`US 6,622,018 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`(12)
`Erekson
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Sep. 16, 2003
`
`
`US006622018B1
`
`(54) PORTABLE DEVICE CONTROL CONSOLE
`WITH WIRELESS CONNECTION
`
`Inventor: Rich Erekson, Ogden, UT (US)
`(75)
`(73) Assignee: 3Com Corporation, Santa Clara, CA
`(US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/558,413
`(22)
`Filed:
`Apr. 24, 2000
`(51)
`Tint. C07 coccceccceccccccscssescresesssssesesscaes H04M 3/00
`(52) US. C1. cece cneeeneeecscteneseneenees 455/420; 455/419
`(58) Field of Search 2.0.0... 455/420, 456,
`455/457, 445, 404, 75, 566, 575, 96, 99,
`145; 342/457.1; 340/825.36, 825.37, 825.49
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7/2000 Larkins et al... 455/456
`6,091,957 A *
`6,161,066 A * 12/2000 Wrightet al... 701/36
`6,339,706 B1 *
`1/2002 Tillgren et al. «00.0.0... 455/419
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner—William Trost
`Assistant Examiner—Naghmeh Mehrpour
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Wagner, Murabito & Hao
`LLP
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A system and method for controlling a remote device over
`a wireless connection. In one embodiment, a hand-held
`computer system having a Bluetooth-enabled transceiver is
`used to control other Bluetooth-enabled devices. A wireless
`connection between a transceiver and a remote device is
`established. A position where a stylus makes contact with a
`surface of an input device of the hand-held computer system
`is registered. The particular position where the stylus ele-
`ment makes contact with the input device is translated into
`a particular commandfor controlling the remote device. The
`commandis then transmitted to the remote device over the
`wireless connection.
`
`5,917,405 A *
`
`6/1999 Joao weeccceeceeseenees 340/426
`
`27 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`1100
`
`1110
`ESTABLISH WIRELESS CONNECTION(S) WITH
`REMOTE DEVICE(S)
`
`1120
`MANIFEST REMOTE DEVICE(S) ON DISPLAY DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`
` 1130
`SELECT A REMOTE DEVICE (IF MORE THAN ONE)
`CONTROLLING A REMOTE DEVICE
`
`1149
`
`USE DISPLAY DEVICE AND/OR INPUT DEVICE TO
`TRANSLATE STYLUS MOTION INTO A COMMAND FOR
`
`
`
`1150
`
`
`TRANSMIT COMMAND TO REMOTE DEVICE OVER
`WIRELESS CONNECTION
`
`
`Exhibit 1025
`Apple, et al. v. Uniloc
`IPR2019-00251
`
`Exhibit 1025
`Apple, et al. v. Uniloc
`IPR2019-00251
`
`1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 16, 2003
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`Sheet 1 of 12
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`US 6,622,018 B1
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`FIG. 1
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`2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 2 of 12
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`US 6,622,018 B1
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`Sep. 16, 2003
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`OOF
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`3
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 3 of 12
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`100a
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`FIG. 3
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`4
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`Sep. 16, 2003
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`Sheet 4 of 12
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`US 6,622,018 B1
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` RF MODULE
`
`INTERFACE
`249
`
`219
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`MICRO-
`CONTROLLER
`230
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`
`
` PORTABLE
`
`COMPUTER
`
`
`SYSTEM
`
`
`
`109
`
`
`FIG. 4A
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`5
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 16, 2003
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`Sheet 5 of 12
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`US 6,622,018 B1
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`CONNECTOR
`250
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`RF MODULE
`210
`
`INTERFACE
`240
`
`FIG. 4B
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`6
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`Sheet 6 of 12
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`US 6,622,018 B1
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` UNCONNECTED
`
`STANDBY
`
`CONNECTING
`STATES
`
`304
`
`STANDBY 502
`INQUIRY
` ACTIVE STATES{|TRANSMIT
`
`LOW POWER MODES
`
`FIG. 5
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`7
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`Sheet 7 of 12
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`BROADCAST MESSAGE 640
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`RESPONSE650a
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`
`
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`REMOTE DEVICE A
`610
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`
`
`
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`PORTABLE
`COMPUTER
`SYSTEM
`109
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`BROADCAST MESSAGE 649
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`REMOTE DEVICE B
`620
