accessory devices 30, 40, the accessory device knows to ignore the wireless communication from these other host devices. Conversely, when an accessory device 30, 40 is unpaired, it can respond to any compatible host device in the vicinity. Host device 20 can also be paired with more than one accessory device.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1B, the exemplary wireless host device and a wireless accessory device shown in FIG. 1A are shown in block diagram format. The wireless system 10 can still include a host device 20 and a wireless accessory device 30. The wireless accessory device can include a processor or controller 31 and a power source such as a battery 32. User input 33 coupled to one of the controllers 31 can be adapted to assist in pairing with a host device, but such user input settings are not ultimately necessary in all instances. For example, user input 33 can include a button that a user can use to cause accessory device 30 to enter a pairing mode. A memory 34 can also be coupled to the controller 31 and provide for continuous data storage of the various components of the accessory device, the stored data including the code, the identification code, and the data structure. In addition, accessory device 30 includes a transceiver 35. In an embodiment, the transceiver 35 is a radio frequency (RF) transceiver. Transceiver 35 may output a wireless transmission that is directed toward host device 20, such as via link 50.

The host device 20 also includes a transceiver 21 for wireless transmission via the link 50. The host device 20 further includes at least one controller 22, a memory 23, an operating system 24, one or more applications 25, an output device 26, and a user input device 27. The controller 22 controls the overall operation of the host device 20. The memory 23 can be used to store persistent data including data of the code (e.g., the operating system 24 and one or more applications 25), one or more identification codes, and data structures. The operating system 24, along with the controller 22, enables the host device 20 to not only receive transmissions from the accessory device 30 in a wireless manner, but also to support and operate one or more applications 25 and to utilize the output device 26 and the user input device 27. Host device 20 may also include a personal identification code database 28. The PIN repository 28 can store a plurality of PINs associated with entities of different manufacturers and device types. During pairing, host device 20 may attempt to pair using one or more personal identification codes stored in personal identification code database 28. Although the personal identification code database 28 is shown as a separate component in the figure, please note that the personal identification code database 28 can also be stored in the memory 23.

In addition, we should be able to understand that the details in the foregoing are merely illustrative in nature and that many configurations and configurations of wireless devices and their pairings can be used. For example, the host device can be a laptop, tablet, or gaming machine, and the accessory device can be any user input device such as a wireless joystick or other game controller. Further, the host device may be one of devices of a network such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN) (including the Internet). In some examples, multiple host devices can be connected to the same LAN or WAN. Some additional items may also be included in the host device and the accessory device, wherein the input also includes a touch screen and voice recognition, and the output also includes outputs of the visual display, the speaker, and the tactile feedback. User-friendly pairing in various forms, such as the Secure Simple Matching Agreement for Bluetooth 2.1 and other similar agreements. Any and all such items, configurations, and agreements for wireless pairing of accessory devices to host devices may be utilized in conjunction with the various systems and methods that will be described below, as will be readily appreciated.

Transfer of paired host devices

In many cases, a user may have a single set of wireless accessory devices, but may wish to use the single set of wireless accessory devices on two or more different host devices. As a specific, non-limiting example, a desktop computer can be paired with a wireless keyboard and a wireless mouse. A display cable can then be used to port a display of a laptop to the larger desktop computer in a temporary procedure. The display of the laptop is then correctly reflected on the display of the desktop computer. However, the wireless keyboard and mouse are still paired with the desktop computer and are not transferred to the laptop. The user is now forced to use the laptop's built-in keyboard and mouse, or use another wireless accessory or peripheral device, or remove the laptop, keyboard, and slide from the desktop. The mouse waits for re-pairing of these devices, and any of the above methods is inconvenient.

