GB2510882A

GB2510882A - Interface apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2510882A
Application number: GB1302752.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Henry Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-02-14
Filing date: 2013-02-14
Publication date: 2014-08-20
Also published as: GB201302752D0

Abstract

A pair of data transceivers provides a wireless link (eg. Bluetooth) for connecting a Human-Interface-Device with a USB cable (eg. keyboard, mouse, joystick peripheral) to a USB host computer. This avoids having cables trailing between the peripheral and the computer. The local transceiver plugs into the host; the remote transceiver has a socket for connecting a peripheral device. The remote transceiver may be powered by an internal battery that can be charged through a micro USB socket. The computer is programmed to recognise Bluetooth (RTM) data as if it was USB data received directly from a peripheral device via a USB cable.

Description

INTERFACE APPARATUS

The present invention relates to interface apparatus for wired/wireless Human-Input-Device communication.

Human-Interface-Devices (HIDs) are peripheral computer devices which are adapted to receive an input from a user and to send data to a computer based on the user input. Common types of HID include keyboards, mice, joysticks and buttons.

Conventional RIDs are connected to computers via a wired connection, generally a USH connection, although thcy can be adapted to send data in a variety of different protocols.

Recently, wireless transceivers, in particular Bluetooth transceivers, have come into use both as internal devices and external "dongles" to allow communication with HIDs. a

A wireless connection between an HID and a computer is particularly useful * : * not only for able bodied users but also for disabled users who have difficulty in connecting and disconnecting HID connectors from computer sockets. Specially adapted RIDs are available for disaNed users, known as SEN (Special Educational a: . Needs) HIDs Normally these SEN RIDs use a wired USB connection. SEN HIDs * * are often used in close proximity to each other, such as by students in a classroom.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved interface apparatus for wired/wireless Human-Interface-Device to computer communication.

According to the invention there is provided an interface apparatus for wired/wireless Human-Interface-Device to computer communication, the interface apparatus comprising: S a data transceiver device adapted to be connected by physical metal-to-metal contact to a computer bus and having a software or firmware address fegisterable by the computer; and * a interface unit having: * a case, * a battery within the case; * means for the charging the battery including an electrical input on the case, * a socket on the case for wired input from an HID, the socket being of the type having aBC voltage pair of contacts and * circuitry within the case including: * processor means for recognising input data from the HID and converting the input data to the wireless protocol of the data transceiver device, * transceiver means for wireless address and data communication with the data transceiver device, * memory means for storing at least one data transceiver device address, * comparison means for comparing the stored data transceiver device address with a received address and I gate means for permitting transmission of the HID data only if the * *. compared addresses are the same.

* : . It is envisaged that the interface unit may be adapted for wired connection of external devices other than HID devices and to recognise, convert, and wirelessly transfer types of data other than HID data.

It is envisaged that the input data from the HID can be in any protocol, however preferably it is in USB protocol. It is also envisaged that the wireless protocol of the data transceiver device and the transceiver means of the interface unit may be any wireless protocol, however preferably it is Bluetobth Protocol.

Where the wireless protocol is Bluetooth protocol, typically the data transceiver device and the interface unit each have a Bluetooth address. The data transceiver device and the interface unit may also have a PIN number. Typically the Bluetooth address of the data transceiver device is stored in the memory means of the interface unit. Normally the PIN number of the data transceiver device is also stored in the memory means of the interface unit. The Bluetooth protocol may be any version of Bluetooth protocol such as v2.O, v3.O or any other version of the standard.

Where a Bluetooth connection is established between the data transceiver device and the interface unit, typically the interface unit is adapted to act as a master and the transceiver is adapted to act as a slave to the master. Alternatively the data transceiver device may be the master and the interface unit may he the slave.

Preferably the data transceiver device is external to the computer and connectable to the computer by a physical socket, such as a USB socket.

Alternatively the data transceiver device may be inside the computer and integrated with the computer. Conveniently a plurality of data transceiver devices may be provided. Where a plurality of data transceiver devices is provided, the memory means of the interface unit may be adapted to store each of the data transceiver device addresses and the comparison means may be adapted to compare a received address with each of the stored data transceiver device addresses, ** ** 15 Typically the battery is a Lithium-ion polymer battery, ideally a rechargeable 3.7V battery. Normally the charging socket is a micro USB socket for connection of an external 5V micro USB power source, It is envisaged that any external DC power source may be used to charge the battery, preferably the external source is a wheelchair battery. * . . * *.