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`
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`RESPONSE 650b
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`COMMAND 660
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`
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`
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`COMMAND 670
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`RESPONSE 650c¢
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`BROADCAST MESSAGE 640
`
`
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`REMOTE DEVICE C
`630
`
`FIG. 6
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`8
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`Sheet 8 of 12
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`100
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`FIG. 7
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`9
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`Sheet 9 of 12
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`90
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`FIG. 8
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`Sheet 10 of 12
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`FIG. 9
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`Sheet 11 of 12
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`FIG. 10
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`Sheet 12 of 12
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`US 6,622,018 B1
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`1100
`
`REMOTE DEVICE(S)
`
`1110
`ESTABLISH WIRELESS CONNECTION(S) WITH
`
`1120
`MANIFEST REMOTEDEVICE(S) ON DISPLAY DEVICE
`
`1130
`SELECT A REMOTE DEVICE (IF MORE THAN ONE)
`
`WIRELESS CONNECTION
`
`1149
`USE DISPLAY DEVICE AND/OR INPUT DEVICE TO
`TRANSLATE STYLUS MOTION INTO A COMMAND FOR
`CONTROLLING A REMOTE DEVICE
`
`1156
`TRANSMIT COMMAND TO REMOTE DEVICE OVER
`
`13
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`US 6,622,018 B1
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`1
`PORTABLE DEVICE CONTROL CONSOLE
`WITH WIRELESS CONNECTION
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`invention relates to systems and devices
`The present
`connected using wireless links, such as systems and devices
`that use the Bluetooth technology. In particular, the present
`invention pertains to a method and system for controlling
`remote devices over a wireless connection.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`Consider, for example, the number of devices and appli-
`ances in the typical
`living room or family room of a
`residential dwelling: lamps, light switches, a thermostat, and
`consumerelectronic devices such as televisions, video cas-
`sette recorders, and stereos, some of these devices them-
`selves comprising multiple devices such as compact disk
`players, tape players, etc. Each of these devices requires
`manualinteraction by a user in order to turn them off or on,
`to raise or lowerlevels, and so on. Other roomsof the house,
`as well as factories and places of business, also have
`countless devices and appliances that require manual inter-
`action in order to use and control them.
`
`Of course, many of these devices are or can be remotely
`controlled. In the home, for example, remote control devices
`for televisions, stereos and the like are very common.
`Devices for controlling lights, etc., are also available
`although generally not as commonly used.
`Remote control devices in each of their present forms
`have a numberof associated shortcomings. For example, a
`separate remote control device may be required for each
`device to be controlled. In some instances the separate
`remotes can be replaced with a universal remote control;
`however, universal remotes still have their shortcomings.
`Generally, current universal remotes often do not have the
`resources (e.g., memory and computational logic) to allow
`them to be used with all devices, or they may not be capable
`of controlling a new device. In addition, in order to accom-
`modate the variety of devices to be controlled, universal
`remotes usually have a multiplicity of buttons and thus can
`be difficult to use.
`
`Another shortcoming associated with current remote con-
`trol devices is their limited range. Commonly, remote con-
`trol devices use infrared beams to communicate commands
`to the device that is to be controlled, and so the remotes can
`only be used for line-of-sight applications. Devices behind
`an object, around a comer, or in another room cannot be
`controlled if they are not in the line of sight of an infrared
`remote.
`
`A more modern solution is to wire devices together into
`a network of somesort, so that they can be controlled from
`a central location such as a personal computer. However,this
`approach also has a numberof shortcomings. For example,
`the connections and cabling needed may be quite cumber-
`some and complex.In addition, this approach is difficult and
`expensive to backfit into existing homes and businesses.
`Furthermore, such an approach is not necessarily conve-
`nient. For instance, the central computer system is not a
`practical or convenient replacementfor a television remote,
`noris it portable enoughto allow it to be easily moved from
`one room to another wheneverit is necessary to do so.