In such a remote or transfer display mode, a host device can effectively be a docking station, mirror, or slave device of another host device. In this particular example, the desktop computer (i.e., the first host device) is effectively a remote display or docking station of the laptop computer (i.e., the second host device). Of course, many other conditions and configurations involving multiple host devices are also possible, and many of these conditions and configurations may also have the desire to pair wireless accessory devices in a user friendly and often temporary manner. A common problem with the host device moving to another host device.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, a front view shows an exemplary system having a plurality of host devices and a plurality of accessory devices paired with a first host device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the system 10 described above in FIG. 1A, a wireless communication system 100 can include a first host device 120 such as a desktop computer, and one or more such as a keyboard and a mouse. Attachment devices 130, 140. Wireless keyboard 130 can be paired with first host device 120 via wireless link 150, and wireless mouse 140 can be paired with the first host device via wireless link 152. Additionally, a second host device 160, such as a laptop computer, may be placed adjacent to the first host device 120 and the accessory devices 130, 140. The accessory devices 130, 140 will generally ignore the second host device 160 because the accessory devices have been paired with the first host device 120.

However, in some cases, a particular "trigger event" may initiate an automatic process of transferring the pairing of the accessory devices 130, 140 from its existing host device 120 to the second host device 160. An example of such a triggering event may involve the use of a display cable 170, such as between various host devices. Thus, the previous view of FIG. 2B shows one of the exemplary systems shown in FIG. 2A illustrating a primary triggering event. That is, the display cable is connected to the ports on the two host devices, and thus the display from one of the second host devices 160 is now displayed on the display of the converted first host device 120'. Moreover, the addition of a rigid link, such as a display cable, between the host devices will cause the first host device to effectively become a remote display or docking station of the second host device. The first host device can be configured such that a triggering event such as adding a display cable 170 to the first host device or the like will cause the pairing of the first host device with the wireless accessory device 130, 140 to be automatically transferred to The display cable is now connected to the second host device 160.

Referring now to FIG. 2C, similarly the previous view illustrates one of the second host devices after the exemplary triggering event shown in FIG. 2B exemplifies the resulting pairing configuration. The wireless communication system 100 still includes wireless accessory devices 130, 140, and a converted first host device 120', a converted second host device 160', and a display cable 170 that couples the host devices. However, unlike the prior versions shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the pair of wireless accessory devices have been transferred to the converted second host device 160'. The host devices are at least converted to the extent that the first host device 120' no longer controls or is paired with the accessory devices 130, and the second host device 160' is paired with the accessory devices. Moreover, at least in this example, the first host device is a display of the second host device. The wireless keyboard 130 is thus paired to the second host device 160' by the new wireless link 154, and the wireless link 156 pairs the wireless mouse 140 to the second host device.

While the primary triggering event may be to establish a new wired connection between the host devices, such as display cable 170, many other types of triggering events may similarly result in an automated transfer of pairings for each accessory device. For example, the establishment of a separate wireless link between each host device may also trigger a transfer of wireless pairing. In addition, a particular communication between the host devices along a communication link that has been established may be a primary triggering event. Other triggering events may include, for example, a simple button press, a particular user gesture, a "higher priority" or more important host device emerging within the vicinity of an accessory device, or at the first host device Indicates that a second host device is a preferred other trigger event for another state change or the like.

These new pairing configurations of the wireless accessory devices 130, 140 may be the result of several steps performed once a triggering event is detected. An important step is that the first host device can communicate information associated with the accessory device to be transferred to the second host device. The information may include a unique link key, a specific address (eg, a Bluetooth device address), and a personal identification number of the accessory device. The transfer of the link key, the specific device address, and the personal identification number between the host devices can be repeated for each of the respective accessory devices that are transferred between the host devices. In some embodiments, the first host device 120 can retain a copy of one of the data items associated with the wireless accessory devices 130, 140 to be transferred so that the first host device can be easily re-paired with the accessory devices in the future. In addition, although the transfer of such paired host devices can be performed while all devices are in the wireless range of each other, it is also possible to transmit appropriate data to a remote device via a wired connection, via bonjour/LAN or The pairing transfer is made without other suitable connections within the wireless range, such that when the newly paired devices enter each other's wireless range, the devices can be paired and run immediately.