* To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of interface apparatus for wired/wireless Human-Input-Device communication in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a printed circuit board of the interface unit of the interface apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a system diagram of a process to establish a Bluetooth connection in accordance with the interface apparatus of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, interface apparatus 1 comprises a data transceiver device 2 for connection to a computer 3 and an interface unit 4 for connection to an HID 5.

The data transceiver device 2 has a plastic case 10 housing a Bluetooth transceiver (not shown). A USB connector 14 is provided for connection of the data transceiver device to the computer 3, via a USB socket 18. A hook 16 is formed on one side of the case 10 for storage of the data transceiver device 2 on a hanger (not shown) when the data transceiver device is not in use.

The interface unit 4 has a case 20 housing a printed circuit board 22 and a 3.7V Lithium-ion polymer rechargeable battery 23. A USB socket 24, for connection of the interface unit 4 to a USE connector 25 of the HID 5, extends through a first side of the case 20. An on/off switch 19 and a micro USB connector 26, for charging of the battery via an external DC power source 40, extends through an opposite side of the case. Three LEDS 27, 28, 29 are provided on the front of the case 2 to indicate either that the unit is on/connected to the data transceiver device 2, that the unit is r:: 15 charging or that the unit has low battery respectively.

Turning to Figure 2, various components are mounted to the printed circuit *:* : board 22, which include an integrated circuit 30, solid state memory 31, a Bluetooth transceiver 32 with an associated antenna 33 and a pico sounder 35. A switch down converter 36 is provided between the battery 23, the integrated circuit 30 and the *: : H Bluetooth transceiver 32 for powering of the integrated circuit and Bluetooth * transceiver by the battery. A switch up converter 34 is provided between the switch down converter 36 and the USB socket 24 to provide power to the USB socket. A charging circuit 37 is provided between the battery 23 and the micro USE socket 26 for charging of the battery from the socket 26.

The integrated circuit 3Q is programmed to receive input data from the HID 5, to recognise the type of input data and to convert the input data into wireless protocol data of the same type as the input data. USB protocol uses a system of class codes for identification of the type of data. Bluetooth protocol operates a similar identification system to the USB class codes, which are known as Bluetooth profiles. The integrated circuit 30 is programmed to identify USE data with an HID class code and to convert the input data into Bluetooth HID profile data.

The data transceiver device 2 and the interface unit 4 each have an associated Bluetooth address, Bluetooth clock and a Bluetooth PIN number.

The Bluetooth address of the data transceiver device 2 is programmed and stored on the memory 31 of the interface unit 4. The interface unit 4 is further programmed to receive a Bluetooth address from the transceiver 32 and to compare the received Bluetooth address with the Bluetooth address stored on its memory 31.

The interface unit 4 is also programmed to connect with and transmit data to the data transceiver device 2 only if the received address and the stored address are the same.

In.this way, the data transceiver devicc 2 and the interface unit 4 are coupled such that the interface unit 4 will communicate with the data transceiver device 2 only and will not communicate with any other Bluetooth transceivers. Such coupling prevents interference between pairs of data transceiver devices and interface units used in close proximity.

*** * 15 In use, the interface unit 4 is switched on at the ON/OFF switch 19. The step- * S down converter 36 converts the 3.7V DC output from the battery to 3.3V DC for powering of the integrated circuit 30 and Bluetooth transceiver 32. The integrated circuit 30 sends a signal to illuminate LED 27 to indicate that the unit is switched ON.

*: *: :* The step-up converter 34 converts the 3.3V DC output from the step down converter to 5V DC for powering of the HID 5 via a pair of voltage contacts in the USB socket 24. On receiving power from the interface unit 4, the HID 5 resets and begins sending reports, or input data, to the interface unit 4.

On receiving the reports from the HID 5, the integrated circuit 30 determines the type of input data that is being received. If the integrated circuit 30 recognises the input data as USB HID data, the integrated circuit converts the data into Bluetooth HID profile data.

Once the input data from the HID 5 is converted into Bluetooth protocol, it can be sent to the Bluetooth transceiver 32 and transmitted wirelessly between the interface unit 4 and the data transceiver devide 2 to the computer 3 over a Bluetooth connection. The computer 3 is programmed to recognise the Bluetooth data as if it was USB HID data received directly from HID 5 via a wired USB connection.

Turning to Figure 3, the Interface unit 4 is programmed to establish a Bluetooth connection with the data transceiver device 2 only if the Bluetooth Address of the data transceiver device matches the Bluetooth Address stored in its memory3 1.