`Accordingly, a need exists for a device and/or method that
`can be used to remotely control a variety of different devices
`and appliances, including new devices. A need also exists for
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`a device and/or methodthat can satisfy the above need,that
`is relatively simple to introduce into existing homes and
`businesses, and that is user-friendly. In addition, a need
`exists for a device and/or method that satisfies the above
`needs, is portable, and is not limited to line-of-sight appli-
`cations.
`
`DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention provides a system and method that
`can be used to remotely controla variety of different devices,
`including new devices. The present invention also provides
`a system and methodthat is relatively easy to introduce into
`existing homes and businesses and that is user-friendly. In
`addition,
`the present
`invention provides a system and
`methodthat is portable andthat is not limitedto line-of-sight
`applications.
`In the present embodiment, the present invention pertains
`to a system and method for controlling remote devices over
`a wireless connection (e.g., using a radio signal). In one
`embodiment, a portable computer system (e.g., a palmtop or
`hand-held computer) having a transceiver is used to control
`compliant devices. In a preferred embodiment, the trans-
`ceiver and the remote devices are Bluetooth-enabled
`devices.
`
`In the present embodiment of the present invention, a
`wireless connection between the portable computer system
`and one or more remote devicesis established. Each of the
`
`remote devices is manifested on a display device of the
`portable computer system, and one of the devicesis selected
`using, for example, a stylus element.
`In one embodiment, the stylus element can also be used
`to specify commands for controlling the remote device. A
`position where the stylus element makes contact with a
`surface of the display device of the portable computer
`system is registered. The particular position wherethe stylus
`element makes contact with the display device is translated
`into a particular commandfor controlling the remote device.
`The commandis then transmitted to the remote device over
`the wireless connection.
`
`In one embodiment, a rendering of the remote device or
`of a mechanism that can be usedto control the remote device
`
`is displayed on the display device. The contact of the stylus
`element with a position in the rendering is translated into a
`particular command for controlling the remote device. In
`another embodiment, a menu of commandsfor controlling
`the remote device is displayed on the display device. The
`contact of the stylus element with a position in the menu is
`translated into a particular command for controlling the
`remote device.
`
`In yet another embodiment, the movement of the stylus
`elementoverthe surface of an input device is recognized and
`translated into a particular command for controlling the
`remote device. In another embodiment, by movingthe stylus
`element over the surface of the input device, motion is
`imparted to the rendering on the display device of the remote
`device or the mechanism for controlling the remote device.
`The present invention thus provides a system (e.g., a
`Bluetooth-enabled device, specifically a portable computer
`system) that can be used to remotely control compliant
`devices (e.g., other Bluetooth-enabled devices) over a wire-
`less (radio) connection. With a radio connection, the system
`of the present
`invention is not
`limited to line-of-sight
`applications. Remote devices can be adapted to receive
`commands over the wireless connection, obviating the need
`for hardwire connections and making the system relatively
`easy to implement in homes and businesses. The processing
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`3
`power and other features of the portable computer system
`enable user-friendly interfaces, and also allow a variety of
`remote devices to be controlled,
`including new devices
`introduced into the home or business.
`
`These and other objects and advantages of the present
`invention will becomeobviousto those of ordinary skill in
`the art after having read the following detailed description of
`the preferred embodiments which are illustrated in the
`various drawing figures.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in
`and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments
`of the invention and, together with the description, serve to
`explain the principles of the invention:
`FIG. 1 illustrates one embodimentof a network of devices
`coupled using wireless connections in accordance with the
`present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodimentofa portable
`computer system in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a top-side perspective view of a portable
`computer system in accordance with one embodimentof the
`present invention.
`FIGS. 4A and 4B are block diagrams showing one
`embodiment of a wireless transceiver coupled to,
`respectively, a portable computer system and an external
`device in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 5 illustrates the different operating modes of a
`wireless transceiver in accordance with one embodimentof
`the present invention.
`FIG. 6 illustrates the flow of messages between a con-
`trolling device and remote devices in accordance with one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a display used on a
`controlling device in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 8 illustrates another embodimentof a display used
`on a controlling device in accordance with the present
`invention.
`
`FIG. 9 illustrates another embodimentof a display used
`on a controlling device in accordance with the present
`invention.
