KR101454564B1 - Wireless accessory device pairing transfer between multiple host devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A wireless communication system includes an accessory device and a plurality of host devices. The host device wirelessly pairs with the accessory device using the unique link key, detects the primary trigger event, and automatically paired the accessory device with the second host device while all devices remain within the wireless range of each other . The pre-pairing involves delivering the link key to the second host device, unpairing the accessory device from the first host device, and establishing a wireless pairing of the accessory device to the second host device. The primary trigger event may involve establishing a port connection between the host devices. The secondary trigger event allows the first host device to automatically recover its own pairing with the accessory device. The accessory device may also select one of the plurality of host devices and pair with it in response to a particular user gesture detected by the accessory device.

Description

{WIRELESS ACCESSORY DEVICE PAIRING TRANSFER BETWEEN MULTIPLE HOST DEVICES}

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to an accessory device pairing with a host device to perform wireless communications.

Recent technological advances have resulted in a surge of computers, electronic devices, and associated accessories and peripherals that are linked and communicating with each other. While many links and communications between such devices and accessories are made over wired connections, such links and communications between devices are becoming increasingly wireless. Examples of " accessories "or peripheral devices include, but are not limited to, a headphone, a wireless earpiece, a keyboard, a keyboard, Mouse, printer, various other human interfaces (HI), and the like. It is inevitable that the amount of wireless communication between devices in the future will increase in the future because the ability of such devices to communicate wirelessly offers many advantages and convenience to users and consumers.

One common process in such a wireless communication configuration is the bonding or pairing of devices. Pairing is a process 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 also sent between appropriate devices. For example, a particular pairing may be used to associate a given headset or earpiece with a particular mobile telephone and vice versa. Other examples may include pairing a wireless keyboard and a wireless mouse to a particular computer or other host device. Pairing typically uses encryption to enable secure data transfer between devices.

Pairing may sometimes require the user to manually enter a pin code or other identifier to pair the host device with the accessory device, but many pairings between the current devices are required for Bluetooth v2.1 and later devices to request Such as the Secure Simple Pairing (SSP) protocol. Such cases may include, among other things, "just works" types of devices, such as wireless mice and keyboards for earpieces or computers for cellular telephones. In other situations, it may not be necessary for the user to enter pin code or take other action, since exclusive exchange of information may also facilitate pairing. In such cases, it is often sufficient that the wireless accessory device simply falls within the range of the wireless host on which it can be paired. Such a streamlined process results in a more convenient and user-friendly experience for many users and consumers.

In many such simplified cases, a wireless access device that is not paired with a host device enters a "search" mode, thereby actively searching for a host device to be paired. Next, when the accessory device first enters the range of the appropriate host device and discovers such a device and requests pairing, typically the pairing process is triggered automatically. During the pairing process, two participating devices establish a relationship by creating a shared secret or link key. Once the unique link key is stored by both devices, the devices are paired. A device that wants to communicate only with a paired device can authenticate the identity of another device with a password to ensure that it is the same device that it had previously paired with. Once the link key is generated, the authenticated link between the devices can be encrypted so that the data they exchange via airwaves is protected against eavesdropping or other unauthorized communication.

Once the pairing is established, the devices remember it and then connect to each other without further user intervention. In fact, pairing of wireless devices often remains for a fairly long period of time, or even infinite. If desired, the pairing relationship can be manually terminated later by the user. Also, removing one of the devices from the radio range of another may facilitate termination of the pairing relationship. In such cases, the link keys may be deleted at any time by any device. If done by either device, this will implicitly remove the pairing between devices.

Unfortunately, facilitating pairing between wireless devices is too streamlined, and in some cases it may be difficult to unpair the paired devices. This often occurs when a particular accessory device is a simple device that does not have a display for un-pairing or an easily understandable process. In such cases, to transferring the accessory device to another host device, or any other pairing release from the host to which it is currently paired, disconnect the devices until they are outside the range of each other for a predetermined time period , So that a simpler accessory device may eventually need to enter a search mode to find another host device. Another inconvenient solution for causing a pairing change of a wireless accessory device may include turning off one or more devices, or excessive manual intervention in unassigning the accessory device and reassigning the new pairing.

While many designs and techniques used to provide pairing between a wireless host and an accessory device have worked generally well in the past, there has always been hope to provide improvements in such wireless systems and pairing methods. Specifically, it allows for easy selection of a wireless host device from a plurality of existing possible host devices, for a particular wireless access device, as well as allowing easy transfer of pairings from one wireless host device to another wireless host device A system and method are needed.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides easy pre-pairing from one wireless host device to another wireless host device, and allows for easy selection of a wireless host device from a plurality of existing possible host devices, will be. This can be accomplished, at least in part, through the use of wireless host devices that are aware of trigger events and are intended to transfer pairing with the wireless accessory device to another suitable host device. The wireless accessory device may also 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 identifier stored in the accessory device.