The pairing of the first host device with one or more accessory devices to be transferred can then be cancelled or otherwise cancelled, such that the canceling step can cause the devices to enter a normal pairing mode. In an alternative embodiment, the pairing information between the first host device and the accessory device can be maintained, and the devices simply disconnect each other in an "inactive" manner, thereby enabling the accessory device to find a solution for A new host device that is effectively paired. When in pairing mode, an unpaired accessory device will find a second key device that is now also reserved for pairing with the accessory device. The accessory device then requests information relating to the second host device for pairing, and the second host device can request further information from the accessory device. For example, the personal identification number of the accessory device may be transmitted at this time instead of transmitting information related to the accessory device to the second host device as previously previously performed by the first host device. Pairing is then performed between the accessory device and the second host device. Such transferred pairs can be made with little or no input in this part of the user, and the transferred pair can be automatically made in response to a particular triggering event.

In various embodiments, the accessory device can include a memory that maintains a list of one of the different host devices to which the accessory device can be connected, and respective pairing information for each such host device. In addition, one or more accessory devices can be configured to recognize a particular host device as a "preset" host device for the accessory device. In some examples, the predetermined host device can be a particular host device, while in other examples, the last host device paired with the accessory device can be considered a predetermined host device for the accessory device.

An auxiliary triggering event can then result in another transfer of pairing of the one or more wireless accessory devices. This other transfer may involve pairing to a third host device or may result in a reverse back pairing with the original or first host device. In the example provided in this specification, the auxiliary triggering event may be the disconnection of the display cable 170, and then the pairing of the accessory devices 130, 140 may be returned from the second host device 160 to the first host device 120. The second host device 160 can notify each of the accessory devices 130, 140 to switch back to the first host device 120 in the event of a display cable disconnection or other suitable auxiliary triggering event.

Moreover, the program can include the following steps: The second host device 160, for example, instructs each accessory device to release or disconnect the pairing therewith, and cancels its pairing with the wireless accessory devices 130, 140. The unpairing or disconnecting step may return the affected accessory to the pairing mode, and then the accessory may re-find the first host device as needed, or may return to its nearest previous host device pair, or may return A preset host device pairing. These different results can be configured for each device's preferences, so that after identifying one or more appropriate triggering events, advantageously, with little or no user intervention, advantageously Perform the actual matching and transfer procedures.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is provided a flow chart of one exemplary method of transferring pairs between wireless devices. We should be able to understand that the steps provided are shown for illustrative purposes only, and that many other steps are included in the program as needed. Moreover, the order of the steps can be changed as appropriate, and all steps need not be performed in each example. For example, step 202 can be performed prior to the remaining steps of the method, and thus the steps can be effectively omitted in some instances where the focus is placed separately on the transfer control of the connection that has been paired for a long time.

The method begins with a first step 200, and then a first program step 202 includes establishing wireless pairing of one or more wireless accessory devices with a first host device. A subsequent decision step 204 then asks if a trigger event has been detected. If this is not the case, the process is repeated until a trigger event is detected and then a paired host device transfer procedure is initiated. In process step 206, pairing information for an accessory device is transmitted from the first host device to a second host device, and then in steps 208 and 210, pairing control of the accessory device is transferred. Step 208 includes: disengaging the accessory device from the first host device or disconnecting the accessory device, and step 210 includes establishing wireless pairing of the accessory device to the second host device.

In a subsequent decision step 212, a query is made as to whether there are additional attachments to be transferred from the first host device to the second host device. If so, the process returns to step 206 where the pairing information for the next accessory device is transmitted to the second host device, wherein the step and subsequent sequences are repeated for each such accessory device. Once all of the accessory devices have been transferred to the second host device, the process ends at termination step 214. Of course, depending on the particular system and configuration requirements, embodiments may include the steps of not processing in series, but processing multiple accessory devices that will be transferred between host devices simultaneously or in parallel.