`
`FIG. 10 illustrates a display on a controlling device
`responding to movement on an input device in accordance
`with one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the steps in a process for
`controlling a remote device over a wireless connection in
`accordance with one embodimentof the present invention.
`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`
`Reference, will now be madein detail to the preferred
`embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illus-
`trated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention
`will be described in conjunction with the preferred
`embodiments,
`it will be understood that
`they are not
`intendedto limit the invention to these embodiments. On the
`
`the invention is intended to cover alternatives,
`contrary,
`modifications and equivalents, which may be included
`within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
`appended claims. Furthermore,
`in the following detailed
`description of the present
`invention, numerous specific
`details are set forth in order to provide a thorough under-
`standing of the present
`invention. However,
`it will be
`obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present
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`invention maybe practiced without these specific details. In
`other
`instances, well-known methods, procedures,
`components, and circuits have not been described in detail
`so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present
`invention.
`
`Someportions of the detailed descriptions which follow
`are presented in terms of procedures,
`logic blocks,
`processing, and other symbolic representations of operations
`on data bits within a computer memory. These descriptions
`and representations are the means used by those skilled in
`the data processing arts to most effectively convey the
`substance of their work to others skilled in the art. A
`
`procedure, logic block, process, etc., is here, and generally,
`conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps or
`instructions leading to a desired result. The steps are those
`requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities.
`Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the
`form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being
`stored,
`transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise
`manipulated in a computer system. It has proven convenient
`at times, principally for reasons of common usage,to refer
`to these signals as bits, bytes, values, elements, symbols,
`characters, terms, numbers,or the like.
`It should be borne in mind, however,that all of these and
`similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate
`physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied
`to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as
`apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated
`that throughout the present invention, discussions utilizing
`terms such as “establishing,” “registering,” “recognizing,”
`“broadcasting,” “receiving,” “manifesting,” “transmitting,”
`“displaying,” or the like, refer to the action and processes
`(e.g., process 1100 FIG. 11) of a computer system or similar
`intelligent electronic computing device,
`that manipulates
`and transforms data represented as physical (electronic)
`quantities within the computer system’s registers and memo-
`ries into other data similarly represented as physical quan-
`tities within the computer system memories or registers or
`other such information storage,
`transmission or display
`devices.
`
`The present invention is discussed primarily in a context
`in which devices and systems are coupled using wireless
`links, and specifically with regard to devices and systems
`compliant with the Bluetooth technology. Bluetooth is the
`code name for a technology specification for small form
`factor, low-cost, short-range radio links between personal
`computers (PCs), mobile phones and other devices and
`appliances. However,it is appreciated that the present inven-
`tion may be utilized with devices and systems compliant
`with standards different from Bluetooth, such as the IEEE
`(Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineering) 802.11
`standard.
`
`The Bluetooth technology allows cables that connect one
`device to anotherto be replaced with short-range radio links.
`Bluetooth is targeted at mobile and business users who need
`to establish a link, or small network, between their computer,
`cellular phone and other peripherals. The required and
`nominal range of Bluetooth is thus set to approximately ten
`(10) meters. To support other uses, for example the home
`environment, Bluetooth can be augmented to extend the
`range to up to 100 meters.
`The Bluetooth technology is based on a high-
`performance, yet low-cost, integrated radio transceiver. For
`instance, Bluetooth transceivers built into both a cellular
`telephone and a laptop computer system would replace the
`cables used today to connect a laptop to a cellular telephone.
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`Bluetooth radio technology can also provide: a universal
`bridge to existing data networks, a peripheral interface, and
`a mechanism to form small private ad hoc groupings of
`connected devices away from fixed networkinfrastructures.
`FIG. 1 illustrates the topology of a network of devices
`coupled using wireless connections in accordance with one
`embodiment of the present invention. In the parlance of
`Bluetooth, a collection of devices connected in a Bluetooth
`system are referred to as a “piconet” or a “subnet.” In the
`present embodiment, a piconet starts with two connected
`devices, and may grow to eight connected devices. All
`Bluetooth devices are peer units; however, when establish-
`ing a piconet, one unit will act as a master and the other(s)
`as slave(s) for the duration of the piconet connection.