In various embodiments, a wireless communication system may wirelessly pair with an accessory device that is intended to pair wirelessly with another device to perform wireless communication, a first host device that is intended to pair wirelessly with the accessory device, and an accessory device And a second host device adapted to communicate with the first host device. The first pairing between the accessory device and the first host device may involve generation of a unique link key between the first host device and the accessory device. The first host device may be adapted to respond by detecting a first trigger event and automatically transferring its pairing to the second host device, whilst both the accessory device and the host devices are both wireless Remains within the communication range. Other embodiments may include one or more additional accessory devices that are paired with the first host device and are adapted to have pairing transferred to the second host device in a similar manner. In some embodiments, such transfer of a plurality of accessory devices between the first host device and the second host device may occur simultaneously.

In various detailed embodiments, pre-pairing may include 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 communicating the unique link key to the second host device and in some cases the accessory device may be configured to recognize the first host device as its default host device have. The first host device may also be configured to respond by detecting a secondary trigger event and automatically recovering its own pairing with the accessory device. Both accessory devices and host devices may be Bluetooth devices, but other types of paired wireless communications may also be used. In various embodiments, the primary trigger event may be the creation of a wired connection, such as a port connection from the second host device to the first host device, while the other configurations may be such that the primary trigger event is the first It is possible to carry out wireless communication to the host device. Other trigger events are possible.

In various embodiments, a method for migrating pairing between wireless devices includes establishing a wireless pairing of an accessory device to a first host device, detecting a primary trigger event at a first host device, Wherein the event involves the presence of a second host device within the wireless pairing range of the first accessory device, - transmitting, in response to the primary trigger event, the pairing information for the accessory device from the first host device to the second host device And transferring the pairing control of the first accessory device from the first host device to the second host device using the received and received pairing information. Such a transfer may occur while both the first host device and the second host device remain in the wireless communication range of the first accessory device, or even within the pairing range, and the transferring step may include transferring the first accessory device from the first host device De-pairing, and establishing wireless pairing of the accessory device with the second host device. Similarly, the pairing information may include a link key unique to the accessory device, and the primary trigger event may include the creation of a wired connection from the second host device to the first host device. Migrating may involve unpairing the accessory device from the first host device, or alternatively may include releasing the access point while holding the pairing information between the devices to facilitate future ready re- . ≪ / RTI >

In various detailed embodiments, the further steps comprise establishing a wireless pairing of the second accessory device with respect to the first host device, and also associating the pairing information for the second accessory device with the first host device in response to the primary trigger event, From the first host device to the second host device and transferring the pairing control of the second accessory device from the first host device to the second host device using the received pairing information for the second accessory device . The further steps may also include detecting a secondary trigger event at the first host device and transferring the pairing control of the accessory device from the second host device back to the first host device in response to the secondary trigger event can do. Likewise, such pre-pairing may occur while all the participating devices remain within each other's wireless coverage or pairing range.

In other further embodiments, a wireless communication system includes a plurality of host devices adapted to pair wirelessly with one or more accessory devices, and a plurality of host devices located within a wireless pairing range of all host devices and adapted to pair with any of the host devices One or more accessory devices. The at least one accessory device is adapted to select and pair with one of the host devices in response to a particular user gesture detected by the accessory device, and the pairing entails generation of a unique link key for the accessory device. One or more additional accessory devices located within the wireless pairing range of all host devices may be adapted to pair with any host device and such second, third or other accessory devices may be adapted to be paired by a second, third, or other accessory device And to select and pair with one of the host devices in response to the detected particular second, third, or other user gesture. In some embodiments, the user gestures are the same and the plurality of accessory devices are adapted to pair to the same host device in response to the same user gesture detected by two or all of the accessory devices. Such multiple pairings of accessory devices to the same host device may occur simultaneously.

In various detailed embodiments, the accessory device includes data relating to each of the plurality of host devices, and an internal memory in which specific user gestures for each are stored. The internal memory includes a plurality of known host devices that the accessory device can pair with, and a list of different user gestures associated with each distinct host device on the list. In some embodiments, at least one of the host devices is adapted to retain a copy of the unique link associated with the accessory device, even though the respective accessory device is not linked. In some embodiments, the accessory device is adapted to recognize a particular host device as its default host device. Likewise, both accessory devices and host devices may be Bluetooth devices, but other types of paired wireless communication may also be used. In various embodiments, the user gesture may be, among other things, the acceleration of the first accessory device detectable by button presses, audible sound, hand movements, or internal accelerometers.

In still further embodiments, a method of automatically selecting pairing for a wireless accessory device with respect to one of a plurality of possible host devices includes, in the memory of the wireless accessory device, a plurality of known hosts Maintaining a list of devices, associating different user gesture inputs with each distinct known host device in the list, detecting a first user gesture input by the accessory device, and detecting a first user gesture input In response, automatically establishing wireless pairing of the accessory device to the first host device associated with the detected first user gesture input. Such establishment may occur while both the first host device and the one or more other host devices are within the wireless range of the accessory device. Such establishment may include exchanging pairing information between the accessory device and the first host device, and the pairing information includes a link key unique to the accessory device.