Selection of paired host devices

In many other cases, a user may be in a complex computing environment that includes multiple host devices such as multiple desktops, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, and servers. In such a complex environment, it would be very inconvenient and cumbersome for each of the different host devices to have separate wireless keyboards, mice, indicators, and other accessory devices to enable the host devices to utilize the devices. . However, such as when there is less than the maximum number of wireless keyboards in such an environment, when the power is completely turned off, or when manual de-pairing or disconnection is otherwise performed, or when a new wireless accessory device is added, The destruction of the pairing of the host device is required. In these examples, it would be convenient to be able to easily pair an accessory device with any of a number of suitable host devices with minimal user interaction or without any user interaction.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, a front view shows an exemplary system having a plurality of host devices and an accessory device adapted to pair with any of the plurality of host devices. The wireless communication system 300 can be similar to the system 100 described above, wherein the system includes a first host device such as a desktop computer 320, a second host device such as a tablet 360, and the like, and a wireless mouse 340 One or more wireless peripheral devices or accessory devices, all of which are within the wireless communication range of each other. It should be understood that additional host devices, accessory devices, or both may also be present within each other's wireless range. However, to account for the simplification of the drawings, only a minimum number of devices are shown here.

As shown, the accessory device 340 is not paired with any of the host devices present. Pairing with the first host device 320 may occur along a possible wireless link 352, or may be paired with the second host device 360 along a possible wireless link 356. While many conventional applications may be applied to which host device 320, 360 will be paired with the wireless accessory device 340, it is preferred that the one or more accessory devices be enabled with such minimal user intervention as may be achieved. Any host device in the host device is paired. Accordingly, accessory device 340 can be configured to selectively pair with a host device selected from a plurality of host devices in accordance with a particular input, such as a simple user gesture.

4B is a front view showing a first user gesture of a first user gesture being used on the accessory device to selectively pair with one of the host devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated system is shown. The wireless system 300' has been modified in which the previously unpaired accessory device 340 has now been paired with the first host device 320 along the wireless link 352 due to a user gesture 380 detected on the accessory device. The user gesture can be a simple button input, a mouse click, or other simple designated input during a pairing procedure, such as on the accessory device. In this example, a single mouse click on 380 on wireless mouse 340 will cause selection of first host device 320 to pair with the mouse. Likewise, once pairing to a particular host device 320 is completed, the paired accessory device 340 will typically be dedicated to the host device and will ignore the other host device 360 or any other host device that may be present.

However, when there are multiple suitable host devices, it is preferable to associate a particular user gesture with each such host device. For example, although a single mouse clicks to activate the pairing between the wireless mouse 340 and the first host device 320, a different user gesture is operable to pair the mouse with the second host device 360. If additional host devices are present, different user gestures can be used to cause pairing with each different host device. In some examples, the different user gestures can be a completely different action or input, while in other examples, the different user gestures can be the same action or a repetition of the input.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 4C, the exemplary system shown in FIG. 4B provides the second user gesture on the accessory device for selectively pairing with another host device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. An example. Although the wireless system 300' is shown as having paired the wireless mouse 340 with the first host device 320, it should be readily apparent that it may be from an unpaired condition such as described above with reference to FIG. 4A, or The same user gesture input and result occur when the mouse is paired with another host device (not shown). As shown, a second user gesture 382 can involve a single mouse click on the wireless mouse 340 instead of a single mouse click. The second user gesture can be associated with the second host device 360 for pairing. In any case, then the second user gesture detected by the mouse can be switched back to, paired to, or simply paired to the second host device.

4D is a front view showing the exemplary system shown in FIG. 4C in which the pairing configuration is switched from the first host device to the second host device. The switching can include the steps of releasing the pairing of the mouse 340 along the wireless link 352 with the first host device or disconnecting the mouse 340 from the first host device; and along the wireless link 356 The mouse switches to pair/connect to the second host device to obtain the newly configured wireless system 300". We should be able to easily understand: three times the mouse can be pressed with a third host device (not shown) Associated, and other user gestures, and so on. In alternative embodiments, different types of user gestures can be used to distinguish between different host devices.