`A Bluetooth system supports both point-to-point and
`point-to-multi-point connections. Several piconets can be
`established and linked together in a “scatternet,” where each
`piconet
`is identified by a different
`frequency hopping
`sequence. All devices participating on the same piconet are
`synchronized to their respective hopping sequence.
`Accordingly, devices 10, 20, 30 and 40 are coupled in
`piconet 1 using wireless connections 80a—c. Similarly,
`devices 50, 60 and 70 are coupled in piconet 2 using wireless
`connections 80e-f. Piconet 1 and piconet 2 are coupled using
`wireless connection 80d. Devices 10-70 can be printers,
`personal digital assistants (PDAs), desktop computer
`systems,
`laptop computer systems, cell phones,
`fax
`machines, keyboards, and joysticks equipped with a Blue-
`tooth radio transceiver or adapted to communicate with
`Bluetooth devices (“Bluetooth-enabled”).
`In accordance
`with the present
`invention, devices 10-70 can also be
`virtually any type of device, including mechanical devices
`and appliances, equipped with a Bluetooth radio transceiver
`or Bluetooth-enabled. The Bluetooth radio transceiver may
`be integrated into the device, or it may be coupled to the
`device.
`
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portable computer system
`100 (e.g., a PDA, a hand-held computer system, or palmtop
`computer system) upon which embodiments of the present
`invention can be implemented. Computer system 100
`includes an address/data bus 110 for communicating
`information,a central processor 101 coupled with the bus for
`processing information and instructions, a volatile memory
`102 (e.g., random access memory, RAM) coupled with the
`bus 110 for storing information and instructions for the
`central processor 101 and a non-volatile memory 103 (e.g.,
`read only memory, ROM) coupled with the bus 110 for
`storing static information and instructions for the processor
`101. Computer system 100 also includes an optional data
`storage device 104 (e.g., memorystick) coupled with the bus
`110 for storing information and instructions. Data storage
`device 104 can be removable.
`
`Computer system 100 also contains a display device 105
`coupled to the bus 110 for displaying information to the
`computer user. The display device 105 utilized with com-
`puter system 100 may bea liquid crystal display device, a
`cathode ray tube,(CRT), a field emission display device (also
`called a flat panel CRT)or other display device suitable for
`generating graphic images and alphanumeric characters rec-
`ognizable to the user. In the preferred embodiment, display
`device 105 is a flat panel display.
`Computer system 100 also includes a cursor control or
`directing device (on-screen cursor control 107) coupled to
`bus 110 for communicating user input
`information and
`command selections to processor 101.
`In one
`implementation, on-screen cursor control device 107 is a
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`touch-screen device incorporated with display device 105.
`On-screen cursor control device 107 is capable of registering
`a position on display device 105 where a stylus makes
`contact.
`
`In accordance with the present invention, a stylus can be
`used to select a commandfor controlling a remote device by
`touching the stylus to display device 105.
`In one
`embodiment, a command can beselected from a menu of
`commands displayed on display device 105.
`In another
`embodiment, a rendering of the remote device or of a
`mechanism for controlling the remote device may be mani-
`fested on display device 105, and a command can be
`selected by touching the stylusto a prescribed location in the
`rendering. The position where the stylus contacts display
`device 105 is registered and fed to processor 101, which
`translates this information into a command for controlling
`the remote device. The commandis then transmitted to the
`
`remote device over a wireless connection using signal
`transmitter/receiver device (“transceiver”) 108.
`Also included in computer system 100 of FIG. 2 is an
`input device 106 that in one implementation is a stroke or
`character recognition pad (e.g., a “digitizer’’). Input device
`106 can communicate information and command selections
`
`to processor 101. Input device 106 is capable of registering
`a position where a stylus (or an element having the func-
`tionality of a stylus) makes contact. Input device 106 also
`has the capability of registering movementsof a stylus (or an
`element having the functionality of a stylus) across or above
`the surface of input device 106.