In various further detailed embodiments, the additional method steps include detecting a second user gesture input by the accessory device while the accessory device is paired with the first host device, and detecting a second user gesture input by the accessory device in response to detecting the second user gesture And automatically switching the pairing of the accessory device from the first host device to the second host device associated with the second user gesture. Such a transition may occur while both the first host device and the second host device are within the wireless range of the accessory device. Such switching may include unfairing the accessory device from the first host device and establishing wireless pairing of the accessory device with the second host device. Likewise, the switching may entail de-pairing the accessory device from the first host device and otherwise involves disassociating holding the pairing information between the devices to facilitate future ready re-pairing of the devices . Still other method steps include detecting a repeated first user gesture input by the accessory device, wherein the repeated first gesture occurs shortly after the first first user gesture, and the number of times the first user gesture is repeated And selecting a first host device to be paired among a plurality of possible host devices based on the first host device. The number of times the first user gesture input is repeated may be a different user gesture input associated with each distinct known host device in the list.

Yet another embodiment includes computer code for performing each of the steps of the methods to provide a non-volatile memory for storing computer code executable by a processor at a first host device to transfer pairing between wireless devices, Non-transitory computer readable media.

Those skilled in the art will clearly know or appreciate other arrangements, methods, features and advantages of the present invention upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this disclosure, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

The included figures are for illustrative purposes only and serve only to provide examples of possible structures and configurations for the disclosed system and method for transferring and determining device pairings between wireless devices. These drawings are not intended to limit the present invention in any form or detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Figure 1A shows a front view of an exemplary wireless system having a host device and two accessory devices.
1B shows the exemplary wireless host device and one wireless accessory device of FIG. 1A in block diagram form.
2A shows a front view of 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.
Figure 2B illustrates, in front elevation, an exemplary trigger event in the exemplary system of Figure 2A, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2C is a front view of an example of a resulting pairing configuration with a second host device after the exemplary trigger event of FIG. 2B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 provides a flow diagram of an exemplary method of transferring pairing between wireless devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
4A illustrates a front view of an exemplary system having a plurality of host devices and an accessory device adapted to pair with any of a plurality of host devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4B shows a front view of the exemplary system of FIG. 4A in which a first user gesture is used at an accessory device to selectively pair with one of the host devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
4C illustrates a front view of the exemplary system of FIG. 4B in which a second user gesture is used at an accessory device to selectively pair with one of the host devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4d shows a front view of the exemplary system of Figure 4c in which the pairing configuration is switched from one host device to another host device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 provides a flow diagram of an exemplary method of selecting one host device from a plurality of possible host devices for pairing, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

In this section, exemplary applications of devices and methods according to the present invention are described. These examples are provided solely to add context and aid in understanding the present invention. It will thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps are not described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. As other applications are possible, the following examples should not be construed as limitations.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, but these examples are not intended to be limiting, and other embodiments may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. And that changes can be made.

In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to pairing a wireless device, such as an accessory or peripheral device, with host devices. A wide variety of devices may function as an accessory device, and examples include, but are not limited to, headphones, earpieces, keyboards, mice, printers, points, game controllers, and the like. Likewise, a wide variety of devices may function as host devices, and examples include, but are not limited to, personal computers, cellular phones, laptops, tablet computers, game consoles, and the like. In various instances, a typical host type device may also function as an accessory device to other host devices. It will be appreciated that there are many other examples of accessories and host devices, and that such other configurations may be adapted to implement the various systems and methods provided herein.

In addition, various types of wireless communications and protocols may be used for the systems and methods provided herein. Such various types of wireless communications desirably involve the ability of the accessory and host devices to pair for the purpose of dedicated wireless communication between the devices. While the specific examples provided herein are discussed in the context of Bluetooth wireless communications, it will be appreciated that any other suitable form of wireless communication between the paired devices may be used. It is also possible that the detailed examples presented herein frequently refer to pairing that occurs within the wireless or paired range of a new host, but such pairing may occur via a bonjour / LAN or other suitable connection that is not within the wireless range. For example, the pairing data can be sent to the remote device via the bonjour / LAN connection, and then once the accessory device is within range of the new host, it will connect to the new paired host and start using it. Other modifications to the specific embodiments illustrated herein may be contemplated by those skilled in the art, and all such modifications may be included.

The following detailed description generally outlines various device pairing schemes and techniques followed by a migration of the paired host devices and concludes with the selection of the paired host devices. These general themes are presented in more detail below.

device Pairing

Referring first to Fig. 1A, an exemplary wireless system with a host device and two accessory devices is shown in a front view. The wireless system 10 may include a host device 20, which may be, for example, a desktop computer among a variety of other possible host devices. The various accessory devices paired with the host device 20 may include a wireless keyboard 30 paired by a wireless connection or link 50 and a wireless mouse 40 paired by a wireless connection or link 52 have. It will be readily understood that additional wireless accessory devices can be paired with the host device 20 at the same time and that other types of wireless accessory devices can be used. In one embodiment, the wireless connection may be a local Bluetooth connection, but other types of wireless connections may also be used.