Thus, a universal gesture can be repeated to select some or all of the possible host devices in a round-robin manner, while a particular different type of gesture can be used to initiate device pairing or switching in a faster way that may be reached. In addition to a mouse click or button press, other specific user gestures may also include emitted sounds such as clapping or voice commands, hand movements, or other physically identifiable user movements, or the attachment itself. Acceleration (such as the acceleration of the attachment itself that the internal accelerometer can detect). If an accelerometer or suitable sensing device is used, the particular user gesture may even include a sweeping motion such as toward a host device to be paired.

In various embodiments, a particular accessory device may maintain an internal manifest of one of the appropriate or previous host devices with associated pairing inputs. The list or table of host devices can be stored in a memory of the accessory device itself. In addition, specific user gestures can be associated with each of the different possible host devices, and the information can also be stored in the internal memory of the host device. In this manner, appropriate user gesture input can now result in a more streamlined designation or switching of a host device pairing for a particular accessory device. The designation or switching step can include the steps of: entering a pairing mode; and then detecting the appropriate host device for pairing.

The pairing initiation procedure enables a wireless device to be paired in a pairing mode. For example, a physical action associated with a wireless accessory device places the wireless accessory device in a pairing mode. In one example, a button on the wireless accessory device can be pressed to bring the wireless accessory device into a pairing mode. A variety of different user inputs or gestures can still be used to cause a particular accessory to first enter a pairing mode. The inputs or gestures may be similar or different from the input or user gestures involved in designating a desired host device for pairing, and all input or user gestures may be configured on the accessory device and the host device as needed.

In some embodiments, a particular accessory device can be specifically switched between a plurality of host devices at the host level (eg, switching from a first host device to a second host device as previously described) Alternatively, a set of user gestures may be selected in a cyclical manner according to a sequence or type stored by the accessory itself, and switching between a particular accessory device and a plurality of host devices is accomplished.

In some instances, one or more host devices may be "blacklisted" at least temporarily during a switching procedure to facilitate easier switching and re-pairing procedures without inadvertently pairing Go back to the original host device. The blacklist prohibition step may be temporary in nature so as not to exclude the host device from a set of host devices that can be paired in the future.

Finally, please refer to FIG. 5, which provides a flow chart of an exemplary method of selecting a host device from among a plurality of possible host devices for pairing. We should still understand that the steps provided are shown for illustrative purposes only, and that many other steps are included in the program as needed. Moreover, the order of the steps can be changed as appropriate, and all steps need not be performed in each example.

The method begins with a first step 400, and then a first program step 402 includes establishing and/or maintaining a list of one of a plurality of suitable host devices on a particular accessory device. The list can still be stored in an internal memory of the accessory device. In a subsequent step 404, different user gestures can be associated with each respective possible host device. Likewise, the user gestures of each of the different host devices can be different, or the user gestures can involve a recurring gesture of selecting one of the different possible host devices in a round-robin manner. A combination of these gestures can also be used. In a subsequent decision step 406, a query is made as to whether a user gesture is detected on a particular accessory device. If not, the process is repeated and wait until a trigger event is detected, then the method continues to decision step 408. In decision step 408, a query is made as to whether the accessory device has been paired to another host device. If so, the method continues to process step 410 where the pairing of the accessory device is removed from the other host device or the accessory device is disconnected.

In any event, the method continues to process step 412 where a wireless pairing is established between the accessory device and the appropriate host device corresponding to the detected user gesture. In a subsequent decision step 414, a query is made as to whether all of the required accessory devices have been paired with the desired one or more host devices. If not, the method returns to decision step 406, and then all intermediate steps are repeated for the next attachment. Once all of the accessory devices have been paired with the one or more appropriate host devices, then the method proceeds to decision block 414 from step 414, at which point the method terminates.

The invention may be practiced in a combination of software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. The invention can also be embodied as computer readable code in a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data that can be read by the computer system in the future. Examples of such computer readable media include read only memory, random access memory, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), magnetic tape, optical data storage, and carrier. The computer readable medium can also be distributed via some network coupled computer system, thereby storing and executing the computer readable code in a decentralized manner.