Various versions of the Bluetooth standard exist and each version comprises different procedures for establishing a connection between two devices. These procedures will be familiar to the skilled reader. Several steps of the procedure in for establishing a Biuetóoth connection between the data transceiver device 2 and the interface unit 4 in accordance with the invention are unconventional, however these unconventional steps are equally applicable to the procedures of any version of the Bluetooth standard. A simplified explanation of a Bluetooth v2.O procedure in r:: accordance with the invention is given here.

* Bluetooth devices exchange packets of data in short-wavelength radio * :* : transmissions using a Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technique. The Bluetooth frequency band of 2.402-2480 GHz is split into 79 channels or "hops" of 1MHz each and connected Bluetooth devices transmit and receive packets of data whilst "hopping" between sequences of these channels at a rate of typically 1600 hops/s, in various predetermined hopping sequences.

The hopping sequences of two devices must be synchronized for a connection to be established and data to be transferred. In the Bluetooth master/slave model, whereby one device is the master and one is the slave, the hopping sequence of both devices is determined by the Bluetooth address of the master and the phase of the sequence is determined by the clock of the master.

The procedure to synchronise two Bluetooth devices typically comprises several sub-stages, which are: page, page scan, inquiry, inquiry scan, master response, slave response, and inquiry response. During these sub-stages the devices operate using specific sub-state hopping sequences. -In the present embodiment of the invention the interface unit 4 is programmed to act as the master and the following steps are involved in synchronising the data transceiver device and the interface unit: A. When the interface unit 4 is switched on it enters an inquiry state to search for Bluetooth devices in the local area. The interface unit 4 uses an inquiry hopping sequence to alternately transmit inquiry packets 100 and to scan for inquiry response packets from other Bluetooth devices.

B. When the data transceiver device 2 is first connected to the computer 3, via USB port 18, it is registered on the computer. Once registered, the data transceiver device 2 enters an inquiry scan state and uses an inquiry hopping sequence to scan for inquiry packets from other Bluetooth devices.

C. On receipt of the inquiry packet 100, the data transceiver device 2 enters an inquiry response state and sends an inquiry response packet 101 to the interface unit 4. The inquiry response packet 101. is a Frequency Hopping Synchronization (Fl-IS) packet containing the Bluetooth Address and the clock of the data transceiver device. The data transceiver device 2 then enters a page scanning * : state, using a page hopping sequence to scan for responses from the interface unit 4.

D. On receipt of the inquiry response packet 101, the interface unit 4 compares the *0 received Bluetooth address of the data transceiver device 2 from the inquiry response packet 101 to the Bluetooth addresses stored in its memory3l.

B. If the received Bluetooth address and the stored Bluetooth address do not match, the interface unit does not send a respond to the data transceiver device 2. If a response is not received by the data transfer device 2 before the expiry of a time out period, no connection is established and both devices return to a standby state.

F. If the received Bluetooth address and the stored Bluetooth address match, the interface unit 4 enters a page state and sends a page packet 102 to the data transceiver device to verify that the inquiry response was received. The page packet 102 is an ID packet that contains the Device Access Code (DAC) of the transmitter unit 2, which is related to the Bluetooth Address. The data transceiver device 2 then enters a page scanning state to scan for an acknowledgement from the interface unit.

G. On receipt of the page packet 102, the data transceiver device 2 enters a page response state and sends an acknowledgement page packet 103 to the.interface unit 4 to verify that the page packet was received.

H. On receipt of the acknowledgement page packet 103, the interface unit 4 enters a page response state and sends an PUS packet 104 to the data transceiver device 2.

The P115 packet 104 contains the Bluetooth address and clock of the interface unit 4.

I. On receipt of the FHS packet 104, the data transceiver device 2 uses the PUS paket to determine the hopping sequence and the phase of the interface unit 4 and synchronizes its own hopping sequence with the data transceiver device. At this point the data transceiver device 2 becomes the slave of the interface unit 4, The data transceiver device 2 then sends a response packet 105 to the interface unit 4 to confirm that it is synchronised.

is At this point the units are synchronised and a Bluctooth connection is established. The interface unit 4 assigns a network address, or an Active Member * Address (AMA), to the data transceiver device 2 and typically PIN numbers are * * exchanged between the units so that data can be sent encrypted. The HID data is then transmitted in Bluetooth protocol from the interface unit 4, via the transceiver 32, to the computer 3 via the data transceiver device 2. * 0 * a a * a.