As noted above, the wireless links 50,52 may be established through a standard pairing process between the accessory devices 30,40 and the host device 20. [ Such a pairing process typically results in the generation of a unique link key for each wireless link 50,52. Assuming that the pairing between the wireless host device and the wireless accessory device has been successful, then the data transfer between the wireless host device and the wireless accessory device can be performed in a secure and controlled manner through the use of the established link key during the pairing operation. When paired, the accessory devices 30, 40 typically respond only to the host device 20. Therefore, if there are other host devices in the vicinity of the accessory device 30, 40, it is understood that the accessory device will ignore the wireless communication from such other host devices. Conversely, when unpaired, the accessory device 30, 40 may respond to any compatible host devices in the vicinity. The host device 20 may generally be paired with more than one accessory device.

Continuing with FIG. 1B, the exemplary wireless host device and one wireless accessory device of FIG. 1A are shown in block diagram form. Likewise, the wireless system 10 may include a host device 20 and a wireless accessory device 30. The wireless accessory device may include a power source, such as a processor or controller 31, and a battery 32. The user input 33 connected to the controller 31 may be intended to assist in pairing with the host device, but the presence of such a user input is not ultimately necessary in all cases. By way of example, the user input 33 may include a button that allows the user to place the accessory device 30 in a pairing mode. The memory 34 may also be coupled to the controller 31 and may provide a persistent data store for various components associated with the accessory device, including program code, identifier (s), data structure, The accessory device 30 also includes a transceiver 35. In one embodiment, the transceiver 35 is a radio frequency (RF) transceiver. The transceiver 35 may output a wireless transmission directed to the host device 20, such as via the link 50.

The host device 20 also includes a transceiver 21 for wireless transmission over the link 50. The host device 20 further includes at least a controller 22, a memory 23, an operating system 24, an application program (s) 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 may be utilized to store persistent data including program code, identifier (s), data structure, etc. (e.g., for the operating system 24 and the application program have. The operating system 24 together with the controller 22 not only receives the transmission from the accessory device 30 wirelessly but also supports and operates one or more application programs 25, (26) and a user input device (27). The host device 20 may include a pin code database 28. The pin code database 28 may store a plurality of pin codes associated with different manufacturers, device types, and the like. During pairing, the host device 20 may attempt to pair using one or more of the pin codes stored in the pin code database 28. It should be noted that although the pin code database 28 is shown as a separate component, the pin code database 28 can be stored in the memory 23.

Likewise, the above details are merely exemplary in nature, and it will be readily apparent that a number of configurations and structures for wireless devices and their pairing can be used. For example, the host device may be a laptop, tablet computer, or game console, while the accessory device may be any user input device, such as a wireless joystick or other game controller. In addition, the host device may be a device in the network of devices, such as on a WAN or LAN that includes the Internet. In some cases, a plurality of host devices may be connected on the same LAN or WAN. Additional items may be included in one or both of the host and the accessory device, the input also including a touch screen and voice recognition, and the output also includes a visual display, a speaker, tactile feedback, and the like. User friendly pairing and other similar protocols such as the Secure Simple Pairing (SSP) protocol of Bluetooth v2.1 may be used. All such items, configurations, and protocols for wirelessly pairing accessory devices to host devices can be used with the various systems and methods presented below as will be readily appreciated.

Paired  Host Device  Previous

In many situations, a user may have a single set of wireless accessory devices, but they may want to use them in two or more different host devices. As one specific, non-limiting example, a desktop computer may be paired to a wireless keyboard and a wireless mouse. The display cable can then be used to port the display of the laptop computer to a larger desktop computer for temporary processing. The laptop display is then properly reflected on the desktop computer display. However, the wireless keyboard and mouse were still paired with desktop computers and were not migrated to laptop computers. The user is then forced to use a keyboard and mouse fixed to the laptop, rely on other wireless accessories or peripheral devices, remove the laptop, keyboard and mouse from the presence of the desktop computer and wait for the repair of these devices, Everyone is uncomfortable.

In such remote or transferred display mode, one host device may be effectively a docking station, mirror or slave for another host device. In this particular example, the desktop computer (i.e., the first host device) is effectively a remote display or docking station for a laptop computer (i.e., a second host device). Of course, a number of other situations and configurations involving multiple host devices are also possible, many of which require that the pairing of the wireless accessory device be transferred from one host device to another host device in a user-friendly and mainly transient manner Share a common problem.