`in one
`invention,
`In accordance with the present
`embodiment, a stylus can be used for making a stroke or
`inscribing a character on the surface of input device 106. The
`stroke or character information is then fed to a processor 101
`for automatic character recognition. Once the stroke or
`character information is recognized, it can be displayed on
`display device 105 for verification and/or modification.
`In accordance with the present invention, stroke informa-
`tion entered onto input device 106 can correspond to a
`commandthat can be used to control a remote device. That
`is, particular strokes or characters can correspond to a
`respective command.A stroke or character is recognized by
`processor 101 and translated by processor 101 into a com-
`mand for controlling a remote device. The commandis then
`transmitted to the remote device over a wireless connection
`
`using transceiver 108.
`With referencestill to FIG. 2, transceiver 108 is coupled
`to bus 110 and enables computer system 100 to communi-
`cate wirelessly with other electronic devices coupled in a
`piconet or scatternet (refer to FIG. 1). It should be appre-
`ciated that within the present embodiment, transceiver 108
`is coupled to an antenna and provides the functionality to
`transmit and receive information over a wireless communi-
`cation interface. In one embodiment, transceiver 108 is a
`Bluetooth device. Additional information with regard to the
`Bluetooth embodiment
`is provided in conjunction with
`FIGS. 4A and 4B.
`
`FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of the top-side face
`100a of one embodiment of the portable computer system
`100 (FIG. 2) in accordance with the present invention. The
`top-side face 100a contains one or more dedicated and/or
`programmable buttons 75 for selecting information and
`causing the computer system to implement functions. The
`on/off button 95 is also shown.
`In the present embodiment, the top-side face 100a con-
`tains a display device 105 typically surrounded by a bezel or
`cover. A removable stylus element 90 is also shown. The
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`Card, etc.). In the present embodiment, interface 240 runs
`display device 105 is a touch screen capable of registering
`software that allows transceiver 108 to interface with por-
`contact between the screen and the tip of the stylus element
`table computer system 100 or external device 290.
`90. The top-side face 100a also contains an input device 106
`that in one implementation is a stroke or character recogni-
`FIG. 5 illustrates the different operating modes of a
`tion pad. Input device 106 is a touch screen type of device
`wireless transceiver 108 (FIGS. 4A and 4B) in accordance
`capable of registering contact witha tip of stylus element 90,
`with one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`In the
`and also can register movements of the stylus element. The
`Bluetooth embodiment, before any connections between
`stylus element 90 can be of any shape and material to make
`Bluetooth devices are created, all devices are in standby
`contact with the display device 105 and input device 106.
`mode (502). In this mode, an unconnected unit “listens” for
`10
`messagesat a regularrate (e.g., every 1.28 seconds) onaset
`FIGS. 4A and 4Bare block diagrams of one embodiment
`of hop frequencies defined for that unit. The hold mode
`of a transceiver 108 in accordance with the present inven-
`(514) is a power saving modethat can be used for connected
`tion.
`In a preferred embodiment
`(the “Bluetooth
`units if no data need to be transmitted. The sniff mode (516)
`embodiment”, transceiver 108 is a Bluetooth device com-
`and park mode (512) are also low power modes. In the sniff
`prising a digital component(e.g., a Bluetooth controller) and
`mode, a device listens to the piconet at a reduced rate
`an analog component(e.g., a Bluetooth radio). In accor-
`(relative to the regular rate), thus reducing its duty cycle.
`dance with the present
`invention, a transceiver 108 is
`The sniff interval
`is programmable and depends on the
`coupled via a system bus 110 to a system or device that will
`application. In the park mode, a device is still synchronized
`be used to control remote devices (e.g., portable computer
`to the piconet but does not participate in thetraffic.
`system 100 of FIG. 2). Similarly, a transceiver 108 is
`coupled via a connector 250 to each remote device thatis to
`A connection between devices is made by a “page”
`be controlled (e.g., external device 290).
`message (506) if the address is already known, or by an
`“inquiry” message (504) followed by a subsequent page
`With reference to both FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the present
`message if the address is unknown. When connected (510),
`embodiment, transceiver 108 comprises an antenna 205 for
`data can be transmitted (508) between devices.