*.... The integrated circuit 30 is programmed to monitor the voltage of the battery 23 via charging circuit 37, and to determine the approximate state of charge of the battery. When the state of charge of the battery falls' below a threshold, the integrated circuit 30 sends a signal to illuminate LED 29 and periodically to the pico sounder 35 to indicate that the interface unit 4 requires charging.

For charging of the battery 23, typically a 24V DC wheelchair battery 40 is connected to the micro USB connector 26. An adapter is provided between the wheelchair battery and the connector 26 to deliver 5V DC to the micro USS connector. The battery receives power from the connector 26 via the charging circuit 37, and on receiving power from the micro USB connector 26, the integrated circuit is programmed to send a signal to illuminate LED 28.

The invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above described embodiment. For instance, the interface unit may be adapted for the connection, recognition, conversion and wireless transfer of types of data OTHER -than HID data. HID data in other USB classes or data in different fonnslprotocols, such as switch data, may be sent to the interface unit and converted into wireless protocol data. Other types of wireless transceiver and wireless protocol may be used to transmit input data from the interface unit to the data transceiver unit. For Bluetooth and other such wireless transceivers, the interface unit may be programmed to be the slave and the data transceiver device to be the master. In this case, the data transceiver device sends out the inquiry packet, the interface unit responds and the comparison of the received and stored Bluetooth addresses by the interface unit occurs at step I rather than step D. Alternatively a different procedure for establishing a connection between the data transceiver device and the interface unit may be used.

The external power source 40 for charging of the battery 23 of the interface unit 4 may be a wheelchair battery of any voltage, or alternatively the external power source * maybe another DC power source. The data transceiver unit may be integrated into *.* * the computer. The computer may be a personal computer, such as a laptop PC, or a *: tablet device or mobile phone or any suitably programmed device with a data processor.

-* * * * ** * .

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An interface apparatus for wired/wireless Human-Interface-Device to computer communication, the interface apparatus comprising: * a data transceiver device adapted to be connected by physical metal-to-metal contact to a computer bus and having a software or firmware address registerable by the computer; and * a interface unit having: * a case, * a battery within the case; * means for the charging the battery including an electrical input on the case, * a socket on the case for wired input from an HID, the socket being of the type having a DC voltage pair of contacts and * circuitry within the case including: co * processor means for recognising input data from the HID and converting r 15 the input data to wireless protocol data.r * transceiver means for wireless address and data communication with the r data transceiver device, C * memory means for storing at least one data transceiver device address, (\J * comparison means for comparing the stored data transceiver device address with a received address and * gate means for permitting transmission of the HID data only if the compared addresses are the same.
2. An interface apparatus as claimed in claim I, wherein the interface unit is adapted for wired connection of external devices other than HID devices and is adapted to recognise, convert, and wirelessly transfer types of data other than HID data.
3. An interface apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the input data from the HID is USB protocol data.
4. An interface apparatus as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the wireless protocol data is Bluetooth protocol data.
5. An interface unit as claimed in claim 4. wherein the data transceiver device and the interface unit each have a Bluetooth address.
6. An interface unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the Bluetooth address of the data transceiver device is stored in the memory means of the interface unit.
7. An interface unit as claimed in claim 4, claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the data transceiver device and the interface unit have a PIN number.
8. An interface unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the PIN number of the data transceiver device is stored in the memory means of the interface unit.
9. An interface unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the wireless protocol is a master-slave communicafion protocol.
10. An interface unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the interface unit is adapted to act as a master and the transceiver is adapted to act as a slave to the master.
11. An interface unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the data transceiver device is iO adapted to act as a master and the interface unit is adapted to act as a slave to the master.
12. An interface unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the battery is a Lithium-ion polymer battery.
13. An interface unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the charging socket C') iS is a micro USB socket for connection of an external 5Y micro USB power source.
14. An interface apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the data r.transceiver device is external to the computer and is connectable to the computer by a r physical socket.
15. An interface apparatus as claimed in any one of claim I to claim 13, wherein the data transceiver device is inside the computer and is integrated with the computer.
16. An interface apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of data transceiver devices is provided, the memory means of the interface unit being adapted to store each of the data transceiver device addresses and the comparison means being adapted to compare a received address with each of the stored data transceiver device addresses.
17. An interface apparatus for wired/wireless Human-Interface-Device to computer corn mun ication as substantially herei nbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.