Referring now to Figure 2a, an exemplary system with a plurality of host devices and a plurality of accessory devices paired with a first host device is shown in front elevation, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1A, the wireless communication system 100 may include a first host device 120, such as a desktop computer, and one or more accessory devices 130, 140, such as a keyboard and a mouse. have. The wireless keyboard 130 may be paired with the first host device 120 via the wireless link 150 while the wireless mouse 140 may be paired with the first host device via the wireless link 152. [ have. In addition, a second host device 160, such as a laptop computer, may be introduced in the vicinity of the first host device 120 and the accessory devices 130,140. Typically, the accessory devices 130, 140 will ignore the second host device 160 because it is already paired with the first host device 120.

However, in certain cases, a particular "trigger event" may initiate an automatic process of transferring the pairing of the accessory devices 130 and 140 from their current host device 120 to the second host device 160 . An example of such a trigger event may involve the use of a display cable 170, such as between host devices. As such, Figure 2B shows an exemplary primary trigger event in the exemplary system of Figure 2A in front elevation. That is, the display cable is connected to the ports of both host devices, so that the display from the second host device 160 is shown on the display of the currently modified first host device 120 '. Likewise, by introducing a hard link, such as a display cable, between host devices, the first host device effectively becomes a remote display or docking station for the second host device. The first host device is automatically activated by the trigger event, such as introducing the display cable 170 thereto, to the second host device 160 to which it is currently paired with the wireless access devices 130,140. May be configured to cause the transfer to occur.

Turning now to FIG. 2C, an example of a resulting pairing configuration with a second host device after the exemplary primary trigger event of FIG. 2B is likewise shown in front view. The wireless communication system 100 still includes a display cable (not shown) that links the wireless accessory devices 130, 140 and the modified first host device 120 ', the modified second host device 160' 170). However, unlike the previous versions shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the wireless accessory device pairing has been transferred to the modified second host device 160 '. The host devices can not control at least the first host device 120 'to control or pair with the accessory devices 130 and 140, while the second host device 160' . In addition, the first host device is a display for the second host device 160 ', at least in this example. Thus, the wireless keyboard 130 is paired to the second host device 160 'by the new wireless link 154 while the wireless mouse 140 is paired to the second host device by the wireless link 156.

While such a primary trigger event may be the establishment of a new wired connection between the host devices, such as the display cable 170, many other types of triggering events may likewise lead to automated pairing prior to accessory devices . For example, establishing a separate wireless link between host devices may trigger the transfer of wireless pairing. Additionally, the specific communication between the host devices along the already established communication line may also be a primary trigger event. Other trigger events may include, for example, simple button presses, specific user gestures, newly introduced presence of a "higher priority" or more important host device in the vicinity of the accessory device, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 1 < / RTI >

This new pairing configuration for wireless accessory devices 130,140 may be the result of several steps that occur once a trigger event is detected. One important step is that the first host device can forward information associated with the accessory device to be migrated to the second host device. Such information may include a unique link key, a specific address (e.g., a Bluetooth device address), and possibly a pin code for the accessory device. This communication of the link key, the specific device address, and the pin code between the host devices can be repeated for each separate accessory device to transfer its pairing between the host devices. In some embodiments, the first host device 120 may have a copy of these data items for the wireless accessory devices 130, 140 to be migrated, thereby allowing the first host device to later access these accessory devices 130, And easily re-pair with. Again, the transfer of such a paired host may occur while all the devices are within the radio range of each other, but prior to such pairing, the bonjour / It is also possible to occur via a LAN, or other appropriate connection not within the wireless range, whereby newly paired devices can be paired and operated as soon as they enter each other's wireless range.

Next, the first host device may unpair or otherwise cancel its own pairing with the accessory device or devices to be migrated, and such cancellation may place the devices in a normal pairing mode. Alternatively, while the first host device and the accessory device are disconnected from each other in an "inactive" manner that simply causes the accessory device to discover a new host for active pairing, the pairing information between the devices can be maintained have. Then, during the pairing mode, the unpaired accessory device will find the second host device, which also now retains the unique link key for pairing with the accessory device. Next, the accessory device requests information about the second host device for pairing, and the second host device can request additional information from the accessory device. For example, the pin code for the accessory device may be communicated at this time, rather than when the first host device previously transmitted information about the accessory device to the second host device. Next, a pairing occurs between the accessory device and the second host device. Such migrated pairings can occur with little or no input on the user side and can be automated in response to a particular trigger event.

In various embodiments, the accessory device may include different hosts to which it can connect, and a memory that maintains a list of individual pairing information for each such host. In addition, the one or more accessory devices may be configured to recognize a particular host device as a "default" host device for that accessory device. In some cases, the default host device may be one particular host device, while in other cases the last host device that the accessory device has paired with may be considered the default host device for that accessory device.

Next, the secondary trigger event may cause another transfer of pairing to wireless accessory devices or devices. Such other transfers may also involve pairing with a third host device, which may in essence cause a return to pairing with the first host device. In the example provided herein, such a secondary trigger event may be the disconnection of the display cable 170, at which time the pairing of the accessory devices 130, 140 may occur from the second host device 160 to the first host device 160. [ (120). ≪ / RTI > The second host device 160 may inform each of the accessory devices 130 and 140 to switch back to the first host device 120 at the time of disconnection of the display cable or other appropriate secondary trigger event.