Although the present invention has been described in detail herein with reference to the drawings and the embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that many other specific modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. EXAMPLES The present invention as described above was carried out. Some variations and modifications may be made, and it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the details described above, but the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

10. . . Wireless system

20. . . Host device

30,130. . . wireless keyboard

50, 52, 150, 152, 154, 156, 352, 356. . . Wireless link

40,140,340. . . Wireless mouse

31. . . Controller

32. . . battery

23,34. . . Memory

21,35. . . transceiver

twenty two. . . Controller

twenty four. . . working system

25. . . application

26. . . Output device

27. . . User input device

28. . . Personal identification number database

100,300,300',300"...wireless communication system

120,320. . . First host device

160,360. . . Second host device

170. . . Display cable

120'. . . Converted first host device

160'. . . Converted second host device

380. . . User gesture

382. . . Second user gesture

The various figures are included for illustrative purposes and are merely used to provide some examples of possible configurations and configurations of the systems and methods for transferring and determining device pairing between wireless devices. The drawings are in no way intended to limit any changes in the form and details of the invention.

Figure 1A is a front view showing one of a host device and two accessory devices illustrating a wireless system.

Figure 1B shows the exemplary wireless host device and a wireless accessory device shown in Figure 1A in block diagram format.

2A is a front view showing an exemplary system having a plurality of host devices and a plurality of accessory devices paired with a first host device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a front view showing one of the exemplary triggering events in the exemplary system shown in FIG. 2A in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

2C is a front view showing a pairing configuration produced by one of the second host devices after the exemplary triggering event shown in FIG. 2B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 provides a flow diagram of an exemplary method of transferring pairs between wireless devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

4A is a diagram showing an exemplary system having a plurality of host devices and an accessory device adapted to pair with any of the plurality of host devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

4B is a front view showing a first user gesture of a first user gesture being used on the accessory device to selectively pair with one of the host devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated system is shown.

4C is a front view showing a fourth user gesture of a second user gesture being used on the accessory device to selectively pair with another of the host devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated system shown in the figure.

4D is a front view showing the exemplary system shown in FIG. 4C in which the pairing configuration is switched from one host device to the other host device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 provides a flow diagram of an exemplary method of selecting a host device from among a plurality of possible host devices for pairing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (20)