`receiving or transmitting radio signals, a radio frequency
`(RF) module 210, a link controller 220, a microcontroller (or
`FIG. 6 illustrates the flow of messages between a con-
`central processing unit) 230, and an external interface 240.
`trolling device (e.g., portable computer system 100) and
`remote devices to be controlled (610, 620 and 630) in
`In the Bluetooth embodiment, RF module 210 is a Blue-
`accordance with the present embodiment of the present
`tooth radio. Bluetooth radios operate in the ISM (Industrial,
`invention. In one embodiment, portable computer system
`Scientific, Medical) band at 2.4 GHz. A frequency hop
`100 and remote devices 610-630 are Bluetooth devices or
`transceiver is applied to combat interference and fading.
`Bluetooth-enabled devices.
`Bluetooth uses a packet-switching protocol based on a
`frequency hop scheme with 1600 hops/second. Slots can be
`reserved for synchronous packets. A packet nominally cov-
`ers a singleslot, but can be extendedto coverup tofive slots.
`Each packetis transmitted in a different hop frequency. The
`entire available frequency spectrum is used with 79 hops of
`one (1) MHz bandwidth, defined analogous to the IEEE
`802.11 standard. The frequency hopping scheme is com-
`bined with fast ARQ (Automatic Repeat Request), cyclic
`redundancy check (CRC) and Forward Error Correction
`(FEC) for data.
`link controller 220 is a
`In the present embodiment,
`hardware digital signal processor for performing baseband
`processing as well as other functions such as Quality-of-
`Service, asynchronous transfers, synchronous transfers,
`audio coding, and encryption.
`In one embodiment, microcontroller 230 is an application
`specific integrated circuit
`(ASIC).
`In the Bluetooth
`embodiment, microcontroller 230 is a separate central pro-
`cessing unit (CPU) core for managing transceiver 108 and
`for handling some inquiries and requests without having to
`involve the host device.
`In the Bluetooth embodiment,
`microcontroller 230 runs software that discovers and com-
`municates with other Bluetooth devices via the Link Man-
`ager Protocol (LMP). The LMP provides a number of
`services including sending and receiving of data, inquiring
`of and reporting a name or device identifier, making and
`responding to link address inquiries, connection setup,
`authentication, and link mode negotiation and setup. The
`LMPalso can be used to place transceiver 108 in “sniff”
`mode, “hold” mode, “park” mode or “standby” mode(refer
`to FIG. 5 below).
`With reference still to FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the present
`embodiment, interface 240 is for coupling transceiver 108 to
`portable computer system 100 or to external device 290 in
`a suitable format (e.g., USB, PCMCIA, PCI, CardBus, PC
`
`In the present embodiment, whenit is necessary to locate
`and identify compliant devices, portable computer system
`transmits a broadcast message 6490(e.g., an inquiry 504) that
`is received by compliant remote devices 610-630. For
`example, a user with portable computer system 100 enters a
`room containing remote devices 610-630. Portable com-
`puter system 100, either automatically or in response to a
`user input, transmits broadcast message 640 for the purpose
`of discovering compliant devices in the room.
`As compliant devices, remote devices 610-630 respond to
`broadcast message 640 via responses 650a, 650b and 650c,
`respectively. In the present embodiment, responses 650a—c
`include the Medium Access Control (MAC) address for
`remote devices 610-630. Typically, each remote device is
`assigned a temporary MACaddress for the duration of the
`connection. All communications between portable computer
`system 100 and a remote device carry the MAC address of
`the remote device. Responses 650a—c can also include
`information characterizing, for example, the type and capa-
`bilities of each remote device. This information may include
`an identifier that can be used by portable computer system
`100 to characterize the remote device based on information
`stored in a database or lookuptable.
`Portable computer system 100 can then transmit a com-
`mand 660 to a selected remote device (e.g., remote device B
`620). Command 660 is a command for controlling the
`remote device in some prescribed manner(e.g., turning the
`device off or on, raising or lowering a level, etc.) based on
`the type of device andits capabilities. In accordance with the
`present invention, a second device can be selected (e.g.,
`remote device C 630), and a command 670 can betrans-
`mitted to that device.
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`In the present