Again, such a process may require the second host device 160 to cancel its own pairing with the accessory devices 130, 140, such as by instructing each of the wireless access devices 130, 140 to unpaired or disconnected with it . Such de-pairing or disconnection may place the affected accessory device in the pairing mode again, at which time the accessory device may discover the first host device as it may be requested, or its latest previous host You can return to pairing or default host pairing. Such different results may be configured for each device as may be desired so that the actual pairing and previous processes advantageously occur quickly, with little or no user intervention in recognizing the appropriate trigger event or events .

Turning now to FIG. 3, a flow chart of an exemplary method of transferring pairing between wireless devices is provided. It will be understood that the steps provided are for illustration purposes only and that numerous other steps may be included within the process as desired. Also, the order of the steps may be changed where appropriate, and not all steps need to be performed in various instances. For example, step 202 may be performed well before the remainder of the method, so this step may be substantially omitted in some cases where focus is only on transferring control of connections that have been paired for a long time .

Starting with a start step 200, a first process step 202 involves establishing a wireless pairing between the one or more wireless accessory devices and the first host device. Next, in a subsequent decision step 204, a query is made as to whether a trigger event is detected. Otherwise, the process repeats until a trigger is detected, and when a trigger is detected, the previous sequence of paired host devices begins. In process step 206, the pairing information for the accessory device is transmitted from the first host device to the second host device, after which the pairing control of the accessory device is transferred in steps 208 and 210. Step 208 involves unpairing or disconnecting the accessory device from the first host device, while step 210 involves establishing wireless pairing of the accessory device to the second host device.

Next, in a subsequent decision step 212, an investigation is made as to whether additional accessory devices should be transferred from the first host to the second host. If so, the process returns to step 206, where the pairing information for the next accessory device is transmitted to the second host device, and this step and subsequent sequence are repeated for all such accessory devices. Once all of the accessory devices have been transferred to the second host device, the process is completed in an end step 214. Of course, various embodiments may involve a plurality of accessory devices performing, as may be required for a particular system and configuration, the processing to be transferred between the hosts, not simultaneously but concurrently or in parallel.

Paired  Host Device  Selection

In many other situations, a user may be in a complex computing environment that includes a plurality of host devices, such as a plurality of desktop computers, laptops, tablets, cellular telephones, servers, and the like. In such a complicated environment, having separate wireless keyboards, mice, pointers and other accessories for each different host device that can utilize such an accessory is very inconvenient and annoying. However, in such an environment, for example, if there is less than a maximum number of wireless keyboards, events such as a complete power off, another manual unfairing or disconnection, or the introduction of new wireless accessories are a major disruption to pairing with the desired host device Lt; / RTI > In such cases, it would be convenient to be able to easily pair the accessory device with any of a plurality of suitable host devices, with little or no user intervention.

Turning now to FIG. 4A, an exemplary system with a plurality of host devices and an accessory device adapted to pair with any of a plurality of host devices is shown in front view. The wireless communication system 300 includes one or more wireless peripheral or accessory devices such as a first host device such as a desktop computer 320, a second host device such as a tablet computer 360, and a wireless mouse 340 , Similar to system 100 presented above in that all of these devices are within wireless communication range of each other. As can be appreciated, additional host devices, accessory devices, or both may also be present and may be within the wireless range of one another. However, for the sake of simplicity, only a minimal number of devices are shown here.

As shown, the accessory device 340 is unpairable to any of the existing host devices. Pairing along the potential wireless link 352 may be done with the first host device 320 or pairing along the potential wireless link 356 may be made to the second host device 360. [ Although a number of protocols may be applied as to which wireless accessory device 340 or devices are to be paired with which host device 320 or 360, the accessory device or devices may communicate with any of the existing host devices It is preferable that it can be paired. Thus, the accessory device 340 may be configured to selectively pair with a host device selected from a plurality of host devices based on a particular input, such as a simple user gesture.

FIG. 4B is a front view of the exemplary system of FIG. 4A, wherein a first user gesture is used in an accessory device to selectively pair with one of the host devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In that the previously de-associated accessory device 340 has now been paired with the first host device 320 along the wireless link 352 as a result of the detected user gesture 380 in the accessory device, ') Was revised. Such a user gesture can be, for example, a single button click, mouse click, or other simply designated input at the accessory device during the pairing process. In this case, a single mouse click 380 on the wireless mouse 340 causes the first host device 320 to be selected for pairing with the mouse. Once the pairing with the specific host device 320 is completed again, the paired accessory device 340 will typically be dedicated to that host device and will be able to communicate with other host devices 360, and any other host devices that may be present I will ignore it.