A wireless communication system comprising: a first accessory device adapted to wirelessly pair with another device for wireless communication with the other device; a first host device, the first host device The device is adapted to wirelessly pair with the first accessory device for wireless communication with the first accessory device, wherein the pairing involves the generation of a unique connection key between the first host device and the first accessory device And a second host device, the second host device being capable of pairing with the first accessory device in a wireless manner, wherein the first host device is associated with a connection state, the connection state being represented by the first host device and the first Whether there is a connection connection between the two host devices, wherein the establishment of the connection connection between the first host device and the second host device causes one of the connection states in the first host device to change, the first The host device is adapted to detect the change in the connection state and to remain in the first accessory device, the first host device, and the second host device When within range of the wireless communication, in response to the detection of the change of the connection state and automatically transferred between the pair of the first host to the second attachment means. The wireless communication system of claim 1, further comprising: a second accessory device adapted to pair with the first host device when the first accessory device is also paired with the first host device, Wherein the first host device is adapted to remain within the wireless communication range of the second accessory device, the first host device, and the second host device At the same time, the pairing with the second accessory device is transferred to the second host device. The wireless communication system of claim 2, wherein the first host device is adapted to transfer its pairing with the first and second accessory devices to the second host device at the same time. The wireless communication system of claim 1 or 3, wherein the pairing transfer from the first host device to the second host device comprises the first host device transmitting the unique link key to the second host device. The wireless communication system of claim 4, wherein the first host device is adapted to retain a copy of the unique link key after transmitting the unique link key to the second host device. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein the first accessory device is adapted to identify the first host device as its default host device. The wireless communication system of claim 6, wherein the first host device is further adapted to detect an auxiliary trigger event and automatically recover the pairing with the first accessory device as a response. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein the first accessory device is a Bluetooth device. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein the change in the connection state corresponds to a primary triggering event, and the primary triggering event involves the generation of a wired connection of the second host device to the first host device. Such as the wireless communication system of claim 1 of the patent scope, wherein The primary triggering event involves wireless communication from the second host device to one of the first host devices. A method for transferring a pairing between wireless devices includes: establishing a first accessory device to wirelessly pair one of the first host devices, the first host device being associated with a connection state, the connection state being represented by the first Whether there is a connection connection between the host device and the second host device, wherein the establishment of the connection connection between the first host device and the second host device results in one of the connection states in the first host device Varying; detecting the change in the connection state on the first host device, the change involving the presence of the second host device within the wireless pairing range of the first accessory device; the change in the connection state The detecting, the pairing information of the first accessory device is transmitted from the first host device to the second host device; and the pairing control of the first accessory device is controlled from the first using the received pairing information Transferring a host device to the second host device, wherein the first host device and the second host device are both maintained in a wireless communication range of the first accessory device Within the implementation of the transfer. The method of claim 11, wherein the transferring step comprises: releasing a pairing between the first accessory device and the first host device; and establishing wireless pairing of the first accessory device to the second host device . The method of claim 11, wherein the pairing information comprises a link key unique to the first accessory device. The method of claim 11, wherein the change in the connection state corresponds to a primary triggering event, the primary triggering event involving the generation of a wired connection from the second host device to the first host device. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: establishing a second accessory device to wirelessly pair one of the first host devices; responding to the detection of the change in the connection state, and the second Pairing information of the accessory device is transmitted from the first host device to the second host device; and using the received pairing information of the second accessory device to control pairing of the second accessory device from the first host device Transferring to the second host device wherein the transfer is performed while both the first host device and the second host device remain within the wireless communication range of the second accessory device. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: detecting an auxiliary trigger event on the first host device; and responding to the auxiliary trigger event, and controlling the pairing of the first accessory device from the first The second host device transfers back to the first host device, wherein the transfer is performed while both the first host device and the second host device remain within the wireless communication range of the first accessory device. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer code executable by a processor on a first host device for transferring a pair of wireless devices, comprising: establishing a first accessory device to a first host device a wireless pairing computer code, the first host device is associated with a connection state, the connection state indicating whether there is a connection connection between the first host device and the second host device, wherein the first host device And establishing the connection connection between the second host device to cause a change in the connection state in the first host device; detecting the changed computer code of the connection state on the first host device, the change Corresponding to the presence of the second host device within the wireless pairing range of the first accessory device; the detection of the change in the connection state is transmitted from the first host device to the first host device a computer code of the second host device; and transferring the pairing control of the first accessory device from the first host device to the first using the received pairing information The computer code is executed when the transfer apparatus of the host, wherein the host device based on the first and the second host device remain within the wireless communication range of the first slave device. The computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the computer code for transferring comprises: canceling a computer code paired between the first accessory device and the first host device; and establishing the first accessory Wireless pairing of the device to one of the second host devices Computer code. The computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the pairing information includes a link key unique to the first accessory device. The computer readable medium of claim 17 further includes: establishing a second accessory device to wirelessly pair the computer code of the first host device; and detecting the change of the connection state Transmitting the pairing information of the second accessory device from the first host device to the computer code of the second host device; using the received pairing information of the second accessory device to control the pairing of the second accessory device Transferring the computer code from the first host device to the second host device, wherein the transfer is performed while the first host device and the second host device are both within the wireless communication range of the second accessory device; a computer code for detecting an auxiliary trigger event on the first host device; and a computer code for returning the pairing control of the first accessory device from the second host device to the first host device, corresponding to the auxiliary trigger event The reply is performed when both the first host device and the second host device remain within the wireless communication range of the first accessory device.