However, in the case of a plurality of suitable host devices, it is desirable that a particular user gesture be associated with each such host device. Thus, a single mouse click may act to initiate a pairing of the wireless mouse 340 and the first host device 320, while a different user gesture may act to pair the mouse with the second host device 360. If there are additional host devices, a different user gesture can be used to cause pairing with each different host. A different user gesture may in some cases be a completely different action or input, while in other cases it may be a repetition of the same action or input.

Continuing with FIG. 4C, the exemplary system of FIG. 4B provides an example in which such a second user gesture is used in an accessory device to selectively pair with another of the host devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Although the wireless system 300 'is shown as having the wireless mouse 340 already paired with the first host device 320, the same user gesture input and results may be provided by the unpaired condition shown in FIG. But may arise from other start conditions, such as a condition paired with another host device (not shown). As shown, the second user gesture 382 may involve a double mouse click rather than a single mouse click at the wireless mouse 340. Such a second user gesture may be associated with the second host device 360 for purposes of pairing. In either case, in response to the second user gesture detected by the mouse, switching to the second host device, pre-pairing, or simple pairing establishment may occur.

Figure 4d shows a front view of the exemplary system of Figure 4c, wherein the pairing configuration is switched from the first host device to the second host device. Such switching may include unfairing or disconnecting the mouse 340 from the first host device along the wireless link 352 and switching the mouse to the second host device along the wireless link 356 to pair / Resulting in a newly configured wireless system 300 ". As can be readily seen, triple mouse clicks can be associated with a third host device (not shown), etc. Alternative , Different types of user gestures can be used to distinguish between different host devices.

Thus, the generic gestures can be repeated to cycle some or all of the potential host devices, while certain different user gestures can be used to enable device pairing or switching much faster, if possible. In addition to mouse clicks or button presses, other specific user gestures may include audible sounds such as applause or voice commands, hand movements or other physically recognizable user movements, or acceleration of the accessory device itself (e.g., And the like). In the case where an accelerometer and appropriate sensing devices are used, certain user gestures may also include sweeping motion to a host device to be paired, for example.

In various embodiments, a given accessory device may maintain an internal list of suitable or previous host devices with associated pairing inputs. Such list or table of host devices may be stored in the memory of the accessory device itself. In addition, a particular user gesture may be associated with each of the different possible host devices, and this information is also stored in the internal memory of the accessory device. In such a manner, a suitable user gesture input may cause a more streamlined assignment or switching of host device pairing for a given accessory device. Such assignment or switching may involve entering a pairing mode and then detecting an appropriate host device to pair with.

The pairing initiation process may place the wireless device to be paired in a pairing mode. For example, the wireless accessory device may be placed in a pairing mode by a physical action on the wireless accessory device. In one example, a button on the wireless accessory device may be depressed to cause the wireless accessory device to enter the pairing mode. Again, various different user inputs or gestures can be used to put a given accessory device first in pairing mode. Such inputs or gestures may be similar to or separate from the inputs or user gestures involved in assigning the desired host device for pairing, all of which may be configured on the accessory and host device as needed .

In some embodiments, switching a given accessory device among a plurality of hosts may be explicitly indicated at the host level (e.g., from the first host to the second host, as shown above) Or gestures in an order or type stored in the accessory device itself.

In some cases, one or more host devices may be at least temporarily "blacklisted" during the switching process to facilitate the switching and re-pairing process more smoothly without being unintentionally re-paired to the original host device. have. Such blacklisting may be essentially temporary so that the accessory does not exclude the host device from the set of host devices that may be paired in the future.

5, a flow diagram of an exemplary method for selecting one host device from a plurality of possible host devices for pairing is provided. Again, it will be appreciated that the steps provided are for illustration purposes only, and that a number of other steps may be included within the process as desired. Also, the order of the steps may be changed if appropriate, and not all steps need to be performed in various instances.

Beginning with a start step 400, a first process step 402 involves establishing a list of a plurality of suitable host devices and / or maintaining them on a given accessory device. Again, such a list can be stored in the internal memory of the accessory. In a subsequent process step 404, different user gestures may be associated with each distinct potential host device. Again, the user gesture may be different for each different host device, or it may involve repeated gestures that cycle between different potential host devices. Combinations of these can also be used. In a following decision step 406, an investigation is made as to whether a user gesture is detected at a given accessory device. Otherwise, the process iterates and waits until a user gesture is detected, and the method continues to decision step 408 when detected. At decision step 408, an investigation is made as to whether the accessory device is already paired with another host device. If so, the method continues to process step 410, where the accessory is unpaired or disconnected from other host devices.

In either case, the method then continues to process step 412 where wireless pairing between the appropriate host device and the accessory device corresponding to the detected user gesture is established. In a subsequent decision step 414, an investigation is made as to whether all of the desired accessory devices have been paired with the desired host device or devices. Otherwise, the method returns to decision step 406, and then all intermediate steps are repeated for the next accessory device. Once all the accessory devices have been paired with the appropriate desired host device or devices, the method moves from the decision step 414 to the end step 416, and then the method ends.

The present invention may be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention may also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device capable of storing data that can later be read by a computer system. Examples of computer readable media include read-only memory, random access memory, CD-ROM, DVD, magnetic tape, optical data storage device, and carrier wave. The computer readable medium may also be distributed across networked computer systems such that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed manner.

While the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, the invention described above may be embodied in many other specific forms and embodiments without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. . It is to be understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced, and that the invention be defined not by the foregoing details but by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. A wireless communication system,
A first accessory device adapted to wirelessly pair with the other device to perform wireless communication with another device;
A first host device adapted to wirelessly pair with the first accessory device to perform wireless communication with the first accessory device, the pairing comprising: generating a unique link key between the first host device and the first accessory device; Accompanied by; And
A second host device that is paired wirelessly with the first accessory device and is adapted to communicate with the first host device
Lt; / RTI >
Wherein the first host device detects a first trigger event and while the first access device, the first host device, and the second host device are all within the wireless communication range of each other, To the second host device by automatically transferring the pairing of the first host device to the second host device. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a second accessory device adapted to pair with the first host device while the first accessory device is also paired with the first host device,
The first host device sends its own pairing with the second host device to the second host device while the second access device, the first host device and the second host device all remain within the wireless communication range of each other The wireless communication system being adapted to transfer data to the wireless communication system. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the first host device is adapted to simultaneously transfer its own pairing with the first accessory device and the second accessory device to the second host device. The method according to claim 1 or 3,
Wherein prior to paired from the first host device to the second host device, the first host device communicates the unique link key to the second host device. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the first host device is configured to retain a copy of the unique link key after communicating the unique link key to the second host device. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first accessory device is adapted to recognize the first host device as its default host device. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the first host device is also responsive to detecting a second trigger event and automatically reclaiming its own pairing with the first accessory device. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first accessory device is a Bluetooth device. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the primary trigger event is a creation of a wired port connection from the second host device to the first host device. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the primary trigger event is accompanied by wireless communication from the second host device to the first host device. A method for transferring pairing between wireless devices,
Establishing wireless pairing of the first accessory device with respect to the first host device;
Detecting a primary trigger event at the first host device, the primary trigger event involving the presence of a second host device within the wireless pairing range of the first accessory device;
Transmitting, in response to the primary trigger event, the pairing information for the first access device from the first host device to the second host device; And
Transferring the pairing control of the first accessory device from the first host device to the second host device using the received pairing information, wherein the transferring is performed by the first host device and the second host device While remaining within the wireless range of the first accessory device;
≪ / RTI > 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the transferring step comprises:
Unpaired said first accessory device from said first host device; And
Establishing wireless pairing of the first accessory device to the second host device
≪ / RTI > 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the pairing information includes a link key unique to the first accessory device. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the primary trigger event is a creation of a wired connection from the second host device to the first host device. 12. The method of claim 11,
Establishing wireless pairing of a second accessory device to the first host device;
Transmitting, in response to the primary trigger event, the pairing information for the second accessory device from the first host device to the second host device; And
Transferring the pairing control of the second accessory device from the first host device to the second host device using the received pairing information for the second accessory device, The second host device remaining in the wireless communication range of the second accessory device;
≪ / RTI > 12. The method of claim 11,
Detecting a secondary trigger event at the first host device; And
Transferring the pairing control of the first accessory device from the second host device back to the first host device in response to the second trigger event, Occurs while the device remains within the wireless range of the first accessory device;
≪ / RTI > A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing computer code executable by a processor at a first host device to transfer pairing between wireless devices,
Computer code for establishing wireless pairing of the first accessory device with respect to the first host device;
Computer code for detecting a first trigger event at the first host device, the first trigger event involving the presence of a second host device within a wireless pairing range of the first access device;
Computer code for transmitting, in response to the primary trigger event, the pairing information for the first accessory device from the first host device to the second host device; And
Computer code for transferring the pairing control of the first accessory device from the first host device to the second host device using the received pairing information, the transfer being performed by the first host device and the second host device While remaining within the wireless range of the first accessory device;
≪ / RTI > 18. The method of claim 17,
The computer code for transferring comprises:
Computer code for unpaired said first accessory device from said first host device; And
A computer code for establishing wireless pairing of the first accessory device with respect to the second host device
≪ / RTI > 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the pairing information comprises a link key unique to the first accessory device. 18. The method of claim 17,
Computer code for establishing wireless pairing of a second accessory device to the first host device;
Computer code for transmitting, in response to the primary trigger event, the pairing information for the second accessory device from the first host device to the second host device;
Computer code for transferring the pairing control of the second accessory device from the first host device to the second host device using the pairing information for the received second accessory device, Said second host device remaining in the wireless communication range of said second accessory device;
Computer code for detecting a secondary trigger event at the first host device; And
Computer code for reverting the pairing control of the first accessory device from the second host device back to the first host device in response to the secondary trigger event, Occurs while the second host device remains within the wireless range of the first accessory device;
≪ / RTI >

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